Panzer 38(t) - part 2

 Here are the finished tanks. The rivet detail is arguably overdone but to me it adds to the charm of these vehicles. 

Panzer 38(t) - part 1

 It’s been a while since I posted, which in no way indicates a lack of interest or actual wargaming! 

Here are some 3D prints (in 1/50 scale) I painted a few months ago  

Bassett's broken biplanes*

 * also featuring Tim's terrible triplanes and mangled Morane monoplanes.

John B very kindly passed me this box of veterans at COW a few weeks ago.  The Demon I came up with an immediate plan for and the Albatross looked useful too.  I was delighted to see the Morane as I didn't have one!  The others have been passed to PHW who has also borrowed the Morane for some photos.

The Morane - an old Revell kit I believe - was in pretty good shape.  I have previously bodged one from a Fokker E1 but it's nice to have a 'real' one. I firmed up the attachment of some extremities.  The decals were flaky but looked largely salvageable and several coats of varnish gave a respectable finish.

COW acquisitions

 

Behold: most of the goodies from last month's COW!  I was pleased to score a trio of Andrew Rolph's scenario books along with a new book from Jim Roche.

Serial offender Mr Bassett kindly donated this box of mostly WW1 aircraft.  Half have been re-homed, one has been repaired and two er, re-purposed.

A bargain bag of 1/300ish Cold War aircraft for a £5!

And more 1/1200 WW2 ships.

Catching up!

There have been no posts for a while as I've been busy with COW and quite a few games.  I have quite a backlog of games to write up, including further 54mm forays to 1944, 1936 and 1812.  I've also managed some bodging and painting - mostly stuff urgently needed for games.  And of course you'll want to know what high quality items I found on the COW bring & buy.

For now, enjoy these photos of the street fighting side of the COW plenary game - set around the Papal Conclave of 1559.

The factions' groups of ruffians prepare to take to the streets.

The book on which the game (organised by John Wilkie) was based. A recommended read!

Most of the (1/32 scale) figures were 3D prints.  Clearly nothing says peace and harmony like a papal election.

Painting done - basing in progress.

I also sourced a few 3D prints from Speira in Sweden.  And yes, that is a nun with a pump-action shotgun!

Each 'turn' I drew an event card to fire up the mob!  Each faction (French-backed, Spanish-backed and Hardliners) plus the Swiss Guard then had to decide if they were taking to the streets and to declare for either law & order or chaos & destruction.

All of the factions bribed the mob and even each other at times!

Chatillon, 1870

 

I ran this game a few weeks ago using a cut down version of Funny Little Wars.  Lloyd kindly provided most of the 54mm toys and I the terrain.  The original battle saw the French XIV Corps getting stuck into the tempting flank of a Prussian/Bavarian formation marching west towards Versailles.  Though rural and dotted with villages in 1870, these days the Chatillon plateau can be reached on the Paris Metro!  In the Northeast corner of the battlefield were the forts of Vanves and d'Issy.  The historical French sortie gave the Germans a few anxious moments but overall wasn't a great success.  This was very much how our game played out but it kept eight of us off the streets for a few hours!  The photos are from a number of the participants and myself.  Well done to all: Pete, Andrew, Simon, John, Fred, Bish and Lloyd.  

A French infantry regiment advancing.

A significant piece of terrain was the redoubt  - which I of course forgot to bring.  Pete set to work folding some bits of card and made this excellent substitute.

Prussian units assembling.

Bavarian cavalry and artillery.

French line and chasseurs - and some very worried Bavarian gunners!

View from the south - lots of French advancing!

Fort d'Issy.  Built in the 1840s as part of the ring of forts surrounding Paris.  Sadly by 1870 field artillery ranges had doubled, rendering these imposing forts rather redundant!

Prussian cavalry and artillery

The south-centre of the battlefield. German troops returning from the west.

Bavarians in the southwest skulking in woods.

The French 4th Div arriving from Paris

French line and chasseurs trying to look intimidating

Most of the French infantry were in fact ACW figures with 'paint conversions.'

The French had a window of opportunity when they outnumbered the enemy

French generals hanging around near the perceived safety of a fort.

A rather ambitious French cavalry charge goes in.  It didn't end well.

The terrain was a bit minimalist but worked well.  

Lots of French artillery!  The 25pdr was used for the actual firing.

French infantry doing their best to ignore the distant horde of Bavarians!

More French cavalry in action - and this time they have the numbers!

Bavarians trying not to be the meat in a French sandwich.

Vast numbers of German troops were arriving from the west.

In the centre the French were under pressure, with several units looking very tatty.