tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14438458423568890662024-03-13T04:27:46.327-07:00Iron Mammoth's StudioModel Making and Figure Sculpture discussion, tips, tricks and tutorials. Mainly aimed at the Wargamer and with something of a Science Fiction bias!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-89993947950771754262023-04-03T03:47:00.001-07:002023-04-03T03:47:38.734-07:00Book Review: Airfix Model World Basic Guide to Modelling by Stu Fone<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been building model kits for around 50 years, and have worked as a professional model-maker (scratch-building, not kits) for at least 30 years. So I didn't expect to get much for myself out of this book. I was just interested to see how useful the book was for novice model-kit builders.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh6j5r45MXMbF5UOVb9wZ6CvrTcOa8Hosa6jDE_CVZ3vWfrlu6NgSNdWdSXrMVhb_waTkMd9vXCWxbwP2KqhUgNEVtoburfmL3VoQTvUpgQp5juKKDJcC5O-1wQJ2oOINqfuspQj1rv-4gYyWyOHwl7KCEH549DEK_tQoD0zGTE8v4abbHRz-U-LC/s1000/Airfix%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="734" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSh6j5r45MXMbF5UOVb9wZ6CvrTcOa8Hosa6jDE_CVZ3vWfrlu6NgSNdWdSXrMVhb_waTkMd9vXCWxbwP2KqhUgNEVtoburfmL3VoQTvUpgQp5juKKDJcC5O-1wQJ2oOINqfuspQj1rv-4gYyWyOHwl7KCEH549DEK_tQoD0zGTE8v4abbHRz-U-LC/s320/Airfix%2001.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> I picked up <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Airfix-Model-World-Basic-Guide-to-Modelling-Paperback/p/22383">Airfix Model World Basic Guide to Modelling by Stu Fone</a> expecting a fairly simple book with tips for the absolute beginner. However, as well as the beginner's information there are plenty of tips and tricks for the more experienced modeller.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWQs0QLwMDtoKik4RKZbkd6hW180WxcOfuasDtsmtLdUhE8K_jSPXzNT4NNl1hHV5A5jPbjRQMF3bAJy8WVtDKcC0U21USDr9Cu_2RUs6ArPxTUN_N0eOF9XDsR4kR_qwLsEraqiCPsY8tt2-YIvM-BlaqFL3_-ainKjT61lvDr-4SeFokMT0N9VN/s1000/Airfix%2001a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="785" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWQs0QLwMDtoKik4RKZbkd6hW180WxcOfuasDtsmtLdUhE8K_jSPXzNT4NNl1hHV5A5jPbjRQMF3bAJy8WVtDKcC0U21USDr9Cu_2RUs6ArPxTUN_N0eOF9XDsR4kR_qwLsEraqiCPsY8tt2-YIvM-BlaqFL3_-ainKjT61lvDr-4SeFokMT0N9VN/s320/Airfix%2001a.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The book is a collection of articles reprinted from the Airfix Model World magazine. However, it is put together so that each article takes the modeller one step further through the model-building process.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErbvwPLrXe6M5C2ayOaKfdwKoSBDeMI90NfvyEEUtgfHRteYwqo94NwIiIEDNnhzWVCn4tHvhraoeiRtqmwtRLcY3MB7J4QahK8HKQhYN1aL7cRC_HbmC_FQpDNmrfIEb4pyz8Hy4xFWlv6zNe7IN9S2qI3nMiPmEpQhxo20IqaRxwYxpOu75b88s/s1000/Airfix%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjErbvwPLrXe6M5C2ayOaKfdwKoSBDeMI90NfvyEEUtgfHRteYwqo94NwIiIEDNnhzWVCn4tHvhraoeiRtqmwtRLcY3MB7J4QahK8HKQhYN1aL7cRC_HbmC_FQpDNmrfIEb4pyz8Hy4xFWlv6zNe7IN9S2qI3nMiPmEpQhxo20IqaRxwYxpOu75b88s/s320/Airfix%2002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>From Tools, through basic assembly, clean up and filling and on to painting, applying water side transfers (decals), varnishing and aftermarket accessories. There is also a chapter on scratch-building replacement parts, either for lost parts or to improve the original kit.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ALEAVgcKDYbNVBmKjNTKhy7bGgpJJjTS5wRhfq_H-80qmogz3JncD0-XDsZGxaDqUUNMZvf6O7AFbhBQwyM4aDv3RAx1YhkhgIkY4T6pD5kd7tmvkkMcVBHEJDPMaOHC1WHHctKEzr8CewQs9CPQMMR5GShrquRTw_TDmIgoGUXR_q0skHoDJDx/s1000/Airfix%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC1ALEAVgcKDYbNVBmKjNTKhy7bGgpJJjTS5wRhfq_H-80qmogz3JncD0-XDsZGxaDqUUNMZvf6O7AFbhBQwyM4aDv3RAx1YhkhgIkY4T6pD5kd7tmvkkMcVBHEJDPMaOHC1WHHctKEzr8CewQs9CPQMMR5GShrquRTw_TDmIgoGUXR_q0skHoDJDx/s320/Airfix%2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Each chapter is simple enough for beginners to find useful but also features tips from the author's years of experience that even as a veteran model maker often proved useful.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUSza53xTk3uqsaxQ1lB3-GRQv7iqz53US6RzJkWpGRewANC3TfkgsLuRhTZyWm1QEHPMhrQZdd7_T86KXphmtOdMUVNcPmAgHjbfXHU-PRqGqcJVlIuA-KvVZ-Y3vjUTj2UnpVrltJP338tII-vtvt0jgVCJn76oaGoFOtMkedqeKVXGia1Au4Yc/s1000/Airfix%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="1000" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUSza53xTk3uqsaxQ1lB3-GRQv7iqz53US6RzJkWpGRewANC3TfkgsLuRhTZyWm1QEHPMhrQZdd7_T86KXphmtOdMUVNcPmAgHjbfXHU-PRqGqcJVlIuA-KvVZ-Y3vjUTj2UnpVrltJP338tII-vtvt0jgVCJn76oaGoFOtMkedqeKVXGia1Au4Yc/s320/Airfix%2004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As a professional model-maker, I don't build that many plastic model kits these days. So some of the tips in the book, which clearly come from years of kit building, were very interesting and I will certainly refer back to the book when putting plastic kits together in the future.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O8izUlbVrx_t8TrFH_1jjgHy1-xX9b0n8x0rMHIU_bUwzg33DeoQ0ZnMa3CRKTfEzZGgPt__kTy8Zze-G4CrwbwehORTJ4t9wURR4IpCCWsWHIhCOmYp3JRNNACQAhI8mxts3Ib0QVtEiscrSegiIvTz6_kDskrvYBj3KiZUpUUahMn7d6vd3766/s1000/Airfix%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3O8izUlbVrx_t8TrFH_1jjgHy1-xX9b0n8x0rMHIU_bUwzg33DeoQ0ZnMa3CRKTfEzZGgPt__kTy8Zze-G4CrwbwehORTJ4t9wURR4IpCCWsWHIhCOmYp3JRNNACQAhI8mxts3Ib0QVtEiscrSegiIvTz6_kDskrvYBj3KiZUpUUahMn7d6vd3766/s320/Airfix%2005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing how others paint models is always useful, so discovering the author's painting processes was good and very interesting, especially his weathering techniques.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for applying decals, I have used a softener a few times and found it certainly helps disguise the transfer and avoid creases. However, I will be trying some of the products mentioned in the book, to see if I prefer them.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNO0BSC-T5iG2Dq2Hj7Zuv0K5fdQuEgybpF_268kDoIEucbnEa0VVadPJM_ETJr3X4ppS1EzRXOURrg1LYhoVGesvEiQeiHp6K8fZpMaBQNRgslaxc0zbfN47LbwSmkWmffUBCelZDqI_C3ascWh7nZZtm2dAbg5Pl8rD_NTpeWeoTaOMBfLeurLM/s1000/Airfix%2007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1000" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSNO0BSC-T5iG2Dq2Hj7Zuv0K5fdQuEgybpF_268kDoIEucbnEa0VVadPJM_ETJr3X4ppS1EzRXOURrg1LYhoVGesvEiQeiHp6K8fZpMaBQNRgslaxc0zbfN47LbwSmkWmffUBCelZDqI_C3ascWh7nZZtm2dAbg5Pl8rD_NTpeWeoTaOMBfLeurLM/s320/Airfix%2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I mentioned above, the book features a chapter on scratch-building parts for kit models. Now, this is an area that I really enjoy, as a lot of my models are entirely scratch-built. It is good to see that this is being promoted to beginner model-makers, as it can be the most satisfying part of the process, and shouldn't be too difficult if approached with an open mind.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy6WedlFjXpQeWB-O2sJhtFrh1o42Z-i4ntBhIMBhSRymfcr7bAlwFMyB7G8zL2YM-sTQsYktVEAK-UIFzDb3Q8eA1RVp2a1nc0UrxJpo36ZjUn1CVIcK25-GL9liJIDl2YZ_cnS13yCx9pQ6v9tJyoHGjYbSCfdyg3lzH_lySkHGzhvmtdE127GY/s1000/Airfix%2010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOy6WedlFjXpQeWB-O2sJhtFrh1o42Z-i4ntBhIMBhSRymfcr7bAlwFMyB7G8zL2YM-sTQsYktVEAK-UIFzDb3Q8eA1RVp2a1nc0UrxJpo36ZjUn1CVIcK25-GL9liJIDl2YZ_cnS13yCx9pQ6v9tJyoHGjYbSCfdyg3lzH_lySkHGzhvmtdE127GY/s320/Airfix%2010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />One of the aspects of this book that caught me somewhat by surprise is the fact that not all of the model kits and other modelling products in the book are manufactured by Airfix (or Humbrol). There is an open attitude to discussing other manufacturers' kits etc. <p></p><div>An excellent book that I may well keep in my collection (or possibly pass on to a more inexperienced modeller).</div><div><br /></div><div>Pick up the book <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Airfix-Model-World-Basic-Guide-to-Modelling-Paperback/p/22383">HERE</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-14101646142345104472023-01-31T03:10:00.009-08:002023-01-31T03:10:46.197-08:00Book Review: Sci-Fi Skirmish Scenarios by John Lambshead<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zthqfiPwhT23O0aDo8n4sKgqKHgiBEJ79ELGsPrekhI9GCR-nZrwoJtIECILMyP0AVa3ij55pOtHP1_Td_U9wjBiM26t1AAMiVAhO1E0gL8BSmE6LEdNsu6uFefmuKwV2qfWKQLZLtRd-rrSjODoGBmh2N6DcHrCFtdzvy2dC6LeuRdPQ-xfe8wq/s1000/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="692" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zthqfiPwhT23O0aDo8n4sKgqKHgiBEJ79ELGsPrekhI9GCR-nZrwoJtIECILMyP0AVa3ij55pOtHP1_Td_U9wjBiM26t1AAMiVAhO1E0gL8BSmE6LEdNsu6uFefmuKwV2qfWKQLZLtRd-rrSjODoGBmh2N6DcHrCFtdzvy2dC6LeuRdPQ-xfe8wq/s320/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2001.jpg" width="221" /></a></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sci-fi-Skirmish-Scenarios-Paperback/p/21780">Sci-Fi Skirmish Scenarios by John Lambshead</a> is an excellent selection of wargames scenarios that offer a great supplement for any rules set and, despite the Sci-Fi title, they could be used with any skirmish rules, certainly from say Steampunk through Modern and on into any variety of Sci-Fi.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYpxZcBBQs3uEAQw4Nu0TeVK_Z9WgOw0nXVoca8WChfrISTwRrhdCEivk_mcoIDmTd-SF1RtyhzyDnkSYe5p5vo-yJwNQhBPMkvF3d2LUbJrxBwhpXC4OGZV8lBztlJY19FBXwk6CnLoLDlWm3DCerPrAwAmsTUN99TM1UtMN458DcfVmiohHhBqX/s1000/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="713" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYpxZcBBQs3uEAQw4Nu0TeVK_Z9WgOw0nXVoca8WChfrISTwRrhdCEivk_mcoIDmTd-SF1RtyhzyDnkSYe5p5vo-yJwNQhBPMkvF3d2LUbJrxBwhpXC4OGZV8lBztlJY19FBXwk6CnLoLDlWm3DCerPrAwAmsTUN99TM1UtMN458DcfVmiohHhBqX/s320/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2002.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book starts off by laying out a few different terrain types from city centres through sub-urban settings via industrial and finally ending up in wastelands. So covering most terrain types that would suite the setting.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq2llu9Bdwo74oRD6M-UYyXmwoARQ-CyPRhIOtBt-c9ATLRxi12wwCg5AmuYGLpH8ak5gP89BwAIEEVBXDVQOlQ4FdQaPMQ18W5nevkqeBue6VOddP8v82wbox-2S-HU7byv-C79orfVhaPxKpJEbFbL_wSuTtJc_ePxmSTjPZF2-0v2R6J7V6FH6/s1000/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="732" data-original-width="1000" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq2llu9Bdwo74oRD6M-UYyXmwoARQ-CyPRhIOtBt-c9ATLRxi12wwCg5AmuYGLpH8ak5gP89BwAIEEVBXDVQOlQ4FdQaPMQ18W5nevkqeBue6VOddP8v82wbox-2S-HU7byv-C79orfVhaPxKpJEbFbL_wSuTtJc_ePxmSTjPZF2-0v2R6J7V6FH6/s320/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of the book is made up of page after page of different scenario ideas. Each scenario taking up between two and six pages to flesh out. Now reading the book straight through does get a little dry and repetitive, however, that is not really how this book is designed to be used ( although it is a handy way to find some of the more interesting scenarios). The book is best used by simply dipping in and picking random scenarios when you are stuck for ideas for your evenings game.</div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbmLHFftkXumXdZYItdwrLhlSdlFRgavZrLRs59o05E7lNVV0NIljdXNfBHtgAHBQRbYxzzp8fuPxrUHL5n4UyHxoAj5yLjNZ_W4wTOyPyqADz9JCYwu_jxgEnbwczQ3ISllpCksagXf0fuouvmD0aSw6FBG3_c1UmKQyqF8RWNwRutuZVxo29IYE/s1000/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1000" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbmLHFftkXumXdZYItdwrLhlSdlFRgavZrLRs59o05E7lNVV0NIljdXNfBHtgAHBQRbYxzzp8fuPxrUHL5n4UyHxoAj5yLjNZ_W4wTOyPyqADz9JCYwu_jxgEnbwczQ3ISllpCksagXf0fuouvmD0aSw6FBG3_c1UmKQyqF8RWNwRutuZVxo29IYE/s320/Scifi%20Skirmish%20Scenarios%2004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the scenarios, the book looks at ways to use run a campaign and then also how to use it for solo play.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All this is extremely useful for the modern slim, miniature agnostic rulebooks that are out there and it gives a vast resource of scenario ideas that can easily be adapted to any game. I will probably even end up adapting scenario ideas from the book for my historical or fantasy skirmish games. I can see this book being reached for every time I am planning a game in future.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An excellent addition to any wargamers collection.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Get the book <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Sci-fi-Skirmish-Scenarios-Paperback/p/21780">HERE!</a></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-42981880106428580592023-01-12T03:43:00.012-08:002023-01-20T00:41:56.063-08:00Book Review: Secrets of the Cold War by Andrew Long<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg5BKX0Ys15IbBVpc56Bgk3_-cprEO1T6IPrVH5oIP4d9JzchK5QwXX07_6TcyjcESP-zkKv0xH7i5S6kxLfsDn0tiny4WBO4sJdEZqcNkclJUBTzVHja5T60hYzH2RmnmLs-7as2rfQa8yJDVxUl1SimZ9iCTncDrVi9AaCVg-HgEm1ya3_YDB_k/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="690" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg5BKX0Ys15IbBVpc56Bgk3_-cprEO1T6IPrVH5oIP4d9JzchK5QwXX07_6TcyjcESP-zkKv0xH7i5S6kxLfsDn0tiny4WBO4sJdEZqcNkclJUBTzVHja5T60hYzH2RmnmLs-7as2rfQa8yJDVxUl1SimZ9iCTncDrVi9AaCVg-HgEm1ya3_YDB_k/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2001.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Having had a long-term interest in the history of espionage, and in particular the Cold War period I was intrigued to read this book. I have a fair knowledge of the Cambridge Spies and I know a little about the Berlin Wall and the animosity that occurred during the partition of German. However, I had never really tied it all together and achieved an understanding of the whole history of the spying that occurred during that time.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiellrtpNXLDu5GUrKtpGZwUvPcCfJjHyoXBPhRc5TWi58ZtGSSV6jQQDov1k_hzPRotjJYQvt-VUTD84nEzZcUlrjWji8gdGEiIcagw_zCyW9RE0iHsthtSKYMG8adGNcaAYs_RDrZBKivBkC6zk-94NMgN6b-hmFWWKe3jEW0u9rAzyoYoropx9Dd/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="693" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiellrtpNXLDu5GUrKtpGZwUvPcCfJjHyoXBPhRc5TWi58ZtGSSV6jQQDov1k_hzPRotjJYQvt-VUTD84nEzZcUlrjWji8gdGEiIcagw_zCyW9RE0iHsthtSKYMG8adGNcaAYs_RDrZBKivBkC6zk-94NMgN6b-hmFWWKe3jEW0u9rAzyoYoropx9Dd/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2002.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This book, <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Secrets-of-the-Cold-War-Hardback/p/21843">Secrets of the Cold War by Andrew Long</a>, has given me an excellent overview of the whole period, with fairly in-depth coverage of the main historical events of the secret war.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ssxR3SClZmtQosPciYE7RHvzXlMPqFUu7aljCD5Nhv4pjqcKPfzjBiF8Ds77vuN94lK5Pb7LFVphZ9dvdLo6zyA6nHXbOY7ZVpjd0aFj5E4EuygiIplEu8dRGIU0Q6VfoM3DaLRCSzGnZElsXNzILmAFcHuUybQABPnXTS-IwTYIsWWxsBa2GKJl/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ssxR3SClZmtQosPciYE7RHvzXlMPqFUu7aljCD5Nhv4pjqcKPfzjBiF8Ds77vuN94lK5Pb7LFVphZ9dvdLo6zyA6nHXbOY7ZVpjd0aFj5E4EuygiIplEu8dRGIU0Q6VfoM3DaLRCSzGnZElsXNzILmAFcHuUybQABPnXTS-IwTYIsWWxsBa2GKJl/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2003.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The first chapter mainly concentrates on the Atomic Spies, starting during the Second World War and leading right into the Cold War. I was aware of some of these, but again the book gives an excellent overview and shows how the different spies and spy rings interacted and complimented each other.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe1fafsSjMQC3tG-T5OakliE8AX4tUFdzceq3zXAroeGKeqgzusyaD2cKRu-7such_gmoc3i_rLr96cUEgL43FMWMzVSMA0weEjd69QT9m68Mp7DwGof3RHqVYY2Ehh8nZMycVel4ouwKQs4qKVG0jr0y07Gv653f-qSYcnqK58CSsoiVN26KVAfO/s770/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="770" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYe1fafsSjMQC3tG-T5OakliE8AX4tUFdzceq3zXAroeGKeqgzusyaD2cKRu-7such_gmoc3i_rLr96cUEgL43FMWMzVSMA0weEjd69QT9m68Mp7DwGof3RHqVYY2Ehh8nZMycVel4ouwKQs4qKVG0jr0y07Gv653f-qSYcnqK58CSsoiVN26KVAfO/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Chapter two looks at Berlin and the American tunnel that was dug under the Berlin Wall to tap into East German phone lines. A huge espionage success for the West, which had, even before it was completed, been betrayed to the Soviets... </div><div>Next up, the book moves to the South Coast of England and the Portland Spies, followed by Oleg Penkovsky, the Russian Colonel who became an important source of information for the West, before he was ultimately caught.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9CpBd5juJiaK1rEBocnrdgyMyVQgmzHyUX4tT__Wky5gWhyS3pM0Ma-xPxwHsrpdC1ap_NyIVxC9eLWvaNpJzwLMH6yAjZR1aegFV1Mk2dHPb7fGXpX7GIi6WGs79PcaKqSx1NHgoLyImWDqf3ikdpX9MZdUJDmtbPT4WuWYTxlAXW2x0ECdQ2-N/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2005.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="608" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9CpBd5juJiaK1rEBocnrdgyMyVQgmzHyUX4tT__Wky5gWhyS3pM0Ma-xPxwHsrpdC1ap_NyIVxC9eLWvaNpJzwLMH6yAjZR1aegFV1Mk2dHPb7fGXpX7GIi6WGs79PcaKqSx1NHgoLyImWDqf3ikdpX9MZdUJDmtbPT4WuWYTxlAXW2x0ECdQ2-N/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2005.jpg" width="195" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Of course, overshadowing all of the different soviet spies featured in the book were the Cambridge Spies, Philby, Burgess, Maclean, Blunt and Cairncross. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HSrrovgwCxsemglLF1jTAgJeOxZa-Cn2hGvEKDyzsslW_GbKFEGzZhevEr3x50N0YhvkER3KjT7A3TIvpU127VZxy-p7_p3iuJmY958Q-4Nr8pwlZZIEbFCTfcPz_nPa4bRuFeSfAUFxESMWgV2hFQXThI8AqJ9U3tKs-a--tCfghuK7ICfBnMnP/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_HSrrovgwCxsemglLF1jTAgJeOxZa-Cn2hGvEKDyzsslW_GbKFEGzZhevEr3x50N0YhvkER3KjT7A3TIvpU127VZxy-p7_p3iuJmY958Q-4Nr8pwlZZIEbFCTfcPz_nPa4bRuFeSfAUFxESMWgV2hFQXThI8AqJ9U3tKs-a--tCfghuK7ICfBnMnP/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2006.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The final chapter of the book looks at an aspect of Cold War espionage that I had not heard of before. The Military Liason Missions that ran throughout East (and West) Germany. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0XXigt5DYDnm3ohcZ3T4BKmdJFNSQTmRzNOmCtT_E-RQ1O4pjSzsYaujDxnWKxzQ-SICg8heb3-yLGcWjSevRsbCjGvXtiLoMeelujmuzFLDXWS-CQCsYCK-mccR1Lw95fyqHJ0HhN33Nxr5TXvQ3BxhNDhQhQi0ASurQuPoEFIIa4fcTMf9QWnH/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="687" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0XXigt5DYDnm3ohcZ3T4BKmdJFNSQTmRzNOmCtT_E-RQ1O4pjSzsYaujDxnWKxzQ-SICg8heb3-yLGcWjSevRsbCjGvXtiLoMeelujmuzFLDXWS-CQCsYCK-mccR1Lw95fyqHJ0HhN33Nxr5TXvQ3BxhNDhQhQi0ASurQuPoEFIIa4fcTMf9QWnH/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2007.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Liason missions were an integral part of the partition agreement that divided Germany after World War Two. Basically, Britain, the US and France were allowed to send regular missions (typically three military personnel in a car) into East Germany to travel around and observe/liaise with the East Germans. There were restricted areas that the missions were not allowed to enter, and there was often tension between the East German / Soviet forces and the missions (which led to at least two deaths of mission personnel). However, the missions often went above and beyond their stated objectives and acquired a lot of intelligence about the opposing forces' dispositions and equipment. I must also add that the East Germans also ran liaison missions in West Germany, although these are only really mentioned in passing.