tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21556439151380792752024-03-13T09:38:12.276+00:00Glue in the CarpetA Miniature Wargames blog about little metal dudes, tanks, planes, spaceships, cowboys, pirates, monsters and a puppy.GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-79320106853432172572018-01-28T02:30:00.002+00:002018-05-06T15:41:02.722+01:00Frostgrave Terrain Tiles - Part 3Previously, on <a href="https://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/frostgrave-terrain-tiles-part-2.html">Frostgrave Terrain Tiles</a><br />
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So I have now painted up all of the terrain tiles bar one - which had come unstuck from its base. The plan to vary the colours on the mosaic tiles has been shelved for the moment, simply because getting just the grey colouring down was taking an AGE. The texture required quite a bit of work to get all the blue covered by the Paynes Grey. Once the basecoat was completed the dry brushing went fairly swiftly, though. The biggest issue was ensuring that the effect remained constant between boards. I'm happy to have a bit of variation, but I didn't want any glaring discrepancies.<br />
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I had previously been vexed by a way to stop the tiles sliding around, but a trip to the local Poundland furnished me with a selection of stick-on felt circles, designed as anti-scratch pads to go on the bottom of furniture. I stuck five of these to the bottom of each tile, one in each corner and one in the centre, and then spread out a sheet of black felt used for space-gaming. The felt pads grip onto the felt sheet and hold the tiles in place very securely. If it's good enough for Fuzzy-Felt, it's good enough for Frostgrave!<br />
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With the tiles completed, I took the opportunity to set them up with the MDF modular dungeon now being sold by John at <a href="https://laser-model.store/home/shop/">laser-model.store</a>. John has picked up the old Figurebitz line and offers a range of quality, affordable MDF kits - th Tudor style houses are gorgeous (if only I had the space to store them) and he's a very approachable chap. I have the spy/sci-fi version of the modular dungeon still in kit form. I thoroughly recommend his wares.<br />
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Anyway, here's the eye-candy:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNa0u2ceArUYAkExam10FFrOQL0x_368a5et3UmR988fDxS3LB2bJX9d8RZVqin2o5m7zIAJ25MpXjWmXRySqfaaqpnMxgoBhsPKqWERq-az_VGzFJwCGzF7kcqTqj1pwQmNP5K0Qq2vQ/s1600/WP_20170703_004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNa0u2ceArUYAkExam10FFrOQL0x_368a5et3UmR988fDxS3LB2bJX9d8RZVqin2o5m7zIAJ25MpXjWmXRySqfaaqpnMxgoBhsPKqWERq-az_VGzFJwCGzF7kcqTqj1pwQmNP5K0Qq2vQ/s640/WP_20170703_004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">32 years worth of miniatures battle it out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUnCmV7kUL1USQReohPi8GxKS1-XQFuby9XxEPqlhO3u9Kfl2ShHzJKE6PMBviq5_0mnQugy2UqSk9hs0u1GEmBZwo53nfHlIFbLu7o7bXh7lfj07TsvvfnH4jbcHBycxWnHr317UZZIA/s1600/WP_20170703_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1540" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoUnCmV7kUL1USQReohPi8GxKS1-XQFuby9XxEPqlhO3u9Kfl2ShHzJKE6PMBviq5_0mnQugy2UqSk9hs0u1GEmBZwo53nfHlIFbLu7o7bXh7lfj07TsvvfnH4jbcHBycxWnHr317UZZIA/s640/WP_20170703_008.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They're statues. Just plain, ordinary, statues, honestly (secretly rolls initiative).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFDgKct8mHFCBNenFZ9CdHGkVOQCo1vZl_S3v995_eV-ZWXTyqRFLUrO8K0C4rOR6y6phyphenhyphenOFTIm59YCXxWTe2g0ll52OTMjf_0T-62w7PGMwe_roMSNPEjaI72II8wcmTw1hun8vb0gVy/s1600/WP_20170703_009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1349" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFDgKct8mHFCBNenFZ9CdHGkVOQCo1vZl_S3v995_eV-ZWXTyqRFLUrO8K0C4rOR6y6phyphenhyphenOFTIm59YCXxWTe2g0ll52OTMjf_0T-62w7PGMwe_roMSNPEjaI72II8wcmTw1hun8vb0gVy/s640/WP_20170703_009.jpg" width="538" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nevermind how a giant dragon got in through that door, hit it!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBMbj-VgeewI__rH1ezTZz8E3_ZjXKFlNhpGDJyffUNKAOu5GW5BDxPw5OD6RKCqTkWWRj5Eh3bEylMxYpS5GTG9Pm_UOn_lrPoMR08euR3Jmz_l0n29FbPP_fKOsWameFrd9Jzjlt0bH/s1600/ice+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="662" data-original-width="649" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBMbj-VgeewI__rH1ezTZz8E3_ZjXKFlNhpGDJyffUNKAOu5GW5BDxPw5OD6RKCqTkWWRj5Eh3bEylMxYpS5GTG9Pm_UOn_lrPoMR08euR3Jmz_l0n29FbPP_fKOsWameFrd9Jzjlt0bH/s640/ice+wall.jpg" width="626" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice wall made from acrylic ice chunks hot glued together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oIWvX69_QX3SCEAtgjjCee0966-dMZrBc9xBvo1jOxSd1gvmEfRupeqkQuFvYmARdnnuNzJ1XtykdwBuFwEWVAjUpdOYuVPYBEXLPjGw8wA-k_Kvk3ZePH-4AiWN0ft5kJazfnz40mMJ/s1600/WP_20170703_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oIWvX69_QX3SCEAtgjjCee0966-dMZrBc9xBvo1jOxSd1gvmEfRupeqkQuFvYmARdnnuNzJ1XtykdwBuFwEWVAjUpdOYuVPYBEXLPjGw8wA-k_Kvk3ZePH-4AiWN0ft5kJazfnz40mMJ/s640/WP_20170703_003.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneaky spiders prepare for a rear attack...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlXUhbK4pXWJeX_yEDDXVqJftxvYn8PnQsim3S8LlyQKyjzOupC2gnhdb42uXMI_yApeahx8F_orCGxhxEz5bkB_HJ8hDNmKQMzwTHfcXcFRWrSgwVeP2IDrM95cYJmhcRPsr3J7Ko8uW/s1600/WP_20170703_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1456" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlXUhbK4pXWJeX_yEDDXVqJftxvYn8PnQsim3S8LlyQKyjzOupC2gnhdb42uXMI_yApeahx8F_orCGxhxEz5bkB_HJ8hDNmKQMzwTHfcXcFRWrSgwVeP2IDrM95cYJmhcRPsr3J7Ko8uW/s640/WP_20170703_005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stone effect is just a light over spray of white , brown and black. I need to add some washes and maybe a bit of flock here and there as dungeon mould and lichen. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbQJfOsmhoxDwsB3XWYcDNm1pIvqqLJMIW8P9HIHPXMi1MkVQYCENLpKU2AsnS5VCR0UA0YcvNc0_A2mkTd28pbSoj52MMKr_Fu5CeJJ26NlekuRdHiVV3tD5cUJpOrcLV7CCbJ2TtDVQ/s1600/WP_20170703_010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1185" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbQJfOsmhoxDwsB3XWYcDNm1pIvqqLJMIW8P9HIHPXMi1MkVQYCENLpKU2AsnS5VCR0UA0YcvNc0_A2mkTd28pbSoj52MMKr_Fu5CeJJ26NlekuRdHiVV3tD5cUJpOrcLV7CCbJ2TtDVQ/s640/WP_20170703_010.jpg" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bars are actually metallic, but the flash washed them out. some rust effects might pick them up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQT4TzY0IvSULliLlyC9z3NjTtLPcSdk9NkVuYMYqi1EhaI7fQVh7EjWCO5P5Dg4UI6vzm1e_GXlX8Nl9BK-o2DRpLdOTHrm-mqbqTQQagqgsXUBMd_KAclob9u_6gyAZa81c7kLi2kLG/s1600/WP_20170703_014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1154" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQT4TzY0IvSULliLlyC9z3NjTtLPcSdk9NkVuYMYqi1EhaI7fQVh7EjWCO5P5Dg4UI6vzm1e_GXlX8Nl9BK-o2DRpLdOTHrm-mqbqTQQagqgsXUBMd_KAclob9u_6gyAZa81c7kLi2kLG/s640/WP_20170703_014.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kXeELlM-63HokUqoQ8eDc0gfQvbDRpXwF0NovBkXq-MHHo7HxOPRy3Vkm-3uKBko9CCta9ZtR6nh1o5uf0snClwnMLMJ9YZBMQFc2KRcmQaVZDeNF9kzqlNG2_C9K-867x-KYeb1LAWd/s1600/WP_20170703_011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1600" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kXeELlM-63HokUqoQ8eDc0gfQvbDRpXwF0NovBkXq-MHHo7HxOPRy3Vkm-3uKBko9CCta9ZtR6nh1o5uf0snClwnMLMJ9YZBMQFc2KRcmQaVZDeNF9kzqlNG2_C9K-867x-KYeb1LAWd/s640/WP_20170703_011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nine tiles in a 3x3 grid on the black felt underlay. Solid as a rock.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBqzF5mBUA_7-qROb6CN7wTAyvp6EjTi_ijuBZIUwsFtdcqpTmDDQF09o0IgjQ15CGQ9aCXx7Qkw7UkKbYBunyNedzCKKrDasHzYkPOAhUmqVxJQ-4gyIxkBhi5A-bnmRB5nwHUKXim26/s1600/WP_20170703_012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBqzF5mBUA_7-qROb6CN7wTAyvp6EjTi_ijuBZIUwsFtdcqpTmDDQF09o0IgjQ15CGQ9aCXx7Qkw7UkKbYBunyNedzCKKrDasHzYkPOAhUmqVxJQ-4gyIxkBhi5A-bnmRB5nwHUKXim26/s640/WP_20170703_012.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slight gaps between tiles where the knife wasn't quite vertical. </td></tr>
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I'm extremely happy with the way the tiles have come out. I intend to make some moveable snow drifts and ice patches for Frostgrave, but these boards can serve double duty for all sorts of games. With the right dressing they could be used for any sort of urban terrain. I can see them with chain link, rubble and ruins for use in some sort of GrimDark future or as an arena for some sort of gladiatorial game.<br />
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-91083540620214816732018-01-23T01:29:00.000+00:002018-01-23T01:36:18.988+00:00Black Ops - Bag Boris<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Anyway, as I was saying...<br /><br />Last weekend MBB and I had a game of <a href="https://ospreypublishing.com/black-ops?___store=osprey_rst&___from_store=osprey_usa">Black Ops</a> by Osprey publishing. We picked a scenario from a the May issue of <a href="https://www.tabletopgaming.co.uk/miniature-games/store/back-issues/miniature-wargames/miniature-wargames-may-2017-issue-409/">Miniature Wargames with Battlegames</a> - Bagging Boris. I changed the names from the scenario to fit in with some fictional Eastern European/Slavonic <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=wargaming+imagi-nations&meta=&rlz=">imagi-nations</a> (they are also names of countries in the Ace Combat series).</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Briefing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida console";">June 2008. Republic of Estovakia, suburbs
of Svzhod<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">The breakup of
the Belkan Republic, and the subsequent brutal and bloody civil war between the
emergent ethnic groups of Estovakia in the north and Sokovia in the south has
finally died down. The civil war was characterised initially by brief periods
of intense fighting between professional military units followed by a
protracted period of unconventional warfare conducted by militia units and
local irregulars. Looting, raiding and war crimes were common on both sides.
Only the intervention of UN forces on the ground, and trade embargoes to both
sides, has finally forced the leadership to the negotiating table. A shaky
cease fire is now in effect whilst formal peace talks begin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">You have been
dispatched by the UNBELK task force commander to assist with maintaining the
fragile ceasefire. Working with civilian UN investigators you have located and
arrested “The Butcher of Kakariko” - Boris Yaroslav – for crimes against
humanity. He is in custody and is being detained by local law enforcement under
supervision of the civilian UN observers. The observers are unarmed and have
expressed concern that the local police have sympathy for Yaroslav, who is a
hero to the ultra nationalist factions in Estovakia.<br />
<br />
You have exfiltrated the city with Boris, your vehicles being pelted with rocks
as you left. Ten miles from the city you were ambushed and your vehicles
immobilised. You have escaped the immediate ambush zone and have arranged for
two RAF Pumas to pick you up at a rendezvous point nearby.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">It is unlikely
that there will be any aid for you if you do not make the landing zone in time.
The Estovakian military has stood down, but there are any number of local
militia groups, including Boris’s own Svzhod FC, who are only very loosely
under control of the central command.<br />
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<b>Rules of Engagement</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">You have been
fired upon and may now use lethal force to prevent the escape of your prisoner
and prevent enemy forces killing or capturing your men. You may engage any
armed combatant either in uniform or otherwise. You may not open fire on any
structure that contains civilians or from which you have not already been fired
upon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "lucida console";">UNBELK Forces:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Lt. Carnahan
(Professional Ace, L85A2, Body Armour, Tough)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Fire Support Team
(2 soldiers) (Professional Heavy, 1x L7A2 GPMG, 1x L85A2, Body Armour)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Section Alpha (3
soldiers) (Professional Soldier, 2 x L85A2, 1 x L85A2 with UBGL, Body Armour)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Section Bravo (3
Soldiers) (Professional Soldier, 2 x L85A2, 1 x L85A2 with UBGL, 1 x MBT LAW)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "lucida console";">Boris (Civilian)
Boris has his hands zip-tied together and his mouth covered with gaffa tape. He
may not run and cannot move more than 6 inches per turn. Whilst he is within 1
inch of an UNBELK soldier he remains subdued. If that soldier is engaged in CQC
or moves away from Boris he is no longer controlled and will act as an enemy
soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "lucida console";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">MBB was Lt Carnahan and his brave men, and I was the Svzhod Militia. We had four teams of three riflemen, a GPMG heavy squad and two aces, Both aces and half of the riflemen were asleep in the buildings. The remaining riflemen and the GPMG were deployed on-table as guards, who would use random movement until they spotted an enemy.<br /><br />The game started with a few rounds of the UNBELK forces sneaking around, with the guards all ambling around in different directions.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2vjBKQPFaVmcmEHDnD2oz_WxechWh6w5LAxyzB0BuoDOq2MfnRGs_8vtsIf5X7DDXQgJBwPQrDRfJJQ5GfsBFaL5kpNtU5Uj9Rpn9GEYByAVSvSnUJqCGHLh2xZ426CUYh-WnSwEUToH/s1600/IMG_20180121_144253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2vjBKQPFaVmcmEHDnD2oz_WxechWh6w5LAxyzB0BuoDOq2MfnRGs_8vtsIf5X7DDXQgJBwPQrDRfJJQ5GfsBFaL5kpNtU5Uj9Rpn9GEYByAVSvSnUJqCGHLh2xZ426CUYh-WnSwEUToH/s640/IMG_20180121_144253.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The setup. Svzhod FC guards in position. UNBELK troops in cover to the left.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-H2oqaxKw9pSCIxLIJMkjW0cY-ZKk1lbT-S3dKz6jSl5cbRAay28pqQhkmycCVXOGvpUHbuVA1-qsFIyZedWqdgms9LRc05Y6AY1JqMT3LR2X7udtpk7b2_SK3g608vhU5XCLTNXB0TO/s1600/IMG_20180121_144335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt-H2oqaxKw9pSCIxLIJMkjW0cY-ZKk1lbT-S3dKz6jSl5cbRAay28pqQhkmycCVXOGvpUHbuVA1-qsFIyZedWqdgms9LRc05Y6AY1JqMT3LR2X7udtpk7b2_SK3g608vhU5XCLTNXB0TO/s640/IMG_20180121_144335.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lt. Carnahan and the UNBELK troops, with Boris in tow (he's the chap with the headscarf).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRY6CBvGWiPoVQflyqNigN8HVmzahWxBEap14H3PWAcKagP7dsepKRiY4MvoW_xpJuQFXzi4zq_SEDrU0v8uzCQKXQS3Npi9YQPAeCmKBTJ0M0unJ9kEAFFdkJMLpvYhwHtXKSBZRK5WF/s1600/IMG_20180121_144350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRY6CBvGWiPoVQflyqNigN8HVmzahWxBEap14H3PWAcKagP7dsepKRiY4MvoW_xpJuQFXzi4zq_SEDrU0v8uzCQKXQS3Npi9YQPAeCmKBTJ0M0unJ9kEAFFdkJMLpvYhwHtXKSBZRK5WF/s640/IMG_20180121_144350.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Szvhod FC GPMG squad on the hill.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This all changed when one of the guards did a sudden 180 and charged back up and over the hill (the one helpfully marked "HILL" on the map above) he had just walked down from - obviously he had just realised he left his phone up there or something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lt. Carnahan, who had a reserve action, spotted the militiaman as he crested the hill and fired off two rounds. He missed with both (much to the irritation of his nearby Support and Alpha sections "Bloody Ruperts!").</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The startled guard let out a shout of alarm, which, along with the two shots, put 4 noise markers on the table. Carnahan redeemed himself shortly thereafter as his action came up again, and he closed with the militiaman and dispatched him in hand to hand combat.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnBsz5KOABm7dBRdABgXn900AMWErpnQcksQwaCqvIwqs9uzdcaP_0MKuyEwgi9OvCpJD000RH8fr5PXEgm7vEr66mTJHFwVuJyN7vsPpsbidsUHjQjXpFJJ05VS1e2-R2w8RIZVn0kFt/s1600/IMG_20180121_151948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnBsz5KOABm7dBRdABgXn900AMWErpnQcksQwaCqvIwqs9uzdcaP_0MKuyEwgi9OvCpJD000RH8fr5PXEgm7vEr66mTJHFwVuJyN7vsPpsbidsUHjQjXpFJJ05VS1e2-R2w8RIZVn0kFt/s640/IMG_20180121_151948.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Lt. Carnahan mucks it up, then saves his honour.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">But the 4 noise markers are now added to the guards reaction roll, and anything 8+means the guard is no longer acting at random.<br /><br />The guard on the opposite hill hears the gunshots and the shout and lets out a shout of his own in response (adding two more noise markers). He then drops down onto a Reserve action, scanning the hill suspiciously.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXLM7XWa-IRvfamFzD4-s_YCbq4qF6WhH0OMjYeSF0z0hUiTk8PHCuUzS6ORlBv1qvfRDNmNsKCuzi1G_rzK8fFKiFk0SCSNkdZKwO-Svfj7tluaFZKBeiLhJJra9wulc_9tIPk7LXmI9/s1600/IMG_20180121_151954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOXLM7XWa-IRvfamFzD4-s_YCbq4qF6WhH0OMjYeSF0z0hUiTk8PHCuUzS6ORlBv1qvfRDNmNsKCuzi1G_rzK8fFKiFk0SCSNkdZKwO-Svfj7tluaFZKBeiLhJJra9wulc_9tIPk7LXmI9/s640/IMG_20180121_151954.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The suspicious guard. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With all this shouting and shooting we now check to see if the two Militia Aces will awaken. They test their reaction, just like the guards, but only wake up on an 8+. With 6 noise markers on the table, you'd think this was a dead cert. I made a mistake here (although it didn't actually have any effect) as we should have halved the noise counters for the aces as both were indoors. As it happened one rolled a 6 and the other a 1 (which he would also roll on the next Ace activation - that guy was obviously dead drunk from draining the antifreeze from the cars outside).<br /><br />One ace was now awake, but he couldn't raise the alarm until he had actually identified the threat. He proceeded towards where the noise was coming from.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MStVcJQpxUOa1wR3SwR-MxO3rPutZa78S3TXOQoWs9mGo7aBA8JD-Blj5dnZ5do_MwdWchPmjob7LHP5TItiU3VVp234INzZZrgg6OUo1dgjmocPLvVY58ZJXaGKiTX6VqZgZj4pRasf/s1600/IMG_20180121_152013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5MStVcJQpxUOa1wR3SwR-MxO3rPutZa78S3TXOQoWs9mGo7aBA8JD-Blj5dnZ5do_MwdWchPmjob7LHP5TItiU3VVp234INzZZrgg6OUo1dgjmocPLvVY58ZJXaGKiTX6VqZgZj4pRasf/s640/IMG_20180121_152013.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With six noise markers on the table, it's inevitable that Boris's two top bully boys will awake. This is Igor the Impolite.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50cwKT-KllTyLiYfBu1gUW0prhqZ301uSXJV6MAkE4BZWxxCb3imreIqgr0d8ed1FVsusqPEpn-rMQ_pJsV0ceJIiynbPurSy2UZF42g3wlF7hRvcFAr3KJUY1Cwiet6tuX5F3TT1-viK/s1600/IMG_20180121_152033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1600" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50cwKT-KllTyLiYfBu1gUW0prhqZ301uSXJV6MAkE4BZWxxCb3imreIqgr0d8ed1FVsusqPEpn-rMQ_pJsV0ceJIiynbPurSy2UZF42g3wlF7hRvcFAr3KJUY1Cwiet6tuX5F3TT1-viK/s640/IMG_20180121_152033.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overview at about turn 3.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Turns 4-6 saw the UNBELK forces spotted by the Militia. there was a long range exchange of fire from Alpha Section and Lt. Carnahan and the militiamen hiding behind the cars and the GPMG on the hill, which resulted in a casualty to Alpha section. Bravo section fired on a couple of militiamen from the woods to the north, then sprinted down the left table edge.<br /><br />Igor and one of his squads of riflemen took cover in the woods to the west of the buildings, but the Support Section made short work of them. The second Militia Ace took a Militia rifle squad and placed it in the woods to the south - right in the path of the exfiltration team. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uqR3_slvatr-vh5F3lokPTr_9YAdYsrM6GieGk12IEgVEhz6LSXWce2x7apzVOyhnh5gQ2t9eoeW2tsHUzhYD4kxAxdg6j2mGLBcSriMrZ3EI10crkoHsmqxll0lnu5e6_OAY_XAvbTM/s1600/IMG_20180121_164537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uqR3_slvatr-vh5F3lokPTr_9YAdYsrM6GieGk12IEgVEhz6LSXWce2x7apzVOyhnh5gQ2t9eoeW2tsHUzhYD4kxAxdg6j2mGLBcSriMrZ3EI10crkoHsmqxll0lnu5e6_OAY_XAvbTM/s640/IMG_20180121_164537.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The wheels come off for the Svzhod FC militia.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The UNBELK troops continued to move down the western edge of the board, taking long range fire from isolated militiamen. Carnahan and Bravo Section took cover by the pipes just as some reinforcements rolled onto the table - a pickup truck with mounted GPMG. Fortunately, as dedicated followers of the latest military fashions, Section Bravo knew that a Light Antitank Weapon was an essential accessory for this season. Exit one technical (another mistake here - the technical should only have arrived on its action, when it would have been able to make it's presence felt.<br /><br />In the meantime Alpha Section took another casualty, but their grenadier lobbed a grenade into one of the parked cars, which forced the insurgents to retreat and allow them to exfiltrate.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheHXEODMZNjm4hQl885UXFce9MIF7Ic_8E72MpKdiIuE3wZpAMHzbe-i9IYae3eemVru79RJ6g5qh3piguKINeqBZvIIRqk462FOr_V09AfnoM0K45lufnkFOI8TXX9yh8_CouRRrdwlm/s1600/IMG_20180121_164548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhheHXEODMZNjm4hQl885UXFce9MIF7Ic_8E72MpKdiIuE3wZpAMHzbe-i9IYae3eemVru79RJ6g5qh3piguKINeqBZvIIRqk462FOr_V09AfnoM0K45lufnkFOI8TXX9yh8_CouRRrdwlm/s640/IMG_20180121_164548.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The pride of the Svzhod FC militia, either dead or cowering behind the barrels and about to leg it.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> The Support section now went to the aid of Alpha section, picking up one of the injured riflemen, whilst the last active member of Alpha section picked up the other. They moved south towards the exfiltration point.<br /><br />Carnahan and Bravo section now moved to the southwest hill, taking reaction fire as they moved into position. Carnahan returned fire and cut down the second Militia Ace. This forced a DED check on the remaining militia, with most of them failing and having to retreat on their next action. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIoFjr6U-UKi1SijG_wRKD-V3k9WY_S1d4g-jVVBDu9ZXO3gr44eGC-7IzV9jE_SW_b52wjw-JB4V0L7bEblEN7O2rRPltY0C2OQKImx_re5p7hznGOpt5GXLp-qMsiS__F-SW6EAZSQ-/s1600/IMG_20180121_164612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="1600" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIoFjr6U-UKi1SijG_wRKD-V3k9WY_S1d4g-jVVBDu9ZXO3gr44eGC-7IzV9jE_SW_b52wjw-JB4V0L7bEblEN7O2rRPltY0C2OQKImx_re5p7hznGOpt5GXLp-qMsiS__F-SW6EAZSQ-/s640/IMG_20180121_164612.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The GPMG team running away.....</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Two of the hardier militiamen rounded the gap in the woods to the West to confront the Support Section loader with a fusillade of wildly inaccurate fire. The loader returned the favour and hit them both, with both failing their save rolls and becoming casualties. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This took the militia below half strength, so they had to take a force morale check, which they failed. They turned and ran, leaving the field as fast as they could. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPVkolHYuFrESkTfUuAGBOGFt_KTQJEIWo8R7HIf1_3OvAdmy9ZVTaZ4a1EkYoX6diIF6SShJSD1zDpGa_bhC04gqrEf7T9oviEpcskKG_LkMMNG65JXUAdRzURaqWkc12j-8FU-o7w4T/s1600/IMG_20180121_164627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPVkolHYuFrESkTfUuAGBOGFt_KTQJEIWo8R7HIf1_3OvAdmy9ZVTaZ4a1EkYoX6diIF6SShJSD1zDpGa_bhC04gqrEf7T9oviEpcskKG_LkMMNG65JXUAdRzURaqWkc12j-8FU-o7w4T/s640/IMG_20180121_164627.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Alpha took two casualties, one is being carried by the loader here (towards the top of the picture) and the other is being carried off by his squadmate towards the bottom. The GPMG loader has just downed the two camo wearing militia at the top of the picture, forcing the team DED roll.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Checking the scenario victory conditions we found that although the UN had secured Boris, the second casualty to the UNBELK forces meant they had achieved only a minor victory. Lt. Carnahan would possibly be face some searching questions with two casualties and would be writing some letters home.<br /><br />As far as the rules were concerned, we found them fast, easy to use and understand. The stealth rules and the guards random movement and reactions worked very well. MBB felt that his troops didn't feel "special" enough, but they were professional soldiers rather than elite special forces. His feeling was that they were bullet sponges (body armour and tough for the Lt.), and a bit better shots, but not significantly so. <br /><br />Partly I think this is down to the use of a D6 - it just doesn't have enough granularity to show a more subtle difference in quality. I initially agreed with this assessment, but on reflection I actually think that is a good thing. Black Ops is a fast play game, and I think the differences in abilities between the quality of the troops is actually fairly well represented. My militia would normally hit on a 5 or a 6 and his professionals on a 4, 5 or 6. I think a 50% vs 33% hit rate is a pretty good reflection of the differing qualities.<br /><br />We also thought the grenade rules were a bit suspect - but then neither of us has ever fired a 30mm grenade into a parked car, so more research is obviously required.<br /><br />The figures were the now OOP Mongoose Publishing Battlefield Evolution pre-painted plastics (which I have a ton of). Buildings are two of the Conflix pre-paints which I picked up for a fantasy game, but look fine for rural Former Belkan Republic. The HMMWVs are Dragon armor pre-paints and the rest of the scenery is scratchbuilt by me.</span></div>
GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-9968070347547952332016-03-29T18:12:00.000+01:002016-04-07T20:06:46.135+01:00Frostgrave Terrain Tiles - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Following the test piece I looked at in the last post, I have moved ahead and created my first full board. It actually began as another experiment on one of the "bad" pieces of foam. I wanted to test the glue I had chosen, so I took one of my 30cm square pieces of MDF and stuck the "bad " piece to it. I have used <a href="http://www.uhu.com/en/products/all-purpose-adhesives/detail/uhu-alleskleberohne-loesungsmittel-1.html?cHash=5f3ae13f28089850a0690f60c7f21c76">Uhu All Purpose, solvent free glue</a> for this, available from places like <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/UHU-Purpose-Strong-Solvent-free-Washable/dp/B004QMADRI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1459183501&sr=8-2&keywords=uhu+glue+solvent+free">Amazon</a> and <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/uhu-all-purpose-solvent-free-liquid-adhesive-32ml/573652-1000">Hobbycraft</a> amongst others for about £3 per tube. </div>
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I chose this because it's polystyrene friendly and will cure in the absence of air, which PVA and wood glues won't do. I often see people use lashings of PVA to fix large areas together, like sheets of styrofoam for terrain projects, but what they don't realise is that whilst the glue around the edges will cure, it will stay liquid in the middle. I've taken large pieces of terrain apart that have been in use for years and found the PVA still wet in the middle of large areas. It also needed to be solvent free, as solvent based glues will melt the polystyrene.</div>
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I applied the glue to the MDF and affixed the XPS (extruded polystyrene) sheet to it. In a couple of places I had been a bit generous and glue squished out the edges like an overfilled, sticky doughnut. Once I cleaned up the excess I found that the corners had lifted away, so added some extra glue there and used some small clamps to hold the sheet down. The glue set quickly and the piece was solidly stuck within about 30 minutes. I left it overnight just to be sure.</div>
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I checked the next day and there was no sign of melting or warping, and the sheet was firmly attached across its entire width. I then decided to try out the slabs effect on a larger scale (area 4 in the <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/frostgrave-terrain-tiles.html">previous post</a>). I gridded the sheet with 25cmm squares using a ballpoint pen. I also cut out the damaged area of the sheet, making it into a square recess. I plan to create a couple of drop-ins for this area; a trap door from balsa, a grating from some wire mesh and maybe a well or pool of some kind as well.</div>
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I then grabbed my handy rock samples and began to press them into the foam. I'd done about half the sheet when I decided to try out another technique. I must confess I have completely forgotten where I first heard of this, but I do remember one of my dad's old model railway books talking about using crumpled tinfoil to create rock faces.</div>
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I took a sheet of tinfoil and scrunched it into a tight ball. I then rolled the ball around on the sheet of foam, pressing it into the surface. The effect was remarkably similar to that produced by using the rock samples, but much easier and less time consuming to do. </div>
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I then used the same painting techniques as I used on the sample piece; dark grey (Payne's grey) base coat, mid grey drybrush and then a light ivory highlight.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The completed piece</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up detail. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuujW9e5TAkJSHhkKx0IUCf0uHOzkRzp1papN123YC3dwut3nyHZIeGVFjZTNYI2gPdkzhRr6lngKeK5Vzpn6L2kWQer0iM0LdFt2Npb3Zl-_rnIFJX8nZiDYTkPSXsDTydwD9Nfg6Hz1Y/s1600/WP_20160329_16_38_07_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuujW9e5TAkJSHhkKx0IUCf0uHOzkRzp1papN123YC3dwut3nyHZIeGVFjZTNYI2gPdkzhRr6lngKeK5Vzpn6L2kWQer0iM0LdFt2Npb3Zl-_rnIFJX8nZiDYTkPSXsDTydwD9Nfg6Hz1Y/s640/WP_20160329_16_38_07_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stack of XPS sheets glued to MDF squares.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38kAhWVq3ob7u8_cP-R2KfPDe5Q4ftAJuHuO8SXaQgQRH05XUCpVN1x5e_BfWo-6aVDhyphenhyphenjIC6WBmRce46H1qFtZNlOutPEf7HR-1KyAAPpg5sWI_JSXXxB9JMPYbJr7t64MAFrVus97WT/s1600/WP_20160329_16_39_01_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38kAhWVq3ob7u8_cP-R2KfPDe5Q4ftAJuHuO8SXaQgQRH05XUCpVN1x5e_BfWo-6aVDhyphenhyphenjIC6WBmRce46H1qFtZNlOutPEf7HR-1KyAAPpg5sWI_JSXXxB9JMPYbJr7t64MAFrVus97WT/s640/WP_20160329_16_39_01_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"YOU SHALL NOT... oh, alright then, off you go."</td></tr>
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I am very pleased with the outcome, and will probably be using this technique for most of the rest of the sheets. The longest bit is applying the Payne's grey basecoat, as you have to get every nook and cranny or the blue shows through quite glaringly.<br />
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With the success of this piece I decided to try experimenting some more, and have started doing a few "character" pieces. The one below is a mix of cobblestones and slabs. AGG suggested that the cobblestones could be painted as a mosaic or even use different colours to reflect the use of reclaimed stones.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TueKFSZmA3a-oWJuPHpT6uhLb0a1evCYLYinPzSfkCdBxqmyIbHS-svvNlD1YefJJidzbzZx8qf-I1ewV70FoZabpkibR_PScw_E0zavjXt2PPIO4wCFAjeTenwJqzZNaLFkPWnixzJ9/s1600/WP_20160329_16_38_22_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7TueKFSZmA3a-oWJuPHpT6uhLb0a1evCYLYinPzSfkCdBxqmyIbHS-svvNlD1YefJJidzbzZx8qf-I1ewV70FoZabpkibR_PScw_E0zavjXt2PPIO4wCFAjeTenwJqzZNaLFkPWnixzJ9/s640/WP_20160329_16_38_22_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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I also have some smaller sheets, about A5 size, that are much thicker, at least 25mm thick. I plan to texture these as-is to use as risers to add some 3-dimensional interest to the city. Finally, I also have some very large sheets in the shed that are also around 25mm thick. I may use these to create some dramatic terrain pieces like docksides or a stepped plaza of some kind. Watch this space!<br />
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<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-82444448349591344712016-03-25T22:20:00.003+00:002016-03-25T22:24:04.311+00:00Frostgrave Terrain TilesThis week I have been working on some terrain tiles for <a href="https://ospreypublishing.com/frostgrave">Frostgrave</a>. For those who have been living in a cave or on the dark side of the moon and aren't familiar with Frostgrave it is a fantasy skirmish game set in a magically frozen sity of Felstad. Each player controls <a href="http://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=195&cat=482&page=1">a wizard</a> and their apprentice and a <a href="http://www.northstarfigures.com/list.php?man=195&cat=483&page=1">band of merry cutthroats and vicious warriors</a>. Wizards fight to recover treasures amongst the ruins with the ultimate aim of becoming powerful enough to cast a spell that allows them to discard their mortal shell and ascend to a higher plane of consciousness.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zWYJCTcQntmfvHtswluvy3tajZBTxGhsjTommcOtyq3IGsrIqTY9bpOY9ZrxUjKvHp4Nh5nyFxnAuA8UjYbFDe9ihOacUadLyjcTrSuzGVF1Zp1EtgUfblomSVIr1mUVFAVaOa3RLmyU/s1600/Frosty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zWYJCTcQntmfvHtswluvy3tajZBTxGhsjTommcOtyq3IGsrIqTY9bpOY9ZrxUjKvHp4Nh5nyFxnAuA8UjYbFDe9ihOacUadLyjcTrSuzGVF1Zp1EtgUfblomSVIr1mUVFAVaOa3RLmyU/s320/Frosty.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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It's a fun game with some nice, if fairly rudimentary, campaign rules and myself and AGG have been thinking about playing it for a while. I have a variety of terrain pieces, a mixture of <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/gf9online_store.aspx?CategoryID=13338">GF9 Battlefield in a Box</a>, <a href="http://pegasushobbies.net/catalog/Gaming/c9/index.html">Pegasus Hobbies Gothic Building Sets</a> and various <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/conflix">Conflix</a> pieces, plus some odds and ends from an old Mordheim campaign that I will re-use. I've also been painting up some of my 28/32mm Fantasy figures in preparation, including this <a href="http://www.solegends.com/citads1986b/1986summer1/fly8607sumf-C29_02-01.htm">30 year old</a> Citadel Winged Fire Demon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz1Xf8ZpeSCngt_4pe2fFXu76-1sZqTE0qmkBazC5TlNnULUpRP3dukD2TIHfn-F1tpv1exsAU0vHzzRyn-hAncjO_LBck7FEtjhamG5XMvA4fHgRk_kXmpqCinApywerp9154HX8YePO/s1600/WP_20160126_19_57_24_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPz1Xf8ZpeSCngt_4pe2fFXu76-1sZqTE0qmkBazC5TlNnULUpRP3dukD2TIHfn-F1tpv1exsAU0vHzzRyn-hAncjO_LBck7FEtjhamG5XMvA4fHgRk_kXmpqCinApywerp9154HX8YePO/s320/WP_20160126_19_57_24_Pro.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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I have been considering various different options for the base terrain for Frostgrave. Initially I was going to use some textured wallpaper glued to MDF boards. I now have two different rolls of textured wallpaper and neither are quite right. I then saw a post showing buildings made from 6mm XPS under-floor heating insulation boards. These boards are made from the ubiquitous "blue foam" extruded polystyrene (hence XPS) and are available from an array of sources including Amazon, Ebay and a variety of online retailers. I have seen them as low as £3.50 for a 600mm x 1200mm sheet. They are also available in differing thicknesses as well, so you can get 6mm, 8mm and 10mm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue foam sheets. Not the most exciting picture I have ever posted.</td></tr>
