NAV-CON 2009

NAV-CON 2010!!!

NAV-CON 2010

IS A GO!

NAV-CON is exclusively dedicated to NAVAL WAR-GAMING encompassing miniatures, board games & card games of all Eras - from Ancients, to Modern with an emphasis on WWI and WWII

SATURDAY - OCTOBER 9^th, 2010

Oak Creek Centennial Church & Community Center (Salvation Army)

8853 S. Howell

Oak Creek

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE!

NAV-CON HAS FOUND A NEW AND BETTER LOCATION FOR 2010!

THE SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY CENTER IN OAK CREEK.

Easier to get to, on Howell Ave. in Oak Creek, south of Mitchell Airport.
Closer to the freeway, but still on the busline.
In the SA Community Center gymnasium, recently remodeled, with much more space.
Larger offstreet parking lot at the door.
Guaranteed night before set up.
Larger vendor area, with more vendors.
Smoke free facility.
Improved video & audio systems.
Returning food concession.
"Theme" events (wanna run a BIG daylong event, contact us!).
Within walking distance of Starbucks, Panera, Dairy Queen, Quizno's, Papa John's, Chipotle & McDonald's.
Door prizes.
Silent auction.
Classic naval battle video theatre.
More tables.
Events from ancient to modern.
Open gaming area/bring your own, play something from our free library or open & play your new purchase.
Doors will open promptly at 8am.
Game demos.

LINKS

Naval Wargames Society

ABANDONED ITEM FROM NAVCON 2008!!!

It's been a long time and sorry, it hasn't been a priority for us, but this is something that needs to be taken care of. We still have an item left behind by an attendee or judge at our convention in 2008. Before this year's con, we sent out emails about it and we also made PA announcements at the con itself. No one has come forward to claim it so we're still holding it for it's rightful owner. If you were at NAVCON 2008 and think you might have left something, please send an email to navconmail@yahoo.com with a description of what it is.

In order to return the item to the correct person, we are asking for this detailed description. Since it's been over a year, here's a couple hints. It's an ordinary item, not something for a naval game, and it's used for transporting things. If you reply and your description comes close, we'll get back to you and work out arrangements for returning the item. Thanks for your assistance.

PICTURES FROM NAVCON 2009!!!

Avalanche Press setting up at NAVCON 2009

American Civil War Ironclads at Cornays Bridge

Birdseye view of action at Cornays Bridge, ACW

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Thursday, October 29, 2009

After Action V

The NAVCON staff is still in its self-congratulatory, pat-ourselves-on-the-back, gloat phase. One of the things about NAVCON 2009 we're most proud of is that we had a little more variety of periods gamed, getting beyond the standard WWI and WWII scenarios. We already posted an account of two games with sailing ships. For today's posting we have an after action report of our game of Yaquinto's Ironclads during the American Civil War, the Battle of Corney's Bridge. Here's the report:

The Union Squadron entered the Belle Teche with no opposition but strategically placed Confederate field artillery which made good use of the land features, allowing raking fire upon enemy ships from the opening. Pushing onward, the Union side-wheelers returned withering fire while battling the difficult current and narrows, finally clearing the way forward. Taking steering damage to lead ships, which caused a dangerous bottleneck, and with time running out, it appeared the South had the situation well in-hand. The Union flagship, The Calhoun managed to break free, clear the bend and finally engage The Cotton. A spirited exchange of gunfire produced a well-placed shell from a 30 pdr. Parrot bow gun resulting in a critical magazine hit. The ensuing explosion killed half of the Confederate cottoclad's crew, setting the ship ablaze. The Cotton was forced to strike, resulting in a surprise, Union Decisive Victory.