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIX7vO1M0EkH58e5l8nrThIH4xskyM5OWKrs7wYbmXGdmOJgDfuALqy-MWUW950lNr1_ZYSavRHZ_orMj1A92GEs71w2e8Ja68m6fkHUnYRhw8KD3hdERmhB-vWJK8hiebWw2SaUS4jVNkkANp00roae5HE-9PrmdLeaILx5Jku1slkPxpEOwzEb4/s1000/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVIX7vO1M0EkH58e5l8nrThIH4xskyM5OWKrs7wYbmXGdmOJgDfuALqy-MWUW950lNr1_ZYSavRHZ_orMj1A92GEs71w2e8Ja68m6fkHUnYRhw8KD3hdERmhB-vWJK8hiebWw2SaUS4jVNkkANp00roae5HE-9PrmdLeaILx5Jku1slkPxpEOwzEb4/s320/Secrets%20of%20the%20Cold%20War%2008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I found the book to be an excellent resource and overview of the Cold War (at least in terms of East/West espionage). I especially enjoyed discovering the history of the Military Liasion missions. I am surprised that there have not been any movies made depicting the exploits of some of these missions, as I am sure there is plenty there to work with!<p></p><div>If you are interested in spies, the Cold War or the modern history of Germany you can't really go wrong in picking up this book.</div><div><br /></div><div>Highly Recommended!</div><div><br /></div><div>Get it <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Secrets-of-the-Cold-War-Hardback/p/21843">HERE!</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-17748258616198262352022-11-22T07:10:00.000-08:002022-11-22T07:10:10.217-08:00Book Review: Phantom and Victory<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoNf0r3Lsf46OBLxAzN2vq7EFUNffgkV-E1aWmFhoI-IW8tw04fiuXemRwyufQ0M6gDI9ZBGMPOyWLP_y7FfIAekNlpjPRHjOpouNueOiOqpqWdmvOR-iHb9GRMXxwZhEhxjbHJj76eHxIcFBWdrdIc9lJpqW7hl-vN_zOv_M58AQqepYr4qbVB9J/s1000/Phantom%2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="728" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoNf0r3Lsf46OBLxAzN2vq7EFUNffgkV-E1aWmFhoI-IW8tw04fiuXemRwyufQ0M6gDI9ZBGMPOyWLP_y7FfIAekNlpjPRHjOpouNueOiOqpqWdmvOR-iHb9GRMXxwZhEhxjbHJj76eHxIcFBWdrdIc9lJpqW7hl-vN_zOv_M58AQqepYr4qbVB9J/w175-h240/Phantom%2001.jpg" width="175" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zfFjpPXwIkAUVnOK0sUZmcIHEsK-TBzASYJ_KXjAVIhYYVRnyXhREKBqzDE6L_fxIwHX_6zSLm2JJTOLQzSMsNEhauwqN1qtSt2DjxvI03cTEHdFbXNcrrXd_aw6wcOZIKiGHbC8-KdSd4kTCXw11bCnWl3eCR2AenUgkoqoyzqCSvaY2trly0SR/s1000/Victory%2001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="731" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zfFjpPXwIkAUVnOK0sUZmcIHEsK-TBzASYJ_KXjAVIhYYVRnyXhREKBqzDE6L_fxIwHX_6zSLm2JJTOLQzSMsNEhauwqN1qtSt2DjxvI03cTEHdFbXNcrrXd_aw6wcOZIKiGHbC8-KdSd4kTCXw11bCnWl3eCR2AenUgkoqoyzqCSvaY2trly0SR/w178-h243/Victory%2001.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">These two books may not initially seem to have any obvious connection, other than both being from related series of military history/modelmaking books from <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/">Pen and Sword Publishing</a>. However, to myself on a personal note, they both have resonance.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My mother is from Portsmouth, so we regularly holidayed there and I have walked the deck of HMS Victory more times than I can remember. So even if I do not have a significant interest in Napoleonic or Naval warfare, I have always had an interest in this particular ship. Also, my great-grandfather, as a young Royal Marine served two tours of duty aboard the Victory around the end of the 19th century. Oh and as for modelmaking, my father spent 30+ years building a wooden kit of HMS Victory, so it was constantly around the house.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My interest in the McDonnell Douglas Phantom is a little simpler. As a boy growing up in the 1970s I was of that generation that was endlessly building model kits, usually 1/72-scale military vehicles and planes (at least, before I discovered sci-fi kits). Before I was very experienced as a modeller, I was given a 1/48-scale Phantom kit. To my recollection, my father helped me build and then painted it for me. It was probably the biggest model I had and I adored it for a long time. One of the jet engines was removable and also painted up for added effect. Unfortunately, as I grew older the model lost favour and I have vague memories of using it for kit-bashed parts for later scratch-built models.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Anyway, time to move on from the reminiscences and look at the books. All of the books in these series that I have read take a similar format, giving a good general history of the design and development of their subjects as well as looking at how they were used. The books then move on to a review of the available model kits and then finally a look at paint schemes and modelling details. These two books are no different.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I will say that I am no expert on aviation or naval subjects so a lot of the technical terms in these two books went way over my head, which may be an issue for the casual modeller that just wants a quick guide on how to put together a kit... They do seem to be written with the aim of appealing to an already knowledgeable reader. The books might benefit from a brief glossary of technical terms for those of us who are just dabbling in these particular areas of military history.</div> <div>Moving on to each book itself.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>McDonnell Douglas F4 Phantom</b></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB-nX4AHVzCJxkvpBzgUhwrvl5qByi5Onrg6ruiK02q0cQKiph2lYvoYSEJIBL8w48OSByobGTWYyZcHBQfBZQKamOqPxTTxY8JYDd4SSAWSxh5z46D7eqaN9X_yr5Vh_HFrDrEQuzyCSS5SL11wBkf3gAra4i68H-VbgT-hZUEKT1Uxuu4MUkvdc/s1000/Phantom%2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1000" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuB-nX4AHVzCJxkvpBzgUhwrvl5qByi5Onrg6ruiK02q0cQKiph2lYvoYSEJIBL8w48OSByobGTWYyZcHBQfBZQKamOqPxTTxY8JYDd4SSAWSxh5z46D7eqaN9X_yr5Vh_HFrDrEQuzyCSS5SL11wBkf3gAra4i68H-VbgT-hZUEKT1Uxuu4MUkvdc/s320/Phantom%2002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found the historical overview of the Phantom particularly interesting as I had virtually no knowledge of how or when they were used. I had only really been drawn to their iconic look and the sheer feeling of power that they gave off.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kzXWd7eh2hPv9A-clKDCMNR2pc584Vog4K69mPFsR5KOaoaxKfBrgi-1WGGD_kLYWiI6gXsegTvicrMMQ1jNVkZOveAmqUkw8HCMTjFnICLyv3gGlI1FuWfsS05VFNRxCXDP0_b7DmxRS7cTUb8dO8wZ4zs-gjxuAzOAiWarwfAKIq2BFfsYUTxJ/s1000/Phantom%2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="1000" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kzXWd7eh2hPv9A-clKDCMNR2pc584Vog4K69mPFsR5KOaoaxKfBrgi-1WGGD_kLYWiI6gXsegTvicrMMQ1jNVkZOveAmqUkw8HCMTjFnICLyv3gGlI1FuWfsS05VFNRxCXDP0_b7DmxRS7cTUb8dO8wZ4zs-gjxuAzOAiWarwfAKIq2BFfsYUTxJ/s320/Phantom%2003.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /></div><p></p><div><br /></div><div>It was fascinating to see just how widely they were used by different nations around the world. Clearly, this gives the modelmaker the widest of choices when he is considering which variant and which paint job he wants to give the model, assuming there is a kit available that fits those choices.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUhlg8naR4zi7k3JLGJ8E2v0qTA7cbqVmPOEwVKwv-ZkrrScLt1_1Sx0uedLq51EC8uAsTbDJum0xfCLIopi6T6GnZyRl4xu61DLQM8fgVAWUW_-z21RIkHIXqcfmkNJBOhAYwRGylEYlDkxp6t_X1ui9MhWDdXQeH2H3FYvxzK_EDdhu55t3tpKG/s1000/Phantom%2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeUhlg8naR4zi7k3JLGJ8E2v0qTA7cbqVmPOEwVKwv-ZkrrScLt1_1Sx0uedLq51EC8uAsTbDJum0xfCLIopi6T6GnZyRl4xu61DLQM8fgVAWUW_-z21RIkHIXqcfmkNJBOhAYwRGylEYlDkxp6t_X1ui9MhWDdXQeH2H3FYvxzK_EDdhu55t3tpKG/s320/Phantom%2004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The book is filled with a good selection of excellent photos of the various versions of the Phantom and also has some nicely detailed illustrations that would make a very useful guide for the modelmaker.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj642L61vD5Rz_bKyIeOo3yb7XxzWaEB0ahqchNNuAn24MT9PHXL8nWVcszLXeGeoOCMQW3WUOSTW-2Ljc4LoFWVT0gsrNhYSJoUunV0KrB6mc9Qw73VBt09PWmkIuWvVej2iGXfvib9VuOmLe2SuuAxtIiTJeIogP9bMkkjs35p7QPLIPREXQ-L5Gf/s1000/Phantom%2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1000" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj642L61vD5Rz_bKyIeOo3yb7XxzWaEB0ahqchNNuAn24MT9PHXL8nWVcszLXeGeoOCMQW3WUOSTW-2Ljc4LoFWVT0gsrNhYSJoUunV0KrB6mc9Qw73VBt09PWmkIuWvVej2iGXfvib9VuOmLe2SuuAxtIiTJeIogP9bMkkjs35p7QPLIPREXQ-L5Gf/s320/Phantom%2005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><div>The review of the selection of kits available may be somewhat time limited as years down the line some of these kits may have gone out of production, however, it is a great guide as to what is around just now.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMZwAvpKq2EdQ9OMaADjv3Ik9PvY-eejKmKrrhoI0_oVIiFswgNeTXYq8v65k8cgFrGMWideAlr8kWD1c3wENMZ7ilVU4_qQ67MePBYznUu_KBrkaVsd5L8RtBdFyoeRIxHyx4C4uGe6mn_mk1j3KooyCpFicc4Fi-uRroVQamFIJTRFsUpn2h92E/s1000/Phantom%2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="773" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMZwAvpKq2EdQ9OMaADjv3Ik9PvY-eejKmKrrhoI0_oVIiFswgNeTXYq8v65k8cgFrGMWideAlr8kWD1c3wENMZ7ilVU4_qQ67MePBYznUu_KBrkaVsd5L8RtBdFyoeRIxHyx4C4uGe6mn_mk1j3KooyCpFicc4Fi-uRroVQamFIJTRFsUpn2h92E/s320/Phantom%2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><b>Victory 100 Gun First Rate 1765</b><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ye2AufbUya5aAvJ5qrQLBjTTSBzABowJiPoTaxOB-iJfqhj8KEclKFUaLq9oATNYV2kDO1NHC5ZYWsDrFtweEQ7wJguuWtRUhvRHZ4DYk34-ocD5NitfGLYnZB3iV_2G5avdcpdo-CWyX9_wN3qDs044IgfaJpqkwlQKlpQx_oxko5VS8BQ6d6Ux/s1000/Victory%2002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="771" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Ye2AufbUya5aAvJ5qrQLBjTTSBzABowJiPoTaxOB-iJfqhj8KEclKFUaLq9oATNYV2kDO1NHC5ZYWsDrFtweEQ7wJguuWtRUhvRHZ4DYk34-ocD5NitfGLYnZB3iV_2G5avdcpdo-CWyX9_wN3qDs044IgfaJpqkwlQKlpQx_oxko5VS8BQ6d6Ux/s320/Victory%2002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>Having visited the Victory countless times I am a little more familiar with her story. However, it was good to see it all written down in one cohesive text that tied everything into a single timeline. I must admit, I had not realised how many refits and modifications the ship had gone through. Of course, if you consider the amount of damage these ships took at each and every engagement, it is not at all surprising.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmuUayuHOrgWTK0C4Y3QWssF7T72H5J8EQPZjkmb49Smm7tvJkqwINBIF-s7kN58DZGOY-t41q1_r6Vde5HbcPol-bFNlkT9NXD2HcjaL7KoiyZdD-Vh2UUipXmlfA2QPyjBZijTuLsvfnIYSUhhusXmx0cmjpxUJ-hCQz_fHutXkc0wiocJrFmMu/s1000/Victory%2003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmuUayuHOrgWTK0C4Y3QWssF7T72H5J8EQPZjkmb49Smm7tvJkqwINBIF-s7kN58DZGOY-t41q1_r6Vde5HbcPol-bFNlkT9NXD2HcjaL7KoiyZdD-Vh2UUipXmlfA2QPyjBZijTuLsvfnIYSUhhusXmx0cmjpxUJ-hCQz_fHutXkc0wiocJrFmMu/s320/Victory%2003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book is packed with both photos of the current configuration of the Victory and also illustrations (usually taken from paintings done at the time) that show her at various points in her history.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y3Jrpr6JFx47NFK-X6GNKtGI01SmcR5xXnDq7_seUVzVPxkrb5qrBkTrnt720hxcY_EflCKdGaySDamPM74MuB2ZBEEnaXdnlWtI7HW6aGQZ3dwy8ng5XBmAwk4SsAOQn-_EB0BYj7A7bqiK3ScTxHXXoTB2NCyKnLGkKc584wZiCnYDbkzTEwZw/s1000/Victory%2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Y3Jrpr6JFx47NFK-X6GNKtGI01SmcR5xXnDq7_seUVzVPxkrb5qrBkTrnt720hxcY_EflCKdGaySDamPM74MuB2ZBEEnaXdnlWtI7HW6aGQZ3dwy8ng5XBmAwk4SsAOQn-_EB0BYj7A7bqiK3ScTxHXXoTB2NCyKnLGkKc584wZiCnYDbkzTEwZw/s320/Victory%2004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moving on to the modelling side of things, there have been various kits, going from the smallest plastic kits right up to the truly extravagant wooden kits with brass fittings etc. The book is thorough in covering a good spread of them with details of the pros and cons of each style of kit and lists of errors and modifications that are possible with each one.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bgtbOe-zYW6uy84a0PL0zXJd_JpkaMziVRi2sJaZJby4tRQ__f4YG2jIm6G1EuE5NAa5lJeIZ1rFrbFYI4mZY9bXdsoCBGoEbsaGvp6YH_1okTmEinCX9KOf0JvSsGQyETHiNj0QPikQ89xiNZZKs4128Cdjg3kNyuWjkYEDlLlvI_nGfu0aViVP/s1000/Victory%2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1000" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_bgtbOe-zYW6uy84a0PL0zXJd_JpkaMziVRi2sJaZJby4tRQ__f4YG2jIm6G1EuE5NAa5lJeIZ1rFrbFYI4mZY9bXdsoCBGoEbsaGvp6YH_1okTmEinCX9KOf0JvSsGQyETHiNj0QPikQ89xiNZZKs4128Cdjg3kNyuWjkYEDlLlvI_nGfu0aViVP/s320/Victory%2005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />There are also some photos of truly aspiration models to really get the modelmaker's juices flowing...<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYAd4lavkmjz6bqadoamya5V29SRTCwJuHxrx517_mu0f28sqESTCm85eh2uqGmXc0T1tpEqK7SF2J9r0d1RfkmAHVO_tNfUyF5Pe_fmreB-k_TlYWyIb_n5Uan5vxMhNzYi7ZNZxky7kAgBdLnog6aDyflsXzL5uVYWuDSrC8g577TWjyUW7mEYD/s1000/Victory%2006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="801" data-original-width="1000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYAd4lavkmjz6bqadoamya5V29SRTCwJuHxrx517_mu0f28sqESTCm85eh2uqGmXc0T1tpEqK7SF2J9r0d1RfkmAHVO_tNfUyF5Pe_fmreB-k_TlYWyIb_n5Uan5vxMhNzYi7ZNZxky7kAgBdLnog6aDyflsXzL5uVYWuDSrC8g577TWjyUW7mEYD/s320/Victory%2006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The end of the book rounds out with a series of illustrations showing the various configurations and colour schemes that the Victory carried both during its active career and since it has been in drydock in Portsmouth dockyard.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2qrXLYsPqxQiohwcC9kU6BQFM2Oiz3lsKWR0SiIqImx0g12v4sNUJxLak54ZoFxKTWTRYtu6f0kK9B5Dq3VasfGQMtY6wc1FZpQQxplPxAXfjoAm7KPZRuCP4gdrDHIe5kH7viOK3c1I7afhV0xC-bPg7_0NlbIb-zRURVVykuGJrE0nmOILCX8/s1000/Victory%2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1000" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ2qrXLYsPqxQiohwcC9kU6BQFM2Oiz3lsKWR0SiIqImx0g12v4sNUJxLak54ZoFxKTWTRYtu6f0kK9B5Dq3VasfGQMtY6wc1FZpQQxplPxAXfjoAm7KPZRuCP4gdrDHIe5kH7viOK3c1I7afhV0xC-bPg7_0NlbIb-zRURVVykuGJrE0nmOILCX8/s320/Victory%2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div>So to round out my review, both books are excellent resources for the keen modeller who is venturing into a new field. If it wasn't for the lack of explanation of some of the technical jargon these books would be almost perfect.</div><div>Highly recommended!</div><div>Get your copies <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/">HERE!</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-34294826951563088502022-05-20T03:49:00.004-07:002022-05-20T03:49:56.093-07:00Book Review: Painting Wargames Figures - Allied Forces in Northwest Europe 1944-1945 by Andy Singleton<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4PW7AO0dinyLlmw8jbj1c3_SNSDlBUw2Q_t9ZXmBqU7dMei2SksGlRZ8jWP-v9mAnmmOyE0-99rtyf1WxyfzmZqUjZNJJGqWAjPpXVPO2Fesfie-mTQvw-mJyn8L2DTPFqRYmY_43RaN7Pa5B56UPpneXdjRUeduHxO9JNPFl3X2CAZvj4n959Pf/s1427/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%20Cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-4PW7AO0dinyLlmw8jbj1c3_SNSDlBUw2Q_t9ZXmBqU7dMei2SksGlRZ8jWP-v9mAnmmOyE0-99rtyf1WxyfzmZqUjZNJJGqWAjPpXVPO2Fesfie-mTQvw-mJyn8L2DTPFqRYmY_43RaN7Pa5B56UPpneXdjRUeduHxO9JNPFl3X2CAZvj4n959Pf/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%20Cover.png" width="224" /></a></div> To give it its full title:-<p></p><p>Painting Wargames Figures - Allied Forces in Northwest Europe 1944-1945, British & Commonwealth, US and Free French</p><p>This is the fourth book in this series by Andy Singleton (and the fourth that I have reviewed on this blog). Generally, I find that they make a good introduction to the subjects covered and if not a complete guide, they are a good starting place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTge5g1fH8DGHoqZg8lhL62iW_lQwSp1jJ1I1e42XgzXj2Kw9AYGocCf5jXMnyE_mKAJrSJ2m3wHSfMEPy5Pc6wOz6z4y0h6uFu5JvW8ZjYUOI_SysY3TwAXhRb35sDSkORjvtIZ9WSt_OoLluD6ZRCfTMkyMT2ZmX8OEMR9bVPcWc0HJEGkMyqqyA/s1279/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%20Contents.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1279" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTge5g1fH8DGHoqZg8lhL62iW_lQwSp1jJ1I1e42XgzXj2Kw9AYGocCf5jXMnyE_mKAJrSJ2m3wHSfMEPy5Pc6wOz6z4y0h6uFu5JvW8ZjYUOI_SysY3TwAXhRb35sDSkORjvtIZ9WSt_OoLluD6ZRCfTMkyMT2ZmX8OEMR9bVPcWc0HJEGkMyqqyA/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%20Contents.png" width="250" /></a></div><div><br /></div>This book is no different, giving a great insight into where to begin when painting your allied troops.<div>It starts with the usual section recommending tools, brushes and basic techniques for assembling your minis, as the other books did. I must admit that I skimmed this section, as I am sure most experienced mini painters will, still, it is very useful for beginners and I think that it is justified to have it repeated in each volume.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6odtRhG2zXOCvItgiuU7L4rVkqj_bm95MD2QZ7ycQTOhwsEXoFG8OSpm2jlYIrFmHareYVXdMy5FfQc5jtfcMtUVbDKienNDz3O2urYE97sH7nm6CuKtV7zXZL0eoqaHOCWqd-UJbaXQ86k0Vp595Wvewoz5yotqIejw_DI7bSkIxGVGzzPWNTviQ/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2001.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6odtRhG2zXOCvItgiuU7L4rVkqj_bm95MD2QZ7ycQTOhwsEXoFG8OSpm2jlYIrFmHareYVXdMy5FfQc5jtfcMtUVbDKienNDz3O2urYE97sH7nm6CuKtV7zXZL0eoqaHOCWqd-UJbaXQ86k0Vp595Wvewoz5yotqIejw_DI7bSkIxGVGzzPWNTviQ/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2001.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The one error I did spot in this section is that the book states the the figure used in the assembly guide is described as the Warlord Games Fallschirmjager. Now, I may not be the most knowledgeable when it comes to WW2 uniforms, the photo on the opposite page (and the following pages) looks to be a US figure, there is even a very recognisable Thomspon machine gun in the photo.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMvZ0CgbBuXnotJAK2-tGsOab1HlO3LY3Tak4HDwsZmMJe_uLRSAuZDl744yBtMtWftrv-jwT9xXbRoMVMoMwWV1-Inxlucn6EOs7_XPMbzguLVm4dM6JaLGbs3ooUVs5k8ZMhbqh01E-f1lmcY8lPLhJIaoHaUEH0KpxetakixGBrKHtla6rVlN8/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1000" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMvZ0CgbBuXnotJAK2-tGsOab1HlO3LY3Tak4HDwsZmMJe_uLRSAuZDl744yBtMtWftrv-jwT9xXbRoMVMoMwWV1-Inxlucn6EOs7_XPMbzguLVm4dM6JaLGbs3ooUVs5k8ZMhbqh01E-f1lmcY8lPLhJIaoHaUEH0KpxetakixGBrKHtla6rVlN8/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2002.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I assume that this was simply missed when the section was lifted from the previous volume (last year's Axis Forces on the Eastern Front) to be used in this one. While we are on the subject of errors in the book, the cover mentions Free French, however, that appears to be the only mention of them in the book. I am sure that they probably wore a mix of uniforms, probably based on the US or British ones, however, as they are not mentioned in the book it may come as a shock for collectors of Free French forces if they buy this book to use as reference.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV2XvlVDqotof70TnRNFL21wWjbmZ2kMhr2l3I_GDlmpHlnyUr84CHD6wgElmCmWQwlzR5xTHS3lvsuzMpsz8fTKitOxsrOZsLy0qdqn4Al5KKTMVEUgtQMjwEMgKZs0_31Dalp3cibOZypPGv-1I3ovlsHiC2DQUT1oaQPp_XFOChTaGPASmZMuY/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2003.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJV2XvlVDqotof70TnRNFL21wWjbmZ2kMhr2l3I_GDlmpHlnyUr84CHD6wgElmCmWQwlzR5xTHS3lvsuzMpsz8fTKitOxsrOZsLy0qdqn4Al5KKTMVEUgtQMjwEMgKZs0_31Dalp3cibOZypPGv-1I3ovlsHiC2DQUT1oaQPp_XFOChTaGPASmZMuY/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2003.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Moving on to the good things! The brief histories at the beginning of each section are really useful for explaining how uniforms evolved over the period covered in the book.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEyh5Euu1qO13HOuaOpo4T9flS9H3UqP6vZcMXRXACbDI8g8a-nGnZ9J92WsNZCtjwHQg4ZxVEsUQCcgaMDV4_QVbIh8VUO4tp0O42iPi15pMJUx9_WyluR9SchjqedyajI7bwQCQt3I26063_sJpVJeHo33IkhyMjCbt6jUAvrYuUHPcXCKi5GjA/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1000" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiEyh5Euu1qO13HOuaOpo4T9flS9H3UqP6vZcMXRXACbDI8g8a-nGnZ9J92WsNZCtjwHQg4ZxVEsUQCcgaMDV4_QVbIh8VUO4tp0O42iPi15pMJUx9_WyluR9SchjqedyajI7bwQCQt3I26063_sJpVJeHo33IkhyMjCbt6jUAvrYuUHPcXCKi5GjA/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2004.