Just a quick note to keep everyone up to date with our posting policies and news.
First of all the official last posting dates from the Post Office are as follows:
| International Airmail | |
|---|---|
| Mon 6 Dec 2010 | South & Central America, Caribbean, Africa, Middle East, Asia, Far East (including Japan), Australia and New Zealand |
| Fri 10 Dec 2010 | Eastern Europe, USA and Canada |
| Mon 13 Dec 2010 | Western Europe |
| Tue 21 Dec 2010 | First Class Recorded Signed For It’s Snowing…..Yippee!
In fact, it’s the perfect weather for modelling! The only other downside of snow is that you have to put up with a load of busybodies telling you how to stay safe and warm, so with that in mind I’d thought that I’d put my two penneth worth in and give you my guide to modelling in extreme weather conditions……. Wear the correct clothing The danger of sitting down and painting when it’s a bit chilly is that you can get cold faster than usual. I find that an extra pair of socks is a good idea and always do up the front of your dressing gown to make sure that the cord doesn’t get tangled in your work board. If you have got dressed this won’t be a problem but make sure you have an old jumper on. I have lost count of the times that I’ve been told off for getting paint down my new jumper. Even better, make sure that your work station is positioned next to a radiator, preferably at your back to ensure that your kidneys are warm – this is very important – see the next point. Keep your fluid levels up I think that from the outset, it’s important to stress that alcohol and modelling don’t mix well. The worst thing that you can do is develop a case of beer goggles only to wake up the next day to find that the masterpiece that you were working on looks like an explosion in a paint factory. Keep the booze for later! I recommend plenty of warm drinks, tea or coffee, at least hourly, which is why your kidneys need to be in tip top shape. Avoid extreme exercise This means any form of DIY or household chores – you need to be fully focused on your modelling. The danger here is that the missus may get bored because she can’t get out of the house and start looking for things for you to do. Outside chores are a definite no but she may find something inside for you to repair. The answer here is to say that you haven’t got the right tool for the job and that you can’t get to the DIY shop. A sharp intake of breath followed by ‘I’ll need a retaining plunger to get that sorted, but I haven’t got one the right size’ is usually enough of a smokescreen to get out of the job. The trickier one is the decorating issue. Just point out that it says on the paint tin that the paint can’t be used in cold weather so painting is out of the question. If the question arises as to ‘how come you’re painting your models then?’ you can point out that no such warning is printed on the side of modelling paints & these are special, magical paints….. Fatigue can be dangerous You can have too much of a good thing and regular breaks are important. But beware, I have had a situation where I thought I’d take a break from modelling and switched on the History Channel only to find that there was a re-run of a Catherine Cookson show…Aaaaagh! Fortunately, I have an emergency DVD collection and I recommend that all modellers should at least have the following titles available: Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, Zulu, Waterloo, Generation Kill, Full Metal Jacket, Platoon, Enemy at the Gates, Black Hawk Down and Master and Commander. Watching any of these is usually enough to re-invigorate me, ready for another modelling session. Maintain the correct calorie intake I really don’t need to give specific advice here, other than to remind you of the fourth (and most important) emergency service – pizza delivery – I’m in awe of their ability to get a pepperoni meat feast out in the worst of weathers. So there we are, a few hints and tips to help you enjoy your modelling in the ‘Big Freeze’ or as it used to be known, Winter. Happy modelling!
Where did a month go…..I’m not sure how a month has gone by without managing to post a blog entry but the calender doesn’t lie! As usual, it’s not a lack of subject matter that has stopped me from writing. More a lack of time. To be honest, if it’s a choice between getting the new releases listed and available for sale or writing a blog article, the listing wins hands down – I’ve got rent to pay! Of course the other priority has been the hobby. Again, choosing between writing a blog article or painting some more miniatures and it’s the painting that’s going to be the priority. So here is a quick round up of some of the new releases, re- releases and new lines added to my ebay shop over the last month. Incidentally, I have been a bit more prolific at updating my facebook page so if you would like to sign up to it & keep up with the new stuff, click here! Zvezda, the Russian kit manufacturer have been busy with the release of their new Second World War range. In an interesting development, they have released platoon sized infantry sets for their new War game, ‘ The Art of Tactic’. At just Stock Updates – New into the shop this weekIt’s been another week where the new releases have been coming in thick and fast. To be fair; some of the new lines are either just new ranges for the shop, in the case of Airfix, retools & reboxes of older models, or extensions to ranges that we are gradually building.
