Napoleonic Naval Fleets Change of Tack

After some tinkering about I have decided to adapt my plans and use some of the 1/2400th Tumbling Dice models that I allocated to the Spanish to expand my Royal Navy fleet. These include an additional 98 gun second rate, some 74 gun third rates and some 64 gun fourth rates, so primarily ships of the line rather than frigates. These will fill up half of my storage box, leaving a tray free for a reduced number of Spanish ships, which I will tackle a bit later than originally planned. I've also ordered some extra models to replace the ones I've reallocated and to add another pair of second rates to the Royal Navy fleet, including HMS Victory. 

Eject! Eject!

The next book on the holiday reading list is this one, written by ex-RAF Tonka pilot, John Nichol, who has penned some surprisingly good historical books in the past, given that he is not an academic or professional historian. I really enjoyed Tail End Charlies, The Red Line and Lancaster, all three of which focused on Bomber Command operations, so I'm looking forward to something slightly different with this one. 

Broadsides and Glory Play Test

I've been given the opportunity to play test a new set of naval fast play rules for frigate actions devised by David Manley of Long Face Games, aptly titled Broadsides and Glory. I have a free weekend, so will set up a simple scenario between two frigates from my 1/2400th scale selection of models, probably including the 44 gun fifth rate razee frigate, HMS Anson, using the template for HMS Indefatigable, as the rules draft includes the latter record sheet. I'll write up a post action report and hopefully be able to provide some useful feedback for the author as well. 

Mosquito

I've almost finished this and it is far more than I expected it to be, not just a book about the aircraft, air crew or operations, but a detailed account of the Danish resistance movement as well. If you've read some of Rowland White's other books you will be familiar with his narrative style, interweaving the text with first hand accounts, historical and contextual details, but also shifting to and fro between the chronological timeline and different elements of the background story. All very interesting, if quite long winded and lacking in focus at some points along the way. A really worthwhile read if you don't mind a bit of a ramble. 

North West Frontier Family History

 

I've just stumbled upon this excellent website which includes an account of No.39 Squadron RAF and its operations on the North West Frontier in the late 1930's. This is all very interesting as my grandfather flew as a Flight Sergeant with No.39 Squadron at the time and is referenced in the article, both as an experienced pilot and in a photograph of 'B' Flight, in which the author's father also flew as a fellow NCO. How incredible that they actually flew to together, not just in the same squadron but the same flight and even the same aircraft on one occasion! Needless to say I've contacted the author for more information!

 https://fatherflying.com/north-west-frontier-of-india/

Napoleonic French Fleet Frigates

A slow day but here are the additional fifth rate frigates for La Royale, all of which are the Tumbling Dice ASN10 model from the 1/2400th scale range. The two newly built models are both Coquille class 40 gun frigates, Sirene and Themis, while the one I had in the spares box will either be their sister ship Franchise or the 36 gun L'Insurgent. Ooh La La! 

Winchester Shieldwall

The local club is involved in this event, which looks like a very exciting opportunity to explore some early medieval wargaming in a historical context, especially as Ryan Lavelle is involved. I'm not taking a role in the club contribution, which frees me up to join in with the other games assuming I can get hold of a ticket. I'm particularly interested in Mark's Chivalry and Honour game, which sounds very good and might even give me a boot to get my 2mm Hundred Years War project back up and running. It's all literally on my doorstep too, so no excuse not to get involved, even if my wargaming interests have never really focused on the period, despite having studied it for my first degree (in the very same place!)

http://www.ryanlavelle.net/winchestershieldwall.html

Napoleonic French Fleet Extras

It's cooled down a bit here in Brittany which means I can get down to some wargaming model assembly without the superglue going off like concrete in split seconds. So, here we have three more third rates for La Royale c1800, Mont Blanc (74), Argonaute (74) and Indivisible (80), conveniently filling three spare slots in my storage box. Next up are three 40 gun fifth rate frigates to provide some scouting, patrol and repeating duties, assuming they ever get through the Royal Navy blockade? 

Sword

The summer holidays are a chance for me to catch up with some serious reading, usually hardback titles that I've acquired second hand over the year. I started with this one a couple of days ago and have finished bed it already, not that it's a particularly long read. I went off Max Hastings a few years ago, after hearing him talk live about his book on Vietnam, where he didn't really seem to have anything interesting or insightful to say, perhaps because he churns out books that are more popular military history than academic studies. That does make them an easy and enjoyable read, however, so ideal for holiday consumption. This one is actually pretty good and reminds me of his early books on the Falklands and Korean War, which are some of his best in my opinion. I might have a look at another of his recent books next perhaps? 

Happy Bastille Day 🇨🇵