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The other thing that I am very pleased about is that the photography in the book has improved dramatically from previous volumes. This may be down to the photography, or possibly the design of the layout on the page. Whatever the reason, the actual figures in the photos take up far more page space than in previous volumes. this makes all the difference to being able to see the development of the painted mini as it progresses. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxNfhDuftUJukCv8VI1wYypDb5AdtM7UNQMjf5KCE6YN28QG6iowfRZ_Pd58FKklPrzOckFSfz45vz9d4-TDlIoRX7ps7U9N7w7XMfleTCIagT05r5mqMHky7n3odJhLl-kXRjGkwmVtD-uLdWFA5emJf9FWVrPS59Caf-AmAIZOSocr9yntb8huJ/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2005.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHxNfhDuftUJukCv8VI1wYypDb5AdtM7UNQMjf5KCE6YN28QG6iowfRZ_Pd58FKklPrzOckFSfz45vz9d4-TDlIoRX7ps7U9N7w7XMfleTCIagT05r5mqMHky7n3odJhLl-kXRjGkwmVtD-uLdWFA5emJf9FWVrPS59Caf-AmAIZOSocr9yntb8huJ/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2005.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As with previous volumes, this book covers normal and camouflaged uniforms in separate sections and this is very useful.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1ByxOGXiFqqP6Vj6-AgyfP-WnQvGzOwGqQEZQ8P-oB5ga4qo5m3S7UIamoEdPF55Y1avJmVC1WyQkjIDod8yqQUI0rcAk7zUIoVqmGmeor8S3pBGYRFnAM9vIeBdS4BbRsBGoz4YOt4Huc7naQQxeEupuHuTnJghH9S5givP7KoJA8NBHNUe1hG7/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2006.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1000" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1ByxOGXiFqqP6Vj6-AgyfP-WnQvGzOwGqQEZQ8P-oB5ga4qo5m3S7UIamoEdPF55Y1avJmVC1WyQkjIDod8yqQUI0rcAk7zUIoVqmGmeor8S3pBGYRFnAM9vIeBdS4BbRsBGoz4YOt4Huc7naQQxeEupuHuTnJghH9S5givP7KoJA8NBHNUe1hG7/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2006.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-8ZJ6Jd60OIGIqdHamjdcv4sHSaNe28EfCmwPizg5o3H4xh1B8NQNw3ngNd_k9ALyhXlZE8AAXkd1YlK28jmuENlKLE0uaKrZ9_Y9RIzr7RTAUSIIkouIOkG0WPF4iWeDM5mX3iSQ_ZGLccAgrfNEQIkcce2TuGBPTZVR7x0cT4sHsgqWJSv3Gpg/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2007.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN-8ZJ6Jd60OIGIqdHamjdcv4sHSaNe28EfCmwPizg5o3H4xh1B8NQNw3ngNd_k9ALyhXlZE8AAXkd1YlK28jmuENlKLE0uaKrZ9_Y9RIzr7RTAUSIIkouIOkG0WPF4iWeDM5mX3iSQ_ZGLccAgrfNEQIkcce2TuGBPTZVR7x0cT4sHsgqWJSv3Gpg/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2007.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Towards the back of the book, there are sections on skin tone and basing. Both of which will be very useful for beginners, and I would recommend that experienced painters at least have a look through the basing section as you can always pick up new tips to add to your armoury of modelling skills.</div><div> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTnVRniPxW5co1Bg8sSkuGDUKviW1EpDlp9z-XRmGpVgEogH-_7jUvcq-fxgMB_Dmz36DbxPmfje1MgcEWbVIcdI-pKHt86oGVCqsnHleD-qlu8EZF4P6yBOTjizbzdIsw6DA-D2qwBt1wWI-1VigSLzpP3TYnEzMuxK2vbjcDzYzgFtQsrqoTM7k/s1000/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2008.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTnVRniPxW5co1Bg8sSkuGDUKviW1EpDlp9z-XRmGpVgEogH-_7jUvcq-fxgMB_Dmz36DbxPmfje1MgcEWbVIcdI-pKHt86oGVCqsnHleD-qlu8EZF4P6yBOTjizbzdIsw6DA-D2qwBt1wWI-1VigSLzpP3TYnEzMuxK2vbjcDzYzgFtQsrqoTM7k/s320/Allied%20Forces%20in%20Northwest%20Europe%201944-1945%2008.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am very please with this book. The improvements over previous volumes have made it far more useful. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Highly Recommended!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Get it from Pen and Sword <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Painting-Wargaming-Figures-Allied-Forces-in-Northwest-Europe-1944-45-Paperback/p/21192">HERE!</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-46153222586292627172022-03-16T03:30:00.004-07:002022-03-16T03:30:23.818-07:00Book Review: Landing Craft and Amphibians - Seaborne Vessels in the 20th Century<p> When I was offered this book for review I was really unsure whether I would be that interested in the subject. However, on reflection, it occurred to me that when I was a young model builder I got real satisfaction from completing kits of landing craft, especially when incorporating them into a diorama.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0-5S-6E7IJ7gD7QJxih49e8oblzEmTS47aGCMB5Pgz1Pc-oKsdgB1c_9N8thFCRwnun7ZH0fJBdZt8-QeoCyX489cYJbjrWnMk-iClYlM1SVtZUM-KA99mxq_db6lA2VPS-lQacoGeZcO9D0PuOU3qJdOToePQAXuGPyH1KPKSzrAGJZ4sX4-x1bG=s2638" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Book Cover" border="0" data-original-height="2638" data-original-width="1948" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0-5S-6E7IJ7gD7QJxih49e8oblzEmTS47aGCMB5Pgz1Pc-oKsdgB1c_9N8thFCRwnun7ZH0fJBdZt8-QeoCyX489cYJbjrWnMk-iClYlM1SVtZUM-KA99mxq_db6lA2VPS-lQacoGeZcO9D0PuOU3qJdOToePQAXuGPyH1KPKSzrAGJZ4sX4-x1bG=w236-h320" width="236" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>This book gives an interesting overview of many of the different landing craft and other amphibious vehicles that have been used during the 20th century. Pointing out both the similarities and differences between the various different versions from most of the major factions both during the 2nd World War and afterwards (there is some discussion of pre-World War Two as well, but as amphibious assault was in its infancy this one takes a couple of pages.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPJUZPnIvZclL8eH_V8I5w62_jaggKR5fchwY5N8-6Q5Eoc_fnImVkJhVIB88QPUzdGoIhDKndHQdnYjM32s7CUNQpffc-Wm8BaHLN7ZQmspy6GGlDuERTNs1cxDBOLTaqgOypj24MZDcApbXiX5gBERZZJgAdY6tskGeRjqxpVMbbAoHwOyVAcfyA=s2754" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Back Cover" border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="1991" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPJUZPnIvZclL8eH_V8I5w62_jaggKR5fchwY5N8-6Q5Eoc_fnImVkJhVIB88QPUzdGoIhDKndHQdnYjM32s7CUNQpffc-Wm8BaHLN7ZQmspy6GGlDuERTNs1cxDBOLTaqgOypj24MZDcApbXiX5gBERZZJgAdY6tskGeRjqxpVMbbAoHwOyVAcfyA=w231-h320" width="231" /></a></div><div><br /></div>The first half of the book gives a concise if brief history of the development of the various craft including the dates and dimensions where known.<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAPBoeMQLBZMHp_RB6B_uDdjLAnFjTfp5ZWcCuQa5mIzmoy0GM9GhfyaaILKTiyUawADe6MEe5UCJ75aekBVnrwR2hhVKyObGodeVCHqxsIyXtaQ8RQdendqrR5UfRtHKUap9zbinF_1cjkCQao-JUK6InNumkKLWH6klivCjPAvLfzk6vBT_7YmN=s3478" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="3478" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUAPBoeMQLBZMHp_RB6B_uDdjLAnFjTfp5ZWcCuQa5mIzmoy0GM9GhfyaaILKTiyUawADe6MEe5UCJ75aekBVnrwR2hhVKyObGodeVCHqxsIyXtaQ8RQdendqrR5UfRtHKUap9zbinF_1cjkCQao-JUK6InNumkKLWH6klivCjPAvLfzk6vBT_7YmN=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>There are some nice reference photos that are very useful for model makers, especially when planning dioramas. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitA_8IBFpgPfKNHTeHaMEm8BULUv2yNB7uWIjp4qHO-fZQBi8e7RVj_h1KjAnB0Fsj-GJCCo2MhL5DOCwZpf-V2uC2ixBlK-hVIJujJ_siU1aR9ezkVoCNZtFfybbhVEwQ5Uj6CwoJd3xLApzWw3hBbA8l-qfzdtn6Uo9q5KG1bsu77Nls-4V8lEE-=s3634" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2899" data-original-width="3634" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitA_8IBFpgPfKNHTeHaMEm8BULUv2yNB7uWIjp4qHO-fZQBi8e7RVj_h1KjAnB0Fsj-GJCCo2MhL5DOCwZpf-V2uC2ixBlK-hVIJujJ_siU1aR9ezkVoCNZtFfybbhVEwQ5Uj6CwoJd3xLApzWw3hBbA8l-qfzdtn6Uo9q5KG1bsu77Nls-4V8lEE-=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieqjm065w3Y7EyXf5dw2tRG7YFW_fP__dcGPOCD7apVhKrpirvNBFF_-LvdT37sYA26sjfJ_oEoVija_B_EwjUwoU-KEldkGlhcLpGDbJf26aPNqSjOoW4wgz6nfg8NmR6Wq57-yP2BwTIE6zQuCsqwH0Bn-_e3uaISeIYJhAmJn2-RSgVIvRYBAMc=s3711" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2915" data-original-width="3711" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieqjm065w3Y7EyXf5dw2tRG7YFW_fP__dcGPOCD7apVhKrpirvNBFF_-LvdT37sYA26sjfJ_oEoVija_B_EwjUwoU-KEldkGlhcLpGDbJf26aPNqSjOoW4wgz6nfg8NmR6Wq57-yP2BwTIE6zQuCsqwH0Bn-_e3uaISeIYJhAmJn2-RSgVIvRYBAMc=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The book does give over a couple of pages to discussing hovercraft, however, this is quite brief, and I am sure there would be enough material for a whole separate book on the subject.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmqr-yKH-nOZ4Bw2Cjy9c8ziR5oXiYlyft4a6R8POg1kWx53DJYEMNa6E7rIb__7pw7bQtsdSjavIeWf9aaywczZ0vs9CM7rosFt0Yz6hn8M2VyaYuq-aEr9kDH26BezppgaxpwA3ByJOnfhAVAoCw_tk6533sE7gZfpRW7Xy6CDZQqxxbqHHDi53x=s3558" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2864" data-original-width="3558" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmqr-yKH-nOZ4Bw2Cjy9c8ziR5oXiYlyft4a6R8POg1kWx53DJYEMNa6E7rIb__7pw7bQtsdSjavIeWf9aaywczZ0vs9CM7rosFt0Yz6hn8M2VyaYuq-aEr9kDH26BezppgaxpwA3ByJOnfhAVAoCw_tk6533sE7gZfpRW7Xy6CDZQqxxbqHHDi53x=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br />After the history, the book has some painted colour illustrations of a selection of the vehicles, which is an excellent reference for modellers and offers images of all sides of the vehicles (including the tops). This both offers good modelling reference, but also ideas for paint schemes and weather details.<div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZm74EzbBne4rCD6zr-n_Dw30zImGgolXdYzWciuRtVIaYk_u2d7RAePCDccgrVQY_I8mUsTU2zDRFQfbDBymVV4TSCTmZujGVjeNZV6bpfrYR0a2DiCOoXEFJHjWRgBbYE_8NQsm3hKtCuz26E1kHD6TPPMRSnJo04yaRPPfBWhV04Gv6zkTIExZu=s3418" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2714" data-original-width="3418" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZm74EzbBne4rCD6zr-n_Dw30zImGgolXdYzWciuRtVIaYk_u2d7RAePCDccgrVQY_I8mUsTU2zDRFQfbDBymVV4TSCTmZujGVjeNZV6bpfrYR0a2DiCOoXEFJHjWRgBbYE_8NQsm3hKtCuz26E1kHD6TPPMRSnJo04yaRPPfBWhV04Gv6zkTIExZu=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqesiqfxDCSoO6YY5spp7c5jty6TnGNB-fBE1EaHsEFRrkSEzs13XYDPRUwZsuVr6rXzv2HUcHQ7ukYiC8ar-AOJox9TveIbWHxHlg2JfCSEqX-AxaGiyg8Q7GVPKldTvDAcKzP06NPeNOtlIbSNFYUxgAwXJ9KTLQThCEFxEBoxw0aR9JBXSe9HJI=s3534" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2782" data-original-width="3534" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqesiqfxDCSoO6YY5spp7c5jty6TnGNB-fBE1EaHsEFRrkSEzs13XYDPRUwZsuVr6rXzv2HUcHQ7ukYiC8ar-AOJox9TveIbWHxHlg2JfCSEqX-AxaGiyg8Q7GVPKldTvDAcKzP06NPeNOtlIbSNFYUxgAwXJ9KTLQThCEFxEBoxw0aR9JBXSe9HJI=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The final section of the book is a review of the various model kits available, at various scales along with some photos of completed kits produced by some master modellers, and very impressive they are too...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMt4CBmaQvDDArT0MrnuilOuaAOdtpEZb-qRKmD2mGg79Sxf1L8KC1il1Kl4fiR0Pd9UDb0dkCTAqjo5-A43dZMb3AZp5k_52xYHQKOQJ7yUU5k7QvijwLzSeUBPRpQrMT0KP_MLbC26jMQ6CuKVkJwz8worUFQIsyhn237P70IdAndLA8B3ibYQeL=s3775" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2875" data-original-width="3775" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMt4CBmaQvDDArT0MrnuilOuaAOdtpEZb-qRKmD2mGg79Sxf1L8KC1il1Kl4fiR0Pd9UDb0dkCTAqjo5-A43dZMb3AZp5k_52xYHQKOQJ7yUU5k7QvijwLzSeUBPRpQrMT0KP_MLbC26jMQ6CuKVkJwz8worUFQIsyhn237P70IdAndLA8B3ibYQeL=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaSqYP_yAsTLrT-T_X3VyXxEkAO5aaKAsMD6WrdJrveTuuKyAlDNGZochcmHN0723uyjNoDzotjtzGURb5cCp-hFcH0C50FOa4Fb1hQJF8CVXvkiJQVh68gpwqxLTt7U1YXu2_jS4QBxzbKeNF0YlyAyDvswZoxOG3QSmrJ3VSgaz21mlCVpehDunY=s3466" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3466" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaSqYP_yAsTLrT-T_X3VyXxEkAO5aaKAsMD6WrdJrveTuuKyAlDNGZochcmHN0723uyjNoDzotjtzGURb5cCp-hFcH0C50FOa4Fb1hQJF8CVXvkiJQVh68gpwqxLTt7U1YXu2_jS4QBxzbKeNF0YlyAyDvswZoxOG3QSmrJ3VSgaz21mlCVpehDunY=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Overall this is an excellent reference for a modeller who would like to work on a landing craft or other amphibious vehicle. The book could have done with some better editing, as the proofreading has clearly fallen somewhat short of the mark, but the content itself is generally very good. My one real quibble with the book is the author's use of terms that are clearly familiar to him, but are not explained anywhere in the book itself, such as "Vertical Force Assets". I assume military tacticians will understand these terms, but as someone who has not studied modern military tactics, I was unfamiliar with them. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The book can be purchased directly from Pen and Sword Books <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Land-Craft-10-Landing-Craft-Amphibians-Paperback/p/20376">HERE</a>, or from your usual book retailers.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-23222436455111322242021-08-19T04:23:00.000-07:002021-08-19T04:23:15.620-07:00Book Review: Wargames Terrain & Buildings - WWI Trench Systems by Douglas Hardy<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm09_ftHTQLHDCRCvW2fxlUc8LhohXbjHbjXUu_dfxAuLgiFAzlGwWnlhA16xo7bF4vZdLRTJDR1r7Gt8Bzhsf2u_WLc9CYZd6BB0PirmEAf7J8TM87Coa8AbpGhwoWDEblh1Wb2TbIH4/s1000/Trench+01.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="717" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm09_ftHTQLHDCRCvW2fxlUc8LhohXbjHbjXUu_dfxAuLgiFAzlGwWnlhA16xo7bF4vZdLRTJDR1r7Gt8Bzhsf2u_WLc9CYZd6BB0PirmEAf7J8TM87Coa8AbpGhwoWDEblh1Wb2TbIH4/s320/Trench+01.png" width="229" /></a></div> <div>The latest addition to the Wargames Terrain and Buildings series of books from <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/">Pen and Sword</a> is <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Wargames-Terrain-and-Buildings-Paperback/p/19013">WWI Trench Systems by Douglas Hardy</a>. It is good to see that they are expanding the series with different authors (not that there is anything wrong with Tony Harwood's books). As the title suggests this book concentrates on trenches which means it is more aimed at terrain boards rather than scatter terrain.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO3WkXeVzh5scQfrVXpm2ksZ8KyCCAqMTd4JU5c3f4YQRsSI7AiEacgVDQYG8B6LxbmuwFwzqspqWNOo_WHzEpiMIISdwKZd3YZMe6rgEWzuyjJhk-rZ7lj3MF-MnwMdBR2t6Tq7nwMs/s1000/Trench+02.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="934" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlO3WkXeVzh5scQfrVXpm2ksZ8KyCCAqMTd4JU5c3f4YQRsSI7AiEacgVDQYG8B6LxbmuwFwzqspqWNOo_WHzEpiMIISdwKZd3YZMe6rgEWzuyjJhk-rZ7lj3MF-MnwMdBR2t6Tq7nwMs/s320/Trench+02.png" width="299" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Firstly, it is worth pointing out (as the book does in the introduction) that, although it is aimed at WWI trench systems, the techniques shown will work just as well for any period that uses trenches, whether it be late ACW or right through to sci-fi games. </p><p>The book is divided into several sections that cover using (and improving) commercially available trench terrain, scratch building trench systems, specific projects, and finally a great selection of reference photos of either original trenches or reconstructions at various museums across Europe.</p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83UluDIANaufnFXWvqTImmM88gMnZ_mj89LkMnzzVSy1iEHLGTd9sqkP4sj6iseQRQ2CWi1LbDENVHN86nKiOiOYzBwbl2zPp4IkY2O22-YA7mEO4t54kPUv76jFPzgpMZK7U59uX2CM/s1000/Trench+03.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1000" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83UluDIANaufnFXWvqTImmM88gMnZ_mj89LkMnzzVSy1iEHLGTd9sqkP4sj6iseQRQ2CWi1LbDENVHN86nKiOiOYzBwbl2zPp4IkY2O22-YA7mEO4t54kPUv76jFPzgpMZK7U59uX2CM/s320/Trench+03.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>The first thing that the book looks at is the materials that will be needed. These run from simple items like cocktail sticks and coffee stirrers to specialised adhesives and insulation foam.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then we get into the guts of the book with building a trench table using commercially available trench systems. Douglas covers a selection of different commercially available systems, both foam-based and vacuum formed.</div><div>The book covers improving the bought pieces by adding details and also the painting process.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_eA2ZLONthclBH5sDMNSdGrlniavI0kahzdRO0qPelbdsUB3PI8EuDCWKLjDn1ePSchecgUWcqD5P3tVsYoxzhatlW86wPbtJnvQkebg1NVC17VaX-B2ybqCN049ffZ02rEcLVR5nzs/s1000/Trench+04.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1000" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_eA2ZLONthclBH5sDMNSdGrlniavI0kahzdRO0qPelbdsUB3PI8EuDCWKLjDn1ePSchecgUWcqD5P3tVsYoxzhatlW86wPbtJnvQkebg1NVC17VaX-B2ybqCN049ffZ02rEcLVR5nzs/s320/Trench+04.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next part of the book looks at scratch building a trench system. This was the section that was of most interest to me as I feel it will offer the opportunity to produce the most realistic-looking table and it also gives me the freedom to design a system that fits my needs, rather than assembling a bought system. Now clearly there is going to be more work involved in creating your table from scratch rather than buying a pre-made system. However, as I am a professional model maker it is just the way I prefer to go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book covers everything from the layering up of foam sheets and cutting the trenches into them through adding planking, sandbags, barbed wire and other details. Then finishes off with the painting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRnw49ThSj60WM40fp2fhcXFZ7t0qdHlJ5YWhFgNUwWhLVFLhpYjMTO4BiNtDH1GcbMGVcKooCag0fix7qdBSTpY4lwEiTwvspT8TztlOSlJQNsDdCPlOtp1mFfCQjtqHeSjUbJ18MVE/s1000/Trench+05.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKRnw49ThSj60WM40fp2fhcXFZ7t0qdHlJ5YWhFgNUwWhLVFLhpYjMTO4BiNtDH1GcbMGVcKooCag0fix7qdBSTpY4lwEiTwvspT8TztlOSlJQNsDdCPlOtp1mFfCQjtqHeSjUbJ18MVE/s320/Trench+05.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up we move on to "Projects" which covers adding specific terrain items to your trench table to add a little more interest (and possibly objectives for games). Again a very useful chapter that is well written. However, I did find it a little odd that Douglas chose to base one of the projects around a piece of commercially produced terrain that has been out of production for many years and is therefore going to be extremely difficult for readers to get a hold of.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpAh7P6BoQuro43xAkHUiixyYqgMPrRS2BQQ-dNuH3PL5va5BnW9aCk5PeIHV8Z1GVL0SpVyCZ8yUjQM40T3PT7YZ4jhnmaDjfaqRyiZPvEEbHQWPYRqF4ZFy3yF-wH492QBdBOQ1Hcc/s1000/Trench+06.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1000" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizpAh7P6BoQuro43xAkHUiixyYqgMPrRS2BQQ-dNuH3PL5va5BnW9aCk5PeIHV8Z1GVL0SpVyCZ8yUjQM40T3PT7YZ4jhnmaDjfaqRyiZPvEEbHQWPYRqF4ZFy3yF-wH492QBdBOQ1Hcc/s320/Trench+06.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />The final section of the book is an extensive collection of photographs of original trenches or reconstructions. This is something that I feel has been missing from the previous books in this series. This is a real boon for anyone wanting to build a trench system as it gives us an accurate picture of what the real thing looked like rather than just ideas from our own imagination or captured from movies etc.</div><div><br /></div><div>Overall I really enjoyed this book. I found an easy and quick read. It will be invaluable for any wargamer who wants to create a trench system for their gaming table and I highly recommend it.<br /><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-11002598797007142742021-03-25T04:57:00.003-07:002021-03-25T04:57:59.407-07:00Book Review: Painting Wargaming Figures - Axis Forces on the Eastern Front<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgookir14OcyWnIa9NtjWgC_FUy6i3nyNM_Mmfj6J5DUCfgwlD1dA1YDQSLKnBN38Qd6Lm7D6P1Gt8s3PDm3ISegCRykqJ83MEdpCsDr8qMi7yhVp17Xc_jDJzbyIq-Mw3LcKsWYFV1mOc/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1479" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgookir14OcyWnIa9NtjWgC_FUy6i3nyNM_Mmfj6J5DUCfgwlD1dA1YDQSLKnBN38Qd6Lm7D6P1Gt8s3PDm3ISegCRykqJ83MEdpCsDr8qMi7yhVp17Xc_jDJzbyIq-Mw3LcKsWYFV1mOc/s320/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+01.jpg" /></a></div> <br />This is the third of Andy Singleton's painting guides that I have reviewed ( <a href="https://ironmammoth.blogspot.com/2020/01/book-review-painting-wargaming-figures.html">Early Imperial Romans</a> and <a href="https://ironmammoth.blogspot.com/2019/06/book-review-painting-wargaming-figures.html">WWII in the Desert</a>). As usual, they are well researched and give some useful background on the period and theatre of war.