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I picked up two for less than £10 from an ebay retailer and they arrived very quickly, with free shipping as well, which was nice. I cut the boards into 30cm squares using a long ruler and a Stanley knife with a fresh blade. The foam will quickly blunt the blade on your knife, so as soon as you see it dragging or tearing the foam instead of slicing, it's time to swap blades. I have no idea how such of soft material blunts the blade so quickly, but it does. </div>
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The sheets were advertised as 600mm x 1200mm, but they were ever-so slightly larger, probably about 610mm by 1260mm, so I had to trim the edges slightly. I used a set-square and a long ruler to make sure the cuts were all at right angles and switched to 30cm non-slip ruler and a standard craft knife once the long cuts were done. It's important to try and keep the knife vertical whilst making the cuts, or the tiles won't line up evenly after you have cut them.</div>
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The two sheets gave me 16 30cm x 30 cm tiles, enough for a roughly 4ft x 4ft grid. I'm intending to try Frostgrave on a 3ft x 3ft board first and see if it's the right size. Two of the tiles included areas that were damaged in transit, so I relegated those to test pieces. That means I have enough tiles for a 3ft x 4ft board at the moment, with two spare "good" tiles and two "bad" tiles.</div>
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The plan is to affix the foam tiles to 30cm square 6mm MDF tiles which I had cut from a larger 1220mm x 606mm sheet by my local hardware store (B&Q for those in the UK - if you buy your wood from them they will cut it for you free of charge in many stores). The plan is to add the EVA tiles to the MDF to strengthen them and add a bit of weight to stop them sliding around. I'm tentatively thinking of some way to join all the squares together to avoid moving everything around whilst they are in play, but haven't go very far with the concept. At the moment it's either going to be a collapsible framework or possibly just velcro strips and dots on the undersides.</div>
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I have used one of the "bad" tiles to test a number of possible finishes. One of the advantages of XPS foam is that it is strong and dense and can be carved and scribed without crumbling into the little balls that the more common expanded polystyrene (EPS) suffers from. It does have the same drawback that it reacts badly to solvents and many aerosol propellants. Spraying EPS or XPS with rattlecans will cause the surface to melt and shrink and give off stinky fumes. So, hand painting or airbrush is the way to go.</div>
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I textured the board in a variety of ways (see below), then painted with some cheap craft acrylics from The Works. I used a dark blue-grey for the base, then a cool grey for a heavy mid-tone drybrush. The final highlights were made using a light drybrush of an ivory/off white. The image below shows the various finishes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7HxCgdVyp0TKVq_kMPg1oWEpjm9SQp_Co11N6YxupA2gmoM339M7ChZdRyprAuUT6MXylYeQYVY7hKh8uo9qzfZzGEp-VUdaV2QWib4E9I5N7BEJJPQWgvZVOar75cdKscNGnHxLhkmU/s1600/WP_20160325_18_02_40_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu7HxCgdVyp0TKVq_kMPg1oWEpjm9SQp_Co11N6YxupA2gmoM339M7ChZdRyprAuUT6MXylYeQYVY7hKh8uo9qzfZzGEp-VUdaV2QWib4E9I5N7BEJJPQWgvZVOar75cdKscNGnHxLhkmU/s400/WP_20160325_18_02_40_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Area 1 is comprised of "crazy paving". This is simply a pattern of random shapes drawn into the foam using a ballpoint pen. It crushes the foam and leave s a nice seam between the slabs. Some areas were "scribbled" on to mimic the depression left behind by a missing stone.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area 1 - crazy paving</td></tr>
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Area 2 uses a rough 1 inch grid to represent more regular flagstones. I lightly drew a grid on in pencil then used the ballpoint to draw around each flagstone. Drawing round each one, rather than just drawing a grid, gives a more natural feel to the flagstones, and rounds off the corners slightly. Cracks and missing pieces were added randomly.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpOgwgPjLIi93sl4Hvd8Ts_Dp8lMkSwnoEJUuCLJUgSb0Vvz_tI1pSinwczDOQ-YpN8NFizyoX-sSdomINfzkSjDoWwrmXJnrco-Qu75lVG4TLeXVpp8jjA4jKWCdAWPOvETTj5A1Y5ik/s1600/WP_20160325_18_02_55_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpOgwgPjLIi93sl4Hvd8Ts_Dp8lMkSwnoEJUuCLJUgSb0Vvz_tI1pSinwczDOQ-YpN8NFizyoX-sSdomINfzkSjDoWwrmXJnrco-Qu75lVG4TLeXVpp8jjA4jKWCdAWPOvETTj5A1Y5ik/s400/WP_20160325_18_02_55_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area 2 - Flagstones</td></tr>
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Area 3 is comprised of small cobbles or bricks drawn by hand. small O's abd C's are drawn into the foam using the ballpoint pen, so they abut one another. This is a very time consuming process and there is a tendency for the foam to tear if you aren't careful.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3RreqolwgL1nCekFP8cWhyphenhyphennYmuUbP3AEyf4rDdbo4GrX2_sy90kljhcFB9M0_EMcBNIhSc3D6m5c05h9oHmqdDK5wxhPRpa7U4ABlXhye1cecEAA-KA_bTGwScbEZ3TC8hTZQWmj7Frs/s1600/WP_20160325_18_03_20_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3RreqolwgL1nCekFP8cWhyphenhyphennYmuUbP3AEyf4rDdbo4GrX2_sy90kljhcFB9M0_EMcBNIhSc3D6m5c05h9oHmqdDK5wxhPRpa7U4ABlXhye1cecEAA-KA_bTGwScbEZ3TC8hTZQWmj7Frs/s320/WP_20160325_18_03_20_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area 3 - hand drawn cobblestones</td></tr>
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Area 4 is perhaps the most interesting. This has been created by pressing the rough end of a broken piece of rock into the foam (actually two pieces of rock, a sample of granite and basalt from my OU geology sample set). The random texture of the rock creates a very realistic rock-like effect (which is probably to be expected since I'm using a rock to simulate rock). The gaps between the slabs were created using the sharp edge of the rock samples, and aren't as defined as I'd like.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0tiTNTu54maIXf05MzhlHy6_9FHaTkdGFltwo7n5UeaPMzR7O7J7fIHO3gpdzFxWNqorhYwNT81BZBKDxqSzaoNYclzb_YKSf1zrQyIcHWaxmmcD1sNfN0EwgctLWXbHBIoTJTxexvRf/s1600/WP_20160325_18_03_08_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0tiTNTu54maIXf05MzhlHy6_9FHaTkdGFltwo7n5UeaPMzR7O7J7fIHO3gpdzFxWNqorhYwNT81BZBKDxqSzaoNYclzb_YKSf1zrQyIcHWaxmmcD1sNfN0EwgctLWXbHBIoTJTxexvRf/s400/WP_20160325_18_03_08_Pro.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area 4 - stone slabs</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Area 5 is cobblestones created using a pen cap and the eraser cap from a propelling pencil. In both cases they were simply pressed into the foam to create an overlapping pattern. I have also seen an example of cobblestones created this way using a rectangular shape made from reshaping some brass tube. There is still a bit of space on the sheet, so I may see if I can find a suitable tube to try this out with.These methods have the advantage of being fairly quick, but the results seem to be much less controllable than the other methods. The pen cap is far too large, but the eraser cap from the propelling pencil looks OK. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhK6T5bei9uYeEfIpq-rtNfeAuF9zP-rKOQV_2NINQsn3zSH6a_NKjSl0BZ50G0hOelCt3NOe7FEp5SKQgSPemuNNskghJN7mzVI6O-UeCjxjcF8cXouFoSiNS6v_CpJzJv3ynaaNcCTq/s1600/WP_20160325_18_02_45_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhK6T5bei9uYeEfIpq-rtNfeAuF9zP-rKOQV_2NINQsn3zSH6a_NKjSl0BZ50G0hOelCt3NOe7FEp5SKQgSPemuNNskghJN7mzVI6O-UeCjxjcF8cXouFoSiNS6v_CpJzJv3ynaaNcCTq/s400/WP_20160325_18_02_45_Pro.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area 5 - cobblestones again</td></tr>
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I have also tried a 6th technique on the other "bad" piece, which is to scrunch up a ball of tinfoil and roll this around on the surface, pressing it in. This leave a random texture similar to the stone but is MUCH quicker and easier to do. This sheet is in the process of being painted right now, but I'll add it once complete.</div>
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So, which option do you think looks best? I'm torn between the cobblestones and the rock-effect slabs. I may actually mix it up, and add in some designs to the slabs, so I can mix the techniques up a bit. I also think a variety of styles will make the frozen city much more interesting. Let me knw your thoughts in the comments below.</div>
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-88706980660711216492016-03-09T12:14:00.000+00:002016-03-09T12:14:28.331+00:00Teeny Tiny Spacemen - 6mm Scifi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Not much text to go with this post. I have a selection of 6mm/1:300 sci-fi armies that I use for <a href="http://www.blitzkrieg-commander.com/default.aspx?Area=FWC">Future War Commander</a>. The ruleset has recently been picked up by <a href="http://www.pendraken.co.uk/">Pendraken</a>, along with Blitzkrieg Commander and Cold War Commander, so I'm hoping it will be available and supported again soon.</div>
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Most of the miniatures are <a href="https://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/">Ground Zero Games</a>, with a small selection from <a href="http://www.microworldgames.com/collections/dark-realm-miniatures">Dark Realm Miniatures </a>and assorted bits from the clicky Mechwarrior Dark Ages.</div>
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Kra'Vak</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8mF0RoMe0v5jKpE9Fj6jnmSpt0IbQqkw-B-w6x09Kv3AcTiaue5yPP9GNCET61Zbra3BcaQr5pCHPJNxMrT49AK14bTeJ-m8bThnyDR6PzFqWXdIhE6ExQYUGpYcYRmOj_WURZu39ylv/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8mF0RoMe0v5jKpE9Fj6jnmSpt0IbQqkw-B-w6x09Kv3AcTiaue5yPP9GNCET61Zbra3BcaQr5pCHPJNxMrT49AK14bTeJ-m8bThnyDR6PzFqWXdIhE6ExQYUGpYcYRmOj_WURZu39ylv/s640/DSC_0220.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzIGdvemoCEBajWSuwL3OMSDywMjaH1UZIhmpsjuNTXzRymU7kcLYPwilYcCX1IuFF6HpZiEAKRmp9MFF4FdbawSeXfIZ87_qJbHZRAt7oMkRECSJm_QuKvUvD7uVjNbt4VWPCPovxfDk/s1600/DSC_0221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzIGdvemoCEBajWSuwL3OMSDywMjaH1UZIhmpsjuNTXzRymU7kcLYPwilYcCX1IuFF6HpZiEAKRmp9MFF4FdbawSeXfIZ87_qJbHZRAt7oMkRECSJm_QuKvUvD7uVjNbt4VWPCPovxfDk/s640/DSC_0221.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Grav APC's</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDne8DuapR_rlJUAdW2kYh4gUK-dZFLuDNlb-6maUxMjLNgW49oVZEaBnk-cDqBj9zj_wSHaKc3XxqrhaM5o9bIrqRNwlZ0Eqx2jal-GoIVjx-20Rk5Gi71tIFeGgFkR-M7Hk7-XrPD75/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDne8DuapR_rlJUAdW2kYh4gUK-dZFLuDNlb-6maUxMjLNgW49oVZEaBnk-cDqBj9zj_wSHaKc3XxqrhaM5o9bIrqRNwlZ0Eqx2jal-GoIVjx-20Rk5Gi71tIFeGgFkR-M7Hk7-XrPD75/s640/DSC_0223.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Grav tanks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xYVSB1MAl6w9vL7AboO9HDAQ-f9DiGO_8Zl52BFi3zAnLUDb4T_oAUCLVM2FkXtBIogHTuDlJY5RSI_AWOPl1fyjdWQAbXpdhHES9ot9THMDhWPop-wP4Hf3VjL8g2Yd-c38iH8_SZr4/s1600/DSC_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xYVSB1MAl6w9vL7AboO9HDAQ-f9DiGO_8Zl52BFi3zAnLUDb4T_oAUCLVM2FkXtBIogHTuDlJY5RSI_AWOPl1fyjdWQAbXpdhHES9ot9THMDhWPop-wP4Hf3VjL8g2Yd-c38iH8_SZr4/s640/DSC_0224.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missile tanks and MRLS artillery. Hulls are GZG. MRLS is from a Mechwarrior click and missile turret is Old Crow.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZuyjxZXJh6IpqP8f4ZEaIMT-o8vNZx2rkt0yDNOyG7XxcQlHQzROboGQgeaK4bnLwngLEWqUMU9cv9BJ8AB0WGq9gDmlTtGsq04HmYONCuxoLHWlF5z_SPUcpX9yvc03JlN28VK5OV9d/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZuyjxZXJh6IpqP8f4ZEaIMT-o8vNZx2rkt0yDNOyG7XxcQlHQzROboGQgeaK4bnLwngLEWqUMU9cv9BJ8AB0WGq9gDmlTtGsq04HmYONCuxoLHWlF5z_SPUcpX9yvc03JlN28VK5OV9d/s640/DSC_0229.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HQ, command, FAO, FAC, Sniper, auto mortar and recon stands. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZTaAnl3nFDAloBlNIxpG6-Rvx6rAcyvxjRBNtDAVn9JS7aGIsw3DKwg7yqHKiGJSvMtrASabNSRAgK_9wnHaapF_pu1uOG-V6u2I6a9oo-cicC4m-kXXPxwfYx_-oLZmW09j7z0HKWMS/s1600/DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFZTaAnl3nFDAloBlNIxpG6-Rvx6rAcyvxjRBNtDAVn9JS7aGIsw3DKwg7yqHKiGJSvMtrASabNSRAgK_9wnHaapF_pu1uOG-V6u2I6a9oo-cicC4m-kXXPxwfYx_-oLZmW09j7z0HKWMS/s640/DSC_0230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HQ stand GZG APC and old Ogre light GEV.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZyeVTXUVCVNmbDVBnQ4prLhbqqZPZq-YUKaOJhrHkpp_uZF8aaiZRAJ6hHPQkexoPa4Tq8UP9ZprcObHb2juOVszFjbUG_qeGcFMHDAC9JKw4uvidbzvwy1mjsky87Ng9p7GkQzxWdnV/s1600/DSC_0232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhZyeVTXUVCVNmbDVBnQ4prLhbqqZPZq-YUKaOJhrHkpp_uZF8aaiZRAJ6hHPQkexoPa4Tq8UP9ZprcObHb2juOVszFjbUG_qeGcFMHDAC9JKw4uvidbzvwy1mjsky87Ng9p7GkQzxWdnV/s640/DSC_0232.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">five stands of infantry with attached smart missile (top left) and heavy laser (top right)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLqqVz9hPBaC_C3G_bDdToSwjLCw7cn3-rtr5KfhOhb_e_RO6SHAlgBOZAooI6lVWqoqbYkeR3Mz06Ab23mQgwW1fEJuvEXEkoeRoZKG-2WhhwQHVvq5vkm7hh5P0SNFSQdou9hUNA5oq/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLqqVz9hPBaC_C3G_bDdToSwjLCw7cn3-rtr5KfhOhb_e_RO6SHAlgBOZAooI6lVWqoqbYkeR3Mz06Ab23mQgwW1fEJuvEXEkoeRoZKG-2WhhwQHVvq5vkm7hh5P0SNFSQdou9hUNA5oq/s640/DSC_0234.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heavy laser team</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1SbPF2K7FZZPf1QdFOK5KJUQjbQZOWT-HXxdHgyjhYN1g1G5BB0JRF9UBmo9DwPzcb1t2lSNLMeKE_0BmZjdtOl6ZwrDov3MemV4aiZitTH98nB63dQKmxL_7Lcfuc4ovobVUpvYraWm/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1SbPF2K7FZZPf1QdFOK5KJUQjbQZOWT-HXxdHgyjhYN1g1G5BB0JRF9UBmo9DwPzcb1t2lSNLMeKE_0BmZjdtOl6ZwrDov3MemV4aiZitTH98nB63dQKmxL_7Lcfuc4ovobVUpvYraWm/s640/DSC_0235.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smart missile team</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs2BhFk4E9GabAO8RIjduOWw397PYgN8dyjQIa52QkGSPuXN-vvYW_aKhtXeWIiGZqkyZd9vRq7RAAV5lEDRyLRGGZdF1C1OMOFvAnnFnBfYWoiDaIVe1pAnyJPvFkM0L8OdwY4x_pV2I/s1600/DSC_0236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs2BhFk4E9GabAO8RIjduOWw397PYgN8dyjQIa52QkGSPuXN-vvYW_aKhtXeWIiGZqkyZd9vRq7RAAV5lEDRyLRGGZdF1C1OMOFvAnnFnBfYWoiDaIVe1pAnyJPvFkM0L8OdwY4x_pV2I/s640/DSC_0236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scouts and power armour.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jEX8axDLpEhwEBmdmfgf8MzVdncXWYh5nRDru3rn3cgLJbr7X673hBRFQaPPFcMu7MTQ-DuofBkgtrlfMHVY3rflrvPJvpFFg5nZkKLX-iaN-FUBZEwt44VtGutPuWzMggvDYlfAb65m/s1600/DSC_0237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2jEX8axDLpEhwEBmdmfgf8MzVdncXWYh5nRDru3rn3cgLJbr7X673hBRFQaPPFcMu7MTQ-DuofBkgtrlfMHVY3rflrvPJvpFFg5nZkKLX-iaN-FUBZEwt44VtGutPuWzMggvDYlfAb65m/s640/DSC_0237.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechwarrior Clix power armour</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhb7oHUSkJEcPjUNoW1GpPThum7Ct7LsRUKYyxnk_hBw_TOFFLZhpQ7x11r0bWCfWZcdypdH-MkM9XMVXAbAiE5Dwfpck9cHofLR8WCeLZCxVQHmMGaooBmwIVa7tRplyEYmcmT0PIjMZ/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhb7oHUSkJEcPjUNoW1GpPThum7Ct7LsRUKYyxnk_hBw_TOFFLZhpQ7x11r0bWCfWZcdypdH-MkM9XMVXAbAiE5Dwfpck9cHofLR8WCeLZCxVQHmMGaooBmwIVa7tRplyEYmcmT0PIjMZ/s640/DSC_0238.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scouts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wWrXSkkG_jIM1k2OnmtIFvXfbqhqZY2BM-Tohi-1mazYCELUtCI5VJwUoLIpwxh70h89Xw9MGwTOGB3RB_UWgraDLhlTXyS5uDIG6YOGnD88G6z3G0vuYcnpUqG6O8u-AXsBIy5SfCZJ/s1600/DSC_0240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wWrXSkkG_jIM1k2OnmtIFvXfbqhqZY2BM-Tohi-1mazYCELUtCI5VJwUoLIpwxh70h89Xw9MGwTOGB3RB_UWgraDLhlTXyS5uDIG6YOGnD88G6z3G0vuYcnpUqG6O8u-AXsBIy5SfCZJ/s640/DSC_0240.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silent Death fighters used as gunships.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lsnHtwH_aHBTE6mC9Z3vYic8rolOb3q-0rPj4qKlGjErLvKtwp45kv7nRzqrZczsLBSC8BwtybQbGXTxg1ROlA0o0gvMYpuSacPHuJtYZUFopMXCpBxVjoPtcozJAK1tih5ZqcxY5s9S/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lsnHtwH_aHBTE6mC9Z3vYic8rolOb3q-0rPj4qKlGjErLvKtwp45kv7nRzqrZczsLBSC8BwtybQbGXTxg1ROlA0o0gvMYpuSacPHuJtYZUFopMXCpBxVjoPtcozJAK1tih5ZqcxY5s9S/s640/DSC_0227.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Dropship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
New Israeli</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGQbloFJpAlmssoxbgwM_qA_MiH-wqb3xxjGuYwu7vsjp-oIvkxe4pVEKaiSjFis9FXVmyVY_k1GmfRhhvcVGX6dBRp5MoXmzlzRIm0xPZ4wzhkq5yV_Tzfsda6tvATbVbzvgdjLv33M1/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGQbloFJpAlmssoxbgwM_qA_MiH-wqb3xxjGuYwu7vsjp-oIvkxe4pVEKaiSjFis9FXVmyVY_k1GmfRhhvcVGX6dBRp5MoXmzlzRIm0xPZ4wzhkq5yV_Tzfsda6tvATbVbzvgdjLv33M1/s640/DSC_0241.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Command, HQ, FAO, FAC, Recon and sniper units.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFkHj8mH-W-GqYEAYvdB-yCJGqNkdgzkEjqAoLHif8b9eSf17sTAdfn0Kk_DYcn4etR5o4RndxMnVUKTTGv8ASt6oi3c2U2KTeOAfgitIMj82EHbcbM3HhHIJ7MTCvjxwIHAMfdHZwd49/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFkHj8mH-W-GqYEAYvdB-yCJGqNkdgzkEjqAoLHif8b9eSf17sTAdfn0Kk_DYcn4etR5o4RndxMnVUKTTGv8ASt6oi3c2U2KTeOAfgitIMj82EHbcbM3HhHIJ7MTCvjxwIHAMfdHZwd49/s640/DSC_0242.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HQ stand with a hoverjeep and radar equipped Wombat APC. The radom is a wooden "mushroom" shape.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbx6vTFiJl8krXTsBmIpg5TEgvatW1iFIOtfGUcweyR-yIohCzHQOTEGm4fixeBgZxe_fNjk1PL93F39uhGDd3SpWmuU7NTBnhgathxTVNnZnyybPyFud4FOnbFSDmLsr4_uLLSw-FRiu/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbx6vTFiJl8krXTsBmIpg5TEgvatW1iFIOtfGUcweyR-yIohCzHQOTEGm4fixeBgZxe_fNjk1PL93F39uhGDd3SpWmuU7NTBnhgathxTVNnZnyybPyFud4FOnbFSDmLsr4_uLLSw-FRiu/s640/DSC_0243.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FAO (front) and command stand (rear)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpcVaqzsqM9OOxNxg8Yhy36cVbMJQn_4CEG7nNjRG8Q0O8go0wa6PgZn5FWXGtieXtnhMrxJ1zCj_P1cIZCngLXLtH7K7xwdbbx7Knxx-Z6VvZlpnVzq5mA0zTFiNIIw462ocUhgl9cZE/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpcVaqzsqM9OOxNxg8Yhy36cVbMJQn_4CEG7nNjRG8Q0O8go0wa6PgZn5FWXGtieXtnhMrxJ1zCj_P1cIZCngLXLtH7K7xwdbbx7Knxx-Z6VvZlpnVzq5mA0zTFiNIIw462ocUhgl9cZE/s640/DSC_0246.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five stands of infantry plus heavy laser (top left) and smart missile (top right) attachments. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2heju-cw_RRnJA1BAsSMF0CZlaXbWhAup_-ua8Ras3IMZ1rJqe0MAdFfIDie9t4jnze94UiAeePILTt7OpTpEHbdgXV-ODnXc87hl80OmShqKRtmH4DxChXDdIQRvS6s8g6Ybvs7aXXm/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2heju-cw_RRnJA1BAsSMF0CZlaXbWhAup_-ua8Ras3IMZ1rJqe0MAdFfIDie9t4jnze94UiAeePILTt7OpTpEHbdgXV-ODnXc87hl80OmShqKRtmH4DxChXDdIQRvS6s8g6Ybvs7aXXm/s640/DSC_0249.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mechwarrior Clix Power Armour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFLH7NBfzU6CP9JbudylYEKAsjPR_1a86vepHdywyEVuv90Yx0IysihyS5zau6Hz1NybjdxsFkw3dUJgvv2tkyavkCAOHeySrzhHtnl8RnHgP15ZKDFziI-jQpkpUHj24LwRng6Ked-Br/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFLH7NBfzU6CP9JbudylYEKAsjPR_1a86vepHdywyEVuv90Yx0IysihyS5zau6Hz1NybjdxsFkw3dUJgvv2tkyavkCAOHeySrzhHtnl8RnHgP15ZKDFziI-jQpkpUHj24LwRng6Ked-Br/s640/DSC_0252.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scouts</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDSCRnYewuDpNj2TnP2-kXO5gu-TM5Qwfum-Yi54ix3aDhDEz3uJQ4OiIJMpBub3OuK5GIO8J19fc1xUYMPOUXSAW0ljdXaIgwtaJaadZTg_j-5ufGBs_f17ltQuN73j97pcwbWTsW9Hl/s1600/DSC_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDSCRnYewuDpNj2TnP2-kXO5gu-TM5Qwfum-Yi54ix3aDhDEz3uJQ4OiIJMpBub3OuK5GIO8J19fc1xUYMPOUXSAW0ljdXaIgwtaJaadZTg_j-5ufGBs_f17ltQuN73j97pcwbWTsW9Hl/s640/DSC_0255.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Wombat APC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRIQbs5_G0NrKjROnxXr32cXjgfG0BXA-JIVWLfMlSYvouZsxKfn_sHdIIvbBVzP0bRuQEK-sKxA5ce6IHZyX7gyugH8ImhnK6SxwlaBmlMGjBTAP2wPA9M2dSq9g6A3as8DXISndcGdS/s1600/DSC_0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRIQbs5_G0NrKjROnxXr32cXjgfG0BXA-JIVWLfMlSYvouZsxKfn_sHdIIvbBVzP0bRuQEK-sKxA5ce6IHZyX7gyugH8ImhnK6SxwlaBmlMGjBTAP2wPA9M2dSq9g6A3as8DXISndcGdS/s640/DSC_0257.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Blower (left) and Goliath (right)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBSpZj_28JxHjbIQHmykJ6N1KJT-jAeJi0Rz97j3drjhJTuTJyoqxWJ31UYZhUOUZGpMcAWFFTB5dnOuFEgY10d-mX0Y-q5lb98frvGM7eilrZz43ZL9dW-tg5mp1Z0DUkvB-ssoJ7Vo-/s1600/DSC_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUBSpZj_28JxHjbIQHmykJ6N1KJT-jAeJi0Rz97j3drjhJTuTJyoqxWJ31UYZhUOUZGpMcAWFFTB5dnOuFEgY10d-mX0Y-q5lb98frvGM7eilrZz43ZL9dW-tg5mp1Z0DUkvB-ssoJ7Vo-/s640/DSC_0259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Rommel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivypR4BeEgdvabpCszMYbYgb9mAZBB-r9dmUy9bUHg39KmDPrRCyYN4EKn71ezHvw8Vn_LCbw9WrsWCWJpBZarcZxNXVBKEF_B84fEmiTt99eUkmke_CS5Tw-ygmUlU23dynlHOzROxw9S/s1600/DSC_0261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivypR4BeEgdvabpCszMYbYgb9mAZBB-r9dmUy9bUHg39KmDPrRCyYN4EKn71ezHvw8Vn_LCbw9WrsWCWJpBZarcZxNXVBKEF_B84fEmiTt99eUkmke_CS5Tw-ygmUlU23dynlHOzROxw9S/s640/DSC_0261.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG Rommel hulls with Zandris missile turrets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1oAX8c6QbfDxStlXKw0IOx4kQCtSIJw33SeT59RunJceaEOK7iKq-XQHBjJbFj3tXZfbIqzKnatoWzfFzyKc65wDshdbZlhMTbN2ukNDnKP1m2mH2CV604JCAkz82aHXyURs3IL_k7D5/s1600/DSC_0263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1oAX8c6QbfDxStlXKw0IOx4kQCtSIJw33SeT59RunJceaEOK7iKq-XQHBjJbFj3tXZfbIqzKnatoWzfFzyKc65wDshdbZlhMTbN2ukNDnKP1m2mH2CV604JCAkz82aHXyURs3IL_k7D5/s640/DSC_0263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Automatic mortars made from GZG cannons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNj9CwxH4BLx9URAvZw_PebU0huGPFFdOQspH3UWaGb3KuZJoIKkrGgCf1EPtyaxqBldgcto4lVngV9ry0KEQvw-Od-tm-kbzfFf1WIt32rNrWPv8GPWZmbOx81s3lsZY5SNfw_84EE9/s1600/DSC_0266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxNj9CwxH4BLx9URAvZw_PebU0huGPFFdOQspH3UWaGb3KuZJoIKkrGgCf1EPtyaxqBldgcto4lVngV9ry0KEQvw-Od-tm-kbzfFf1WIt32rNrWPv8GPWZmbOx81s3lsZY5SNfw_84EE9/s640/DSC_0266.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clicky Mechwarrior APC's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
WIP Pax Arcadia</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq8JasWpczLro521T_NA95EoA-NnS8xYjsTeuoPtR636O4_sRMNK5X0Ckc1wO3TJgtAhyphenhyphenVW0acid0axV03AX9E4JITr3RLHWHf8T9MIt5VefMt2hCCHQOgmeFYC3I-0d7Ciusz4ZNTAlX/s1600/DSC_0274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq8JasWpczLro521T_NA95EoA-NnS8xYjsTeuoPtR636O4_sRMNK5X0Ckc1wO3TJgtAhyphenhyphenVW0acid0axV03AX9E4JITr3RLHWHf8T9MIt5VefMt2hCCHQOgmeFYC3I-0d7Ciusz4ZNTAlX/s640/DSC_0274.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pax Arcadian Gunship.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCdk9Jj15E7r14IcEdvlnKUaza8V9yF1A_HBkM8oF2taU6XGOBMW9uoAriLgxSDlLkOI0alNsfKTt1UGOnCvnTMSvagECUlo-cVxmR8rOgxGiWbN12ghmOBcLAIn009TJuaPV3m5-Zcau/s1600/DSC_0267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcCdk9Jj15E7r14IcEdvlnKUaza8V9yF1A_HBkM8oF2taU6XGOBMW9uoAriLgxSDlLkOI0alNsfKTt1UGOnCvnTMSvagECUlo-cVxmR8rOgxGiWbN12ghmOBcLAIn009TJuaPV3m5-Zcau/s640/DSC_0267.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L to R) Tiger light tank, 3 x Ramjack APC's, Petard artillery, Rampart heavy tank, Tigre light tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAYzQQZRUMUFAj1if-V9jK_ToiW4Iisrdq2sXmpTSwmQ-tXoBZYV1_J5frMD9OCPkQO-iMh2q4q2hy-gu4sezI-mOSh4HX6S2OC8bD4JpCHWmM7-7ssjLA2G9DHvNr0lZvlxAFe1E5Sqp/s1600/DSC_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAYzQQZRUMUFAj1if-V9jK_ToiW4Iisrdq2sXmpTSwmQ-tXoBZYV1_J5frMD9OCPkQO-iMh2q4q2hy-gu4sezI-mOSh4HX6S2OC8bD4JpCHWmM7-7ssjLA2G9DHvNr0lZvlxAFe1E5Sqp/s640/DSC_0269.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(L to R) WIP jungle troops x 2, two buggies and HQ stand with modified Petard. WIP industrial infantry x 2</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t-Bt_PzxpSObcytpv6Op7aW-qfgx9vT-6W3aMAq2NkHUC37ELvKSYdN7XtKGOZCJoieJpUQtOauRQsADgfOo5vaJEm7BFIVj63VuIdpOFrPleA4w6VtukN5LFpjDNGN2qc01zP8ueAeG/s1600/DSC_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4t-Bt_PzxpSObcytpv6Op7aW-qfgx9vT-6W3aMAq2NkHUC37ELvKSYdN7XtKGOZCJoieJpUQtOauRQsADgfOo5vaJEm7BFIVj63VuIdpOFrPleA4w6VtukN5LFpjDNGN2qc01zP8ueAeG/s640/DSC_0272.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buggies and HQ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AWSGpnbtXi5X6XiwLtaQqrjnrRJDXPbWYPlbhxBt_b2Jns9stewLRpPjkWBCxREctjDnfieFinsN9jxYj7pgYscw0vURQoAs97Ylnj4CJGeBdxL5ulHZaVeVTgG13VvTHiLeiJQiE5l1/s1600/DSC_0271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9AWSGpnbtXi5X6XiwLtaQqrjnrRJDXPbWYPlbhxBt_b2Jns9stewLRpPjkWBCxREctjDnfieFinsN9jxYj7pgYscw0vURQoAs97Ylnj4CJGeBdxL5ulHZaVeVTgG13VvTHiLeiJQiE5l1/s640/DSC_0271.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIP industrial troops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn_dP4sVqTws2Rzq5Ip24szvwjtPLfQbk48Lf-7zOv7Q8JA5O2ONRPZ2FeOA-iQ4UvKqXMJZFUUsB-foJS0iStlyfaNd_hhwQtfqWY0QgkJ2CezwiUURTTL5DpMa-IUOjVYCKMp5IOJRP/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn_dP4sVqTws2Rzq5Ip24szvwjtPLfQbk48Lf-7zOv7Q8JA5O2ONRPZ2FeOA-iQ4UvKqXMJZFUUsB-foJS0iStlyfaNd_hhwQtfqWY0QgkJ2CezwiUURTTL5DpMa-IUOjVYCKMp5IOJRP/s640/DSC_0270.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIP Jungle troops</td></tr>
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-84389300151573444352016-03-09T11:47:00.002+00:002016-03-09T11:47:38.210+00:00A funny thing happened on the way to the Blog...<br />
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Anyway, as I was saying....</div>
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Yes, things have been a bit quiet around here for a while. The Empire of the Dead campaign we had going on sort of fizzled out after our fourth game at the end of last summer (a batrep of which may or may not show up one day). Since then I have managed to get in only a single game of Bolt Action (my first, in fact) which I actually quite enjoyed. It's nice to be playing some 15mm WW2 again.</div>
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In the meantime I have picked up no less than four new rule sets, Frostgrave, Dragon Rampant, Black Ops and the finally delivered mountain of stuff that is Dungeon Saga.</div>
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AGG and I are in the process of building warbands for Frostgrave, and I've been making batches of Hirst Arts blocks out of plaster to create some extra scenery. I have also dropped a small fortune on GF9 Battlefield in a Box and Pegasus Conflix pre-painted scenery. I also have various types of wallpaper and some sheets of 1cm blue polystyrene to try and make some cobblestone street tiles. If we ever get around to getting figures on the table it should at least look spectacular.</div>
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For Black Ops i have picked up some very nice 15mm Professional Militia from Peter Pig's AK-47 range. I also got a pack of the Battlefront SEAL teams from their Vietnam range which make nice SF operators. I also have some modern US on order from QRF. I managed to find some cheap chinese kits of Apache's and Blackhawks at The Works, and a 1:100 EH-101 helicopter from Skyfall on Ebay for just £5. I'll be building some shanties out of corrugated art card as well as cannibalising various aquarium plants for jungle terrain.</div>
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For Dragon Rampant I've been slowly building an Undead, Dwarf, Orc and possibly Hobgoblin warbands. More on these later. </div>
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Hopefully normal service will now be resumed.</div>
GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-80170557574482640842015-06-01T04:22:00.001+01:002018-08-06T12:32:54.855+01:00Empire of the Dead Game 3This weekend saw the third in our irregular series of games for our narrative Empire of the Dead campaign. Big Steve has been weaving together various plot threads for us through out of game posts and messages.<br />
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Following the action outside the police station in the <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/empire-of-dead-game-2.html">last game</a>, Quartermaine's Department 13 was dealt a terrible blow as Dr. Erasmus was snatched from the British Museum where he was studying the book recovered in the first game. He was snatched by the same winged creatures that attacked the police station (and are definitely NOT Nightgaunts).<br />
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So, following up on reports from the rural countryside of Essex that there had been sightings of winged creatures around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horndon-on-the-Hill">Horndon on the Hill</a> (just a few miles form where TGP, Big Steve and I grew up - so we know the area), Quatermaine and his Agents took a steam launch up the river from London to investigate further...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuOep4dqPXRVOCyn14af9uDFr-Mm1pY9JyXNHdTEkF7TV28uavOkE_DHkfI-BBNb4oDDPos0dhIg_Z9nFF-uxfsScUjb5FtxPYRD8-iRqOMq3F0AWqh6vc3n0Limow4lvBnik2uP_bvLs/s1600/WP_20150530_12_53_16_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuOep4dqPXRVOCyn14af9uDFr-Mm1pY9JyXNHdTEkF7TV28uavOkE_DHkfI-BBNb4oDDPos0dhIg_Z9nFF-uxfsScUjb5FtxPYRD8-iRqOMq3F0AWqh6vc3n0Limow4lvBnik2uP_bvLs/s640/WP_20150530_12_53_16_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setup. Horndon on the Hill. Hills to the north, woods to the west and the The Swan pub to the east. Still haven't rebased those trees more than <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/gruntz-aar-action-at-valin-farm.html">a year after their last outing...</a></td></tr>
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Our Heroes begin their investigations by assembling at The Swan public house. Quartermain is accompanied by Frank, as ever, and four of his Department 13 Agents, Agents 3 through 6. He's also brought along a surgeon from the Hanoverian Guard, just in case Erasmus is injured.<br />
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Inspector Reid of Hell Division is still recuperating after a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvnk22rdeXig8wa7Quqe3dBIpgfyzCHNO5VbgCWN_nMFbqfY6SA4pp5xiChHP-wvmttygkaaeLZh7tQWpTc2JpozmW9NAJdQBGpD9RVwHDnrktw1yCYXC3X0cSdjZBNPPmq_L4fYbRIjV/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg">carriage fell on him</a> in the last game. In his place are a pair of sturdy sergeants, a brace of police officers armed with pistols and rifles plus F.I.D.O. the steam dog and his handler.</div>
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As Quartermain is briefing the assembled team (and arguing with the sergeants about who is in charge), there is a clatter of hoofbeats and a large, darkly gothic coach pulls up. Several swarthy men armed with swords and pistols jump down and open the doors to reveal three very beautiful but very pale young ladies dressed in the best Hammer Horror school of flimsy attire, with in built push-up attack bodices. Stepping out after them (following a brief discussion about what was likely to have happened if he made more of a dramatic, and shall we say, "transformational" entrance) was a tall, pale man dressed in formal clothes with a red lined opera cape.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvh8JER64hybXAqHAdDdxfwjf3PCR_-IVOkvslmFIBPZ4w-qWYXLeYyJRzkSTZFu37ZWBHZ6raHpWFEOqmHf5D_NnUDkdbsJJ7fnfqyEutE8KSHgrBUVFaILN8sunsJILX6Eyu6S4a0PyZ/s1600/WP_20150530_12_53_33_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvh8JER64hybXAqHAdDdxfwjf3PCR_-IVOkvslmFIBPZ4w-qWYXLeYyJRzkSTZFu37ZWBHZ6raHpWFEOqmHf5D_NnUDkdbsJJ7fnfqyEutE8KSHgrBUVFaILN8sunsJILX6Eyu6S4a0PyZ/s640/WP_20150530_12_53_33_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange Foreign Types in a very ornate carriage. Quartermain does not hold with this sort of thing. </td></tr>
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Introducing himself as "The Count" he advised that he was an associate of Mad Maggie and she had suggested that he would be able to assist. Since he had secured lodgings in Purfleet, not far from Horndon on the Hill, and Maggie had to remain behind in London, The count offered the services of himself and his brides. When asked what he could bring to the proceedings, The cont advised he had certain "abilities".<br />
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This was the first time AGG had really had a powerful character to use. Up until now the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee has mostly been minions and cannon fodder. The Count and his occult spice girl groupies certainly were a step up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O8CqE2oCdy1otntZeZosGX1mKvyK_6VWyGkzEVxoDdUCGJlNi7MxA_9C_x-uCxyrmYx7NECRdh5E9Xg8y9x4adBe7BfO2WlpJrqjTQS_IGoDbsB-tdymbufzxWoOdXVHMzZ4V9kpCGfw/s1600/WP_20150530_12_53_23_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O8CqE2oCdy1otntZeZosGX1mKvyK_6VWyGkzEVxoDdUCGJlNi7MxA_9C_x-uCxyrmYx7NECRdh5E9Xg8y9x4adBe7BfO2WlpJrqjTQS_IGoDbsB-tdymbufzxWoOdXVHMzZ4V9kpCGfw/s640/WP_20150530_12_53_23_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Protagonists assemble.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhx7ojraXFPZtWvRhcX2QgeVKTonFQvZeZf5VHNcU06-NeuSJxUQ2JSP2SyCSVQk4cm9kpsFKe5xy67oKz7_FeLtLSbElwocPfXxGGgNH1JVUr3iYUpXtXbxyUwFGVmXQ72lrqzvuoFB2/s1600/WP_20150530_12_53_59_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlhx7ojraXFPZtWvRhcX2QgeVKTonFQvZeZf5VHNcU06-NeuSJxUQ2JSP2SyCSVQk4cm9kpsFKe5xy67oKz7_FeLtLSbElwocPfXxGGgNH1JVUr3iYUpXtXbxyUwFGVmXQ72lrqzvuoFB2/s640/WP_20150530_12_53_59_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View West - down table - across the Essex countryside towards the woods.</td></tr>
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The three groups then had a brief discussion. The Hell division bobbies would proceed along the hills to the North of the table. Quartermain and his agents would flank to the south through the crop fields and The Count and his brides would move through the centre.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Q8bZFQEFJyHvHcLin5K8Kq2I6FOrlNsShvwCyF8K1OiYDtEokHLIWG-laxBFDNSC7bX-aJY3paqu6YxZW2yEZiwCf2LJbBt-vFY0ywnJz2UA1eWeKqt9UEskgk1naz9XOa-sfcJ_gEz/s1600/Marishka%252C_verona_and_aleera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-Q8bZFQEFJyHvHcLin5K8Kq2I6FOrlNsShvwCyF8K1OiYDtEokHLIWG-laxBFDNSC7bX-aJY3paqu6YxZW2yEZiwCf2LJbBt-vFY0ywnJz2UA1eWeKqt9UEskgk1naz9XOa-sfcJ_gEz/s400/Marishka%252C_verona_and_aleera.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporty Bride, Posh Bride and Baby Bride</td></tr>
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As Quatermain and the bobbies set off, The Count and his girls tore away, moving incredibly fast through the evening. As they moved west towards the setting sun they caught sight of a giant, looming shape. The dying rays of the sun picked out a huge human figure constructed from trees and branches - A Wicker Man!<br />
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Sounds of raised voices could be heard and then a mournful howling begins. This is not the Twilight Bark, but instead comes from something altogether more wild, toothy and Dire. At the same time dark shapes can be seen wheeling and swooping amongst the clouds. The shapes are too large to be birds and Quartermain thinks he may see some sport in the near future....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp6VlF1ohqGOGZtE7KahO_LW5-rr87t_3H1VBeN2rYg0-0kjyH5k8fVaYViEnAyQMgfUX8KKqL7De5D5hho5mrvgG3MdtQhCBPn-X6hr99we8Kxjp9ih1B4JboIYaVBNXX-FY5R0J4Urn/s1600/WP_20150530_12_55_41_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp6VlF1ohqGOGZtE7KahO_LW5-rr87t_3H1VBeN2rYg0-0kjyH5k8fVaYViEnAyQMgfUX8KKqL7De5D5hho5mrvgG3MdtQhCBPn-X6hr99we8Kxjp9ih1B4JboIYaVBNXX-FY5R0J4Urn/s640/WP_20150530_12_55_41_Pro.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wicker Man</td></tr>