We’ve had a double dose of the Russians! To explain, the Trent Miniatures French revolutionary Wars range has now landed with us and we’ve started by listing the Russian Infantry packs as these seem a little different to the normal Napoleonic At the same time, we’ve just received the Airfix 1/32 scale WW2 Russian Infantry. This brings the total of 1/32 sets available from Airfix to 13 with more on the way. Also from Airfix is the Tropical version of the Messerschmitt Bf110E. think that this is a new variant from airfix as it’s one that I dont remember building and I am sure that at one t New from Warlord is the Plastic Prussian Napoleonics as well as casualties for Romans & Celts, Sir Thomas Fairfax, Irish brigade English Civil war troops and Highlanders Arrant scum! We now have a full range of MDF bases for wargamers with some superb buildings on the way. More on these later!
And there’s more but I’m afraid that Ive got to get back to listing so if you would like to see what else is new check into my ebay shop! The latest sets from Italeri
We’ve just received the latest releases from Italeri and very nice they are too! First up is a set of Napoleonic Scots Infantry. There are 36 models in the set, three sprues containing 12 poses. They are crisply moulded and well detailed. There are two sergeant figures and a drummer. The only ‘missing’ is an officer figure and an Ensign would have been nice but otherwise a great addition to the Napoleonic range. Next up is a set of World war Two American Infantry in Winter uniforms. An ideal set for those wishing to re fight the Battle of the Bulge and the advance into Germany during the late war! Again, you get 36 figure in 12 dynamic poses on three sprues. Finally, the last release is a 1/72 scale fast build model of the fearsome German 88mm Flak and anti tank gun. The fast build models are designed for wargamers and allow you to build a reasonable replica without all the fiddly bits! The kit also contains 8 crew and look as though they are dressed for Desert warfare so this set will go nicely with the recent DAK Afrika Korps and Paratroops in tropical uniform. All of these sets are now available in my ebay shop ready for despatch now!
Albion Alloys at Arcane Scenery
The tubes slide fit into the next size up ( telescope) to enable you to build pistons etc. The rod is ideal for pinning models. If nothing else, using the tube to replace the post on flying stands will ensure that your model doesn’t snap off during games! The micro brass tube can be used to replace gun barrels to make them look more authentic and you can even use the tube to make shell cases. The channeling is great for model Tanks, for making brackets etc. I will be carrying a range of some 60 different types of Albion Alloys in my ebay shop as part of the Expo Tools range and I will also be adding the range to my independent on line shop in time. As well as the lines that I hold ready for instant dispatch, I am also able to order most of the Albion Alloy range, including the larger 1 metre lengths. If you would like details, please contact me through the shop email. Napoleonic Flank Companies!
It’s been some time since my last blog on the subject of Napoleonics but I have been busy painting and my Army is steadily growing, along with my knowledge of the period. My main reference in building my army has been the superb book, the Waterloo Companion by Mark Adkin. It really is a first class reference book and if you are at all interested in the period, I suggest that you must add it to your library!
The main fighting unit of infantry in the British Napoleonic army was the Battalion. You will often hear people refer to various Regiments when talking of the units at a particular battle , for example, the 27th Inniskilling Regiment. However, the Regiment in the British army was more of an organisational title and it was the battalion that actually took to the field. Some Regiments consisted of more than one Battalion; two or three were possible, but it was unlikely that there would be more (There were of course exceptions). In this case, the battalions would be numbered, so the first battalion of the 27th Regiment would be noted as 1/27, the second, 2/27 and so on. A battalion consisted of around 800 men when at full strength. In reality, it was extremely rare for a Battalion to be at full strength whilst on campaign. The actual numbers varied from just over 700 to as few as 500. At the Battle of Waterloo, some battalions were below this number, due to casualties suffered at the battle of Quatre Bras. Regardless of numbers, the battalion was divided into 10 Companies, each usually commanded by a Captain. Eight of the Companies would be known as Line or Centre Companies and would be numbered 2 to 9. The other two Companies were the Flank Companies. Company number one, deployed on the right of the line was the ‘Grenadier Company’ and usually formed from the biggest & bravest soldiers. Company number 10, was the Light Company and whilst usually deployed on the left of the line was also used as the skirmishers for the Battalion. These troops were usually the best shots and the smallest and fastest in the Battalion. They were often deployed well in advance of the battalion and if trouble threatened, they needed to be able to get back to their lines quickly!
Flank Companies were distinguished from the Centre Companies by the size of their Epaulets and the colour of the plumes on their Shako’s. Flank Companies have the big ‘wing’ type epaulets ( first two models on the left of the pic.) as opposed to the’ tufts’ of the Centre company’s and the Grenadier Company would have all white plumes whilst the Light company would have green plumes. In addition, the officers in the Flank Companies tended to carry a Curved Sword or sabre as oppose to a straight one.
So having blathered on long enough about the technicalities of Flank Company troops I’ll show you in the next article how I put mine together. New releases from Zvezda – Great War GermansAnother eagerly awaited release has just arrived from the Russian Model Soldier manufacturer, Zvezda.