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNOo8oh9W0zVFRO5_1WuEOL9eDOk7abnw3DjBNCmI65BS4WbucqjSykUr0VQMfoazer3f1KpkWx3MF0ZaZMaEYn18j_P2SUOMHVF8MjmAcmLsKkcz_MyHeGizruS1LVTqk6CQfNLWmpk/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="2048" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNOo8oh9W0zVFRO5_1WuEOL9eDOk7abnw3DjBNCmI65BS4WbucqjSykUr0VQMfoazer3f1KpkWx3MF0ZaZMaEYn18j_P2SUOMHVF8MjmAcmLsKkcz_MyHeGizruS1LVTqk6CQfNLWmpk/w291-h165/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+02.jpg" width="291" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the title suggests, it covers more than just a painting guide to the German forces (Wehrmacht and Waffen SS) on the Eastern Front. Also covering the Italians, Romanians, Hungarians, and also the Finnish forces. Due to the changing allegiances as the war progressed some of these could be used on either side in the conflict, and the Finns could also be used for the Winter War (technically separate from WWII, a conflict between Finland and the USSR from November 1939 to March 1940).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DgyHMdWV66fzpmoXphLwZFpeEX3QUcwqTyq6cdUffeDzDMdtk4-Lu548R98NL4dMCvk749zaK8XJNhiu6K0rhSzoQDVBQUFirrwZH0isgdw4Exhi8t2hdCf7EcfxJo7nC_8K8voDY2w/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqH0MFbVUJJQi-tX1Az55bRPWGUGv-LdMXYjUvPtr0KYETF-R6B5zZFRucZ5BKw2J9npvhxfXP-6CEdBKgE1fm80Kfr4QmaHAHKA9nvnNfdz60_27Wu_mIMk8MaOvNtHZt1jln4LNTi4/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+01a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqH0MFbVUJJQi-tX1Az55bRPWGUGv-LdMXYjUvPtr0KYETF-R6B5zZFRucZ5BKw2J9npvhxfXP-6CEdBKgE1fm80Kfr4QmaHAHKA9nvnNfdz60_27Wu_mIMk8MaOvNtHZt1jln4LNTi4/s320/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+01a.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The book covers the preparation of the miniatures, a painting guide aimed at reasonable quality and speed, and a guide to basing in the various terrains experienced on the Eastern Front.</div><div><br /></div><div>So far so good, and there is no denying the quality of Andy's finished miniatures. However, this book suffers from the same drawback that was seen in the previous two books. The photos of the miniatures as they are being painted are all "long shots" that include a lot of wasted space featuring the clamp holding the miniature. In this book in particular it is a problem as Andy has chosen to paint 20mm minis instead of the larger 28mm minis in the previous books. This makes actually seeing the different stages of painting very difficult (if not impossible). I even tried using a magnifying glass, and on some of the guides it is impossible to tell the difference from one stage to the next.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following two examples of pages from the guides, I hope, demonstrate the deficiency in the photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxeQpdnKeramp-nmJ4MD5rNsZYlMTPf8kmTy6Ibltn-wr8YSyE05-BnFCVm9VC1K_rUvA6gwTt2DG4qGr2HYZKq_JSL7CvEW0RiuFcEh-SAC_nVtNper6nn4fUcOLMA_gr-shGuf0_VA/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxeQpdnKeramp-nmJ4MD5rNsZYlMTPf8kmTy6Ibltn-wr8YSyE05-BnFCVm9VC1K_rUvA6gwTt2DG4qGr2HYZKq_JSL7CvEW0RiuFcEh-SAC_nVtNper6nn4fUcOLMA_gr-shGuf0_VA/s320/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The photos would be far more useful if they included some close-up shots so we could actually see the development from one stage to the next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSuCwgWat5_b4RJQIMscQw1ntLB2dx88dxmZkyPJ-l397jplKW9TqH_LqOusasH3GxBXFLri1WEK_vZZNSKHR6aVTiBz6HFRJIB_Z-IsMAoJAW95QXCNMI3Ov3qBbKCz1Lvkn5V1yrDc/s2048/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSuCwgWat5_b4RJQIMscQw1ntLB2dx88dxmZkyPJ-l397jplKW9TqH_LqOusasH3GxBXFLri1WEK_vZZNSKHR6aVTiBz6HFRJIB_Z-IsMAoJAW95QXCNMI3Ov3qBbKCz1Lvkn5V1yrDc/s320/Painting+Axis+Forces+on+the+Eastern+Front+04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br /><p></p><div>Even with the problem with the poor photography in this guide, I think it would still be a useful addition to any wargamers collection if they were planning to start collecting an Axis army from the Eastern Front. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hope that Pen And Sword take on my criticism about this book and fix it for future volumes as I think they are developing into a valuable resource for wargamers.</div><div><br /></div><div>The book is available now direct from Pen And Sword <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Painting-Wargaming-Figures-Axis-Forces-on-the-Eastern-Front-Paperback/p/18827">HERE</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-48712469248267213842020-10-09T06:55:00.007-07:002020-10-09T06:56:31.022-07:00Book Review: TankCraft Series Latest Releases - Tiger I and Tiger II, Jagdpanzer IV, Panzer III and Panther<p> It has been a long time since I assembled a historical plastic model kit. However, the urge does occasionally take me, and then I have to try to decide what I am going to build. The last kit I worked on was to help my son assemble a Soviet WW2 Aerosan (Trumpeter 1:35 RF8). Which was probably 10 years ago and although fully assembled is still waiting for final touches to the paint job and a scenic base...</p><p>Anyway, it has always been at the back of my mind that I would like to tackle a German WW2 tank kit. I am not sure which one, but I suppose there is a good chance it would either be a Tiger 1 or a Pather. With that in mind, I have just picked up and read the four latest offerings from <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Tank-Craft/s/88/order/title/asc/18">Pen and Sword's TankCraft series of books</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56jeR3dmWW41EFwt8PLcvqEBbEgl3OhoQtriEjEcneB_Y4dgsOO_OMAVxCb-PBGRsu64tHhFq8EGNE7xAiabYXI7qhaRISJ0twFDIcruD9DukhqSzizDhPiWnR1pYAmsz8r9CIj5QdTc/s3058/Tankcraft+cover+photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="3058" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56jeR3dmWW41EFwt8PLcvqEBbEgl3OhoQtriEjEcneB_Y4dgsOO_OMAVxCb-PBGRsu64tHhFq8EGNE7xAiabYXI7qhaRISJ0twFDIcruD9DukhqSzizDhPiWnR1pYAmsz8r9CIj5QdTc/w499-h168/Tankcraft+cover+photo.png" width="499" /></a></div><p>Now, due to the nature of these books, I don't see the point in reviewing them individually, they all share the same features, and are laid out exactly the same. So I will post plenty of photos from the different books and just give you a general impression of them all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwU9DTalR9gqLdL64EyWHLVSLy40zNALZ8q3XBRqkdttb4tqIeVlN4wRahWNQZS11fTzGRYAM9j6xzkAhVzkN0fJ7VcdKSIyvuMj-EvmgADmoM85r0JoAlLpQ7kA71R2B7nIdSbEPqv4/s1341/Jagdpanzer+IV+a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1000" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwU9DTalR9gqLdL64EyWHLVSLy40zNALZ8q3XBRqkdttb4tqIeVlN4wRahWNQZS11fTzGRYAM9j6xzkAhVzkN0fJ7VcdKSIyvuMj-EvmgADmoM85r0JoAlLpQ7kA71R2B7nIdSbEPqv4/w189-h254/Jagdpanzer+IV+a.png" width="189" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlNc42mGfiEROv4p3hqw4I94UVCSZMGp5u7Hsef-8xkj3-1lL5jmLahNpruteKOX9MvMk9c19kkL3hbZGfEF__arBFJfV7PZYHpP7NhxgieV2HAQsl7kOe8foq-0uhJJLIEMK-1-vOBY/s1290/Jagdpanzer+IV+b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1290" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqlNc42mGfiEROv4p3hqw4I94UVCSZMGp5u7Hsef-8xkj3-1lL5jmLahNpruteKOX9MvMk9c19kkL3hbZGfEF__arBFJfV7PZYHpP7NhxgieV2HAQsl7kOe8foq-0uhJJLIEMK-1-vOBY/w327-h254/Jagdpanzer+IV+b.png" width="327" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first section of each book is given over to a reasonably detailed history of the units using these armoured vehicles over the periods defined in the subtitles of the books. For example, the Tiger 1 and Tiger 2 book looks exclusively at the Normandy Campaign of 1944, with no information about their use either before or after this period, or in other theatres (this information is to be found in other volumes of the TankCraft series of books).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynEnPjbe89f5ZI2akBOfi8lJZitpfgAIJoEKT32hUS738aMIGr_cpKDO8zrQCq3R_TSatyc9MaOlgvZDygUG1EEDj3PC90KwOr7RP1vPNr9XVeWblPgAcCoY7tGqZCQzALUhK2fiv6-k/s1349/Jagdpanzer+IV+c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="1000" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgynEnPjbe89f5ZI2akBOfi8lJZitpfgAIJoEKT32hUS738aMIGr_cpKDO8zrQCq3R_TSatyc9MaOlgvZDygUG1EEDj3PC90KwOr7RP1vPNr9XVeWblPgAcCoY7tGqZCQzALUhK2fiv6-k/w167-h226/Jagdpanzer+IV+c.png" width="167" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQCLfYh6PaAo-57966l7ZsyI7AyhDOvDDMO8ypdV3IkWDsSlJYnO2YD3HszdGZh9b_8UrVgtazAe010T88xHG6u6hoWnfUscjiZVhSzIHxd-Z1LvrNlBgMh0gkaAy7LxB5qfgBVTqJtE/s2048/Jagdpanzer+IV+d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1605" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQCLfYh6PaAo-57966l7ZsyI7AyhDOvDDMO8ypdV3IkWDsSlJYnO2YD3HszdGZh9b_8UrVgtazAe010T88xHG6u6hoWnfUscjiZVhSzIHxd-Z1LvrNlBgMh0gkaAy7LxB5qfgBVTqJtE/w288-h225/Jagdpanzer+IV+d.png" width="288" /></a></div></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a modeller guide, this information is in great depth and should allow a modeller to thoroughly research which unit he wants to depict on his model, as well as going into considerable depth about manoeuvers and engagements that these tanks were involved in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second section is a very in-depth look at all of the developments and modifications that were carried out on these vehicles during the period covered in each book. Again an invaluable resource for modellers looking to accurately represent a specific tank or unit that interests them. One thing that I did notice that annoyed a little was the author did seem to assume that the reader would have a fairly good prior knowledge of these vehicles. For example, in the Panther book, it is mentioned that at a certain point in the war, most Panthers had had their Muzzle Brakes removed, or came without them. However, there was no explanation as to why this was. To be honest, I am still none the wiser about this...</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TKwZ9wb8dfhWAMsE-MCtba9fjLcVrgA5FHqP_QBT7_YodEqR_byQ246-xx0a2W7kX7fmUDYf_rp-LYyZYwWYRahdQU0pyAWI9dFx5YcGw4opf_I2srQQVCFbi-TjqW7ADKpH1JnEt_c/s1331/Panther+a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1331" data-original-width="1000" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7TKwZ9wb8dfhWAMsE-MCtba9fjLcVrgA5FHqP_QBT7_YodEqR_byQ246-xx0a2W7kX7fmUDYf_rp-LYyZYwWYRahdQU0pyAWI9dFx5YcGw4opf_I2srQQVCFbi-TjqW7ADKpH1JnEt_c/w183-h244/Panther+a.png" width="183" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukFNrApIJcQ9002jrV8oQ3EoMIP1dYW29bUusYllwIzL-EUyi3IOxHiGbBUAql8YkF4_VCrLpnpdUzaptIStkhIZtW7QBcBnbxKhBjsHog128CpEWVeb_bd-HpsGec9ktksNHVhbnCVI/s1349/Panther+b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1349" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukFNrApIJcQ9002jrV8oQ3EoMIP1dYW29bUusYllwIzL-EUyi3IOxHiGbBUAql8YkF4_VCrLpnpdUzaptIStkhIZtW7QBcBnbxKhBjsHog128CpEWVeb_bd-HpsGec9ktksNHVhbnCVI/w327-h242/Panther+b.png" width="327" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>The books are all illustrated with plenty of photos of the actual vehicles, and each photo is accompanied by as much information as possible relating to where and when it was taken, which unit the tank was with and details about the particular vehicle where possible. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRvUrlWMiSgnZj_h8y5xB1wnhUAkarmQ4cjMB3qEUXY0wCfwa3rLg2LLVLGKSNXCfCUu3JG2TGRUzGOr8UVCZVS3x6pIHRBJ5mICt_NX6lpzwyE-k-ft4yKl8w1G2m033KZWgbaZ8xSw/s1347/Panther+c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="1000" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRvUrlWMiSgnZj_h8y5xB1wnhUAkarmQ4cjMB3qEUXY0wCfwa3rLg2LLVLGKSNXCfCUu3JG2TGRUzGOr8UVCZVS3x6pIHRBJ5mICt_NX6lpzwyE-k-ft4yKl8w1G2m033KZWgbaZ8xSw/w173-h232/Panther+c.png" width="173" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqIUJA4x2-z9aY49Xz6qvNQJUGLGB6h4SLnW0CkFuU19vIEOfc1jeVPZzoptZedo5l_NauK1IvxSQawmBB6FqiDcec0ExvsF0da-7-GIX_Zt6hh5jZQxfW565MXRcBYPVPq17zE5gP2A/s1315/Panther+d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1315" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqIUJA4x2-z9aY49Xz6qvNQJUGLGB6h4SLnW0CkFuU19vIEOfc1jeVPZzoptZedo5l_NauK1IvxSQawmBB6FqiDcec0ExvsF0da-7-GIX_Zt6hh5jZQxfW565MXRcBYPVPq17zE5gP2A/w306-h232/Panther+d.png" width="306" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div>As well as the black and white photos the centre of the books feature several pages of side on illustrations of the various tanks showing, as close as possible, colour representations of the paint schemes and camouflage markings. This I found better than the colour descriptions within the text, as the author insists on using the Official German names for the paints (this is also reflected in other parts of the books where german terms are used without translation). I understand that the proper name should be featured and recorded, however, as this is a guide for model makers, it would be preferable if an English translation of the paint names was also included.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ8FdsX7Is9unCdcn2tuJcNbA8dRm6KKvUN0NVHP59jxuFC5zpILemXADck3B942PbVCL-scMvRZGz2Wlp4nvRG8wU8jLB6uvVpqacBQkbouEh0q7XONEREMDTGLxPsfudzAYF6YCG5g/s1324/Panther+e.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ8FdsX7Is9unCdcn2tuJcNbA8dRm6KKvUN0NVHP59jxuFC5zpILemXADck3B942PbVCL-scMvRZGz2Wlp4nvRG8wU8jLB6uvVpqacBQkbouEh0q7XONEREMDTGLxPsfudzAYF6YCG5g/s320/Panther+e.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the colour illustrations, there is a section showing examples of the models, as built and painted by some master model builders. These offer some good insight into what can be achieved.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfIvr6khP_gzWorhmz_Y97ogIReKdvNfq7Im6AVhlwYmV_aqiO0OfnNmMgubyMvKQT9hvBSOaNsZGA_3EywmkWqKTZM-naXT99yWOjytG7FqhPbaSXvXI5tmhvMM4Djqe937G4XLqsr0/s1351/Panzer+III+a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="1000" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfIvr6khP_gzWorhmz_Y97ogIReKdvNfq7Im6AVhlwYmV_aqiO0OfnNmMgubyMvKQT9hvBSOaNsZGA_3EywmkWqKTZM-naXT99yWOjytG7FqhPbaSXvXI5tmhvMM4Djqe937G4XLqsr0/w169-h229/Panzer+III+a.png" width="169" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNMSkfjsN5ZLVhqg79N15ga8OrK_IpAICjFnvlZeGNVxg1_F8EtEcetnPMJW7RIf_0tiOaMX-7oDwY-r8teVpgQ6TMjhGaYMkpS46PJiSZKf2HcXrOBLM6yzFG19kL3KBlXojegE5UCU/s1314/Panzer+III+b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1314" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNMSkfjsN5ZLVhqg79N15ga8OrK_IpAICjFnvlZeGNVxg1_F8EtEcetnPMJW7RIf_0tiOaMX-7oDwY-r8teVpgQ6TMjhGaYMkpS46PJiSZKf2HcXrOBLM6yzFG19kL3KBlXojegE5UCU/w298-h228/Panzer+III+b.png" width="298" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>This is followed by a look at the different kits available that can be used to build models of the vehicles featured in each book. It generally covers 1/72, 1/48 and 1/35, although does occasionally mention other scales where appropriate.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ6HptaV4aEF4Wz1nIuJyZVNPCtUiRm4REFcSNd3oeAhf7mGuS6qMwrDJQi0QAh3JX1cyS9Uj_XSMU4THJIzYl-U9o7BPZyOCKjqOVxJ9xILJ4i0uvTvMWsrARRruGHUmrkNyEJDB-BQ/s1317/Panzer+III+c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1000" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ6HptaV4aEF4Wz1nIuJyZVNPCtUiRm4REFcSNd3oeAhf7mGuS6qMwrDJQi0QAh3JX1cyS9Uj_XSMU4THJIzYl-U9o7BPZyOCKjqOVxJ9xILJ4i0uvTvMWsrARRruGHUmrkNyEJDB-BQ/w182-h240/Panzer+III+c.png" width="182" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MMWOfUMikmlSap41e1gr-K1zBFJnewEln-0XtYdOOiaqOk-vUtHQTnqkoqInVHJcOcM0MbFqrfxXw-GdFwJ7x8WNcXaJoya6xUeihMDeUt5z1PtNm2LetYDDu7bOqZNzCQ3mR8hd0nU/s1384/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+b.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1384" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2MMWOfUMikmlSap41e1gr-K1zBFJnewEln-0XtYdOOiaqOk-vUtHQTnqkoqInVHJcOcM0MbFqrfxXw-GdFwJ7x8WNcXaJoya6xUeihMDeUt5z1PtNm2LetYDDu7bOqZNzCQ3mR8hd0nU/w335-h240/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+b.png" width="335" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So that, more or less, sums up the contents of these books. As far as personal impressions go, I would say that these are books of two halves. The first half, being the history of the vehicle, is very detailed and a good resource for military historians and the second half is an excellent guide to modelling the vehicles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFNbLqBJmJDTp-UD6zcRbrWn-7T-bq-AsO6Lpgz0fS6rVr41fzUYw6RyfAzbV1jrQYEPaiVWVUtIRboEcg1vmrXAtO9UD9TgrmiWNomcGnrXswhpchyphenhyphennN99me5G7GzdDBqh8nEHah_tY/s1291/Panzer+III+d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFNbLqBJmJDTp-UD6zcRbrWn-7T-bq-AsO6Lpgz0fS6rVr41fzUYw6RyfAzbV1jrQYEPaiVWVUtIRboEcg1vmrXAtO9UD9TgrmiWNomcGnrXswhpchyphenhyphennN99me5G7GzdDBqh8nEHah_tY/s320/Panzer+III+d.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>How much of the history part of these books will really appeal to the model makers will depend on the interests of the individuals, however, for someone who has both an interest in the history and the model making, they will be an invaluable addition to their bookshelves.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu0b-3bpZE3Ipc1SYg7R2II3Za8-mbACnb6NtcqMpJHCJuC9Hr7IXziHjwXzkGHr4fr9EXglexIZzyXazKo313fiL2x6F1fgvtQlqo4qIzkS7i975e0YpDGj4r040T2tL812mumUC0S4/s1373/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+a.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1000" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu0b-3bpZE3Ipc1SYg7R2II3Za8-mbACnb6NtcqMpJHCJuC9Hr7IXziHjwXzkGHr4fr9EXglexIZzyXazKo313fiL2x6F1fgvtQlqo4qIzkS7i975e0YpDGj4r040T2tL812mumUC0S4/w180-h247/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+a.png" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cQW0XdogO3b5hjNXpHjBJBS79RUCm7alE9MVg5fRO5s_Q2Y-9TdbmpolGERl15foff3uHuRti9UQbm0cDq0sOVOvTCBwRZ57BXYmZpwriFjNK5sobz9s04iREdLOlVkKg2yAD3M_Z4/s1336/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+c.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1336" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7cQW0XdogO3b5hjNXpHjBJBS79RUCm7alE9MVg5fRO5s_Q2Y-9TdbmpolGERl15foff3uHuRti9UQbm0cDq0sOVOvTCBwRZ57BXYmZpwriFjNK5sobz9s04iREdLOlVkKg2yAD3M_Z4/w331-h248/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+c.png" width="331" /></a></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I must admit, I was not fully aware of the roles that some of these tanks played in the war, for some reason I was under the impression that the Panther was a replacement for the Tiger I. Still, I now understand the relative roles of these four vehicles. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdS0u-vEYs8g8Wl0y7HBvoPBk_rtXrdfQSk0Pkrn-DpwgIHtUCtoyrgJvZdEYIWwiVi7gxXPs3bUjAkadJn8bp8wKU7IHs99BSDDGEvDvxQXcGF_Zm1Hd4FO3zCtH2y1R1KsGWQIeoi0/s1380/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+d.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDdS0u-vEYs8g8Wl0y7HBvoPBk_rtXrdfQSk0Pkrn-DpwgIHtUCtoyrgJvZdEYIWwiVi7gxXPs3bUjAkadJn8bp8wKU7IHs99BSDDGEvDvxQXcGF_Zm1Hd4FO3zCtH2y1R1KsGWQIeoi0/s320/Tiger+1+and+Tiger+2+d.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I am still leaning toward putting together a Tiger I. Now the search begins for a suitable 1/48 scale kit...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-10361687262167764342020-08-26T02:03:00.001-07:002020-08-26T02:28:28.337-07:00Book Review: Cameras at War by John Wade<p> Finding a book that combines two of your, very different, interests sometimes seems too good to be true. So when I spotted that Pen and Sword Books were releasing a book titled Cameras at War I was somewhat intrigued. I have had an interest in military history for many years (as I would hope would be evident by the nature of this blog), and also as a keen photographer it seemed like a perfect match. However, I have seen books like this that can turn out to be very dry and lets face it, boring, if they simply document the subject, without any real feeling for the content.