Off the painting desk

 

Downed German aircrew for use in Homeguard scenarios.

The ragged Soldier’s gift painted up and battle ready.

Homeguard snipers in Ghillie suits .

School’s out for…

 Yesterday saw me in Glasgow for the final class of my weekly Seventeenth Century Dutch Art course.

Glasgow was bathed in sunshine, albeit cold, and looked at her best.

We were having a visit to the Kelvingrove as a field trip and l arrived in time for part of the daily organ recital. Sweet Caroline blared out in a wonderfully uplifting way.

Popped by to see one of my favourite paintings…

We had a most interesting time looking at the paintings with our lecturer and chatting amongst ourselves.

This charming town lacks urban planning and seems to have organically grown up around the church.

Interesting pistols on display and in the painting below.

Couldn’t resist taking a photo of this striking picture. A grand day out indeed.

P.s On Sunday I accompanied my middle daughter to Aberdour where she swam in the see. We were fascinated by watching a seal who kept appearing and disappearing off shore during her time in the water and after.

In defence of sprues

 

I like free figure sprues. Perhaps they subconsciously remind me of free gifts in comics as a child. I like the way they function as a taster for a period or scale you have never tried or perhaps they function as chance to try new painting techniques . They are fun , said the big kid at heart.

So what to do with them? Use them, horde them or give them to a good home . I have done all three. Ok the magazines would be cheaper without but as well as the above free sprues could be just the right thing , at the right price , at the right place and at the right time to bring someone to take their first faltering steps in a hobby that will last a lifetime .

Sprues for free are fun. They gave just enough werewolves for a project, just enough German paratroopers in winter gear to start a new project and get into Bolt Action  and now just enough Caesarean Legionnaires for a wee skirmish. Viva free sprues!

Foreign intervention in the Very British Civil War

 Yesterday we had another VBCW game using Bolt Action 2nd edition. Again it was a big table game to allow us to try out vehicles and tanks. The table was more rural than in the last game. The forces were the Leverpool Free State against German paratroopers and mountain troops with a panzer one for support. A most enjoyable game was had but I forgot to take photos as I got absorbed in the tabletop situation. Here are a few l took-

German mountain troops have acquired transport in the form of a steam lorry. They are supported by German paratroopers on foot. This was near the start of the game.

Again early in the game. The German tank advances supported by infantry. German infantry and support weapons advanced through and round a field of crops.

The LFS improvised armoured car has just destroyed a German mortar team. The LFS are defending doggedly a field surrounded by a stone wall. Meanwhile a German flamethrower sneaks forward…

The LFS brought into action a T26 ( a gift from their friends in the Soviet Union) which fired on the panzer  one ( who had advanced to command the crossroads, leaving its supporting infantry behind) and missed!

In the end I conceded as most of my units had taken heavy casualties. An enjoyable game. Next game will be a 1940 Homeguard one…

Away and Home

 Whilst away I listened to this completely this time-

A most enjoyable and informative radio programme on the Homeguard recommended to me by Mark,Mof T. It helped pass the journey northwards on Monday. Well worth a listen.

Two parcels awaited me on my return and were opened on yesterday finally.

Firstly one from 1stCorps contiaining a few choice items to enhance my Homeguard games. A Beaverette Armoured Car and crew, some Homeguard snipers in Ghillie Suits ( could be used as auxiliary unit in scenarios) and some downed German aircrew. 

Secondly two copies of a home produced magazine and resin miniatures from an artist l support via Patreon. It has a Mordheim vibe.

Regarding the Ghillie suited figures-

Here are the figures straight from the bag.

Illustration of such a figure found on the internet 

Illustration from a Homeguard publication with a how to do it vibe.

The downed aircrew will provide my Homeguard and accompanying Boy Scouts something to interact with, look for and eventually find and capture. This could be in bigger games and skirmish ones too. The armoured car gives options too as do the snipers. Lots of gaming potential for a relatively small investment. As l write this on Wednesday morning the downed aircrew are almost finished and awaiting static grass on their bases…

Woking 54mm Games Day

 An excellent day was had gaming with 54 mm figures on Saturday. I had got the train down the day before and due to signalling problems arrived 66 minutes late into London. A foray through the Underground led me to Waterloo where l caught my next train. After checking in there was an opportunity to catch up with one of the participants over coffee which was great.

Saturday dawned and after a hearty breakfast I was picked up and whisked to the venue, the organiser’s house as Christ Church was available this year. We played three games. Battle Masters using 54mm LOTR  figures, Songs of Blades and Heroes using Irregular Miniatures early medieval figures and Battle of The Little Big Horn on a mat which was the game board blown up to 54 mm , using Deetail figures. Now for some photos-

I had forgotten what a fun game this Waddington classic was. Lots of tactical choices and luck too!

Battle Masters was completely new to me. For some reason it had slipped completely under my radar. It is an excellent system, easy to pick up and crying out for variants and different applications in gaming terms.

A magnificent cat!

Songs of Blades and Heroes was played on a table groaning under the weight of magnificent hand made, from wood , buildings and charming toy soldier Normans. We had either to get animals and treasure off the table or prevent this happening, depending on what side you were on.

Roof made of towelling, fence from plaited wire and note hand to show the scale of the thing.

Exciting skirmish action all the way.

Lunch was taken in the garden prepared by our hosts who really made us welcome.

All in all a terrific and inspiring day of gaming, catching up and exchanging ideas. The evening rounded off with a superb meal here-

https://www.mokkabistro.co.uk/

Thanks to everyone for a great day, for bringing their figures and especially to Sarah and Mike for hospitality, food and for making it all possible! A memorable day indeed.