Want to try Minis but not sure where to start.

thats a sweet deal, a store around here had a buy one get one half off deal, but they didnt say the 1/2 off one had to be equal or leser in value, so i bout 1 booster pack and got the starter set 1/2 off, i ended up doing that 13 times. i have more dice than i know what to do with!

Excellent question.  I do not have any historical evidence of widespread tank vs. tank ramming, and I don’t really expect that it went on.  I included the rule more for sake of gameplay with non-armored vehicles (jeeps, halftracks, etc.) The rule represents a sort of last ditch option available to a player with nothing left but jeeps who is trying to face down a tank.  I’ve people ask to be able to ram on a number of occasions, so I decided to come up with a rule for it.  The attack itself is pretty anemic (need 6’s to hit) so I can’t think of why a tank would ever choose to ram another vehicle instead of using it’s short/medium range armor attack roll instead.  Now a jeep, on the other hand, really wouldn’t have any other attack against a light tank.  With the ram you might be able to damage a tank, but you are certainly going to destroy your jeep trying.  Let me know if you end up using the rule and if it works for you or not.

I’m having trouble finding what years accurately reflect units Nationalist China can historically use. Do you happen to have any years for all the remaining units?

Sdkfz 222 (Germany) - 1939
20mm flak (Germany) - 1939
P-40 Tomahawk (USA) -1939
P-51D Mustang (USA) - 1945
T-26b (SU) - 1939
IL-10 Sturmovik (SU)
T-34/76 (SU)
SU-122 (SU)
SU-76 (SU)

I started this summer with a starter pack. Then I bought some boosters (39-45), but now I’m buying on Ebay.
This way you combine your own army,depending on the side you want to play.

I guess my challenge would be getting used to those maps again.

I was thinking of lettered columns and numbered rows, like battleship. Use the facing as described above. Counting movements should not be a prob. I think a code chart for unit shorthand would be wise too, to speed the play.

I thought of third one that is basically just a combination of those:

Spread out the support pieces, and have each one earn different points on top of their ability.

HQ = Aircraft points
Ammo Dump = Soldier points
Fuel Depot = Vehicle points

It adds more strategy as to what you want to hold. I’d say 2 ammo dumps, 1 HQ, and 1 fuel depot would probably make it the most fun.

Half-Track

Its funny you mentioned kids knocking over the board.  I came up with this solution yesterday:

http://www.custom-magnets.com/39Inch_Magnetic_Rolls.htm
http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/StaplesProductDisplay?&storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10051&partNumber=490429&cm_mmc=GoogleBase--Shopping--Office_Supplies_%253E_Resume_and_Specialty_Paper_-_-490429-70972&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=490429
http://housewares.hardwarestore.com/37-188-contact-papers/clear-contact-paper-105240.aspx
http://www.discountschoolsupply.com/product/productdetail.aspx?product=22122&es=10190200000

Basicly…I will have a magnetic wall…big magnetic campaign map, and magnetic pieces (im going old school cardboard squares only instead of cardboard I will use magnets)

The sticker paper is to print the graphic representation (map or units).  Then cut and stick on magnet piece.  Then seal with clear contact paper which will give it wipe on wipe off capabilities.

Edit:
After reading more on the units and what not I have to agree with you.  This simply wont work.  At first I thought just using the Mini unit cost = the number of IPCs to purchase but this would mean it would take several turns just to buy a tank.  Not to mention balance issues on the campaign map.

I think what I am going to do is talk my old man into pulling his dusty advanced squad leader boxes out of storage.
I am also looking into World in Flames to satisfy my delusions of grand conquest.
Gonna keep A&A around for casual family games though.

The previous link for the Guadalcanal miniatures campaign alternates between Axis & Allies Miniatures battles and War at Sea Battles. It does not tie in with their Guadalcanal board game. I don’t think they have yet to combine all three games into one campaign. I’d like to try something like that at my local game scene because I think it would be to difficult to do via PBEM.