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Now visible, and screaming madly, is the figure of Erasmus, trapped in a cage in the chest of the Wicker Man. As they closed the rescuers could now see a large crowd of villagers surrounding the base of the wicker man, along with the wood and kindling piled up there. Several of the villagers were holding torches aloft and they all seemed to be swaying and chanting.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The villagers assemble to burn Erasmus.</td></tr>
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The Bobbies, seeing what was clearly an unlawful burning of an Emeritus Professor, decided to stamp their authority on the situation. Hurrying forward they blew their whistles and began a cascade of dropped 'aitches as they ran through the mandated cliches: "Ello-ello-ello", "What's all this then?" and "Come along now, Sir. Let's be 'avin you"<br />
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The villagers (I don't want to be religiously intolerant, and I know things are done differently in the country, but we are rapidly approaching the juncture where they will be labelled "cultists") respond to the police's show of power by throwing their torches onto the pyre and setting the wicker man alight. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLsXhyA792ClqBjnisRiI4O6Z1tsTURMumag0Hsi4nlyVwM9Si1_8E20U5X_3VGYkhR7xdyW1YiqW2v7_zhOhAiKCAAtqPRF6HuROh_lMUPuWLgU-NXhCU8U6xllyDVXjvnPmlZAPm2GC/s1600/WP_20150530_13_29_05_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLsXhyA792ClqBjnisRiI4O6Z1tsTURMumag0Hsi4nlyVwM9Si1_8E20U5X_3VGYkhR7xdyW1YiqW2v7_zhOhAiKCAAtqPRF6HuROh_lMUPuWLgU-NXhCU8U6xllyDVXjvnPmlZAPm2GC/s640/WP_20150530_13_29_05_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bobbies blow their whistles according to protocol. Unfortunately the villagers are not familiar with the current sections of the Public Order Act. </td></tr>
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The Spice Brides continue to sashay towards the villagers at a swift clip and The Count seems to leap into the air and turn into a rapidly moving cloud of mist! He races up to the villagers and then out of the mist emerges a hideous bat-creature that flaps up towards the cage in the chest of the wicker man. As it flies it shouts over it's shoulder "Do not fear, Quatermaine. It is I, The Count!". Quatermaine resists the overwhelming urge to unload both barrels of .600 Nitro Express at the Eastern European Gentleman ("Bloody Easter Europeans, coming over here and rescuing all our professors... ")<br />
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Meanwhile, the dark shapes circling in the clouds suddenly dive down and attack the horses and coach. They are revealed to winged beasts that are definitely not Nightgaunts. The land on and around the carriage and the gypsy left guarding it leaps to attack one. With a string of Slavic curses he cleaves its head from its body. Quatermain takes a shot at long range at one of the others, but misses. Erasmus recognises the boom of the elephant gun and starts to call out to Quatermaine, just as the Count flies up and rips the door off the cage. Erasmus, not a fan of flying creatures, begins shrieking hysterically.<br />
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Whilst this is happening the bobbies and the Spice Brides notice a wizened crone near the back of the crowd of villagers. She is reading from a book and is accompanied by what the bobbies decide are two enormous dogs - because they can't be wolves as there are no wolves in the Essex countryside. Certainly not wolves that are four feet to the shoulder. The "big dogs" let out a spine curdling howl and charge forward, scattering the villagers as they push through.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa39gzlU1JwuUGXnM4x37MQazeDGnrVkRUEb0fifKT98WZOFsLxLshhH0tEiwJV20JJPOgJMPjkXFfvKOAmL-iJNWsifBQSpixyoe2W8xTrz7twWoI2Ftowi1IW_5k0GZ4NHLCYsZ91-G/s1600/WP_20150530_13_29_21_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioa39gzlU1JwuUGXnM4x37MQazeDGnrVkRUEb0fifKT98WZOFsLxLshhH0tEiwJV20JJPOgJMPjkXFfvKOAmL-iJNWsifBQSpixyoe2W8xTrz7twWoI2Ftowi1IW_5k0GZ4NHLCYsZ91-G/s640/WP_20150530_13_29_21_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical country evening in Essex.</td></tr>
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The Spice Brides approach the villagers and attempt to terrify them by hissing and displaying their fangs in a menacing manner. Posh and Baby succeed and their two targets flee in terror. Sporty still faces off against one of the villagers (which is ironic, because many people think Sporty is actually the most talented of the Spice Brides, as demonstrated by her successful solo career). The Gypsy on the coach attacks and despatches another of the not-Nightgaunts, but the remaining two slaughter the last of the horses.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMe-h-Ex9QC0EimXQD0e7BdxDDsPR06YCH8cZloJwsebtDvo23q7eEBfmMNj68rvtkZ88uCZd5HXw_ql2cRr2J0DXjXmwBEWfZEV3p74bhIoVrWdmbHMeUiKh6Us0lzAZ58pdH0ZduR9W/s1600/WP_20150530_13_28_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMe-h-Ex9QC0EimXQD0e7BdxDDsPR06YCH8cZloJwsebtDvo23q7eEBfmMNj68rvtkZ88uCZd5HXw_ql2cRr2J0DXjXmwBEWfZEV3p74bhIoVrWdmbHMeUiKh6Us0lzAZ58pdH0ZduR9W/s640/WP_20150530_13_28_56_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sporty faces off against a villager whist Posh and Baby terrify their targets and force them to flee.</td></tr>
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The bobbies amble down the hill and Fido and his handler, backed up by a sergeant and a bobbie move towards the centre of the field and engage the dire wolves. At the coach the gypsy engages the last two not-nightgaunts. He kills one and the other takes to the skies again, circles around and dive down on the Department 13 agents. A fusillade of fire attempts to down it, but it weaves through the shots and grabs Agent 6 in its steely claws, hoisting him aloft before dropping him to his doom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS53oTvE7RPBG2rwX_9XUMuR2emdekQBphNndzMNJJGjgv7WGBJ2vH9ZY-FqHyvGb88-QHwKAMkAaF_hq4HsM8rLqKve36xIxaiUVK84W061CvB7tT2gYSRY49nU1X_7F3sd5kgjev-E6R/s1600/WP_20150530_13_57_26_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS53oTvE7RPBG2rwX_9XUMuR2emdekQBphNndzMNJJGjgv7WGBJ2vH9ZY-FqHyvGb88-QHwKAMkAaF_hq4HsM8rLqKve36xIxaiUVK84W061CvB7tT2gYSRY49nU1X_7F3sd5kgjev-E6R/s640/WP_20150530_13_57_26_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Agent 6 is dropped by the winged creature. Quartermain has lost his first man.</td></tr>
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At the Wicker Man the Count is trying to calm the hysterical Erasmus, but eventually just gives up and casually backhands him into unconsciousness. He then picks him up and leaps back into the air with him clutched in his talons (as Big Steve pointed out, for the Count, this is very much like trying to walk home after the pub with a fresh doner kebab in you hand, but not being able to eat it...).<br />
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The villagers, seeing the Spice Brides bearing down on them and Dracula flying overhead, decide that they have made their required religious observance for this week and since the main attraction - burning professor - is off the menu, they turn and begin to race into the woods en mass.<br />
<br />
However, the crone sweeps her arm around and points her finger at the ground. There there is an ominous grinding and shuddering and the earth bursts open and disgorges a hideous creature made of mud, twisted roots and clumps of earth. This animated Earth Golem strides off towards the police.<br />
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There is also a terrible and ominous crash from deep within the woods. Far into the dark depths the trees are seen shaking and being pushed aside. With a terrible crash, one is seen to fall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd98r68DKOJI3RVLwK-QwxnDKMCvSuSre2olZgllmcN6sht2PXxAVCA8Z2w1F9hUbAcibx7d9IqndGa_Md6aba0mEB4-czxRaQUYkJuuLIj7njNZ6AZ6z5eXvxNyTJO2iRn2VEexxv1D_/s1600/WP_20150530_13_57_45_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvd98r68DKOJI3RVLwK-QwxnDKMCvSuSre2olZgllmcN6sht2PXxAVCA8Z2w1F9hUbAcibx7d9IqndGa_Md6aba0mEB4-czxRaQUYkJuuLIj7njNZ6AZ6z5eXvxNyTJO2iRn2VEexxv1D_/s640/WP_20150530_13_57_45_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Count (Ah-Ha-Ha-HAAAA!) flies off after subduing the panic stricken Erasmus.</td></tr>
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The police are now engaged with the two dire wolves. F.I.D.O. the Steam Dog engages one of them whilst the Thin Blue Line moves around behind the Spice Brides to engage the other. The Earth Golem advances slowly. Quatermaine and the Agents are attacked by the not-Nightgaunt again, but manage to wound it and drive it off.<br />
<br />
The Witch waves her arms again and sweeps them in an arc from the burning wicker man towards Baby Bride. A ball of fire leaps from the conflagration and strikes the blonde vampire. She shrieks in pain and rage and is knocked down and crawls away to cover to nurse her charred flesh. The other brides back away, hissing.<br />
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Suddenly the trees burst apart and a hideous creature emerges. It has a trio of stumpy, goat like legs, dripping, loathsome drooling maws along its flanks and a body made of knotted, coiling tree roots and tentacles. The tentacles grope at the air above the beast, coiling and writhing obscenely.<br />
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At the sight of this abomination the police, the brides and their minders and the Hanoverian surgeon have to test their pluck. One of the police sharpshooters on the hill decides he'd rather be elsewhere, as does one of the coppers from the thin blue line and both of the Spice Brides Order of the Dragon and Gypsy minders.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqA950K2hdGlSkSb6z1WzRc1ab9RWyKm_mOLQrkd4A0rByOLNbsHshZqM_F09fWlEY8YxYrq0MO-SZRWaloDNG1PyooHjDFKuZzwIj38gNH35dPW9Rx9T60eafyvj6lQcMkIay-KRYfvK/s1600/WP_20150530_13_57_53_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqA950K2hdGlSkSb6z1WzRc1ab9RWyKm_mOLQrkd4A0rByOLNbsHshZqM_F09fWlEY8YxYrq0MO-SZRWaloDNG1PyooHjDFKuZzwIj38gNH35dPW9Rx9T60eafyvj6lQcMkIay-KRYfvK/s640/WP_20150530_13_57_53_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 1000 Dark Young of the Goat of the Woods. I<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">ä</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> Shub-Niggurath!</span></td></tr>
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The Dark Young charges up the hill, facing a barrage of well aimed fire from the bobbies who held their ground. Good solid shots pepper the monstrosity, but have no effect. The Dark Young tramples over the bobbies. One dives away, but the other is crushed under its noisome hooves. <br />
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F.I.D.O. despatches his dire wolf and turns and charges the other, currently being engaged by a trio of bobbies. The Earth Golem lumbers on and Department 13, having driven off the not-Nightgaunt, open fire on it. Their shots fall on target and make nice "splat" sounds, but do little else.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3aAUoNrwgP-geecRGtSmfwcrn60xZ1EnkcxhGgIVPJNFpPsxrfuNi1Nz0vg1f3GWW3P_hm3mH9Eboxuo16Dm1NYo3wRAGQ5t2i6gDw-nYfnzOtENijMiSZp0fuI8E6LtHqsXUDlQTyNp/s1600/WP_20150530_14_25_23_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl3aAUoNrwgP-geecRGtSmfwcrn60xZ1EnkcxhGgIVPJNFpPsxrfuNi1Nz0vg1f3GWW3P_hm3mH9Eboxuo16Dm1NYo3wRAGQ5t2i6gDw-nYfnzOtENijMiSZp0fuI8E6LtHqsXUDlQTyNp/s640/WP_20150530_14_25_23_Pro.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dark Young, Dire Wolf and Earth Golem. Dracula escaping at top right.</td></tr>
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Sport Bride and Posh bride charge towards the witch. At the last moment a few of the villagers regain their courage and move to block the Brides approach. Sporty Bride tears her target to pieces and Posh puts hers down, but he's not out of the fight yet.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzczYcslIvikDRUOysjfd0fzEPv6yUUAyC1YYlDO8YualIGseKt_H8qcMdrldscE3vYi2aP6LttiE1feUGQBCgcbUAmQJ3nAdo8Z88UPF3y4OrRmDJoswmMTSvIhvVe4BtcyqqhTWn-6rl/s1600/WP_20150530_15_06_42_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzczYcslIvikDRUOysjfd0fzEPv6yUUAyC1YYlDO8YualIGseKt_H8qcMdrldscE3vYi2aP6LttiE1feUGQBCgcbUAmQJ3nAdo8Z88UPF3y4OrRmDJoswmMTSvIhvVe4BtcyqqhTWn-6rl/s640/WP_20150530_15_06_42_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posh and Sporty go after the witch.</td></tr>
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The rest of the villagers rally and charge back out of the woods. The Dark Young tramples over the hill and down the other side, squashing another police officer.<br />
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The combined efforts of F.I.D.O and the bobbies bring down the second dire wolf, just as the Earth Golem is about to reach them. Quatermain and Department 13 fire on the villagers guarding the witch. In a continuation of the appalling nights dice rolling, I fire 12 shots needing 4+ on a D10 to hit. I got 1 hit - ironically from the surgeon. Quatermain was not demonstrating his reputation as the Empire's finest shot tonight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zz7ppTwvUh0Y0EN8tYeRp-bUfFB-jiKUWpj5drajC7s6zKtFrNELO8CeVTg85D-p11UE_Bq5VUF-ashoKDwvWcdQ5Z3PbiD5709dDwQfTzkcMo2x6eqlZ8lWJtiRJB9r_X7GfcgzxHll/s1600/WP_20150530_15_06_55_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zz7ppTwvUh0Y0EN8tYeRp-bUfFB-jiKUWpj5drajC7s6zKtFrNELO8CeVTg85D-p11UE_Bq5VUF-ashoKDwvWcdQ5Z3PbiD5709dDwQfTzkcMo2x6eqlZ8lWJtiRJB9r_X7GfcgzxHll/s640/WP_20150530_15_06_55_Pro.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The villagers return from the woods.</td></tr>
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The Dark Young turns around and charges back over the hill as the Order Of the Dragon Minders head parallel to it to rejoin Baby Bride. She recovers just in time for it to thunder past her.<br />
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F.I.D.O. and the bobbies engage the Mud Golem, but their attacks are largely ineffectual. The remaining sharpshooter bobbie on the hill continues to pour fire into the Dark Young. This will prove to be a .... poor choice.<br />
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The Brides despatch step into the gap they created by tearing apart two villager and Sporty Bride leaps at her with a hiss and flash of comely ankle. Plus, boobs. The crone proves to be surprisingly resilient, though, and shakes off Sporty's attacks.<br />
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Department 13 create a firing line and open up on the villagers surrounding the crone from the southern side. The agents take down her human shields one by one and Quatermain redeems his abysmal shooting that evening. He takes careful aim and fires the massive elephant gun, blowing the witch to pieces. The Earth Golem collapses into a pile of mud and twigs and the Dark Young is released from it's binding. It charges up the hill and stomps the steadfast police sharpshooter into human pate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbwexbUrViPfoCqYJnHqdQQm7KilUS-1qhu3PED7zVE-z5KILwDdbVibMHKBgwc-2g0X29l3nE9bykQcbL_V65hSt6exkOJwYUjO04KlXChiKq9LiL-Rco7k5o-e_uygIXoDynj2lKNYl/s1600/WP_20150530_15_07_05_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgbwexbUrViPfoCqYJnHqdQQm7KilUS-1qhu3PED7zVE-z5KILwDdbVibMHKBgwc-2g0X29l3nE9bykQcbL_V65hSt6exkOJwYUjO04KlXChiKq9LiL-Rco7k5o-e_uygIXoDynj2lKNYl/s640/WP_20150530_15_07_05_Pro.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quartermain establishes a firing line</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, the last not-nightgaunt dives down on one of the fleeing bobbies. He and Dracula's Coachman open fire with pistols, knocking it from the sky. The policeman puts his foot on the beast and gives it two rounds, rapid to the back of the head.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7_dBhpf5lmf6J6lcL-1qxyk9BZ8rAShDiej-JOPLdlE2yvCr_yG4jY9ATjEs_q3qfM7WyyX6HPJJ7kDZEZFZOmXSDsRvdz90AazQ4qJlo83DAjDO56XJjtZizstQl9Rqxv3qgR5TWjgC/s1600/WP_20150530_15_07_12_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7_dBhpf5lmf6J6lcL-1qxyk9BZ8rAShDiej-JOPLdlE2yvCr_yG4jY9ATjEs_q3qfM7WyyX6HPJJ7kDZEZFZOmXSDsRvdz90AazQ4qJlo83DAjDO56XJjtZizstQl9Rqxv3qgR5TWjgC/s640/WP_20150530_15_07_12_Pro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bobbie and Gypsy fend of flying creature.</td></tr>
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With the Crone dead, the villagers flee into the woods. The unbound Dark Young charges back towards the Wicker Man, but seems to be moving aimlessly and Baby Bride, her Minders and the bobbies manage to get out of its way.<br />
<br />
Quartermain runs towards the body of the crone, keen to secure the book. The brides, covered in bits of crone, grab it before he can get there.<br />
<br />
The scene is set for a tense stand-off, with Quatermain and the Department 13 agents facing off against the blood splattered, scantily clad Brides with everything lit by the flames from the collapsing wicker man. In the background the Dark Young runs into frame from the right.<br />
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Quatermain adopts his commanding voice and demands the book. The Brides hiss and claim their master has need of it, and besides, they have Erasmus at Carfax Abbey. In the background the Dark Young skids to a halt, turns around and runs right, out of frame.<br />
<br />
There is a series of clicks as pistols are cocked and safeties are taken off an unfeasibly large elephant gun. Quatermaine demands the book again and raises his gun. In the background the Dark Young runs back into frame from the right.<br />
<br />
The Brides hiss and throw the book at Quatermaine swearing that this is not the end of the matter. Quatermain says he thinks it is and throws the book into the fire. In the background the Dark Young turns and runs off to the north.<br />
<br />
With the book destroyed and Erasmus (presumably) safe, the parties head back towards The Swan inn to find the Gypsy carriage driver crying over his poor dead horses. Transport is hastily arranged for a trip to Carfax Abbey....<br />
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-52143324744564439362015-01-22T01:12:00.000+00:002015-01-22T01:12:33.837+00:00Combat Wombat Assault Lander and Kitbashes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Another round of VTOL 15mm goodness.</div>
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First up is the Combat Wombat Assault Lander. Scotty at <a href="http://www.combatwombatminiatures.com/">Combat Wombat</a> very kindly sent this to me along with the missing pod from the first of my <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/combat-wombat-bullfrog-class-landervtol.html">Bullfrogs</a> - he's a clearly a gent of impeccable taste and refinement so I encourage you all to order oodles of his fine wares.</div>
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The combat Lander comes in 7 resin parts and 1 turned brass barrel for the nose mounted gun. The resin parts are three landing legs, the main body, two engine pods and the chin turret. There was some flash and a few bubbles on the model, but nothing that a few strokes with a file couldn't clean up, although I was rather brutal with the delicate edge of the engine intakes on one side and erased some of the raised detail. My own fault entirely.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDCHjuJ2syMfxAXALtXaf3xLKP7LffL3kNwV0q-v7KfjpHnMxIc1fh42wDFP3jWNWvzC1HQvKsBjp3jucL6jBeU3Ltly9ts2vghNlllUz4QtXv52VU_GllEk6hMuLMtdwuXy2uaiqv61Y/s1600/WP_20141214_21_56_56_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDCHjuJ2syMfxAXALtXaf3xLKP7LffL3kNwV0q-v7KfjpHnMxIc1fh42wDFP3jWNWvzC1HQvKsBjp3jucL6jBeU3Ltly9ts2vghNlllUz4QtXv52VU_GllEk6hMuLMtdwuXy2uaiqv61Y/s1600/WP_20141214_21_56_56_Pro.jpg" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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All the parts fitted well together with minimal sanding to get the engine pods square. The gun required a small hole expanding in the chin turret to take the turned brass barrel. </div>
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I have added a pair of missile pods to the sides to give the Assault Lander some extra teeth. The ship very much reminds me of the Raptors from the new Battlestar Galactica, and I recall there were several episodes where the normally unarmed Raptors were loaded up with missiles. The pods are actually made from a pair missile turrets designed for 6mm miniatures from Old Crow.<br />
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You can just see a chip in the resin of the lower corner of the canopy from my clumsy handling (or more accurately clumsy dropping).<br />
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Overall the assault lander makes for a really nice little model. It's generic enough that it could fit into a near-future game as an aerodyne or VTOL lander of some kind, a space opera or star-trek style game as a shuttlecraft or even some sort of combat lighter for a GrimDark game if you choose.<br />
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Next u is a kitbash of a Revell KA-50 Hokum snapfix kit.<br />
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I originally picked this up when Hobbycraft was closing down to use in Battlefield Evolution: Modern Combat as a proxy for a Chinese helicopter gunship. First game out I was chiding my nephew about being careful with his M1A2 Abrams tank models so as not to damage the delicate aerials on them when I turned around and knocked the unfortunate helicopter to the floor, snapping it's fiendishly complex contra-rotating rotor blades off and dislodging the cannon, never to be seen again. Much hilarity ensued.<br />
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Since then the chopper has languished in the bitz box. I eventually got around to doing something with it. Antigrav pods are the breech units of some spare weapons from the <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/">CMG</a> Blackguard Mecha. The barrels have been chopped off and sanded down to leave the ribbed pods. I have some detailing parts on the way from Japan that I will use to add errr... detail to the pods before painting. Other bits include a spare cannon from my <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/">CMG</a> ZAS tanks , rocket pods from <a href="http://www.rebelminis.com/">Rebel Miniatures</a> and spare missile clusters from <a href="http://clearhorizonminiatures.com/shop/">Clear Horizon Miniatures </a>excellent Raven VTOL.<br />
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I have to add the details as mentioned above, plus do some gap filling before she'll be ready for painting. I think the final decision on if the kitbash has worked will only come after she's been undercoated. At the moment the yellow/brown/green camo pattern looks juts too toy like. Watch this space.</div>
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Next we have a platoon of hovertanks kitbashed from a <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=3770">Battlefront PT-76 platoon</a> that I got half price at SELWG this year (bargain!)</div>
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I have put the tracks in the bits box and replaced them with VTOL lift engines from <a href="http://www.micropanzer.com/">Micropanzer</a>. When I contacted Jason he originally had the lift engines as resin pieces and I wanted to check he'd be OK to cast up 50 of them (8 per tank plus some spares, 'cos who knows when you'll need a VTOL engine). Jason advised he was now able to produce them in metal and 50 would be no problem. As it happened I used 9 on each of the tanks anyway, so the spares came in handy.<br />
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Shots on my painting table. Sorry about the mess (flips a coin to the bartender...)<br />
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Each of the tanks got 4 lift engines on either side plus an upturned one on the rear as a drive engine. The engines had a gentle sweep down to a point behind the duct which I had to cut away. You can actually see the same piece in use on the <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/combat-wombat-bullfrog-class-landervtol.html">Bullfrog Lander from Combat Wombat</a> as a lift engine in my previous post. I believe this is a result of Scott and Jason working together on some designs in the past.<br />
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I was originally going to replace the Battlefront supplied 76mm cannon with a 4mm steel ball bearing and a small disk of styrene to make a short barreled laser emitter, but instead I used another of Scott at <a href="http://www.combatwombatminiatures.com/the-motor-pool.html">Combat Wombats turned metal barrels</a>. With just a short pilot hole drilled these fitted perfectly. I also added a pair of missile launch tubes from a die-cast toy and relocated the Dshk heavy machine-gun.<br />
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The turrets were affixed using the supplied 2mm rare earth magnets. I even managed to get all the polarities round the right way so any of the turrets could be used on any of the tank chassis.<br />
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I've also added flight-stand toppers from <a href="http://www.litko.net/">Litko</a> (available from <a href="http://www.figuresincomfort.net/">Figures in Comfort</a> in the UK) which I find to be an excellent way of supporting most flying things. I use them on my <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/index.php?_a=category&cat_id=31">Full Thrust</a> ships, <a href="http://www.tumblingdiceuk.com/">Tumbling Dice</a> 1/600 aircraft for <a href="http://www.blease.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/WG.airwarc21.html">Air War: C21</a> and as flying stands for various 15mm. I've also chopped some stands down to give a grav-floater effect, as you can see in the group shot below.<br />
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<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-52324039644797049552014-11-16T16:19:00.000+00:002014-11-16T16:31:12.885+00:00Empire of the Dead - Game 2Yesterday we played game 2 of our narrative campaign for <a href="http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/empire_landing.php">Empire of the Dead by Westwind Productions.</a> The campaign is being run by Big Steve (who, I am obliged to point out, is actually normal sized, but was bigger than Little Steve, so became Big Steve). The factions are:<br />
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Me: Department 13 ("Shoot first and question the corpse later")<br />
AGG: Whitechapel Vigilance Committee ("No officer, it's not a sword, I'm a whaler and it's just a really big flensing knife")<br />
TGO: Whitechapel Police: Hell Division ("10: Say 'BARK', 20: Goto 10")<br />
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Following the last game, H:Division had interrogated the Chinese prisoner, and he had been tried for the murder of the women and baby in the park. He had been sentenced to hang and Inspector Reid was given responsibility for the security of the event. Given the "unusual" events of the Chinamans capture, Reid took the unusual step of asking for assistance from the stout fellows of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. He also, reluctantly, sent word to the Home office and requested Quatermain attend (plus I threatened to withhold the roast chicken lunch I was preparing if he didn't send for me...) <br />
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The execution was due to take place in an enclosed yard behind the Whitechapel police station. The yard was adjacent to a small square enclosed on three sides, with a busy road on the fourth. The yard was separated from the square by high walls (which I built in about 6 hours the night before - the flock was applied that morning!) and contained the Gallows and a storage warehouse. The cobbled street in the yard is actually a textured yoga mat.<br />
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H: Division had Inspector Reid, a Police Sergeant, six bobbies including two with rifles, the desk Sergeant and FIDO the iron hound and handler.<br />
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The WVC had "Mad" Maggie Malone, Bob the Butcher, Fagin and six stout fellows all armed with swords and two with pistols.<br />
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Department 13 had Quatermaine, Frank and six Hanoverian Guardsmen. The guardsman had rifles and swords. Frank had his whacking club and a pistol and Quatermain had his elephant gun and a pair of heavy pistols.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The square and the yard with Whitechapel road at the bottom of the picture. Police station is to the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFFwiCIMA8P4udhbXt9LGV1p4IURn2UJca54rY6K7OVtE2qy3-c1FMZBqMuqfm-CD7hSzWaSYK28QfXUHb9Zbiix3vJQvkkSAuK0igKoi0rU6EaSAXTl68u0fEWkgc7HU7qG-v-tbJJa4/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFFwiCIMA8P4udhbXt9LGV1p4IURn2UJca54rY6K7OVtE2qy3-c1FMZBqMuqfm-CD7hSzWaSYK28QfXUHb9Zbiix3vJQvkkSAuK0igKoi0rU6EaSAXTl68u0fEWkgc7HU7qG-v-tbJJa4/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The yard with gallows at bottom left, storage warehouse top left and F.I.D.O the iron hound and handler just inside the (working) gates.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldddBTaZ3spbpI7HAoJ9syuBFFK2b5zrbCzfHStIZR3CWIHPPcKqgXbnrQe6Dvg1qXAqvGyPZzlUzNDhVyBrY5DT3PxZcwO3szSScIbmgI-UPLUZzCXLIyusIsnPbPOkhH5KxVE4KA_A/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicldddBTaZ3spbpI7HAoJ9syuBFFK2b5zrbCzfHStIZR3CWIHPPcKqgXbnrQe6Dvg1qXAqvGyPZzlUzNDhVyBrY5DT3PxZcwO3szSScIbmgI-UPLUZzCXLIyusIsnPbPOkhH5KxVE4KA_A/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The square. Police station to top. Prisoner just being escorted out of station. Quatermaine and Hanoverian guards standing sentry duty against the wall of the yard and various ne'er do wells of the WVC milling around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkov4_Tr-65PIIwxxInTsJlf7zoKxrhTRolgwVdG1JCpMAe9qTIWeaPMjuTFpc0wrNm4PBuVLy9Yd2YD-8wOhi3ZXfRRCE_zLs2xU69ItvseW0w89gNXQ14_hRKKEe9X885DZ1Oj7Af5c/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkov4_Tr-65PIIwxxInTsJlf7zoKxrhTRolgwVdG1JCpMAe9qTIWeaPMjuTFpc0wrNm4PBuVLy9Yd2YD-8wOhi3ZXfRRCE_zLs2xU69ItvseW0w89gNXQ14_hRKKEe9X885DZ1Oj7Af5c/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prisoner is escorted into the yard. WVC follow the police.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYXTQc0dtY5SyyvVHUake7c20_TQZEnmCisOxwPzmBHXtNkzH001okm6NETPR-L7H_hNBQZRDzbPfHigJEGk4eVR6iv4IyxiYKcDaxzVGoLixmmNe22wFg0d8Stto0NYYdkbu3QEsU6M/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrYXTQc0dtY5SyyvVHUake7c20_TQZEnmCisOxwPzmBHXtNkzH001okm6NETPR-L7H_hNBQZRDzbPfHigJEGk4eVR6iv4IyxiYKcDaxzVGoLixmmNe22wFg0d8Stto0NYYdkbu3QEsU6M/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the yard the police head towards the gallows, protected by more Hanoverian guard and a couple of stout coppers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXfEczjj-2efJqRhFKVxGZm5MUz00DZIZsD9yBYHpqyhEt0RJOs-2Om3J5KN4RYAnnDvq2YUXgfTni26hgVpUsbrSaX7-dhMn9AsdBdfaRMTZfVgnkxTSDJRIXyuvRsk6l5vyAIY4Ufqa/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoXfEczjj-2efJqRhFKVxGZm5MUz00DZIZsD9yBYHpqyhEt0RJOs-2Om3J5KN4RYAnnDvq2YUXgfTni26hgVpUsbrSaX7-dhMn9AsdBdfaRMTZfVgnkxTSDJRIXyuvRsk6l5vyAIY4Ufqa/s1600/DSC_0238.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WVC emerge from the shadows to follow the police. Their new leader, Mad Maggie Malone (or crazy cat lady as we came to know her) emerges, wild eyed, foul mouthed, crazy haired and with a frightening temper. AGG loves her!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ctJ9dhFSCezqYzQYngai2_81O24-ty6g2tXlSMdqsw1IkJiH-MAau8syvtAaG7dkHB50UvwkCaKdIfkPY-YbqcZQ7daRd_cn23FgBof1beV7HYPpEncc3YKxImUCsIxEDiYn-DbNjPk_/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ctJ9dhFSCezqYzQYngai2_81O24-ty6g2tXlSMdqsw1IkJiH-MAau8syvtAaG7dkHB50UvwkCaKdIfkPY-YbqcZQ7daRd_cn23FgBof1beV7HYPpEncc3YKxImUCsIxEDiYn-DbNjPk_/s1600/DSC_0239.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The brave Hanoverian soldiers protect the gate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-xdDQPHG1ZOC9vM0IPNBtnexmF839HxQsj3hX4PFsGweZoKoTLfFI1rbIK_89evIf0UbAstadwfnZGao5XS8RwPMluYsX-nu7aBxbjBpYgaX5uh2FmG8neJpK-RLcffQc8TKTxiJpbS0/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-xdDQPHG1ZOC9vM0IPNBtnexmF839HxQsj3hX4PFsGweZoKoTLfFI1rbIK_89evIf0UbAstadwfnZGao5XS8RwPMluYsX-nu7aBxbjBpYgaX5uh2FmG8neJpK-RLcffQc8TKTxiJpbS0/s1600/DSC_0241.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Hanoverian soldiers, Quartermaine's loyal manservant "Frank" and Quatermaine himself stand guard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJPv5hTcBE6sKJ78T9uhte4Z9HTUszl4I5N0FgIzFmV6z5vlmd7PKbW2fv2GIeS82hcjs_Z1wimL4hhaEA8TWWw54A7F4KY9vYySB12pdyQBo5mgkbajP3ry3JkMxxQHDR19G540InOix/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJPv5hTcBE6sKJ78T9uhte4Z9HTUszl4I5N0FgIzFmV6z5vlmd7PKbW2fv2GIeS82hcjs_Z1wimL4hhaEA8TWWw54A7F4KY9vYySB12pdyQBo5mgkbajP3ry3JkMxxQHDR19G540InOix/s1600/DSC_0242.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The execution party guard the scaffold. The Hanoverian Lieutenant and two of his soldiers, plus the police sergeant and a stout bobby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiNhZOqIJH7VZI_fEsSBR2ihqHcXUBz3WSX6u8vzFutqTZZa1o1CN4EumkCRSX6ajZLyJdJJsmeMgyXFQf7s9pelYiUH6cQkZDwCtPhUl341pw_6Po4rxDXgXQb86RU_9mAIrcoXP2fPD/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWiNhZOqIJH7VZI_fEsSBR2ihqHcXUBz3WSX6u8vzFutqTZZa1o1CN4EumkCRSX6ajZLyJdJJsmeMgyXFQf7s9pelYiUH6cQkZDwCtPhUl341pw_6Po4rxDXgXQb86RU_9mAIrcoXP2fPD/s1600/DSC_0244.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snipers (well, bobbies with guns) on the rooftop of the police station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is an ominous boom from overhead and the overcast sky is suddenly split for a fraction of a second by an midnight black fissure that dissipates as soon as it has been seen. Moments later a dark, inky cloud begins to boil out of the sky, covering the whole area in its shadow!<br />
<br />
Suddenly, four covered wagons peel off from the Whitechapel road and begin moving toward the yard. Quatermaine, the Hanoverian Guard and the police snipers watchfully wait to see if they are just legitimate traders coming to sell their pies and sausages of dubious provenance to the gawking onlookers, or if they have nefarious intentions. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qM8QglNInBvYSExKxTGMzej60zZoxPPJ0EAp-itwQDLxgMWa7m3n3yvL-e7vhr84kmujEj5E68Y6kbLE5kjWNNBDpQdbtBJ8Lx9fa20-vvXko6-bacTLceMup4g_zIzMp3NqoJslEx9p/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qM8QglNInBvYSExKxTGMzej60zZoxPPJ0EAp-itwQDLxgMWa7m3n3yvL-e7vhr84kmujEj5E68Y6kbLE5kjWNNBDpQdbtBJ8Lx9fa20-vvXko6-bacTLceMup4g_zIzMp3NqoJslEx9p/s1600/DSC_0243.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carriages charge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With a thunderous clattering of hoofs on cobblestones, the carriages accelerate towards the gate. The defenders outside the wall open up with rifles and Quartermaines elephant gun. The first round of fire is mostly ineffective, but a second turn of firing brings three of the carriages to a halt with dead or wounded horses. One topples over in front of the gate, partially blocking it. From the others emerge more of the insidious orientals!<br />
<br />
