PAW 2012 Review by Paul Davies The weekend 4-5 February was the date for the Plymouth Association of Wargamers’ Annual 2-day Show. Being held in Plymouth means that PAW is always heavily dependent upon the support of mostly local gamers and traders. Combine that with the bad weather and the fact that the second day clashed with Vapnartak in York and I suppose it was inevitable that wider trader support for this show was limited. Having said that, the traders that did attend were very enthusiastic, and most are already booking up for next year’s show! So lets take a look at some of the games that made PAW such an enjoyable event.

Advance to Exeter: May 1938 This was another fictional game, from the ‘a very British Civil War’ alternative history. And I would add, the ONLY game with a handout!!! Thanks chaps, it makes my job much easier if I can concentrate on taking photographs rather than notes… particularly because half the time I can’t read my own writing. Presented by Exmouth Wargames Club. Figure size: 28mm. Figures: Artizan, Copplestone, Crusader, Ebor, Foundry, Great War Miniatures, Musketeer, and Westwind. Vehicles: BEF, Company B, Copplestone, HLBS, Matchbox ‘Models of Yesteryear’, and Reiver Castings. Scenery: Games Workshop, Javis, Models on Demand, PMC, Renedra, and Woodland Scenics, Rules: A Very British Civil War.

ECW Battle: A fictional and BIG recreation of a typical ECW battle. Presented by Eagles High. Figure size: 28mm. Figures: Perry Miniatures, Redoubt, TAG and Warlord Games. Buildings: Scratchbuilt. Terrain: TSS. Rules: Own rules – Ale, Pork Pies and Pikes.

English Civil War Siege: A representation of a siege of a heavily defended town during the English Civil War. Presented by Greg Suff and Richard Stone. Figure size: 15mm. Figures: Mainly Minifigs. Buildings and defenses: Scratchbuilt by Greg Suff. Rules: Newbury Fast Play.

Napoleonic Battle: A fictional Napoleonic battle between British and French forces. Presented by Steve Luscombe of PAW. Figure size: 18mm. Figures: Napoleon at War. Buildings: Hovels. Terrain: Scratchbuilt from the collection of Ken Hockley. Rules: Napoleon at War.

Pacific Naval Battle: A fictional WW2 naval battle. Presented by John Roberts. Scale: Dual scale. Ships: 1/6000th scale Hallmark. Aircraft: 1/1200th CAP Aero. Terrain: Islands - scratchbuilt. Reefs: ‘borrowed’ from a long forgotten board game. Rules: Victory at Sea.

Russian Civil War: British troops v. Bolsheviks. Presented by Torbay Wargamers Club. Figure size: 28mm. Figures: British – Great War Miniatures. Bolsheviks – Copplestone Castings. Vehicles: Mostly Matchbox ‘Models of Yesteryear’. Buildings: Scratchbuilt and Square One. Rules: Storm of Steel.

Troy: An impressive battle before the walls of Troy. Presented by John Soper and Steve Pearce of PAW. Figure size: 28mm. Figures: Redoubt. Buildings: Grand Manner. Terrain: Scratchbuilt. Rules: Field of Glory.

It never ceases to amaze me when I visit PAW, and also Legionary which is held in Exeter in May, just how much talent there is, hidden away in the south west, and also how much support there is amongst local gamers and traders. This year’s show was no exception and clearly I’m not the only person who feels that PAW is a special show. Attendance figures over the past three years that the show has been at the current venue have risen consistently, even this year despite the weather. The Bring and Buy made a larger than ever profit, AND the club made a respectable amount too. So they’re obviously doing something right!   Plans for PAW 2013 are already well under way, and so for more information, check out the PAW website: http://www.plymouthwargamers.co.uk