tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74219882830480994352024-03-13T23:42:12.739+00:00Mitch's Wargaming and ModelmakingMitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.comBlogger154125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-33114297447994023882014-09-25T20:07:00.003+01:002014-09-25T20:07:45.679+01:00Royal Yugoslav Air Force Hawker Fury II<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302948px; line-height: 20.3636360168457px; padding: 0px;">
Here's my latest effort: a Hawker Fury II in the markings of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force. </div>
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The Fury was, of course, an iconic fighter of the 1930's RAF, but it also enjoyed some limited export success. The RYAF bought a batch of Mk I's (similar to the RAF's version), then a second batch of Mk II's. The first few of these were built by Hawkers, but the lion's share were licence-built in Yugoslavia, shared between two companies.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fury_complete_2_zps97f91630.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae270/mitch_kelly1/fury_complete_2_zps97f91630.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
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The Fury II was distinguishable from the Mk I by the improved, streamlined radiator (similar to the Hurricane, with the supercharger inlet too), and the cantilever undercarriage very reminiscent of the Gladiator. The other big difference was the installation of a different model of the Rolls Royce Kestrel engine: this gave much more power and racked the Fury's maximum speed up a respectable 242 mph. The Yugoslavs also experimented with improving the firepower: a pair of extra machine guns could be fitted under the wings in fairings that were again reminiscent of those on the Gladiator.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fury_complete_1_zps2eaa49f0.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae270/mitch_kelly1/fury_complete_1_zps2eaa49f0.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
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Despite all these improvements, by 1940 it was clear to all concerned that the Fury was woefully obsolete in the era of Hurricanes, Spitfires and Bf109's. Lacking enough more modern fighters, the RYAF had little choice but to deploy their remaining Furies when the invasion arrived in 1941. The extra machine guns were never used: presumably the effect on the already inadequate performance was too great.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fury_complete_3_zpsf1a7e500.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae270/mitch_kelly1/fury_complete_3_zpsf1a7e500.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
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Many of the Furies were shot down in totally unequal fights with Bf 109's and 110's, although the Germans lost five fighters destroyed by brave Yugoslav pilots, all by ramming. The Furies fought on, strafing infantry columns, slowly retreating. Many damaged aircraft were destroyed by ground crews, but when the fighting ceased several were captured intact by the Germans and Italians. The Italians continued to fly at least one for a while, but interestingly none were passed onto the Croatian Air Force.</div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fury_complete_5_zpsa5280d1d.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae270/mitch_kelly1/fury_complete_5_zpsa5280d1d.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
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The build was based on an old Matchbox Hawker Fury, now sold via Revell. I had to totally scratchbuild the interior, drill out guns and exhausts and mould the radiator using a wooden former. The undercarriage was scrounged from a new Airfix Gladiator and was a reasonably easy fix. The decals are spares from various Kora sets, supplemented with home-printed cod<span style="font-size: 13.63636302948px; line-height: 20.3636360168457px;">es and stencils. I replaced the plastic skid with a bit of brass strip (the other would last about two seconds!) and rigged her with Bayer perlon fishing line courtesy of a colleague. I 'm not totally happy with how the rigging points look on the wings, but I ran out of will power, and a set of brake pipes wouldn't have gone amiss, but I'm happy enough. Lots of work, but great fun. Finally, here's the token sepia shot.</span></div>
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<span rel="lightbox"><img alt="fury_complete_6_zpsc9ae57e2.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="http://i978.photobucket.com/albums/ae270/mitch_kelly1/fury_complete_6_zpsc9ae57e2.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></span></div>
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Enjoy! Merry meet, merry part, merry meet again.</div>
Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-69703019505181103552014-08-08T22:36:00.001+01:002014-08-11T21:15:24.088+01:00Airfix 1/72 Scale Mersserschmitt BF109-E3a - Royal Yugoslav Air ForceHere's the latest build completed. It's another Airfix 109-E, but this time in the markings of the Royal Yugoslav Air Force.<br />
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The RYAF had bought about 70 Bf109's paid for with an exchange of minerals/metals. The Bf109E3a was the export version of the same E-3 the Germans flew. Apparently the Germans were less than forthcoming with spares etc, and provided an after-sales package that would have no chance of winning any sort of customer service awards anywhere.<br />
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The RYAF flew a selection of modern fighters and bombers at the start of the war, and was much stronger than (for example) the Belgian or Dutch Air Forces. However, they were outnumbered about eight to one on paper by the Axis forces, and in practice due to serviceability issues, the RYAF couldn't put their entire force into the air when the Germans attacked. Despite being short of spares, fuel and even machinegun ammunition, and lacking thecombat experience of their enemies, the Yugoslav pilots' morale was unaffected, and there were occassions when there were more aircrew wanting to fight than aircraft for them to fly.</div>
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Obviously this is not an out of the box build. The Airfix kit depicts an E-4 or E-7, which had a differently shaped canopy with a lighter frame, and (according to photos) no head armour for the pilot.</div>
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Here's obligatory shot of the cockpit before it got closed up. The detail provided by Airfix is pretty good, and once the canopy is closed, almost invisible, so there's little need to add much else. I went with straps on the rudder pedals (the seat has harness moulded on), trim wheels, throttle/mix levers and a seat adjustor from stretched sprue. The undercarriage legs/doors were hotted up with brake pipes added from fine wire.</div>
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The alternative canopy was a vacform from Pavla. I bought it on Ebay, as a pack with a second canopy from a 109-K - goodness knows when I'll use it! It was a very long time back when I last did anything involving vacforms, so I was a bit nervous starting this.</div>
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I followed the usual practice of carefully cutting out the part. Pavla mould the canopy including some pieces of rear fuselage and canopy, so it's easy to cut out the proper part, and probably it allows the canopy to fit on different manufacturers' kits. Sanding, checking, more sanding and more checking eventually gets the fit OK.<br />
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A little bit of filler around the canopy blends the join, but a little bit of sanding on the fuselage behind the canopy is necessary to deal with a slight width mismatch.</div>
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Once sanded, the canopy is a treat. It's very much thinner and clearer than the kit offering, and allows more of the cockpit to be seen. I drilled out the machinegun and cannon barrels, and the exhausts which improves their look no end, and added a vertical reinforcement bar in the underwing radiators.</div>
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The paintwork was simple: RLM70 over RLM65, both out of the pot Tamiya acrylics which airbrush beautifully, followed by about three coats of gloss ahead of the decals.</div>
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The decals are from a company called Kora (set 7234). They are thin, flexible and in perfect register, but the white is a little bit thin over RLM70. They're absolutely fine over the RLM65, but if I had a do-over, I would underpaint the upper wing markings and the tail stripes in white. After this, it was another coat of gloss to seal and then detail painting. Guns, trim tabs, landing lights and the like were done with a brush, as was the panel line wash, using acrylic ink.</div>
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The wheels are resin extras that come in with the decals, and the detail is superb.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkJA3XS3fJb-L3pa_r_rNDZGAx8wuAvkQUUoZsseLlQQ5gSyIjl9H9sg6MLSWvfhymVD1VtuOLXj398DC80Luch_NACpEaSh3MCBDKcdrxOC8ryh-ICFCRuMLhauFDR2DaU4i2XjSTmCD/s1600/109yugo_finished_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkJA3XS3fJb-L3pa_r_rNDZGAx8wuAvkQUUoZsseLlQQ5gSyIjl9H9sg6MLSWvfhymVD1VtuOLXj398DC80Luch_NACpEaSh3MCBDKcdrxOC8ryh-ICFCRuMLhauFDR2DaU4i2XjSTmCD/s1600/109yugo_finished_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here she is after the final addition of things like pitot tube, aileron balances and the radio aerial from stretched sprue, and a coat of matt to flat things down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uF_ZcnZtyefmhr7KrmSIeeHi0DDnuax1h_5WNebryfQf0y1WHg32QUl0kmZriuT1H1YvDfZujVolS6kl1Up8qOvFxuV4EWP0cwSgYiOpKHIPD4IAU8YzNRSQF6xM3R0DPzU1IWCeuLyV/s1600/109yugo_finished_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uF_ZcnZtyefmhr7KrmSIeeHi0DDnuax1h_5WNebryfQf0y1WHg32QUl0kmZriuT1H1YvDfZujVolS6kl1Up8qOvFxuV4EWP0cwSgYiOpKHIPD4IAU8YzNRSQF6xM3R0DPzU1IWCeuLyV/s1600/109yugo_finished_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiHrj0R2ddDgpdGiHpRz-UuX9EWC-b99N3aNCm3uNdigIndJsXmawa-bf9uQswnyiY_9MTvr7bYRfFKXNuJj32WCJxGHaj9NjI-FofC-MjXoPgxAfzCZuvgURIifHnct46j5qlBfRssbb/s1600/109yugo_finished_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYiHrj0R2ddDgpdGiHpRz-UuX9EWC-b99N3aNCm3uNdigIndJsXmawa-bf9uQswnyiY_9MTvr7bYRfFKXNuJj32WCJxGHaj9NjI-FofC-MjXoPgxAfzCZuvgURIifHnct46j5qlBfRssbb/s1600/109yugo_finished_4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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L-10 was part of the 142. Lovacka Eskadrila, from 32. Grupa at Krusedol airfield. Second Lieutenant Miodrag Aleksic flew the plane to score an aerial victory over a German Bf109-E (and at least one other kill) during the invasion in 1941.<br />
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Merry meet again!<br />
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-31431786924466627342014-08-04T11:19:00.004+01:002014-08-04T12:07:30.043+01:00Airfix 1/72 Scale Messerschmitt Bf109-E7/TropHere's a departure (or a return, if you like). My route to wargaming was via model aircraft. I can remember how it happened: my dad and I built an Airfix Junkers Ju88 - he built the fuselage with me watching to show me how, then I bodged up the wings! I carried on until my early twenties, picking up AFVs, figures and wargaming on the way. I dropped it around then, but got bitten by the bug again early this year. I suppose, like wargaming or some bacteria, it never really leaves you: it just lies dormant, and you can relapse at any time...<br />
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Well, here's my first completed build, Airfix's Messerschmitt Bf109-E7/Trop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavTFTVLaa4GzXPPQ17Cxc1fbDs09u2ChX_0vCT1h6Y_nok6zydjL6-zg3nRnnvfw-HUGr4UgaSwvUQ2ix27mf4XRY8N_6g6kSYmwZeC1h0kIOfYYr5V0uv541i3dR2zaXZAy6F-tSKYPG/s1600/e7trop_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavTFTVLaa4GzXPPQ17Cxc1fbDs09u2ChX_0vCT1h6Y_nok6zydjL6-zg3nRnnvfw-HUGr4UgaSwvUQ2ix27mf4XRY8N_6g6kSYmwZeC1h0kIOfYYr5V0uv541i3dR2zaXZAy6F-tSKYPG/s1600/e7trop_2.jpg" height="251" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cockpit detail as provided by Airfix is pretty good - vastly better that I remembered from the earlydays of a misshapen pilot sat on peg! I added straps on the rudder pedals from tape and trim wheels from stretched sprue. Here's a quick shot of the cockpit before closing up the fuselage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZaHNc5y5zvyLuY6oJk5OS4gfxMWxQR4Gn-JWkLhIVMDRTAhTtYcwzDk4Fh72aVZ0vnakhS0r7HdA1LJdgV4S2uPWOq8jzVZTYeNSt37ro2gQ_bgYFunbs2tY9MmO2TEcu3E5XBsYCzgi/s1600/e7trop_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZaHNc5y5zvyLuY6oJk5OS4gfxMWxQR4Gn-JWkLhIVMDRTAhTtYcwzDk4Fh72aVZ0vnakhS0r7HdA1LJdgV4S2uPWOq8jzVZTYeNSt37ro2gQ_bgYFunbs2tY9MmO2TEcu3E5XBsYCzgi/s1600/e7trop_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Assembly is quick and easy, and the aircraft goes together without difficulty, and minimal filler! The kit includes the additional tropical dust filter for the supercharger.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCBK_oxrRwNpXfrOWhmHoKcQuwe2lE4sJbGzEa0TvvjF50eHdZluX5vZ2iDs0apQLsoEs5ys4Kifh_Cj7mwuQCcXu-fMUnedk1bB9YcGoQZXZUM6LNHQ2DzDaf70F5udK8SISFn6gkJnT/s1600/e7trop_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCBK_oxrRwNpXfrOWhmHoKcQuwe2lE4sJbGzEa0TvvjF50eHdZluX5vZ2iDs0apQLsoEs5ys4Kifh_Cj7mwuQCcXu-fMUnedk1bB9YcGoQZXZUM6LNHQ2DzDaf70F5udK8SISFn6gkJnT/s1600/e7trop_4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Detail in the wheel wells is nice, and shows up nicely with a bit of washing and dry-brushing. The underfuselage drop tank fitment is one of the things that visibly makes this an E-7 rather than an E-4. I added the vertical strengtheners in the underwing radiators from stretched sprue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlCHx8A7dsp4hzeR4eUt0Xo4RCnfTLJnUVW-e44VdiJF0-UGldAeGPsfxBhCbv3woiS2DfQj1e09XfrWkF9Slm6rdSX0c3jeX4uUiN-np7Ys_z1YXmgGr-BRsCCMxDXaj7KiLwOHe849h/s1600/e7trop_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHlCHx8A7dsp4hzeR4eUt0Xo4RCnfTLJnUVW-e44VdiJF0-UGldAeGPsfxBhCbv3woiS2DfQj1e09XfrWkF9Slm6rdSX0c3jeX4uUiN-np7Ys_z1YXmgGr-BRsCCMxDXaj7KiLwOHe849h/s1600/e7trop_5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I fitted the canopy at this stage, and it needed a touch of filler to makeit fit perfectly. After masking up, a quick coat of RLM02 will give the sense of the internal colour of the cockpit framing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7AapJVNUORIKa1n0m2UhgQ3KULZAp7MIMWek8RJM2S9il2fqPQAFxPdXUvDmoN77-dJJDPWpJM_1ZvU7HgIr3QU2v59evhCrInpMneubKDse9GxObg9EbrmUI36IAtEx-MJhctMVWX0r/s1600/e7trop_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD7AapJVNUORIKa1n0m2UhgQ3KULZAp7MIMWek8RJM2S9il2fqPQAFxPdXUvDmoN77-dJJDPWpJM_1ZvU7HgIr3QU2v59evhCrInpMneubKDse9GxObg9EbrmUI36IAtEx-MJhctMVWX0r/s1600/e7trop_6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next thing was a coat of white primer from a spray can. My experience with miniatures makes me gravely suspicious of how well acrylics straight onto plastics will last!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNY_UKlXhC4O_ZAt5hSE9mqPHxHc_vTxsKYqmIgODB0OuNK3Fm29UmCCp9HKV372fF4MVJfhF2RNqaB0Zx3XmaY8QtdK9Bc9a5dYZGOT8baFEgd002jEvTNmXnhqRPixAxydO9ABLc9mq/s1600/e7trop_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNY_UKlXhC4O_ZAt5hSE9mqPHxHc_vTxsKYqmIgODB0OuNK3Fm29UmCCp9HKV372fF4MVJfhF2RNqaB0Zx3XmaY8QtdK9Bc9a5dYZGOT8baFEgd002jEvTNmXnhqRPixAxydO9ABLc9mq/s1600/e7trop_7.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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I masked the wheel wells with cotton wool, then blew on a coat of RLM78, mixed from Tamiya acrylics. I had a try out with Humbrol's aircraft acrylics and had a total disaster. I couldn't get on with them at all, and </div>