The fourth coach charges towards the gate and with a crash, a horrible splatter and an impressive display of carriage driving, it thunders over the wounded horses that were blocking the gateway, killing them in the process. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJrOcCurLyuUW4Rygzi0W52fwBoDAVkFhoEI1LmGGSF4RqrB2J-zkmz02gcVAYijpHpSlngHI4KnbsjTf8FWp0e6zNl92vSMCkP6f14p_-gaX457qjSphO3Flgtomlr44Agp3gPecw3Gx/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJrOcCurLyuUW4Rygzi0W52fwBoDAVkFhoEI1LmGGSF4RqrB2J-zkmz02gcVAYijpHpSlngHI4KnbsjTf8FWp0e6zNl92vSMCkP6f14p_-gaX457qjSphO3Flgtomlr44Agp3gPecw3Gx/s1600/DSC_0246.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Oriental thugs emerge from the halted carriages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Meanwhile, on the roof of the police station, the two snipers hear the flapping of wings and are set upon by winged beasts (definitely not Nightgaunts) with vicious claws that descend from the darkened skies!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGVsUZbmhp6fEFx8xLDZ0N5a9U5ZiEifut3ci-m-NDj4hRQKA0ZQ04FqPHXljALF3QXp9nQ6VX9C12mpo5X16m079iyxWIITDXGcAGd_GT8hRLyyJ0na-IFOH9HUymP7go3kCKsF6wWw/s1600/DSC_0245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtGVsUZbmhp6fEFx8xLDZ0N5a9U5ZiEifut3ci-m-NDj4hRQKA0ZQ04FqPHXljALF3QXp9nQ6VX9C12mpo5X16m079iyxWIITDXGcAGd_GT8hRLyyJ0na-IFOH9HUymP7go3kCKsF6wWw/s1600/DSC_0245.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snipers have company...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Inside the yard there are seven flashes and puffs of smoke and black clad orientals (definitely not Ninjas) appear on the gallows and around the storage building! They hurl throwing stars at those closest to them, hitting one of the Hanoverian guard who, startled, retreats behind some convenient cover (the nearby police). The WVC take pot-shots at carriage as it roars across the yard...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ln3ANePFOohyOZmJICYF_uy4WCG1s-n1Q8saWy1di9wTj2uVKyR2ZQx1Z1jHnyIVa_NA4N0EilSU0qbyNaimjye3IY2g3lWyYH-dOzJeSQBgxVuehhrX4AnExuq1BF0YbGZZ5nSGEu9S/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ln3ANePFOohyOZmJICYF_uy4WCG1s-n1Q8saWy1di9wTj2uVKyR2ZQx1Z1jHnyIVa_NA4N0EilSU0qbyNaimjye3IY2g3lWyYH-dOzJeSQBgxVuehhrX4AnExuq1BF0YbGZZ5nSGEu9S/s1600/DSC_0247.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The second WVC shooter manages to wound the horse, and a shot from one of the Hanoverian guard kills it. The horse collapses, but the yoke digs into the courtyard, causing the carriage to cartwheel end over end! Inspector Reid and his bobby are standing right in it's path - the bobby dodges out of the way, but Reid is struck by the carriage and flung away, smacking into the rear wall of the yard with a sickening thud.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvnk22rdeXig8wa7Quqe3dBIpgfyzCHNO5VbgCWN_nMFbqfY6SA4pp5xiChHP-wvmttygkaaeLZh7tQWpTc2JpozmW9NAJdQBGpD9RVwHDnrktw1yCYXC3X0cSdjZBNPPmq_L4fYbRIjV/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvnk22rdeXig8wa7Quqe3dBIpgfyzCHNO5VbgCWN_nMFbqfY6SA4pp5xiChHP-wvmttygkaaeLZh7tQWpTc2JpozmW9NAJdQBGpD9RVwHDnrktw1yCYXC3X0cSdjZBNPPmq_L4fYbRIjV/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reid is squashed by the gyrating horse and carriage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Outside in the square, the orientals close with the defenders. Quatermaine drops his elephant gun and draws his pistols, blazing away and taking down one of the attackers. The Hanoverian guards open fire, then brace to receive charge. Some of the orientals charge, but some hold back and fire, ineffectually, with pistols. Frank despatches his assailant with his traditional tribal war cry: "UMBONGO!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ7FDCVNXP-oIL7-ehrDxaaE0hhTuu2MoqqVM_UN4_nNqq_KpEapnYvHaSCDAzJdbg2-pfmhWWQo9qjSiSzacwU8oiEnsltDxpVB_oxZhJcGGTZFQWS-DqLdjB47djpOQTXUC14bi6IeJ/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfZ7FDCVNXP-oIL7-ehrDxaaE0hhTuu2MoqqVM_UN4_nNqq_KpEapnYvHaSCDAzJdbg2-pfmhWWQo9qjSiSzacwU8oiEnsltDxpVB_oxZhJcGGTZFQWS-DqLdjB47djpOQTXUC14bi6IeJ/s1600/DSC_0249.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Inside the yard the Hanoverian guard and the police fire on the black-clad orientals on the scaffold and knock one down and force the other to retreat. The WVC in the centre of the yard split up, Maggie and a couple of the men with her head over to the carriage. The two chaps with the highly illegal pistols open fire on the black-clad... ok, lets just call them Ninjas on the roof of the storage shed and Bob the Butcher charges into melee with the two Ninjas in front of the shed. Between him and the nearby bobby they put one down for good and knock the other over.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt_C24dmoyU8eEWMA9czTHqSPbIxFWF94-zfwv4HFCOoiIEUAEB6y319m2z-iAFGgbD9O92YCf2iMO7jYi818sMNTkX953djqTe_y1yX8DG0Rd0VuStcvXwO_ZPkdmV3BOr8n6PbK4laH/s1600/DSC_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDt_C24dmoyU8eEWMA9czTHqSPbIxFWF94-zfwv4HFCOoiIEUAEB6y319m2z-iAFGgbD9O92YCf2iMO7jYi818sMNTkX953djqTe_y1yX8DG0Rd0VuStcvXwO_ZPkdmV3BOr8n6PbK4laH/s1600/DSC_0250.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Action in the yard...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In the square outside the meleé continues. Frank charges the oriental with the pistol and after a swift tussle forces him back, discombobulated. A passing WVC deliveryman, seeing the action steers his wagon off the road to join in, nervously leaving the valuable horse and carriage unattended to join the fray (AGG had put one of her figures on a carriage in the road and forgotten about him - we reasoned he was a member passing as part of his day job, hence his late arrival...). Inside the station the desk sergeant calmly walks to the armory and unlocks a shotgun...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sZ2aiSacSDdlPbOCFzs_EluMk4LBiVAcInMTzaOQlvwrsIpZzb90C2kpWnhWtTCn2TTeRau4cV8OKpjGS97YG3ovxBBO-0WY-dC8Z6E2flYfy2KnUtExGNzK1IdNQ61a2OqUN5Lyrkyh/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sZ2aiSacSDdlPbOCFzs_EluMk4LBiVAcInMTzaOQlvwrsIpZzb90C2kpWnhWtTCn2TTeRau4cV8OKpjGS97YG3ovxBBO-0WY-dC8Z6E2flYfy2KnUtExGNzK1IdNQ61a2OqUN5Lyrkyh/s1600/DSC_0251.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing member of the WVC on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On the roof of the station, the police snipers are putting up a valiant defence against the flying beasts, but one of the brave bobbies is impaled on the creatures iron hard claws. It braces to leap into the air, but a masterful shot from Quatermaine causes it to release him and stagger back (he is the Empire's greatest hero, after all). Just as the coppers are gathering their wits, two more of the creatures land and begin to batter their way into the station, tearing a hole through the roof and ripping open the nearby hatch!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKWPgbCrpfxUndN0uSiivVVCXQloH5_fBeKJXIB52hh2MX9QuLgru7cg8yp8pdfCFOmW9anWYknrTt-f3fnDp91XyGIA3gNuls1yK_iJsn4tS5cFvPFr2wjLzq16Qu_fuJUzlsu6Vm4Tp/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtKWPgbCrpfxUndN0uSiivVVCXQloH5_fBeKJXIB52hh2MX9QuLgru7cg8yp8pdfCFOmW9anWYknrTt-f3fnDp91XyGIA3gNuls1yK_iJsn4tS5cFvPFr2wjLzq16Qu_fuJUzlsu6Vm4Tp/s1600/DSC_0252.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the maintenance budget blown...</td></tr>
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Inside the yard the WVC rush up the stairs of the gallows to attack the Ninjas. The Hanoverian Guard take a shot at the one Ninja they can see, killing him, and then turn and head back towards the gate. As they run through the yard there is another puff of smoke from which emerges an elderly oriental gentleman.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2dF-9DwzpB8-aMh6Ui3XbQQ-iAmETNtNjjkk712vctFrUakQB7eXg-gGWyV-WtgoEW7UJLjltKIYO7gRmyQcTSU4oHIw5blrOABQaUaHIIJkQExpJ3npKHSBuOxE4s3Sq29pAx1HjMqv/s1600/DSC_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2dF-9DwzpB8-aMh6Ui3XbQQ-iAmETNtNjjkk712vctFrUakQB7eXg-gGWyV-WtgoEW7UJLjltKIYO7gRmyQcTSU4oHIw5blrOABQaUaHIIJkQExpJ3npKHSBuOxE4s3Sq29pAx1HjMqv/s1600/DSC_0254.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dramatic entrance (and a lovely purple robe, according to AGG)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="text-align: start;">At the same time another puff of smoke clears to reveal a hideous sight - a womans head sways atop a flayed open ribcage, long, silky black hair swirls behind an obscene, serpent-like body made of roped and coiled organs and entrails! It's a Penanggalan! The demon spits a ball of acid at the WVC members, but misses and instead hits the steps up to the scaffold. The police Sergeant and Fagin, the WVC fence, lose their nerve at the sight of the demon and flee. The elderly oriental gentleman concentrates on the Hanoverian lieutenant and he is immediately dissolved into a bubbling puddle! The two guardsmen are made of stern stuff, however, and charge the sorcerer! One of them strikes a telling blow with his sword, only to have the blade snap off, as though he had struck at a statue instead of an elderly man! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHwqEteFOU4tTbvPDfQ87OKeT3nb6fE41Ufgy_3vlCiUOO5wc4mkY0eaIm6wG4F2qOQ0OPH9PVQGI6UZ5G6UtzQeLiCt0C-ckqLYrgCa0u1L4z9cansA5sASDBN3f_S5TAJD9PxZBN_4m/s1600/DSC_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTHwqEteFOU4tTbvPDfQ87OKeT3nb6fE41Ufgy_3vlCiUOO5wc4mkY0eaIm6wG4F2qOQ0OPH9PVQGI6UZ5G6UtzQeLiCt0C-ckqLYrgCa0u1L4z9cansA5sASDBN3f_S5TAJD9PxZBN_4m/s1600/DSC_0253.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extreme dieting can lead to demonic possession.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Outside in the yard the guardsmen, Frank, Quatermaine and the late-coming WVC deliveryman continued to fight with the orientals, but were gaining the upper hand. The desk Sergeant nonchalantly opened the door to the police station and let rip with the shotgun, killing one of the Orientals and discombobulating the other. The terrified chinaman ran to hide behind the nearby dead horse.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXLw6Qmf3i38cGveq0je1SWVw5P5GZEwtgiF6a6Fpp4hXFXLAHZjIC4Z67NksEFArm_EJuaTJLOOW0LE6eBLKR_qQlOlWz2PQerl7eKIdiiyiqVgB4bi2vAZQkCrKTh0QeJ0WiDhemKs8/s1600/DSC_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXLw6Qmf3i38cGveq0je1SWVw5P5GZEwtgiF6a6Fpp4hXFXLAHZjIC4Z67NksEFArm_EJuaTJLOOW0LE6eBLKR_qQlOlWz2PQerl7eKIdiiyiqVgB4bi2vAZQkCrKTh0QeJ0WiDhemKs8/s1600/DSC_0256.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the yard Butcher Bob and the Iron Hound had despatched the ninjas on the ground by the warehouse. Three chinamen had emerged from the overturned carriage and been set upon by Maggie and the members of the WVC. The two WVC shootists continued to take pot-shots at the ninjas on the roof, whilst one of the Ninjas disappears in a puff of smoke, only to reappear behind the captive chinaman that was to be hanged! One of his guards struck the ninja forcefully upon the noggin and he retreated back into his smoke cloud.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0G_8MSgZMkjnSIpYfFLAlPSDwWslA__q0kApVl7L6tdF1DTDUTXFWfT68c1bZqeBaj9jcxLwLqz1EvbHEO9WAaW0rvPaJZFb94jPa67AwvtrkDBDt3R8U502pM_bU8EtPElzeX3Onvdk/s1600/DSC_0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0G_8MSgZMkjnSIpYfFLAlPSDwWslA__q0kApVl7L6tdF1DTDUTXFWfT68c1bZqeBaj9jcxLwLqz1EvbHEO9WAaW0rvPaJZFb94jPa67AwvtrkDBDt3R8U502pM_bU8EtPElzeX3Onvdk/s1600/DSC_0257.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Meanwhile, the stairs to the gallows collapsed due to the demons acid and dumped the WVC bruiser to the floor. The demon spits acid at him again, but his leather jerkin protects him. He raises his sword... err, flensing knife... and attacks the creature, hacking wildly at it. He strikes a mighty blow and the demon is pushed back. Maggie spies the creature out of the corner of her eye and charges over, fighting claws raised as she howls at the beast! She hurdles the remains of the stairs and leaps on the creature, hacking, slashing and biting at it. Her frenzied attacks find their mark and it disappears in a puff of acrid smoke.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNPkHFS7D_xevki-u7QP6fYZ5Ifll7HNslV9HP3knuS-_sAcm6LIA2d_h0Zd7JD8MT2aoLDwQhQYWC3yXjNQjL0zGRl3-7a-bgdMaejDDWeaS75cH9m5E2TGIfRIhIfF5luUEU7DhscL/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNPkHFS7D_xevki-u7QP6fYZ5Ifll7HNslV9HP3knuS-_sAcm6LIA2d_h0Zd7JD8MT2aoLDwQhQYWC3yXjNQjL0zGRl3-7a-bgdMaejDDWeaS75cH9m5E2TGIfRIhIfF5luUEU7DhscL/s1600/DSC_0258.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oi! Naff off, you demon minger!" </td></tr>
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On the roof of the station the two snipers are just about holding their own. One of the creatures has entered the station and is making its way down towards the desk sergeant. One of the snipers beats off his opponent and vaults the wall onto the porch roof. From here he snipes at one of the ninjas on the roof of the warehouse. The other bobby is knocked down and the creature sinks its claws into him again. Quatermain, only able to see one of the beasts, takes aim and blows the head off the other one.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyM2V4VoQA_CWm8ojTB1Tcg4DJBY7k1YF8ptDBxYRcqKallUGQQjnKrLuUARqHwM1ccEqUDZrW7UpGJ0C3h2XQJ7mfGwxuXs9LCNbpRLp-UC_l5BjeNnQMdEVX1cW79m2HCEyhRmEMmY6/s1600/DSC_0259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikyM2V4VoQA_CWm8ojTB1Tcg4DJBY7k1YF8ptDBxYRcqKallUGQQjnKrLuUARqHwM1ccEqUDZrW7UpGJ0C3h2XQJ7mfGwxuXs9LCNbpRLp-UC_l5BjeNnQMdEVX1cW79m2HCEyhRmEMmY6/s1600/DSC_0259.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Inside the station the Sergeant sees the approaching winged beast and flees out the front door, after discharging his shotgun into the ceiling. A Hanoverian guard, come to investigate the noise, sees the Sergeant run past him in terror, peers through the door and sees the winged beast bearing down on him. With Teutonic calmness he raises his rifle and shoots the creature in the head, killing it with one shot.<br />
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In the yard, the Fido the steam dog jumps on the ninja hiding in his smoke cloud and brings him down. Maggie's boys despatch the last of the chinamen from the carriage, and the WVC bruiser on the gallows brings his Ninja down. The elderly oriental gentleman steps back into his smoke cloud and disappears again.<br />
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Out in the square Frank, the tardy WVC deliveryman and the other Hanoverians mop up the last of the orientals, as the two remaining winged beasts on the roof take flight, one grasping a policeman in it's claws. Quatermain takes aim with the elephant gun at extreme range and fires. The beast is hit and windmills towards the ground, dropping the bobby who falls to earth somewhere near Liverpool Street (Quatermaine: "Poor chap. Probably for the best, though. Dammed thing would only have laid eggs in him or something.")<br />
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As the sound of battle dies down the skies clear and the plaintive wail of the WVC deliveryman can be heard "Oh no! Some buggers only gone and nicked me wagon! Mr. Grimshaw will 'ave me knackers for this!"<br />
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<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-32388665669696270502014-11-15T18:22:00.000+00:002014-11-16T14:03:28.891+00:00Combat Wombat Bullfrog Class Lander/VTOLI've been hankering for one of the little VTOL Landers that <a href="http://combatwombatminiatures.com/">Scott at Combat Wombat</a> sells. I needed to place an order for some of Scotty's turned brass barrels for another project, so I took the opportunity to nab a couple.<br />
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The Bullfrog is a 15mm lander made in grey resin. It comes in kit form and requires a moderate amount of assembly. The parts had some flash on them, as a result of the drop casting technique, but a rub over on some 80 grit sandpaper soon cleared that up and smoothed off the slightly rounded back face of the parts. I assembled using Zap-a-Gap thick super glue and a Filla-Glue kicker pencil.<br />
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The model went together very easily and the parts fit together really well. I chopped the detail off the upper surface of the pod and fixed it straight to the spine, but you could easily leave it loose and magnetise it for additional variety if required.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqMDCtdofR5ecdPNAeGEU0go9RUE3R6vE4JjM0lEM9X4yDE6pC_b83qZL1Vq5AJIdeH8wVOPgddNrFcC52WshK3i4dtzqVjCumEDfgjzqzp-BZs0cQGzOufDkNAk8ZPVvlNVaXf5oWd7b/s1600/Bullfrog+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqMDCtdofR5ecdPNAeGEU0go9RUE3R6vE4JjM0lEM9X4yDE6pC_b83qZL1Vq5AJIdeH8wVOPgddNrFcC52WshK3i4dtzqVjCumEDfgjzqzp-BZs0cQGzOufDkNAk8ZPVvlNVaXf5oWd7b/s1600/Bullfrog+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bullfrog Lander. Croak.</td></tr>
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I washed the model in some warm, soapy water and then, in honour of the name, gave it an all-over coat of GW Gnarlock Green foundation paint straight over the resin. A lander called Bullfrog has to be green. I have found the now OOP GW foundation paints to be really good at covering, and I'm happy to use them straight onto bare resin most of the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQawrMGrO59bn2rDxc00RqXpN9-yddyh-FXxyeWLJHvOyAurjXdIlvp4ov6wd6S0mLCj3_3_4otF4GAJN01_pEf4o6iXAVsfZ0n7cH1je4cxjprt_vLLwUQJqQsZjkykU9XrWVCKFVJBZG/s1600/Bullfrog+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQawrMGrO59bn2rDxc00RqXpN9-yddyh-FXxyeWLJHvOyAurjXdIlvp4ov6wd6S0mLCj3_3_4otF4GAJN01_pEf4o6iXAVsfZ0n7cH1je4cxjprt_vLLwUQJqQsZjkykU9XrWVCKFVJBZG/s1600/Bullfrog+5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished version and kit form sans pod.</td></tr>
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Once the green was dry I dry-brushed Dheneb Stone straight over the top then added a few metallic areas using the newer GW Leadbelcher. I then stippled on some Khermi Brown to represent paint chips. In retrospect, this was too light and I should have used Charadon Granite or Adeptus Battlegrey. The cockpit windows were then shaded from dark to bright using Necron Abyss, Mordian Blue and a very, very old pot of Lightning Bolt Blue. The blues were blended together whilst still wet to give a fairly gradual change.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjg0Ma2ytVtWiKcm1tkxVhZk8r83JVjynT5F-RdOJhUQf9nMzNApebNxZO-D2Z4v5Me32KU4FqCPdfadSoyF0Cf8YGtVbIPRwuEFexsLU478yTTSUQ9ukI0cbHde8YQk67z9UjfecgJdx/s1600/Bullfrog+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjg0Ma2ytVtWiKcm1tkxVhZk8r83JVjynT5F-RdOJhUQf9nMzNApebNxZO-D2Z4v5Me32KU4FqCPdfadSoyF0Cf8YGtVbIPRwuEFexsLU478yTTSUQ9ukI0cbHde8YQk67z9UjfecgJdx/s1600/Bullfrog+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The model can be assembled with or without the lift engines on the leg struts.</td></tr>
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A few areas of black were added around the engines and landing gear and then, as usual, I did the next bit in the wrong order. Instead of a gloss coat (or a coat of Pledge floor wax) and applying the decals from my Gundam 1/100 sets, the whole model got a a thin wash of the ever useful Devlan Mud with Nuln Oil in the metallic areas. I'll have to add the decals then dirty them up again before finally sealing the model.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL0AsDbmZur8zEexj4bfpPma1JFx7zJuAR4Iz9JcT55v9ZWJf51HCRZct7LyoJH_6Hy-4Hs3c1I-0X3RTBdYdmOwlPtTjQmJozOxOV4Koj-z5PMYOO1jxNfZ9PNTxYjliFgqeHpJrpXgZ/s1600/Bullfrog+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL0AsDbmZur8zEexj4bfpPma1JFx7zJuAR4Iz9JcT55v9ZWJf51HCRZct7LyoJH_6Hy-4Hs3c1I-0X3RTBdYdmOwlPtTjQmJozOxOV4Koj-z5PMYOO1jxNfZ9PNTxYjliFgqeHpJrpXgZ/s1600/Bullfrog+4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">GZG OUDF to the left and Armies Armies Neo-Sov on the right.</td></tr>
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The finished model is very nice indeed. There are few bubbles here and there, but nothing really unsightly. They are also a bargain at $7 each, which works out to about £4.50 so even with postage - still a bargain! One of my landers was missing it's pod, but Scott replied promptly to my email and is sending out a replacement and a spare to act as scatter terrain, which is a very generous gesture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsN8kik5zRwbaru62wr-oVxXA3TgTdsASNhwOwfb4JLkPAvxw87okA_d-HUe1N9xT7HhXvQ6no58shnmu42njSgazxRx1McHQKievvLdRyg9CxtI57tUMHnnspnokBx6DjmmVQeESv7WM/s1600/Bullfrog+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsN8kik5zRwbaru62wr-oVxXA3TgTdsASNhwOwfb4JLkPAvxw87okA_d-HUe1N9xT7HhXvQ6no58shnmu42njSgazxRx1McHQKievvLdRyg9CxtI57tUMHnnspnokBx6DjmmVQeESv7WM/s1600/Bullfrog+3.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exit ramp.</td></tr>
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I've prepared a Gruntz card for the lander. This version is unarmed, as I see it more as a utility lander than a combat asset, but I figured door guns would be possible.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0alGous5diCOd9uk3vr3-hHAlLvTzx-jSIwiAapbapVsRetgqxbNuXtp0VGbaztLyyMdu0XBj5VayBeCwc9LWD4z6GSkE4tErdvFMIhdMyOg59hBk9LjYTl8n8Fh0BY2DbeN9OHAnaeAU/s1600/Air+Support+Vehicle+-+Bullfrog+Utility+VTOL+37pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0alGous5diCOd9uk3vr3-hHAlLvTzx-jSIwiAapbapVsRetgqxbNuXtp0VGbaztLyyMdu0XBj5VayBeCwc9LWD4z6GSkE4tErdvFMIhdMyOg59hBk9LjYTl8n8Fh0BY2DbeN9OHAnaeAU/s1600/Air+Support+Vehicle+-+Bullfrog+Utility+VTOL+37pt.jpg" height="400" width="251" /></a></div>
GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-68593656216589731882014-10-17T12:00:00.000+01:002014-10-17T12:00:49.888+01:00Bovington Tank Museum Part 1 - pre 1946<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A quick photo tour of the outstanding <a href="http://www.tankmuseum.org/">Bovington Tank Museum.</a> I took these pictures more than 2 years ago, so there might have been a few changes since then. The new WW1 halls weren't built then, so no pictures from there. This post is very picture heavy and covers pre-1946 tanks. I'll do another post on the more modern stuff.<br />
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If you ever get a chance to visit Bovington, I highly recommend it. If your tastes run to more simian pursuits, you can also swing by <a href="http://www.monkeyworld.org/home.php">Monkey World</a> which is nearby.<br />
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Some of the pictures are a bit blurry as the shiny surfaces of the tanks were foxing the autofocus on my normally rock solid camera-phone.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gnfB2XMAFUe9KbYLcES7glGZULXDM6wYJm5cm8W3wJrUPRJYqFMOfhBN2bD7FEwc1LD2N047buX9k68TeLMBJPmrF9C3-_Y4e0445JVPQcTS_dS4V9RL3KwQlHRjRo13BW2R1bntUmCB/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6gnfB2XMAFUe9KbYLcES7glGZULXDM6wYJm5cm8W3wJrUPRJYqFMOfhBN2bD7FEwc1LD2N047buX9k68TeLMBJPmrF9C3-_Y4e0445JVPQcTS_dS4V9RL3KwQlHRjRo13BW2R1bntUmCB/s1600/DSC_0088.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view as you enter the main hall.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrujx7QsySOVeYOkpHLcsvZgBiyxK5hQcSuCAa5H6pSV17q4v_YtB-3mjEKntO26ooYSMY_ZleLhqekBYN48mXwIhcoNDT7qk1LVNhiz_wfQbz_B3C5Mg0kUD2JrJlBqiWwLQggGT1QwCj/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrujx7QsySOVeYOkpHLcsvZgBiyxK5hQcSuCAa5H6pSV17q4v_YtB-3mjEKntO26ooYSMY_ZleLhqekBYN48mXwIhcoNDT7qk1LVNhiz_wfQbz_B3C5Mg0kUD2JrJlBqiWwLQggGT1QwCj/s1600/DSC_0089.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Tiger. A huge and imposing tank, even compared to modern giants like the Challenger and Abrahams.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgGiExvm7tn32VEiLVolCBNgJsBpPwQUYDUm5R4uEAcRDZWi7Abc_Ay_LqVm4CCsaAQ9CqKw2yBz42G5Sc_hOUk1_FeY-vIq29dK_1QuAqqEsludW7B08A53pOuvdEKYEO9AB5wz4dIT/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRXgGiExvm7tn32VEiLVolCBNgJsBpPwQUYDUm5R4uEAcRDZWi7Abc_Ay_LqVm4CCsaAQ9CqKw2yBz42G5Sc_hOUk1_FeY-vIq29dK_1QuAqqEsludW7B08A53pOuvdEKYEO9AB5wz4dIT/s1600/DSC_0090.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jagdpanther with a fine example of early ambush camo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RYRJnd3AWG97D4xbvkgmEA5Z0gI9tcLQn7R_u_deDw3CEqHSaC3NfQ6xN3Us_LP2NQdX8_dETUiXWxsV50qdyTjKDAhRMtfJesn2Y07znMMDVGB6uhKO6nQgnvJVAHHdo1KrutRhTWKZ/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8RYRJnd3AWG97D4xbvkgmEA5Z0gI9tcLQn7R_u_deDw3CEqHSaC3NfQ6xN3Us_LP2NQdX8_dETUiXWxsV50qdyTjKDAhRMtfJesn2Y07znMMDVGB6uhKO6nQgnvJVAHHdo1KrutRhTWKZ/s1600/DSC_0091.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A9 cruiser tank with three turrets.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUFVagOkyjBDctCcOwdn2IM_Fnw8OWBRxWOHli-dI0NWWgR3uiX_9UXGmMsTbQx_EulGtIXrClqPA0jyNg77QiSSa9VVtoDn2E1vcv3bvHeKtNFZBFTd3ASNHEUzVRqMpBL8iohMbMTF1/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUFVagOkyjBDctCcOwdn2IM_Fnw8OWBRxWOHli-dI0NWWgR3uiX_9UXGmMsTbQx_EulGtIXrClqPA0jyNg77QiSSa9VVtoDn2E1vcv3bvHeKtNFZBFTd3ASNHEUzVRqMpBL8iohMbMTF1/s1600/DSC_0092.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">King Tiger with Henschel turret</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUSCq1Njx75c4lDMvImKasH_4_HIvsKVwN-NU7okOcN0hyPaeUruyTdxJnwFMOZ3J4J-3_q7zlXdeyKk9ie8CSbURSFUgGEFvicur4_3bEu-2CHrZaYLz9fgXHI4Ed0u4L_kfROD0PmaJ/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUSCq1Njx75c4lDMvImKasH_4_HIvsKVwN-NU7okOcN0hyPaeUruyTdxJnwFMOZ3J4J-3_q7zlXdeyKk9ie8CSbURSFUgGEFvicur4_3bEu-2CHrZaYLz9fgXHI4Ed0u4L_kfROD0PmaJ/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prototype Sherman tank - notice the three machine-guns mounted in the hull.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GjElXgSbIsLR_uUXfaTZvl80KJy7wYuLxONq-Dux1Q2_zU9uY288jZl5PuPWsjR-2txu_DJOyyubg254nYtuG243kJlxLRiYYImMTXimWtIx15eeJQS36y2ZpkfEa2HP0AstPHulQfkf/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GjElXgSbIsLR_uUXfaTZvl80KJy7wYuLxONq-Dux1Q2_zU9uY288jZl5PuPWsjR-2txu_DJOyyubg254nYtuG243kJlxLRiYYImMTXimWtIx15eeJQS36y2ZpkfEa2HP0AstPHulQfkf/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concrete mobile pillbox.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MVBMWUJobELyrT9yE_hn5LjirQT6dMBgm5_Wb_-hRCOu9doZxzchYy-b6repiC8juNr6jCFnSZcUtCM6EKYx4L7AOt_GOX_TUSD0F6OVWK2UcFR86TgY63-GPqXtUPX7Vh5E5Bi721LT/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6MVBMWUJobELyrT9yE_hn5LjirQT6dMBgm5_Wb_-hRCOu9doZxzchYy-b6repiC8juNr6jCFnSZcUtCM6EKYx4L7AOt_GOX_TUSD0F6OVWK2UcFR86TgY63-GPqXtUPX7Vh5E5Bi721LT/s1600/DSC_0095.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Covenanteer. Only ever used in training as it's engine overheated rapidly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQ6B-VXdkl5ujl9M0x-bU9HC0oMgAw5uTEagdGv0KvrbSAqXkRbqLFrB-6RPolR7ocIwJEcqkbP-vGWX0aI3ofh-yuql0MBVES7cilY_3RdazNZg57tXb_nSMga1Yu4Ach0uJlKxIemm/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRlQ6B-VXdkl5ujl9M0x-bU9HC0oMgAw5uTEagdGv0KvrbSAqXkRbqLFrB-6RPolR7ocIwJEcqkbP-vGWX0aI3ofh-yuql0MBVES7cilY_3RdazNZg57tXb_nSMga1Yu4Ach0uJlKxIemm/s1600/DSC_0096.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Preying Mantis tank. Designed to fire over obstacles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySa3GGKHcsw6liuKuiJ7OzkGenxgnj2H73V83kCl_OhymCPH1EJMkKSPPN_z-xzgtplkymX9Syt1EUjE7kSCCt8owx3jtXtmHTCl3Q1a3WepL_zYbRE_xM5e2LJzETUywft9SrnR5te5q/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySa3GGKHcsw6liuKuiJ7OzkGenxgnj2H73V83kCl_OhymCPH1EJMkKSPPN_z-xzgtplkymX9Syt1EUjE7kSCCt8owx3jtXtmHTCl3Q1a3WepL_zYbRE_xM5e2LJzETUywft9SrnR5te5q/s1600/DSC_0097.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jagdtiger SPG</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2JxLD_vF2swdPiRQ5hw9APBhyphenhyphenXKEQbLFCYLEoSD_El8Ljq6UpK7PVTFbKyz45kDolhrIqFpWClrd3jqa0VxBubHcp9MicGydIFSoaLwPMp5riGJEolykzeae7CObmBeTU_G6a8kTFgbq/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2JxLD_vF2swdPiRQ5hw9APBhyphenhyphenXKEQbLFCYLEoSD_El8Ljq6UpK7PVTFbKyz45kDolhrIqFpWClrd3jqa0VxBubHcp9MicGydIFSoaLwPMp5riGJEolykzeae7CObmBeTU_G6a8kTFgbq/s1600/DSC_0098.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chafee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcPpCapODTLnv9upmTAFSmOSzhj_FnZoSAyOYodt6hRrb-H2-_ucVtVXuSowChlkbYfjN1qFXKsYLJY7JUg1O5rb7psWIwgk-kAamwIEUGgWZFGGbV3n738eWU3ji9BaYnkjbIbUVWwoL/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYcPpCapODTLnv9upmTAFSmOSzhj_FnZoSAyOYodt6hRrb-H2-_ucVtVXuSowChlkbYfjN1qFXKsYLJY7JUg1O5rb7psWIwgk-kAamwIEUGgWZFGGbV3n738eWU3ji9BaYnkjbIbUVWwoL/s1600/DSC_0099.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panzer IV</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHj5coogMQsMx89Py_tGf4Iz28fGFDjqiTXqdWZ-aRsp2V77sAcaqM5Qzo4ZvPylx7EkBL3aSH_KUDtk9KfTlzkWlyCSSR-uXCHbGMIXMuE3IwwpnM-THFS9MxCQ0553hUKtdsJhs23cF/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHj5coogMQsMx89Py_tGf4Iz28fGFDjqiTXqdWZ-aRsp2V77sAcaqM5Qzo4ZvPylx7EkBL3aSH_KUDtk9KfTlzkWlyCSSR-uXCHbGMIXMuE3IwwpnM-THFS9MxCQ0553hUKtdsJhs23cF/s1600/DSC_0100.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churchill AVRE with spigot mortar </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBcg1sTn405iwWB80zTAywBQX0Vt3qOwk28ivqAWu76uBbKgPiE-hpX3o659uPPDgIRJX-02c1n1lv3SJODQkXMvkjZDC2lpZIdPEjeFihXb2g1DOBg7STZuFp8YQT7CobkG_sX3x_53Y/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBcg1sTn405iwWB80zTAywBQX0Vt3qOwk28ivqAWu76uBbKgPiE-hpX3o659uPPDgIRJX-02c1n1lv3SJODQkXMvkjZDC2lpZIdPEjeFihXb2g1DOBg7STZuFp8YQT7CobkG_sX3x_53Y/s1600/DSC_0101.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crusader</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOwmpbOqk3gIiVsrGmnBbiScf1_ktW-daia243F5dSUoQ1pVFVUFvuXstoEbQCGv7xUWD1EgVrnejTelCMIrhUN7Def1rk4YacpRW2SWXKuQ0IjE_mipFNsndVinsyMI0iqbImf4lebUs/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOwmpbOqk3gIiVsrGmnBbiScf1_ktW-daia243F5dSUoQ1pVFVUFvuXstoEbQCGv7xUWD1EgVrnejTelCMIrhUN7Def1rk4YacpRW2SWXKuQ0IjE_mipFNsndVinsyMI0iqbImf4lebUs/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teeny tiny Italian L3/33 flame Tankett. The top of the tank was lower than my belt buckle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQe4gffxve7p-EhMVR7qCmK0Jh_LAV8aYxCbwb_k09O90X0q54Tll8K2LjXJGkfGxPkILVKDXRApWH85XNZ87RbgFNsA1dPcGBwQBLRyI6zg8-cHxOVnWrKPz6S2qQBKL4ZsLz_0d577n/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQe4gffxve7p-EhMVR7qCmK0Jh_LAV8aYxCbwb_k09O90X0q54Tll8K2LjXJGkfGxPkILVKDXRApWH85XNZ87RbgFNsA1dPcGBwQBLRyI6zg8-cHxOVnWrKPz6S2qQBKL4ZsLz_0d577n/s1600/DSC_0103.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuart</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY8z-Oqt4NcGfHwbfPiNzwL0Y5kCSpGwZQvOCs3PWPxfEvysGpX8-xipksirf-X0ItekyM8x_YzlQnYLOocYmtnwsKAK3AAcfmMxk1sJIN2yGBWhVMw8jHunFPnw5GPO0EgBu_rHDj2yD/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY8z-Oqt4NcGfHwbfPiNzwL0Y5kCSpGwZQvOCs3PWPxfEvysGpX8-xipksirf-X0ItekyM8x_YzlQnYLOocYmtnwsKAK3AAcfmMxk1sJIN2yGBWhVMw8jHunFPnw5GPO0EgBu_rHDj2yD/s1600/DSC_0104.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Centurion Mk1 driver Training Vehicle. The gun barrel is made of wood on this one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnS9RPgN_uGlSCl5TZfOFijboyc-fwkXcAJIC0gVe2zANazb0Ech72ImKtS55Y73kHQ-SuHnJ8FwC-_YmLxiq7U8ldSu1_gzSfPpJPhW-P2LaaE4MXcIDkdZDMiv04OcCx1Popytz471f/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnS9RPgN_uGlSCl5TZfOFijboyc-fwkXcAJIC0gVe2zANazb0Ech72ImKtS55Y73kHQ-SuHnJ8FwC-_YmLxiq7U8ldSu1_gzSfPpJPhW-P2LaaE4MXcIDkdZDMiv04OcCx1Popytz471f/s1600/DSC_0105.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn6K2BrtBzcpy2MsGJwYhKNuFosvnMSxLC7fnUzZDP313NNjziqj3bb2qEBTOgMNA7xp7hiUi01-firgtcw5DYas59uPEHCbrwmZu736iKpohcXcKI_56liiguWLLcV_G7jJh-QS7Qtcu/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNn6K2BrtBzcpy2MsGJwYhKNuFosvnMSxLC7fnUzZDP313NNjziqj3bb2qEBTOgMNA7xp7hiUi01-firgtcw5DYas59uPEHCbrwmZu736iKpohcXcKI_56liiguWLLcV_G7jJh-QS7Qtcu/s1600/DSC_0106.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Black Prince - proposed upgrade to the Churchill with bigger engines, thicker armour and larger gun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9QH_OFjXLAMTpbpQije3NEKoFWyJ7m7e3PC024AsOvcAEZSyRB96SZx1OxK8pFar7QNlKOhUPVqEFBZSxrmdJ8eQ_7k3lDgV7BJys02pLZtsvrHCUGAQgKY8Z7mEycyLO3JeCyLMZ0g3/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9QH_OFjXLAMTpbpQije3NEKoFWyJ7m7e3PC024AsOvcAEZSyRB96SZx1OxK8pFar7QNlKOhUPVqEFBZSxrmdJ8eQ_7k3lDgV7BJys02pLZtsvrHCUGAQgKY8Z7mEycyLO3JeCyLMZ0g3/s1600/DSC_0107.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TOG 2 - a design by WW1 tank designers (The Old Gang - hence TOG) for a WW2 tank. It is the heaviest British tank ever built.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzWMojr-IEqkAafJl9yuWM0RwD8Faabyyrou3yHLtCwwVlF-irT2IKG75tS8Ec9JWPP8StEM4ZDwekHoCQl1fiLLQV4zwSsu_EczjpJ52MFoHCq3egibKoCuvbL7nZ93xw042qComKbaE/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzWMojr-IEqkAafJl9yuWM0RwD8Faabyyrou3yHLtCwwVlF-irT2IKG75tS8Ec9JWPP8StEM4ZDwekHoCQl1fiLLQV4zwSsu_EczjpJ52MFoHCq3egibKoCuvbL7nZ93xw042qComKbaE/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Ram Tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqkOh3YM0UFwPNNZO6xlNb7zuEAPlpcdHZhWEwtk3JyfaorzbK0e0GEBLOoVPLkbCkJvD3d6c4Oa4zPwE8pxM4MVrsyGqmdMdt7s6OWB5yg7aakyqezZt1-numMTWAEcXbcQ-rxObWV_k/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqkOh3YM0UFwPNNZO6xlNb7zuEAPlpcdHZhWEwtk3JyfaorzbK0e0GEBLOoVPLkbCkJvD3d6c4Oa4zPwE8pxM4MVrsyGqmdMdt7s6OWB5yg7aakyqezZt1-numMTWAEcXbcQ-rxObWV_k/s1600/DSC_0124.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SEFOP-AP shot through a steel test plate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hx5nSE1LXxJCE07VcyF-VKWSVOaXp5oBKNUXSbyg6xhyB0ERfXl-PJO595NcELQxnD6kfIqf9kBfBE1cDXUybnpz4pm5-s2OMxh9ieSzJVrMSQJJNCwsuz5usQx5PqHo7c3Jqmk4ioeY/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hx5nSE1LXxJCE07VcyF-VKWSVOaXp5oBKNUXSbyg6xhyB0ERfXl-PJO595NcELQxnD6kfIqf9kBfBE1cDXUybnpz4pm5-s2OMxh9ieSzJVrMSQJJNCwsuz5usQx5PqHo7c3Jqmk4ioeY/s1600/DSC_0148.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crusader</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRKNxfNgYpxjpBAklItYyJdScI5tnkFubRQ26-Aikr_hIppFC64VUucHxzIBwdizK0VojBo_fJCiYvz_N8xvqHQtN_C41jkzLRGv86iW6tb9AI8CmoM3XObP2aICX5rEA_ly-zq11loBD/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRKNxfNgYpxjpBAklItYyJdScI5tnkFubRQ26-Aikr_hIppFC64VUucHxzIBwdizK0VojBo_fJCiYvz_N8xvqHQtN_C41jkzLRGv86iW6tb9AI8CmoM3XObP2aICX5rEA_ly-zq11loBD/s1600/DSC_0149.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panther</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvHHOAq7asJ8iup2cHch-D5AN1YIpnmwM0d39z_cH4vQNIGqrAN3nq2DLC8xFOiK3XzaMfuFdvNAQLQDXqfhLroETOa7psMvL4C1ccVkkJdBVjdbdArDWgYyEarA-Jnb74CKm9JWTl4Ah/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvHHOAq7asJ8iup2cHch-D5AN1YIpnmwM0d39z_cH4vQNIGqrAN3nq2DLC8xFOiK3XzaMfuFdvNAQLQDXqfhLroETOa7psMvL4C1ccVkkJdBVjdbdArDWgYyEarA-Jnb74CKm9JWTl4Ah/s1600/DSC_0150.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tiger 131, the only one still running in the world as far as I know. It was captured in Tunisia after being disabled by a very lucky 6lb anti-tank gun shot jammed the turret. The shot didn't penetrate, but the heat of the impact spot-welded the turret ring to the hull, preventing it from turning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmoByUxBmljnieCgBvSuTIaEOSVCnWZ_T1hxgfWUTiiOiBSXGwlMA5J80DtPPGaBnUnoSoefFiercseX5CbN4EplZcEBmQq_t4jDTHFua8y0C-5mZ5eWRcIe8FFoRQ7dYchl-Trv9Wrh/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmoByUxBmljnieCgBvSuTIaEOSVCnWZ_T1hxgfWUTiiOiBSXGwlMA5J80DtPPGaBnUnoSoefFiercseX5CbN4EplZcEBmQq_t4jDTHFua8y0C-5mZ5eWRcIe8FFoRQ7dYchl-Trv9Wrh/s1600/DSC_0151.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close up of the marks where the disabling 6lb solid shot skimmed the bottom of the barrel before hitting the gun mantlet and jamming the turret traverse ring, disabling the tank.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz_VRM6EgT0CNBc8-1bws0HqL865QlhhoLDCJ5oTyNa_2pZwIUvbZYK5FFdf07mhRRdCYSDbmCQEzbJwCuqBdKFgoW6eGUTylCabbzP11f4gDJH_O0QD9HXpfDNaHvr-2Zb-xfcwScGOg/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz_VRM6EgT0CNBc8-1bws0HqL865QlhhoLDCJ5oTyNa_2pZwIUvbZYK5FFdf07mhRRdCYSDbmCQEzbJwCuqBdKFgoW6eGUTylCabbzP11f4gDJH_O0QD9HXpfDNaHvr-2Zb-xfcwScGOg/s1600/DSC_0152.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls3bIqr0_bVlt0rFgneKB3FxyNKmrShyphenhyphenMt5NVIm0w_j0iYp-k2EksdR6hj6H3kvRMJM0dfwE3s6i8DrDS-FMQSkRQoJPj8JmcvLjoiJHEHWNxpjYxwH0vBCgkl1cfvz0xUytVgMYpxQ5X/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjls3bIqr0_bVlt0rFgneKB3FxyNKmrShyphenhyphenMt5NVIm0w_j0iYp-k2EksdR6hj6H3kvRMJM0dfwE3s6i8DrDS-FMQSkRQoJPj8JmcvLjoiJHEHWNxpjYxwH0vBCgkl1cfvz0xUytVgMYpxQ5X/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cromwell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl5y7yDsB007ySjh3WpLydmBSBnHlFVXcnd9ArcQlRyXLUC6QiDzkl9kwH59fKf8BiPENtTqpvvyTCabUPBGmLu6J0kEs6i8UC2VAO6znmBhHGtDe7SQIlvR-STfV4YnZebbsLtSZpwqq/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl5y7yDsB007ySjh3WpLydmBSBnHlFVXcnd9ArcQlRyXLUC6QiDzkl9kwH59fKf8BiPENtTqpvvyTCabUPBGmLu6J0kEs6i8UC2VAO6znmBhHGtDe7SQIlvR-STfV4YnZebbsLtSZpwqq/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M4 Sherman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ED2z2hF53gB0vsu2TFDuJRj0F26wVD1GHMKA7EC9qRnZh_SRgGG8ksDsAwGYLpyPt6AqueHeZrKd4shHH9K077fwWHmiQ2_LgY5Nf_zwizH-THFLYJiP9lWIlbav8IcsfZJKntoEeuQp/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ED2z2hF53gB0vsu2TFDuJRj0F26wVD1GHMKA7EC9qRnZh_SRgGG8ksDsAwGYLpyPt6AqueHeZrKd4shHH9K077fwWHmiQ2_LgY5Nf_zwizH-THFLYJiP9lWIlbav8IcsfZJKntoEeuQp/s1600/DSC_0163.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vickers A1E1 Multi Turret Tank</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-18402781709330130282014-10-01T14:17:00.000+01:002014-10-01T14:32:40.524+01:00Empire Of the Dead - Game 1On Saturday we played our first game of <a href="http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=204">Empire of the Dead by West Wind Productions</a>. Myself, AGG, MBB and The Ginger One are playing a narrative campaign being ably game-mastered by Big Steve. The factions are as follows:<br />