We're told that the playtest resulted in a Confederate victory, so anything can happen. This game was also unique for NAVCON in that Geohex terrain equipment was used very effectively to represent the path of the river. And it looked great. From the player's position above the table, it was like being in a helicopter flying over the battle. Not your usual simple plain blue closth on a table. Nice job. Hopefully we can get more ACW action at the next NAVCON (don't get the wrong idea, it's not official yet). We'd also like to get some games from still other periods, such as ancient galley warfare or something of the latest and greatest modern missle-boat Harpoon slinging. So if you've got something along these lines to offer, get it ready, step up to the plate and pitch it to us. We'd love to have you.

Wel that's it for this posting.

1:22 pm edt

Friday, October 23, 2009

After Action IV

We're picking this up again, after a week or so. Our staff got together again as part of our regular bi-weekly gaming, and went over results. It couldn't be much better. By early afternoon, all the tables in the hall were in use and the sound level was a dull roar. Dice were rolling and ships were sinking. Thanks to our sponsors, Avalanche Press and Last Square we were able to cover our expenses and offer door prizes. Though a final official decision has not been made, the chances look real well that we'll do another NAVCON in 2010.

One of the things we're looking at is a possible change of location. This is nothing new for NAVCON. Since it started in the 90's it has been at a number of different locations. Though the American Legion Hall has been good to us for several years, it is our responsibility to find the most affordable and optimal location available. There are a couple possibilies we're looking into and of course, we'll let you know right here, if a change is made. So check back once in a while.

OK, now for some good stuff, a little battle report. One of our hard corps judges came from two states over and put on scenarios morning, afternoon, and evening. That's above and beyond the call of duty. it's love of naval gaming. For the evening session, the scenario was Midway, something I wanted to get into myself but which didn't work out. The game was 2 player double-blind using the Midway boardgame from the XTR. I think it was in an issue of Command magazine. Is there any better way to do a classic carrier battle like Midway, other than double-blind? I don't think so. I didn't see it played, being in another game, but one of our staff members played the Japanese and led them to a marginal victory. Midway was taken and one American carrier was sunk for the price of two Japanese carriers. So things could have been a lot different. That's why we play; to find out how different.

Well that's it for this posting. Thanks for reading.

3:44 pm edt

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

AFTER ACTION III, RETURN TO SAIL POWER

One of the improvements to NAVCON 2009 we're most pleased with was the addition of some games dealing with the Age of Sail. I can't remember the last NAVCON that had any. Naval games of the world wars are naturally the meat and potatoes of naval gaming and that's pretty much all that the game judges have been submitting for years. At last year's NAVCON, in 2008, we got feedback from several attendees that they would like to see some events from the Age of Sail. So we decided to make it happen at this year's con and since Clash of Arms Games is one of our sponsors, we thought it would be appropriate if we put on their game of the period, Close Action. I stepped up to the plate to do it and was immediately intimidated by the detail and comprehensiveness of the rules.

Our scenario was said to take place during Trafalgar and involved two British 74s against two French 80s with each player operating a single ship. Several players came and went during the course of the game and I myself ended up running one of the British 74s. Other than studying the rules and doing a little putzing to try the procedures, I hadn't played it myself. Shame on me. Fortunately, one of the players, (out of respect I won't mention names,) one of those who gave this feedback last year, was intimately familiar with Close Action, and more or less took over. We all got a feeling for the basics of plotting movement and had a good bloody afternoon of sailing and rolling dice for broadsides. The rules for sailing appear to me to be the most detailed and accurate that I have ever seen but one of the players, who has his own sailing boat, said there's really no challenge, as there is in the rules, to tack across the wind. All the sailing rules I've seen feature this but he sails a boat and he should know. All I can think of is that maybe it was a lot different with those big old square-riggers. Anyway, he was a good sport and agreed to play the rule as written. And the nice thing about such games is that they can be fixed with house rules.

Our Close Action player came back in the evening and put on his own scenario which was the Battle of Lake Erie, from the War of 1812. I missed getting into the Midway game I had planned to do, so I played Close Action again, and again ran the British. This was a much different scenario as these ships are a lot smaller and more vulnerable but also have a lot less firepower. The British lost this one, getting one of three ships captured, but they put up a good bloody fight. Actually, the Americans were disengaging as the game ended, happy with their victory, and wary of getting close to the two surviving British ships which were finally prepared to broadside with double-shot.