New 1/32 Scale German Mountain TroopsI know that I keep on about it, but the new releases are coming thick & fast and I’m struggling to keep up with them, so the blog has been on the back burner for the last fortnight. I will catch up with my Napoleonic articles soon, so please bear with me. The good news there is that I am still painting and my first Battalion is now complete. Airfix are continuing with their steady stream of new releases and re tools/ reboxing. This set hasn’t been available for some time and has been eagerly awaited by collectors. The set contains 29 unpainted figures and 20 accessory pieces ( mainly ski’s!). So there are plenty of figures for your collection. As with all the current 1/32 scale Airfix figure sets, they are moulded in hard plastic to make it easier to paint them and allow the experienced modeller to convert them. ‘Head swaps’ with the German infantry set being the most straight forward conversion, allowing you to produce Figures for the Russian front in winter!
New Saxons Sets – Thegns & Fyrd from Wargames FactoryThe dash to plastic in wargames figures continues with the release of Wargames Factory’s Saxons. As usual for this company, the figures are 28mm in scale and you get good value for money with 32 figures in each box.
The sets themselves are very nice and the moulding is crisp and well detailed. The two sets share the same Arms & Shields sprue but the Thegns set contains torso’s with Chain Mail armour where as the Fyrd set has unarmoured torso’s.
Apologies for the quality of picture. The focus doesn’t do justice to the detail present on the models. So here’s a better shot of the heads!
My First Napoleonic Skirmish!
On my last Napoleonic blog posting I said that I would discuss the difference between British Flank & Centre Companies and why there are different sets for Waterloo Infantry & Peninsular War Infantry. Of course if you are a veteran of the hobby you will already know the answers but if like me, you are a newcomer to Napoleonics, these things can be confusing and a barrier to starting your own army. So this is what I’ve discovered and if anyone out there reading this has any extra information or would like to correct any error that I may make, please contact me through my shop email and I will publish your email through the blog. Unfortunately, due to the huge amount of spam that I was getting through the blog, I’ve had to turn off the comments (Thank you to the Russian & American spammers and the Pharmaceutical suppliers that have contributed so far….).
So when deciding what British force that you are going to field, there is one final decision that you need to make. Are you going to model a force from the Peninsular War or do you fancy the period around Waterloo? Or to put the question another way, would you like to have your Line infantry wearing white trousers or grey? Now that’s a gross over simplification that totally ignores the historical perspective but essentially that’s the main difference between the two troop types. If you are desperate to have an army that will fight in Spain & Portugal with all the allies & enemies that go with them, then you need the guys in the white trousers. If you want to fight Waterloo and the associated battles, then grey is for you! There is one other significant difference, the type of hats worn by the officers & troops. In the peninsular, it was the stove pipe shako with the plume at the front for the troops and the Bi-corn Hat for the officers. At Waterloo, the troops wore the Belgiac Shako with the plume to the side and the officers wore the same except that the cord on the front was gold rather than white.
There are some other subtle differences but if you stick to the above, you will be about right. Remember, although the button counters of this world will delight in telling you exactly what shade of underwear the Coldstream Guards were issued with in 1815, we are trying to create an army that looks good on the war games table and in war time troops had a habit of improvising and adapting equipment, even in the 19th century. So you will see troops on campaign wearing a mixture of uniform in different shades and states of wear and tear. If you are happy with that simplification, join me on my next blog article on the construction of my Napoleonic Army and I will start to assemble some figures. Oh! and I’ll get back to you regarding Flank & Centre Companies! Bolt Action Waffen-SS
Beevor is not particularly complimentary about General Montomery and from the evidence presented, Monty appears to have been suffering from a bad case of over inflated ego. However, the idea that somehow the British and Canadian Forces were slower to break out of the Normandy beachheads than the Americans ( and therefore were perhaps less of a fighting force) is put clearly into perspective when it is explained that the British were facing the cream of the troops available to the Germans, the Waffen SS. Whilst in the main, the Americans were fighting the German line infantry, including many Russian and other foreign conscripts. The Waffen-SS were the cream of the German army, well armed and equipped and highly motivated to the point of fanaticism. In Beevors book there are tales of Waffen- SS troops refusing medical treatment from the Allies, prefering to die for Adolf Hitler rather than surrender. There are many examples of SS troops fighting well and within the bounds of what we can call ‘civilised war’ ( if such a thing exists), but too many incidents of brutality occured throughout the war, tainting their reputation. That said SS units fought courageously, sometimes ferociously, against great odds until the wars end in Berlin, 1945.
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The Saxon Thegns 
The Saxon Fyrd 
Bolt Action Miniatures