<br />
Me: Department 13 (aka "bloody meddlers")<br />
AGG: Whitechapel Vigilance Comitte (aka "unwashed ruffians")<br />
MBB: The Diogenes Club<br />
TGO: Whitechapel Police: Hell Division (aka: "It's the coppers!" and "useless flatfoots")<br />
<br />
Big Steve provided all the figures and scenery, including a fantastic scratch-built church, apart from the grass baseboard which I had. Cotton wool and teddy-bear stuffing stood in for the London fog. The scenario had been building up to the first game through a series of pre-game moves conducted by e-mail. A spate of grizzly murders had taken place in East London, concentrated around the Manor Park Cemetery. A body, horribly mutilated, was discovered there and seized by the police. Department 13 then seized the corpse from the police.The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee had noticed a rise in armed men threatening extortion on it's turf and engaged them in battle, causing the police something of a headache.<br />
<br />
On a misty evening three of the factions all decide to take a look at what is going in in Manor Park cemetery...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lfcB-rmF5K3IUvaz7IZ-rLL5cn3LX-w0w70r2EuZvzmt4VgK-bcsU8LBEDKSAzL7oU06KPSfi4NxTy1i4V3wmWk5FSXnAB7exLs4RlKDxyBaLzWZm-PqWEMKJmE08uWl-CJidOmhc2Nf/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0lfcB-rmF5K3IUvaz7IZ-rLL5cn3LX-w0w70r2EuZvzmt4VgK-bcsU8LBEDKSAzL7oU06KPSfi4NxTy1i4V3wmWk5FSXnAB7exLs4RlKDxyBaLzWZm-PqWEMKJmE08uWl-CJidOmhc2Nf/s1600/DSC_0222.jpg" height="640" width="545" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Foggy Manor Park Cemetery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The factions all arrived from the slums and tenements of the East End and proceeded into the fog. Department 13 had Alan Quatermaine, his loyal companion "frank" and Agent One and Agent Two. Police H division had Inspector Reid, a Police Sergeant and four bobbies. The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee had sent their leader, Mr. Lusk, along with seven stout fellows armed with saps, half a house brick in a sock, various bits of wood and broken bottles. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYCLOGpVh18L098NLAmd6sABf3tSNdbLX4sd-frbSq23Wamr24GjBoSe8kt9w86_Xw9dHOSXfdewCQSnaqXiy8C8kTJA8jFBsHc1qQ_XPTGGmfe02cvaGyHlW1hW4HMN6B6MUV0idtoDt/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNYCLOGpVh18L098NLAmd6sABf3tSNdbLX4sd-frbSq23Wamr24GjBoSe8kt9w86_Xw9dHOSXfdewCQSnaqXiy8C8kTJA8jFBsHc1qQ_XPTGGmfe02cvaGyHlW1hW4HMN6B6MUV0idtoDt/s1600/DSC_0223.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Department 13 at the bottom, Hell Division in the middle and the WVC at top</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The factions moved into the park. The bobbies left one of their number by the park gates to keep an eye out, and call for reinforcements if required.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKwEtAtmX1ScaCoHSuT1sRLWGvu107ndxSnJpRL_ZvuY70LjAYVmqjw9i-H_8lBl4_Eqe5GiW6k02Bmmo_KqfWi7q_xmx_j3Sbpmwu7U89fwzW8xKpv3XV33nXo_McyO19YaMMWBaAGec/s1600/DSC_0224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKwEtAtmX1ScaCoHSuT1sRLWGvu107ndxSnJpRL_ZvuY70LjAYVmqjw9i-H_8lBl4_Eqe5GiW6k02Bmmo_KqfWi7q_xmx_j3Sbpmwu7U89fwzW8xKpv3XV33nXo_McyO19YaMMWBaAGec/s1600/DSC_0224.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Department 13. Agents One and Two to the right, "Frank" and Quatermaine to the left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Vision was limited to 4 inches due to the foggy conditions, and noises were muffled. Suddenly, a woman's screams were heard from further inside the park. The factions began to move quicker through the fog now. One of the police spotted a blurred shape through the fog and moved to investigate, then one of the WVC spotted another.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp6Qh4ipkaLPH6lNJj2WFgahxdsklkER7ICk8dScEx9-5onVNfmdn-kBSmJbY4GLm7iDXpJSKcbsY2JB3u9jnJfhMn4rfgZBJwedoQlAblUMOtye4CNOhHA54fhbZwwgGFerBAfk9QWIp/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzp6Qh4ipkaLPH6lNJj2WFgahxdsklkER7ICk8dScEx9-5onVNfmdn-kBSmJbY4GLm7iDXpJSKcbsY2JB3u9jnJfhMn4rfgZBJwedoQlAblUMOtye4CNOhHA54fhbZwwgGFerBAfk9QWIp/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oriental visitor receives a warm, East End "welcome" kicking.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Out of the fog loomed an elaborately dressed oriental man, hacking at a woman's body. As soon as the Chinamen saw the bobbies and the WVC they rushed them, swinging exotic oriental swords! The police and the WVC heavies traded blows with the orientals to cries of "What's all this then?" and "He's taking a liberty!" After a few rounds of combat they were disabled. The police despatched one of their officers to handcuff and drag the unconscious Chinaman off for questioning, whilst the WVC gave the other a "mild" kicking for taking such liberties, then discussed what to do with him,</div>
<br />
Meanwhile, Department 13, Inspector Reid and Mr. Lusk converged on the church. A sinister chanting could be heard from all around, seeming to come from everywhere in the fog at once.<br />
<br />
Department 13 arrived at the church first, to hear a babies cries cut short by a sickening thump, as a figured darted towards the church doors. Agent One and Two held positions by the door, as Quatermaine took aim with his enormous .600 Nitro Express Elephant Gun and Frank moved up into the doorway.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYNSTDBBJ8zST9V_133q3KAnE43xTGMhm9BdCywzN67PVZXlgl6UACDnnWwjp7nKxRSRM8InHCiKt3sJzFWGl6iP0sTlZbBTxGERw76CuwNgIXTG5EtZxpyuFq3Oy7KuF_KngviODupNx/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYNSTDBBJ8zST9V_133q3KAnE43xTGMhm9BdCywzN67PVZXlgl6UACDnnWwjp7nKxRSRM8InHCiKt3sJzFWGl6iP0sTlZbBTxGERw76CuwNgIXTG5EtZxpyuFq3Oy7KuF_KngviODupNx/s1600/DSC_0227.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Frank found the tragic sight of a dead infant, it's brains dashed out against the church doors. He and Agents One and Two moved into the church, with Quatermaine following up. The WVC decided to send two chaps off to investigate the walled graveyard to the left of the church and the small graveyard behind it. Reid sent his two bobbies off to the right of the church whist he followed Department 13 in through the church doors, leaving the Sergeant to guard the gate.<br />
<br />
Inside the church Department 13 was greeted by a grisly sight. Unused for years the church was dusty and dank but the most terrible sight was that the floor was littered with skulls! Frank spotted a trail of footprints in the dust, leading to a set of stairs at the back of the church, leading up into the tower. Department 13 hurried on.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the bobbies had dragged the unconscious Chinaman to the road and summoned a Black Mariah carriage to take him away. One of the bobbies then returned to the cemetery to have a word with the WVC chap who was sitting on the chest of the second unconscious Chinaman about due process, rights of the arrested and not giving a downed man "a good shoeing just to be on the safe side".<br />
<br />
In the church, Quatermaine and his merry men reached the top of the tower. Agent One, Quatermaine and Frank stealthily crept through the trap door, whilst Agent Two blocked the stairs. On the tower roof the Department 13 officers saw a man in heavy cloak and robes attacking a white, marble altar with a sledgehammer. Quatermaine raised his elephant gun and called out to the man who span around to reveal a hideous and deformed countenance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOsiKcB4mnXP06gDsTu5AAsI8ZDSJRsStcMxsrLO2swWrgRHH_N265ZYie4rss3MEzT5rSYOypnQAcHuaZrbXbo1DB66iqZKNcJh6EceoZeh7GXiutMHFzxKxw7GvNqzgsOEVPyCTHHEa/s1600/COTD-33+GREAT+UNCLE+THULU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOsiKcB4mnXP06gDsTu5AAsI8ZDSJRsStcMxsrLO2swWrgRHH_N265ZYie4rss3MEzT5rSYOypnQAcHuaZrbXbo1DB66iqZKNcJh6EceoZeh7GXiutMHFzxKxw7GvNqzgsOEVPyCTHHEa/s1600/COTD-33+GREAT+UNCLE+THULU.jpg" height="640" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clearly up to no good. Picture from the West Wind website.</td></tr>
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Reasoning that such a hideous individual must be up to no good, and that he'd already killed the baby downstairs, Quatermaine adopted the "shoot first and scrape up the residue for questioning later" approach and let him have both barrels of Elephant Gun to the face. The enormous boom echoed around the park, deafening all on top of the tower and showering those outside with bits of tentacle and gore.<br />
<br />
Quatermaine and his agents sprang into action, taking samples of the dead chap's blood and splattered gore and studying the altar that the fellow was so intent on destroying. Agent One discovered an ancient looking book in a hidden compartment, written in French ("Damm Frenchies, might of known they'd be up to something!").<br />
<br />
Inspector Reid had by now reached the top of the stairs where he engaged in a brief scuffle with Agent Two with cries of "Police business, let me pass!" and "Queen's Business, you can't go up there!". Agent Two, with the advantage of height, kept the inspector from passing. Outside the church the bobbies and WVC had thoroughly searched the graveyards near the church and had begun to head back towards the church. At the front gate to the cemetery the bobby was still waiting for the police carriage to arrive. His companion had taken charge of the other unconscious Chinaman and the grumbling WVC member ambled off into the fog to link up with Lusk.<br />
<br />
Back atop the tower, Frank carefully removed the book from the altar using his knife and Agent One quickly wrapped it in his jacket. As the book was removed from the altar the sinister chanting stopped. Quatermaine called down to Agent Two to let the inspector up. Presented by the sight of a headless corpse and Quatermaine literally holding the smoking gun the inspector was curious as to recent events ("What the bloody hell happen here, Quatermaine!"). Quatermaine, using his best innocent face, advised that the headless individual had been engaged in suspicious activity and when challenged, attacked he and his men, who then defended themselves. Honest, guv.<br />
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Back down in the graveyard things took a further sinister turn as, with a grinding and crunching of disturbed Earth, the graves began to burst open as the dead shambled to life!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUNZQ80-gNwLpp-y3292PmP59spf2QftyRuBijo5ovRDUmxSNh4DlAk3AlUMUwd3KVlK_WBorwxJDf99wfO634quJLIMoVQj5ftM4AbUDY3mkXL4TFQ7jAmETWJt8IsR5-gxZriy8NHd-/s1600/Victorian-Zombies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUNZQ80-gNwLpp-y3292PmP59spf2QftyRuBijo5ovRDUmxSNh4DlAk3AlUMUwd3KVlK_WBorwxJDf99wfO634quJLIMoVQj5ftM4AbUDY3mkXL4TFQ7jAmETWJt8IsR5-gxZriy8NHd-/s1600/Victorian-Zombies.jpg" height="640" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BRAINNNSSSSS! Image from www.stevenaustinart.com/</td></tr>
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The bobbies in the graveyard to the right of the church immediately caught sight of the shambling corpses bursting from their graves, as did the two WVC heavies behind the church. All of them decided being inside the church would be safer than being outside and sprinted for safety. In the middle of the cemetery Lusk and his companions could see activity in the walled graveyard, and vague shapes moving all around them. On the tower roof Reid, Agent One and Agent Two ran back down the stairs, whilst Quatermaine and Frank, in true heroic style, jumped off the tower and onto the church roof. The Sergeant at the church door ran back inside the church.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The zombies quickly moved towards the nearest warm flesh. Lusk and his men started moving towards the church, conducting a fighting retreat. Lusk fired a few shots at the approaching zombies, to no apparent effect, and the heavies with him attacked with the downed Chinamen's swords.</div>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7e-Fk1rYc3HUxJE4efCvA4ge4beGKbMlWVg165TNMjBgnZcnu2f6-gYv3IUR6h4LGMqWth3DpP7BQezooPUtbYoa7l69wBmDsxto9W40pkBniAaV35ytKBhCMRC8zSXCMxjZcHPMV74E/s1600/DSC_0230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7e-Fk1rYc3HUxJE4efCvA4ge4beGKbMlWVg165TNMjBgnZcnu2f6-gYv3IUR6h4LGMqWth3DpP7BQezooPUtbYoa7l69wBmDsxto9W40pkBniAaV35ytKBhCMRC8zSXCMxjZcHPMV74E/s1600/DSC_0230.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lusk and his men fight off the undead</td></tr>
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The zombies began to pile up around the walls of the church, and the pack follwing the two WVC members from the back of the church lost sight of them as they sprinted around the corner and into the church. The zombies then started to smash their way in through the stained glass windows.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On the roof Quatermaine and Frank edge along and jumped down onto the porch roof where they see the horrors that are shambling towards them. Quatermaine, made of stern stuff, grits his teeth and reloads the elephant gun...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6e5V31X68Q3Nytaz6tw1bFxtgrKMWhkp4dewsFyV2rAEiTxwzaFTPlTH3HDFwoJXlyHhv8Iz0r36NsKBmq9j5BCzF9nrxchTP5ry2kjbNdwuzRXlPyAG-JoeyPTy9AVZHtHhdV9KAq3F/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6e5V31X68Q3Nytaz6tw1bFxtgrKMWhkp4dewsFyV2rAEiTxwzaFTPlTH3HDFwoJXlyHhv8Iz0r36NsKBmq9j5BCzF9nrxchTP5ry2kjbNdwuzRXlPyAG-JoeyPTy9AVZHtHhdV9KAq3F/s1600/DSC_0228.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Inside the church the bobbies and WVC members scramble for cover as they recover from the shock of seeing the dead rise. Agent One and Agent Two calmly take aim and begin to blast the zombies as they smash through the windows.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV8ynSl9FQS5kfo75fF79eeGpSZTXnEznzR_gyPlCOsGF4hQvWti4fUu-ocDExxJYLiWXkbwOu6lleLI5GcTLLq1AdipNSGSR2yhp5DPoq7P7WOn39zTrtYar0S-N0PlK2CMcBT8cx17H/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVV8ynSl9FQS5kfo75fF79eeGpSZTXnEznzR_gyPlCOsGF4hQvWti4fUu-ocDExxJYLiWXkbwOu6lleLI5GcTLLq1AdipNSGSR2yhp5DPoq7P7WOn39zTrtYar0S-N0PlK2CMcBT8cx17H/s1600/DSC_0229.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Zombies burst into the church</td></tr>
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<div>
Quatermaine and Frank snipe at zombies from the rooftop. One of them starts to climb up onto the roof and Frank beheads him with a lovely <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/skills/4174474.stm">front foot sweep stroke</a> from his giant club. In the Graveyard Lusk and his men are sorely pressed, as zombies close in on every side. Despite a valiant fight, they are overwhelmed and Lusk and three of his men are torn to pieces. Quatermaine leaps down off the roof to try and assist Lusk, but is set upon by zombies. A fierce fight ensues. Quatermaine despatches one with his hunting knife as another swipes at him and knocks him down.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Frank leaps down and engages another group of zombies as the bobbies charge out from inside the church. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quatermaine is down!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Meanwhile, the bobby guarding the Chinaman in the cemetery sees the zombies approaching and, with a shriek of fear, sprints for the front gate. The bobby guarding the front gate sighs with relief as the police carriage arrives and loads the first unconscious Chinaman in the back. Just as he finishes this his fellow copper sprints past him to hide behind the carriage, babbling about "dead men walking". As a brace of zombies clamber over the cemetery wall, the carriage driver, deciding zombies are definitely "not my job, guv!" snaps the reigns and the carriage speeds off. The two police officers, confronted by half a dozen shambling corpses, sprint for the "safety" of the nearby alleyways.</div>
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<div>
Inside the church more zombies burst in. Agent One and Two despatch several and the tough fellows of the WVC engage several more with cries of "you muppet!" and "this geezers brown bread!" (actually, what AGG said as her men pounded the zombies was a good deal coarser - I love a woman who knows how to swear with conviction). The police Sergeant and Inspector Reid shoot at zombies breaking in through the other wall. The weight of fire reduces the threat, but not before two more members of the WVC are torn to ribbons. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7Bkq6MargeGON5ADvguRC45yr9Hzy3JUPwfr9bZuZKJ8EfKJGiNsMABU9uRZiqQD_ecmPBAja5dzqvOu8XpjTIIMakdOVXYM2NpQsFikHI8vSEpKAu_SyKLCTjwk1foheR-pBTmQb0C/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkl7Bkq6MargeGON5ADvguRC45yr9Hzy3JUPwfr9bZuZKJ8EfKJGiNsMABU9uRZiqQD_ecmPBAja5dzqvOu8XpjTIIMakdOVXYM2NpQsFikHI8vSEpKAu_SyKLCTjwk1foheR-pBTmQb0C/s1600/DSC_0231.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oi! Out of my church!"</td></tr>
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<div>
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<div>
With the immediate threat passed, Agent One and Two charge out of the church to take positions behind the church wall. Agent one takes a pot-shot at the zombie looming over Quatermaine and blasts it to pieces. Quatermaine stands up and despatches two zombies in quick succession. Frank is mobbed by zombies and, despite destroying several, is wounded. Agent Two comes to his aid and despatches the last. Outside the church walls the two bobbies fight off four zombies. Reid and the Sergeant emerge from the church after despatching the last of the zombies inside with the aid of the WVC bruisers. The combined fire-power of Quatermaine, Frank, Agents One and Two, Reid and his Sergeant quickly despatch the last of the rotten rotters.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3oX6g14geeW5IhzAO6ddsEu0ZBbbaQc8dJLAKw7JsfkDfeQtsmB4OUS6PtTFqFOIjI9JctFqr6RII36EmgExft8U7dSd4O6AhIfVYlmcxPMxNQeL9ZeSLwQi47ojL02Q6RmzNR_q1ISr/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY3oX6g14geeW5IhzAO6ddsEu0ZBbbaQc8dJLAKw7JsfkDfeQtsmB4OUS6PtTFqFOIjI9JctFqr6RII36EmgExft8U7dSd4O6AhIfVYlmcxPMxNQeL9ZeSLwQi47ojL02Q6RmzNR_q1ISr/s1600/DSC_0234.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last of the zombies are despatched at the church gates</td></tr>
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At the front gate, the two bobbies gather their wits and charge back to prevent the shambling dead from dispersing into the slums of the East End. They batter the putrid fiends with their truncheons but despite a valiant effort they are overcome. A handful of corpses shamble off into the foggy night to wreak havoc in the slums of the East End...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuaHbzuTwlXEsmScIlfLeireZqb52YrWP8snwczL2r6sBqLglorfQx3r6BGnxOFbgeCiOu1GPugOxiGwCT7hnROPoN8zpSveQ_AUiubnV7rSyiUHMzTLbsjiRP-OyTzdUHdyk98Z0EHct/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuaHbzuTwlXEsmScIlfLeireZqb52YrWP8snwczL2r6sBqLglorfQx3r6BGnxOFbgeCiOu1GPugOxiGwCT7hnROPoN8zpSveQ_AUiubnV7rSyiUHMzTLbsjiRP-OyTzdUHdyk98Z0EHct/s1600/DSC_0235.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />
As the sounds of battle die down and the fog began to clear it was time to take stock. Two bobbies and five members of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, including their leader, Mr. Lusk, were dead along with a Chinaman and the unidentified woman and baby. A handful of zombies had shambled off into the night to set upon the residents of the East End. On the positive side, a dangerous criminal in Mr. Tentacle Face had been defeated (that's Quatemaine's story and he's sticking to it) and Department 13 has secured a mysterious and obviously dangerous book before it could fall into the hands of the "incompetent flatfoots" or the "uncivilised ruffians".<br />
<br />
Since the game ended we've had a statement issued by the police:<br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Yesterday evening officers of H Division took steps to break-up a Chinese organisation responsible for the trafficking and enslavement of dozens of innocents.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">The criminals, who have been using the Manor Park cemetery to obfuscate their despicable activities, were confronted by officers of the law and a gunfight ensued.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">All of the villains were either killed or apprehended, those captured will be questioned and leads followed. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Three police officers lost their lives during the operation. I pay tribute to their courage, diligence and dedication to duty.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">Members of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee provided assistance to a number of police officers, I am grateful to them for their continuing support in the name of law and order.</span><br />
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Inspector E. Reid.<br />
H Division<br />
Metropolitan Police"</div>
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The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee has already elected it's new leader, Maggie "Hellcat" Malone, the landlady of the Black Eagle pub, notorious for her fighting, drinking and coarse language (I make no comment on similarities to AGG on any of those counts).<br />
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This was only the second war game that AGG had ever played, although we do a lot of boardgames and some RPG's together, so I was interested on her views following it:<br />
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"Even though my team was utterly, utterly destroyed by the zombies, I really enjoyed the game. I'm now looking forward to my Peggy Mitchell-esq landlady taking over the reigns of the WVC"<br />
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I also really enjoyed the game. The rules seem nice and straightforward, and the differences between the factions nicely defined, Department 13 had few, but capable figures and the WVC had a horde of lesser figures with the police somewhere in between. I'm really looking forward to the next set of inter-game moves and our next scenario.<br />
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-14685211865604239102014-08-12T18:55:00.001+01:002014-08-12T18:55:44.443+01:0015mm WW2 German Reinforced Rifle Platoon - fast and dirty paint up.<span id="goog_1811338956"></span><span id="goog_1811338957"></span><span id="goog_1970342587"></span><span id="goog_1970342588"></span>As part of our switch from <a href="http://www.flamesofwar.com/">Flames of War </a>to <a href="http://store.warlordgames.com/collections/bolt-action/books">Bolt Action</a> MBB and I have started to collect some German troops. I've managed to do this bit by bit, picking up odds and ends of damaged blisters from bargain bins at various Salute and SELWG shows, plastic model kits from PSC and Zvezda and the few last bits from <a href="http://www.peterpig.co.uk/">Peter Pig</a> - mostly AT guns and crew.<br />
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In the spirit of my previous<a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/15mm-ww2-us-rifle-platoon-fast-and.html"> 15mm WW2 US Rifle Platoon Fast and Dirty Paint Up</a>, I present my 15mm WW2 German Reinforced Rifle Platoon Paint up.<br />
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The paints I used for this were a mix of GW black undercoat, Tamiya XF-74 JGSDF Olive Drab, Tamiya XF-2 White and a selection of Vallejo Model (70.XXX) and Game (72,XXX) paints as shown below (excuse my crappy handwriting). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf5x8wlo6zQ-WoSVt__zTq0gj8zlkORUUOyz1sHZefRz2Fqq6cJVjXSP9jIhhbaFmjwRYMhF9jQjHvYLaf5WoY6SLezTo4kmHNTNqk53Mu4Afty7qAoJWJ8509OgOnklEgMPOUZjSZXC-/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglf5x8wlo6zQ-WoSVt__zTq0gj8zlkORUUOyz1sHZefRz2Fqq6cJVjXSP9jIhhbaFmjwRYMhF9jQjHvYLaf5WoY6SLezTo4kmHNTNqk53Mu4Afty7qAoJWJ8509OgOnklEgMPOUZjSZXC-/s1600/DSC_0175.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check the paint codes below, I wrote some of them down wrong. It's XF-74, not XF-72, for instance.</td></tr>
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I didn't have the equivalent Vallejo paint for the uniform base colour, Feldgrau, but after a little searching I found a recommendation for the Tamiya XF-74. The Tamiya website shows a very, very bright green colour for the XF-74 so I was initially sceptical. After I painted up a few test figures I was much more comfortable, though. The combination of a black base coat, heavy drybrush of XF-74 and then drybrush of XF-74/XF-2 mix as a highlight looked very good with a solid grey-green colour and not nearly as bright green as I had expected.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcRc2vhMiFzIV1grF4fFPNysGIFpuKMN1kYaboW0Rj2XtBqexKKXJwY9dDLV_GQmsEmrwG0YqMRFY1P2M2F_20Jy8x01lJn-eukRmmk7AtwtYOZ_qurqsS5eIKsa-HKRWY8zSclMuCHLj/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcRc2vhMiFzIV1grF4fFPNysGIFpuKMN1kYaboW0Rj2XtBqexKKXJwY9dDLV_GQmsEmrwG0YqMRFY1P2M2F_20Jy8x01lJn-eukRmmk7AtwtYOZ_qurqsS5eIKsa-HKRWY8zSclMuCHLj/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" height="224" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black undercoat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjCnhV-xko9ta5VudzDDXURhsJEaRCrbJVOpNxwUeBl1dsoBRDJUKgbk0tM-HJmInQ6PFPY-JpbQjdhOFMMfVmnlPuPcBRrNg1ksNKPQIsh9zEf8CO5lBRd9-yN6WWTTaCWaNcky1k2F8/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjCnhV-xko9ta5VudzDDXURhsJEaRCrbJVOpNxwUeBl1dsoBRDJUKgbk0tM-HJmInQ6PFPY-JpbQjdhOFMMfVmnlPuPcBRrNg1ksNKPQIsh9zEf8CO5lBRd9-yN6WWTTaCWaNcky1k2F8/s1600/DSC_0154.jpg" height="230" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">XF-74 drybrush uniform base coat</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbj7PTg3ljdEFXTI8hoPrXemQaq1lZiKay-zXUWSuc0hYQxSm6odRQBfw8u_x8OlDpHoAsUURlICI72N7vx46efQpDPccL6gj-zBzq7pnf8a9N5631IYPz1U051R1O_VtM100Et7t4q-x/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbj7PTg3ljdEFXTI8hoPrXemQaq1lZiKay-zXUWSuc0hYQxSm6odRQBfw8u_x8OlDpHoAsUURlICI72N7vx46efQpDPccL6gj-zBzq7pnf8a9N5631IYPz1U051R1O_VtM100Et7t4q-x/s1600/DSC_0160.jpg" height="216" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uniform highlight - 80/20 XF-74/XF2</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa1tZ9RbC6F7qoVlvadEoKAPDfqiBLcaIERPq4_LgFkLMtPw2foBGlwBKP48mtGp9UQ5MLCClVnxRZH-aGB7CNRyDlHkO8qMD3U7xWS1XppyxRJL3ytiIh6aPU_iWlAFDX_RZNphW1wlF/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa1tZ9RbC6F7qoVlvadEoKAPDfqiBLcaIERPq4_LgFkLMtPw2foBGlwBKP48mtGp9UQ5MLCClVnxRZH-aGB7CNRyDlHkO8qMD3U7xWS1XppyxRJL3ytiIh6aPU_iWlAFDX_RZNphW1wlF/s1600/DSC_0161.jpg" height="208" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helmet, Gasmask holder and mess tin painted Heavy Charcoal (72.115)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOINMWxrXWdtYsWGUSwxAaIVVeSvfFlPx2C-b0mdqIy72A9yEdblX9B69N3O4r08gaXQdoTW68ZyaB6wNiFWjOsk0oMGZceey-sJpMzZJr5jdKdqUWVrByOQfNanRDR43WfsgGcNI0qAir/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOINMWxrXWdtYsWGUSwxAaIVVeSvfFlPx2C-b0mdqIy72A9yEdblX9B69N3O4r08gaXQdoTW68ZyaB6wNiFWjOsk0oMGZceey-sJpMzZJr5jdKdqUWVrByOQfNanRDR43WfsgGcNI0qAir/s1600/DSC_0164.jpg" height="178" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water bottle cover painted Beige Brown (70.875)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9xnlqgtgUGt-JruSgA9k4LF6jwp76fQwlLDE6zb2LAtYj1_nf2IMbAyBoTLNbQnnVMPDgb-Uy3iuLRDqaMNmwOZkbgM47N_zJKwoklKpz060AsRdZxXJCN1fU8Q6ByNlXOcdGGkgmZUj/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9xnlqgtgUGt-JruSgA9k4LF6jwp76fQwlLDE6zb2LAtYj1_nf2IMbAyBoTLNbQnnVMPDgb-Uy3iuLRDqaMNmwOZkbgM47N_zJKwoklKpz060AsRdZxXJCN1fU8Q6ByNlXOcdGGkgmZUj/s1600/DSC_0165.jpg" height="210" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camo cape and bread bag painted Brown Violet (70.887 - not 877 as indicated on chart above)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZONWKczkvQRYhthe0JoYrhyphenhyphenPCAYbuB6WU7vZwtRBN3yk4Gz7BS-vNIe-rEPx94kj0qgU5oRgUNqiRi9H2fv4au1bOFiGu4yZZU-ecnSFLrW34PdMj5GcpzafaXuP68dVBEeZYVMunN1J/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZONWKczkvQRYhthe0JoYrhyphenhyphenPCAYbuB6WU7vZwtRBN3yk4Gz7BS-vNIe-rEPx94kj0qgU5oRgUNqiRi9H2fv4au1bOFiGu4yZZU-ecnSFLrW34PdMj5GcpzafaXuP68dVBEeZYVMunN1J/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" height="206" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rifle stocks and camo patches painted Flat Brown (70.984)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioELHm0krYX04W6bvShu3Pn_zRipa8AXLAO8muhI1HYtZukzhUqMOqbpedibiG6-FgNxekTaclCmonCvbleH_bv_Ys_3UdHSD3rH5eO08zRRgGqqCO6c3f8Yx2iFDbvhOIbLQ5NUSGPBnd/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioELHm0krYX04W6bvShu3Pn_zRipa8AXLAO8muhI1HYtZukzhUqMOqbpedibiG6-FgNxekTaclCmonCvbleH_bv_Ys_3UdHSD3rH5eO08zRRgGqqCO6c3f8Yx2iFDbvhOIbLQ5NUSGPBnd/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" height="190" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ammo pouches and knapsack painted German Camo Black Brown (70.822)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkBUFdS6lHS_yN-GCszSnKeTjx4WptbFuHLPZ9IsnI_8qJjfLadXImJ-BhLAkkxLiP_E63byXkRCfA_SlC6yjcoBguFS65rTXeHDU62oGtG42wcdPC_x4Yx9WZTmbsM7BhrxvYAgJZ2xG/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkBUFdS6lHS_yN-GCszSnKeTjx4WptbFuHLPZ9IsnI_8qJjfLadXImJ-BhLAkkxLiP_E63byXkRCfA_SlC6yjcoBguFS65rTXeHDU62oGtG42wcdPC_x4Yx9WZTmbsM7BhrxvYAgJZ2xG/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" height="170" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flesh painted with Flat Flesh (70.955)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBsC4QnLPXt_iNcPPUyvnnC0llvFtv21aP8bpcwIEUxtVCembljhyphenhyphencYzYavanEmNofL7Awqo_Gp4qH7h3og5R4sLJ_3w-GmixolOZppAd_7tiKMUd_5XI8e7fxGk8u_218U63QJaxyXmP/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBsC4QnLPXt_iNcPPUyvnnC0llvFtv21aP8bpcwIEUxtVCembljhyphenhyphencYzYavanEmNofL7Awqo_Gp4qH7h3og5R4sLJ_3w-GmixolOZppAd_7tiKMUd_5XI8e7fxGk8u_218U63QJaxyXmP/s1600/DSC_0171.jpg" height="220" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boots, Belts and Y-straps painted Black (70.950)</td></tr>
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Any equipment, such as infantry mortars, ammo boxes, Panzerfausts was then painted with German Camo Orange Ochre. Mortar rounds were painted Cavalry Brown, as I'd read that German hi-explosive rounds were painted red somewhere. My Cavalry Brown is much more of a deep red than brown.</div>
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Once these steps were complete the figures got a generous wash with peat brown ink, allowing it to settle into the hollows but making sure it didn't pool anywhere. It's the same effect as you'd get from using one of the pre-made stains such as the Vallejo Washes, Army Painter strong/soft tone, a polyurethane wood stain any of the various recipes for "dip" using floor polish except much less sticky and smelly. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCj_Lf4Kz4p0LlMvIpAmb8nBS_VdjpJB1Of3fW5ioadlcoSIigra6kM3BDrI9Lkk-5YLSNxZAYNXgtawl62E67BSsj1MrxC7Bi99yqW9tbP6Duj8mM1-MOox21g_sW6vIXy8F134L5YPU/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCj_Lf4Kz4p0LlMvIpAmb8nBS_VdjpJB1Of3fW5ioadlcoSIigra6kM3BDrI9Lkk-5YLSNxZAYNXgtawl62E67BSsj1MrxC7Bi99yqW9tbP6Duj8mM1-MOox21g_sW6vIXy8F134L5YPU/s1600/DSC_0173.jpg" height="182" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washed with Windsor and Newton Peat Brown ink</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWItkNspwQTY3dVH5Up9w7P80Ypisa_x5OULbWM_QZPCOcQW1aYnR5DpAFNXoOFWYPoGA3JhMpAVz507s0cL0vi8Agt_HglKrKupyZ5BjRExw8yGTxaVU8CSrA5qV-11CUXxv9IuezDZK/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWItkNspwQTY3dVH5Up9w7P80Ypisa_x5OULbWM_QZPCOcQW1aYnR5DpAFNXoOFWYPoGA3JhMpAVz507s0cL0vi8Agt_HglKrKupyZ5BjRExw8yGTxaVU8CSrA5qV-11CUXxv9IuezDZK/s1600/DSC_0172.jpg" height="390" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed platoon including Goliath, Panzershreks and support mortars and the materials and tools used.</td></tr>
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The figures were then gently prized from the lolly sticks and based individually or in groups of 2-3 for the support weapons. For bases I used 2mm thick MDF circles in 20, 30 and 40mm diamter from <a href="http://war-bases.co.uk/">Warbases</a><br />
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The figures still need to have their basing texture added and then be varnished, which I will do after I have painted the ATG's, IG's and various other bits that need to be based. AT the moment the ATG's are all loose, and I'm debating whether to base the motorbike teams, scout cars and Kubelwagens. I'm tempted to get a Kettenkrad and Schwimmwagen just for the lolz.<br />
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Here's the full platoon with an assortment of attachments. I have another 2 of the Zvezda Sdkf 251 halftracks to build, and a long barrelled PzIV on the way to me. The barrels on the Wiebelwind at the top right had to be replaced with brass rod as they were just too flimsy. I built up the muzzle brakes by dipping them into super-glue to get a blob on the end and then squirting it with accelerator to get it to dry fast, leaving behind a blob I could sand into shape easily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGe2ofqufoIShalAKyjXERkyLmzXx-TZp9uQ8CNopWBH-F6OiJ-bOsaK35jd80lhUwLZKpw6Wi-4nBUyKOwpYtHh_jddN_sYia8nKYRdIISx9ERV7_xEAzJe4-eIAweHdEr0O4xylU_nU/s1600/DSC_0176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjGe2ofqufoIShalAKyjXERkyLmzXx-TZp9uQ8CNopWBH-F6OiJ-bOsaK35jd80lhUwLZKpw6Wi-4nBUyKOwpYtHh_jddN_sYia8nKYRdIISx9ERV7_xEAzJe4-eIAweHdEr0O4xylU_nU/s1600/DSC_0176.jpg" height="330" width="640" /></a></div>
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-9171067781247895932014-08-03T13:09:00.000+01:002014-08-03T13:18:13.233+01:00Expensive lesson learnt - Ion Age AddersI recently purchased a brace of <a href="http://theionage.com/collections/15mm-prydian-vehicles">Adder Support Sleds</a> from <a href="http://theionage.com/">Ion Age</a>. I picked them up as part of the early supporter package, so they were a bargain at £3 each. I got 3 of the railgun armed ones, 3 of the gatling ones, a mortar and a missile launcher. The package arrived in good time and the models were really well protected. I also got the free early bird figure, a nice female adventurer.<br />