So that's part of what happened at NAVCON 2009. More later.

7:01 pm edt

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

AFTER ACTION II

One thing new this year at NAVCON was that we had a Public Address system for announcements. Actually it was just a karoake machine from a fea market but it did the job. I was going to use it to wish Brett Favre a happy fortieth birthday, October 10th,, the day of our convention, but I forgot. Maybe it was just as well. Among other things, we used the PA to announce door prizes, of which we had several, thanks to the generosity of Avalanche Press and The Last Square. This was also new this year, it worked out well, and we hope we can continue to get sponsor donations for this purpose. So we encourage everyone to support Avalanche and Last Square.

Something not so new was our playing of some naval videos with a projector and screen, which we have done for several years now. We showed some documentaries on seapower, the history of the aircraft carrier, and naval campaigns of World War II, such as the venerable Victory at Sea. Of course most attendees are too busy gaming to spend time watching videos but they do add to the naval atmosphere. Curiously, the videos that got the most attention were the most fictional, The Battle of the Japan Sea, about the Russo Japanese War, and Midway, both from the 1970s. It's all part of the fun at NAVCON.

11:11 pm edt

Monday, October 12, 2009

AFTER ACTION I

Well, it's over for this year. It's come and gone. It didn't turn out exactly as planned, it never does, but overall, it was pretty good, comporable to previous years. As memory serves me, our attendence was exactly the same as last year's and what was that? It was the meaning of the universe, and for those who have not been exposed to Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe, that number is, ta-da, "42!"

For those who couldn't be there, we offer here some description of what you missed. There's too much to absorb all at once, so keep checking back for more description in future entries. All right. As planned, the staff assembled at the hall Friday evening to set up. Surprise. There was a wedding reception going on. This was booked subsequent to our checking to see if we could come and set up so we didn't know about it. All we could do was sit at the bar for a while and "go over plans." Right. It just meant we had to do all our setup when we got there in the morning. And we did. A few early attendees helped with carrying and setting up tables and chairs and with setting up the NAVCON sign outside. I myself was so busy unloading my stuff that when I finally looked up and took a look, the hall was already filled with tables and a number of games were already started. Many hands make light work. Thanks to all who pitched in. More next time.

7:48 pm edt

Friday, October 9, 2009

N DAY MINUS ONE

We are busier than ever, taking care of the many piddly but necessary details that go into putting on a convention. We've got several years under our belt, but every year is different. It's just a little one-day convention but to us, it's a big deal. Tomorrow, once we open up, we'll find out what we didnt anticipate or couldn't anticipate, and we'll have to improvise as best we can. That's part of tthe excitement. You just have to love it.

As expected, there has been a last minute event change. If you scroll down, you'll see that the Guadalcanal game has been replaced with a World War I game matching up the French fleet with the Austrian fleet in the Adriatic in 1914. It should be just as good.

We'll post again next week to review how things went, but as this is going to be our last posting before this year's NAVCON, we want to acknowledge the support of one of our sponsors in particular, Clash of Arms Games. COA was generous enouch to include the greater part of our flyers in their own bulk mailing and this was a huge benefit to us. Their products are pretty decent to, so check them out.

See you all tomorrow! Carry on!!

12:01 pm edt

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Another Day Closer

We're beavering away, getting everything ready. The evening before the con, the staff is meeting at the hall to set up and go over things.

I want to call your attention to a couple exciting new addtions we'll be featuring this year. First, thanks to our sponsor, Avalanche Press, we'll be offering some door prizes. Keep your ears open for announcements and if your name is called, step up and claim your prize. Names will be called several times throughout the day and evening and you must be present to win. If you are not present or choose not to come forward, we'll call another name.

