Regression Analysis?

During the forthcoming school half-term holiday I expect to play host to one, or possibly two of our young neighbours for a game of “What a Tanker” from Too Fat Lardies.

In preparation, since I have never played the game, I had a solo try-out today.

This gave me the opportunity to dig out of the loft some of the toys that I bought when I retired about five years ago, most of which date from my teenage years.

Airfix polythene tanks and Waterloo Farmhouse kits, Merit trees and hurdles as gates., Britains hedges and some modern Javis model railway walls.  I could have used the old Britains farm walls but they were slightly too tall and less stable. All laid out on a camouflage patterned blanket cloth.

I began with a simple one-to-one Sherman vs Panther engagement, fully expecting the Sherman to be wiped out.  The Panther is faster and has a better gun and thicker armour.

However, as soon as they came within limited sight of each other the Panther failed to roll any useful dice while the Sherman managed to locate the target, aim and then load and fire twice, scoring two hull damage and three turret damage points in quick succession.

The Panther, left with only one command die, limited movement and damaged optics on the gun was unable in practice to do anything but withdraw.

Neither party had really got involved beyond the initial shots largely due to the British superb and German lousy dice rolls.

I need to get better acquainted with the mechanisms before hosting the game, so a second try tomorrow is likely.