Renault AMC 35

When I first saw the model of the Automitrailleuse de Combat Renault modèle 1935, I thought "good it will fit in with the rest of my R35s". However this is an R35 on steriods, it's far larger. It actually has a two man turret with a 47mm gun, so definitely the best of the French light tanks.



Lots of pictures on the Chars Francaise site

British Para Reece Jeeps

Four jeep conversions based on the Matchbox LRDG set, plus parts and figures from SHQ. The command jeep is an an Airfix one, again with SHQ bits and figures.

I still need to add a Polsten gun to complete the unit.

On the Workbench - March 2012

Yes, I've been drifting a bit, my holiday didn't help, so I need to get back on track, but inspiration is also needed, so the main items will be:

• 2 x Zvezda Russian 85mm AA guns and crews ( Yes,I know that they are just purchased but they are so tempting)
• HaT British, US and Russian Tank riders ( Ditto, I just have too many vehicles without crews)
• Finish the camp
• Crews for the Russian WW1 artillery
• Continue work on all the odd vehicles
• Get started on all the desert armour that has been cleaned up
• Desert crews for the 5.5" guns (thanks to Charles I have some useful tips from John Sandars)
• and if I get chance start work on the Para AT guns

Camp - Work in progress

For those that like to see how things go together, here is my new camp built using the Bellona tents and various odd bits I had lying around. It took a while to find some of them. All the bases are 6cm x 12cm the same as my SYW buildings, etc.

Just given them a coat of primer so painting should start this afternoon.

WMMS

After a holiday, what better than a trip to a wargames show?

My highlights were the battle of Fishguard, already seen at Penarth


The battle of Rocoux 1746






A nice version of Antietam on hex terrain


An intersting WW1 game based on Loos


Not sure about the slag heap, but the mine buildings look interesting.


As ever a very tempting pirate game (must get mine out to play sometime)


SOGGy members James and Tony debate the finer things in life! By early afternoon the French had succeeded once in taking Hougomont out of four attempts





As for purchases

• Airfix Tank transporter (off the B&B - haven't made once since it was first produced)
• Caesar Sdkfz 10/4 with 20mm Flak 30
• Caesar Sdkfz 10 with 50mm Pak 38
• Hat British tank riders (Apparently the most popular set, even though the Germans had stocked out)
• Hat Russian Tank riders
• Hat US Tank riders
• Zvezda 85mm AA gun (couldn't resist Mr Models had them at £6)
• Zvezda Swedish Artillery (yes I'm still interested in the early C18)

And thanks to everyone who bought my bits and pieces, and if you bought my ACW figures then some escaped so let me know how to contact you.

British Para Heavy Weapons

OK, back to work, and first off the table are the heavy weapons for my British Paras. The MMG and mortar on the left are my originals (Britannia I think) just rebased and the new ones on the right are from SHQ.

Off to WMMS tomorrow (link) hopefully I'll manage to buy some much needed bits and pieces. If anyone wants to say Hi I'll be helping out on David Lanchester's Military Books.

El Djem - a few pictures

Since quite a few people are interested, here are some more pictures of the Colloseum at El Djem (historic Thysdrus)

Looking down at the arena

High up in the cheap seats, there were plenty of stairs so it could be filled/emptied quite quickly.


A view over the arena, showing how high the cheap seats are, amazing to think it could hold 35,000 spectators


The more expensive seating , mainly reconstructed.


Down underneath the arena, where the animals and captive were kept, there were two lifts to take them to the surface.


An explanatory board