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyIqcVv-wSAm4hi0tCZrOl48BD8BvOQ_hxNBEzMf1RwwkeUydNWlayceZcJW0QU7L1IWUT-igeu8NjqCfh8_UktIDnVnYB19ZM_wtl6YNDABP-diff7dZi_0THXLCyTgogVd7GkFraf0/s2048/CaW+01.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1396" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcyIqcVv-wSAm4hi0tCZrOl48BD8BvOQ_hxNBEzMf1RwwkeUydNWlayceZcJW0QU7L1IWUT-igeu8NjqCfh8_UktIDnVnYB19ZM_wtl6YNDABP-diff7dZi_0THXLCyTgogVd7GkFraf0/s640/CaW+01.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p>My hopes were raised when I realised the author was John Wade, as its not long since I thoroughly enjoyed reading his The Golden Age of Science Fiction, also from Pen and Sword.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicALYSCRKLWSngiMIaTj85nKhImtjJkma79EKaLGXP8a_nbL68l1jbNyzH9VTMlS_-4DuTT_ct6dUZ_qhvdAWLrI9tXUvf7R7whjfPR5c6Hd7FaGUNbZ06islu6QwXjz_GAichq4mZtWE/s2048/CaW+06.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="2048" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicALYSCRKLWSngiMIaTj85nKhImtjJkma79EKaLGXP8a_nbL68l1jbNyzH9VTMlS_-4DuTT_ct6dUZ_qhvdAWLrI9tXUvf7R7whjfPR5c6Hd7FaGUNbZ06islu6QwXjz_GAichq4mZtWE/w512-h373/CaW+06.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><p>There are many books on conflict photography, usually concentrating on particular photographers, or war zones. However, this is the first book that I have seen that is squarely focused on the equipment used to capture the photographs. Starting with the earliest daguerreotype plate cameras and mobile, horse drawn, darkrooms it runs right through to the development of more modern 35mm film cameras and even spy cameras, such as the eponymous Minox range. The book also covers the development of movie cameras and various film sizes (many of which were used for both still photographs and movies).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A well as the standard photographers cameras the book looks at some of the more unusual cameras that have been produced, such as those designed specifically to be used in aerial reconnaissance. These cameras were generally too big to be hand held (at least for very long) and were often mounted in the planes and operated by remote control by the pilot. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also featured is the bizarre Hythe Mark III machine gun camera. This was developed as a way to teach air crew how to use a machine gun in dog fights, without actually risking other pilots lives. The machine gun camera was built to resemble a Lewis gun and was designed in such an ingenious way that the magazine became the film holder (which the pilot could swap out to change the film). Cocking the gun advanced the film in the camera, and pulling the trigger took the photo. When the pilot returned to the ground, the film was processed and the photos could be accessed to see if the range was correct and if the target was centred accurately.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="2048" height="379" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvVOZoDty0JW-zCwHYbZUB-NDfLucbVBRQ6283RikedsB-VE7bGckISbbc2UQgXcQtaTPBVBdAu4HM8lYhX-vzKvl4XJxlgedksEJ67cmVHLrYBz1HTDovUm98JqEXJTO5Du_BVeHJ48/w512-h379/CaW+04.jpg" width="512" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHO7RXJYezDEiDYWA39pMZFr_hoc1OxFv37NDoOoQle2Da7xIzVBZ-BgApHJkiWpqoOec6W9uvPf78AfUkOMDwrAhydNp_olx9XT8u5yrxxtT4rSB6pACW7x61qo3_vm0iToq1K2j-Uw/s2048/CaW+03.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="2048" height="437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHO7RXJYezDEiDYWA39pMZFr_hoc1OxFv37NDoOoQle2Da7xIzVBZ-BgApHJkiWpqoOec6W9uvPf78AfUkOMDwrAhydNp_olx9XT8u5yrxxtT4rSB6pACW7x61qo3_vm0iToq1K2j-Uw/w512-h437/CaW+03.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is a good examination of the range of more normal cameras that were used by both professional photographers and also carried and used by normal soldiers (obviously size and portability were important for both types, but possibly more important for the non-professionals).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH64qwbtYT7RVBF4ho7W1oKLnGmlEbJBBu5VTqhjwgmN5spwCTK-pVHNYZwPoIj0j8V-ciBW24Makxq8tZQsVVzx9ODt2e2hVdmsv0tQnVlrame-55a9NPfqvegdD3-Jzaq4-po0UOwM/s2048/CaW+05.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="2048" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH64qwbtYT7RVBF4ho7W1oKLnGmlEbJBBu5VTqhjwgmN5spwCTK-pVHNYZwPoIj0j8V-ciBW24Makxq8tZQsVVzx9ODt2e2hVdmsv0tQnVlrame-55a9NPfqvegdD3-Jzaq4-po0UOwM/w512-h423/CaW+05.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As well as the major conflicts covered in this book, there is an interesting look at the cameras that were used and developed during the Cold War. These ranged from the miniature cameras that a spy could hide about their person, to cameras that were converted to fit into briefcases and handbags to allow covert photos to be taken in public places.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1694" data-original-width="2048" height="423" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis-H7LnJbb7TVC_p7bZ2J-GukAnMUYjWR0Mf2Ixx0E7QqNHd1iZCUPPH_JoQtskfQuMankWrRPAEweBomYf_TO8fI0kpk1EVelp3MbxDgBgcuhjRaHTMYZEtH9ZWXnZLir-h__0DDIzzA/w512-h423/CaW+02.jpg" width="512" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I can't say that I had more than a passing knowledge of the history of photography (we must have covered some of it when I was at art school, but that was 30 years ago). However, this book has covered a lot of the important historical points as it moved through the development of camera equipment used during war time.<div><br /></div><div>A fascinating read that I got through in no time at all. If you are at all interested in some of the ore obscure aspects of military history, or the history of photography, I would highly recommend this book.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-70451513597967826192020-02-21T06:45:00.000-08:002020-02-21T06:45:50.723-08:00Book Review: The Art and Making of Fantasy Miniatures by Jamie KendallAs a wargames miniatures sculptor, it is always interesting to see how other sculptors and companies work, what their motivation is and how they design their miniatures. So this book was bound to end up in my collection.<br />
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When the book arrived, the first impression was that it was clearly a "coffee table" book. Large, hardcovered and full of lavish colour photographs and illustrations. On the initial flick through the book, I was a little surprised at the minimal amount of text included.<br />
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The book is split into eleven main chapters, each focusing on a different figure manufacturer. </div>
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Now, it soon becomes apparent that the different companies included have each written their own content, and unfortunately some of them have really only given the bare minimum. This leaves their chapters as little more than glorified ads, just showing off lots of photos of their miniatures and giving the briefest introduction to their ranges. However, the better chapters go into quite a lot more detail on the design ethos that the various companies used, with comments from both the owners and the production team/artists involved. Some of the insights are very interesting and really help to understand how individual figures and indeed ranges of figures have been designed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjXqMf_yfdCQ3cZZOOPzuy7Yt1lOgVWgTvZO69aEfGgEzhI9jrpVUTo2N8Iy_vFDYfHBAWn55Tq8n3EPMu8UcpaYYH2Jg7PXIVoueTlfS4Sc6qZaJlHgZ1d1ayofoPZnUHOAZ8ixFlB8/s1600/IMG_20200205_070124.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjXqMf_yfdCQ3cZZOOPzuy7Yt1lOgVWgTvZO69aEfGgEzhI9jrpVUTo2N8Iy_vFDYfHBAWn55Tq8n3EPMu8UcpaYYH2Jg7PXIVoueTlfS4Sc6qZaJlHgZ1d1ayofoPZnUHOAZ8ixFlB8/s320/IMG_20200205_070124.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The same mix of quality is reflected in the artwork on display. Some pages seem like nothing more than images lifted from the companies own catalogues whereas other show artwork taking a figure from a rough sketch right through to the finished 3-dimensional model. </div>
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The choice of different manufacturers is quite interesting, with a mix from the smallest resin and white metal cast operations up to larger-scale companies that work with plastic injection moulding. I will say that most of the companies are working with quite a characterful style which will certainly not be to everyone's taste. Many of the figures featured seem to have been designed using the exaggerated manga/comic-book styling which personally does not appear to me in the least. Obviously, the author must have approached these companies and asked if they wished to be featured in the book, and I assume that he may well have spoken to other companies too. Some kind of explanation for his choice would have been very interesting, especially as he seems to specifically have avoided most of the bigger names in the industry.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-0kKPiytXop5-EoEi3n04neBjPlldSfRbcKCqjUOkKgpwLl5n8vYsFwwS1yqJzX1IqzMLW41FaU3toKwJI1yKLvkwsifimIElbFA2E8idd-KCmW75wVgtbNz2flYulEAfez1eZKPNXQ/s1600/IMG_20200205_070207.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="677" data-original-width="1600" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-0kKPiytXop5-EoEi3n04neBjPlldSfRbcKCqjUOkKgpwLl5n8vYsFwwS1yqJzX1IqzMLW41FaU3toKwJI1yKLvkwsifimIElbFA2E8idd-KCmW75wVgtbNz2flYulEAfez1eZKPNXQ/s320/IMG_20200205_070207.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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So, overall I was a little disappointed with this book. There is no doubt that it has some luscious artwork and makes a beautiful coffee table book, however, the actual content is thin on the ground and in some sections, extremely disappointing. If any of the companies involved are favourites then it may be worth picking up purely for the figure planning insights that they give, but don't expect a beginning to end guide, explaining sculpting, mould-making and manufacture, as those aspects are not covered at all. In the introduction, the author does mention that he plans/hopes to write a second volume to accompany it. Let's hope that it has a bit more substance than this one...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-60356965536813749212020-02-04T04:19:00.000-08:002020-02-04T04:21:39.132-08:00Sci-Fi Terrain ReviewFor the past couple of years my group of gamers have been almost exclusively playing Star Wars Destiny, and card/dice game. It is an interesting game with plenty of replayability and endless possibilities for rebuilding your decks, but for some time we have been feeling that we really wanted to get back to some wargaming. So we played our final game of Star Wars Destiny the week before Christmas. January and February have been set aside for playing a few board games while we prepare for some proper wargaming.<br />
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The general plan is to start with Frostgrave and then depending on how long we play that for we will move on to Gaslands, Kill Team or possibly even 40k. On the back burner, we also have Lion/Dragon Rampant, more Blood Eagle, more In Her Majesty's Name and possibly The Men Who Would Be Kings, but they are more long term plans.<br />
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I have plenty of scenery ready for Frostgrave, so my thoughts moved on to what I have ready for sci-fi games and in particular Kill Team/40k. I have been picking up the odd copies of Warhammer 40k Conquest when I have seen it in the newsagents so I have amassed a fair bit of recent GW 40k scenery. I have also been laser cutting some gantries and buildings (designed by <a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/Bilbostomper/designs">Bilbostomper of Thingyvers</a><a href="https://www.thingiverse.com/Bilbostomper/designs">e</a>) to fill out my table. So the other night I decided it was about time I set it up to see what I had and if I needed any more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSan2_el1plOg8zmMwJ1gbIekYPbMi_8d9d_ffD4YCuPe62lF-3wmvbBSPcgkGixtQazGasckDa0bA2Zk2mD8brUyUNCWJOpuSDc_cV-9Xl4ubD4M4SIG-v614LAHAsQ3X4JU7m2nU_1o/s1600/sci-fi+terrain+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="1600" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSan2_el1plOg8zmMwJ1gbIekYPbMi_8d9d_ffD4YCuPe62lF-3wmvbBSPcgkGixtQazGasckDa0bA2Zk2mD8brUyUNCWJOpuSDc_cV-9Xl4ubD4M4SIG-v614LAHAsQ3X4JU7m2nU_1o/s320/sci-fi+terrain+01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking down on it from this perspective it looks spaced out, but as you get down amongst the pieces you soon realise that there is only a limited line of sight.<br />
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Even at this angle it still looks fairly open.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRk8bNtyN5VH9eRZsfjexOVPhB4vEP0WUi4fktxJ91Rtk82wQNPajdCTG8CrAuX08ZWLv-I-Gm_L7KE4xuZ4hsn8EMPK8sWL0VyQdhY8ttPUoYK3zwQdE5sKjz1wzwMaP_hRlrcNnHvI/s1600/sci-fi+terrain+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRk8bNtyN5VH9eRZsfjexOVPhB4vEP0WUi4fktxJ91Rtk82wQNPajdCTG8CrAuX08ZWLv-I-Gm_L7KE4xuZ4hsn8EMPK8sWL0VyQdhY8ttPUoYK3zwQdE5sKjz1wzwMaP_hRlrcNnHvI/s320/sci-fi+terrain+03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I took the following photos so that I could assess the line of sight possibilities<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcfMmJxNJLe-QHKRsV7KQwMu_dtZJNZf_Nr68qj5l0tlFRp8JprdUAh1azjZQ7R9uAhirDsxE-53-fgjT7q1FSkI_COXUiynuqK9Gp-qyX84t4-M3Uk-svVqdvgCe5E6pcUKJC_jh4BQ/s1600/sci-fi+terrain+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcfMmJxNJLe-QHKRsV7KQwMu_dtZJNZf_Nr68qj5l0tlFRp8JprdUAh1azjZQ7R9uAhirDsxE-53-fgjT7q1FSkI_COXUiynuqK9Gp-qyX84t4-M3Uk-svVqdvgCe5E6pcUKJC_jh4BQ/s320/sci-fi+terrain+04.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I think once you get down into the terrain, you start to see the limited field of view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmYAc7DOPT8gnHqOf37cl9dJBTJE2nxmi8FT9oE72c0TJFo3t8ivprTlrvqZ8TVoEfQpt17SOOb6YZX2n7H8BOsmo0S3-IE1RJsfMd_-24XBbEknkj-kIrZbh1sX7ubVKAIoFTS4pCeQ/s1600/sci-fi+terrain+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNmYAc7DOPT8gnHqOf37cl9dJBTJE2nxmi8FT9oE72c0TJFo3t8ivprTlrvqZ8TVoEfQpt17SOOb6YZX2n7H8BOsmo0S3-IE1RJsfMd_-24XBbEknkj-kIrZbh1sX7ubVKAIoFTS4pCeQ/s320/sci-fi+terrain+05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some angles offer a more open table, but still with plenty of cover to move between.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42d9zEeuNcxV3w01KyRV-llY_uECW3h2ifBk4pDIWAxLdr0J6-q44_UD1zaHAhRIyPCH2O_QByfTPViEjHtnSY_sz49HZ1fBkN8AZPRsWHke04WC25k2hF9MGPy6PSykonP6OEYzMT8E/s1600/sci-fi+terrain+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42d9zEeuNcxV3w01KyRV-llY_uECW3h2ifBk4pDIWAxLdr0J6-q44_UD1zaHAhRIyPCH2O_QByfTPViEjHtnSY_sz49HZ1fBkN8AZPRsWHke04WC25k2hF9MGPy6PSykonP6OEYzMT8E/s320/sci-fi+terrain+06.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I must also add that I have also built the GW40k crane since I took these so space is going to be even more restricted.<br />
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These photos only include my recent additions, I still need to go through all of my older pieces of terrain, such as the original 40k ruins and various other resin bits and pieces. I also have several pieces that I have scratch built as well as four Urban Mammoth terrain kits (I believe these were made by Tehnolog and repackaged by Urban Mammoth) that I still need to put together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF5nFit0fyVdc7cTTmS3OPdhZZICo0Fa3Z8872ufh-vunaCLN4hVUgyJQ4A0GK8KJ9AYBWDTCfxwn6pc5_aLySFUxGkyZj1O29odHwBf9qeA_bdItw_kTSP8FvIwOq6Ad_E4FKP5iOKE/s1600/teknolog+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="330" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF5nFit0fyVdc7cTTmS3OPdhZZICo0Fa3Z8872ufh-vunaCLN4hVUgyJQ4A0GK8KJ9AYBWDTCfxwn6pc5_aLySFUxGkyZj1O29odHwBf9qeA_bdItw_kTSP8FvIwOq6Ad_E4FKP5iOKE/s200/teknolog+02.jpg" width="165" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHr-LgyukkeLUWPEhSkOeoE16r97BJLbF5ODT8ue0xSfutQHI-5MGzrSd-Vx2RIQMSS17yi2_GExSTE0TXIm0BCxfkRy4yjVWgZEQC_YcZNduq_Sck4R_3KBKRUtq_5aQvysXNeVqOi0/s1600/teknolog+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="240" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHr-LgyukkeLUWPEhSkOeoE16r97BJLbF5ODT8ue0xSfutQHI-5MGzrSd-Vx2RIQMSS17yi2_GExSTE0TXIm0BCxfkRy4yjVWgZEQC_YcZNduq_Sck4R_3KBKRUtq_5aQvysXNeVqOi0/s200/teknolog+03.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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So, I think I can safely say that I have enough terrain to run Kill Team (if not Necromunda). Now, I just need to get some paint on to it, which should be a relatively quick process...<br />
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Hopefully, this is the start of some more regular post on this blog as I immerse myself back into the wargaming world.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-63185369471060583872020-01-14T04:26:00.000-08:002020-01-14T04:41:03.131-08:00Book Review: Painting Wargaming Figures - Early Imperial Romans by Andy SingletonI have always had a hankering to put together an Early Imperial Roman army, let's face it when someone says Romans these guys are what most people think of, and I still have fond memories of playing with my old Airfix 1/72 plastic Romans and Ancient Britons back in the 1970s.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Vhmvbw1JsZyogkP_3Gp4MkfYDWEefR2Z-OEBSmJ9MnklVnMFgK2cC-LGE1D3HALzKEhUqgwoCzmgx3MsHrZ96z8vo2KaKoZtv6Tf8xBcPiW749s3qLKT-FuUk_OWVi3dtPsaq-kJc0/s1600/IMG_20191223_142056+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1187" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2Vhmvbw1JsZyogkP_3Gp4MkfYDWEefR2Z-OEBSmJ9MnklVnMFgK2cC-LGE1D3HALzKEhUqgwoCzmgx3MsHrZ96z8vo2KaKoZtv6Tf8xBcPiW749s3qLKT-FuUk_OWVi3dtPsaq-kJc0/s320/IMG_20191223_142056+copy.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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So when Pen and Sword Books offered me a review copy of <b><a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Painting-Wargaming-Figures-Early-Imperial-Romans-Paperback/p/16830">Painting Wargaming Figures - Early Imperial Romans by Andy Singleton</a></b> I could hardly refuse, could I...<br />
