Huge !

 

Pate News presents- Army Bleu on Manoeuvres

 

Once again it’s that time of year and plucky Army Bleu are on Manoeuvres. I say don’t forget the cheese , bread and wine fellows!

No one knows who is in that house, perhaps some Army Black sniper! Sound the charge , draw the sword and forward…

Later in the day a more cautious approach is taken- machine gun to the fore and a rifle grenade for good measure…

After the vin rouge is finished what better than a Molotov cocktail to end the meal!

Army Bleu brings up support for gallant elan filled fellows in the shape of the big little guns, mortar and machine gun. That’ll stop em…

Another day of manoeuvres over and it’s back to camp for frogs legs and campfire fun. Well done fellows!

Only the sniper team remain and an artillery spotter watched by the umpire from the woods.

The Chasseurs de pied have one more gallant charge as the day ends and it is off for them too!

This is your brave Pate News reporter and his new Spahi chums wishing you all a wonderful evening and Bon nuit!

Trials and trains

 Real life has been a tad trial filled of late , nothing horrendous but a combination of things leaving me exhausted and low at times. Did manage a wee training game at home Friday and an outing yesterday.

Britain 1940 - German mountain troops hold a strategic road junction. They await reinforcements to be air dropped by parachute.

The method to land. Action dice is placed by player , direction changed by opponent, two d6 thrown to show drift distance from aiming point, figures land at one inch intervals behind, any landing on impassable terrain don’t make it.

The parachute phase nearly over. Every unit gets a pin marker and needs to regroup next turn.

Landing paratroopers took few casualties.

Reorganisation in progress, orange dice marks number of pins.

The British diced for entry point to table.

The British commander making a point forcefully.

The junction is beginning to come out of German hands.

Yesterday, although l didn’t feel like it l went to the Falkirk Model Railway Show. They had moved it to Forth Valley College with excellent modern facilities and space.Some pictures-

Loved the wee crane and understated but effective modelling.

The quay was beautifully modelled as was the detail .

Charming scene on the above model. A feast for the eyes.

N gauge in a suitcase, terrific fun and use of space.

Loved this nineteenth century layout of Bavarian railway in winter. Didn’t know you could buy stuff of this period. So atmospheric, wonderful scenery too.

The bridge was charming to say the least. Wonder who makes it.

General view of big layout.

And here too .

Lovely 009 scale I think. Narrow guage at its best.

Can’t recall much of this , liked the quiz in the bottom right hand corner asking young people to try and spot certain things in the layout. Excellent scenic modelling too.

I had to walk into the centre of the town for my bus home and enjoyed my wee wander . Next summer will mark forty years since I moved to Falkirk, albeit briefly, time flies!

Off the painting table or a gathering of hosts

 

Yesterday’s game part two

 We finished the VBCW game from last week-

My tank which was destroyed last week was now marked atmospherically with one of those electric tea lights! My opponent had added this wee detail which flickered during the game as a reminder of my misadventures.

I didn’t take as many photos as I would have liked getting caught up in the action. Here we see my opponents advancing through heavy fire.

The aftermath of a charge by my Gurkha unit who annihilated their opponents in hand to hand combat.

Shortly after they succumbed to concentrated enemy fire.

My throwing of ones and twos was unfortunately excellent yesterday, I well exceeded my usual quota.

The game ended with my forces greatly diminished and my opponent occupying the road junctions which were part of the victory conditions. All in all a good fun game in good company, who could ask for more…

On the painting table (2) and a Big Indulgence

 These chaps are coming along very nicely-

Bases to paint and gun metal to add but nearly finished. I am pleased with the results.

The other day when looking for some information for painting the above I chanced upon a book for sale. A big indulgence l know but the individual prints are so charming l couldn’t resist. Seller was a charity so win win as far as I am concerned. Anyway the parcel arrived today-

I am delighted with my purchase and hope to have an enjoyable afternoon exploring my new acquisition…

On the painting table

 

I recently bought some resin figures, 18th century and WW2 in 28mm . I haven’t started the 18th century ones as they require heads to be attached having removed them from their scaffolding. The WW2 ones came complete and are charming figures in some interesting poses, such as running holding helmet on head for example.. A trial paint job went well and I haven’t started the started on the rest. I have allowed myself an indulgence and painted a section of Chasseurs de pied in their 30s period uniform rather than 1940.

Secondly Eric sent me this splendid armoured car which survived its journey really well through the post. A lovely resin vehicle it is . It will probably, when painted serve with Mark’s Little Soldiers or on the North West Frontier or maybe somewhere else…

Thanks Eric, most appreciated.