Second, this year, food, snacks, and refreshments will be available on-site, so bring a little extra currency to take advantage of this. Having this resource means it is no longer necessary to leave the premises to get a meal or a snack and therefore the official time between sessions, between morning and afternoon session and between the afternoon and evening session, has been reduced to fifteen minutes. Of course, unofficially, everyone can come and go as they please. If you do leave and come back, just remember your name tag.

Gotta get busy with more prep. See you there.

1:44 pm edt

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Four Days

Preparations continue. Yesterday I did a little shopping for materials and supplies and am going out again today. The wires are burning up with the phone calls and emails exchanged by members of the staff.

Here's a point of clarification. As has been done since the inception of NAVCON, long before the present staff picked up the ball. there is no pre-registration for games. Sign up is on the day of the convention. Just show up and after you register, there will be a table close by with sign-up sheets for each game. And there's no extra fee. There are enough games so that there usually isn't a problem finding one. As posted yesterday, if everything is filled, talk to one of the staff and we'll do our best to find something for you to play. And if the game you really want to play in is filled up, sign up for something else. You might be surprised how much fun it is. It's happened to me a number of times. After all, we're here to play and if we're not cursing the dice for something, we're not having fun. See you there.

12:53 pm edt

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Five Days to go!

There will always be changes but at this point, it looks like our event schedule is full. We don't have much room for too many more. And it looks like there will be enough playing positions even if there are some cancellations. We might even be overscheduled. Some of us have "had a war and nobody came" in that we've put on events at cons and didn't get enough players. It's disappointing. But when organizing a con, one has to anticipate some cancellations and hope there are enough games for all attendees. With that in mind, it's better to have too many events instead of too few. Both sides have to accept the situation of a convention and deal with it. That being said, if you come to NAVCON and can't find any game to play in, please find one of the staff and we will do our best to get you into a one. We'll also do our best to find players for games without enough.

11:33 am edt

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Less than a week to go!

Another event has been added, the Battle of Lake Erie using "Close Action" rules by our sponsor, Clash of Arms games. We're doing better this year with having more games from the Age of Sail, a nice change of pace from the predominent 20th century events.

In addition to Avalanche Press, which has supported our convention for a number of years, we might have another vendor this year, with naval miniatures for sale. We can't give details here because arrangements are still in process, but chances look good, so come prepared to do a little shopping. We're also having the silent auction again, as described below, and you never know what bargains you might find there. If you have a few wargaming items to sell, consider putting them into our silent auction and getting something for them.

6:36 pm edt

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CONVENTION INFORMATION

NAV-CON 2010 is a ONE day event. Doors open Saturday
at 08:00 and close at 24:00.

Admission: $12 Adult (18 or Older) - Students $6

The convention will also host a silent auction, and show Classic Naval war films.

FEATURING

FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE

BEVERAGES, SNACKS, AND FOOD

ON-SITE!

Convention Information: Mark Nies

Events Wanted!!!

Contact

Event Coordinator: Ron Mazurkiewicz

Silent Auction: Rick Durand

Items eligible for the Navcon Silent Auction are military related models, figures, boardgames, rules sets, books, videos, etc. Navcon reserves the right to reject any submitted item as inappropriate. Unlike previous years, items must be organized into "lots" of one to five items and instead of a percentage commission, NAVCON will collect only one dollar per lot at the time the lots are submitted. The limit of submitted "lots" is five per paid attendee. Bidding will end at 1600 hours.

DIRECTIONS

Proceed North From Illinois or South From
Milwaukee on I94, Exit Ryan Rd EAST
towards Lake Michigan. Turn left on S. Howell

Ave. and proceed North to the Salvation Army

Community Center,8853 S. Howell, at the

Northeast corner of Howell Ave. and

W. Centennial Drive.
.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=8853+s.+howell+ave.,+Oak+Creek,+WI&sll=36.456636,-95.712891&sspn=18.124474,35.683594&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=8853+S+Howell+Ave,+Oak+Creek,+Milwaukee,+Wisconsin+53154&z=15

NEW THIS YEAR!!!

A.R.E.A. SANCTIONED TOURNAMENT

THE AVALON HILL CLASSIC

VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC!!!

