Another want completed.

I have always been envious of the windmill that Phil Olley possessed for his Polish renaissance game,and if I remember correctly,that windmill had sails that rotated. Anyway, since that first envious thought, I have seen several very fine examples at various wargames shows over the years. So biting the bullet I decided to obtain my own version of a windmill.

The beauty of the internet is the access to model dealers from around the world, and hence I was able to source my very own windmill from a Croatian company called TABLETOP WORLD. Definately not the cheapest model company, but certainly the provider of some first rate terrain pieces.

I would recommend the company to any wargamer who wants a very well modelled building. From the initial order, to delivery in the United Kingdom took two weeks, which I think is pretty good.The windmill is made from a lightweight plastic/resin and is very highly detailed. The kit comes in six pieces and is easy to build. More importantly it is a joy to paint. Im afraid I couldnt reach the painting standards of the windmill on the Tabletop World site, but it still looks good to me. Originally I intended to fix the piece to a base, but, having completed the painting I have decided to leave it free.

 I know not everyone is a fan of E BAY, but personally I have found the site very handy for buying some item, that I have always wanted, for instance issue 4 of the 1971 Military Modelling. A must for all anoraks.
 Anyway on an impulse I bid and won a small number of painted SYW figures from the site.
 I must admit I didnt need them, they were also of a true 25mm scale, so would look odd in a unit, but they looked interesting.

 When I got them, I was really pleased at just how good they were. Once I touched up the flesh, based them up  and did some work on the inevitable yellowing varnish, the figures came to life. I havent a clue of the manufacturer, or the wargamer who painted them, but they were worth the bidding. I havent given up on my own painting, but between various weekly doctors checks, the world cup and sleeping things have somehow slipped. Still I have started a regiment of Willie figures for a unit of my Wild Geese, so hopefully I will crack them off soon.

If wishes were fishes..................

 I have always admired wargamers and modellers who could transform a piece of plastic or metal into a beautiful piece of history, making it look either realistic or just a work of art. I know it is all very subjective but most wargamers have a favourite painter or painting style.
 The painters I always wanted to emulate were many and varied. Number one was Peter Gilder, who went for a broad stroke approach. Up close they could look a bit ropey, but when they were put down on the table they came to life. Doug Mason was another painter who added something to every figure he has painted. Best of all he still paints and takes commissions. My longstanding wargames opponent  John Reidy has always had a wonderful painting style, I know he wont thank me for this, but John could always make even a crap figure look good. I still trawl E bay in the faint hope some of the many armies he sold on come up for sale. Not surprisngly they dont.

Mark Allen who doesnt paint figures very often now, was always one I tried to emulate and fail to copy. I always wished Id had the money to buy his collections when he put them up for sale, sadly I was never well enough off. The list just goes on, Barry Hilton, Dave Thomas, Simon Chick and of course Dave Jarvis all could create a wonderful figure out of a piece of lead. Then of course there are the military modellers, number one for me was Shep Payne who created a story with ever figure he painted. I was inspired early on by Madame Desfontainnes whose figures even in the 1960's cost a fortune, sadly she went blind, probably from her painting efforts. I never really bought into the Kevin Dallimore style of painting. Clever yes, but somehow too cartoonish even for me. I was impressed by the paints that were created by Foundry to go with his style of painting. And the reason for this painting post? The figures that are attached. I am currently looking for painting inspiration for my next project, a Polish Renaissance army when I came across the above figure which is for sale on E Bay. Who wouldnt want to own this wonderful work of art, all you need is over £1000 for the one 54mm figure.Why is it I never won the Euro lottery? maybe because I never bought a ticket. But if I did, this painter would be commisioned to paint me a Polish army. Sorry Dave youre sacked!

Then of course if I only won the local lottery I would commision the painter of these Gendarmes to cobble together a modes army. Anyway back to reality.

Back from the Sheffield Triples.

