On ebay - starting price of 99pence, Not sure who's sculpts.
Some pictures of painted (mainly) historical wargames figures. The name is a pun, not a boast.
Monday, 13 November 2017
Friday, 10 November 2017
30mm Napoleonic Flat Figures Zinnfiguren Painted - Wurttemberg Infantry Battalion - for sale
Right folks - I've listed these http://ebay.to/2ysA46p . Now RELISTED at a starting price of just 99pence - you lot decide what they are worth! http://ebay.to/2AZPjFd
They were an indulgence - me just having a crack at painting something unusual. A real pleasure to. Now going as part of my clear out.
They were an indulgence - me just having a crack at painting something unusual. A real pleasure to. Now going as part of my clear out.
Monday, 16 October 2017
The Batlle of Amiens August 1918 and the Australian War memorial
The road from Amiens to Perrone is long, straight and undulating. It's takes you under huge skies through a battlefield fought over many times and past the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux.
If you can stop here. Allow yourself some time. Take a walk and have a think.
This ground was covered as part of the German spring 1918 offensive
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Amiens_(1918)
This was the first time I'd stopped to look at the valley of the Somme as a battlefield, until now I'd at best driven through it.
The memorial itself and some of the headstones bear the damage of artillery fire from fighting in the area in 1940.
When I visit a cemetery in France I try to take the time to walk and look at the names - as many as I can. All of them if I can, although it becomes a little overwhelming. You can find the pictures I took here. Some are below...
Here are some picture of the ground East of the memorial out toward Perronne that the battle was fought across..
If you can stop here. Allow yourself some time. Take a walk and have a think.
8th August, 1918, by Septimus Power |
This ground was covered as part of the German spring 1918 offensive
"On 21st March 1918, the Germans launched one of the most successful battles of the Western Front, in the aim of taking Amiens and its vast communication lines. Only the town of Villers-Bretonneux, located just 15 kilometres before Amiens, was in their way. The Germans failed in their initial attempt to take Villers-Bretonneux on 4th April, but supported by tanks, they broke through British lines on 24th April and captured the position.This attack also resulted in the very first tank versus tank battle, seeing three British tanks battle against three German tanks in the fields south of Villers-Bretonneux."
We are told on the Australian War Memorial site
For more reading on this there is:"In the quest for Amiens, the Germans' next aim was to capture Hill 104 (where the Australian National Memorial stands today), making it vital for the Allies to recapture Villers-Bretonneux as quickly as possible. Two Australian brigades were rapidly brought in to assist the remaining British troops, and, that same evening, the 15th Brigade swept around the north side of the town, while the 14th Brigade covered the left flank.To the south of Villers-Bretonneux, the 13th Brigade attacked near Cachy and by dawn the Australians had Villers- Bretonneux almost completely surrounded. By the 26th, most of the ground captured by the Germans had been retaken and the threat to Amiens was over.The Australians suffered over 2400 casualties, the British lost 9500 men, mostly captured during the German attack of the 24 April, while the Germans lost approximately 10,000 men."
Later the same ground was fought over as the Australian sought to push back the German's.
Read
The Day We Won The War: Turning Point At Amiens, 8 August 1918
The Australian Victories in France in 1918
The memorial looks out across the jumping off point for the Australian Attack on August 8th 1918 - a sophisticated all arms assault on the withering German Army. The thing that struck me about the ground was how exposed the trenches must have been - how easily overlooked positions were and how wide an expansive the fields of fire were. In the picture below Amiens is to your left and Peronne is to the right - the direction in which the attack went.
The view from the memorial across the cemetery and out onto the wide open land that the Australians attacked across. |
A map of the attack from https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions/1918/battles/amiens |
German Prisoner being lead away towards Amiens - August 8th 1918 |
This was the first time I'd stopped to look at the valley of the Somme as a battlefield, until now I'd at best driven through it.
The memorial itself and some of the headstones bear the damage of artillery fire from fighting in the area in 1940.
When I visit a cemetery in France I try to take the time to walk and look at the names - as many as I can. All of them if I can, although it becomes a little overwhelming. You can find the pictures I took here. Some are below...
Here are some picture of the ground East of the memorial out toward Perronne that the battle was fought across..
Monday, 2 October 2017
The Silk Roads - a new history of the world. Quick Review
Like many of us I absorb history books. Not just military history books but almost any. Context really improves my appreciation of a game - this book is rich in context.