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The book is an excellent primer for anyone wishing to start an Early Imperial Roman collection, although probably better suited to for the beginner than the more experienced painter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJsjwyD_gmgrQdb0yttIxh9ka3F-NqP4GRblT32vnahysyZQMeQLbA_8HfObDT3SA2oTaJKb4h3ZD6V1RuR8iVCItAHMhN9Rnt6EWsFS12AuqWm9gtqrcgHQGs_2_RBeHC7h8TU_SLTQ/s1600/IMG_20191223_142339+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJsjwyD_gmgrQdb0yttIxh9ka3F-NqP4GRblT32vnahysyZQMeQLbA_8HfObDT3SA2oTaJKb4h3ZD6V1RuR8iVCItAHMhN9Rnt6EWsFS12AuqWm9gtqrcgHQGs_2_RBeHC7h8TU_SLTQ/s320/IMG_20191223_142339+copy.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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With chapters covering basic preparation and painting techniques and then moving on to separate guides on painting weapons and armour, shields, clothing, skin tones, horses and then basing, it does cover all the essentials. However, an experienced painter will probably find that they end up skipping large sections as there is quite a lot of repetition. The guidance on colours to use is fine, although, personally I would have prefered to have seen some illustrations such as those found in the Osprey Publishing <a href="http://ospreypublishing.com/store/military-history/series-books/men-at-arms">Men at Arms</a> and<a href="http://ospreypublishing.com/store/military-history/series-books/elite"> Elites</a> series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy2BvEATdzwikM4mLXDZ2ParwzIvrZkEWAPQhoky7Q9j7t5hN33GOSaT5Oidv06RzuUhclqOBbi3YxlN70yMXA65hxfHapAaNixiTUXs7mH41LR4G8YVqeLw9vyQm14dt_shV1bCcQxQ/s1600/IMG_20191223_142225+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="1600" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpy2BvEATdzwikM4mLXDZ2ParwzIvrZkEWAPQhoky7Q9j7t5hN33GOSaT5Oidv06RzuUhclqOBbi3YxlN70yMXA65hxfHapAaNixiTUXs7mH41LR4G8YVqeLw9vyQm14dt_shV1bCcQxQ/s320/IMG_20191223_142225+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Personally, I think most readers following a painting guide get more from the photos and illustrations than they do from the actual text. This is where this book is somewhat of a letdown. There certainly are plenty of photos throughout the book, however, the photos are quite small and most feature the clamp holding the figure taking up even more page space than the actual figure (see above). This means that on many of the pages it is almost impossible to tell what has changed between one photo and the next, especially when it comes to some of the subtler painting techniques.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnxo0ePLBYl8XJgYKOLUWXZcqEy8cUFnask0zMue-tqJzpSRD1cKCYTeNpZUbQgdA5EKHZYI_aJX-DXguJ8C-gjaCi-Pgf612vvEkxEPrC_DibHY066sFuwB_qPLWc1eR36W4v5REmA/s1600/IMG_20191223_142145+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1288" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopnxo0ePLBYl8XJgYKOLUWXZcqEy8cUFnask0zMue-tqJzpSRD1cKCYTeNpZUbQgdA5EKHZYI_aJX-DXguJ8C-gjaCi-Pgf612vvEkxEPrC_DibHY066sFuwB_qPLWc1eR36W4v5REmA/s320/IMG_20191223_142145+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I feel that the photos could have been improved a lot by "zooming in" on the actual part of the figure being painted. To illustrate this I have mocked up a couple of pages from the book below. On the left, we have the actual page and on the right, we have my mock-up with better-scaled photos. As I simply took smartphone photos of the pages the improvement is not really visible, but I think you should get the point. Larger photos (or more "zoomed-in" photos) would show more detail and illustrate the painting process far better than the photos in this book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdhY1giCBZ28iqto4vn8dq1UytUH74f1U0mDuKwLZasnKSq-7MiACkhqT3ScwgdYTSzb1gHaoeS7FYBN4cbhngeoS7FyrbQvgg53xJBRhUE-AkANXNGYsNqRRVjNpbK31INy4IABxwO0/s1600/IMG_20191223_142251+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdhY1giCBZ28iqto4vn8dq1UytUH74f1U0mDuKwLZasnKSq-7MiACkhqT3ScwgdYTSzb1gHaoeS7FYBN4cbhngeoS7FyrbQvgg53xJBRhUE-AkANXNGYsNqRRVjNpbK31INy4IABxwO0/s320/IMG_20191223_142251+copy.jpg" width="208" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PCps4Xga7NJkzUY8narzmTrOC5K3c18TpN97-tzsRnPUw3zkc7i01dBqKxACAQgL-i2FYmUdy93fZQG0VRp18Arm8NGh3EJWuSeWsEehI8r_s4NhYgMkeoJXsluT_MyWzvW0qoYnR9o/s1600/IMG_20191223_142251+copy+modified+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1047" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PCps4Xga7NJkzUY8narzmTrOC5K3c18TpN97-tzsRnPUw3zkc7i01dBqKxACAQgL-i2FYmUdy93fZQG0VRp18Arm8NGh3EJWuSeWsEehI8r_s4NhYgMkeoJXsluT_MyWzvW0qoYnR9o/s320/IMG_20191223_142251+copy+modified+1.jpg" width="208" /></a><br />
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<span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="text-align: left;">As you can see from these two photos just removing the clamp from the photos is enough to increase the size of the figure to allow a better view.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGgSMd9fhsMibYNTqqk5buN3KbOWt7FbTCpRGi0K9eKEUBk6Ko2ogPEM6CwhSyZRf7QR7Sl1WypedKCsYl_E-4OauBxnNeSb11PfqOvkmr1kyjilusOj3SdDDmXtNc-37KHxYq7n_2oo/s1600/IMG_20191223_142203+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGgSMd9fhsMibYNTqqk5buN3KbOWt7FbTCpRGi0K9eKEUBk6Ko2ogPEM6CwhSyZRf7QR7Sl1WypedKCsYl_E-4OauBxnNeSb11PfqOvkmr1kyjilusOj3SdDDmXtNc-37KHxYq7n_2oo/s320/IMG_20191223_142203+copy.jpg" width="240" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAZ_xPTjZ8y1rFj_XkxGoRzuW6A2MsuhRKu45p1QK5KkiRhe2eyYdpWAbblvXxZjnw-zZl69Wjdpz9Q_BF3Jc_dbRrxgNb7HdQLTSVatClsl8-_DsRipULcZOrjm3XRUZ7qfuhsFbOCs/s1600/IMG_20191223_142203+copy+modified+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDAZ_xPTjZ8y1rFj_XkxGoRzuW6A2MsuhRKu45p1QK5KkiRhe2eyYdpWAbblvXxZjnw-zZl69Wjdpz9Q_BF3Jc_dbRrxgNb7HdQLTSVatClsl8-_DsRipULcZOrjm3XRUZ7qfuhsFbOCs/s320/IMG_20191223_142203+copy+modified+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="color: black; text-align: start;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; text-align: start;">However, personally, I think that it would be even clearer if the photo was focused on the part of the figure that was actually being painted, as in this mockup.</span></div>
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This should not detract from the book too much, there is a wealth of information in there for the novice painter and some nice inspiration for the more experienced as well. I have just made these observations in the hope that Pen and Sword will up there game a little in forthcoming volumes...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-68455226841092881302019-12-17T02:29:00.000-08:002019-12-17T02:29:43.837-08:00Book Review: MI6 British Secret Service Operations 1909-1945 by Nigel WestPen and Sword Books very kindly sent me a copy of <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/MI6-British-Secret-Intelligence-Service-Operations-19091945-Hardback/p/16758">MI6 British Secret Intelligence Service Operations 1909 - 1945</a>. I have been interested in the history of espionage for many years and, although that interest has mainly focused on the Cold War, I was intrigued to see how things had evolved before that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyegHDbfauYFTpu0iN8227_rmGiS_gAWihZ0LjIq-rtV0lzWRNx47tc19OpW6kmIAOARwUyfybTTQs7XPIgLF6yUzxo-OEMBylKiSdwvbSNOBWN5lMlO7BFuD2vmVS-iGc34JicJg0Ho/s1600/MI6+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1174" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyegHDbfauYFTpu0iN8227_rmGiS_gAWihZ0LjIq-rtV0lzWRNx47tc19OpW6kmIAOARwUyfybTTQs7XPIgLF6yUzxo-OEMBylKiSdwvbSNOBWN5lMlO7BFuD2vmVS-iGc34JicJg0Ho/s320/MI6+01.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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This is a very thorough book and goes into great detail about the personnel that were a part of SIS (MI6) in it's earlier days, an amazing achievement considering much of the information has never been officially released. It has all been gleaned from interviews with former officers and employees and once the book was finished it was cleared by the current security services before it was released.<br />
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Covering much of the day to day running of the service, as well as going into some detail of the more interesting operations, the book can be a little dry in places, but this only shows the depth of detail that Nigel West has gone into. The book will certainly be an important source for anyone interested in specific details about the early years of MI6.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVwxx6GLc_cKNUIJGDYPfzsVTAQ6gQGMof2wwSJSr9G7e_FH5qRTdrGgmNuLhrbSWZwnD3Qsr0ZoIDftIIXXLH3ZXL2w6YHuIxKrAKyIARRL6tAu9JtvlVhfpqIjo6OQlu8vMcvfbh_4/s1600/MI6+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVwxx6GLc_cKNUIJGDYPfzsVTAQ6gQGMof2wwSJSr9G7e_FH5qRTdrGgmNuLhrbSWZwnD3Qsr0ZoIDftIIXXLH3ZXL2w6YHuIxKrAKyIARRL6tAu9JtvlVhfpqIjo6OQlu8vMcvfbh_4/s320/MI6+02.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the days before and during the Second World War, there were several different security services that, to some extent crossed over in their remit, and in many instances, MI6 was not the most successful, but it was quite a small service and had limited staff and budgets as compared to organisations such as the Naval Intelligence Division (NID), or even MI5 (which covered UK mainland and other British Empire counter-espionage and counter-sabotage).<br />
In fact, MI6 suffered some major catastrophes that, in the early part of the Second World War, actually jeopardised it's existence, however, it's saving grace and it's most successful section was the Government Code and Cypher School (which eventually evolved into GCHQ).<br />
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Obviously, with several different organisations (SIS, MI5, NID and SOE - Special Operations Executive, which co-ordinated and planned sabotage and rescue missions in occupied Europe) having similar operational areas there were lots of opportunities for co-operation between them and also rivalries.<br />
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As well as the day to day running of the Secret Intelligence Service, examples of some of the more interesting operations and networks are covered at some length. Such characters as the White Russian Sidney Reilly who was something of a super-spy, but turned out to be less than reliable. There are also many examples of both successful and unsuccessful operations throughout the Second World War.<br />
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The book does have a photo section, but obviously, with the nature of the subject matter, there are, I am sure, a limited and often poor selection of photos, so, to be honest, this could quite easily have been skipped. The photos that are included are interesting enough, but I don't think that they add that much to the book, overall.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVZpoFDAuXcveJDb1UPWndiua0TNDAdyVUF7JkxNOrwk86haMnEyYULvr_WkO1UivUZCCDeuO8mPBtK-xqCy6cgmaA3TFkLCUOuxf3GqtVmB8inRbJzlypusWObNgpFUvZFywTCR_M0g/s1600/MI6+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMVZpoFDAuXcveJDb1UPWndiua0TNDAdyVUF7JkxNOrwk86haMnEyYULvr_WkO1UivUZCCDeuO8mPBtK-xqCy6cgmaA3TFkLCUOuxf3GqtVmB8inRbJzlypusWObNgpFUvZFywTCR_M0g/s320/MI6+03.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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To try to get things a little more on topic for this blog, looking at the wargaming possibilities, frankly, there are not that many. Some of the wartime operations could be used as a basis for scenarios in games like <a href="https://ospreypublishing.com/black-ops">Osprey Publishing's Black Ops</a> or possibly <a href="http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/rules/7tv-2nd-edition/">Crooked Dice's 7TV Pulp</a> rules. It might also be possible to organise a game that has a small team infiltrating a base to acquire information or rescue an asset, but these would be more in tune with the SOE rather than SIS, which tended to use subtler methods.<br />
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In conclusion, a very interesting book that gives an excellent background to the British Secret Intelligence Service's early years. I will certainly be on the lookout for some of Nigel Wests other books on the other intelligence services.<br />
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Pick up a copy <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/MI6-British-Secret-Intelligence-Service-Operations-19091945-Hardback/p/16758">HERE</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-11575170749340119272019-10-14T07:31:00.000-07:002019-10-14T07:31:27.314-07:00Book Review: The Golden Age of Science Fiction by John WadeAs a wargamer, I have always been attracted to the idea of putting on a retro sci-fi game. Whenever I see retro sci-fi figures or rules I am compelled to pick them up. I assume that this is in a wide part down to nostalgia. Growing up in the 1970s in the UK we got our first expose to Star Trek and also I fondly remember watching classic sci-fi movies on BBC2 in the early evenings on Wednesdays. Films that were invariably made in the 1950s, mainly black and white (that might just have been because we still had a black and white TV at that point), and I suppose even by then, fairly dated. "Them", "The Incredible Shrinking Man", "This Island Earth", "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and two of my favourite films, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" and "Forbidden Planet".<br />
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So when I saw the book <b>The Golden Age of Science Fiction - A journey into Space with 1950s Radio, TV, Films, Comics and Books</b> by John Wade I knew I had to read it.<br />
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Although never promising to be a complete look at science fiction in the 1950s (this is a personal memoir to the author's discovery and love of the genre during the 50s), the book does however look at so much more than just movies, covering radio (a far bigger thing back then than it is now), TV, films, books, comics and magazines, all in great depth.</div>
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Each different form of media is covered in a separate chapter, starting with radio. Now, I should also point out that the book is very much written from a British point of view, therefore it may well miss the odd American and international productions, although where foreign media made it to the UK they do also feature.</div>
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The section on television reviews several TV plays as well as going into some depth on the three Quatermass series. I have had an abiding love of the Quatermass quartet for many years, although missed the original three series, seeing the films and the later series only. I have, however, read the three script books that were released with the original TV scripts. The depth of information in this book is excellent and if nothing else it has inspired me to track down and watch the original TV shows if I can find them.<br />
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The section on movies is obviously mainly focused on the amazing US output of Sci-Fi movies in the 1950s. With such classics as those already mentioned at the beginning of this review. First, we have a general overview of the ci-fi movie genre in the 1950s with descriptions of the most common plot elements, then a brief review of the lurid nature of a lot of 50s movie posters, that didn't always reflect the content of the actual films. Then we get an in-depth review of the authors select choice of movies followed by some brief resumes of his choice of "also-rans". Finally, there is a reasonably exhaustive list of all of the sci-fi movies released in the 1950s. I found the movie section to be an invaluable resource for anybody who is interested in classic (and not so classic) sci-fi movies. As someone who has loved sci-fi for as long as I can remember, I will generally watch anything that has a hint of sci-fi about it. Many just to be able to tick them off as having seen them. So this list gives me a lot to work with.<br />
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The next chapter of the book proved to be just as interesting as it moved on to books. I devoured a lot of science fiction books in my teens working my way through many of the most well-known authors, to see which ones I enjoyed and which I was not so interested in. On reflection, I feel that I missed a lot that I really should have read, for example, I read several of Issac Asimov's Robot books but none of his Foundation series. I can say the same for many of the other top authors.<br />
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The Golden Age of Science Fiction by John Wade mainly concentrates on four authors John Wyndham, Issac Asimov, Arthur C. Clark and Ray Bradbury. going into some depth on their careers, both pre- and post- 1950s, but with the main focus on that decade. Now if the golden age of Sci-Fi was the 1950s, the 1970s was the golden age of mass-market paperbacks, and many of those books that I picked up were first in print in the 1950s, which was something of a revelation for me.<br />
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As a teen back then I picked up most of my reading material either browsing the local newsagents or more likely local second-hand book shops. So there was no real system and no investigation into the correct chronologies or bibliographies of particular authors. The Golden Age of Science Fiction has very much filled that gap and now I have decided to track down several books that I feel that I really should have read. For example, I have not read any of John Wyndham's work, although I am very familiar with the various adaptions of his Day of the Triffids. Now I am planning to read both The Kraken Wakes and The Chrysalids.<br />
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Towards the end of the Books chapter, Wade does go through a brief rundown of some other authors (that some might consider more important) that published works in the 50s. So don't be disappointed if your favourite author didn't get a mention.<br />
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The final section of the book covers magazines and comics. The 1950s was effectively the last real shout out for the survival of the pulp magazines and a lot of the magazines featured in this book can be seen to have moved to the digest size and away from the traditional pulp-style magazine. Once again the focus is on the magazines and comics that were available in the UK, whether they are British produced or just UK editions of US magazines.<br />
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The chapter finishes with a list of magazines that were around during the 1950s. Which once again will prove a useful resource for anyone interested in the history of Science Fiction. Now really, before I got on to the magazines I should have discussed the comics. My introduction to sci-fi in comics came with the Uk Starlord and then 2000AD titles. So it was interesting to see what had been available before that. Obviously, I was aware of Dan Dare, although I hadn't really spent much time looking into those stories from the Eagle comic. The book looks at Dan Dare in-depth, from its initial inception right through to its demise (and its brief resurrection in the 1980s).<br />
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Other comics that are mentioned certainly pale into insignificant compared to Dan Dare, but it is good to know the history of British Sci-fi in comics, along with the huge market of US superhero titles that tend to flood the market now.<br />
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The book is lavishly illustrated throughout and I found no spelling errors or grammar problems.<br />
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As I am sure you can already guess, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will be referring back to it often in future. I received the book from <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/">Pen and Sword Publishing</a> as a review copy, but I would gladly have bought it. It would actually be very nice if they followed it up with further volumes looking at the science fiction that came out of other decades and the impact that had.<br />
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The book can be purchased directly from Pen and Sword<a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Golden-Age-of-Science-Fiction-Paperback/p/16512"> HERE</a>.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-3782183715734073212019-06-26T05:11:00.000-07:002019-06-26T06:41:05.038-07:00Book Review: Painting Wargaming Figures - WWII In The Desert by Andy SingletonMy last book review was quite critical, so I am pleased to say that I am a lot happier with this one.<br />
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WWII in the Desert by Andy Singleton appears to be the first in a new series of books from Pen and Sword called Painting Wargaming Figures.<br />
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The subject of the book should need little explanation, covering the four major forces in the desert campaign of World War Two. British and Commonwealth (including Canadian, Australian, Indian, South African, as well as Poles, some French and others), Italian, United States, and German.<br />
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The layout of the book has been well thought through. The book is split into two sections, Basics, and the actual Painting Guides. The Basics section covers the various tools, paints and varnishes that will be needed and then goes on to explain how to prepare and assemble figures before the painting begins. This covers metal, plastic and resin miniatures and so all bases have been covered (well actually, basing the figures is covered at the end of the painting guides, but you know what I mean...).<br />
