Italian preparations for The 32nd Battle of the Isonzo

 Bertrand recently ran a game set in 1917 and based on the many battles between the Italian and Austro-Hungarian armies for some sloping rock.  He hosted the game based on pre-planning carried out by the opposing commanders - Jack W (A-H) and your humble correspondent (Italian). 

Although there was clearly no need for my toys in this game I nevertheless photographed a few in order to enter more fully into the spirit of the thing.  And in the hope of intimidating the Austrians. The toys in question are all metal 54mm pre-painted figures I bought on eBay a few years ago. I based and varnished them.   I knew their day would come!

The staff. I particularly like the general’s ice pick - essential for breaking up glaciers to cool his Martini. 

The high-tech supply system. Or in extremis, lunch. 

Speaking of lunch, here the latest machine gun is deployed to defend the ministrone. 

I’m planning to run a version of this game in a couple weeks so full reports on both will follow after that. 

Soviet 76mm Infantry Gun - part 3

 At long last I have finished this kit, so here it is varnished and based for your inspection. The crew figures are individually based so that they and the gun can be used in other settings.  

Soviet 76mm infantry gun - part 2

 

Not much progress to report I’m afraid but the kit has at least had a black undercoat and some of the main colours applied  

Soviet 76mm Infantry Gun - part 1

 

It feels like - and probably is - months since I last built a kit, so today I dug out this tatty box and set about the contents.  I knew it would probably be a bit fiddly as the gun uses the same carriage as the 45mm AT gun (itself a development of the German 37mm).  Gun aside, the appeal of the kit is that it also includes the limber, a pair of horses and five rather nice crew figures.  

Two hours later and the build is largely complete.  I have, of course, dispensed with several of the more delicate parts including many of the bits of harness. But so far so good.