came close to abandoning the airbrush. Luckily, Tamiya paints thin perfectly and spray effortlessly.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp8frfwSnwS_xPBI_hy-MLltvrHweIv3TI8jISu5Y6R5law_CBeKmDebwDKv-qIiFpdW5x5MsclzWKX6aeci306d4XKzX1JNkMH-ZNaagk3c0ufoK2NfWanJgdillH_iuC2HqwYUw8HZO/s1600/e7trop_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp8frfwSnwS_xPBI_hy-MLltvrHweIv3TI8jISu5Y6R5law_CBeKmDebwDKv-qIiFpdW5x5MsclzWKX6aeci306d4XKzX1JNkMH-ZNaagk3c0ufoK2NfWanJgdillH_iuC2HqwYUw8HZO/s1600/e7trop_8.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></div>
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The RLM79, againmixed from Tamiya, went on next. The high demarkation line was normal.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXdAbMeEhT3cFO4VBhaIiqROB5Wh070400qDaPMT8TEQlW6-cMRaaohZpAymjLV9Kaf4TDYkE6f2kikfXc0kSlZ8bNl2lsbGl2F_zq0cntUkKdChAtUA5BB8eqREoD8gdq1BX51ikPoH7/s1600/e7trop_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXdAbMeEhT3cFO4VBhaIiqROB5Wh070400qDaPMT8TEQlW6-cMRaaohZpAymjLV9Kaf4TDYkE6f2kikfXc0kSlZ8bNl2lsbGl2F_zq0cntUkKdChAtUA5BB8eqREoD8gdq1BX51ikPoH7/s1600/e7trop_9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The RLM80 mottle was sprayed by finding a "skin" from a videogame, and after printing it off to scale, using it to cut a set of masks or friskets. I put on a couple of coats of Kleer to give smooth surface for the decals, and also to give an easy-clean surface to go with detail painting.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP8YmuG5FveAANaqZoXlljYp4e1sFCU0EvnDxOmXD_e0wx24f8SZ0QRZ_eOs78PJJ0NRFWD4RJxI3nO7Uis16PIbCrd89YjJbyzhSCw0HHfKgVFGWMccokvwvu90M5l81Lnblar-Xn4s6/s1600/e7trop_10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheP8YmuG5FveAANaqZoXlljYp4e1sFCU0EvnDxOmXD_e0wx24f8SZ0QRZ_eOs78PJJ0NRFWD4RJxI3nO7Uis16PIbCrd89YjJbyzhSCw0HHfKgVFGWMccokvwvu90M5l81Lnblar-Xn4s6/s1600/e7trop_10.jpg" height="235" width="320" /></a></div>
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I sprayed in the white fuselage band, then added the decals. These are Airfix's out of the box offering, an aircraft of the legendary JG27. There is an alternative in the form of a Bulgarian Air Force 109-E4, in dark green over light blue, with extensive yellow trims, which also looks pretty nice. The decals are easy to apply. They didn't silver, except in a couple of barely noticeable stencils. Propellor, spinner, guns etc were hand-painted and added as late as possible, to avoid breakage.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA-hp-RXKbV2FfDegp12GisiGpBkA-jLHknrcLoHJp2WBsaUBR7-FzWVnTZ-TyBlUB-7DWFkzzcQhldjd1LrRXzm5PIDFoRxC5S14wePtNEH8evP2k1zZYA9QmY2MRvdXRv7lgb1DgRXH/s1600/e7trop_complete_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA-hp-RXKbV2FfDegp12GisiGpBkA-jLHknrcLoHJp2WBsaUBR7-FzWVnTZ-TyBlUB-7DWFkzzcQhldjd1LrRXzm5PIDFoRxC5S14wePtNEH8evP2k1zZYA9QmY2MRvdXRv7lgb1DgRXH/s1600/e7trop_complete_1.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
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The very last pieces were added at the very end: the radio mast and aerial, aileron balances and pitot. Here's an effort at an "in action" shot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqbWlrDLxyNNPjcMSjj2V_wobpZyooPrtDYKIDKHYX-usL3WOsTcE01fCuBybgo2w3xzDNFKfuqfz3_-oeI9zKXxVZEjDyXsDK1TEZcewJ1RCQ-YPvbWWZrOrAVcsRChHJQnpH47IidPc/s1600/e7trop_complete_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqbWlrDLxyNNPjcMSjj2V_wobpZyooPrtDYKIDKHYX-usL3WOsTcE01fCuBybgo2w3xzDNFKfuqfz3_-oeI9zKXxVZEjDyXsDK1TEZcewJ1RCQ-YPvbWWZrOrAVcsRChHJQnpH47IidPc/s1600/e7trop_complete_2.jpg" height="188" width="320" /></a></div>
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The last shot is an effort at a sepia-toned version<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This aircraft, Schwartze 8, is sometimes described as the mount of Leutnant Werner Schroer, the famous Luftwaffe Expert who was Hans-Joachim Marseille's commanding officer. Although Schroer did fly Schwatze 8, it was literally only a couple of times, and the regular pilot was a chap called Franz Elles.</span></div>
<br />Franz Elles began operations in 1940 with 1 Staffel, I./JG-27 and saw action during the battle of Britain under the command of Edu Neumann. Transferred in early 1941 with I./JG-27 to North Africa, he flew as wingman to the famous Knights Cross holder Karl-Wolfgang Redlich. Elles amassed five "kills", four Hurricanes and a Douglas Boston. Elles was shot down, defending his leader's tail in a close air combat with P-40s on 11 December 1941, 40 km SE of Ain-el-Gazala. He was flying Bf 109F-4/Trop WNr.8537, "Rote 9" of 2./JG 27. He spent the remainder of the war as a POW in Canada. After the war, he joined the German diplomatic service and rose to become German Ambassador to the Central African Republic. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Merry meet again!</span></span></div>
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-61660368265793536902014-06-21T11:09:00.002+01:002014-06-21T11:09:12.944+01:00Summer Solstice<div style="text-align: center;">
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Greetings to all on the Solstice,</div>
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May the blessings of the Lord and Lady be with you,</div>
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And good cheer accompany you.</div>
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To the Oak King, farewell and thanks for the bounty of summer.</div>
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To the Holly King, greeting and blessings for this half of the year.</div>
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Merry meet, </div>
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Merry part,</div>
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Merry meet again.</div>
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Blessed be!</div>
Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-47111046065306511622014-06-20T19:29:00.003+01:002014-06-20T19:29:48.151+01:00Viking Levy for Saga<span style="font-family: inherit;">In keeping with the view in the Rulebook that these troops are drawn from the lowly, insignificant peasants, the poor old levy don't even get a Led Zeppelin quote!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The levy are extremely simple. A pack of Gripping Beast Dark Age warriors will provide everything you need. The rules recommend building levy armed with slings or bows, and the kit provides more than enough sling-equipped hands to do this. </span>For the purposes of Saga, it doesn't make a blind bit of difference whether these men have slings or bows, as the weapons have the same characteristics. Converting the GB warriors to bowmen would take a great deal more effort, but would be possible if you really wanted some variety.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since levy are dirt-poor, the chances of them having weapons other than their slings (apart perhaps from a knife) are very low, and the chances of them having a helmet is about nil. Therefore, the kit bare heads are all you need, and a bit of greenstuff or spares from the Viking Hirdmen box adds knives easily enough. I didn't give all of them knives - those with them are the ones with aspirations to rise to the dizzy heights of warrior status!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Clothing would all have been dull, natural (ok, grubby) colours, as you would expect for people without two coins to rub together who spent most of their time doing vile, dirty jobs. This is of course nice and easy, and since you can get away with a fairly limited palette, it's also relatively quick.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6j7FYne2aycWjWAa6bszCgA7Dek12XVO-F_IQ1EU0t_RxLOh_swB3ztLUxUPnmYw7O3z4uyFaRgxqeOS1etFQPBF7pvN3y3gaF7c7kyZ2bDTnZl3pQsBYlyyFqY-mE7FZwpr_S9sqIks/s1600/vikinglevy_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6j7FYne2aycWjWAa6bszCgA7Dek12XVO-F_IQ1EU0t_RxLOh_swB3ztLUxUPnmYw7O3z4uyFaRgxqeOS1etFQPBF7pvN3y3gaF7c7kyZ2bDTnZl3pQsBYlyyFqY-mE7FZwpr_S9sqIks/s1600/vikinglevy_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">Here's a dirty looking bunch...</i></div>
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You could almost feel sorry for this lot. Almost. They're probably aching for a chance to get into a WAB game, where their impact could be greater and their status is less miserably low.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHADIc8UHnC-UHuJSscT0osqxU321RXr1x_dNrD9SylhZeX8HrAL3-cpwy16d-2bPRedyiF6dVrsMScOx70OZ_ODszKbNzmFcxpENQRI5GOJuo_0L8BLLr4dNc_HQ3-o8oXFI5696tuV3s/s1600/vikinglevy_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHADIc8UHnC-UHuJSscT0osqxU321RXr1x_dNrD9SylhZeX8HrAL3-cpwy16d-2bPRedyiF6dVrsMScOx70OZ_ODszKbNzmFcxpENQRI5GOJuo_0L8BLLr4dNc_HQ3-o8oXFI5696tuV3s/s1600/vikinglevy_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">...And they don't look smarter from this side!</span></i></div>
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The beauty of these is of course that whilst they've been painted up for use as Vikings, they are almost totally ubiquitous. They will slot seamlessly into almost any Northern European army from late Rome to roughly the First Crusade. Which is about as much praise as this lot are going to get!<br />
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Merry meet again!</div>
Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-4670022497589522772014-05-21T21:18:00.000+01:002014-05-21T21:18:03.902+01:00"We also come from the land of the ice and snow" - Viking Warriors for Saga<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Ah-ah-ah!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">We come from the land of the ice and snow,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">From the midnight sun where the hot springs blow.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">How soft your fields so green, can whisper tales of gore,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of how we calmed the tides of war. We are your overlords.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">So now you'd better stop and rebuild all your ruins,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For peace and trust can win the day despite of all your losing.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Led Zeppelin, "Immigrant Song"</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The warrior elements are slightly trickier, not in modelling terms, but based on what you actually want. Basically, you can't get what you want out of one box. The majority of Viking warriors are going to be equipped with a spear and other weapons like a saex or handaxe, a shield and most likely a helmet. On the other hand, most of them probably would not have a sword or mail, as these were high-cost, and hence high-status, items. Saying that, the odd one might: the sort of men who were aspiring to join the ranks of leaders or hearthguard. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMaDnxY5YHrhyoMdLwJw2Jy1p-4ThkFjlRCnOgAeziileAC6uY3x1H9XoZn8_WaB9miLpdP15_zMnZJJM73m_ukoL5zKi-LwweFRNOvAq3Or-l0lK4QeFX3c95ni79QoIYYiCpv36wMJJ/s1600/vikingwarr_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMaDnxY5YHrhyoMdLwJw2Jy1p-4ThkFjlRCnOgAeziileAC6uY3x1H9XoZn8_WaB9miLpdP15_zMnZJJM73m_ukoL5zKi-LwweFRNOvAq3Or-l0lK4QeFX3c95ni79QoIYYiCpv36wMJJ/s1600/vikingwarr_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> One set, one point</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I made them up with unarmoured Dark Age warrior bodies, but used the spare helmeted heads from the Viking Hirdmen kit. A unit of warriors in Saga is eight men, and I decided one or two per group with a sword might be reasonable, and possibly one with armour, but in his case, no sword. All these chaps got slightly colourful clothes - if they were even a bit successful they ought to be able to afford an odd bit dyed with a brighter colour or something with some embroidery or decoration. I went to town with the shields. Maybe a bit over the top, but they certainly standout.</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Second point's worth</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's the whole two points' worth of warriors. All told, I think these look the part. Lock up your valuables - these lads will half-inch anything that isn't nailed down and red-hot, and clobber anyone that tries to stop them. Alternatively, if you attack them in their homes, anything you come away with will have been pried from their cold, dead hands - assuming you survived trying.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMHl1BJmqi4uxmjD9p5-8Rt6o87s-TnembWlxUJ9VpQWRn3zExTmVmGBHobxYT4GOsNcRD4Bztq-4KkMz45bYQbaHNr_b399A-aB5kzXSUEN8LErJPRWANFVj_woxBIc9h7X7s1ivOip7/s1600/vikingwarr_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMHl1BJmqi4uxmjD9p5-8Rt6o87s-TnembWlxUJ9VpQWRn3zExTmVmGBHobxYT4GOsNcRD4Bztq-4KkMz45bYQbaHNr_b399A-aB5kzXSUEN8LErJPRWANFVj_woxBIc9h7X7s1ivOip7/s1600/vikingwarr_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All together - altogether trouble!</span></i></div>
