Forţele Aeriene Regale ale României (Royal Romanian Air Force)

The recent completion of an F-Toys Bf-109 in Romanian colours prompted this post showcasing the collected might of my 1/144 scale WW2 RRAF.  Hopefully this may act as an incentive to get on with more Romanian 20mm ground units..
The RRAF used an interesting variety of machines and I may well add to this motley collection before long.  The photos show the F-Toys '109, Ju-88 (Minicraft), Ju-87 (Eduard), Hurricane (Sweet).  The last two were built and painted by Wg Cdr Luddite. 
A number of Hurricanes (and Blenheims) were supplied to Romania in 1940 as part of an unsuccessful British effort to prevent the Romanians getting 'in bed' with Germany.

Macedonian Hypaspists

These chaps are more ex-JR figures which have now concluded their 30+ year wait for some paint. 

 I hope they're not too disappointed.  They are still available new - Minifigs code PB3.

Don Featherstone's Air War Games

The most exciting Item of post I received last week was a proof copy of the new edition of this classic Wargames book. The original was one of the first Wargames books I read and has long been a favourite of mine. I was delighted therefore, when John Curry who is republishing this book as part of his History of Wargaming Project asked me if he could include my Sturmstaffel game. The other new games which are included in this edition are On a Wing and a Prayer by John Armatys and Ian Drury's Rolling Thunder.
Further discussions with John saw me being asked to contribute photos. As a result, all of the photos of toys in the book were taken by me and feature models in my collection. While some were shamelessly posed, most were actually taken during games and have appeared previously on this very blog!
The cover shows my bodged together 1/144 Amiot 354 being pursued by a Bf110.
I also re-wrote the chapter on the availability of model aircraft as the 1966 original was already (and inevitably) very out of date by the time I first encountered the book in 1977.
John tells me the book will be available in the next few weeks - see the HoW website for more.

Greek Mercenary Peltasts

Fresh off the painting table are these elderly refugees from JR's attic.  They probably date from the 1970s and bear the Minifigs code 'PB9'.  Hopefully they'll soon be in gainful employment in a wargame.

1/1200 Fleet Review - Imperial Japanese Navy

French and Italians excepted, the smallest of my fleets is this contingent from the Imperial Japanese Navy.  Headed by an inevitable Revell Yamato, this flotilla also includes destroyers (Akitsuka, Fubuki, Amagiri - all metal castings); the seaplane carrier Mizuho (a delightful wooden scratchbuild bought in a junk shop); and two light cruisers - the Yubari and Ayase.  These last two are in fact the same model - there was only one real Yubari but a second was planned.  Close enough for me.

Just in case you've not been counting, the Japs bring my total of 1/1200 warships in 'commission' to 66. How the hell did that happen?

No, I'm Spartacus!

Following the arrival last year of a number of sample figures from Rob at Garrison I have finally managed to paint some!  These Gladiators seemed a good starting point and for the Latin speakers among you include a pair of Retarii (the chaps with nets and toasting forks) and a Myrmillo (the geezer in the fancy helmet).  They are nice clean castings and even having suffered my limited painting skills, look pretty good.

1/1200 Fleet Review - US Navy

My US Navy contingent is possibly the most balanced of my fleets, being made up of the following:
1 Battleship - New Jersey (Revell)
2 Carriers - Enterprise, Hornet (Revell)
1 Heavy Cruiser - Philidelphia
1 Light Cruiser - Flint
7 Destroyers - Farragut, Brooks, Mahan, Gridley, Benson, Gearing, Fletcher (these and the cruisers are all metal castings from a number of makers)



A better view of Hornet - a nice kit built straight from the box.