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The painting guides themselves are well laid out with a brief introduction and history of the various forces and their involvement in the campaign. This is a nice touch, as it would have been very easy to skip this and dive straight into the guides, but as the book is probably going to be read by wargamers just getting into this period it gives that extra level of information that will help build a wargames army. In each guide, Andy takes us through the painting process at three different levels. A simple basic paint scheme, a more advanced scheme that will give a good tabletop standard, and then the truly advanced scheme, which would probably be best kept purely for command figures or special characters.<br />
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Each guide shows the full process of painting the same figure at each level. Although there are four different factions, there are five guides as the fifth guide shows the painting of camouflage for the later part of the Desert campaign, when the German paratroopers arrived in theatre. Now, clearly, there is a fair bit of repetition as you read through each of the painting guides, if not exactly in colour, but in the technique used. However, the reader is likely to be following only one of the guides and is unlikely to be painting all the forces, at all the different levels in quick succession, so the repetition only gets boring for a reviewer reading the entire book, without actually using it to paint their army.<br />
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The author also points out that a lot of the uniforms faded in the dust and sun of the desert campaign and many of the soldiers chopped and changed items of uniform so it would be rare to have a standard scheme across an entire squad, let alone larger forces. Therefore, the painting guides are just that, guides, they can be mixed and matched, within reason, to achieve a more realistic look.<br />
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After the painting guides, there is a nice guide to basing figures in desert schemes. It goes into quite a bit of detail and is far from simply glueing sand onto the bases ( although it does involve a bit of this).<br />
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The final pages of the book are given over to a reasonably thorough list of manufacturers who produce ranges of wargames figures for the Desert Campaign, at various scales.<br />
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It would have been nice to see more than one figure for each force, as clearly the uniforms varied a lot over the campaign, and we just get one (except the Germans who also get the camouflage scheme). It would also have been good to have seen one or two reference pictures for each of the uniforms, whether that be illustrations like those found in the Osprey Men At Arms series of books or photos of re-enactors etc. Also, obviously these guides are all written by one (very capable) author and, as any experienced painters knows, there are endless numbers of different ways to paint a figure, so it might be nice to see a book like this written by several different painters, offering different ways to paint similar figures.<br />
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Still, these are minor quibbles and overall, I would highly recommend this book.<br />
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So, in conclusion, this is an excellent beginners guide to painting figures for the Desert Campaign. It covers everything that someone just venturing into this area would need to get going with a new army.<br />
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You can check out the book for yourself <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Painting-Wargaming-Figures-WWII-in-the-Desert-Paperback/p/15530">HERE</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-16540013119996169292019-06-07T03:04:00.000-07:002019-06-07T03:04:28.385-07:00Book Review: Wargames Terrain & Buildings - The Napoleonic Wars by Tony Harwood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Tony Harwood has quite a reputation for building attractive wargames scenery so I was very keen to get hold of Pen & Sword Books The Napoleonic Wars, which appears to be the first in a series of books on constructing scenery and buildings for the wargames table.<br />
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As expected, after a quick flick through the book, Tony has managed to produce a series of interesting buildings that could grace any wargames table. Although it is squarely aimed at the Napoleonic period, I feel that there is plenty here to interest gamers of other periods too as many of the buildings would suit earlier or later periods.<br />
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A brief skim through will give you a right old treat for the eyes, and even that is enough to inspire terrain ideas.<br />
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After giving it a thorough read through, I do have a few issues with the book. Firstly, I would like to point out that I am a professional model maker and have been for over 30 years (I have been running an architectural model making workshop at a school of architecture for the past 15 or so years). I do understand that this gives me access to techniques and materials that are probably beyond most hobbyists, however, I am perfectly happy building models in the same way as any hobbyist would, so it shouldn't affect my review.<br />
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As I have already said, a quick flick through the book and you can see that it is lavishly illustrated with plenty of photos. When you start to read the book you actually find that there are possibly too many photos of the models. Some double-page spreads have 8 or 10 photos on them, with the text squeezed in between. A lot of these photos are extremely similar, just showing the model building from a slightly different angle. It is often fairly tricky to work out which photo relates to which bit of text.<br />
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Also, virtually all of the photos are pulled back, showing the entire model, even when the relevant text is discussing small details. On flicking through the book again, as I write this review, I find no close-up detail shots at all. This makes working out the fine detail modelling fairly difficult. Makes you want to pull out a magnifying glass at times, just to see what's in the photos.<br />
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Anyway. that's my first gripe out of the way. Let's look at the positives. Tony tackles 9 different projects throughout the book, ranging from a simple stone well right up to a 2 building diorama/farm and a chapel. He has picked buildings from different regions, to reflect the different Napoleonic campaigns, covering the Peninsular War, France, Germany, Russia and the chapel is Hungarian. The book doesn't give any background on the different styles of buildings from the different regions, although it does mention where Tony got his ideas from. I would have liked to see some reference pictures, either some photos of appropriate buildings or illustrations of period structures. Anyone approaching this type of project really does need to do the research before throwing these things together.<br />
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Tony has tried to build each of the 9 projects using different techniques and to a certain extent different materials. One is a laser cut kit, another is built entirely from foam and a third is built almost entirely from card and foamboard.<br />
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His basing for nearly all the models is a piece of scavenged plastic sheet. His insistence on the use of recycled/reclaimed materials is laudable, but may not always be practical for every modeller. Personally, I much prefer to use a sanded and sealed piece of MDF sheet for my bases, as I find it much more stable and it sits on the table better.<br />
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While we are on the subject of materials, I don't think that the book covers a very diverse selection of materials. Yes, we have foam, card, DAS modelling clay (which Tony seems to like to clart over everything) and some plastic sheet. However, there are certainly other materials that are often used by model makers when doing buildings. There is very little wood in the book, other than some scrap strips of timber used for the Russian windmill. I feel a more realistic way to guide other model makers, would have been to build that model with balsa wood strips, they are readily available from model and craft shops, and it is unlikely that everyone reading the book will have some scrap strips of timber lying around.<br />
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The other material that Tony seems to favour he refers to as "green foam". Unfortunately, at no point in the book does he explain what this material actually is. One of the buildings is built from blue insulation foam, that gets a mention in the glossary at the back of the book (and I use it regularly anyway, so that was fine). But what is this "green foam" that he uses in virtually every project, to a greater or lesser extent? The only green foam that I know of is florists foam, which is very soft and crumbly and doesn't make very good model making material, as it is too fragile. I found this to be possibly the most frustrating part of the book.<br />
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I could go on nitpicking ( the almost evangelical use of superglue rather than other more suitable adhesives for example), but I don't want to condemn the book completely. It is certainly inspirational and Tony does make beautiful model buildings.<br />
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As a whole, I think the book feels more like a series of blog posts chronicling Tony's builds, rather than a guide on how to build these buildings yourself. A lot of the information is repeated from one project to the next, such as basing techniques, use of scenic grass (sawdust) materials etc. The book feels like it could have done with a good going over by a knowledgeable editor, to tighten up a lot of these problems. I would be a lot more prepared to let these things slide if this was a self-published book (which I know Tony Harwood has done in the past), but I feel that Pen & Sword should have spent a bit more time refining this one.<br />
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Anyway, rant over, if you have never built any buildings for a wargames table before, and you really don't know where to start, this book will certainly give you a few pointers in the right direction.<br />
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Here is the <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Wargames-Terrain-and-Buildings-Paperback/p/15335">LINK</a> to the Pen & Sword page for the book.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-37863787953418964682019-03-28T08:32:00.004-07:002019-03-28T08:32:41.714-07:00Book Review: The Professional Creature Design Handbook by Jordu SchellThe Professional Creature Design Handbook (Part One) by Jordu Schell, $5<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FDeHPZbmuKRMvbaTe8QVY5TAHCfblntUG_-Pklgbu1pZCZwdWwq_WvJv4LJDYaUa0NaACw6ZQetNS664KQbgb8OIJGrqpBSj_HH3zNjX6_S7gAD7aG8HeFhOEp1Rxw174muDdnDSs5Q/s1600/pro+creature+design+book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="742" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FDeHPZbmuKRMvbaTe8QVY5TAHCfblntUG_-Pklgbu1pZCZwdWwq_WvJv4LJDYaUa0NaACw6ZQetNS664KQbgb8OIJGrqpBSj_HH3zNjX6_S7gAD7aG8HeFhOEp1Rxw174muDdnDSs5Q/s320/pro+creature+design+book.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
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In an effort to re-invigorate my sculpting work I picked up this ebook the other day. It has just been released and I am really glad I spotted it.<br />
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The focus of the book is on creature design for the film industry, however, after having a quick scan through it, it will prove invaluable to anyone who plans to design fantasy, alien or supernatural creatures, whether they be for film, illustration, kit collectors/painters, or the wargaming table.<br />
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Jordu Schell has worked on a huge list of movies over the years ranging from Avatar and Hellboy through AvP: Requiem and Evolution to Babylon 5, Batman Returns and Alien: Resurrection. He has amassed a great deal of experience in designing and sculpting fantastic creatures.<br />
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This book is the first instalment in a series (as the "Part One" in the title suggests) of ebooks that will eventually cover every aspect of creature design.<br />
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It gives a little bit of insight into the author's career and motivations that drove him into creature design before going on to go over some basics of the design process. What works and what doesn't, where to draw inspiration (no secrets there, it is mainly Nature), and then gives some examples of good movie creatures.<br />
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As the first part of a series, this is an excellent beginning. Well worth the $5. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in creature design.<br />
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To order the book you will need to PayPal $5 to <a href="mailto:jordu2011@gmail.com">jordu2011@gmail.com</a>. I received the download link within a few hours, although I believe he has been rather swamped, so it may take a little longer to receive it.<br />
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You can also visit his website:-<br />
<a href="https://www.jorduschell.com/">https://www.jorduschell.com/</a><br />
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By the Way, the book also touches on choosing colour schemes for the creatures. This may not have any relevance for sculptors but it is quite useful for miniatures painters as the theories involved are spot on!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-9017780221177742602018-11-12T06:16:00.003-08:002018-11-12T06:16:40.171-08:00Wargames Show: TARGE 2018I went along to TARGE in Kirriemuir on Saturday. I had some stuff to sell at the Bring and Buy and was also hoping to get in a couple of participation games.<br />
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I have always enjoyed the Kirriemuir Wargames Shows, both originally SKELP and it's more recent replacement TARGE. However, this year it turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. On a surface level, I don't have anything to complain about. I sold most of the stuff I took down and bought a couple of things that I hadn't expected (and still came away in profit on the day).<br />
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However, the display tables that were there were all very familiar and I had certainly seen most of them before. I can't really complain, it is the last show for the season, so most of these tables should be retired now, with new ones appearing for the next year, but it did make for a less interesting show.<br />
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There were also quite a few empty tables in both rooms. I don't know if this was down to participants not turning up, or the organiser overestimating what they needed. If it was the former, it is a shame, but if it was the latter, I feel it would have been better if the occupied tables had been spread out a little more.<br />
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I must admit, the whole show seemed extremely quiet this year. I held off taking the photo of the hall, hoping to get a shot of it looking busier, but it was very quiet all day.<br />
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My son and I also only managed to get in one participation game (the, always quality, Leuchars Veterans) Carry On Up The Khyber, which we had already played at Carronade earlier in the year.<br />
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Anyway, that is enough of my moaning, here is the photo dump:-<br />
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Leuchars Veterans Carry On Up The Khyber game!<br />
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A lovely table with a Batman game on it. Unfortunately, the rules are apparently quite impenetrable, so the game was purely being run as a demo...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy_Hwr1ZFVOL5z24biphyphenhyphenmYQW4hGNC2cE9ABnZhOr-4d-3A6d8jLj-4TJLCiOoPLi5bD0v3YiNWFZ1d_o06-OoRDloOFvtzTfAG06uXsbWT-0ruGjxHWFUiolAZcAK5u2jFnG4kZZzC4/s1600/20181110+-+TARGE+2018+-+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1600" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzy_Hwr1ZFVOL5z24biphyphenhyphenmYQW4hGNC2cE9ABnZhOr-4d-3A6d8jLj-4TJLCiOoPLi5bD0v3YiNWFZ1d_o06-OoRDloOFvtzTfAG06uXsbWT-0ruGjxHWFUiolAZcAK5u2jFnG4kZZzC4/s320/20181110+-+TARGE+2018+-+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I really like the look of this table, it is very simple, but it catches the feel of the territory and works really well.<br />
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This Stalingrad table was lovingly produced with scratch built scenery and 3D printed vehicles.<br />
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This was an amzing collection of beautifully painted miniatures.<br />
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So, that is my very brief round up of TARGE 2018. Hopefully, it will be back to its normal standard next year, as I usually really enjoy it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-28313621167418657772018-10-16T02:13:00.000-07:002018-10-16T02:13:09.153-07:00Future Worlds Landscape - Modular Wargames TerrainAs I slowly get back into my model making and wargaming hobby I have been looking for new and interesting projects to sink my teeth into. I was contacted by Nick Fatchen and asked if I would like to review his Kickstarter Project called Future Worlds Landscape, and this seemed like a perfect little project to get me moving again.<div>
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I have always enjoyed the terrain making side of wargaming, probably more so than painting the figures. So when this came along I jumped at it. I wasn't sure about the idea of 3D printing a large number of tiles to make the terrain, but I soon realised that I can slowly add to the set as and when I need to.</div>
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Before I go any further, here is the link to the Kickstarter:-</div>
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/847530101/future-worlds-landscapes-modular-war-game-terrain?ref=587429&token=6a9b1daf">Future Worlds Landscape</a></div>
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Now I must state at this point that when Nick asked me to review these kits I had planned to print off the whole set straight away, however, both my sons and my 3D printers have been playing up and I have not been able to print any at home. I have had a couple of tiles and some of the connecting clips printed on the machines at my work, but they are too busy for me to do any more at the moment. I hope, from what I have printed, that you will be able to get an idea of the system.</div>
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The idea is that you can build up a collection of tiles that clip together to build different hills and obstacles for different games. There are a series of different tiles that have internal and external corners, straights and pieces that change height from one side to the other. There are also edging pieces which give a smooth transition from the table to the hill (unfortunately, I have not yet been able to print any of these).</div>
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The tiles clip together with a firm push and grip tightly, but also come apart easily, when you need them to.<br />
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The clips push into slots in the sides of each tile and these line up perfectly, with each different configuration.<br />