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Merry meet again!</div>
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-36403463482168373792014-05-17T22:23:00.003+01:002014-05-17T22:23:48.128+01:00Wagons Roll!For the latest Dux Brit raid, Jeff and I played the convoy game.<br />
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I took the Romano-British, under a new commander, following the crushing defeat I received last time. I had my hearthguard and warriors, plus one unit of levy defending the wagons, while the rest of the levy and archers, under the command of Cei, one of my nobles, was sat in the fort.<br />
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Cei and his men are out of beans, bacon and beer and are desperately hoping Tristram and Bedwyr can get to them before they die of thirst.<br />
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The game started slowly. Painfully slowly. The wagons didn't so much roll as crawl like arthritic snails, as my two units positioned themselves to keep themselves between the wagons and Jeff's marauding Saxons. Fortunately for me, the only thing moving slower were the Saxons! Jeff struggled over the hill, making terribly heavy weather of the terrain, until he finally managed to reach my warriors. Jeff had a unit of skirmishers thistime, the result of his massive win last time. This was the first time the skirmishers had been out, and we were interested to see their effect.<br />
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Finally one of his nobles, Cenric, managed to contact with Bedwyr, who was protected the back of the wagons with warriors and levy. Meanwhile, both Tristram and Aelle had several goes at rushing into combat with each other, but neither could achieve enough movement! Losing one pip of a D6 doesn't seem too bad, until you keep rolling ones and twos all the time! The satisfied themselves with insults, and ineffectual javelins and arrows from Jeff's archers and skirmishers.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq5M98rsgdyu_rncYL7QWow_fDLp4bCFBHil3xk1kPT7vFFaAwHc7fFxfDsR5FeA2O5CM34oitdf1ynGUfkYhhWebxZ5Osfc3a0z8YKlXhbwlGE17d1eaPO3p53yosCN1KCrwX08czNm/s1600/convoy_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSq5M98rsgdyu_rncYL7QWow_fDLp4bCFBHil3xk1kPT7vFFaAwHc7fFxfDsR5FeA2O5CM34oitdf1ynGUfkYhhWebxZ5Osfc3a0z8YKlXhbwlGE17d1eaPO3p53yosCN1KCrwX08czNm/s1600/convoy_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cenric mashes Bedwyr!</span></i></div>
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A sudden turnup for the books occurred here: Jeff sent Cenric to attack Bedwyr again. With Bedwyr himself wounded, and down to a unit of levy with a couple of surviving warriors, this ought to have been a massacre. But the shieldwall held, and Cenric fell back wounded, his men reeling with shock. Bedwyr managed to not follow up, which was just as well, and the wagons managed to crawl a bit further on.<br />
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Aelle still couldn't force a charge against Tristram, and suddenly noticed that Cei had sortied with the rest of the levy, threatening his flank!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaB_lhkJ94byRen5gIBAJtpGqT1rt1Vw-9e3-Nyj23ag2f0cqA9A44oHamzUT2Jydte0_-g2fhlr5tCsGL1SwSVKLsUiOtfru1mR9dePEaqiI2edk3cbHmaSGf_ohZHomdZC35F8k77f7/s1600/convoy_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaB_lhkJ94byRen5gIBAJtpGqT1rt1Vw-9e3-Nyj23ag2f0cqA9A44oHamzUT2Jydte0_-g2fhlr5tCsGL1SwSVKLsUiOtfru1mR9dePEaqiI2edk3cbHmaSGf_ohZHomdZC35F8k77f7/s1600/convoy_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where the hell did that lot come from?!</span></i></div>
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At this point, Jeff decided that the beans, bacon and beer simply weren't worth it, and Aelle retreated in good order - very slowly, again. Even the skirmishers couldn't help him! Tristram decided not to follow up, and the beer arrived safely, to slake the thirst of the weary Brits.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z0kfhtAuN77AfZaLB73wekX6kuLzxoXdKCGbEfgeY9tVztOIX0l6a4PNqXZN-TMhZ07Z9riRAi2ba4VDbT9BMXtP2meu0ypNe2eaNUKU5SSesJYGr2V_YRIyYZzYXu0VJTd_SZl-_KwU/s1600/convoy_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z0kfhtAuN77AfZaLB73wekX6kuLzxoXdKCGbEfgeY9tVztOIX0l6a4PNqXZN-TMhZ07Z9riRAi2ba4VDbT9BMXtP2meu0ypNe2eaNUKU5SSesJYGr2V_YRIyYZzYXu0VJTd_SZl-_KwU/s1600/convoy_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Make mine a pint!</span></i></div>
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Jeff was stymied by the terrain, and had he entered the table somewhere he could have moved a bit faster, things might have ended very differently. As it was, there were few casualties on either side, but my hand of pursuit cards left me with a thief's horde. Better than last time!<br />
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Merry meet again!Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-49874832194374755502014-05-01T08:13:00.004+01:002014-05-01T23:01:07.096+01:00Beltane Blessing<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 3.55pt;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Blessed be this day
of Beltane,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wedding day of the Goddess and the God.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy day of Sacred Marriage,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Holy night of Sacred Union.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My blessings I give to all
of thee,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">and thy blessings I call from thee upon me.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So as I will, So Mote It Be!</span></div>
</span>Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-87155482418193080872014-04-23T18:36:00.002+01:002014-04-23T18:36:28.263+01:00Tristan - A Present For MeA little while back I reviewed <a href="http://www.musketeer-miniatures.com/" target="_blank">Musketeer Miniatures'</a> fantastic <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/bors-small-present.html" target="_blank">Bors figure</a>, that I painted as a present for a colleague.<br />
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This figure, Tristan, comes as the partner to Bors. In the Arthurian canon, Tristan (Anglicised from Drustan) was apparently a Cornish nobleman, a nephew of King Mark, who largely became famous for falling in love with Mark's mail order bride, Iseult.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW2CMcH0ZrYboZQzeu23cpkMR9QFXY6x_8rw_xHksnGjz0szHqdq0iY31rEsrS64hMLR5DBY12oz4zwifELNpA4Sp61nYkTWe5EgEMQ4o57MbpGn8l5HY4RgqG9GaMrWc6uP2sG9N1wu8/s1600/tristan_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfW2CMcH0ZrYboZQzeu23cpkMR9QFXY6x_8rw_xHksnGjz0szHqdq0iY31rEsrS64hMLR5DBY12oz4zwifELNpA4Sp61nYkTWe5EgEMQ4o57MbpGn8l5HY4RgqG9GaMrWc6uP2sG9N1wu8/s1600/tristan_1.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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There's a pretty strong thread running through the stories that Tristan could have had some Pictish heritage (Drustan derived from Drust, an attested name of several Pictish kings). Of course it's quite possible he was a Cornish noble with Pictish blood - then as now the nobility of different states/countries probably intermarried.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFbJPf7hVADBRgRcoY0QR_f7jZ5iUWVg7QEF0R24zAKK8YcV8aIEbrqozSgIh0vy5DITpal45TxdETHdbkB1XZ7MLbPawNidBxqi4QxfPRwDTp7zVQzF6rCd4oeGS1_n5MfKEz2mOlej2/s1600/tristan_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFbJPf7hVADBRgRcoY0QR_f7jZ5iUWVg7QEF0R24zAKK8YcV8aIEbrqozSgIh0vy5DITpal45TxdETHdbkB1XZ7MLbPawNidBxqi4QxfPRwDTp7zVQzF6rCd4oeGS1_n5MfKEz2mOlej2/s1600/tristan_2.jpg" height="280" width="320" /></a></div>
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Modelled in a fantastically aggressive running pose, Tristan is a pretty commanding figure. This is ncely in keeping with the Arthurian view of him is a handy fellow in any sort of fight. The sculpting and casting is first-rate, with no flash and minimal joint lines. Interestingly he comes without a weapon in his right hand. I added a sword (swiped from the spares in the GB Dark Age warriors pack), but drilling through to add a spear would be facile. Here he is, bearing down on a group of Pictish raiders. Maybe there's an old family feud between him and the Pictish noble?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJLHE_fyAsMBEX_ARaeC2Oy2imm2fQOXUNf5nEcVRUs_leJ1WJVHOTRjf0LzYZWa-7ii2Io_TGTs198yxmqvHOXc4kPEiUwob-HVJLfF4M8KMUyKQ3VnonDBLymKiWyIrDRwSw4SFM0je/s1600/tristan_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJLHE_fyAsMBEX_ARaeC2Oy2imm2fQOXUNf5nEcVRUs_leJ1WJVHOTRjf0LzYZWa-7ii2Io_TGTs198yxmqvHOXc4kPEiUwob-HVJLfF4M8KMUyKQ3VnonDBLymKiWyIrDRwSw4SFM0je/s1600/tristan_6.jpg" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stand and fight!</span></i></div>
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As Tristan is a well-equipped elite fighter, he has a mail shirt and a Saxon-style helmet, complete with boar crest. I'm perfectly happy with this - there's no evidence that the Saxons had a monopoly on viewing the tough, aggressive boar as a symbolic of a fighting man. In my view Tristan has looked at the state of the art in weapons, armour and tactics and decided that the Saxon style, complete with the small, viciously-pointed buckler, suits him best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnmAOcg8zUK8RTOrOxMLIt3xs2onuQ88UZTWlthGodNENnvveIrd2ujMCVjEIg-pV1xrxMkpvmFLXS542Q4fgpWqeez7GrOAVoaoAw6IieSgeOY6zZL_xkhy6BpbKC1YLHsKacgCa-ZZi/s1600/tristan_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijnmAOcg8zUK8RTOrOxMLIt3xs2onuQ88UZTWlthGodNENnvveIrd2ujMCVjEIg-pV1xrxMkpvmFLXS542Q4fgpWqeez7GrOAVoaoAw6IieSgeOY6zZL_xkhy6BpbKC1YLHsKacgCa-ZZi/s1600/tristan_5.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">No backing down!</span></i></div>
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And as for where he's going, well, he might get an outing in a Dux Brit game, but mainly, this one's for <b><i>my</i></b> desk!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSX3KPLFcG0nYoGQT-5qFRQzXzvjJKCnecUrNw_sOC0ds-oed_ZSh3GHUgdJKZhhq9cCstcFvvn1u5RiZTBShLloXYqicpLDl2GsPkSLCBsZTX10ybeE1EaU8expkm8hoV-5WdT7U8Wq1/s1600/tristan_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSX3KPLFcG0nYoGQT-5qFRQzXzvjJKCnecUrNw_sOC0ds-oed_ZSh3GHUgdJKZhhq9cCstcFvvn1u5RiZTBShLloXYqicpLDl2GsPkSLCBsZTX10ybeE1EaU8expkm8hoV-5WdT7U8Wq1/s1600/tristan_7.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Decision time!</span></i></div>
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Merry Meet Again!<br />
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-28043609419692327512014-04-21T11:23:00.002+01:002014-04-23T18:31:54.069+01:00BeowulfI first read Beowulf when I was about nine or ten years old. I don't recall who's translation it was - if I had to hazard a guess, I would say it was Rosemary Sutcliff's. It wouldn't be fair to say it was the one book that set me onto the path that has led me here: that honour belongs to The Hobbit, which I read around the same time. But that version of Beowulf was certainly one of the things that led me to other versions of the same work, and then to read The Sagas, the Fight at Finnsburg, Y Gododdin, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, the works of Mallory and so many others.<br />
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I own what might perhaps be called a Beowulf bore's collection of different versions. I should say at this stage that I am far from being a scholar of Old English. I can pick out words and phrases, and understand how the language was structured, but I cannot claim to be highly qualified to comment on the accuracy of any translation!<br />
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William Morris's version has a feel I like, but there are parts where he seems to translate things differently to all the other versions I've read, so it sits uneasily. It has the advantage of being available for free.<br />
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Michael Alexander's version is my personal favourite. My copy is dog-eared, heavily overwritten with my own notes and much repaired. I love the feel and tone of it. The alliterative structure Alexander has produced, to me, really drives home the idea that Beowulf was written to be read aloud, recited in front of enthusiastic listeners, rather than pondered over in a quiet corner.<br />
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Marc Hudson makes no attempt to create alliteration, but his version is light, accessible and accompanied by a thorough, thought-provoking commentary.<br />
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John McNamara's verse translation is unfortunate in that it came out in 2005. By then I was firmly wedded to Alexander's version, but I would recommend McNamara's version without hesitation to any new buyer/reader. The poem text is excellent and benefits from a fantastic set of supporting notes and commentary.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">So here's my Beowulf. This is Musketeer Miniatures version of Aelle. Their figures are fantastic sculpts and casts, and the character figures have so much life that I almost regret having built parts of my Anglo-Saxon and Sub-Roman armies with the figures I have, even though at the time I bought them I loved them. I already have an Aelle, so there was an opening for this figure to do something else.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6b7XNOw-3iY4XDpRnZXGaPUaA0vJDPbA1b5NFk1weNSe9eEuYQXXjVzcojf9VJmHKQgKGAtCN2cClR_y68Kj0FzpeomB1EZXiXwG50IyL_aNeWTfj3e1p6BVNmHHEudEycImXORBAbGo/s1600/beowulf_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6b7XNOw-3iY4XDpRnZXGaPUaA0vJDPbA1b5NFk1weNSe9eEuYQXXjVzcojf9VJmHKQgKGAtCN2cClR_y68Kj0FzpeomB1EZXiXwG50IyL_aNeWTfj3e1p6BVNmHHEudEycImXORBAbGo/s1600/beowulf_4.jpg" height="278" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Never have I seen</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>a greater earl on the earth than one of you,</i></div>
