Highland Brigade

I picked up a load of Britains Deetail figures early last year.  All in ceremonial dress, the figures included Guards, bands and these Highlanders.  In all, I have enough to form five 20-figure infantry battalions.  The Highlanders will form a battalion each of Gordons and Black Watch, with the 'spare' pair of officers and trio of pipers making up the brigade HQ.
So why am I sorting them out now?  Because it occurred to me that as long as no-one looks too closely they could be just the lads to add to my forces for the forthcoming Waterloo game.

M-113 bodging - part 3

The construction of my trio of M-113s is now complete and it's on to the painting.  I'm using two coats of emulsion to 'seal' the materials used before I begin the actual painting.  The pale blue in use was surplus from another project.  Waste not, want not.

The models before the blue paint hit them.  As is obvious, the hatches and engine grilles are bits of balsa and plastic counters, the trim vane on the front is a surplus mdf figure base.  I think I have captured the basic shape of the thing.  Or rather three basic shapes - as mine are all subtly different!

M-113 bodging - part 2

Last year I built an experimental M-113 in around 1/48 scale from balsa.  The resulting model looks OK but the build was a little too much like hard work.  It occured to me that, following on from some success with carving bits of AFV from insulation foam, it should be relatively easy to carve the fairly simple shape of an M-113.  I tried using the 1-inch thick foam I already had but this didn't go well as the two parts required to make up the hull was clearly one too many.  Some thicker (2-inch) board was acquired (about £5 for a 2x4 foot sheet) and my knife and I returned to the fray.

The basic hull shapes....

...with the distinctive rear fenders.

It all looks a bit bare...

...but hatches and doors are ready to be added using balsa and mdf.

A balsa track guard before final shaping.

More on this crime against accuracy coming soon.

M-113 bodging - part 1

 Some time ago I built this 1/48-ish scale M-113 from balsa.  Though it's not too bad a result, it was very labour intensive to build and so remains a one-off.

My second foray into M-113 bodging will be reported soon.

Foolish French Fancy - part 4

The foolish French fancy Fouga is finally finished.  I used the Irish Air Corps markings provided with the kit, though the camo scheme was made up - loosely based on the colours used by Belgian Magisters.

The IAC acquired several Magisters from their native France in the mid-1970s and they served until 1998.  Bertrand  - for whom this model is destined - has an idea for a game and having quizzed me about Panhard armoured cars and Wessex helicopters the talk moved on to (relatively) fast air.

 Hopefully this thing will see action in a game before the year is out.

Foolish French fancy - part 3

Painting is under way.  But what will the final marking scheme be?  And, given that this model is for Bertrand, is that picture of a Belgian Magister any clue?

Foolish French fancy - part 2

Here is the beast assembled.  Getting the crazy angle of the tail just right wasn't easy.

It's certainly an odd looking thing.

Foolish French Fancy - part 1

 I started work on this recently.  It is, you will note, not the kit featured in this earlier post, but rather One I picked up to build for my Little Cold Wars co-author, Bertrand.  The kit came in the current style box (below) but I have to confess a preference for the artwork on the 1975 original (above).

So far so good.  More photos when the wings are on.

Ilyushin Il-14 'Crate' - part 3

I managed to finish this in time for the varnish to be dry to pack it for COW.  I still say it looks almost nothing like a Dakota...

 Extra big red starts for the avoidance of doubt.  And to give AA gunners something to aim for.

Ilyushin Il-14 'Crate' - part 2

It's assembled and is now wearing some paint.  I really need to get a move on with this as it is booked to appear in a game this coming weekend!

Birthday loot

There's some other stuff too, but this post covers the things you actually want to hear about.

The Su-17/22 Fitter was an important ground attack aircraft back in the good old days of the Cold War, so I've been after one for a while.  Supplied  (with only a little help from me by my father in law, Stan.  He also provided the Fouga Magister.  What's not to like about this machine?  It has quirky but practical French styling and will support my French Little Cold Wars forces.

Martin Rapier fairly hit the jackpot with this purchase!  I have some ideas for LCW Falklands games and the Sea Harrier will save me bodging a non-Sea Harrier.  Or rather it'll save the Harrier.  And the Wessex will be a very welcome addition!

John Armatys picked up this painted 54mm duo for me.  So far I have stuck them on my usual 30x40mm mdf bases prior to varnishing.

Five-o

Today is my birthday.  You may be able, by using the hint in the post title, to figure out which one.  If you require additional clues, then it may be of interest to learn that the photo of me aged 3 was taken 47 years ago....

And I still have photogenic knees.

Paris pics - part deux

Parked outside the army museum at Invalides was this splendid Matilda infantry tank...

...in full Western Desert 'Caunter' camo.  It is there as part of the 'Churchill and De Gaulle' themed exhibition, together with...

 ...a gorgeous Char B.1.

Mrs G snapped this dodgy looking chap hoping to drive off in the Char.

 Attached to Invalides is the building housing the tomb of Napoleon.  As far as I could tell he's still in there.

 The building also commemorates other French military notables.

 One of the highlights of the Great War display - for me at any rate - was this Renault Taxi.

Paris pics - part un

 I mentioned we'd enjoyed a few days in Paris last weekend, so here are a few snaps to help you soak up the atmosphere.  Above is the Hotel de Ville.   Not actually an hotel but rather 'City Hall'.  Traditionally, if you want to start a revolution/uprising/commune this should be your starting point.

 Detail of Hotel de Ville.  It's this sort of talk that causes a load of trouble.

 Part of the (enormous) Louvre.  A former royal palace, I believe they now use it to store a few paintings.

 Napoleon's Arc de triomphe du Carrousel completed in 1808 is less well known than it's larger (1836) imitator.

 Detail from the arc.  The gist of this is that they were quite chuffed by how Austerlitz turned out.

 Having an interest in the 1789 revolution*, Sara particularly wanted to visit the Chapelle Expiatoire, where Louis XVI and members of his family were interred after the restoration.  The grounds also provide the final resting place for a number of Swiss royal guards killed during the unpleasantness of the late 18th century.

* Other revolutions are available.

Coming soon - Brits invade Paris shock!