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I planned to paint them in a Berlin Brigade inspired urban camouflage of rust red, grey and white, like this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFv_q5QW3Cx3bEpqc5MjbHb8IVOUJo3rVJHr8iCnQZNycyu1sYEV5dgpcLB8bLRdr34DUc_xfjkO9hWFXF0CMd-c281u5WYasb3afpgxukqPkZcHhMp_KLZ8_karzLNwPabh8BMSbpHA8/s1600/berlinchieftaintankfest2006+(10).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFv_q5QW3Cx3bEpqc5MjbHb8IVOUJo3rVJHr8iCnQZNycyu1sYEV5dgpcLB8bLRdr34DUc_xfjkO9hWFXF0CMd-c281u5WYasb3afpgxukqPkZcHhMp_KLZ8_karzLNwPabh8BMSbpHA8/s1600/berlinchieftaintankfest2006+(10).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">picture sourced from the web - but I believe it's from Bovington Tank Museum</td></tr>
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When the British army arrived in segregated Berlin in the 1960's with their green painted tanks, they realised they stuck out like a sore thumb on the streets of the city. All of the tanks got this distinctive urban pattern, in exactly the same style and design on each tank, so the East German secret police couldn't count how many tanks there were by comparing different camouflage patterns. It works quite well in a city environment:<br />
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So, my plan was to use a trusty can of Halfords Red undercoat for the red parts (also makes a quite good Rotbraun for WW2 tanks), then use my <a href="http://www.anarchymodels.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=27&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1&vmcchk=1&Itemid=1">Anarchy Models HD stencil </a>sheets to mask off the pattern, then over-spray with grey, repeat the masking and then spray with white. I could do all three from rattle cans - I could do all three with Halfords undercoat in fact as these are the three colours they come in.<br />
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Neat idea. However, I did lots of things wrong.<br />
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I didn't wash the models before assembly and then I didn't wash them before spraying them. Washing in warm water and washing up liquid removes any build up of grease and oil from handling during construction, and it also removes any of the mould release agent that is used to stop the model from sticking to the mould it is cast in. You can also use a good soaking in white vinegar to do the same thing.<br />
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I then sprayed in the middle of a hot day in direct sunlight. The paint dries very quickly from spray cans. In warm weather it can dry in the air before it hits a model, which can lead to poor adhesion and a rough, grainy surface. Spraying in strong, direct sunlight means the model itself can heat up, further speeding the drying time and lessening the adhesion. I also sprayed too much, too quickly. A single, thick coat is also less likely to adhere. Multiple thin coats are better than one thick one.<br />
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I left the models to dry for a while and then started to apply the stencils. I was just finishing my third model when I needed to reposition a stencil. The Anarchy Models stencils are made from a thin, vinyl film and have a good "stickiness" so they'll bend round corners and stay stuck down, instead of lifting off. As I peeled this one away to reposition it, it pulled a huge flake of the red paint away with it. A quick test showed the same problem on all the models - the usually brilliant Halfords paint hadn't adhered at all well. It needed to be removed and re-sprayed.<br />
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The Adders are made of a fine, grey resin with a few white metal accessories. My usual method of removing paint from resin and metal models is to dunk it in nail varnish remover for 24 hours then scrub with a toothbrush. I've had great results from this on any number of resin models so far, but mostly the "white chocolate" type resin, as AGG calls it. I separated the parts, arranged them in a suitable container and poured over the nail varnish remover, tightly sealed the lid to keep the stinky fumes down and went to watch The Lego Movie ("Everything is awesome!").<br />
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This morning I returned to the models to begin the scrubbing. However, the resin had reacted badly to the nail varnish remover and the tanks had softened and split in many places. The thinnest parts of the resin are the worst affected, with the thin walls of the turret wells in the main body especially bad - not a single one remains intact.Many of the details like the tool boxes and headlight clusters have softened and a few have broken off. The vehicle bodies themselves are also bulgy and distorted, as though they have expanded slightly. The glacis plate has split on another and a third has a big chunk of resin that has sloughed off from the underneath, where it looks like there was an air bubble just below the surface. The turrets seem OK, apart from one of the missiles on the launcher turret hace split off and one of the rail gun turrets has bulged and split underneath where I had drilled out a hole for a pin to keep the nose-heavy rail guns from pitching the turret forward.<br />
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The nail varnish remover also seems not to have removed the paint that well - in fact it seems like the paint has actually seeped into the resin. This would make sense if the resin became softened and porous as it reacted to and absorbed some of the nail varnish remover.<br />
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The vehicles are currently drying out in the sun to see if they can be salvaged, but I'm not hopeful. If the resin remain soft they won't accept any paint and will just have to be binned. If it does harden back up and the red paint isn't still a gooey mess I may be able to salvage a couple, but the remainder may only be good as burnt out wrecks.<br />
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So, a lesson learnt. I'm not sure why, but the softer, grey resin reacts badly with nail varnish remover. Possibly it may be that it has a higher plastic content similar to the new "restic" miniatures ranges such as the Reaper Bones and Sedition Wars figures.<br />
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The Adders are lovely models, and if I can't salvage them I probably will replace them in due course. The most annoying thing for me is that all of this could have been avoided had I just remembered all the things I should have, and usually would have, done.GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-54774640228125010132014-07-17T12:29:00.000+01:002014-07-17T12:29:01.212+01:00Liebster AwardI'm very flattered to have been nominated for a Liebster award by the spectacularly named <a href="http://isentropicendoscope.blogspot.co.nz/">Inward-curving Isentropic Endoscope of Doctor Cornelius</a>.<br />
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To quote the good Dr. Cornelius:<br />
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"The Liebster is a bit of Internet fun in the form of a Bloghop, where you can share links to blogs you have discovered and enjoyed. Having new readers suddenly discover your blog through the recommendation of one of your readers is always very encouraging for a blogger, especially if you are new to blogging, or your blog doesn't see a lot of traffic. The recognition of one's peers in the bloggerverse does tend to bring a sense of acceptance and accomplishment."<br />
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The Liebster is getting a bit of a reputation as a sort of blog-based chain letter, so the owners of the blogs below should feel free to be excused from the requirements to nominate 11 other blogs, of under 200 followers, and link back to the nominating blog. Instead, just consider this as a mark of appreciation for an interesting and entertaining blog.<br />
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So, here are my 11 blogs. I'm not sure if they all have less than 200 followers, since they don't all have counters, but we'll assume they do. </div>
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1. <a href="http://winterof79.blogspot.co.uk/">Winter of '79</a> - An alternative history blog about a British civil war in 1969. Well researched and the battle reports are gripping, especially using the period screenshots of TV from the day.</div>
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2. <a href="http://www.matakishi.com/">Matakishi's Tea House</a> - The ultimate terrain builder. It was Matakishi's site that alerted me to the versatility of cork sheets for building terrain. I've now constructed an entire 28mm 3d dungeon layout from cork, and am considering building a bunch of Stalingrad style ruins in 15mm for WW2 and scifi.</div>
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3. <a href="http://minimetalmayhem.blogspot.co.uk/">Mini Metal Mayhem </a>It was Paul's posts at MMM that first suggested to me that I could re-use old matchbox vehicles for 15mm Scifi. Always informative and entertaining.</div>
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4. <a href="http://thescattergungamer.blogspot.co.uk/">The Scattergun Gamer</a> - As the name suggests, and eclectic mix of topics, but always a good read.</div>
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5. <a href="http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.co.uk/">Dampf's Modelling Page</a> - I played Flintloque years ago, and it's good to see it's still alive. I also really enjou the small terrain projects.</div>
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6. <a href="http://wargaminggirl.blogspot.co.uk/">Wargaming Girl</a> - Tamsin's painting ethic and productivity put me to shame and her blog is really a great source of inspiration.</div>
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7. <a href="http://dwartist.blogspot.co.uk/">Dwartist's Painting Blog</a> - Plenty of eye candy from an exceptional painter. I find this blog to be a great source of inspiration.</div>
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8. <a href="http://www.gruntz.biz/">Gruntz 15mm</a> - Gruntz is my go-to set of rules for my ever expanding 15mm Scifi collection. Robin is a skilled painter as well, and his video tutorials are great.</div>
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9. <a href="http://johnbearross.blogspot.co.uk/">John Bear Ross</a> - Pixel pusher par excellence, JBR has designed some of my favourite miniatures for various companies. </div>
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10. <a href="http://daddyslittlemen.blogspot.co.uk/">Daddy's Little Men</a> - another active and eclectic blog. The painting and modelling skills, plus the excellent batreps are always entertaining.</div>
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11. <a href="http://www.modeldads.co.uk/Life-at-the-Front/wordpress/">Model Dads Blog</a> - lots to see here with a WW2 slant.</div>
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In addition to the blog links, there are a series of questions to answer as well:<br />
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<b>Why did you start blogging?</b><br />
I'm not sure, really. I started the blog with a few posts, and then it went on hiatus for a while. I have been really encouraged by my wife, Jen, who I occasionally refer to on the blog as AGG (Amazing Geek Girlfriend).<br />
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<b>If you could change one thing about the wargaming hobby, what would it be?</b><br />
I'd make GW more open and inclusive. Considering the foothold they have in the high street, they would be such a wonderful resource for bringing new players into the hobby.<br />
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<b>What is best in life? Fame or fortune? </b><br />
Fortune. I'm a bit of an introvert.<br />
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<b>What miniatures are you most proud of having painted? </b><br />
I'm really please that my painting is improving as time goes on. I now mostly paint for speed, but occasionally I'll pick a piece and go to town on it. My NVL 15mm scifi troops are some I'm quite proud of, as are the speed painted 15mm WW2 US rifle platoon. You can see both of them elsewhere on the blog.<br />
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<b>How do you deal with burn out? </b><br />
Switch to something different. I collect and game in several scales and genera, so if I'm fed up with 15mm WW2 I can try painting some 6mm Moderns, of 28mm Dark Ages or 10mm Fantasy or Fleet Scale Scifi and so on. Or just put the paint brush away and go read or write something, watch a film or TV show, play a computer game (give a year of your life to Civ 5), or shoot some arrows. Diversity.<br />
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<b>Why is a raven like a writing desk? </b><br />
They both have inky quills is my favourite response.<br />
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<b>Star Wars or Star Trek? </b><br />
Oh, Star Wars every time.<br />
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<b>If you could only buy from one miniature company from now on, which one would it be? </b><br />
That's a toughie. I love GZG scifi figures, but they only do scifi. I'd have to go for someone who had a wide range of figures available, so maybe Artizan or Wargames Foundry.<br />
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<b>What is your favourite takeaway? </b><br />
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For a high-street walk-in it's Subway. I used to love Pizza, but It disagrees with me now. If I'm getting it delivered, it'd be a good curry.</div>
<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-16855747288775621812014-07-15T11:36:00.002+01:002014-07-17T12:00:49.283+01:00Imperial War Museum Duxford Visit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Last Monday was my birthday, and my company gives you an extra day off within the month of your birthday, so AGG and I went up to <a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford">Imperial War Museum Duxford</a> for the day. It was the same day the some bicycle race was going on, so we left early expecting there to be loads of traffic. As it happened, the roads were pretty clear and we made it in record time.</div>
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IWM Duxford is a great museum built on the former Duxford Aerodrome. It's still a working airfield and they have regular displays there. They also keep a stable of vintage warbirds there and there is a very active restoration centre too.</div>
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AGG has a medical condition that has recently taken a turn for the worse, which means she finds walking very painful and tiring so we decided to reserve her a wheelchair for the day. This was the first time her condition has been this bad and was a trial run for us if things degenerate with her condition further. One thing I learnt was that If you are pushing a wheelchair all day with cheap plastic handles, gloves are probably a good idea! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5x5xePvbae63-Ag1wff0LYqKOnvheWL5fLLqBY6wa1ELpYVLJDodVnaK42xsP1yeCvG2-sLyYxdjWdeTjlndhSBVcdagyFQyJpoR78TM_QzRWJWAjfD18eYugrIewaU2OV4FW37E4413/s1600/DSCF3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit5x5xePvbae63-Ag1wff0LYqKOnvheWL5fLLqBY6wa1ELpYVLJDodVnaK42xsP1yeCvG2-sLyYxdjWdeTjlndhSBVcdagyFQyJpoR78TM_QzRWJWAjfD18eYugrIewaU2OV4FW37E4413/s1600/DSCF3040.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rocket Engine from the UK rocket program in the 60's.</td></tr>
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The museum has a large section devoted to the Airborne Regiments - the Paras - including lots of equipment used at places like Arnhem. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmUq0YRwuHRcoU1UwBVmzlPDnbxgs5oNMZq8sGmdjxxKDH6z64ox8m8-EWHwABT-317w6OatYEFjKEt63b1fO1LtdPyEOnBW_Wd2hNNlxMPMeYSqkjFIPlZLC3_o3KqwtZa4vomhk4acQ/s1600/DSCF3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZmUq0YRwuHRcoU1UwBVmzlPDnbxgs5oNMZq8sGmdjxxKDH6z64ox8m8-EWHwABT-317w6OatYEFjKEt63b1fO1LtdPyEOnBW_Wd2hNNlxMPMeYSqkjFIPlZLC3_o3KqwtZa4vomhk4acQ/s1600/DSCF3041.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">75mm Pack Howitzer </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLkdtJxgqc081SPPwfR0-_vKdbGqoieUtSc7CzELSaj3m5QJRb9b-WLrbTuxSZL415tQJeXXC_QBfxKA2cV-3sUj9n7YWBlEJvTCqjNqXoCkaHhSiOSgxqXtJ9y1i2j5d7hT4KMZKNh2Y/s1600/DSCF3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLkdtJxgqc081SPPwfR0-_vKdbGqoieUtSc7CzELSaj3m5QJRb9b-WLrbTuxSZL415tQJeXXC_QBfxKA2cV-3sUj9n7YWBlEJvTCqjNqXoCkaHhSiOSgxqXtJ9y1i2j5d7hT4KMZKNh2Y/s1600/DSCF3042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air-droppable motorbike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZgXlgby23AZd6B0RuOktgyKIwPQrlB-C3jrCJOXbWgntpjTX-tXOouTCPQZW7jeyqStBXdR6pUWh2JZor6g9ylz8zkELabUF1eftKMASlimrezKCwHXUCJ4q4jteH7olwp2eZXxgkjmR/s1600/DSCF3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ZgXlgby23AZd6B0RuOktgyKIwPQrlB-C3jrCJOXbWgntpjTX-tXOouTCPQZW7jeyqStBXdR6pUWh2JZor6g9ylz8zkELabUF1eftKMASlimrezKCwHXUCJ4q4jteH7olwp2eZXxgkjmR/s1600/DSCF3043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air landing Jeep</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmnLSIjNRgKodZu4ukwVCsSjBeuHkkvoDLvsNpUwBfSwhVkyOiLPs069RQRzXiUP9eM5wXdwKR3sxUhdzf4pWZqrz4wzk6BgKGv8T0FWZv8ZcuM26FrdaDvVOyV7vTF8wLN4q35nGjXhF/s1600/DSCF3044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmnLSIjNRgKodZu4ukwVCsSjBeuHkkvoDLvsNpUwBfSwhVkyOiLPs069RQRzXiUP9eM5wXdwKR3sxUhdzf4pWZqrz4wzk6BgKGv8T0FWZv8ZcuM26FrdaDvVOyV7vTF8wLN4q35nGjXhF/s1600/DSCF3044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">equipment pod.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-JVvR-eKlo2djXEumc5hJXBFMixD8kyyHyQGH9A-KWna1G3H5LO4vK3bZQ9wE0Xz-Ju9cO25xV-QYV5k_VFPRPz40xrsvMuY2iWTXmM0ynJycKogK_4BitufC_QmvrfgeNFRXNycAOFs/s1600/DSCF3045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-JVvR-eKlo2djXEumc5hJXBFMixD8kyyHyQGH9A-KWna1G3H5LO4vK3bZQ9wE0Xz-Ju9cO25xV-QYV5k_VFPRPz40xrsvMuY2iWTXmM0ynJycKogK_4BitufC_QmvrfgeNFRXNycAOFs/s1600/DSCF3045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air dropped 3" anti tank gun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEzF8cqzn9x5u9TVCP5LaUjGorQrXCjsJ08NY2tJ8lx_Yihs158eSyqneWrTsxtQl6GeoJJgH8MEc0SpjxFCey7E0NlxfXK9oS28GShhPLgcRzfjFykt8gCFldDNY_CTvuRvfeDj0yqp6/s1600/DSCF3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEzF8cqzn9x5u9TVCP5LaUjGorQrXCjsJ08NY2tJ8lx_Yihs158eSyqneWrTsxtQl6GeoJJgH8MEc0SpjxFCey7E0NlxfXK9oS28GShhPLgcRzfjFykt8gCFldDNY_CTvuRvfeDj0yqp6/s1600/DSCF3046.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A display of weapons from WW2 to modern day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdggr6t9DLFNpE5i91pIJwPl51g0P0TvSXRIxWBMSbetF7RB7nmMhMid2onnuhmGRWSl58K1w9_eL3t89hI4wyJmmo7r4tRlKSrDskV8ZLUGALFo54nTeJSMw0tiSSdpB1hyaFvCpZkt1h/s1600/DSCF3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdggr6t9DLFNpE5i91pIJwPl51g0P0TvSXRIxWBMSbetF7RB7nmMhMid2onnuhmGRWSl58K1w9_eL3t89hI4wyJmmo7r4tRlKSrDskV8ZLUGALFo54nTeJSMw0tiSSdpB1hyaFvCpZkt1h/s1600/DSCF3047.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More support weapons</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRe_aXZ5oI3bj5wjRxENZNF7JeHLwXKdKy_7ih2cTYoDPrysv9Kx3zpTSDihqsbGVftV3zWXfL2JxUv6Fa30g_MJjzouKbS5VwrRGr22yaRCysiRAoGPYnk9SI98pHygEjyiXLmRwhKQO/s1600/DSCF3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrRe_aXZ5oI3bj5wjRxENZNF7JeHLwXKdKy_7ih2cTYoDPrysv9Kx3zpTSDihqsbGVftV3zWXfL2JxUv6Fa30g_MJjzouKbS5VwrRGr22yaRCysiRAoGPYnk9SI98pHygEjyiXLmRwhKQO/s1600/DSCF3048.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Para-dog!</td></tr>
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After the display on the Paras we moved out into the main hangar, where there are an impressive collection of aircraft, including a personal favourite of mine, the TSR-2.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiGMlrhitMN2Tf4XSuPl3PQssKnyOuEo69M7BvrMwP1OfE9ovH3ZoaRxso4_zc0inkLIefrDHVXd5bdnDXOdcuh5rTZ59UdWSO8K38HwFJBySYiNJvFhhM-EKDKWH09RKkUYhkAdMc1Md/s1600/DSCF3050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiGMlrhitMN2Tf4XSuPl3PQssKnyOuEo69M7BvrMwP1OfE9ovH3ZoaRxso4_zc0inkLIefrDHVXd5bdnDXOdcuh5rTZ59UdWSO8K38HwFJBySYiNJvFhhM-EKDKWH09RKkUYhkAdMc1Md/s1600/DSCF3050.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TSR2 - a fine plane that never was. We considered adding blades to the wheels of AGG's ride, Boadicea style.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbIJxgnWmS6Y3rmKTtG8IlPz60NyOHH0sum2Sw8wBjmPpIgCsbqlHR5WRKOEPZORjrJbDd4j2eHu1ycy8oAaJex6HBVZl1RC_n6zCtZTGPS5qT60_46sFjaigPExuhnS3KoWIthyhkkLe/s1600/DSCF3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbIJxgnWmS6Y3rmKTtG8IlPz60NyOHH0sum2Sw8wBjmPpIgCsbqlHR5WRKOEPZORjrJbDd4j2eHu1ycy8oAaJex6HBVZl1RC_n6zCtZTGPS5qT60_46sFjaigPExuhnS3KoWIthyhkkLe/s1600/DSCF3051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Concorde test aircraft engine inlet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoBO9tG_oL67Oc5awVdv-jhG8WBCFFVKZKZnrwgEpWFdSt0lHVuqUaCjCR7TKBpJ-HFy9cXnk9JP1Pikwl1mVCrrJ5rXDePF-aTDlbYqdX0BjOCyDjtkTjmhw46gjSo4qTECo6ZxgPVCC/s1600/DSCF3052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoBO9tG_oL67Oc5awVdv-jhG8WBCFFVKZKZnrwgEpWFdSt0lHVuqUaCjCR7TKBpJ-HFy9cXnk9JP1Pikwl1mVCrrJ5rXDePF-aTDlbYqdX0BjOCyDjtkTjmhw46gjSo4qTECo6ZxgPVCC/s1600/DSCF3052.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Concorde's Olympus engines.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xAovsOSQiLqnPZGm9swU59SOHvo0Of3W3yNAVomE3f-jP1_Wy79W4E46Kqt1KLh-mCzYJArYurDevqmQVKl62-Mkl5HQgccHE_sjo80WasQ7bLb5Jl6ZweA8xXdpxyADakRUwj9fdx5C/s1600/DSCF3053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-xAovsOSQiLqnPZGm9swU59SOHvo0Of3W3yNAVomE3f-jP1_Wy79W4E46Kqt1KLh-mCzYJArYurDevqmQVKl62-Mkl5HQgccHE_sjo80WasQ7bLb5Jl6ZweA8xXdpxyADakRUwj9fdx5C/s1600/DSCF3053.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lightning</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPMYNdrKB-CnpDGiAetnB86YMAgykTlamfIYraIrt2LJ7WvhD0vHzCLHWPNNxnGus9xBHwRXIf1UXw96L0LN-AIgn4HCqgnglMEbtKXHzk5jivom30vmCL-KCouLGaOlqLjHPzgDfCyb3/s1600/DSCF3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPMYNdrKB-CnpDGiAetnB86YMAgykTlamfIYraIrt2LJ7WvhD0vHzCLHWPNNxnGus9xBHwRXIf1UXw96L0LN-AIgn4HCqgnglMEbtKXHzk5jivom30vmCL-KCouLGaOlqLjHPzgDfCyb3/s1600/DSCF3055.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tornado, Jaguar (above) and Harrier GR7</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduIBn2Cvcd0K7LDnnH1VKHhMyAEiwH2VMnEAxJ4LoDeGcW-op5zyebeZXnItGVzV6zvehUXYpFv7vgpuztPiVS6YEzZZwhuaXsEJNptMXQsswFFnILvZogyuio7cLUJ6qYNfKaWuG1VtW/s1600/DSCF3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjduIBn2Cvcd0K7LDnnH1VKHhMyAEiwH2VMnEAxJ4LoDeGcW-op5zyebeZXnItGVzV6zvehUXYpFv7vgpuztPiVS6YEzZZwhuaXsEJNptMXQsswFFnILvZogyuio7cLUJ6qYNfKaWuG1VtW/s1600/DSCF3056.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tornado and AGG in her chariot.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q5I9jyQ6yPCKwc_IeG4mE4HzHG2aYKY3Cac7xxopJEdWEQSAwUty_hDgmf4EyEucIXmTQ0iqeJ4mXZQXxogpgJPpa_Nb0uX5lT4sqoGXUTwn6fFkG5HlXVDZm1PKiMkd087Vm8iWnIRR/s1600/DSCF3057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Q5I9jyQ6yPCKwc_IeG4mE4HzHG2aYKY3Cac7xxopJEdWEQSAwUty_hDgmf4EyEucIXmTQ0iqeJ4mXZQXxogpgJPpa_Nb0uX5lT4sqoGXUTwn6fFkG5HlXVDZm1PKiMkd087Vm8iWnIRR/s1600/DSCF3057.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Steel (the nuclear missile, not Zoolanders "new look")</td></tr>
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We then moved on to the Land Warfare Hall, which is right at the opposite end of the airfield from the main hangar. We walked past a mobility bus just outside the main Hanger and AGG suggested we use that to take us down to the other end of the airfield. I foolishly let my bravado rule my head and declined - a decision I came to regret after realising that the airfield slopes inexorably upwards all the way to the our destination. I didn't take any pictures in the LWH, but it has a good collection of vehicles from WW1 right up to the modern day. It also has the replica Tiger tank from Saving Private Ryan.<br />
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Next was the new 8th Air force hall. An impressive domed building that looks a bit like a grounded flying saucer. The path into the entrance is lined with glass panels with an aircraft etched into them for every person that died on a mission from Duxford. The aircraft are a couple of inches in size and the panels are a good 6 feet tall. There are dozens of panels and hundreds and hundreds of tiny aircraft. Very sobering.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mAu7jbUzlvu9DBpn_oK-TCjhyRII4V6R0DvjhFlHexMla1R_cMQNvrj9T31wNwGRQ05uV-BZF9rGJFb1WzG8yLHqUS6oToEapcldyhYskCDZuZjWKctK4z3AA9wJt-g9wmAuBHi7r2FB/s1600/DSCF3060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mAu7jbUzlvu9DBpn_oK-TCjhyRII4V6R0DvjhFlHexMla1R_cMQNvrj9T31wNwGRQ05uV-BZF9rGJFb1WzG8yLHqUS6oToEapcldyhYskCDZuZjWKctK4z3AA9wJt-g9wmAuBHi7r2FB/s1600/DSCF3060.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The sinister looking SR-71 Blackbird (which was filthy - they should get up there with a soft broom and clean off all the dust)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXyxmQU1x8ZQzqYez_lwweTgGZKxQtYhN9za292wKe0i9GY07CwBY1ZEHD5Hr2rJVhRbNsNQhHu99D03X0SoKYcc2cOG2y5iFZnge_l4gixKFPjv3K6MruPa0QDRFXlZPToQhUlYJs3eC/s1600/DSCF3061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXyxmQU1x8ZQzqYez_lwweTgGZKxQtYhN9za292wKe0i9GY07CwBY1ZEHD5Hr2rJVhRbNsNQhHu99D03X0SoKYcc2cOG2y5iFZnge_l4gixKFPjv3K6MruPa0QDRFXlZPToQhUlYJs3eC/s1600/DSCF3061.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJbgSH48IsX-Rq-dbRGM-KckyYs5DtIKLokx8cIyYB0fs3UVQxm2h1_pnttTSuaxGL0t8wqruL_A9dABumhw6L9XXYpJZeE5e2wycYdiJumhxONlYKzxkPm7zDOg3pKFjspsRVtp8VXNn/s1600/DSCF3058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJbgSH48IsX-Rq-dbRGM-KckyYs5DtIKLokx8cIyYB0fs3UVQxm2h1_pnttTSuaxGL0t8wqruL_A9dABumhw6L9XXYpJZeE5e2wycYdiJumhxONlYKzxkPm7zDOg3pKFjspsRVtp8VXNn/s1600/DSCF3058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">JT11d-20 engies from the Blackbird. Apparently they tried a variety of exotic fuels, including a coal slurry!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWg6bAvWxGiefaSu12O-UZG7CMDh4TGma3genvLGeg8YVh2n8VWZUsd3GNhveIroc5n6mj5I7Fe8fR8Nv1GLZnxbeCoGREdm2x6zsekQsMTRmJAeQ-H32DXDMc0yya0oW_d9cfGVjZrD4/s1600/DSCF3062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWg6bAvWxGiefaSu12O-UZG7CMDh4TGma3genvLGeg8YVh2n8VWZUsd3GNhveIroc5n6mj5I7Fe8fR8Nv1GLZnxbeCoGREdm2x6zsekQsMTRmJAeQ-H32DXDMc0yya0oW_d9cfGVjZrD4/s1600/DSCF3062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Vietnam workhorse, The F-100 Super Sabre</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUP3_mUgURTVk6xKC8QODRN9saLmMXB9x15K2bzQG0BrbDPjFPTKdj9ABwCvSn4YawMpAnd4sEX-K4T_5wpajkRtOhfIvngiLee00lhQCfIdhF_1HQ4_g3kShNUiGHm7BbXxBeI0C6Xse/s1600/DSCF3063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUP3_mUgURTVk6xKC8QODRN9saLmMXB9x15K2bzQG0BrbDPjFPTKdj9ABwCvSn4YawMpAnd4sEX-K4T_5wpajkRtOhfIvngiLee00lhQCfIdhF_1HQ4_g3kShNUiGHm7BbXxBeI0C6Xse/s1600/DSCF3063.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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Another favourite, and a plane I had a model of in this very paintjob hanging over my bed on nylon fishing line as a boy, the F-4 Phantom.</div>
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We then moved on to the Battle of Britain hangar, which was partly empty as it contains aircraft that take part in the displays. Since there was a Flying Legends display on the following weekend, some of the planes were out practising their displays.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Slo-lZJ2CEDmhphp2zuixxmqMmhR87UaWu_DZI3-QAoewN-YcptsRaRV5Oyb-mXQrBQa5JOu9f4aeBCT1wtvNamSJeKkdXQfav708BAlysIN8i6_xcBGC8FO-XaG_qy___xVOFEacev/s1600/DSCF3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7Slo-lZJ2CEDmhphp2zuixxmqMmhR87UaWu_DZI3-QAoewN-YcptsRaRV5Oyb-mXQrBQa5JOu9f4aeBCT1wtvNamSJeKkdXQfav708BAlysIN8i6_xcBGC8FO-XaG_qy___xVOFEacev/s1600/DSCF3064.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prototype flying bomb on launch rail.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9hLtpnxlgqovLTJ-x4P22Ko4UE5CHQ14xiBhDZsm-U614rLW56MtJKKN7Ofyxf6JGPFRoQciWWNVAWdmt2fmvgUncXoz-TeHZZgPWVv2uKLlEOHcjKW0zHGhpUhUWNz0niZXezdeSSiy/s1600/DSCF3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy9hLtpnxlgqovLTJ-x4P22Ko4UE5CHQ14xiBhDZsm-U614rLW56MtJKKN7Ofyxf6JGPFRoQciWWNVAWdmt2fmvgUncXoz-TeHZZgPWVv2uKLlEOHcjKW0zHGhpUhUWNz0niZXezdeSSiy/s1600/DSCF3065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spitfire. 'nuff said.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2v8FkNr_XhWMhhWw2_c_Ncaagqvb_5aH2rV88z8RqMZYqExbLvK5i20Y-AvWF-QyTs8pXDw_KVYVYh-D5QiuE3xOnKb1XIkqzd6uHUNEIUsV7yzck3ujuRL0hcgiWk5f8FpZ7z3XYxgB/s1600/DSCF3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2v8FkNr_XhWMhhWw2_c_Ncaagqvb_5aH2rV88z8RqMZYqExbLvK5i20Y-AvWF-QyTs8pXDw_KVYVYh-D5QiuE3xOnKb1XIkqzd6uHUNEIUsV7yzck3ujuRL0hcgiWk5f8FpZ7z3XYxgB/s1600/DSCF3066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting autogyro. There was no display placard for this aircraft, so I know nothing about it.</td></tr>
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Next we moved on to the Air, Land and Sea hall which held aircraft from the RAF and Fleet Air Arm.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZTZS4MgMLRMI9cJ4-AoeYHUzN1N4V4iKGg_-8SR6-afKaXo_ybLarYqbO4NhVcgjEhYQLrspVzSYOr-QJ9dglOlaDS5-uS9S0S6pm9bvA8kd4N3bTAHTcEIoR41A5yUit0NV5s7Ith5G/s1600/DSCF3067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZTZS4MgMLRMI9cJ4-AoeYHUzN1N4V4iKGg_-8SR6-afKaXo_ybLarYqbO4NhVcgjEhYQLrspVzSYOr-QJ9dglOlaDS5-uS9S0S6pm9bvA8kd4N3bTAHTcEIoR41A5yUit0NV5s7Ith5G/s1600/DSCF3067.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Army Lynx</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcmEGC2a6TmXDrquf23yaMg17Qexq6EWmIvhhJWYYz_fzKlXDJFpJMOUp_a495X-3Y8iUe2YDQJV9hbPHuR0xjVGaW5-yL_B-5GES94PA9QBnUVpMU8yIvk8pYH6hCGht0VlzciiXNM2g/s1600/DSCF3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIcmEGC2a6TmXDrquf23yaMg17Qexq6EWmIvhhJWYYz_fzKlXDJFpJMOUp_a495X-3Y8iUe2YDQJV9hbPHuR0xjVGaW5-yL_B-5GES94PA9QBnUVpMU8yIvk8pYH6hCGht0VlzciiXNM2g/s1600/DSCF3069.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early Jet engine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SuLK1gYOwjArU2-hnMJjXVYwn0t73tzuKJziInwLXyDK3LiW1AtXbNN5vNLh6jc733mXITgrd99_RVlF1LvmzJl-IC4-eYd-QqPrW9RqlKMuEZa8m_VcxH78BMWRu74q3qNNMN7JYjUX/s1600/DSCF3070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SuLK1gYOwjArU2-hnMJjXVYwn0t73tzuKJziInwLXyDK3LiW1AtXbNN5vNLh6jc733mXITgrd99_RVlF1LvmzJl-IC4-eYd-QqPrW9RqlKMuEZa8m_VcxH78BMWRu74q3qNNMN7JYjUX/s1600/DSCF3070.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late model Gloster Meteor - the first operational British jet fighter.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEubBBlPwzVQ_gudxXlD7hcBsdnM1AXTigx4lSujy9GHNhG1UvOf15dqTwZRt38j9skFj6RDJ6xkSaT5u8-PNmsPPQU5gGc-9wnUIoZyctG4YGlV5vAd6pTWsun5i9946IWAzaOjPU6b0F/s1600/DSCF3071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEubBBlPwzVQ_gudxXlD7hcBsdnM1AXTigx4lSujy9GHNhG1UvOf15dqTwZRt38j9skFj6RDJ6xkSaT5u8-PNmsPPQU5gGc-9wnUIoZyctG4YGlV5vAd6pTWsun5i9946IWAzaOjPU6b0F/s1600/DSCF3071.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MIG 21</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnEp_-BKWGzkh_DTklWPNFWWiPSJkAanwR-lo_aFqqYlLlrHgSEKK8REd-vtTyT36Fn1eXGlRNyf2mCWW14Xfg311gs-H4LGeNd68AYQmi6bZsUm-5UncKK-yAKKDSsMfw0ZLNVfwlx6X/s1600/DSCF3072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsnEp_-BKWGzkh_DTklWPNFWWiPSJkAanwR-lo_aFqqYlLlrHgSEKK8REd-vtTyT36Fn1eXGlRNyf2mCWW14Xfg311gs-H4LGeNd68AYQmi6bZsUm-5UncKK-yAKKDSsMfw0ZLNVfwlx6X/s1600/DSCF3072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RAF Phantom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdISgrp__reCuV-6iKTsykeLcjUs4YPP0BOzAQU2587MbxFM6-xEHYN6L-3wokDfL-jTq079-3jgCG7t8S-k4MfKoOYga3eAnKjdb25HW_NqCPcsG07Bke9zUXluZwxz17ZqeekeXfg7p_/s1600/DSCF3073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdISgrp__reCuV-6iKTsykeLcjUs4YPP0BOzAQU2587MbxFM6-xEHYN6L-3wokDfL-jTq079-3jgCG7t8S-k4MfKoOYga3eAnKjdb25HW_NqCPcsG07Bke9zUXluZwxz17ZqeekeXfg7p_/s1600/DSCF3073.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Phantom gun pod.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAdSY03i0k0t-w1cZUNrdBu_jkENpMfBV1LAdhGn4MY-XRe3GRQjEWhlSnb0hpU3WVMoj2zGjG4aCKj8Xd9hxFWXsKHyXwUTjUuZMoO7HNCjzif1wx5KgsTpA0AkiT-PkoZF42lFytAc/s1600/DSCF3075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPAdSY03i0k0t-w1cZUNrdBu_jkENpMfBV1LAdhGn4MY-XRe3GRQjEWhlSnb0hpU3WVMoj2zGjG4aCKj8Xd9hxFWXsKHyXwUTjUuZMoO7HNCjzif1wx5KgsTpA0AkiT-PkoZF42lFytAc/s1600/DSCF3075.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairey Gannet. The Gannet used two jet engines mounted side by side to run the contra-rotating prop at the front. It was a good, if cramped, AWACS aircraft used by Fleet Air Arm off British carriers. it is also HUGE </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcYrI1VCLutU_rXfR2ox2MZaphoK0VDE8arucWMPJb91zRtr56AyuBjjdG5z43kcEx1Lr9RCnoXFs4IVAecFMD4ekUE0uVlrZz3wZHAIDVX0pFiB_DoYPZjYjsLTidSSfzDqSR_0QeWGv/s1600/DSCF3076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcYrI1VCLutU_rXfR2ox2MZaphoK0VDE8arucWMPJb91zRtr56AyuBjjdG5z43kcEx1Lr9RCnoXFs4IVAecFMD4ekUE0uVlrZz3wZHAIDVX0pFiB_DoYPZjYjsLTidSSfzDqSR_0QeWGv/s1600/DSCF3076.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strike>Hawker Hunter </strike>Hawker Sea Hawk (Thanks to Jarrovian on TMP)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU8jcfeCmYexzElhjUgNrPU_Wqkjy_NAY2ii-OGZtvfDpmhDNVLhGgv-21BHgYYvfRgGDpAqOCGDu29gwjAhFUSad-256gJdpa4BGVkJn8IF0rSgS3XyOmEltWHiTA9T8DbfuAPKahGZR/s1600/DSCF3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaU8jcfeCmYexzElhjUgNrPU_Wqkjy_NAY2ii-OGZtvfDpmhDNVLhGgv-21BHgYYvfRgGDpAqOCGDu29gwjAhFUSad-256gJdpa4BGVkJn8IF0rSgS3XyOmEltWHiTA9T8DbfuAPKahGZR/s1600/DSCF3077.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buccaneer</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQd_R8du5IubhhRhKn9bRS5IHus5SxJfp-zsmnocsFDOLndAIBKFzOJIfYpVAqc3Ps16xj_lzP0Gnu2vIssyzOHeAKrfaD2Pu5JYJSclnMKSoJvFJQaL6e2ojQ93e2DpFqYM5wbiB-mic/s1600/DSCF3078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQd_R8du5IubhhRhKn9bRS5IHus5SxJfp-zsmnocsFDOLndAIBKFzOJIfYpVAqc3Ps16xj_lzP0Gnu2vIssyzOHeAKrfaD2Pu5JYJSclnMKSoJvFJQaL6e2ojQ93e2DpFqYM5wbiB-mic/s1600/DSCF3078.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Vixen. I loved the names of the early jets, Vixen, Vampire, Venom. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2WI28PRNeHeK-4opJpU6Q8Kr0Cw2Y2OOCY4oGLVENkGEvnbERGUbRrZIJpkye_rR44kmea0lQQBPdyrftMb3u-RSNfmHke6MDWx0bVcPIYv8MQXFSCOU4dhJ7TeXVFieZxD9s545idvD/s1600/DSCF3079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2WI28PRNeHeK-4opJpU6Q8Kr0Cw2Y2OOCY4oGLVENkGEvnbERGUbRrZIJpkye_rR44kmea0lQQBPdyrftMb3u-RSNfmHke6MDWx0bVcPIYv8MQXFSCOU4dhJ7TeXVFieZxD9s545idvD/s1600/DSCF3079.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A section of the waist armour from the German WW2 battleship Tirpitz. It's almost 2 feet thick!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKPHW1GgZSr7m0zaU6i7gc9-G3-iu7VBemvcNPNZ5Qv1mq05Wgol896xJjayrt9azQdnom0BEKwprWS5l1mgim9zaF9rnVI2PXqfHY6xGz88Lax-Rk63XHDZB1VE92qNbVCzOVDPC5Ued/s1600/DSCF3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKPHW1GgZSr7m0zaU6i7gc9-G3-iu7VBemvcNPNZ5Qv1mq05Wgol896xJjayrt9azQdnom0BEKwprWS5l1mgim9zaF9rnVI2PXqfHY6xGz88Lax-Rk63XHDZB1VE92qNbVCzOVDPC5Ued/s1600/DSCF3080.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AN interesting german autogyro that was carried aloft on a cable behind a submarine on the surface to increase it's visibility. The operator had a radio link to the sub and would spot for potential targets. If the submarine came under attack the cable would be cut and the poor pilot would ditch in the sea as the submarine submerged.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_6kepgjVI5ZhVlDbrjbs2iDbOpRm2HC_hcd4660iBy0gRJ0rsUyTTIJndgvwUaQ8oe5dkr7tBszybnoec1wDx4BxLKjfqOm_VWNU9xKWIExDjVze3wrEM2WkDlr9eMI_nhLcb_ptIW3Z/s1600/DSCF3081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_6kepgjVI5ZhVlDbrjbs2iDbOpRm2HC_hcd4660iBy0gRJ0rsUyTTIJndgvwUaQ8oe5dkr7tBszybnoec1wDx4BxLKjfqOm_VWNU9xKWIExDjVze3wrEM2WkDlr9eMI_nhLcb_ptIW3Z/s1600/DSCF3081.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first guided munition. A German WW2 radio-controlled glide bomb.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-aRiETdOMiwFjsvtjG7cVPPN2E4h_MRJyf5A0H3-FQzkAkWQR7SsZ_1zTfJmT7OosKTdeCkMSWgmVlMa9P-dt_G-ypjXFp9D71KQc5pbOwHukNq4UaVy-Fyuu8h8B1LP63zNZKrLmmkK/s1600/DSCF3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-aRiETdOMiwFjsvtjG7cVPPN2E4h_MRJyf5A0H3-FQzkAkWQR7SsZ_1zTfJmT7OosKTdeCkMSWgmVlMa9P-dt_G-ypjXFp9D71KQc5pbOwHukNq4UaVy-Fyuu8h8B1LP63zNZKrLmmkK/s1600/DSCF3082.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helicopter from HMS Endurance, the Arctic patrol ship. Note the penguin squadron markings.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