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<i>a man in his war-gear. He is no hall-retainer,</i></div>
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<i>ennobled with weapons, unless his looks belie him,</i></div>
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<i>given his peerless form.</i></div>
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That description was the one given by Hrothgar's coastguard when he first sees Beowulf and his companions arrive. This mini is almost "straight out of the packet". The only difference is that I replaced the shield, with a version made from 10 thou plastic card, engraved and embossed to represent rivetted construction in three bits. When he hears about the dragon, Beowulf orders his armourers to make him a shield of solid iron, as he believes (quite rightly) that a wooden shield will fail against the dragon's fire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8YWSd2-mN-B7hnUfbIckdndgyUJyLpjhg1xpNTjhbDFATvaEYks_Gc3bSmUO0dW92gbSXk7eR2SYGjFPE0o6a6RR1jW7dBxAEuvd0evCyKeO7d9HlcCtFk-fz_W3cCAsc4odDDlotnUk/s1600/beowulf_3a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY8YWSd2-mN-B7hnUfbIckdndgyUJyLpjhg1xpNTjhbDFATvaEYks_Gc3bSmUO0dW92gbSXk7eR2SYGjFPE0o6a6RR1jW7dBxAEuvd0evCyKeO7d9HlcCtFk-fz_W3cCAsc4odDDlotnUk/s1600/beowulf_3a.jpg" height="320" width="285" /></a></div>
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<i>The champion of warriors, the chief of the nobles,</i></div>
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<i>ordered a wondrous war-shield to be made for him,</i></div>
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<i>entirely of iron, since he knew for certain</i></div>
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<i>that a wooden shield could provide no protection,</i></div>
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<i>when fire attacked wood.</i></div>
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The other figure here was sold with the Aelle/Beowulf as a banner-bearer. He gets elevated to the status of a real character: Wiglaf.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hkcgROXNfmScPytTLZkchrv53tqC5CThkQzpC1gKM4OY0qpahKqx7eU4x1BbKNvVVkN55w4OHzEmoe9pA1Y2mIoxhUEq_77KAgX_z8GPbgWbLhN_F59ugZODNUpPBIpEA-EZVf8Iel5s/s1600/beowulf_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hkcgROXNfmScPytTLZkchrv53tqC5CThkQzpC1gKM4OY0qpahKqx7eU4x1BbKNvVVkN55w4OHzEmoe9pA1Y2mIoxhUEq_77KAgX_z8GPbgWbLhN_F59ugZODNUpPBIpEA-EZVf8Iel5s/s1600/beowulf_7.jpg" height="296" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>This was Wiglaf, Weoxstan's son,</i></div>
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<i>well-loved shieldman, a Scylfing prince</i></div>
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<i>of the stock of Alfhere; </i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_vBXEuLQuP5zJCTMfcnjdq5m61SfS04zxgu0GpzGKye10NbZlY4z4Z9CBY-DuC41hpnZLTCuoSD5qa5QB5w1Ti2A7kzVrPbBDwb2UGrxHUeWZiOtgCRMavQgoC7ptzTawikOm0y-eio7/s1600/beowulf_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_vBXEuLQuP5zJCTMfcnjdq5m61SfS04zxgu0GpzGKye10NbZlY4z4Z9CBY-DuC41hpnZLTCuoSD5qa5QB5w1Ti2A7kzVrPbBDwb2UGrxHUeWZiOtgCRMavQgoC7ptzTawikOm0y-eio7/s1600/beowulf_6.jpg" height="289" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wiglaf is the only man among the Geats with the courage to stand with Beowulf when he fights the dragon. All the other members of Beowulf's hearthguard, the toughest of the tough, turn tail and run, and only Wiglaf remains, striking the blow that gives Beowulf the chance to make a killing stroke against the worm.<br />
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Here are the two, together, ready to take on anything that threatens the land of the Geats. I put these two on 1p coins as bases, rather than the 2p's I normally use for characters, with the plan that they could be sabot'ed onto a single base as a unit in a game (sort of "kill one, you still have a king" idea).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlj1fuIMaw2fyDkDAx6LTqM8X9E985IOr_PoyuDpk9np9sBeXUmZ_kZCwkwxuVYOv_DunGn2BvPdNTeNsD9-z9svOAknRMGDQpgeM4v5SijbL4TYLzISIlkS30ybdyX7SXoDecYqOM49_/s1600/beowulf_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlj1fuIMaw2fyDkDAx6LTqM8X9E985IOr_PoyuDpk9np9sBeXUmZ_kZCwkwxuVYOv_DunGn2BvPdNTeNsD9-z9svOAknRMGDQpgeM4v5SijbL4TYLzISIlkS30ybdyX7SXoDecYqOM49_/s1600/beowulf_1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>They killed the enemy, extinguished its life; </i></div>
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<i>by their courage, the kinsmen, acting as one, </i></div>
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<i>worked its doom. So should men do when there is need.</i></div>
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Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a couple of shots of the heroes confronting the dragon, so here goes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqibFy3Fn3vD1JADbTtDzDa8vWVJn60hS6t9CycL20lmoAJCL4ZASSsWq6HaZvFQVjolTk2y3SabCqpOtQgcSL4KDABFzYQLb8JVGR9fOED1t6pK8gjXWfIMQnq8_5FTBJK-8-pk0RI0Lz/s1600/beowulf_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqibFy3Fn3vD1JADbTtDzDa8vWVJn60hS6t9CycL20lmoAJCL4ZASSsWq6HaZvFQVjolTk2y3SabCqpOtQgcSL4KDABFzYQLb8JVGR9fOED1t6pK8gjXWfIMQnq8_5FTBJK-8-pk0RI0Lz/s1600/beowulf_2.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6FFdvETJ_GsCaYv0J_6BZOA5QXDjvUj-hBmd933QZZZncWrkzpVhTEx54U_C-rjLDXsQUzhZ01O2zHe1onZSF7F5OnvHXWJlayuScmHTTJXVUlX-c8jrAY-uqDYXI-hca3jfgJSGo8R6/s1600/beowulf_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu6FFdvETJ_GsCaYv0J_6BZOA5QXDjvUj-hBmd933QZZZncWrkzpVhTEx54U_C-rjLDXsQUzhZ01O2zHe1onZSF7F5OnvHXWJlayuScmHTTJXVUlX-c8jrAY-uqDYXI-hca3jfgJSGo8R6/s1600/beowulf_3.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
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Merry Meet Again!<br />
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-51487857751103465502014-04-20T12:16:00.000+01:002014-04-20T14:56:55.605+01:00Morgan Le Fay<br />
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The perfect spell, you could not resist,</div>
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I cast it well, beguiled and bewitched,</div>
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The evening fell and knocked like before,</div>
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But this time Hell had come to your door!</div>
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"<i>Shapeshifter</i>" - Gary Hughes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here's the latest in the line of occasional non-historic Sub-Roman characters, Morgan Le Fay.<br />
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Morgan was Arthur's half-sister, a daughter of Igraine (Arthur's mother) and Gorlois of Cornwall. She was unhappily married to Urien of Rheged and was a student of Merlin. A powerful sorceress, but also a skilled healer, she plotted against Arthur, undermining him, his knights and even his wife, remaining a powerful adversary for many years. At the end, she was reconciled with her half-brother, and was one for the four enchantresses who went with Arthur to Avalon after his wounding at the Battle of Camlann.<br />
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The figure is a Julie Guthrie sculpt, sold via Grenadier Miniatures as a female assassin. The date on the bottom of the figure (1987) is slightly earlier than when I got it. I'd bought it and painted it, and had had good service from it in the rolegame days but had mislaid it. I'd been looking for it among the few figures I'd kept from back then, as I thought it was perfect for this purpose. It took me an age to find, and eventually it turned up behind a workbench in my garage during a massive clearout!<br />
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A quick clean-up and prime got her ready to paint, and to my mind there's only one example to follow: <br />
Frederick Sandys' painting of Morgan. The original is in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, but this gives you the idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrWmVqSz4eNIGsbjSYotsNOJ-V_DJ_-7iy7AGIyKhXafgHXOa7X5MDyYhGPdYg4F2s1zDpDHOnZGAoU22x_ElJA-wlWAxAxEqag4gg5r47TkOwoMcDpRvZivNJDsj7ilA1fEVMdpmMiqv/s1600/Sandys,_Frederick_-_Morgan_le_Fay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBrWmVqSz4eNIGsbjSYotsNOJ-V_DJ_-7iy7AGIyKhXafgHXOa7X5MDyYhGPdYg4F2s1zDpDHOnZGAoU22x_ElJA-wlWAxAxEqag4gg5r47TkOwoMcDpRvZivNJDsj7ilA1fEVMdpmMiqv/s1600/Sandys,_Frederick_-_Morgan_le_Fay.JPG" height="320" width="227" /></a></div>
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It's interesting to note the Pictish symbols on her overskirt. I don't this interpretation can be beaten, and here's my version derived from Sandys' masterpiece. Not a patch on his obviously, but I'm happy enough. The details on the mini are quite soft and subtle compared with today's castings, but at the time, these were pretty "state of the art".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mnICm3Dfy0zWVMr0CMrdZO0-xfKBr8veKJbRZ08Hksp-vgoRnol3LUB9_2XNSBoAlSGzcoer0zn0q5AmVI4ZOlCQPfxx9oghX0b8585uMru3NiHgXnksp6Qh92019PfwQJ2gW74K0pej/s1600/morgana_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mnICm3Dfy0zWVMr0CMrdZO0-xfKBr8veKJbRZ08Hksp-vgoRnol3LUB9_2XNSBoAlSGzcoer0zn0q5AmVI4ZOlCQPfxx9oghX0b8585uMru3NiHgXnksp6Qh92019PfwQJ2gW74K0pej/s1600/morgana_5.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgpPi7OlXvGcJ_8taytB64NjrwbPH2P3ZujAPKEJ8MeD8_1cUosarFKpmDTQAoxpkDiiwYt50z_YDJyC3cEMX7CGTD4UsQCvG9Iq0ZdigAXLvY3jIsw3WOgWs9uXPqATBvN-36XhvVnWz/s1600/morgana_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgpPi7OlXvGcJ_8taytB64NjrwbPH2P3ZujAPKEJ8MeD8_1cUosarFKpmDTQAoxpkDiiwYt50z_YDJyC3cEMX7CGTD4UsQCvG9Iq0ZdigAXLvY3jIsw3WOgWs9uXPqATBvN-36XhvVnWz/s1600/morgana_4.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
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Does the goblet contain some subtle poison, refreshing wine, a healing draught or some hidden spell the long-term effect of which can only be guessed at?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuDj79KG1FaDBnh8kVQjRLOqtzWU2PKApKRyAUwK7d2Ah82klFiWuWWeXgM4GSRPJ_ON9eoqmFYWiXeySk2J-mK82T61zin4l3HYE9UA9b_7LD-pGvr1u6ZRk4hEWXL9xaMjquMZ3ATDr/s1600/morgana_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuDj79KG1FaDBnh8kVQjRLOqtzWU2PKApKRyAUwK7d2Ah82klFiWuWWeXgM4GSRPJ_ON9eoqmFYWiXeySk2J-mK82T61zin4l3HYE9UA9b_7LD-pGvr1u6ZRk4hEWXL9xaMjquMZ3ATDr/s1600/morgana_1.jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">A powerful ally...</span></i></div>
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But if the contents of the wine-cup fail, then the dagger in her other hand will serve. I think Aelle is right to be wary of this strange lady.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwC1G1jELkLaTQeF_dZbZtVc16OdO4OEcga0NMMmPv2yZf4yGNc8yGCno77VHkQ2bgkGgXR6z6Yajdcq8rbi0Q8y5XTsbjXtypKIzowCPzGIvcrxFKO_tKXIgX5-1tN8FnpWIUaGsvtMu/s1600/morgana_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbwC1G1jELkLaTQeF_dZbZtVc16OdO4OEcga0NMMmPv2yZf4yGNc8yGCno77VHkQ2bgkGgXR6z6Yajdcq8rbi0Q8y5XTsbjXtypKIzowCPzGIvcrxFKO_tKXIgX5-1tN8FnpWIUaGsvtMu/s1600/morgana_3.jpg" height="202" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>...But a bad enemy </i></span></div>
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Marry Meet Again!<br />
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-62904382945016632422014-04-06T17:44:00.004+01:002014-04-06T17:44:48.436+01:00"We come from the land of the ice and snow" - Viking Hearthguard for Saga<div style="border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 10px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i><i>Ah-ah-ah!</i><br />
<i>We come from the land of the ice and snow,</i></div>
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<i>From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.</i></div>
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<i>The hammer of the gods will drive our ships to new lands,</i></div>
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<i>To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am coming!</i></div>
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<i>On we sweep with threshing oar, Our only goal will be the western shore.</i></div>
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Led Zeppelin<i>, "Immigrant Song"</i></div>
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Whilst I could scratch up a Viking force from existing figures I have, it wouldn't be terribly authentic, and anyway, where's the fun in that? Based on very favourable experience with them, I decided to build my Viking army as far as possible using Gripping Beast plastics. As all Saga-ites know, a warband consists of three types of troops, hearthguard, warriors and levy plus the warlord.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7O2vtx3zXm-IUdnh4Wi0-02sKD9srbja6cnkB3dW-G3voFOeDIKDdiAo7fi6V85lP6OvwW1-DMGTogUG3R65_t5ND17rjZc5Vwve17CWou93EA1QbiUtju__N1o6V14Yzu5n9D2oMCgr/s1600/vikinghearth_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7O2vtx3zXm-IUdnh4Wi0-02sKD9srbja6cnkB3dW-G3voFOeDIKDdiAo7fi6V85lP6OvwW1-DMGTogUG3R65_t5ND17rjZc5Vwve17CWou93EA1QbiUtju__N1o6V14Yzu5n9D2oMCgr/s1600/vikinghearth_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Two and a half points of Hearthguard</span></i></div>
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The Hearthguard are successful professional warriors, who would be expected to be well equipped, so these are all fully armoured and heavily armed, with sword, axe and spear, and dressed in (for the time) colourful clothing. Two units of hearthguard requires eight Viking figures, but in the first instance, I did a sprue-full.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIGUb41kvVUfIrcgJPmsTcnV1Vyb6EgK_4s9pIWXESvXtZKvOJIfkbFP1xU2fR4fJDqEtAPj_azRhJUPNq22zeqqcjPF7IhnANhZm69lxuDr0qEmaadyDmRxHfZVQE6uy_urKOeuzo27q/s1600/vikinghearth_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIGUb41kvVUfIrcgJPmsTcnV1Vyb6EgK_4s9pIWXESvXtZKvOJIfkbFP1xU2fR4fJDqEtAPj_azRhJUPNq22zeqqcjPF7IhnANhZm69lxuDr0qEmaadyDmRxHfZVQE6uy_urKOeuzo27q/s1600/vikinghearth_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>First point...</i></span></div>
