Plenty of Crusaders

Rather a mixture of manufacturers this time, but they are fairly compatible. Finishing these means I now have enough Crusaders for a full Rapid Fire regiment.

basic Crusader squadron. S Model on the left and the other two are Airfix. I do have a spare 2pdr turret to replace the 6pdr if needed.


Another 6 pdr Crusader this time by Hasegawa, alongside a Cromwell(?) Valentine


Finally the bad boy of the bunch a Beute-Crusader


The S Models when together quickly and look compatible from all directions except the rear, which is very plain. The rivets are not as prominent as Airfix or Hasegawa.

More British Paras - at last

Well, it's taken a while, with two weeks travelling and the onset of cold weather, but I've started painting again.

First off the bench is a selection of guns to support my British Paratroops, I've acquired the figures from various sources, including the old Airfix set, the newr Water set and some Shell Hole Scenics and what I suspect are SHQ.


Waterloo 1815 75mm Pack Howitzers, the officers (left) are from SHS


matchbox 17 pdrs with assorted crew


SHS version of the Paratroop 6pdr withvarious crews

All I seem to need now to complete the brigade are some tows for the guns and a Polsten.

A few pictures from the Recon show.

An early start and it was across the Pennines to Pudsey for Recon. At least this year there were no problems. The Lance and Longbow Society made a combined effort with the Society of Ancients and we put on my Aztec v's Conquisadore game using DBA in the New World and the "Greyhounds in the Slips" covering the siege of Harfleur.

A couple of pictures of the Aztecs in action, overall it was 4-3 in the Aztecs favour.




The SOTCW Kursk game was getting a fair bit of attention


A nice bit of Sci-Fi scenary, quite simply done but gives a great effect.


Borodino in 15mm




Overall a great day out, but I was exhausted by the time I got home. Purchases were few:

• Some Solfig/Retrofig French figures bought as part of the SOGG charity sale.
• A box of Miniaerons Panzer Is - lovely models can't wait to start on these.
• A complete set of Italeri Operation Overlord - I've wanted to try the rules for a while now, and it was a bargain on the B&B, so the tanks and figures will go on my trades shortly.

Home and a nice surprise, then off to Leeds (Pudsey)

Arrived home after my travels to find a nice surprise, Andy, better known as Andygamer had sent me a present of a selection of officers from the Mars Saxon Infantry (GNW) set. The sculpting is certainly better than previous sets I have seen from Mars, and I will certainly find a home for them in my armies.

A big thank you to a member of the plastic wargaming band of brothers.

Rather tired from travelling home and arriving in a cold house, and tomorrow's trip across to the Recon show will mean an early start, hopefully the roads will be clear.

I'll be running a DBA in the New World game with Aztecs and Conquistadores.

See you there

Coastal Batteries and other WW2 stuff

During my wanderings around Brixham I cam across a couple of preserved WW2 coastal batteries.

First is the brownstone Battery now in the care of the National Trust, I haven't taken any pictures of the positions, but the information boards give quite a good impression.




The view from one of the searchlight positions covers the entrance to Dartmouth harbour with Dartmouth castle on the opposite shore.


Next was the battery above Brixham, it's maintained by a group of enthuistic volunteers and their museum is well worth a visit, again no pictures as it was a very wet day, but they have an excellent website link

In addition Brixham was the loading point for the 4th US Infantry Division prior to landing at Utah beach


Unfortunately this was the same unit that was involved in exercise Tiger that was caught by S-boots en-route to Slapton sands.

To end a picture from the end of another days coast walk with a recovered Sherman at Torcross on the south end of Slapton sands.

Reveille 2012

Since I was back in the West Country I took the opportunity to pop in to the local Reveille show in Bristol.

Some pictures of the games

Battle of Camden


Assault on a Pacific island


ECW game


VNCW game


Battle of Craonne 1814


I managed to meet up with various people and conclude some trades. I also picked up a few bits an pieces, in particular.

• Four Italian TL37 artillery tractors from Minimi, these are beutiful castings but aren't on the website yet.
• A pair of Airfix Opel Blitzs and a Sdkfz7
• A packet each of Revell SYW Austrian Artillery and Infantry, plus the British AWI Infanty.

Another trio of castles

Yes, I've sneaked off again, Brixham this time and had the chance to visit another three English Heritage castles. They are quite varied

First was Berry Pommeroy a castle that had been converted into an Elizabethan mansion and is now a crumbling romantic museum complete with ghost stories

The gatehouse and part of the curtain walls still remains, though the moat is filled in.

The older Elizabethan wing still remains, the later one, in the foreground, was plundered for its stone once the castle was disused.


Then onto Totnes, a very early motte and bailey castle just rebuilt in stone.



Finally Dartmouth castle, which has been continuously used up to WW2. It was interesting to note that the early chain used to defend the medieval port was reintroduced in WW2


Nice reconstruction of the Victorian Battery, which included a video showing the loading and firing of them.