Sunday, 12 January 2025

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 Due to recent freezing conditions l have spent quite a bit of time at home and painting figures whilst listening to podcasts. I listen to a variety of, history, hobby , theology and sport mainly. I find it a good way of catching up with things whilst taking the figures forward. The fifteenth century Germans were laid aside and I have been working on the Homeguard figures recently purchased-

They have moved forward very nicely and hopefully will be ready to take to the table in the coming weeks.
I even have some bicycle mounted Homeguard too, which are fun.
I’ve been reading round the subject too which has been fun. I heartily recommend both books. I succumbed on Friday and ordered a Smith gun in 28mm. Found this enjoyable video on the Smith gun-

Well worth a watch.
Currently my Homeguard chaps have the odd matchbox car ( VBCW  leftovers) but l am wondering if they deserve something else. Thoughts?
My German paratrooper HQ and support weapons are currently on the painting table and proceeding a pace too. I have added the suspicions look Wargames Foundry nun to their ranks as a nod to the fears of the time. Wondering if the Germans could do with a tank or some Brandenbergers. Thoughts?


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10 comments:

  1. Duke of Baylen12 January 2025 at 07:38

    Sounds fun. What you need is a butcher's van! Seriously you could check the charity shops for a diecast lorry or van and do some converting. Do any of your homeguard have fixed bayonets?
    Stephen

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    1. Anonymous14 January 2025 at 06:07

      I’m tempted to go down the butcher’s van road. I will have a look. One of my figures has a fixed bayonet and looks like an old soldier. I really like the character figures from Wargames Foundry, with one of my favourites being a verger. They are fun to paint and will serve well on the tabletop.
      Alan Tradgardland

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  2. Mark, Man of TIN12 January 2025 at 09:15

    I think there is a diecast Jones Van available with figure at the Dads Army Museum and other sites online but not 100% sure of its scale match.
    Excellent figures. I hope you paint a few WW1 medal strips on these veterans. I look forward to seeing the Smith Gun in action.
    I found some more Home Guard recent history books and reprints and originals online at archive.org freely available https://lookduckandvarnish.wordpress.com/2025/01/05/home-guard-training-manuals-online/

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    1. Anonymous14 January 2025 at 06:11

      Thanks for the links and suggestions. The Smith gun was designed to be towed by a car or even a horse. I will probably field it thus. The Smith gun’s history is very interesting and much of it new to me. I like the idea of a blue painted one being used to defend an airport.
      Alan Tradgardland

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  3. Rob Young12 January 2025 at 10:35

    Try looking up the Lledo range on ebay or in charity shops - loads of them would be useful and they're usually quite cheap - often around £3 each! Massive range,several scales and include lots of 1920s/30s models.

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    1. Anonymous14 January 2025 at 06:12

      Good ideas but I find the lack of scale consistency rather confusing and annoying. Still onward and upwards…
      Alan Tradgardland

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  4. Prufrock12 January 2025 at 11:57

    Those figures with the bicycles are particularly cool!

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    1. Anonymous14 January 2025 at 06:17

      Yes, I am most taken with them too. Something a little different for the tabletop. They come with one simple arm to glue on ( apart from the lady cyclist who was a little more complicated ) and paint up pleasantly.
      Alan Tradgardland

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  5. Brian Cameron13 January 2025 at 12:58

    I bought a box full of Lledo, etc a while back for next to nothing and there are several, including a couple of vans you're welcome to. One is a 1910 Benz limo that would look like it came out of a museum. I don't have one but the old horse-drawn fire engine could be entertaining. Give me a couple of days and I'll post them off. The weird and wonderful Spanish Civil War conversions should be good inspiration.

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    1. Anonymous14 January 2025 at 06:18

      Most kind Brian, I look forward to seeing them .
      Alan Tradgardland

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