We then moved on to the restoration hangar, where aircraft under repair or restoration are stored. I've been to Duxford a few times, and this hangar changes quickly depending on what aircraft are being worked on. Occasionally you will find groups of men in overalls working on a twisted mass of metal and mud that has been dug out of a field or bog, only to return the next time to see a gleaming, fully restored aircraft.</div>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gP1sEmG2pQIL1uyTNFqK0i8FxGlpN6BpKmFgEJ4j6M-meDJYPvJNGffuPJkFTteYPkQjZPksEFvnxsYSf1bpLE788WQ0r_mEv2zo9VFlHIZvbkTrkIW-nUL2_f9XzCfu4trKsz8CaQbh/s1600/DSCF3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gP1sEmG2pQIL1uyTNFqK0i8FxGlpN6BpKmFgEJ4j6M-meDJYPvJNGffuPJkFTteYPkQjZPksEFvnxsYSf1bpLE788WQ0r_mEv2zo9VFlHIZvbkTrkIW-nUL2_f9XzCfu4trKsz8CaQbh/s1600/DSCF3083.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nose fairing from a Kittyhawk in tropical colours. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgibLQRrOIGKz6au2Fru1UJLujFYJS3m8d8QxvrSmzXIk0l2xdOR3XsNACHcI_rERCrlmNq48zlAkxCWNeBkJR004Z5FMSxmO8BCFt5EAbVXevRznIYKWITrUzDR7lpPz9pKE5dvL5z3b/s1600/DSCF3085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgibLQRrOIGKz6au2Fru1UJLujFYJS3m8d8QxvrSmzXIk0l2xdOR3XsNACHcI_rERCrlmNq48zlAkxCWNeBkJR004Z5FMSxmO8BCFt5EAbVXevRznIYKWITrUzDR7lpPz9pKE5dvL5z3b/s1600/DSCF3085.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kittyhawk tail art.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKo-RbOQytYIcU8_RAcEm5GoT3LXAOPZoPCWea7zr3mqv9QcIrgc0IPzP9M40XcRZA-lpJlYZiShSbayuMwpKhqbeh9FFQV6ktK1KB0hDVGnFgMXvPjUpd6toc17RXoWDMCu86zIXiWwD/s1600/DSCF3084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiKo-RbOQytYIcU8_RAcEm5GoT3LXAOPZoPCWea7zr3mqv9QcIrgc0IPzP9M40XcRZA-lpJlYZiShSbayuMwpKhqbeh9FFQV6ktK1KB0hDVGnFgMXvPjUpd6toc17RXoWDMCu86zIXiWwD/s1600/DSCF3084.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strike>Typhoon</strike> |Late Model Spitfire under restoration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57d8FauCiZk-uIZHqVnKwDBcApL9Gvs2s4pPzZwLWR90B4kZEh19VfeUU4CuN-7hVIqIipvkD6C4JZZ71Ex6hWyso-4a24DchwN0DVqf9Zw5dpT9z8NBmeaCRolbDBv_VQN_oCjquYruz/s1600/DSCF3086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg57d8FauCiZk-uIZHqVnKwDBcApL9Gvs2s4pPzZwLWR90B4kZEh19VfeUU4CuN-7hVIqIipvkD6C4JZZ71Ex6hWyso-4a24DchwN0DVqf9Zw5dpT9z8NBmeaCRolbDBv_VQN_oCjquYruz/s1600/DSCF3086.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not many museums have racks of drop tanks on the wall... </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj603-RC7aM1JAGGUPfjXAP6xPZ5gQHcV6iSQtz5fR4H0tyi5MnaE4QjhwVTKe7VhinRxel6p0ryT0j66ybPQ-AXml3DHcq2ytx7YB_jsTWfHaD4-9phWKaLrK54GmMK4JOHixpB_nv2eaR/s1600/DSCF3087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj603-RC7aM1JAGGUPfjXAP6xPZ5gQHcV6iSQtz5fR4H0tyi5MnaE4QjhwVTKe7VhinRxel6p0ryT0j66ybPQ-AXml3DHcq2ytx7YB_jsTWfHaD4-9phWKaLrK54GmMK4JOHixpB_nv2eaR/s1600/DSCF3087.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Spitfire, Bearcat and just visible a... blue plane. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVJkPXVKQT3kFFcU-_dk1hIRKkzvgjSTqG_gPECfgNFylJyq404fljx9PhZ_ze0uLPVyPDM17S7yxrMXQA2mQatFt_IXdxFF-UvJD4PqyHSBtiVM10n60DrOvndCZ9UJOjihbXj7GTuRH/s1600/DSCF3088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVJkPXVKQT3kFFcU-_dk1hIRKkzvgjSTqG_gPECfgNFylJyq404fljx9PhZ_ze0uLPVyPDM17S7yxrMXQA2mQatFt_IXdxFF-UvJD4PqyHSBtiVM10n60DrOvndCZ9UJOjihbXj7GTuRH/s1600/DSCF3088.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very shiny, bare metal Curtis P-36 Warhawk (I think)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXxrxQm_us3tr2frSAuLkdj6I1qortTvR5vVwnaE9cNc4dya_lAEn7R4D9RN04P4so1SUDDe9RIv0P7HsmXyqwyG_6tJSNp3H1yJypOzxWJmWNpv67_JQYlkjwC_u3Mb2WV8uz_DO6dsa/s1600/DSCF3089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXxrxQm_us3tr2frSAuLkdj6I1qortTvR5vVwnaE9cNc4dya_lAEn7R4D9RN04P4so1SUDDe9RIv0P7HsmXyqwyG_6tJSNp3H1yJypOzxWJmWNpv67_JQYlkjwC_u3Mb2WV8uz_DO6dsa/s1600/DSCF3089.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auster observation aircraft. My father-in-law owns an Auster that was used for observation over Normandy on d-day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8utMxiWKnEdCANuX6JY6ra5hsrBDNG9fsSdbOuZg2ZS0btgoQkgMbduCr1SsNQneAi9UGRR3rEnQNogd2MOiH-T1JsKmMpLdZ3rL0t26YhDoB_EFdr895BRTt76nX6faKsPM4bZJh6Xn/s1600/DSCF3090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI8utMxiWKnEdCANuX6JY6ra5hsrBDNG9fsSdbOuZg2ZS0btgoQkgMbduCr1SsNQneAi9UGRR3rEnQNogd2MOiH-T1JsKmMpLdZ3rL0t26YhDoB_EFdr895BRTt76nX6faKsPM4bZJh6Xn/s1600/DSCF3090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">F-86 Sabre under restoration.</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-30122122297156869722014-05-01T14:38:00.000+01:002014-05-01T14:38:07.463+01:00Airbrush techniques courseLast weekend I attended an <a href="http://www.snmstuff.co.uk/brands/Airbrush-Training.html">airbrush techniques course</a> run by the guys at <a href="http://www.snmstuff.co.uk/">SnM Stuff </a>in association with <a href="http://www.anarchymodels.co.uk/">Anarchy Models</a>. I'm not associated with either, but I was part of their Kickstarter campaign for the Anarchy Models HD airbrush stencils project. When the stencils arrived there was a discount voucher for the airbrushing course and since my airbrush skills are entirely self taught I thought I'd invest in a little tutoring.<br />
<br />
The course is run in the back of the SnM shop near Farnborough, and was a 2 hour drive for me, but I'm not aware of similar courses elsewhere, so I was happy to spend the time. The instructor, Brian, was the driving force behind the stenscils, and he had a number of test models with him on the day that I'd seen during the kickstarter showing the effects that could be achieved.<br />
<br />
The course ran from 10 am to 5pm, with a break for lunch. In the morning we covered a variety of basic airbrush techniques, including accuracy, stroke types, the amount of paint to put down on a model and how to clean the airbrush. The exercises were delivered in a clear and easy to understand way and built up our techniques well, learning how to get the paint where wanted it, how to make sure we were putting the right amount of paint down, effective use of the trigger and so on.<br />
<br />
After lunch we started using the stencils and Brian talked us through how to apply the basic stencils, placement for some of the more complex ones and how to use the positive and negative stencils to achieve some really nice effects.<br />
<br />
We also got to practice our skills on the test models we had brought along. In my case this was a £1.99 Mig 29 model kit from The Works. I undecorated it in Halfords grey primer (excellent stuff - highly recommended), which I also used as the base colour for the 3-tone cammo pattern I was going to try out. I used one of the mini-hexcam stencils and went for a grey, black and blue colour scheme:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyIR5VAqVBtVasuqEdKmh7RajlUTzSvUOhviWj8OlxdpsWNiyp1nNg5Nte81u2IjzAE5Dm4_qcBtw0tNxkiU1v3xnf8A_MlLtP0RNgsGbKynAVTUmCct-sb0jeFYiC5Gf0MCrIBq0OhwM/s1600/DSCF3026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLyIR5VAqVBtVasuqEdKmh7RajlUTzSvUOhviWj8OlxdpsWNiyp1nNg5Nte81u2IjzAE5Dm4_qcBtw0tNxkiU1v3xnf8A_MlLtP0RNgsGbKynAVTUmCct-sb0jeFYiC5Gf0MCrIBq0OhwM/s1600/DSCF3026.JPG" height="438" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only painted 1/2 the model as I'd have been there all day trying to add the masks to the whole thing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4UXxUhZpWCjMppBja9fbgpPRIHvJq5uXGX344Y2dn7Kw2YTk4TC7gVVr92S5ZacnqAZ1RUCRNqL-z9171Gy-D5qGrgz54N6hUFcWWW2PwTsrh31LyjSsqGMwLOq23L4Z6K0HzK7hBZaH/s1600/DSCF3027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4UXxUhZpWCjMppBja9fbgpPRIHvJq5uXGX344Y2dn7Kw2YTk4TC7gVVr92S5ZacnqAZ1RUCRNqL-z9171Gy-D5qGrgz54N6hUFcWWW2PwTsrh31LyjSsqGMwLOq23L4Z6K0HzK7hBZaH/s1600/DSCF3027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The masks give a nice, crisp edge - the overspray around the wing root and on the panel line mid wing was my attempt to add some shading.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvMZndyLKNkRaut819rsmf55zZcZ_Jy9blO9MQbR4IfxiHz6_4KaDlnCDwH03sO7W-01cD62IigXRnOW1HFE_Uh529k1ms8Rs9Z8IkCmAGy4vhenoeIdu53y-1mAEiKCTWe9-wwXUIz1s/s1600/DSCF3028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvMZndyLKNkRaut819rsmf55zZcZ_Jy9blO9MQbR4IfxiHz6_4KaDlnCDwH03sO7W-01cD62IigXRnOW1HFE_Uh529k1ms8Rs9Z8IkCmAGy4vhenoeIdu53y-1mAEiKCTWe9-wwXUIz1s/s1600/DSCF3028.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shading along the fuselage and wing root.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zi2hyfvgyCPNn1QiOQ90w9VgmtrnnWaWuRLe1S2HjrkJK_RL5fyCO2ychqXbP6T0Hs0BAm_sREoPTDlKoizI5TOviIJA4OZOMmv5fZx2X2qW_YC1Ro9RA-nuY4bnyWFvYalQwX6yrluq/s1600/DSCF3029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Zi2hyfvgyCPNn1QiOQ90w9VgmtrnnWaWuRLe1S2HjrkJK_RL5fyCO2ychqXbP6T0Hs0BAm_sREoPTDlKoizI5TOviIJA4OZOMmv5fZx2X2qW_YC1Ro9RA-nuY4bnyWFvYalQwX6yrluq/s1600/DSCF3029.JPG" height="284" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overall effect is quite spectacular - not what you'd call low observability but certainly would serve to break up the outline!</td></tr>
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I was very impressed with the stencils. They adhered well, even along the curves of the wing and tail edges - you can see in the picture above where the pattern flows around the vertical stabiliser to cover both sides. Removing them was slightly arduous, as they are very thin and I ended up with a few surface scratches, but I expect that with practice this will be much easier.<br />
<br />
One of the biggest selling points for me, though, was that they are reusable. The tack on the stencils is enough to allow them to be used 3 or 4 times, and there are LOADS of stencils on a sheet, especially the micro ones that I have. I have used the <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?category=maskfx">Mask FX stencils from Critical Mass Games</a> before and achieved good results with them, but I think the Anarchy Models stencils are going to be more use to me. The CMG stencils are a waxed paper and much thicker, meaning that they have a tendency to only really adhere to flat surfaces and tear as you are removing them. The extra thickness does mean they are easier to remove, though. There is also a difference is in price - CMG are currently £4.50 for an A6 sheet and Anarchy Models are £8.99 for two A5 sheets, so you are getting more bang for your buck with Anarchy models.<br />
<br />
We then went on to practice shading techniques, using the airbrush to add weathering and shading to a base coated model. My Mig wasn't really conducive to this, as the colours were quite dark, it was quite small and you don't tend to get a lot of mud and dust on a fighter jet. Instead I tried out some shading effects on the two Ash Wastes kitbash tanks I'd also brought along (<a href="http://armourfast.com/German-Armour/PzIII-G/prod_5.html">Armourfast Pz III </a>with various bits of sci-fi gubbins added).<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kjXbwl5eQI4HnSWzit8rlLxlicqM5-wjpJdfriTr226EVRSrBO1hvj51iKYagLmS-b6Z8xmv8bPdYbSB8jctspyG481ucINRdTmb44CFctp08ncIDT3F735oE-Jlj67TwXdNGIF-L3Ok/s1600/DSCF3030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kjXbwl5eQI4HnSWzit8rlLxlicqM5-wjpJdfriTr226EVRSrBO1hvj51iKYagLmS-b6Z8xmv8bPdYbSB8jctspyG481ucINRdTmb44CFctp08ncIDT3F735oE-Jlj67TwXdNGIF-L3Ok/s1600/DSCF3030.JPG" height="384" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shading along panel lines and in the hollows of the model. Ideally I'd have shaded the turret ring before attaching the turret.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOqnhSv0_NIosK9eEiPv6Rg-OcRAE1BilctRmjzRJ_Yqj1b2YHDNkxC6UPKLCEvoHusclaAA5e7LhwwbJClGa7yNj2jKArXfDdxEGhcXDRvLo7bVsXmHhYXVbB8dd5_BZ6ON1FllBgKfg/s1600/DSCF3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJOqnhSv0_NIosK9eEiPv6Rg-OcRAE1BilctRmjzRJ_Yqj1b2YHDNkxC6UPKLCEvoHusclaAA5e7LhwwbJClGa7yNj2jKArXfDdxEGhcXDRvLo7bVsXmHhYXVbB8dd5_BZ6ON1FllBgKfg/s1600/DSCF3031.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tank on the right has some individual hexes added to the rear deck where I was practising using one of the negative masks (you use the mask to isolate areas where you WANT the paint to go instead of using the mask to cover up areas and leave an impression of the colour below) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfyc6s9ndu1XLPsbbmOMdVp_oqkszGwTXX7-laTUC0peicF7POEsJ04X3cvor02PvG8nXpIWobNMcdDCC2kxacVSN6Mq3lTIr_lHWA6vR8z1EtvqZaTLoKwkni4nD5M-NSbt5fOV9cqXA/s1600/DSCF3034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfyc6s9ndu1XLPsbbmOMdVp_oqkszGwTXX7-laTUC0peicF7POEsJ04X3cvor02PvG8nXpIWobNMcdDCC2kxacVSN6Mq3lTIr_lHWA6vR8z1EtvqZaTLoKwkni4nD5M-NSbt5fOV9cqXA/s1600/DSCF3034.JPG" height="312" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I only had a blue-black paint in my airbrush at this point, but the tracks and wheels could have benefited from their shading been in a dusty beige or muddy brown. Shading between the wheels gives the impression of shadow.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye5Cgm8PUfqjWSsWo5H5eg0yDNo6gYWDf9fbQmnUFQfgVAZSj14mH_BeOXZIam1YXusmMI5kaulx0bbWtW1PISNsaEHBVEHALUNdFIAk0x4WKPSA_Gl8d8OuEFqC-1xbJLmcQTBq1X-xS/s1600/DSCF3035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye5Cgm8PUfqjWSsWo5H5eg0yDNo6gYWDf9fbQmnUFQfgVAZSj14mH_BeOXZIam1YXusmMI5kaulx0bbWtW1PISNsaEHBVEHALUNdFIAk0x4WKPSA_Gl8d8OuEFqC-1xbJLmcQTBq1X-xS/s1600/DSCF3035.JPG" height="236" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some rather heavy handed shading on the front of the rear tank - precise trigger control is very important</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiZfCmuqkB6eLKKdVRGZwjNiKzKIbihsH37YpBfG3Lzgq_1V1DydiKriPFMCSDIzz4M05iWYZqOAZzVmrmTm7t8h40gq8duwtHqHPp76xzI-bSoQhjFwTTCtImhgDBgEQlLxVbRg1_bOL/s1600/DSCF3036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiZfCmuqkB6eLKKdVRGZwjNiKzKIbihsH37YpBfG3Lzgq_1V1DydiKriPFMCSDIzz4M05iWYZqOAZzVmrmTm7t8h40gq8duwtHqHPp76xzI-bSoQhjFwTTCtImhgDBgEQlLxVbRg1_bOL/s1600/DSCF3036.JPG" height="640" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing the panel line shading on the running boards and engine decks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We used Vallejo Model Air paints during the day, and I was very impressed by them. Brian also pointed out that the Tamiya paints I usually airbrush with are based on an mixture which includes alcohol. AGG is always complaining that she gets headaches whenever I airbrush, even when I'm using my extractor fan. As Brian pointed out, atomising the Tamiya paint will also atomise the alcohol in the paint and thinners, which isn't great to inhale and is no doubt what is giving AGG her headaches.<br />
<br />
To that end I purchased two of the Vallejo Model Air sets, the collection builder and the WW2 Allies paint set. This should give me a nice variety of colours to use instead of the Tamiya. I don't think I'll stop using the Tamiya paints entirely, as I have loads of them and can't afford to just bin them, but I'll certainly use the Vallejo ones more often to give AGG's nose a break.<br />
<br />
Overall I had a very enjoyable day and learnt a great deal. I think the techniques I picked up will stand me in good stead, and I am looking forward to using the stencils and shading on some models on the workbench.<br />
<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-47625764546274006482014-04-22T00:05:00.000+01:002014-04-22T01:18:02.741+01:00GRUNTZ AAR - Action at Valin FarmTGP and I played a game of <a href="http://www.gruntz.biz/">Gruntz</a> today based on a scenario from the <a href="http://ambushalleygames.com/products/store/product/show/cid-66/name-tomorrows-war/category_pathway-0">Tomorrows War</a> rulebook. I modified the background to match my Gruntz forces and translated the units from one to the other as best I could. I added a few extra units on each side to up the points values slightly.<br />
<br />
We also used two house rues for our Gruntz game. Firstly, we used the random dice draw for unit activation from Bolt Action. Each side uses different coloured dice (mine were green, TGP was red). Each unit on the table has a single activation dice, and all the dice are added to a pot and drawn one by one. If a green die was drawn, I activated a previously inactive unit, if a red was drawn, TGP activated one of his units. If a unit suffered a compulsory move action, like a condition brown move, they immediately forfeit their next activation dice, so if they haven't been yet, their dice are removed from the pot and if they have already been activated their die was left on the table at the end of the turn, so there would be one less die in the pot. Once all the dice are drawn, the turn is over and all the dice are returned to the pot, excepting destroyed units, units on overwatch (who keep their dice) and units who made compulsory moves AFTER they had activated. It worked well, and I think it will probably become our standard method of initiative for Gruntz.<br />
<br />
The second house rule was fairly simple one - the weapon ranges were treated as range bands, with each one after the 1st conferring a -2 modifier. The Mortar got -2 within the first range band (hard to hit close by with a mortar) and nothing in the second, -2 in the third and so on.<br />
<br />
The scenario description was as follows:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Xirod;">Glory, in the Foix Gap, 2298
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The long-standing feud between Zydek Adaptive Systems (ZAS)
and the New Kiev Defence Force (NKDF) has finally erupted into war! ZAS forces
have plunged deeply into the Foix Gap, only to find their advances blocked by
advance NKDF National Guard and militia elements. Sharp engagements are being
fought wherever the two forces come into contact. One such meeting engagement
occurred at the tiny farming village of Valin Farm.</div>
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The picture above shows the table, with the village of Valin Farm in the centre (I really need to finish basing those trees...). The ZAS forces would deploy from the table edge at the bottom of the picture and have to head up table to exit off the far edge. The NKDF got hidden set-up for some of their units, who would be dug in to prepared positions (+2 guard and soak). On turn 2 the NKDF would recieve reinforcments arriving on the top left table corner.<br />
<br />
Woods were delineated by the areas bounded by the hexes, and were impassable to all vehicles. Hedgerows blocked movement for the vehicles (think space bocage).<br />
<br />
<b>NKDF Forces</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Objective:</b><br />
ZAS Forces have broken through all across the border. One of our militia units has established a defensive position in the village of Valin Farm. They are not strong enough to halt a concerted ZAS advance. Due to the importance of the road connection from Valin Farm to the critical bridge over the Resolution River, you must reinforce the militia and destroy or ablate any advances by ZAS forces! We have very little armour to allocate to this operation, but we do not believe they are aware of our advances in powered armour. You should be able to deliver a surprise blow that will leave ZAS reeling and perhaps blunt the speed of their advance across the breadth of the frontier.<br />
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Starting forces:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
5 x NKDF Militia Squad</div>
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2 x Specialist NKDF - Fusion Gun
Team</div>
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1 x Specialist NKDF - Mortar team</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Arrive on Turn 2 at point 2:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36.0pt;">
1 xM233 Cossack APC with:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
2
x Dragoon PA squads</div>
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3 x RGM
85 Exosuits</div>
<span style="text-indent: 36pt;"> 1 x M-64 Wolverine tank</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvMBWdslBaSeW92F4OjKV0lvOk3ILsZZUb57RrGUy99QdHH51KpSM_NX5HvvuXj5JjlCBDbu6zbF49jsOG10-nu6fTMK9zbo_SVYjfYstzcHiWLBcoG_8nbbK3myDLmPQUp1knnEUOOpQ/s1600/Tanks+-+M-64+Wolverine+58pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyvMBWdslBaSeW92F4OjKV0lvOk3ILsZZUb57RrGUy99QdHH51KpSM_NX5HvvuXj5JjlCBDbu6zbF49jsOG10-nu6fTMK9zbo_SVYjfYstzcHiWLBcoG_8nbbK3myDLmPQUp1knnEUOOpQ/s1600/Tanks+-+M-64+Wolverine+58pt.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyS5XvC341eIcsYmNdNhdWjBb4dGv20sgEn-5Ue9p9-b9y_a0kVvt3S8whP7iPBEqXF_A-JNazebdg6_evHHBbLtk0OTX_6gmK-SdvtLX93szSgiVAHXHQw3_rZO0_oUs-l-dEFDufjSt/s1600/Gruntz+Specialist+-+RGM-85+Bulldog+Exosuit+25pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEyS5XvC341eIcsYmNdNhdWjBb4dGv20sgEn-5Ue9p9-b9y_a0kVvt3S8whP7iPBEqXF_A-JNazebdg6_evHHBbLtk0OTX_6gmK-SdvtLX93szSgiVAHXHQw3_rZO0_oUs-l-dEFDufjSt/s1600/Gruntz+Specialist+-+RGM-85+Bulldog+Exosuit+25pt.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUr2-7g_spXquuCUvqbYQHLg_JQugvz5UBC57BE6-XYksnt6FJCgQqavsc03fABfiP02JASn9KWgLb_kgnCUTift9CeJRwdKg0Whv9IY-6XrjWtntOi8bb6GAOk_P89zDoSGCfNIU9v4-/s1600/Ground+Support+Vehicle+-+M-233+Cossack+APC+41pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgUr2-7g_spXquuCUvqbYQHLg_JQugvz5UBC57BE6-XYksnt6FJCgQqavsc03fABfiP02JASn9KWgLb_kgnCUTift9CeJRwdKg0Whv9IY-6XrjWtntOi8bb6GAOk_P89zDoSGCfNIU9v4-/s1600/Ground+Support+Vehicle+-+M-233+Cossack+APC+41pt.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPTpe6BlmYeV-4qGu18nok_wgDVNT5NfCEbNlpgTf1qHX-75V0ZStIcJhsHiUStGV8_z1RYD_b28HEmqcWBUoRfa1AojRIGRF_G-0HNmz_wJkJibVdQGFvISL-PUxO5tubVdoDo61f9RZ/s1600/Gruntz+Specialist+-+NVL+Medium+Mortar+19pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlPTpe6BlmYeV-4qGu18nok_wgDVNT5NfCEbNlpgTf1qHX-75V0ZStIcJhsHiUStGV8_z1RYD_b28HEmqcWBUoRfa1AojRIGRF_G-0HNmz_wJkJibVdQGFvISL-PUxO5tubVdoDo61f9RZ/s1600/Gruntz+Specialist+-+NVL+Medium+Mortar+19pt.jpg" height="200" width="125" /></a> </div>
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<br />
<b>ZAS Forces:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Objective:</b><br />
It is important to maintain the timeline of attack while simultaneously reducing any NKDF forces encountered. Assault past Vallin Farm and join up with your flanking units at the Resolution River Bridge. Try not to bog down in a toe to toe fight with expected NKDF resistance, but do not leave a strong NKDF force behind you to threaten your communications or menace follow on units!<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="Default" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 x ZM-55 APC each with:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="margin-left: 72pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 x ZAS Fireteam<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 x ZM-89 MBT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 x ZA-2 “Purifier” Light Mecha<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Default" style="text-indent: 36pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 x ZMQ-1 Attack Drone</span></div>
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Unfortunately I don't have any in-progress shots of the battle, only the aftermath. The ZAS forces deployed to the left flank, shielded by the farmhouse and woods at the left side of their deployment. they moved upo the left flank, taking fire from the fusion guns emplaced in the village. The drone made a pass over the hedge line to the right hand side of Valins Farm, dropping it's guided bomb on two of the Militia units. It circled around the village, firing missiles at the fusion guns. The ZAS Mecha deployed in the enclosed field on the baseline and moved up through the centre, taking pot shots at the fusion guns. The ZAS APC deployed behind the tanks. Two of them dropped off infantry into the woods and hedgerow, then split up, one heading around the woods to the left and the other two heading up the centre through the road, following the tanks.</div>
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The NKDF militia split into two, with two squads heading into the woods on the left, and the remains of the two bombed squads and one full strength squad deploying for flank shots on the vehicles passing through the village. On turn two the NKDF reinforcements arrived. The tank drove up the left flank and, in concert with the fusion guns and mortar, destroyed two of the ZAS tanks at the edge of the woodlands on the left. The APC dropped it's two squads of powered armour off in the copse of trees to the left of the village, along with the two militia squads, then pushed up to assist the tank. The three exosuits split up, one following the tank and two heading around the back of the village to face off any units that made it through.</div>
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The final two turns saw the ZAS forces loose two tanks on the left flank to the fusion gun, tank and APC fire. A further ZAS APC made a break on the left flank, but an ENG critical denied it the double move it needed to get off-table. It was then destroyed by a combination of exosuit and tank fire. The drone passed over the village and made a strafing runs on a militia team and PA suit squad redeploying into the town, only to be brought down by accurate and effective fire from the other PA suit squad in the tree line. The remaining ZAS tank charged through the village, taking flank shots from militia squads and exosuits and downing an exosuit and the mortar squad on the way through in return. An empty APC followed, finishing off the mortar team. The third APC halted at the hedgerow, risking point blank shots from the fusion gun, to deploy it's two infantry squads. It then rammed and destroyed the third exosuit after surviving a hail of fire from all sides.</div>
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Meanwhile the ZAS infantry from the hedgerow advanced behind the tanks and APC's to assault the left most fusion gun. The ZAS infantry in the woods exchanged a few rounds of fire with the militia units in the woods to the left of the village before the tank arrived. An attempt to assault the tank was largely ineffectual, and one fire team were slowly whittled down by the tanks hull MG. A later attempt by the other fire team to assault the exosuit was likewise ineffective, with the exosuits demolition ram smushing one of the ZAS soldiers.<br />
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The final actions of the game were the assaults on the fusion guns. The one to the right of the road was successfully assaulted and it's gun crew captured. The assault to the left of the road was a dismal show all round, with the assaulting team scoring just one hit that was soaked, and the gun and a supporting squad of infantry failing to counter assault then failing a condition brown test. The supporting infantry ran away, after the ZAS infantry failed their free assault, as did the gun crew.</div>
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The final outcome was a victory to the NKDF on points. They had blunted the ZAS attack, but taken quite a beating in the process. If the ZAS force had managed to get the APC with the engine critical off the board, and the drone hadn't been shot down, it would have gone the other way.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final dispositions.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZAS troops assaulting exosuit - less one smushed trooper. Tank has it's turret traversed to rear to shoot at fleeing APC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captured gun crew from right fusion gun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5R8lLtUE7ogNsY6TVvle6JffeOP_3GfabSsOlrE-oqYyacpxxKxrJ47ScYhPryFEbkdaCBb39MejbCvvJZ-fi9_xMSzXRnRhUfGUhbeHLxDTCbDzJ7fO4AmqcSO5noS8x86Z0PyVKgKh/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5R8lLtUE7ogNsY6TVvle6JffeOP_3GfabSsOlrE-oqYyacpxxKxrJ47ScYhPryFEbkdaCBb39MejbCvvJZ-fi9_xMSzXRnRhUfGUhbeHLxDTCbDzJ7fO4AmqcSO5noS8x86Z0PyVKgKh/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RPG alley. Multiple militia units in place for flank shots. Downed exosuit has just been rammed by the ZAS APC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJhMQJ9yFGatCByC48tWqV6_gY2neByG5uPePQRCDwaP6Ak-0VihUpMbxkDPktuO0Btt4tvrSEumLmqY4U0B-imi-gqrgfceYHazWl1JXUMyESwPq3ej2TysCQ4sIifMiBX6WEzezxdOR/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigJhMQJ9yFGatCByC48tWqV6_gY2neByG5uPePQRCDwaP6Ak-0VihUpMbxkDPktuO0Btt4tvrSEumLmqY4U0B-imi-gqrgfceYHazWl1JXUMyESwPq3ej2TysCQ4sIifMiBX6WEzezxdOR/s1600/DSC_0110.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two decisive kills, the drone and the crippled APC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDGm4Mi9e4wpQxw38DrYnC1ejvjzgN3Ut_ylSn_ni9qLjQRkF7XUxDC1mBKZ72H87N0V1AFS1t32KoVNN49I7gj-pnocVcECp05HOc__8-cxaDim17T5zh8CMs6ef-g8PuNTlIjHHSjU3/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDGm4Mi9e4wpQxw38DrYnC1ejvjzgN3Ut_ylSn_ni9qLjQRkF7XUxDC1mBKZ72H87N0V1AFS1t32KoVNN49I7gj-pnocVcECp05HOc__8-cxaDim17T5zh8CMs6ef-g8PuNTlIjHHSjU3/s1600/DSC_0111.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PA suit squad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYzP8BN1bY5Q2CxwFsvXirqKIcVUll6__6KUb5qatvd9gmN1NEJl8ZItxwl9xdHdl2ebE5jtXyCe8QVYQpVrwXgFz8hza5T6HIzsFpphpR0QtpJb5MFyDXYJEHIGh266f8XLeT8Fk-Xz-/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAYzP8BN1bY5Q2CxwFsvXirqKIcVUll6__6KUb5qatvd9gmN1NEJl8ZItxwl9xdHdl2ebE5jtXyCe8QVYQpVrwXgFz8hza5T6HIzsFpphpR0QtpJb5MFyDXYJEHIGh266f8XLeT8Fk-Xz-/s1600/DSC_0114.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZAS Mecha.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sSBQMsYaMhbEoD9TOirlOiun8eKrOJlupJq7M-U1Bmu_MWUT7ETA-6cgDE7ZzFw0ymL-w9F2hMh4Elo68qtW_UVTaB3_-mUb0gTPbIgZ3l0EnXJNPMyXLVUCwu-_lN5Fz6-2xwLOdOMa/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6sSBQMsYaMhbEoD9TOirlOiun8eKrOJlupJq7M-U1Bmu_MWUT7ETA-6cgDE7ZzFw0ymL-w9F2hMh4Elo68qtW_UVTaB3_-mUb0gTPbIgZ3l0EnXJNPMyXLVUCwu-_lN5Fz6-2xwLOdOMa/s1600/DSC_0115.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left fusion gun after fleeing from assaulting troops - not in a great position...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwSthyphenhyphenm3xNLJqQvW7dssL7rA7Xwt103MFABmXQKKTYxmMHosYl9OYYck4-wdDyXTcNiqmcMwxIiG5k6O02VV6BVy0YcMZI8Y2mLbsW9y6Apu97LW62mLQcVb63hzLoA2lbfSdfIuP1t9/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwSthyphenhyphenm3xNLJqQvW7dssL7rA7Xwt103MFABmXQKKTYxmMHosYl9OYYck4-wdDyXTcNiqmcMwxIiG5k6O02VV6BVy0YcMZI8Y2mLbsW9y6Apu97LW62mLQcVb63hzLoA2lbfSdfIuP1t9/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear view of RPG alley, just visible at top right is the PA squad who shot down the drone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsWvaQqkT5hRPZ0bQS88WDw9xEbqaTzX-eghCcfAlKDt2hTZMY7ieRkNufNc7w9-LWtrC6YSzf1ha8qHi56VFxbLpSC2tC6HNSIjEEpxLQ0mHdUTfw5YDYEYGl5HKJGKE2Kk75LFd8_9a/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsWvaQqkT5hRPZ0bQS88WDw9xEbqaTzX-eghCcfAlKDt2hTZMY7ieRkNufNc7w9-LWtrC6YSzf1ha8qHi56VFxbLpSC2tC6HNSIjEEpxLQ0mHdUTfw5YDYEYGl5HKJGKE2Kk75LFd8_9a/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ZAS ZMQ-1 Drone. Effective spotting and missile work made it one of the ZAS most effective units.</td></tr>
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A few observations we made after the game were that the skill/shooting levels of the troops were possibly too low - we seemed to do a lot of rolling, but not much hitting. I had statted the units as seasoned/veteran, apart from the ZAS APC's which were average. On the other hand, it may be that we are just used to an unrealistic casualty rate. If you read modern combat reports and compare them with wargame AAR's where it's not unusual to see entire forces wiped out, the modern reports have very low casualty rates in comparison. Perhaps the volume of fire versus the hit rate is actually about right but we are just used to a more unrealistic baseline.</div>
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The other observation was that the assault rules didn't seem to work well. I did suggest to TGP that lightly armed troops assaulting a tank or a heavily armoured exosuit can't expect to do well. Neither of us was really happy with the way that the assault on the left hand fusion gun had gone, but couldn't really point out a problem with the system - it just seemed like the fusion gun team wouldn't have dragged the gun with them when they ran off. I did advise TGP that the fusion gun model was a proxy as my NVL heavy weapons team were on the windowsill unpainted. TGP also wasn't happy with mortars attacking tanks, but I suggested that hi-tech mortar rounds could easily be variable role frangible or self forging anti-tank. He accepted that idea, grudgingly.</div>
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But, overall we had a really fun game and will certainly be using the Gruntz rules again with a few tweaks.<br />
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Miniatures used were <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?category=zas">CMG ZAS </a>for the ZAS tanks, infantry and APC's. The ZAS mechas were converted and now OOP <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/">GZG</a> Landmate figures. The Drone was a Matchbox die-cat toy repainted and slightly modified.</div>
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The NKDF infantry were <a href="http://www.fighting15sshop.co.uk/new-vistula-legion-788-c.asp">Oddzial Osmy New Vistula Legion</a>. Tank and APC were by<a href="http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/"> Old Crow</a>. Exosuits are <a href="http://khurasanminiatures.tripod.com/">Khurusan Miniatures</a> and the PA suits were <a href="http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/15mmSF/Figures.html">Brigade Models</a>. The fusion guns were kitbashed from spare cannons from the <a href="http://www.rebelminis.com/saclgu.html">Rebel Miniatures Sabre gunship</a>.</div>
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Terrain was a mix of scratch built (the domes, bocage and the white building) and <a href="http://www.4ground.co.uk/Default.aspx?page=302">4-Ground laser cut MDF </a>for the two farmhouses. The coloured containers are also now OOP GZG.</div>
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-17827781757662252132014-04-13T12:33:00.000+01:002014-04-13T12:33:44.106+01:00Salute LootYesterday was the 2014 Salute wargaming show, held at the Excel centre in London's docklands. It's only 20 minutes away by car for me, so I try and make it every year. This year I was joined by my brother and his wife and their 2 month old daughter. I was please to see that my brother was introducing her to wargaming at a young age. I fully expect her to be painting her first 28's within months.<br />
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The Excel venue is a great one for shows of this type, with good transport links, plenty of space and only moderately overpriced food and drink outside the halls. The car park that I usually use, outside the East entrance, was closed for coaches this year, so we were directed into the labyrinth under the venue. Random closures of certain parts made this a real maze, and I drove around fr about 20 minutes trying to find a parking space.<br />
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Eventually we managed to get into the hall just before 1pm, by which time all the freebie bags were gone, so I didn't get an of the nice give-aways like the Salute figure, which is a shame. I also thought that the hall seemed darker this year than previous years, but that could just be my failing eyesight. There seemed less gamers there than previous years, and I noticed a few empty tables. The lack of a bring and buy this year possibly contributed to the more spacious feel, as the stores were a little more spread out, which was a welcome change.<br />