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A single sprue from the Viking Hirdmen box contains ten armoured bodies, all without heads. Some have the shield arm moulded in place, some are separate. This allows double-armed men to be built very easily. Each sprue gives you shields, fourteen heads, numerous spare arms and a slew of extra weapons to use where you like.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMHsVqvvLvTAV4Zlnwwhwpscz6oBDyVpqI1UKOWmnjSG3HapgtFXfVohqWM1kXEskaBvujSRfwzNpMyg-IaKQrtM2yQo8rrCfk-denZfphwe61b4mZzwkdGcKVgxORVrinfxyJZyLM0L/s1600/vikinghearth_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquMHsVqvvLvTAV4Zlnwwhwpscz6oBDyVpqI1UKOWmnjSG3HapgtFXfVohqWM1kXEskaBvujSRfwzNpMyg-IaKQrtM2yQo8rrCfk-denZfphwe61b4mZzwkdGcKVgxORVrinfxyJZyLM0L/s1600/vikinghearth_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>Second point...</i></span></div>
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The sculpting is as usual for GB - crisp and clean, with deep cut detail. Anatomy is good, and these are solid, strongly built men, reflecting their status (and hence access to the best grub!).</div>
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Moulding is good, in the usual hardish Renedra plastic. Mould seams are minimal and easily removed. In one or two places, there is evidence of some flash appearing - hope the moulds aren't wearing out!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmInve17hBM232djNZhLAT8CIMl7hyphenhyphenhUZcMUhIak707WeFFDOW1p5wIW9dq6xu-zMz1VgbIuWjvYGLHOv88jFTiPfpSdje2QPonWKQBd-21nwbqcCY1hVgkOURur7DDtKkBamd6cTHorPs/s1600/vikinghearth_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmInve17hBM232djNZhLAT8CIMl7hyphenhyphenhUZcMUhIak707WeFFDOW1p5wIW9dq6xu-zMz1VgbIuWjvYGLHOv88jFTiPfpSdje2QPonWKQBd-21nwbqcCY1hVgkOURur7DDtKkBamd6cTHorPs/s1600/vikinghearth_4.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Last few.</span></i></div>
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Assembly is easy, and all parts fit well, and allow for plenty of variation. I have to say that one or two of the poses you can come up with are not entirely convincing, so playing about and doing lots of dry runs (old modellers' term there!) before reaching for the glue is definitely worthwhile. Blu-tak is your friend in this.</div>
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These chaps get relatively brightly coloured clothing - reds, greens, yellows, even a bit of blue. The shades are slightly muted, since these were vegetable dyes, but certainly a bit more eyecatching than the usual variety of greyish browns and brownish greys! The clothing is further jazzed up with details on collars, cuffs and hems. Bright, contrasting colours work well here, and would appear to be historically correct.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEyyoAVE_GuH8SooVwpXw8t7V1N2zkkBrGnzAL0G0FVSvyjn_mIrFbRmzCNkDAB9E1QqCQbuaqcFLjoKKwY8qNMHMrDJtt7pTKu6bnjKtcUljs-3JGFQ9yCCYlnhAiuR9kPNyqIFogVJD/s1600/vikinghearth_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEyyoAVE_GuH8SooVwpXw8t7V1N2zkkBrGnzAL0G0FVSvyjn_mIrFbRmzCNkDAB9E1QqCQbuaqcFLjoKKwY8qNMHMrDJtt7pTKu6bnjKtcUljs-3JGFQ9yCCYlnhAiuR9kPNyqIFogVJD/s1600/vikinghearth_6.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fighting to the last</span></i></div>
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The final step of course is shields. These are not the sort who are going to enter a fight with a plain white, black or grey battle-board. These need a variety of colourful backgrounds with bright, vibrant designs on top. Home-made decals were my solution, as freehanding the whole lot is a bit too much like hard work!</div>
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So, I now have two and a half points worth of troops. I'll do a couple more at some point and round out the hearthguard to three points. But next, some rank and file!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfvYMPhTjFzMU30h6uxA6AvlnWQs23SdJje4gwPhWsQeohCnabhodY71pc5P0dSDCVGGul2rERMsRiadwOsM34lki4-xp-Do5p78mWk-MoBzNHyWH5p4uCSwyia8-FXxfdlWVxPgK7Z-P/s1600/vikinghearth_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUfvYMPhTjFzMU30h6uxA6AvlnWQs23SdJje4gwPhWsQeohCnabhodY71pc5P0dSDCVGGul2rERMsRiadwOsM34lki4-xp-Do5p78mWk-MoBzNHyWH5p4uCSwyia8-FXxfdlWVxPgK7Z-P/s1600/vikinghearth_5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"><i>Closeup view - might be the last sight you ever have!</i></span></div>
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Merry Meet Again!</div>
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-60029081357677014852014-03-29T11:13:00.003+00:002014-03-29T11:13:44.803+00:00The Steel BonnetsI've just finished reading George MacDonald Fraser's<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Steel-Bonnets-Anglo-Scottish-Border-Reivers/dp/0002727463/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1396090829&sr=1-1&keywords=steel+bonnets" target="_blank"> "The Steel Bonnets",</a> which is still one of the very best books on the Border Reivers you can get.<br />
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First published in 1971, it still reads wonderfully, a tale of history with all the elements of a great thriller: criminal intrigue, political double-dealing and breakneck action.<br />
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Fraser is probably best known as the author of the Flashman stories, and to me it seems that this is what lifts the book from the merely interesting to the exceptional. Fraser was evidently a skilled researcher and historian, but it is this in combination with his fantastic ability to tell a great adventure story that makes The Steel Bonnets such a great read. His descriptions are vivid and full of colour, whether of the hard, harsh landscape or the harder, harsher men who lived in it. He weaves a dry, ironic wit into the stories of raid and counter-raid, bitter feuds, cynical politics and the endless efforts of men on both sides to simultaneously control and inflame an area as lawless as any to be found in a work of fiction.<br />
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Fraser has a fantastic backdrop to write his story over. Centuries of family feudsoverlay the larger feud between England and Scotland. A population, part-ruined by raiding, who took ever more to raiding others in order to survive themselves, full of astonishing but actually real characters. Fraser describes one as the sort of man that later story writers "...who had never heard of Robert Carey, found it necessary to invent..." and he does justice to them all.<br />
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The lords of rival clans, raiding one another without regard to national borders, make the Wild West seem tame. With names like Auld Wat, Jock of the Side and The Bastard Heron, these men, already larger than life, jump from the page thanks to Fraser. In the midst of them all are the appointed Border Wardens, some strong and upright, like the "rugged, short-tempered" Hunsdon, others, like Kerr of Cessford "as much bandit as peace officer", no more law-abiding than those they policed. These men frequently tried to keep order in their own territory whilst encouraging their own locals to raid across the border. Here were Scots fighting on behalf of the English, English supporting the Scots and both sides fighting and reiving one another indiscriminantly.<br />
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Fraser breathes even more excitement and drive into this, painting a vivid picture that pulls the reader along. Events like the rescue of Kinmont Willie Armstrong from Carlisle Castle and the little-known but incredibly significant fight between Hunsdon and Dacre near Brampton would be high points in any adventure yarn, and Fraser's prose brings them into sharp, thrilling focus.<br />
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The tumult of the Anglo-Scottish border in the sixteenth century is as exciting a period for a wargame as any I can think of, and anyone wanting to try it need look no further than Fraser's work for all the inspiration and background they will need.Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-58063702166825643222014-03-23T18:20:00.003+00:002014-03-23T18:20:42.098+00:00Making Saga DiceAlthough it's quite possible to play Saga with ordinary D6's, the special Saga dice are part of the "feel" and add to the spectacle.<br />
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Sets of Saga dice are not cheap. Not. At. All.<br />
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So, if you want four (or more!) sets, it comes to a significant pile of money. So, as per my normal practice, I made my own.<br />
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The <a href="http://studiotomahawk.freeforums.org/index.php" target="_blank">Saga Forums</a> have the graphics you need, in various forms, so there's not really any clever art to do. At this point, there are obviously a number of options on how to proceed. You could print onto adhesive address labels, onto paper and stick it on, or print onto decal paper, which is what I did.<br />
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I imported the graphics into InkScape, and added them onto circles matched (as closely as I could) to the background colours of the dice. By doing this I could print onto white decal paper, which gave me better contrast and opacity. White decal paper is about £1.60 per A4 sheet, and one sheet will do all four sets with enough left over to make an army's worth of shields.<br />
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The blank dice came from <a href="http://www.thediceshoponline.com/" target="_blank">The Dice Shop</a><span id="goog_330383328"></span><span id="goog_330383329"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a>, and cost just over nine pounds for all 32 dice to make up the four sets. They do a ton of different colours and sizes in blank dice, so you ought to be able to get anything you want.<br />
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Cutting out and decalling up the dice is an easy job, but time consuming. Do it in front of the television, over a night or two. Several coats of clear lacquer sprayed on after the decals are dry protects them in use. The laquer was about four quid for the can, did all these sets,plus tons of other stuff (measuring sticks and shield decals) and there's still plenty left for other projects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHscxZ76QGYIZudKXrWimQt2SVggfAxyl1M-lGhN_dJWMJGH8FHy9aFW2K5ee3OA5Ltgy75WRfiiUnfTSaAKbnCPr0HWOI6NFf3foH_00fRsBFSgJidJZF_w1_WKTy-ms59xJhlNv83s8y/s1600/saga_dice_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHscxZ76QGYIZudKXrWimQt2SVggfAxyl1M-lGhN_dJWMJGH8FHy9aFW2K5ee3OA5Ltgy75WRfiiUnfTSaAKbnCPr0HWOI6NFf3foH_00fRsBFSgJidJZF_w1_WKTy-ms59xJhlNv83s8y/s1600/saga_dice_1.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ready to roll!</i></span></div>
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Here are my Anglo-Saxon/Anglo Danish dice, along with my Scots and Norse Gael set. The Viking and Welsh sets will follow when I regain sufficient will and sanity to cut out another 96 decals! You get the idea. All up, the cost shook out at under £15 for all four sets. Works for me...<br />
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Merry meet again!Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-80808311122033944012014-03-22T14:03:00.000+00:002014-04-06T23:07:39.913+01:00Measuring in SAGA 2On page 7 of the main rulebook, it clearly states "real warriors prefer steel". Not wishing to be thought of as less than a real warrior, I obviously started cutting metal!<br />
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My intended raw material was recycled metal cargo strap. However, nylon seems to have replaced it totally. One possibility was cutting long strips from a sheet but I decided it was too much grief, so I had to put my hand in my pocket and buy a strip of metal. Unfortunately all I could get was aluminium. Now, someone is going to mutter how this is lightweight (well, it is) and not suitable for a "true" warrior. Anyone who subscribes to this view can be disabused of it rapidly by having the "Long" measuring stick jammed smartly up their nose, followed by twisting it round and round a few times. Aluminium or not, it'll bring tears to their eyes, guaranteed. Even Ragnar from the rulebooks could be brought round this way!<br />
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I formed the finished sticks by carefully cutting to length, then marked out a mitre on each corner. About five seconds on the bench grinder mitres everything beautifully. All the edges were thoroughly de-burred at this stage, because even real warriors find great lumps of razor-sharp swarf in their fingers detracts from their enjoyment of the game!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt_GuMLzHk_n9_b5asT2LkjeJXjPI26f15zgfR8o3OulpU8GPRDlhg5v-UWgQHUkPU2vePnUl7P0mJbKmhvye-QvI98sFjlH8xKiK7RRVRjUNG9mPOxWduZB262YdYyYOrsdAaVcX9Qjf/s1600/metalsticks_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQt_GuMLzHk_n9_b5asT2LkjeJXjPI26f15zgfR8o3OulpU8GPRDlhg5v-UWgQHUkPU2vePnUl7P0mJbKmhvye-QvI98sFjlH8xKiK7RRVRjUNG9mPOxWduZB262YdYyYOrsdAaVcX9Qjf/s1600/metalsticks_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">Still haven't tidied up much!</i></div>
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I toyed with the idea of chemically etching designs into the sticks. I've done this before on steel items and got good results, but aluminium is funny stuff, what with oxide coatings and such, and I wasn't sure how well I could get it to work. Engraving was my next idea.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj49Gl_iAyWcMzKaH5I0nprRRfEuencXNnUfifn87EEy6xVAJEsFHXtJJ1DjGA4sUBba0D6EWFUpqjVktg76TtGMFjp6rEFpbHdZFdPDxfpjYwc27Pxqbqpyv0j2aCMl3JRHEUYvOToxge/s1600/metalsticks_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj49Gl_iAyWcMzKaH5I0nprRRfEuencXNnUfifn87EEy6xVAJEsFHXtJJ1DjGA4sUBba0D6EWFUpqjVktg76TtGMFjp6rEFpbHdZFdPDxfpjYwc27Pxqbqpyv0j2aCMl3JRHEUYvOToxge/s1600/metalsticks_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Pondering what to do next</i></span></div>
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The results at this stage look far from promising: grotty, grubby loooking bits of metal with no appeal. I decided on a Viking raven design, but struggled with transferring it onto the metal to scribe it in. Carbon paper didn't work and the design was too small to use a pounce wheel. I decided I had to print off the design in decal form, then engrave.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvukdeDfYgg9bftOa-sIWFYX6D0tITAc8qUEzAW_-SyVyTDdGpj4hTSWMeV95sYIFDvgdwhOFomps1jrC8anoGWSKbzfkofEcVW7nApdlTPUUllQlWZ3foX06FZUOlWPDZVPsqA2mXI7a/s1600/metalsticks_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvukdeDfYgg9bftOa-sIWFYX6D0tITAc8qUEzAW_-SyVyTDdGpj4hTSWMeV95sYIFDvgdwhOFomps1jrC8anoGWSKbzfkofEcVW7nApdlTPUUllQlWZ3foX06FZUOlWPDZVPsqA2mXI7a/s1600/metalsticks_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yuck!</span></i> </div>
