Plod and Nosey neighbour!

Well as I hoped, no more puter issues so here is something new again....

I hasten to add these two have nothing to do with my real life and that as far as I know there are no nosey neighbours near me. Unless of course you know differently.

I put these two together just for the joy of making up a story in my head, The Neighbour has seen something sinister and called the Police and the story goes on from there...

Not sure of the make but here are 2 more VBCW figures for Matt and his collection. The lady can be used at any time period but one does tend to think 20th Century but she could equally be used for near future, zombie games or today.

The Copper is easier to date, given the gas mask bag slung over his shoulder and the tin hat he fits WW1, interwar and WW2 as his periods of use,

Right now to paint up the Morris dancers just before the Green Man appears on the 1st May (for those that know British folklore)

Thanks for looking and next scheduled post Saturday afternoon.

All the best Clint

One man and his Monitor!

Following a disaster in which my computer monitor faded to black and could not be revived I have spent all day trying to get one locally. Now when you have internet access getting one is easy and about (with eBay) as cheap as you want it to be.

I have limited space but I did finally manage to get one under 22". I Know that bigger is better for quality and picture viewing and everything else, but if you only have a limited space in which to put the monitor you have to go with the smallest you can get and my old on was 15" screen. So now everything is widescreen and a long way away.

Anyway a long story short and trips to neighbouring towns to get to an Argos and a BIG Tesco and BIG Asda and a Staples and it is all sorted.

so without further ado here are my latest. A Hunter and his bloodhound from Gripping beast and in 28mm. The man actually looks very much like one of my neighbours (John). While I do like Bloodhounds in real life I am not a fan of this casting. But I did an internet search and colour matched it so I know it is not far from accurate for a specific dog if not the whole breed.

So once again sorry for the delay, I will try to post again tomorrow and if no computer issues I feel confident I will succeed. (Fingers Crossed)>

I just have to find out how to alter the contrast and get out of widescreen, I suspect I may have to read the Manual!

All the best Clint.

Vicar and Hodges.

Yes continuing with some Dad's army figures by Warlord Games. Today we have the vicar and the green grocer Mr Hodges.

Being 28mm they are a little smaller in real life than in the photos but they should be good enough to get the idea. And yes I did muck up Mr Hodges left eye, can't be helped sometimes it happens.

As with most of my 28mm figures they are for Matt and are part of the VBCW collection that will get an outing on Sunday (Barring mishaps). And yes there will be an AAR. (Assuming I remember the camera!)

So 2 more civilians for the project. I realise it is late posting these today so will post 2 more tomorrow! Probably in the morning as they should be finished by then.

The Morris Dancers are still being finished but should be ready by Saturday (I Hope)  as I want to use them on Sunday in the game. I have suggested to Matt that I use the Cricketers and the Morris dancers as they will give a village green feel to the troops and that's about as VBCW as you can get.

Until tomorrow, take care have fun and paint like crazy!

Cheers Clint

The Verger and A German Paratrooper!

I know that sounds like the start of a joke! So expect an "Oooh err! Missus!" to creep in the comments somewhere, I know what you lot are like!

I was going to show you some Morris Dancers today BUT Matt has given me a few more to paint up this week so expect them next week! Now that is something to look forward to! Oh yes it is!

So while I am in a comical mood here are a Nun and the Dad's Army Verger. Or is it a German Paratrooper in disguise, that's the typical shoddy Nazi trick we are so often told about in the Dad's Army series.!  Having looked for the quote I could not find it so I may have made it up and it may be an innocent Nun after all. I will let you decide.

The figures are 28mm and Matt says they are from the Dad's Army set by Warlord Games. I shall take him at his word. Two very nice additions to the VBCW project we will b playing NEXT weekend.  So unless I forget my camera OR have a mishap or Matt has a Mishap that is when they will take the table.

I have provisionally asked for the Morris Dancers and the cricketers to be on my side. So  the chances are Matt will give me something else entirely!

Thanks for looking, All the best Clint

Officers of the Day.

 Yes some more VBCW figures. This time to socialist officers. One with a mega phone shouting orders, possibly a commissar or political officer. The Other with binoculars and pointing. I put more gold on the second figure as I appeared more senior in rank than the first one. Again painted to represent Russian uniforms as befits the Socialist in a Very British Civil War.

As with the others they were painted for Matt and his growing collection of figures and they are already in his keeping. I will post again in 2 days, as some of the morris dancers are now finished, and I am starting on a couple of civilians (a verger and a nun).

After that I may well do some figures for myself, well that's the plan. Not sure what they will be yet as it will have to be whatever takes my fancy on the day. Only time can tell.

Thanks for looking today and with luck see you in 2 days time. All the best Clint

Lewis Gun Hero!

Honest I am not slowing down and getting doddery! OK I may be.