 Well today was the first day of summer, well it seemed that way. So instead of traipsing around the garden I took myself off to the Triples.
 Triples has always been one of my highlights of the wargaming year. However when it moved to its new location at the Sheffield Sports arena, or some other such grand name I thought it struggled. This year however I thought it was picking up again, certainly as regards the quality of the games on show. For me there were some very good games to inspire wargamers, and there were some games I would have liked to have taken a role in. I think due to the sunny weather, the FA Cup final, and a lot of rugby league that numbers were down, certainly it was easy to move around the place. I got the impression that the competition entries were well down as it appeared that there werent many actually competing
 in the side hall. Wargamers really are now spoiled for choice as regards everything to do with the hobby. Trawling around the traders I dont think there was anything that you cant actually buy now.
 Well maybe a new range of Renaissance Polish figures in 28mm and perhaps a new range of Muskovites, but apart from that we are very lucky.
 Overall a show thats on the up. Pity about the parking charge, but the council have to make some money. Right some of the games.
  The American Bruce Weigle produces some wonderful 6mm battle terrain for the Franco Prussian period. In the flesh its better than I imagined.

 My photographs dont really do it justice, and having listened to him explain several times how he makes the terrain it really is quite simple, but obviously would take some practice. Mr Wigle doing a talk on his terrain making would be a great presentation for a wargames event.

 The next game I was very impressed with was Almansa, which was a battle from the Malburian wars in Spain. I would have loved a command. It had some well painted units, especially the Spanish and Portugeuse ones.

 I wish Id took a few more photographs because it was a very fine effort. The game was by Like a Stonewall group.

 I thought this15mm Samurai battle was very neat, and although I know little of the period, it looked a great game to fight.

 Someone had taken a lot of time and effort to create 3d cardboard terrain. Initially I wasnt certain but to be fair it worked for me whilst simplistic was also very effective. I think it was a modern period of warfare.

 No doubt Olicana, aka James Roach will be writing up a full acount of his presentation of Zorndorf, so I will only say that the painting is wonderful, and the battle would be great to fight in. Olicana has a wonderful painting style, which works excellently.I look forward to a full account from him about the game. To see the game was worth the entry fee.

 I can only apologise for the poor quality photographs and the lack of detail about who presented certain games. This game was first rate and was from the Indian wars i America.

 The fort was a greta model, so sorry about the crap photo.

The Lance and Longbow Society always put a great game on, and the one at Triples was no exception, well presented with some well painted figures.

Ths game based on Troy was a participation game, and was very neat and clearly a great deal of effort had been put into the overall game.

Finally I had to take a photograph of this wonderful Italian plane. Th aeroplanes were big, and well painted.The game was based around a raid by the British during the war in the desert.

It is what it is!

 There has been quite a blogging lull since my attendence at Salute 2014. I must admit that I was quite unwell at the show which did spoil things for me. Upon my return things didnt really get much better and now that I have been able to get to hospital and see a cardiologist things seem no better but I suppose much clearer.
 Basically I am getting a bit old and careworn, and in the words of the specialist, ''it is what it is''
 So now I am on copious amounts of medication, awaiting a letter to go into hospital. Apart from realising that I am very mortal I have had to cancel my holiday to New York which was next week. I really enjoy going to that city and that has been a real blow. Still things could be much worse.

 Being tired and ill doesnt help the wargaming mojo too much, but I have attempted to continue with my painting, reading and general thinking. Painting wise I have managed to paint various things, including these RSM Hanoverian dragoons. This unit has been sat partly painted in a box for some two years.I just couldnt find the will to paint them, but anyway I finally cracked them off. Not my best but they are okay. The command figure was an old Jackdaw one that I had sat unloved, and the building in the background has been sat gathering dust for nearly three years. Nostalga rules ok.