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At this point I started adding the decals, ready to engrave the designs, but as soon as I put one on, I had a sudden change of heart. The decals really popped against the metal, so I quickly printed off another one, and decided it was time for a little bit of magic: the buffing wheel on the bench grinder!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDQv2SIgAlOhH4xtUJGL7VPwwHNadtKCTtC5-tMsODhEuooE8ONZAhgsnrmxXO4uQyS9dpYDsCsBpg7M91hQiXHNCsNkMsE3pRCOuUrGHX3ndKIxBOeVz1GgMO_yMnoJ4ko8n1k4UikJk/s1600/metalsticks_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDQv2SIgAlOhH4xtUJGL7VPwwHNadtKCTtC5-tMsODhEuooE8ONZAhgsnrmxXO4uQyS9dpYDsCsBpg7M91hQiXHNCsNkMsE3pRCOuUrGHX3ndKIxBOeVz1GgMO_yMnoJ4ko8n1k4UikJk/s1600/metalsticks_4.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Filthy job! </i></span></div>
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Once the pieces were buffed on a cotton wheel, first with grey soap to take off the worst of the gnarls, then finished with pink soap, I added the decals, followed by two coats of laquer to prevent tarnish and fingermarks. This is what you get. J<span style="text-align: center;">ob done!</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shiny!</span></i><br />
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All ready to use now. Merry meet again!</div>
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-19485734687673022262014-03-17T20:11:00.000+00:002014-03-17T20:11:02.620+00:00Measuring in SAGAMost wargames call for some sort of measurement and SAGA is no different. However, where SAGA does diverge a bit is that there are only four measured distances, called (imaginatively enough) Long, Medium, Short and Very Short. The old reliable tape measure will of course deliver, but for speed and simplicity, measuring sticks are prefered in the game.<br />
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There are a number of ways you can proceed. The rulebook contains templates for measuring sticks, which are also available on the SAGA forum. Printing/copying these, cutting them out and sticking them to cardboard will give functional, if rather flimsy and short-lived measuring sticks. If you are time-poor, or not handy with making things, a number of companies will sell you a set of MDF ones, in many cases laser-cut with nice faction designs on them. Or you could make you own.<br />
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Of course, I made my own.<br />
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These, quick and easy, came out of a strip of hardwood bullnose moulding. The length (enough for several sets) came from a DIY store for a couple of quid. Just to prove I can do it, this was strictly a hand tools job. I marked off the lengths, cut them on a mitre box, then gave the ends a light chamfer with a block plane. Some sanding (carefully, so as not to alter the length!) and it's job done. Fifteen minutes, end to end.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Excuse my mess!</span></i></div>
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They can be painted, waxed, varnished, engraved, tarted up with decals or marked with poker work (or any combination thereof!). I went with decals, with length symbols from the furthark and Aniron fonts, plus a couple of boars. Looking for other potential markings was the dodgiest bit of all. Surf the net for Saxon or even "English" symbols and it seems as if you're only ever one click away from some extremely unpleasant and unrighteous content! Those of you doing this on company computers - beware.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8wv9ABFk-_dZzWB81VRa2vrZZ7raQYg1ou98fPdw9s5E2v347EWBv7PQnqhBO2S9aMiFNaEOQRfa0GbXwI-7eWJnr8QJtDNEq93w5KyBHRRh4O4dAJSYft_DVkPnfI9FpVsnrSPtbCxD/s1600/measure_1_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8wv9ABFk-_dZzWB81VRa2vrZZ7raQYg1ou98fPdw9s5E2v347EWBv7PQnqhBO2S9aMiFNaEOQRfa0GbXwI-7eWJnr8QJtDNEq93w5KyBHRRh4O4dAJSYft_DVkPnfI9FpVsnrSPtbCxD/s1600/measure_1_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spray booth is looking tatty - give it another coat!</span></i></div>
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Three sprayed coats of laquer was fine on the decals, but it was soon obvious it would need about thirty to make any difference on the wood, so I brushed on one coat of yacht varnish that sorted everything out. You need a nice glossy varnished surface to apply the decals over (old scale modeller's trick!).</div>
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<i style="font-size: small; text-align: center;">Ready to go!</i></div>
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Here they are with the decals in place, and a couple of furhther coats of varnish to protect them from rough handling and aggression (by players <i>or</i> miniatures!)<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sorry lads, better luck next turn!</span></i></div>
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So here we are, demonstrating to the Anglo-Saxons hearthguard that they are just<i> barely</i> out of range to mash the Scots warriors - or have a go, anyway.<br />
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Merry Meet Again!<br />
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-65410368702573725682014-03-14T12:16:00.001+00:002014-03-14T12:16:26.585+00:00Good News DayFirst of all, <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/bors-small-present.html" target="_blank">Bors</a> was well received by his new owner. Not a big gift, but given with heartfelt thanks for the help he has given me.<br />
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Second, I've passed the milestone of 75,000 hits on this blog. Many, many thanks to anyone who reads and comments.<br />
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Merry Meet Again!<br />
<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-16654015028770976552014-03-13T19:54:00.001+00:002014-03-13T19:54:59.869+00:00Yan Tyan Tethera - Strathclyde Welsh Cavalry<div class="MsoNormal">
“Yan tyan tethera” means “one two three”, in the Cumbric language once spoken across a wide tract of the north-west of
England and south-west Scotland. The language now survives in some place names, and
a few vestigial bits of dialect like this, used by farmers to count.</div>
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This was the language of a country, variously called Ystrad Clud or Alclud, Rheged
or Strathcylde, that once stretched from Loch Lomond in the north to Rochdale
in the south.</div>
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This part of Britain is generally not a soft, comfortable landscape. Anyone who has not visited it can get a fantastically evocative and extremely accurate view of it by reading George MacDonald Fraser's excellent "The Steel Bonnets". Whilst the main subject of this book is the later Border Reivers, the geography that forms the backdrop is unchanged. Much of the country is bleak, formed of bare, stony fells and harsh-carved hills. In many other, gentler, parts there is
only a thin layer of poor soil laying over the same rocks just below. Outside of the coastal plains, this makes for poor
farmland, hard to plough and harvest. If it is hard to plough now, how much
harder would it have been with an ox-drawn ard plough? The land does, however,
provide adequate grazing, for cattle lower down, and tough sheep on the higher
slopes.</div>
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This hard land has always bred hard people. Apart from Cornwall, this
was the last part of England that retained its Celtic language. Long before the Angles arrived, the people of Strathclyde had already spent centuries fighting off the Picts and Scoti, and having resisted them quite successfully they went on to resist Northumbrian dominance longer than anywhere else in the North. The northernmost part
remained a semi-autonomous area even later, allied to but separate from, the Kingdom of
Scotland. </div>
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Referred to in Saga as “Strathclyde Welsh”, these men, used
to a mobile life following their herds, fight mainly as cavalry. Riding men, armed with spears and raiding indiscriminately, were of course a feature of this area even later. In a sense, these cavalry seem the direct ancestors of the later Border Reivers.</div>
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Here are the first of my Strathclyde cavalry warriors. These
are all built using Wargames Factory Ancient Germanic Cavalry, with some weapon
arms taken from Gripping Beast Dark Age Warriors, and a selection of GB Saxon
thegn and West Wind Sub-Roman heads.<br />
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The only, very slight, issue is that the men with the shield arm held close to the body are problematic in terms of what shields to use. These figures are obviously designed to work with the elongated hexagonal shields in the kit, and the round shields simply do not fit convincingly, and nor did any others that I had in the spares box. A quick measure up gave me a figure for the maximum diameter I could use. A swift rifle through the workshop turned up a length of steel tube of this diameter, which was sharpened to make a disc punch. I used this to chop out a series of discs from a sheet of planked plastic card. A bead of thick cyanoacrylate added around the circumference, allowed to dry and sanded slightly flat formed the shield rim, and the boss was a small disc of plastic card, punched out, with a drop of CA in the centre. Lovely!<br />
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In order to get these finished, I built the horses "out of the box". The next ones will get a little more work, to make them more like Fell ponies. It won't be a lot - WF have done a good job with the sculpting, so a bit of feathering on the hooves and a longer mane will do it.<br />
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This first set are conveniently numbered yan tyan tethera (from left to right). Yan has a GB Saxon head and upright spear arm, tyan has a West Wind Sub-Roman head, while tethera has GB head. In the last two, the arms ars from the original kit.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yan, tyan, tethera...</span></i> </div>
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A 28mm cavalry figure on the table for just over a pound is a really bargain, and with the tiny bit of work I've done I'd say these stand up well against figures I've paid a good deal more for. For those prepared to make the small changes required, I would recommend these without hesitation. As well asSaga, these will give good service as British light cavalry in Dux Brit or Dux Bell, which makes them even better value.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgIbWzzxjlkKTiFBJ75KIHvLSWGoknUnkVZtLLb7xBAYeU0w8dU2nz2A_d_8l8Sfdm0U7ydEe4YZ9D-mPxFhBO81ShKeiFC7Aiwq1sJaJGYoh43T0PARQfojejY4W1P_ASTLsE0PQdcLq/s1600/strathclyde_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVgIbWzzxjlkKTiFBJ75KIHvLSWGoknUnkVZtLLb7xBAYeU0w8dU2nz2A_d_8l8Sfdm0U7ydEe4YZ9D-mPxFhBO81ShKeiFC7Aiwq1sJaJGYoh43T0PARQfojejY4W1P_ASTLsE0PQdcLq/s1600/strathclyde_2.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">And again!</span></i></div>
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Comparisons are sometimes helpful, so here's one for you. From left to right we have a Gripping Beast late Roman on a Conquest horse, the three WF Strathclyde Welsh and a Newline Design Pict,.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fN4_Nq5zXKn5jsUyX8YNrYKjT-wHpXjPi2e8XfptG-L96FmFG5vAVodFcOQC6BRw-UeJHaB1kfN-rgTlnZ8lZim9AhmPhKzOwxLBmyzlYnzQsPXAwioFyGNS0h-jGH5W856hQFQZh4nS/s1600/strathclyde_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fN4_Nq5zXKn5jsUyX8YNrYKjT-wHpXjPi2e8XfptG-L96FmFG5vAVodFcOQC6BRw-UeJHaB1kfN-rgTlnZ8lZim9AhmPhKzOwxLBmyzlYnzQsPXAwioFyGNS0h-jGH5W856hQFQZh4nS/s1600/strathclyde_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Unlikely looking allies!</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Here they are again, side on. I don't know if this matchup is any more plausible!</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Let's do it!</span></i></div>
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Merry meet again!</div>
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-64532243119603388082014-02-28T19:51:00.000+00:002014-02-28T19:51:00.735+00:00Bors - A Small PresentThis is Bors, one of Musketeer Miniatures' fantastic Sub-Roman/Arthurian character figures.<br />
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I couldn't have been happier with this figure. The pose, anatomy and sculpting are all first-rate. The mould lines are minimal and flash is absolutely non-existent.<br />
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This was painted up as a gift/thank you for a colleague. I've painted up minis in the past for my colleagues who have helped me out with their mass spectrometry skills. I've tried to find figures with quirks that reflect the job or in jokes. This one has been a while coming. I had struggled to find a figure that called out to me that it suited this particular colleague, but finally, Bors did it.<br />
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Well here he is - hope my colleague likes him. If not, I'll have him back!<br />
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I used a fairly dark, quite limited palette, with just a few bright colours to catch and match the green dragon on the shield (this to reflect my colleague's large collection of green dragons on his desk...). The base is a 2p piece, and the helm is from the GB Saxon Thegns, with the head itself ground out. Bors can grab it in a hurry and be fully armoured.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-ynbMdNe7r-Jbxhcdlgf2eHdSGTvQoJR2_qyFoG7cdAXgYy6tTTi2K_kuKIANEXNu8qHMBthJA0DWR2OGlNCDQ7eQWQAVEz8jnax63rHU-q3UfXr_DU7g_KaDf7yX1GnD8r4QxhEenMr/s1600/bors_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-ynbMdNe7r-Jbxhcdlgf2eHdSGTvQoJR2_qyFoG7cdAXgYy6tTTi2K_kuKIANEXNu8qHMBthJA0DWR2OGlNCDQ7eQWQAVEz8jnax63rHU-q3UfXr_DU7g_KaDf7yX1GnD8r4QxhEenMr/s1600/bors_4.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvJMCavjoscsXoz1Xmhh7W5I-KFqr_WwhxrTuIW6MM5kyf6jg3MPttqoIUohJEZuyXCNvtFZ8-1Pp8ZN1MVAWLRyA8uT00-GPnjFn_bFi8xev-BcbF7SUJ06z6vkTmhB5qNq_FuYTkDfm/s1600/bors_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvJMCavjoscsXoz1Xmhh7W5I-KFqr_WwhxrTuIW6MM5kyf6jg3MPttqoIUohJEZuyXCNvtFZ8-1Pp8ZN1MVAWLRyA8uT00-GPnjFn_bFi8xev-BcbF7SUJ06z6vkTmhB5qNq_FuYTkDfm/s1600/bors_3.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a></div>