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Obviously, you do need to make sure that the edges of the tiles match.</div>
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Depending on the tile, there are between 2 and 4 slots on each side. I have found that 2 should be fine to hold the tiles together, but it is handy that you don't need to use the same two every time...</div>
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Underneath the hills, there are extra supports that hold them up. These also hold the tiles together for added rigidity. I have only printed the 1" pieces, but there are also larger ones for the higher hills.<br />
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I had hoped to have a few more printed and have them painted for this review. As that hasn't happened we will have to make do with the painted examples from the Kickstarter page (which can be seen at the top of this article and also below).<br />
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Personally, I am not to keen on the paint job on these examples as I think it highlights the edges of the tiles, however, as this is promoting the tile system, that is probably the intention.<br />
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The detail on the tiles is fantastic, and really captures the different textures of the scenery. I was really impressed by this once I had the actual tiles in my hands.<br />
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The process of 3D printing this system is not a fast one, and there is a certain amount of clean-up involved. Although the clean-up should be minimal as the files are designed to be printed without any support material. Mine were done with support material as the guy that runs our printers felt they needed it. I will be doing the next lot without, both for speed and to save filament.<br />
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I must admit, I think this isanm excellent system and I am looking forward to getting more printed to build some nice big and versatile layouts...<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-89512763886151861882018-01-15T08:03:00.000-08:002018-01-15T08:03:14.229-08:00Book Review: China and the West by William Edward Soothill<h2>
<a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/China-and-the-West-Paperback/p/2898">China and the West by William Edward Soothill</a></h2>
<h3>
Subtitled: A Short History of Their Contact from Ancient Times to the Fall of the Manchu Dynasty</h3>
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I have been putting off this review for some time, I finished reading the book a couple of months ago and I have felt that I needed to time to decide how to approach this review.<br />
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The book in itself contains some very interesting detail about China's interaction with the outside world, and the West in particular. It was first published by Oxford University Press in 1925 and the author, William Soothill, was a Professor of Chinese at Oxford University.<br />
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Therein lies my problem with this book. I am not an expert on this period (one of the reasons that I wanted to read this book), but I am well read on the Mongols and the rise and fall of their state, and I also have an interest in the British Colonial period (mainly in North Africa and Sudan).<br />
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The book was written at a time when the British Empire and colonial views were still firmly held, at least by many in the West. The author, William Soothill (who lived in China for 25 years), was clearly still of the opinion that the Western powers could run China far better than it's own people. It is apparent that he felt that China was being badly run because it wanted control of its own trade relationships with the West, and indeed wanted to cut all ties with the West at one point. Considering how the West, and Britain in particular, was treating China I personally feel that they were extremely justified in breaking off relations with these Western states.<br />
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Soothill clearly, had some very "Victorian" views on many other aspects of Eastern culture. As a secular Buddhist myself, I found his description of Buddhism particularly offensive and completely inaccurate.<br />
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"A religion which is based on a mistaken philosophy of the world, of life and of human nature, and which makes the monk, with his parasitic life, the noblest form of earthly existence, may bring more safety to the lives of the rest of humanity, certainly more than Islam, or the pagan Mongol, but its inevitable result is intellectual stupor. The fundamental force in Buddhism is escape from all earthly attachments and entry on earth into Nirvana, which in effect becomes spiritual inactivity and intellectual torpor." - Page 44-5<br />
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Leaving behind the opinions of the author, I also found at least one factual error in the book:-<br />
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"He (Genghis Khan) now turned his attention towards China, the northern half of which was under the Chins, or The Golden Horde By 1213 he had overrun most of their territory, and they were glad to buy him off with promises of heavy tribute, which they in turn squeezed out of the unfortunate northern Chinese whom they ruled." - Page 38<br />
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I don't know if the title "Golden Horde" has an alternate usage in the early part of the 20th century, but every reference to it that I have found all refer to the Khanate of Batu (otherwise known as the Kipchak Khanate or the Ulus of Jochi), which only came into existence after 1259. Named the Golden Horde after the colour of the Khans tent...<br />
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Due to this error and Soothill's tendency to inject his personal "opinions" into the text, it does bring some doubt into much of the rest of the book. As such I find it difficult to recommend it as a source of information on the subject covered by the book. In fact, I ended up learning as much about the attitudes of the colonial era than I did about the actual history of China and the West.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-32753229526046030462017-11-20T08:19:00.001-08:002017-11-20T08:19:49.867-08:00Wargames Show Report: TARGE 2017This is a little bit late, but here is my report (photo dump) from TARGE 2017 in Kirriemuir.<br />
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I travelled down to the show with my two sons and didn't really have a plan for the day, other than putting a lot of stuff I no-longer needed into the Bring and Buy, and possibly getting a couple of participation games.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The main hall (before opening).</td></tr>
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Once I had left my wares in the Bring and Buy room, we made a tour of the show and I started taking a few photos. Photography has been a growing interest for me over the last couple of years, and so I was keen to try to get some more interesting shot of the show, above and beyond the normal simple table shots, hence you will see a few more close-up shots on miniatures etc.<br />
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East Neuk Irregulars put on an excellent participation game that involved a car racing across the board and escorted by 4 outriders (each controlled by the guest participants). This was very much comic book or Saturday morning theatre action rather than historical accuracy, but all the more fun for it! We were apparently the first group to ever play the game, in the wild, as it were. We are looking forward to trying it again once they have really polished it with further plays.</div>
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In the afternoon, my youngest and I had a little gladiatorial match using the Adeptus Titanicus rules, a game I must admit I had never played before. It seemed like a fun system.As for the game itself, I charged into the attack, only for my son to blow my leg off, just as I was about to land a fatal attack on his titan.</div>
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Unfortunately, I don't have many photos from the painting competition, as the stage, where it was held, was particularly dark, which didn't lend itself to the phootgraphic arts...</div>
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As well as my own photos, my eldest son was also playing around with his camera and he has allowed me to "borrow" some of his images for this post. All of the following photos are his.<br />
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The participation and demo tables all looked great, with a good selection of different periods and they all looked fantastic.</div>
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I did very well on the Bring and Buy, managing to sell virtually all of the stuff I had taken down. I didn't buy much at all, only a single pack of Fire Forge Mongol Heavy Cavalry, which I have been after for some time, and I found on a second-hand table...</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-7083279859872285672017-09-07T06:46:00.000-07:002017-09-07T06:50:55.485-07:00Book Review: Battles of the Dark Ages by Peter MarrenIn an attempt to inspire myself to finish off my Saxon warband for our planned Bloodeagle campaign I have been reading <a href="https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Battle-of-the-Dark-Ages-Paperback/p/1802">Battles of the Dark Ages by Peter Marren</a>.<br />
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The book covers most, if not all, of the important battles that took place in the British Isles during the Dark Ages (covering 410-1065AD). The writing style can be a little dry at times, but it is fairly easy reading and goes into some depth on the more important battles.<br />
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The book gives a good insight into the political and military history of the British Isles through the period, with plenty of interest to the Dark Age wargamer.<br />
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There is a Gazetteer at the back of the book which lists nearly a hundred and thirty battles from 410-1065AD. If that doesn't give game possibilities, nothing does...<br />
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I would say that I feel the author has spent a little too much time researching the locations of the battlefields and could have gone into more depth on the tactics and strategies used. Afterall, the book is called Battles of the Dark Ages, not Battlefields of the Dark Ages. However, as the "Dark Ages" are called that due to the lack of information, I understand that there is not much detail to base the book on, and looking at the actual battlefields is useful for attempting to work out how a battle was actually fought.<br />
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On the whole, a good and useful read.<br />
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Note:-<br />
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I have just noticed that the blog passed the half million pages views mark sometime last month. Now as I haven't been posting very much recently I am very thankful that the blog still seems to be drawing quite a bit of interest. I will try to post more regularly over the coming months.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-9037186690087091342017-05-16T00:19:00.001-07:002017-05-16T08:39:49.682-07:00Carronade 2017 Follow UpI have had a couple of days to think about Carronade now and I think it is worth a second post...<br />
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Mainly I want to cover the painting competition format, which is somewhat different to the other shows I have entered.<br />
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I must admit I don't have extensive experience at competing in painting competitions, I have only done so at the two North East of Scotland show (SKELP and TARGE). However, the format of those competitions does differ somewhat from that of Carronade. I must point out that I am not saying that it is either a good or a bad thing, just that it caught me a little by surprise.<br />
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Firstly, as Carronade is a large show, I was surprised at the small number of categories.<br />
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Historical Single Figure<br />
SF/F Single Figure<br />
Historical Squad<br />
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SF/F Squad</div>
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Vehicle<br />
Junior<br />
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I would have expected to see a few more in there such as Diorama, Army and possibly an "Open" for anything that defies categorising.<br />
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The other part of the painting competition that somewhat caught me by surprise was the lack of a presentation ceremony. Now, as I am not the most extroverted of people, I was quite happy about that. The prizes were in cash rather than vouchers, which meant I didn't have to run around at the end of the show trying to find something to spend them on, another plus...<br />
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The trophies themselves are nice little glass shields and something that I much appreciate, is that I get to keep them, ad don't have to return them for next years show. I would, however, have liked to have had my name engraved on them, but there isn't really a spot for that...<br />
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<b>NOTE:</b> If any of the organisers of Carronade read this, please don't see these comments as criticisms, I only offer them as suggestions for how you could consider developing the painting competition in the future.<br />
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Now, I think it is time to look at my purchases for the day.<br />
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I bought several rule books, and top of my shopping list was the Gothic expansion for <a href="https://inhermajestysname.wordpress.com/">In Her Majesties Name</a>. I was hoping to collect this from Craig Cartmell himself, as I did last year with Blood Eagle, but unfortunately, he couldn't make it this year, so I ended up getting it from <a href="https://www.caliverbooks.com/">Caliver Books</a> instead.<br />
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While I was at Caliver's stand I also picked up <a href="https://ospreypublishing.com/en-garde">En Garde! from Osprey Publishing</a>. I am slowly putting together a Border Reiver game (with figures from <a href="https://reivercasting.wordpress.com/">Reiver Castings</a>) and have been looking for suitable rules. As En Garde! has an army list for the Border Reivers it seems like a perfect fit.<br />
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I also had a browse of the minis that Caliver had, and was pleasantly surprised to see they had some of the <a href="http://arcanesceneryandmodels.co.uk/product-category/lucid-eye/">Lucid Eye Neanderthals</a> (I got the chieftain a couple of years ago and have been after the rest since then...). I added the Amazon Warleader to the purchase, as I couldn't resist it.<br />
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My final purchase from Caliver were a couple of miniatures from the Wayne's World of Wonder range produced by <a href="http://www.miniaturefigurines.co.uk/Home.aspx">Miniature Figurines</a>. The first one bears a remarkable resemblance to a comic character that I remember reading in the old Warrior Magazine from the early 1980s, Axel Pressbutton. The second is a hulking mutated figure carrying a rather vicious looking gun. As he is wearing a german helmet I had to add him to my Weird War collection.<br />
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The only other miniature that I got on the day was this tasty little barbarian from <a href="http://www.fouraminiatures.com/">Four A Miniatures</a>. I had originally ordered it as part of their recent Kickstarter, but they had run out of castings. They sent me a couple of alternatives at the time, but very graciously gave me this one for free while I was chatting at the stall! I know it is an awful photo, but I will try to do something a little special with it when Ii paint it up...<br />
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The rest of my purchases came from the Flea Market. Having a love of all things Pulp, I have been tempted to try some "Back of Beyond" type games for some time, and I spotted this rather tatty copy of Triumph and Tragedy for the token sum of £2, along with it's Colonial Supplement (also for a mear £2). So I really couldn't resist. I guess I will have to pick up some of Copplestones Back of Beyond minis now...<br />
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The same table at the Flea Market also had a copy of Gloire and it's supplement Under The Black Flag. I bought Gloire direct from Rattrap Productions when it was first released but I had never bought the supplement, so this was snapped up. IT was also a nice reminder as I will have to see if Gloire will be suitable for the Border Reivers game...<br />
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As I was leaving the Flea Market room I spotted a copy of the boardgame Senji. I have wanted to get a samurai game for a few years and have not found one that I was totally taken with. Senji looks like it has the mix of flavour and strategy that I am looking for and I managed to pick it up for £15.<br />
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This finishes my coverage of Carronade, so back to the normal focus of the blog for the next post.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1443845842356889066.post-87991107280513439252017-05-13T14:50:00.000-07:002017-05-13T14:50:54.729-07:00Carronade 2017: Wargames Show Report<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just back from a visit to Carronade 2017 a few hours ago and time for a photo dump.</div>
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In the morning we had a table booked at the flea market, I must admit, the flea market system is an inspired one that seems to be very popular. The tables were all booked up, all day and everyone seemed to be doing very well. It clearly works for the organising club too, as they don't have to allocate several staff to run, the more usual, bring and buy, they just have one person on the check in desk.</div>
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Clearly the people who had the tables were also enjoying meeting their customers and being able to negotiate deals.</div>
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I did reasonably well and managed to make enough to cover my purchases for the day, although Jeff, who shared my table didn't do quite so well.</div>
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After the flea market, we grabbed some lunch and then took in the rest of the show. There were a very good mix of traders there and I spent most of the afternoon browsing them. Unfortunately, this meant that I only got a cursory look at the games on show. I did however, manage to nip around and take some photos. So here is the photo dump...</div>
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Not very informative, I know, but I didn't have a chance to get any details. Still, I think you will agree, a very impressive display of well made and attractive tables.<br />
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As well as perusing the trade stands I also entered three pieces into the painting competitions. It was a very pleasant surprise, when I wandered by in the afternoon, to find that I had won 1st and 2nd place in the single figure category.<br />
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So, all in all, a good day...</div>
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