One thing that I have given much thought to in an attempt not to feel sorry for myself is the question of wargame shows. Barry Hilton wrote a good article about this recently and put into words some of the things I have tried to articulate upon. I really think we as wargamers should give a serious thought to the format of wargame shows. What exactly are we trying to achieve at them? I dont think we can pretend that they are to capture a new audience of willing young wargamers. I know that some fathers are able to drag along their off spring, but the early wargames shows that were packed with interested on lookers are well past, now the shows are attended in the main by dyed in the wool gamers looking for a new metal fix, before dashing home to do their chores. Lets be right most shows empty out by 2.00pm. leaving the odd wargamer, scratching round for something to buy. Even Salute is really a giant version of every show in the UK.
Now before anyone who actually reads this post thinks I have sank into a pool of despondancy caused by me not feeling too well, that isnt the case honest. I must admit I am really looking forward to Triples this weekend, and that will be a very typical wargames show. Some very nice games, and a lot of trade.
But what will hold the customers at the show after that?
 I have given some thought to this and I know Ive mentioned this before, but wargames shows need to progress into something extra.
Firstly the games that are there need to inspirational and provide something for the customers [ the wargamer] I think there should be prizes for the games, I know its an old idea, but competition is a great way to lift the games. The kudos of having your game photographed at Partizan was always a great incentive, so something similar could work.
Secondly the trade is very important, but needs to provide choice for as many gamers as possible. I know that sounds bleeding obvious, but not everyone paints 28mm, or Flames of war. The trade naturally need to be encouraged if possible by lower costs. But what about adopting an American idea and closing down the trade stands for say an hour or so during the wargames show, they could be compensated by paying lower costs for their trade stand. The break may encourage wargamers to stay around for longer and make the show into an event.
 In that lull, would be a good time to have other events, ie guest speakers, presenting new rules, military history or even how to paint, anything really that can capture the attention of wargamers and break the cycle of the format of current shows.
 I am still a great believer in painting competitions and hold true to the view that this encourages wargamers to attempt to attain greater painting standards.
 Location to me is important.The lighting at Smoggycon and Salute was dire, not good for the greying wargaming customers. I suppose we could all walk around with led lights attached to our heads.
 Also a setting that gives the show some extra interest seems a great way to sell the hobby. Fiasco was good at the Armouries, the Napoleonic Fair at Chelsea was good, personally I have been scoping the DLI military museum at Durham, and think this has potential, because it alright chinging away about wargames shows but its maybe time to stand up and do something, especially as ''it is what it is''.
 

 

Salute 2014, or there and back again. Part three.

 Now this a shameless plug for the wargame painter extraordinaire  Dave Jarvis. I wasn't the only person who thought this entry in one of the painting classes was first rate. I know that the editor of Soldiers and Strategy was wanting to contact Dave about the piece. Unfortunately I didn't stop to see who won this years competition as  previously stated I wasn't at my best. I thought there was a lot more entries in the fantasy classes of the competition, and a lot of them were of the first order. The historical entries appeared down on last year, and these were all very good, so it will be interesting to see who actually won. I hope it was Dave, finally.

This game was by the Newark Irregular sand was titled the Battle of Keren 1941, it was only a small display but was a first rate model all the same.  

 There is always a mega game at Salute and this year there was this. I think it was by the Honnington Wargames Group, so if it wasn't I'm can only apologise, there were several D Day games on at Salute. The game was of Sword Beach, and was a great advert for the hobby.

There was a little game put on by the Continental Wars Society of the attack by Garibaldi on Rome. I really liked this game, and I had a good natter to one of the members about when Garibaldi came to the North East of England and was met by the Durham miners who awarded him a prize for his efforts.

  It is difficult to photograph the painting competition entries but I managed to snap a few, the standard was very high and everyone that entered deserved praise.

 Dave's Old Guard Chasseurs which I'm hoping he will give to me for the shameless plugs he gets.

                                              Hobbits, what more can you say.

 So in conclusion was it a good show? Yes it was, marred only by my ill health. Would I go again? yes I would. I did think numbers were down on last year, but that may be because there seemed to be more space between tables. I managed to but my Eureka French mounted archers, and found that due to the strength of the pound they were slightly cheaper than a mortgage. I overdid the buying on the Foundry stand, due to them knocking £2.00 off a pack. My best new product is the new Cesarean infantry by Agema, these figures are brilliant and of course being plastic are great value.
 Finally and I had to include this photograph, to the larper who seemed to be following me, please, please dont tell anyone that you are also a wargamer.