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There's something I noticed painting this guy. It's really, really satisfying to work on an individual mini, compared to the batch production approach needed to get an army on the table reasonably quickly. Luckily, I've got a few other "specials" to enjoy!Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-75896305097707054992014-02-22T15:19:00.000+00:002014-02-22T15:19:20.653+00:00Wagons Roll! Part 3, Beasts and MenWith the wagons assembled, it's time to make them mobile.<br />
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Here are the yokes, with the cattle. The yokes were made by laminating two layers of 40 thou styrene sheet and filing/carving out the shape. Two pairs of holes were drilled, and neck holder were made up from soft wire to fix the oxen to the yoke. The yoke was attached to the shaft with a chain on the real thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG9jdvADeolyQcgNeyq0O3aZJYCf75LnIW6Rw8VmXwBfa5_7a1MQPnC8VvOaUd5d2AalI_bRB6l2TR1l-g-NG1tT0UpCdSn4N_KW04II0ecuBOae9-KW3SLTv01VtYwXQvOD6gxDkCaM_/s1600/fourwheeler_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibG9jdvADeolyQcgNeyq0O3aZJYCf75LnIW6Rw8VmXwBfa5_7a1MQPnC8VvOaUd5d2AalI_bRB6l2TR1l-g-NG1tT0UpCdSn4N_KW04II0ecuBOae9-KW3SLTv01VtYwXQvOD6gxDkCaM_/s1600/fourwheeler_4.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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One final thing. A two-wheeled cart is normally "driven" by having someone walk alongside the ox and guide it. A four-wheeler actually needs someone sitting on the seat yelling and using a stick. My drivers were converted from Gripping Beast Dark Age warriors. These two photos show the original figures and how the changes will be done.<br />
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These next two show the results of the cutting and grinding. I've put them on the carts to make sure they fit. It's a trial and error process.</div>
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Here are both drivers, assembled, green-stuffed to bung up the gaps/re-texture where necessary, and given a coat of primer. </div>
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So, here's the two wagons, painted, hitched and based, just awaiting their drivers. The basework is some flock from <a href="http://www.treemendusmodels.co.uk/" target="_blank">Treemendus</a>. It's fantastic stuff, totally awesome to work with, totally different to the "normal" flock I'm used to. Highly recommended.</div>
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After getting the drivers painted and mounted up, all I needed was a bit of static grass to get them on the table. Here's a quick closeup of the drivers. I think the conversions have worked well enough.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rough looking pair! </span></i></div>
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So, time for a couple of shots of the finished articles. These two, with the two-wheeler I built <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/wagons-roll-part-1-two-wheel-cart.html" target="_blank">here</a>, give me enough transport for the wagon train scenarios in both the Dux Brit and Saga rulebooks. Tons of fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSOQac_qw1d44sF0Fel2IC_YFVCFPqu2lId7mI1l5-0wRDhf2RQdHcLSSun1ZePeom5oBO5kpSiPCFrLgJ8fubFn7xbEYnvtUpjvGJ42e2xS_WMcQjdLu6eRum5XqrucMgfMHxSEcatN0/s1600/fourwheeler_9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhSOQac_qw1d44sF0Fel2IC_YFVCFPqu2lId7mI1l5-0wRDhf2RQdHcLSSun1ZePeom5oBO5kpSiPCFrLgJ8fubFn7xbEYnvtUpjvGJ42e2xS_WMcQjdLu6eRum5XqrucMgfMHxSEcatN0/s1600/fourwheeler_9.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssLkuZeRFUO4zk5BtwVb68p2RsJZd4HAorSLcOwYSBONzmavk5nQQoUftA5dWV8N_3NmI4kYZaMgSrGIAm2SLo8Czs1wsauBn82wwCSVdjlT_zVSMouaLS-GXLLtUno4HxAkUekO9C2IR/s1600/fourwheeler_8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhssLkuZeRFUO4zk5BtwVb68p2RsJZd4HAorSLcOwYSBONzmavk5nQQoUftA5dWV8N_3NmI4kYZaMgSrGIAm2SLo8Czs1wsauBn82wwCSVdjlT_zVSMouaLS-GXLLtUno4HxAkUekO9C2IR/s1600/fourwheeler_8.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Like Arthurian Britain's answer to Eddie Stobart!</span></i></div>
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Merry meet again!</div>
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Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-90530060341817780522014-02-13T20:32:00.001+00:002014-02-13T20:32:07.227+00:00Wargames Factory Ancient German Cavalry<div class="MsoNormal">
I want a Strathclyde force for Saga. This is a very largely
mounted force, and putting about thirty horsemen on the table can be an
expensive option, so I looked around for ideas to build this force economically.
I can convince myself that there is some versatility in this force by using it
as reinforcements for Dux Brit (whether as British or Saxon core units, or as Germanic
mercenaries).</div>
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I liked the look of Wargames Factory’s Ancient German Cavalry as
the source for these troops. Twelve in a pack for about fifteen quid (at the
time) was good value, and fully dressed (tunics and trousers) make them suitable
for converting to other things.</div>
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I’d heard very bad things about WF’s products, so I was
loath to buy these sight unseen. At Vapnartak I was able to pick up and look over
a pack before I put my hand in my pocket and although you can’t do a complete
review under these conditions, I was happy to take a punt.</div>
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You get eight sprues in a pack, four each of horses and riders,
with three figures per sprue.</div>
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First, the horses. These are kitted in halves, with separate
heads. You get three sets of bodies and four heads on a sprue, so the potential for variations is very
large. Anatomically, I am happy with the models. Positions, poses and
musculature all look OK, and the eyes are in the right place! These seem to
be based on a shorter-legged, heavier-boned, more barrel-chested animal than
Conquest Miniatures plastic horses. I’m pleased about this.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Horse sprue, front</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Horse sprue, rear</i></span></div>
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The heavy-limbed "pony" phenotype is much more appropriate for Dark Age/Early Medieval context
that the more improved breeds that Conquest use. Assembly is simple, and
although the fit of parts is imperfect, it’s as good as that I’ve found with either
Conquest or Warlord horses. The horses are modelled with simple bridles, a
single girth and fore and aft saddle straps, of the type seen on reconstructions
of the four-horn saddles associated with Roman and post-Roman cavalry in the
pre-stirrup era. The saddles (on the figure sprues) fit extremely well onto the
mounts.</div>
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The riders are kitted as bodies with the shield arm moulded
in place, with separate weapon arms and heads. First of all, the riders fit beautifully onto the
horses without lots of cutting and grinding (which is a novelty!). The figures are of a slighter build than
GB plastics (or metals!) but are perfectly fine, close in shape to MDS Picts.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOJb0WlAZ-QQIfNN82TmRy5mzvNGQNYtDB2sjBMuUMUvR76CFrBbnVp87UGJBmIu0tryyJrEQO4CuI-h48KjNxdsoShC0vNPxclUTIUc8DFznR0x2buTeKXH8lZj22f0c4gJAsTqLdFCg/s1600/wf_cav_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOJb0WlAZ-QQIfNN82TmRy5mzvNGQNYtDB2sjBMuUMUvR76CFrBbnVp87UGJBmIu0tryyJrEQO4CuI-h48KjNxdsoShC0vNPxclUTIUc8DFznR0x2buTeKXH8lZj22f0c4gJAsTqLdFCg/s1600/wf_cav_3.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rider sprue, front</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbmaiwGQDqU56eMhsZh5drnuzzg8SO5PMF6T-Y2nwpCLIBg0S4FmlQcpSdGEEiCt4DTl-BcHNxi37I680KqavqMjZV3lEIz2aeq8R79h6z97RyT3__gUwdrTsxtdP88c-ltOlXB_nIF1-/s1600/wf_cav_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbmaiwGQDqU56eMhsZh5drnuzzg8SO5PMF6T-Y2nwpCLIBg0S4FmlQcpSdGEEiCt4DTl-BcHNxi37I680KqavqMjZV3lEIz2aeq8R79h6z97RyT3__gUwdrTsxtdP88c-ltOlXB_nIF1-/s1600/wf_cav_4.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rider sprue, rear</span></i></div>
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Each sprue has three bodies, six weapon arms and NINE heads!
Four have their hair in versions of the Suebian knot, one has an Imperial
Roman-style helm, and the remaining four are generic beardies suitable for a
wide variety of end uses. The sprue carries three short spears, which are
useful, swords and knives which can be adapted (they are too early in style for
my purposes as they are), two round shields and two hexagonal ones, the former
great, the latter for the spares box, plus a horn and a horse skull standard!</div>
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Despite the slight dimensional differences between WF and GB
plastics, GB heads seem to work with these figures to add some additional variety
or to up-armour your riders with helms. The only issue is that GB put the
socket for the join on the head, WF put it on the body, so a bit of work is
needed to bridge this. I used a bit of scrap sprue.<br />
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A few dry fits suggest that weapon arms from GB Dark Ages Warriors will match up, immediately giving a further source of weapons and even more variation.<br />
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Casting quality is good, and the plastic is a nice, soft grade (less brittle than Renedra use for the GB figures) which is very easy to work with. Fit of parts varies - issues with the horse body halves are noted above, but the riders go together seamlessly. Cleanup is quick and easy - limited mould lines and no flash anywhere.<br />
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The sculpting is generally good. I like the folds in the clothing but some small details (hair, fingers,eyes) are quite "soft". However, I think it's fair to point out that many metal miniatures I've worked on suffer just as badly, but that anyone expecting Musketeer Miniatures quality is going to be sadly disappointed.<br />
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Here's one example I've put together quickly. He will need a little bit of greenstuff to sort out the head/body joint, and the filler on the horse sanded down (obviously!) but I think it shows the principle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYXn2UAecIhsEiLTlBb-7Dh1WkRutIvPetnzzrfwhDFsf25n4TR4usM8QEmd4N-aAF6CpCKw0rFZdAdfxLQiVlLm6mM2yXeRoP43RauLr5odZL-Zf4DOKjKUxUV0C-I6qxC7Z9IBswpbw/s1600/wf_cav_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYXn2UAecIhsEiLTlBb-7Dh1WkRutIvPetnzzrfwhDFsf25n4TR4usM8QEmd4N-aAF6CpCKw0rFZdAdfxLQiVlLm6mM2yXeRoP43RauLr5odZL-Zf4DOKjKUxUV0C-I6qxC7Z9IBswpbw/s1600/wf_cav_5.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Works for me</span></i></div>
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I'll post again once I've got some painted up. In the main, I would say I'm happy with these. They are perfectly capable of putting the force I want on the table at a very reasonably price, and I reckon they will look the business when they do. These don't fall out of the box and assemble themselves - they need a bit of work, but I like that work!</div>
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Merry meet again!</div>
Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-42015902607860100192014-02-12T13:43:00.000+00:002014-02-12T13:43:36.284+00:00Wagons Roll! Part 2, Four-Wheel WagonsFour wheel wagons are slightly more complex to build than the two-wheeler, but not a lot. Obviously there's twice as much wheel building, and in my case a driver's seat bench, but frankly they don't challenge the building skills much more.<br />
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Here's two: one assembled, the other a kit of parts. The keen-eyed among you will notice a couple of design differences between this and the smaller one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0SR_15viY3mBZ9s54xiqjLiirI01nv_mCxUOIQxwjPrt4bcnZXRMCIp_zJjQZO_EbRv0rO7aL5_NIgbOHk097-wwEuus4thY1cbINHysdBFtSOMG4T0VBWd1CRHWJ1ZHlpVFM0_-BVKG/s1600/fourwheeler_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0SR_15viY3mBZ9s54xiqjLiirI01nv_mCxUOIQxwjPrt4bcnZXRMCIp_zJjQZO_EbRv0rO7aL5_NIgbOHk097-wwEuus4thY1cbINHysdBFtSOMG4T0VBWd1CRHWJ1ZHlpVFM0_-BVKG/s1600/fourwheeler_1.jpg" height="193" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready to assemble...</span></i></div>
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First, a two-wheeler steers by telling the ox where to go, a four-wheeler actually has an articulated front axle. To be clear, the model doesn't: the axle is fixed and the bits and pieces just give the impression that they could turn. There's such a thing as too much detail!<br />
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Second (and more importantly) a two-wheeler has ONE ox, between TWO cartshafts. A four-wheeler has TWO oxen, with ONE shaft and a yoke.<br />
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Making a functional cartshaft isn't a problem - a length of plastic stock, with a slight upward curve at one end makes it.<br />