The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan does just that. It's range stretches from pre Alexandrian times, through to 9/11 and the current political an economic turmoil.
For me the last few chapters post WW1 were very detailed but the least helpful. Maybe it's an area that I already have some context on, even a period that I have lived through.
The earlier Chapters fascinated me. The fluctuating relations between Rome, Persia and China. The shifting sands of religious affiliation and the way in which cultures absorbed and overwhelmed each other. The issues of trade, against the growth in demand for luxury all help explain why conflicts happened, indeed why peace took hold.
The arrival of Islam and it's spread at a time of economic contraction during the 7th century wars between Persian and the declining Roman Empire. The construction and wealth of Baghdad. The overlapping of Islam, Christianity, Judaiam and Zoroastrianism spreading deep into a darkened central and Norther Europe.
The spread of the Viking Rus into the area we now call Russian, with their trade in furs slaves (Slavs) and the returning gold, silver, jewels and silks.
The extraordinary reach of the Mongols and the Black Death, the growth of European technical prowess and the new empires of the 1500's.
This is a sweepingly useful book, it helps us understand alliances and wars against the religious, intellectual and economic changes that brought them on.
The Silk Roads by Peter Frankopan does just that. It's range stretches from pre Alexandrian times, through to 9/11 and the current political an economic turmoil.
For me the last few chapters post WW1 were very detailed but the least helpful. Maybe it's an area that I already have some context on, even a period that I have lived through.
The earlier Chapters fascinated me. The fluctuating relations between Rome, Persia and China. The shifting sands of religious affiliation and the way in which cultures absorbed and overwhelmed each other. The issues of trade, against the growth in demand for luxury all help explain why conflicts happened, indeed why peace took hold.
The arrival of Islam and it's spread at a time of economic contraction during the 7th century wars between Persian and the declining Roman Empire. The construction and wealth of Baghdad. The overlapping of Islam, Christianity, Judaiam and Zoroastrianism spreading deep into a darkened central and Norther Europe.
The spread of the Viking Rus into the area we now call Russian, with their trade in furs slaves (Slavs) and the returning gold, silver, jewels and silks.
The extraordinary reach of the Mongols and the Black Death, the growth of European technical prowess and the new empires of the 1500's.
This is a sweepingly useful book, it helps us understand alliances and wars against the religious, intellectual and economic changes that brought them on.
Thursday, 28 September 2017
Are these napoleonic war Shako's really what the seller describes?
Garde d'Honneur Shako? |
I have a penchant for perusing stuff for sale online. Here are a couple of eye wateringly expensive things that an antiques dealer has on ebay.
The first they describe as a Rare 1813-1814 Napoleonic Wars Chasseurs Of The Imperial Guard Shako (take care clicking through on the link - it's quite absorbing!)
Obviously the Chasseur a Cheval of the old (and young?) guard wore busby type headgear.
Is this more likely to be for Gardes d'Honneur (a la these lovely Perries). Initially I thought the cockade was wrong but if you look closely on an enlarged picture it could well be Imperial French Colours.
Also, given that the Garde d'Honneurs tended to be wealthier families I can see these shako's having an improved chance of surviving, given that the owners may have plenty of space to store and people to look after them.
So what about shako two?
Same dealer but this time they describe it as Extremely Rare 1806–1808 Kingdom Of Naples And Sicily Joseph-Napoléon ~ Bonaparte Shako. there are lots of lovely big pictures on the listing.
This one shows the front - which really does look to me like a Russian Shako plate - but this isn't a specialist area of mine.
I love the tone and quality of the leather and it does have the look and feel you might expect of something 200 years old.
Below thought is my favourite picture - which shows the net that keeps the helmet on the head - very similar to the webbing inside WW1 and WW2 helemts.
Any thoughts on what they might be greatly appreciated.
Thursday, 21 September 2017
Wargames paint compatability chart for Vallejo Citadel Rackham Reaper Army Paint P3
I'm popping this here so I can find it and it may be useful to you.
https://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart
It has a bit of a US bias and covers
Old Citadel
New Citadel
Vallejo Game Colour
Vallejo Model Colour (my favourite paints which I combine with Wargames Foundry)
Rackham
Reaper Master
Privateer P3
Coat D'Arms
Army Painter
and the hex code.
https://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Paint_Range_Compatibility_Chart
It has a bit of a US bias and covers
Old Citadel
New Citadel
Vallejo Game Colour
Vallejo Model Colour (my favourite paints which I combine with Wargames Foundry)
Rackham
Reaper Master
Privateer P3
Coat D'Arms
Army Painter
and the hex code.
