Saturday, December 7, 2013

Remember Pearl Harbor

          72 years ago on this day America was attacked, plunging us into the depths of World War 2. It is a day that ought to be well remembered. An important part of our heritage as Americans. The attack showed how unprepared for the attack we really were. But then after that day it served as a rallying point, a moment in time that we as a country could look back upon and rally to as we faced the reality of war ahead. It was a day that will live in infamy. God bless the veterans and all who served our country during World War 2.
         
           In the miniatures game that I play "Check Your Six!" I'm painting up the axis. Right now in particular the Japanese. These are some pictures of my completed A6M2 Zeros, D3A1 Vals, and B5N2 Kates. The decals are from Scale Specialties (http://www.ss-sms.com/) who make wonderful sets of Japanese decals for 1st carrier division (Akagi, Kaga) 2nd carrier division (Soryu, Hiryu) and 5th carrier division (Shokaku, Zuikaku)
Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero"


D3A1 "Val" Dive Bombers


B5N2 "Kate" Torpedo Bombers

Mitsuo Fuchida's Kate Bomber which lead the first wave on Pearl Harbor




Sunday, October 27, 2013

HMGS-PSW October War Convention 2013

I had an opportunity yesterday to attend the HMGS Convention. The convention is put on by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, of which I am a member. (Here is a link to their site http://www.hmgspsw.com/ ) They put on a good show. Miniatures from all eras of history are on display, as players take on the role of generals and captains, trying to either recreate history or change history. I had a great time playing the miniatures game Check Your Six! which is a World War II simulation of air combat. We played an engagement set in the late war pacific theater, where Japanese fighters and US fighters tangled in the skies. All of the players had an enjoyable time sending their opponents planes down in flames.
The second miniatures game that I attended yesterday was from the Check Your Six! Jet Rules. This was my first time playing the Jet version and I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for. The version played similar, but there were a lot of new rules with missiles, radar, and afterburners. I learned however that tactics which work well in the WWII version, don't exactly translate to the Jet version. As the jets move much quicker, and take longer to turn, that made it harder to set up good shots. It was a very enjoyable game, and I'm looking forward to learning the Jet rule set and painting up some jets of my own.

Until next time, Cheers!
Kevin

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Periodic Hopscotch

The beginning of another week. This past month I've sent out some more of my writing to various magazines in hopes of maybe getting one piece in. I was rewarded thus far by a response from the Curator magazine, they'll be publishing a piece of mine entitled "Periodic Hopscotch." So far no other hits on pieces sent out, but this is a silver lining in the dark cloud of rejections. It gives me fuel and gumption to send out more pieces to other magazines. And hopefully one day I'll be able to sell some of my short stories to publications. This has been harder than I originally thought, although in a way it energizes me. It is exciting to discover new publications and then try and find pieces of work which will fit. I'll continue to plunk away at the keyboard in hopes of another hit.

http://www.curatormagazine.com/kevin-meeks/periodic-hopscotch/