Here is another 28mm VBCW figure for Matt. This time a Lewis Gunner.  I am told the figure should have a pipe but Matt wanted a cigarette and had adapted the figure to more closely resemble a fag. (Americans please Note that Fag and Cigarette are the same thing in England and neither are to be considered as a sexual orientation!).  He is destined to join the Socialist factions in VBCW, although he could easily fit into any faction. And that is one of the big joys of VBCW so many figures can be used in so many factions.

The Lewis gun would perhaps be too heavy to hold like that for long and the fact that he can at all shows him to be very strong! Lewis Guns were normally slung over a shoulder if being carried simply because they were heavy! So the Sculptor is more GW than real life. That said I do like the pose and for a picture might be very authentic!


 I have painted him in a soviet uniform to reinforce the feeling that he is a socialist but only people who know have a keen interest in Military history will recognise the uniform among all the others and then they probably would not either.... why do I bother?

The figure was great fun to paint and there will be 2 more along on Friday. And a batch on Sunday as I am working on a selection of Morris dancers as well at the moment.

All the best folks have a nice sunny day
Clint

VBCW Socialist MG

Well you should all know by now that I am working through the VBCW Socialist forces, and today we have a socialist MG. Another set of figures painted for Matt and his socialist and they will be getting a game in 2 weeks so there should be an AAR  (Barring accidents).

I am sorry I cannot tell you the make of the figures Matt probably told me but sometimes I make a goldfish look smart. And today is one of those days. Possibly Sloppy Jalopy! And definitely 28mm in size but that is where my brain stops.

 So this will just have to be a socialist machinegun and crew and leave it at that. Additionally I will not be able to identify the next batch. I did say I could make a goldfish look smart!

Have a good day and I hope to post again in 2 days time.

Best wishes Clint

Tomorrows post today!

Bloody hell it's like busses nothing for ages then 2 come along at once. This was to be Saturdays post, but I finished it early AND tomorrow is Salute and I know it would get missed in the rush to see all the show goodies.

So Today I continue with the Empress Miniatures in 28mm for a VBCW. This is a 37mm Bofors anti Tank Gun and crew.  Again this is for Matt and for VBCW 37mm gun should have enough punch to get through most things, OK probably not a Mk1 Matilda but pretty much everything else. The gun was used in WW2 and saw much use in the desert sometimes mounted on the back of trucks "Portee". During the Winter War the Finns did use it very successfully against all manner of Russian tanks but realistically it was not deployed against tanks it could not penetrate. (Unless of course you know better NO KV1's were encountered with this gun.) In fact so many of these guns were captured during the fall of France that it was also used by the Germans!

However this version is to be used in the Very British Civil War. Each crew member has different clothes and head gear so it can easily be used for any side. And while I do not normally paint camouflage on my VBCW stuff Matt did ask for it. It is no particular pattern or colours, just what I thought would look right. and looking at the gun shield the silhouette outlive is broken up so I guess it works.

Thanks for Looking today have a great weekend and I should post again on Monday.

If you are going to Salute have a great time.
All the best from (Raining) Kent.
Clint out.

RED FLAG!

Yes I know I have been very lazy and not put anything on the blog for more days than normal. It is a combination of things.

1. Mostly dithering about what to paint after the AHPC this year. I can Procrastinate for England!
2. Not really enjoying wargaming at present (although this is now passing)
3. Family illness in Matts Family so no VBCW stuff to paint (rectified now)
4. My Nephew James. Loading Minecraft on my computer and getting a little addicted. (It does not run on his computer! but does run very well on mine.))
5. And umming and arrhing about a potential new/old project that got put on the back burners for a few years. AND as I am not going to Salute this year that does free up some cash for the project.

In the mean time here is a single Empress Miniature, from the Spanish Civil War range who will be joining the Kent Socialists. Yes it is Painted for Matt and yes the flag is by Pete Barfield. I will be working on some more socialists this week and hope to have more to show on Saturdays blog post. Obviously men and women did fight in the SCW and one assumes they would do so in the VBCW as well. Not all units in the SCW did have women or allow them to fight in the front line. Many were cooks or nurses, yet some did fight in battles. So this figure carries the red flag for the socialist forces allied to Betteshanger colliery (Painted previously!)

 So enough chatter  and back to the brushes you monkey you!

Have a great couple of days and post again on Saturday.

All the best Clint

15mm hetzer

At the Skirmish show I could not resist this Hetzer from "Forged in battle!" although classed as a miss cast and sold for £ 2.50 I really could find nothing wrong with it except the resin was a different colour. As I was going to paint it what did I care.

So here is my latest addition to my 15mm WW2 vehicles. I am painting German late war infantry and assuming they go well they should be shown on Friday (That is the cue for them to go very wrong!)

I have included a quick You tube documentary as well for those of you who do not know your WW2 German vehicles.  But I do realise that if you do not you will most likely not want to watch the video either. Just in the same way that if you put a documentary about English Civil war helmets, I probably would not watch it either.