Saturday, 16 September 2017
How to replace broken or brittle plastic lid on Wargames Foundry paint pots
After a few years the lids on Wargames Foundry and Coat d'Arms and Formula P3 and similar paints can become brittle and break.
It's not only messy, it is also expensive if the paint spills or dries up.
Below is a very quick video on how you can fix this.
You will need to buy some replacement lids. Here are some links on where to buy them. You are looking for lid only for a 20ml plastic paint pot.
I bought a bunch extra and in the uk you can buy them here. UK is post free for a set of 48 lids, there are alos some sheets of pre-printed replacement labels you can add.
You can also buy empty pots on amazon with this link.
Have fun
It's not only messy, it is also expensive if the paint spills or dries up.
Below is a very quick video on how you can fix this.
You will need to buy some replacement lids. Here are some links on where to buy them. You are looking for lid only for a 20ml plastic paint pot.
I bought a bunch extra and in the uk you can buy them here. UK is post free for a set of 48 lids, there are alos some sheets of pre-printed replacement labels you can add.
You can also buy empty pots on amazon with this link.
Have fun
Up date: Wargames Foundry now stock these if you're buying other figures from them and have already covered postage they make sense costs wise
Sunday, 10 September 2017
The only Victoria Cross won on D Day - a visit to the Green Howards Museums
I was working in North Yorkshire a week or two ago and got some time to pootle through the beautiful market town of Richmond.
On the market square is the Green Howards museum. £4.50 for entry. It is small but really good.
The one room that takes you a-back is the medal room. Wall to wall medals, including the only VC won on D day, the citation for CSM Stanley Hollis reads:
On the market square is the Green Howards museum. £4.50 for entry. It is small but really good.
The one room that takes you a-back is the medal room. Wall to wall medals, including the only VC won on D day, the citation for CSM Stanley Hollis reads:
War of the Roses, late medieval figures for auction - 28mm Wargames Foundry ex Citadel figures
I love these figures - but I'm having a bit of a clearout.
Three auctions all starting at a very low first bid of just £1
32 pike
ebay.to/2fbjy2H
21 x men at Arms
ebay.to/2wSOtdK
and
18 Archers
ebay.to/2wSurzO
Good luck if you bid - I always combine postage, but you need to let me send you an invoice if you win more than one lot.
Three auctions all starting at a very low first bid of just £1
32 pike
ebay.to/2fbjy2H
21 x men at Arms
ebay.to/2wSOtdK
and
18 Archers
ebay.to/2wSurzO
Good luck if you bid - I always combine postage, but you need to let me send you an invoice if you win more than one lot.
Sunday, 20 August 2017
The Other Partizan 2017 - A picture review.
I've just got back from The Other Partizan. Hopeless day for buying stuff.
I've been doing a lot of clearing out so didn't want to be tempted by a random new thing. There were some Perry Napoleonics I'd hoped to find but no joy, so my haul was three metallic paints and some bases. I spent more on the entrance fee and the burger than the stash.
I was tempted by some of the weathering powders and paints, but want to do some more research online first.
However I got to a good look at a god chunk of the demo games. A Partizan always has been about the games for me. Kelham Hall suffered from it's many dark corners and the new venue is much lighter which makes it easier to enjoy the games. I had the wrong lens on my camera - so there's limited depth of field on a lot of the shots... but here goes
I've been doing a lot of clearing out so didn't want to be tempted by a random new thing. There were some Perry Napoleonics I'd hoped to find but no joy, so my haul was three metallic paints and some bases. I spent more on the entrance fee and the burger than the stash.
I was tempted by some of the weathering powders and paints, but want to do some more research online first.
A sucker for the shiny games...
However I got to a good look at a god chunk of the demo games. A Partizan always has been about the games for me. Kelham Hall suffered from it's many dark corners and the new venue is much lighter which makes it easier to enjoy the games. I had the wrong lens on my camera - so there's limited depth of field on a lot of the shots... but here goes
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