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What was more of a problem was attaching my existing cattle to the wagon! In the two-wheeler, the oxis removeable, so it can be used elsewhere. Try as I might I couldn't find an elegant but robust way of doing the same thing with two yoked oxen. I finally gave up and bought some more cattle from Irregular Miniatures. You can see them <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/i-got-all-livestock-i-got-all-livestock.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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So, here are both carts, assembled and primed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk1IvaDTCrDmh8HkOQeGf3T-l8-wpw4i0mMluERj12ItxfkNSdf3S6QmcaTuQeqEdJgR2oMwRTjoM30owBnzS3Y1QyOrhjRv9zk_tB9czb-4rKUqOtY_wWlKH2rjTz7AqPqNES_xgVzhd/s1600/fourwheeler_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqk1IvaDTCrDmh8HkOQeGf3T-l8-wpw4i0mMluERj12ItxfkNSdf3S6QmcaTuQeqEdJgR2oMwRTjoM30owBnzS3Y1QyOrhjRv9zk_tB9czb-4rKUqOtY_wWlKH2rjTz7AqPqNES_xgVzhd/s1600/fourwheeler_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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And again, with a black ink wash applied. I'm leaving final assembly to another post, so...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_rAhyvCTsG-r1oHXQ1asB0PlAAISFXZMj3_OvULdSskmZcaUAM9-58hviHUmF613_5jqZFbyiIO8FPP8Vi17HErOvD_tWclyx0aFHO02b5wNldPJOnbRWwZf8EbqMqZHwPM1CRaWz1Cx/s1600/fourwheeler_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_rAhyvCTsG-r1oHXQ1asB0PlAAISFXZMj3_OvULdSskmZcaUAM9-58hviHUmF613_5jqZFbyiIO8FPP8Vi17HErOvD_tWclyx0aFHO02b5wNldPJOnbRWwZf8EbqMqZHwPM1CRaWz1Cx/s1600/fourwheeler_3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Merry meet again!<br />
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<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-66634261164818422642014-02-10T12:00:00.000+00:002014-02-10T12:00:05.422+00:00I got all livestock, I got all livestock!In the words of the "Rock Island Line", I got <i><b>all</b></i> livestock.<br />
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The chaps at <a href="http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/" target="_blank">Irregular Miniatures</a> are good for 28mm livestock. Have a root around on their stall, it's almost always worth it. One word of advice - there's always an odd item with more than its fair share of flash, so if that's what comes out, surruptiously put it back and get another one.<br />
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First up, pigs. I bought three and there really was very little to do on them. All the modelling I did was to add tusks to one (after all, you need a boar!) and prick up their ears (a few moments with the jewellers' saw and a smear of green stuff).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcNolYMz-87t-cQVIpdObJ3bZ6YRiIMoZOMp3k2ChIBG8EvJtNNI5RqQnrjpCmwI_Nvy-hLvrkJ_ulm88UqdGczgwAgIpR2TefGVeXFThmFIcjQ9Q3kvuCxESBh5iwWOgfb5QW-3l7Yxd/s1600/pigs_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcNolYMz-87t-cQVIpdObJ3bZ6YRiIMoZOMp3k2ChIBG8EvJtNNI5RqQnrjpCmwI_Nvy-hLvrkJ_ulm88UqdGczgwAgIpR2TefGVeXFThmFIcjQ9Q3kvuCxESBh5iwWOgfb5QW-3l7Yxd/s1600/pigs_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Bacon!</i></span></div>
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They are (arguably) a bit fat and short-snouted for Dark Age pigs, but I'm happy. I haven't been able to find much evidence of what pre-modern pigs looked like. My guess would be they tend toward the appearance of wild boar, a bit fatter and a bit less hairy (after all if you cross a modern pig with a wild boar what you get looks very wild boar-like indeed!). So, the colour scheme is derived from the Tamworth - a very ancient and equally excellent breed!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaalqGqjJDmtvUn0Q0vzMkoDX8fDzj0Ik4cpJE41gE2bqSIAD29_k9hQgTgmuXa_VleK4uZXi5HQRlXkIpQoGZW1RS9rNsmad4sAp7rho_qqCHvVTIE-qPe0V1ZTdXnv9bwg9qKDx-Pjoj/s1600/pigs_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaalqGqjJDmtvUn0Q0vzMkoDX8fDzj0Ik4cpJE41gE2bqSIAD29_k9hQgTgmuXa_VleK4uZXi5HQRlXkIpQoGZW1RS9rNsmad4sAp7rho_qqCHvVTIE-qPe0V1ZTdXnv9bwg9qKDx-Pjoj/s1600/pigs_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tasty!</span></i></div>
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Putting them in the pigsty I built <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/a-quick-change-of-plan-and-couple-of_4.html" target="_blank">here</a>, which was the most difficult part. Cutting into the terrain and removing parts of the pig bases without damaging either was a bit tricky. Luckily, a bit of blending in and everything was fine</div>
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Next up, sheep. The assumption is that Dark Ages sheep are all, invariably, Soay clones. The (limited) evidence doesn't seem to totally support this. Also, sheep resembling "modern" breeds are well attested by the twelfth century, so I'm not too bothered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtonPfypm59rIbcDqENhjpUcibewFiPpXUE-TVBWe9Jh3Q_xN8TEYCXsk1LBk5NeW0CLrlD9uOGZ59_1j0HgXGiUnSEDTNmS7dMJj-EiOCPum8Hmgek9-pXS-eXXZcSgv1ktFbkdgqCrRV/s1600/sheep_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtonPfypm59rIbcDqENhjpUcibewFiPpXUE-TVBWe9Jh3Q_xN8TEYCXsk1LBk5NeW0CLrlD9uOGZ59_1j0HgXGiUnSEDTNmS7dMJj-EiOCPum8Hmgek9-pXS-eXXZcSgv1ktFbkdgqCrRV/s1600/sheep_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Easier than mowing the grass yourself!</span></i></div>
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I added horns, of varying length, to four out of the five, to give the sense of a variety of ages. A single base like this is just right as a target/objective in a raiding game.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqG7t6Q33Qqwqj_PO3ftCtZc9E2pvjtOaptST-QQmIRGnz5Ai7HjfCSFsQ9wUdEzr5JzYHq8ZIaNASIbRxuRwLC_EsiAoDW7KVKbKj8mvzD6bW7VKhsMPeayB-epdR_Fd0AjcvAo6Wawq/s1600/sheep_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqG7t6Q33Qqwqj_PO3ftCtZc9E2pvjtOaptST-QQmIRGnz5Ai7HjfCSFsQ9wUdEzr5JzYHq8ZIaNASIbRxuRwLC_EsiAoDW7KVKbKj8mvzD6bW7VKhsMPeayB-epdR_Fd0AjcvAo6Wawq/s1600/sheep_2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Plenty of wool here</span></i></div>
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The inspiration for these is Cheviot or (especially) Faeroes - the latter are known for fleeces in a variety of colours (white, grey, light red, dark red, chestnut brown, through to black).<br />
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Finally, cattle. More or less everything about them is <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/dark-ages-cattle.html" target="_blank">here</a>, based on the last set I got. These will make a further (future) appearance with the four-wheel carts I'm making.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinewUm1DIW0_ogFhyphenhyphen_14DYXx0Eu43ymHmR073P_TJkiesMDJC9GKQK-Il_q1-PynBNamo_MtBH2696BExPqg866Z_k0S-3xJe38t3uvHDJCLIO37GlKxmVdzpah1n0L9flhNJtWKuXrOdS/s1600/cattle_wagon_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinewUm1DIW0_ogFhyphenhyphen_14DYXx0Eu43ymHmR073P_TJkiesMDJC9GKQK-Il_q1-PynBNamo_MtBH2696BExPqg866Z_k0S-3xJe38t3uvHDJCLIO37GlKxmVdzpah1n0L9flhNJtWKuXrOdS/s1600/cattle_wagon_2.jpg" height="201" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All-round view.</span></i></div>
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Given they are going to end up permanently attached to a couple of wagons, there's no point in messing about with any sort of clever basework at this stage.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7tdvaB_dv30LDEPA4oqDyyb9kj63-fO9oQDuulcgXs_yR0U2kov7sYxkSEOzPXdYtObuGOETUVP5whf8YzYKfTMYJNBJwXxLzQbrmsMLL4-A2M4i8Xc5tbR3OueMDoIbHc-pjG-dNE18/s1600/cattle_wagon_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7tdvaB_dv30LDEPA4oqDyyb9kj63-fO9oQDuulcgXs_yR0U2kov7sYxkSEOzPXdYtObuGOETUVP5whf8YzYKfTMYJNBJwXxLzQbrmsMLL4-A2M4i8Xc5tbR3OueMDoIbHc-pjG-dNE18/s1600/cattle_wagon_1.jpg" height="245" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Ten thousand beef and onion pies on the hoof!</i></span></div>
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Merry meet again!Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-50346311078309058632014-02-07T19:47:00.000+00:002014-02-07T19:47:29.549+00:00Sub-Roman Hearthguard - More KnightsWhen I built my <a href="http://mitchwargaming.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/knights-of-round-table-sub-roman-elite.html" target="_blank">Sub-Roman hearthguard</a> for my Dux Brit army, they came from a pack of West Wind minis, with a total of 20 figures in it. Having built ten as the hearthguard and as the command section, I was left with ten more figures. Well and good, but those ten were all in only two different poses. I really can't handle the idea of Dark Age warbands having this level of uniformity, so it was out with jewellers' saw and bench peg, to start changing the look.<br />
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Various arms were cut off, re-posed and pinned in place, with hands moved and angled. One slight problem was that the arms on the cloaked figures didn't really lend themselves to much re-posing. Solution? I've got a boxful of arms with spears, swords and axes left over from the Gripping Beast plastics, and a bit of filing, fitting and fettling soon sorted out the problem. Greenstuff solved the inevitable slight mis-matches, mended lost bits of cloaks and replaced missing chainmail.<br />
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The results of the sculpting/modelmaking gave me this lot:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9GtHZe-lF_hvnlLv7ohs4zA5E7SHniAb0B6-43aZmMCkbuX5MO63tiNtyHhCWWaNVx7iweWMBxaPsjBNJdYvw_Rv06Fa3szlB8WR8y1IFPNa0imGWEYWMD4fe9rWx4nhZxsPvMNOrW32/s1600/subroman_hearthguard_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9GtHZe-lF_hvnlLv7ohs4zA5E7SHniAb0B6-43aZmMCkbuX5MO63tiNtyHhCWWaNVx7iweWMBxaPsjBNJdYvw_Rv06Fa3szlB8WR8y1IFPNa0imGWEYWMD4fe9rWx4nhZxsPvMNOrW32/s320/subroman_hearthguard_1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready for paint</span></i></div>
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Prime and paint came up a treat (I thought). I went with nice solid colours (actual dyed colours, rather than various shades of dirt) as befitting a paid, retained warband. The different clothing colours were so that if I had more than one hearthguard unit (cough Saga cough...) there is some distinction. As usual I made up my own shield decals. </div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fighting wedge</span></i></div>
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For Dux Brit, I don't actually need another ten armoured hearthguard. However, I'm not one to throw anything away (no surprises, eh?) and so here we are. They'd obviously make (all together) a smashing elite unit for WAB (Age of Arthur is a favourite of mine), or three to four points of elite troops ready for the day when Gripping Beast get round to producing an Arthurian supplement for Saga!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Single point Saga units.</span></i></div>
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Painting these was caught up in the delay caused by my chest infection, plus the fact I had run out of bases! I was only a week away from Vapnartak, so I decided to pick up some from Warbases when I was there and save myself the postage, but the sight of the figures sat there unbased was driving me mad. Made the bases up from plastic card and got them finished, just in time to get a start on the new projects I've bought at Vapnartak!<br />
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Merry Meet Again!</div>
<br />Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7421988283048099435.post-8419912580912496782014-02-02T16:16:00.000+00:002014-02-03T08:08:20.382+00:00Vapnartak 2014This year's was a great show. More traders, more demo games, more participation games. The fact it was a better day weather-wise probably didn't hurt, as the place was absolutely rammed.<br />
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The York Club had marked out the parking area very thoroughly - which was just as well as the recent rain had turned the parking area into a swamp. More like quagmire than Knavesmire!<br />
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I managed to get a few photos of some of the downstairs games. My camera went phut before I got to the competition games upstairs, but the standard was incredibly high. The money positively flew out of my pocket, as per usual, with orders from Gripping Beast and Warbases, plus a buy-up with Irregular, Caliver, Treemendus and others.<br />
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These chaps are here every year. More a diorama than a game, but a fantastic display.<br />
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This is the Medieval Jousting demo/participation game, run by Curtey's Miniatures. Fantastic.<br />
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Yorkshire Renegades' Modern Day Afghanistan was beautifully laid out, and drew a great crowd.<br />
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The Ilkley Lads put on a Tomahawks and Muskets game. This was a 40mm show. The added details in such a large scale are really quite something.<br />
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Falkirk Wargames Club ran this huge Dark Ages game, "The Slaughter of the Danes, Cruden 1012". Big table, loads of figures, and using a home-brewed set of rules based on Basic Impetus, fast moving and eye-catching.<br />
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For something different, Border Reivers' "Battle of Trafalgar Square 1984" was splendidly off the wall, and fantastically presented.<br />
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The League of Extraordinary Kriegspielers' efforts are always worth seeking out, and this year was no exception. "Battlefield 1922, Wake Island" had so much going on it would have been worth an hour watching them alone.<br />
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Another splendidly off the wall game was this one from The Bunker. War of the Worlds, complete with fantastic fighting machines. You could practically hear Richard Burton's voice as you watched.<br />
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Couldn't work out who was running this breathtaking WW1 game, but hats off to them. Even though I have no interest in the period, I was hooked.<br />
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For sheer size, the Leicester Phat Cats Yom Kippur took some beating, and so were the Syrian forces on this side of the table!<br />
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And here's Daz from Gripping Beast, showing that if you get 'em young, you've got 'em for life!<br />
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Merry Meet Again!</div>
Mitch Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12350383975066929417noreply@blogger.com0