But the Hetzer was a good vehicle with a good gun and low profile so very good at ambush type tactics, but not very good for slugging it out with main battle tanks. But if It could fire without giving it's position away then that was a different thing.

Skirmish Show report

Traders  in the main Hall
There were over 30 Traders covering a
wide range of Toy soldier products
and wargames products.

Firstly let me say I was mostly playing a game and will do a Batt report in another post.  I dis show the loot I made off with yesterday so here is a look at the games and the traders a the show.

If you are a wargamer though do not expect the show
 to be like Salute or "Supermarket sweep!"
There is some good stuff but mostly you have to
look for it.



Traders in the Foyer



The Hall of Games. Where the clubs put on games for the public
Again if you are expecting Salute type games
 you will mostly be disappointed.













There is even a display of modelmaking.
While I spend almost no time talking to these guys
I do recognise that there is a mutural interest
Between wargames

















Theer is even a Military illustrator
at the show working away at commissions
from members of the public.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Games

For many of us the games are the best bits. here are a selection of games from the show. With comments where appropriate. But Mostly without as I was not asking too many questions.


A 10mm Napoleonic game
using Pendraken figures

A 54mm Somme Game.
Quite lovely and build by a BBC Production Engineer

It even had a couple of holes in the side to look
into the underground sections

Dave and Paul from the Walderslade club.
Playing Dust tactics

A Full Thrust game by Sittingbourne club

Paul and Ian (The Crush the Kiaser guys)
doing a Dark arge Skirmish.
It was the first time I have seen them do a game
pre 20th Century.

Herene Bay-Whitatable club
Doing some Lion Rampant
With 3 Retinues each.

No Idea. But still nice to see

A fantasy Big battle in which as many figures on the table
 as possible did seem to be the aim of this game.
Quantity over Quality.
But each to their own

The Gravesend guys doing a large Necron
versus Space Marines



A Mad max Inspired game.
It will be at Salute in a bigger format.
Looks fun.
And who does not want to be a WARBOY!

 

Last but not least Our Game of Hammering Iron
An ACW Naval engagement
And a bloodbath,
But more of this in another post!

 
 Overall a good day out for me and the Rainham club.  Kindly Note that Blogger put the artist and first game side by side. And rather than re type the whole thing I just went with it!

THIS SHOW will happen again in the Autumn. on

18th September 2016.

I am about to start preparing our club game for the show. The date line for the game is 2nd September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden. But things may well change. I will keep you all posted.

Thanks for looking today and I will post again on Wednesday.

Cheers Clint

Skirmish Swag/loot.

Yes I did put my hand in my pocket a little today. Not so much as to regret it or so much that it will not get painted. So here is what I bought and from who.

So what did I get?

1. On the left, we have a 6x4' (Gridded) grass printed terrain Matt. While I only wanted a 4x4' Matt I was sold on the larger size when the trader offered it to me at the same price as the smaller mat. Bought from http://www.tinywargames.co.uk/ . So I am quite happy with the result.
2. Top Right Some 15mm Vikings. Purchased from Colonel Bill at http://shop.colonelbills-store.co.uk/epages/4f27da57-42ee-48c0-9cb8-22c9dd921a68.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/4f27da57-42ee-48c0-9cb8-22c9dd921a68/Categories/154 . Actually not purchased at all but a straight swap for some Foundry unpainted 28mm figure I was never going to get around to. And this should give me about enough Vikings for a game of "Longship!" (By Peter Pig) Not enough you 2 forces nut enough to put a BIG Dent in one! I like to think of it as recycling!
3. 2 15mm Miscast "Forged in Battle" resin tanks in 15mm size. A Hetzer and a Char 1 B. Purchased from http://www.andysmodels.co.uk/ . While these are officially "Miscast" With a lick of paint you will hardly know at all. The Hetzer will give my Germans a few extra options as a late war Tank destroyer. While the Char 1 B was used in WW2 by the French (and interwar period as well) and also in WW2 by the Germans.

Not sure yet what I will paint the Char up to represent but for £2.50 I know I will find a use. See below for historical note on the German use of this vehicle.

A number of Char B1's (161) were captured by the Germans during the Fall of France. These were later pressed into service as second line and training vehicles under the name of Panzerkampfwagen B-2 740 (f). Sixty became platforms for flamethrowers as Flammwagen auf Panzerkampfwagen B-2 (f). Sixteen were converted into 105 mm self-propelled artillery, armed with the 10.5 cm leFH 18 light howitzer.

Thanks for looking today and I will do a show report tomorrow.

And I even got Stu from Colonel Bill to take some fantasy figure to Roy. So not too many and I hope you can use them mate. (A Mix of Table top games and Asgard figures)

Cheers Clint