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I didn't take any photos at the show, but there are some excellent galleries <a href="http://shedwars.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/salute-2014-pictures.html">here</a>,<a href="http://wargaminggallimaufry.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/salute-photos.html"> here</a>, <a href="http://scrivsland.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/the-battle-of-keren-salute-2014.html">here</a> and <a href="http://tenfiguresaweek.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/salute-2014-paint-table-saturday.html">here</a>. I was particularly impressed by the Sword Beach display, and the 1950's Vietnam board. The VSF board on Mars and the IHMN Lost City board also looked great. Unfortunately, because we arrived late, it was the first year that I didn't get to see everything, and missed some of the really good boards that you can see in the links above.<br />
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So, onto my haul. All the pictures below are straight from the pack, so include flash and sprue and are unassembled or glued.<br />
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Firstly, we have a freebie figure that I got from an interesting looking range soon to be launched by <a href="http://spectreminiatures.com/">Spectre Miniatures</a>. The range appears to be a modern/near future set in the dark, dangerous and sweaty world of unstable African countries. The figure is a CIA agent, and if the rest of the range is of similar quality they could be worth looking out for.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyOWO6A7oMrdDrBRBDOM3Ty0Ajjc9vBUfNy2VINAls_-7fnqxNlcbTVcyky6MPgwqLHUE1xfDEastcU0_4x3afSNb2TxsraibP0CJ6UbL0gEtIlS-cx0-SgPo-lOA2mfSAyvyTCm_OGEA/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyOWO6A7oMrdDrBRBDOM3Ty0Ajjc9vBUfNy2VINAls_-7fnqxNlcbTVcyky6MPgwqLHUE1xfDEastcU0_4x3afSNb2TxsraibP0CJ6UbL0gEtIlS-cx0-SgPo-lOA2mfSAyvyTCm_OGEA/s1600/DSC_0102.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next we have a collection of miniatures from <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/">Ground Zero Games</a><br />
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Firstly we have the Crusty attack bugs and handler. These are really nice giant attack prawns, and crusty with forked stick to prod them towards their enemies. I can see a whole host of uses for the attack prawns, and they are very nicely made, as ever.<br />
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Next we have a set of NSL heavy weapons, an autocannon on wheeled mount, grenade launcher on wheeled mount and RAM mortar. All nice, clean sculpts that will add a bit of punch to my Militech forces for the 4th Corporate War game.<br />
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I also wanted to pick up some Crusty light cruisers. When I placed an order with GZG after Christmas using my discount voucher, I ordered 4 sets of Heavy Destroyers by mistake instead of 4 light cruisers. Due to a picking error yesterday, I ended up with 2 more heavy cruisers and 2 light cruisers instead of the 4 light cruisers I wanted. I'm destined never to get my light cruiser squadron...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRhY59wb2PqKzzVVph6W1CH07CQnaQpF5HRKPsxQsEZjMHa4KANa_OYT1hNzsL1zag3UmK6M8i4xlcrkmFD2n74js6dUtMXWqcuopooFrDKO-EUqgPOwCtAlyc027WixMrqzBJ0OPu9Tc/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRhY59wb2PqKzzVVph6W1CH07CQnaQpF5HRKPsxQsEZjMHa4KANa_OYT1hNzsL1zag3UmK6M8i4xlcrkmFD2n74js6dUtMXWqcuopooFrDKO-EUqgPOwCtAlyc027WixMrqzBJ0OPu9Tc/s1600/DSC_0122.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light on left, heavy on right.</td></tr>
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Next we have some really nice civilian vehicles from <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/">Critical Mass Games</a>. I picked up a pack of the anti-grav cars and the anti-grav vans. The vans will make really good proxies for AV-4's (aerodyne vehicles) for the 4th Corporate war game, and the I'm going to convert a couple of the cars to be police cruisers by the addition of a styrene lightbar on the roof. I also picked up a <a href="http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?itemnumber=MCMA2a&cat=mercs&rtntag=mercsmecha">Ravager Mech</a>, but as it's in parts, didn't bother to photograph it.<br />
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Next we have a single pack of Arthurian Personalities from <a href="http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=165">West Wind Productions Arturian range</a>. These are a really nice set of Arthur, Merlin , Bishop and Owain, who I assume is Owain Ddantgwyn. Really nice figures, especially Merlin leaning on his staff. He just cries out for some faded blue tattoos on his arms.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-TrwdOSBTylb3Q0cmPkpuvirmm8G6Gl_0ZK1PCjopalGFXES9X07SGV7anVO4XCIsSzRMKSv1jdwjMUqjcEWO1byGX1yG_dhd3iA9F15VJxm2AJwaFFvsw1B5X7jSt-UCEkdIjmim6w7/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-TrwdOSBTylb3Q0cmPkpuvirmm8G6Gl_0ZK1PCjopalGFXES9X07SGV7anVO4XCIsSzRMKSv1jdwjMUqjcEWO1byGX1yG_dhd3iA9F15VJxm2AJwaFFvsw1B5X7jSt-UCEkdIjmim6w7/s1600/DSC_0118.jpg" height="356" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next we have a pack of Wargames Foundry figures from their unreleased range. These are a set from the Egyptian Adventures, which are essentially figures from the movie "The Mummy" and "The Mummy Returns". This set recreates the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8svNN8saeU">fight in the throne room</a> between Nefretiri and Anacksunamun (his daughter and his mistress). It's a a nice set of figures which I will be using to bolster my <a href="http://northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=5260">Servants of Ra </a>forces for <a href="http://inhermajestysname.wordpress.com/">In Her Majesty's Name.</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy5wmcKPZMXjgONHt9-OUwZzHDLPF7JqPVeSQDJvRHz7DX4zjiErpCAzBN3ddKu2Y97ZA06ghKQglhEVabP_yhDrZT9kZ4_MPcG6W7AJ4Fdit8cEhT-Fw0r03Kcjp5lMcxlxIFNm4fafV/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy5wmcKPZMXjgONHt9-OUwZzHDLPF7JqPVeSQDJvRHz7DX4zjiErpCAzBN3ddKu2Y97ZA06ghKQglhEVabP_yhDrZT9kZ4_MPcG6W7AJ4Fdit8cEhT-Fw0r03Kcjp5lMcxlxIFNm4fafV/s1600/DSC_0119.jpg" height="458" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I seem to recall a distinct lack of boobies in the film...</td></tr>
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Next up we have some casualty dials from Warbases. Warbases are my go-to service for bases, counters and various other laser cut MDF bits and bobs. They make some nice dark ages buildings which I have just purchased, and they also did the custom order for the large hexes for my <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/tiny-trees-quick-guide-to-some-forest.html">micro forests</a>. The casualty dials are really simple, just disks with a window cut into them and a rotating dial with numbers on it. at 60p each, these are a bargain and will be useful for a number of games including Bolt Action, Chain of Command and Dux Brittanium..<br />
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I finally picked up a set plastic of hills and escarpments from<a href="http://kallistra.co.uk/?page=14"> Kallistra</a>, which I have been uhmming and ahhing over for the last 4 or 5 shows I've been to. They should paint up nicely, and when flocked to match my table will provide a nice alternative to some of the crummy polystyrene pieces I have. The ones below are the smallest pieces of the small, medium and large that you get in each set.<br />
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Finally, and my last purchases of the day, we have a few bits from <a href="http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/">Brigade Models</a>. Firstly we have two sets of their powered armour, which will again be used for my 4th corporate war game, in this case a Militech Commando PA suits. They'll also do double duty as French BH-21 PA suits for a 2300AD game set on Aurore. Very nice models, but the details on the weapons seem a bit soft. Perhaps this is the age of the mould or maybe I just got a slightly rough batch. I got one set of the regular suits, and one set of the heavy weapon suits armed with a mix of rotary cannons and bazookas.<br />
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I also picked up a couple of sets each of their new fleet scale British Fighters. The detail on these really is remarkable. You can even make out the cockpit canopy frame on them, which is a major achievement for a miniature less then 6mm in length. This is clearly a positive result of CGI design and 3-d printing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bars on the tail are sprue, but could easily be turned into a rear air-foil to give you a Vampire/Vixen twin boom vibe.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With handy 15mm figure for scale</td></tr>
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So, overall quite a nice haul. There were a couple of things I looked at but didn't get, the raiders expansion for Dux Brittanium and some of the new plastic tribal Orcs. I forgot to get some Longhorn fighters from GZG and I also picked up some Northwind and Foundry Arabs for my brother for his birthday present. I managed to stay just within my budget, and resisted the temptation to spend it all on buying every X-Wing ship I could see.GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-87361475096112649522014-04-04T14:04:00.000+01:002014-04-04T14:59:35.204+01:00Dark Ages Church WIPA few quick WIP shots of my Dark Ages church, inspired by some excellent churches <a href="http://thewargamestable.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/dark-ages-saxon-church.html">here</a>, <a href="http://canisterandgrape.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dark-age-thatched-church-part-iii.html">here</a> and <a href="http://justtoomuchfreetime.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/dark-age-church.html">here</a>.<br />
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The main body of the church is made from 3mm foamcore card on a hardboard base, dressed with a mix of coffee stirrers, balsa strip and some balsa sheets for the doors and floor. The floor has been laid as planks, but I suspect it may have been bare stone flags or even dirt in early churches. I've made a bit of a pigs ear of the inside of the doors, as I was going to leave the roof attached, so they may get boxed in to some kind of archway to hide them.<br />
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The thatch roof is green pan scourers split down the middle to make two thin sheets. These are affixed to a roof former of foamcore with PVA and then once dry are painted with 50/50 dilute PVA and water to stop them shedding and add stiffness. You have to be careful with the dilute PVA as it can make the paper backing on the foamcore soggy if you are too liberal.<br />
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The building has been under-coated in cream exterior textured paint to seal and add texture to the foamcore. The next stage is to basecoat and then start the highlighting process, which I will start with the airbrush to get most of the colour on, then switch to stippling for the daub texture on the walls. The roof will be airbrushed black and then dry brushed up to a pale grey-brown to represent old thatch.<br />
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<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-24422354481729138522014-03-31T13:09:00.001+01:002014-03-31T13:12:38.508+01:00Dark Ages Wattle Fences<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm building up a collection of 28mm terrain for some Dark Ages/Age of Arthur gaming, using either Dux Brittanium or Dux Bellorum. As part of this I decided to make up some wattle style fences. <a href="hhttp://www.renedra.co.uk/webstore.html#Terrain">Rendera</a> make a <a href="http://www.renedra.co.uk/images/Renedra%20images%20April%202012/Wattle-Fence1-Lrg.jpg">nice set in plastic</a>, which I became aware of after I had made my own... </div>
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The construction was fairly simple. I started with a 2 meter length of semi-round wood trim, about 18mm wide and 5 mm high at the peak. I had originally bought this as a base for 15mm bocage, but never got round to using it and it had been snapped this into short lengths to get it into a storage box. I started by sawing off the snapped off ends and sanding down the corners.</div>
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I then drilled 2 mm holes along the length of the strips, at semi regular intervals. I varied the distance between them, as I'm thinking the dark ages farmers didn't measure the distances between uprights with any great accuracy.</div>
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I then put a blob of super-glue over each hole and inserted a cocktail stick, rotating it as I inserted it to spread the glue around.</div>
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Which gave me a veritable forest of spikes. </div>
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These were left to dry thoroughly. You may need to trim the underside if the point of the cocktail stick has protruded all the way through. They can easily be sanded off or cut with a sharp craft knife or scalpel. I then marked off a line where the top of the fence will be, using a 28mm figure as reference and remembering to take into account the added base thickness that there will be on painted troops. I picked about chest high, just the right height for two dark ages farmers to lean on to discuss the details of turnip farming and pig husbandry. </div>
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I then Sellotaped the tops of the cocktail sticks together. This avoids them pinging across the room like tiny missiles when you clip them off using side cutters. I also tried Dremeling them off using a cutting disk, but it's just as quick to use side cutters. Cutting them this way is quick, but leave the tops slightly flattened. A quick squeeze in the other direction evens them out and give a quite nice roughly cut timber effect. </div>
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I then painted the uprights in Burnt Umber (dark brown) and the base in Burnt Sienna (reddish-brown - GW Bestial Brown is very similar). I left the tops of the uprights unpainted to look like the fresh cut wood inside the bark. The base got a liberal coating of PVA followed by Woodland Scenics Medium Brown Ballast and then Woodland Scenics Medium green flock in patches. The whole thing was then left overnight to dry.</div>
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The next day I started to add the wattle to the fences. Wattle is typically made of branches woven between the uprights, either split or whole. I had already experimented with various materials for the wattle itself, including green garden wire, beading wire (which does make great barbed wire, though) and garden twine soaked in PVA, none of which really gave me the effect I wanted.. I had seen a recommendation for thin leather cord on another site and whilst browsing for it at Hobbycraft saw some waxed cotton thread in dark brown. At £3 for 22 meters, I thought this was a bargain, and seemed to be exactly what I was looking for.</div>
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I tied the end to one of the uprights and then wove the cord between them, passing on alternate sides as I went. Occasionally I had to stop and push the cord down, as it had a tendency to creep up the uprights. Once I got close to the top I tied off the cord again, and secured it with a dab of super-glue to stop it unravelling. The picture below was on my test piece, which I hadn't painted or flocked at this stage, but the method is the same.</div>
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The end result was quite pleasing. I managed to get about 5 or 6 feet of fence from each spool of waxed cotton. They need a misting of watered down PVA from my garden sprayer to fix the flock and ballast in place, and I may experiment with a light drybrush on the cord to bring out the detail, but even as they are I think they look pretty good. I may now go back and re-do a livestock enclosure that I had previously done in garden twine soaked in PVA, replacing that with the waxed cotton. </div>
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Overall I'm pretty pleased with them. Including painting I managed to get all of the fences completed in two evenings work. The most arduous part is winding the thread around the uprights, which can get quite dull, but the end results are well worth it. I even managed to use my Dremel as a drill without <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/tiny-trees-quick-guide-to-some-forest.html">drilling any more holes in the dining room table</a>.</div>
GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-81461468989970910592014-03-27T13:13:00.000+00:002014-03-27T13:13:02.531+00:00Evil Thorny Hedges and the Indestructible Loofah.I saw some inspirational pictures of 10mm Evil Thorny Hedges over at <a href="http://onemoregamingproject.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/10mm-evil-twisted-thorny-thicket-wall.html">One More Gaming Project</a> a while ago and have had an idea in the back of my mind to create some for our Might Armies campaign. I've also been constructing some 28mm dark ages terrain for Dux Britannium, and figured that thorny hedges would be good for that as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from One More Gaming Project</td></tr>
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I picked up a loofah at Boots for the princely sum of £3.25 whilst on a trip to Hobbycraft and set about cutting it up on my return. Now, Chris mentions in his blog above that the loofah is a seed pod and so as natural plant material is easy to cut. Not my seed pod. I can only assume that Boots have taken to dipping their loofahs in liquid Teflon or possibly Adamantium prior to setting them out on the shop floor. The loofah blunted two new blades in my craft knife before I'd even cut one length. I then switched to scissors and the loofah snapped the scissors! Granted, they were a pair of crappy Ikea multi-pack scissors, but nevertheless, the loofah was proving to be remarkably resilient.<br />
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I switched over to a serious tool now - a retired bread knife. Withdrawn from front-line bread cutting duties, this knife is held in secure storage in the man cave and held in reserve for serious cutting duties. Usually polystyrene loft insulation. When presented with the loofah I found that it did not cut the seed pod, but did jump and do an excellent job of cutting into my thumb. I super glued the wound closed (works a treat) and considered my next move...<br />
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With this level of defiance, there was only one option left: Overwhelming retaliation. I broke out the Dremel. All was going well, I stripped off one length or thorny hedge, and was working on separating out the next when, in a shower of cutting disk shards, the loofah of doom broke the cutting disk....<br />
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I'm beginning to think that perhaps this loofah is truly evil. I've cut the single strip I have managed to remove into sections and started to base it up. It's now awaiting some undercoat before I drybrush up and add on the basing material.<br />
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As you can see below, the loofah gives a really great thorny texture. I think, combined with some clump foliage, it could also make a good basis for bocage. The "base" of the hedge could easily be clad in air drying clay or filler to make the raised banks, and either hot glueing or super gluing clump foliage to the top would leave a thicket of branches in the middle. <br />
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<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-25113781836459240042014-03-03T13:47:00.000+00:002014-03-03T14:04:42.198+00:00Titanium Dropship Painting Competition - 2nd Place!I recently entered the <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/titatium-dropship-2014-15mm-sci-fi.html">Titanium Dropship</a> painting competition run by the guys over at the excellent<a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/"> Dropship Horizon</a> (a regular lurking zone of mine). The competition had three categories, one for a squad of miniatures, one for a vehicle and one for a piece or small collection of terrain pieces.<br />
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I placed an entry in each of the three categories, a set of scratch built colony domes, a GZG Crusty heavy weapons squad made up of the <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=798">mortars</a> and <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=799">arc cannons</a>, and a <a href="http://shop.groundzerogames.co.uk/index.php?_a=product&product_id=1598">GZG Crusty light walker</a>. Each entry was allowed three pictures, and the pictures I entered are all below.<br />
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I'm really pleased to say that the colony domes came second in their category, behind a really excellent <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titanium-dropship-district-9-diorama.html">diorama of the walker suit from District 9 in the shanty town</a> (the same walker I entered in the vehicle category, in fact). You can see the <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/titanium-dropship-first-places.html">first place</a>, <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/titanium-dropship-second-places.html">second place</a> and <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/titanium-dropship-third-places.html">third place</a> entries at the Dropship Horizon blog, and all the other entries can be seen <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/titanium%20dropship">here</a>.<br />
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I was particularly impressed by the conversions done to make some proxies for <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titanium-dropship-15mm-blood-angels-and.html">15mm GW Terminators</a> and really liked the colour schemes for the NVL troops in <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.be/2014/02/titanium-dropship-omnisec-patrol.html">this entry</a>. The <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titanium-dropship-frecks-freikorps.html">ACAV combat car</a> really impressed me with the simple but effective colour scheme and a few additions that made it look really lived in, likewise the <a href="http://dropshiphorizon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/titanium-dropship-red-shadows-sabre.html">tank from Paul at Mini Metal Mayhem</a>. He also entered a really great set of Red Shadows that I am <a href="http://glueinthecarpet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/15mm-evil-empire-dark-suns-alliance.html">not totally jealous of at all</a>.<br />
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The colony domes were plaster casts from the blister packaging of some old Androidz toys that I picked up at the bargain bin at Toys R Us. I made four castings out of the blister packs that I had salvaged, but removing the castings wrecked the blisters, so I'm unlikely to be able to use them again. I've been making quite a few plaster casts recently, and I'm considering in investing in a few of the <a href="http://www.hirstarts.com/">Hirst Arts</a> plaster moulds to add some <a href="http://www.hirstarts.com/molds/moldssci.html">scifi greeblies</a>.<br />
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I really enjoyed choosing which minis to enter for each category, and it's really prompted me to up my game for next year. Seeing the other entrants was really interesting and has given me lots of inspiration for new techniques and paint schemes to try out. <br />
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One suggestion I would make would possibly to have separate categories for professional painters and amateurs. I've no idea if this is common or not - I've never entered a painting competition before so it may be that it's common for the armature and professional painters to be competing alongside each other.GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-29758052412142092542014-02-17T23:59:00.001+00:002014-02-18T12:23:24.965+00:0015mm Evil Empire - The Dark Suns Alliance<div>
At the far edge of the Wytch Star Zone lies a desolate are of space known as the Dark Suns Nebula. Millennia ago a giant O type star collapsed into a supernova of gigantic proportions. The star systems around it were bathed in the outpouring radiation, plasma, gas and dust, and several other stars went novae as a result. After hundreds of thousands of years the shock waves had passed and the systems began to settle again, aside from occasional flares and meteorite impacts from the remains of the shattered star systems.</div>
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When humanity first explored the Dark Suns Nebula they found a collection of systems that had been enriched by the multiple supernovae, vast deposits of rare metals and minerals could be found in drifiting asteroids and the scarred and cratered planets that remained. But conditions were hellish, radiation was high and almost none of the planets retained their own atmospheres. Giant industrial complexes were buit on the remains of shattered worlds, and clone-bred workers were forced into servitude.<br />
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The hellish conditions took their toll. Mutation and radiation damage began to be seen in the clones, and their level of inteligence was stunted, even as their strength was increased. Some of the clones were more resistant to the debilitating effects of the radiation and their mutations manifested in another way - increased mental capacity.<br />
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These clones demonstrated the ability to control the more brutish clones, and in a short while an uprising began. One by one the colonies fell to the mutants, who took over industrial plants, colonies and space stations. Very quickly a hierarchy formed, with the most mentally gifted of the clones at the top, dominating those below them. Some pure-strain humans remain, those depraved enough to side with the clones against their former masters, or those weak willed enough to be dominated by the mental prowess of the leaders. Some pure strain humans who had essential skills or special talents were also kept, and their offspring were born into a life knowing no masters but the mutant leaders.<br />
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Now, the Dark Suns Alliance, as they have come to be known, has reached a turning point. Their clones continue to be affected by the radiations of their suns, mutating in unpredictable ways. The clone leaders need to restore their corrupted genetic pool and they have decided that expansion into the nearby Border Worlds Alliance is the way to do it. Slave raids on colony worlds have begun, with captured colonist being sent to processing plants to be sampled for genetic compatibility with the clone banks. Those that are found to be compatible are rendered down to their base organic material to feed the clone tanks, those that are found wanting but are able bodied are sent to the mines and industrial centres whilst those that are not fit enough are sent to "work" in the protein vats and flesh farms.<br />
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In the Border Worlds, colonists now watch the skies and fear the night, as they keep a look out for the blood red ships and the faceless soldiers that spell the doom of another colony world...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Symbol of the Dark Suns Alliance</td></tr>
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The Dark Suns Alliance are my attempt to create an "evil" antagonist force as an OPFOR for sci-fi gaming. The imagery is based loosely on the old <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Shadows">Red Shadows</a> from the 1980's range of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_Force">Action Force action figures</a> by Palitoy. These figures were the European version of GI-Joe, and featured some of the same vehicles with different branding. Eventually Palitoy was bought by Hasbro and Action Force was morphed into GI-Joe, including extensive stories in the Action Force comic to explain the changes in the brand.<br />
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The original Red Shadows were a WW2 German soldier body and helmet, but with a sinister face mask and coloured red. The action figure carried a bazooka reminiscent of an SA-7 Grail, but smaller. Later figures would update the body and provide different weapons, but the one or two I had were limited to the bazookas. At that time I was 10 or 11 years old, and right in the target market, but mostly I was a Star Wars fan, so the few Action Force figures and Vehicles I got wound up being folded into my imaginary Star Wars Mythology.<br />
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My second inspiration for the Dark Suns was the first set of <a href="http://www.blackhat.co.uk/online_shop/index.php?cPath=22_192_198_203&osCsid=46e74e9cee06879288061fbbd6ad6c83">RUSK troopers </a>released by <a href="http://armiesarmy.blogspot.co.uk/">Armies Armies</a>. I got in on the pre-order for these ages ago, but they have mostly been languishing with base coat on, with just a few figures painted.<br />
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I also got an undead Nazi figure from Rebel Miniatures, I think, and he seemed to be the ideal commander for them, adding a touch of the Red Skull to the mix.<br />
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The two large droids either side are <a href="http://www.rebelminis.com/index.html">Rebel Miniatures</a> <a href="http://www.rebelminis.com/tomcatscats.html">TOMCats</a>, the one on the left above having been modified to include a large heavy weapon on his left arm and an extra powerpack and connecting cable on his back.<br />
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In addition to the ground forces, I also have some vehicles already painted up for the Dark Suns, the Poundland hovercraft I had previously blogged about, and the kit-bashed skimmer from the Land Booster Spirit kit.<br />
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I also have one of the old style Dream Pod9 <a href="http://store.dp9.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=69_85&product_id=395">Moab Combat Mounts</a>, which is all metal and ever so slightly different from the one in the link. I have yet to photograph mine, but here is one painted by another, mine is in the same red and black as all the other DSA troops.</div>
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GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2155643915138079275.post-36315237464696960162014-01-08T22:57:00.000+00:002014-01-08T22:57:47.845+00:00New Project - 4th Corporate War. Part 1 - BackgroundI have always been a big fan of the<a href="http://rtalsoriangames.wordpress.com/"> R. Talsorian</a> RPG <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk_2020">Cyberpunk 2020</a>. I ran a very long and successful campaign over a number of years, taking my players from the US, through Europe on the Eurotour, a long chase after one of the players contacts across the UK as it transitioned from Martial Law to hidden Corporate Law, and then back to the US for the cross continent chase that was Land of the Free.<br />
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Our group broke up just as RTG released the first of the 4th Corporate War books, Firestorm: Stormfront, which was a shame, as it had some really excellent stuff in it. Stormfront details a conflict between two of the lesser corporations of the Cyberpunk world, OTEC and CINO, as they fight over the remains of a third corporation, IHAG.<br />
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This portion of the nascent corporate war is known as the Oceanwar, as it takes place below the sea. It apparently used a lot of the previously unreleased material from a cancelled supplement called O-Zone. In this phase of the war both corporations are trying to gain control of as much of IHAG's real estate as they can, protect their own stoof and also weaken the opposition. Both corporations start to use special operations troops, hired as freelancers from the two biggest, baddest corporations on the block: Militech and Arasaka.<br />
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Militech is a US based weapons manufacturing and security corporation. Think Lockheed-Martin, General Dynamics, Blackwater, Executive Action and basically the whole industrial part of the military-industrial combine privatised and run by one bombastic, bullish, ego-maniacal hyper-patriot who wants to see the US dominate the whole world (the CP2020 world is iconic, but never claims to be realistic).<br />
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Arasaka is a Pacific Rim based security and weapons manufacturing corporation. Think Blackwater, Executive Action, Lockheed-Martin, General Dynamics and basically the whole industrial part of the military-industrial combine privatised and run by one vicious, neo-Samurai with a twisted code of Bushido honour that hates the US for the damage done to his homeland (the CP2020 world never claims to be realistic, but is iconic).<br />
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See what I did there?<br />
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The next phase of the war was the Shadow War. As the special ops teams started to strike directly at OTEC and CINO offices on land, they inevitably started crossing paths with Militech or Arasaka regulars, instead of going up against other SPECOPS teams. At some point the strikes started being less about OTEC and CINO, and more about Militech vs Arasaka. The shadow war is fought by spies and prowling assassins, blacked out vans snatching people off streets and tricked out, smart wired, electro-thermal-chemical enhanced sniper rifles firing fin guided ramjet micro sabot shells with armour-piercing explosive payloads over thousands of meters.<br />
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Eventually the Shadow War became more overt, and Militech and Arasaka start to target each other directly and in the open. They begin to field troops on city streets in defiance of the local and national governments. In Japan, Militech is quickly exterminated, as Arasaka pretty much IS the police, in Europe (which is a golden paradise compared to the rest of the world (except Britain, because we're contrary)) both sides are warned once, then stomped on by the European elite. The rest of the world, however, is turned into a battleground.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv1R_jqpgPV40aK-sBARM_DXkP9FwtLrSU_FIouAYqj6b7USqhUymXPGjlGoYfD5vGNMKih0u44xGrKYSneQJ4vbKO4GxPMEiUJvnLpTeXFDtijHZMvDAoB9eVk7ypdQFtKDqRO_-bh9u/s1600/$(KGrHqQOKpME3t09uOglBO!in+LL7!~~_35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFv1R_jqpgPV40aK-sBARM_DXkP9FwtLrSU_FIouAYqj6b7USqhUymXPGjlGoYfD5vGNMKih0u44xGrKYSneQJ4vbKO4GxPMEiUJvnLpTeXFDtijHZMvDAoB9eVk7ypdQFtKDqRO_-bh9u/s1600/$(KGrHqQOKpME3t09uOglBO!in+LL7!~~_35.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Whilst I can see the fun in some underwater fighter-sub-vs-fighter-sub battles (using modified Silent Death, maybe?) and sneaky-sneaky assassinations missions, the real war gaming potential is in the open warfare in the second book of the series, Shockwave. Much of the action in Cyberpunk is set in the fictional Californian metropolis known as Night City, situated between LA and San Francisco.<br />
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Night City was covered in a ridiculously detailed handbook that had an entry for every building on the map above, and multiple entries for some buildings. This is the map I'm planning to use for a 4th Corporate war game.<br />
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Next time I'll talk about gaming and campaign rules, figures and terrain.<br />
<br />GJDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05246536496252658467noreply@blogger.com0