The 2009 Events Have Now Been Cleared From This Section.

NAVCON 2010 EVENT LISTING

(The 2010 Events are now being posted. Check back to see what's new! Times assigned are subject to change )

MORNING EVENTS:

09:00 TO

13:45

1A

EVENT

Battle of Cape Spartivento

ERA

WWII

# OF Players

2-6

RULE SET

NAVAL THUNDER

NAME

Jeff Henn
Battlefield Hobbies

DESCRIPTION
Late in 1940, the Italian navy had been a fleet in being. However, after the British struck a crippling blow at Taranto, the Italian Admiralty decided that they were better off taking the fight to the high seas. Owing to early Italian successes in disrupting reinforcement of Malta, the British began sending larger and more powerful convoys. Such was the case on November 27, 1940 when a strong British convoy was informed of an Italian force closing on their position. British Admiral Somerville ordered his escort forces to engage the Italian forces. Vice Admiral Iachino had orders to avoid combat unless it was heavily in his favour. Will the Italians judge the odds in their favor and engage the British in a decisive battle? Or can the British escorts close for battle in either case?
Scale 1/2400

1B

EVENT
Battle of the Yellow Sea

ERA
Russo-Japanese War

# of Players
6

Rule Set
Rise of the Battleship

Name
Dave Himm
Battlefield Hobbies

Description
With mounting pressure on the Russian Navy's First Pacific Squadron trapped in Port Arthur by the Czar, they attempt to breakout to join with the Vladivostok squadron. The Imperial Japanese navy had other ideas in mind. Join up and prepare for a true slug fest. Scale 1/1000

1 C

Event
ACW Mini Game Marathon

Era
American Civil War

# of Players
4

Rules
Smoke on the Water

Name
John Cusack
Battlefield Hobbies

Description
Come and join the fight, river style, during the Civil War. We have 2 scenarios to challenge the bold.
The Albermarle's fight against 4 Federal double enders. Then prepare for a wild ride as the Arkansas fights its way through the Federal Fleet. Scale 1/600.

1 D

Event

ERA

# OF PLAYERS

Rules

Name

Description

1E

EVENT

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

1F

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

1G

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

1H

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description
.

ID #
1I

EVENT

ERA

PLAYERS

RULE SET

Name

DESCRIPTION

ID #
1J

EVENT

ERA

PLAYERS

Rules

Name

DESCRIPTION

1K

Open Boardgaming

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

A.R.E.A. / Petroski

Play your favorite naval boardgames from Avalon Hill, Avalanche Press, and more. All players will be registered with A.R.E.A. for free!

AFTERNOON EVENTS

14:00 TO

19:00

2A

Event
Battle of Ulsan

ERA
Russo-Japanese War

# of Players
3-7

Rules
Rise of the Battleship

Name
Dave Himm
Battlefield Hobbies

Description
14 August 1904. While the Battle of the Yellow Sea was being fought, the Russian squadron from Vladivostok was engaged in Commerce raiding. Unfortunately they ran into the Japanese 2nd Battle Division under Vice-Admiral Kamimura. Scale: 1/1000.

2B

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2C

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 D

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 E

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 F

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 G

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 H

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 I

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 J

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 K

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

2 L

Open Boardgaming

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

A.R.E.A. / Petroski

Play your favorite naval boardgames from Avalon Hill, Avalanche Press, and more. All players will be registered with A.R.E.A. for free!

EVENING EVENTS

19:15 TO

24:00

3A

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

3B

Event

ERA

# of Players

Name

Description

3 C

Event

ERA

# OF PLAYERS

Rules

Name

3 D

Event

ERA

# of Players

Rules

Name

Description

3 E

Event

ERA

# of Players

3 F

3 F

OPEN BOARD GAMING

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

VARIOUS

A.R.E.A. / Petroski

Play your favorite naval boardgames from Avalon Hill, Avalanche Press, and more. All players will be registered with A.R.E.A. for free!