Adventures on the Wargames Table

I found this in a box recently and thought “Hello old friend!”. Haven’t listened to it for many years so I’m currently really enjoying it whilst I get on with a bit of hobby fun. Originally recorded by the BBC in 1981 (though subsequently remastered for better sound quality) it’s a little dated in some ways but I rather think that just adds to the charm. A few of the sound effects definitely remind me of Monty Python! Anyway, if you like LotR and haven’t listened then I certainly recommend it. Here are a couple of pictures of some of the cast during recording sessions. More info here .

… wishes you a Merry Christmas! “I find your lack of festivity disturbing”

Grand Manner produce some very characterful resin scenery. I especially like this bread oven. Painted for friend, this piece has been completed as per all of my other pantile scenery. Handy for WW2 Italy, Crete, etc, plus Peninsular Napoleonics. Thanks for looking!

Continuing to be inspired by Pat Smith’s excellent book about Mediterranean wargames terrain, I resolved to expand my vineyard collection with another batch of vines. Here they are safely stored in a 20 litre RUB. As before each section starts with a wood and wire armature. On to which I glue pieces of Woodland Scenics clump foliage I have enough sections now to comfortably cover an area approximately 3’ by 2’, so effectively a quarter of a conventional Sharp Practice or Chain of Command table. Here are some in a recent WW2 game. Happy gaming! 😎

I really like the Last Valley trees and think them ideal for games set around the Mediterranean. However a few of mine were starting to look a bit tatty after too much wear and tear. I’ve no idea what the original flock was, so a simple fix was a heavy brush over of watery PVA and a sprinkle of Luke APS fine blend flock. This flock is ace, see  https://www.geekgamingscenics.com/  Highly recommended!  Thanks for looking.

Good chum Colin kindly gifted me these pieces for my recent birthday. They’re from Paul’s Modelling Workshop and highly recommended. Originally they were going to be painted in the more arid desert style suitable for our WW2 North African games but I decided to paint them for use in our Crete, Sicily and Italian games instead. Recipe is Americana Honey Brown, followed by highlights of VMC Tan Yellow, VMC Dark Sand and Foundry Boneyard light. Here’s a closer pic. Thanks for looking

Here are the moisture vaporators, computer terminals and crates from the Priority Supplies boxed set The vaporators and crates were primed in grey then given a heavy dry brush of VMC Stone Grey followed by a wash of GW Agrax. When completely dry, highlight with VMC Stone Grey then pick out the edges using any light, pale grey such as Foundry Austrian White shade. A few dabs of GW Typhus Corrosion completes the weather worn look. The terminals and the larger crate were even easier! Black spray followed by the Foundry Charcoal palette. The buttons are simply dots of very light grey followed by red, green, yellow, etc. In games these items can be used as objective markers (there are several mission cards that require such features) or just as suitably atmospheric scenery.