1/285th JG2 Fw 190 Decals

I spotted a set of 1/200th scale decals for JG2 Fw190-A3 fighters on the Sieben Schwaben Facebook page yesterday. I thought to myself that this sheet would be fantastic as a way to start up my 1/300th scale Fw190 models for Bag the Hun, if I could get them rescaled. These models have been used in scenarios that I've either written, like Sinker Saves the Day, or worked on as part of the Westland Whirlwind project, including S-Boote Strike and Itching to Mix It!. I sent a cheeky request to Bernhard and he immediately jumped on it! He's rescaled the sheet to 1/285th and I've ordered it, ready to start up the otherwise vanilla fighters, which will look so much better with the added details. A big thumbs up to Bernard, who I'm now going to pester for some No.263  Squadron Whirlwind and No.129 Squadron Spitfire VB decals! 

Load and Return

I've been doing some proof reading for a set of innovative and very interesting air wargaming rules recently. The rules are called Load and Return and, unlike most aerial rules, are focussed on fire fighting rather than actual aerial combat, which makes a very refreshing change, especially in this day and age. The author knows his stuff and has created a really thorough yet dynamic system, with some really creative mechanics and even a campaign system. I'm looking forward to play testing in the not too distant future but, for the moment, I'm simply casting an eye over syntax, grammar and clarity. I think this is a very promising concept and will be an excellent, highly engaging game to play.

Motor Gunboat Blocking In

A good start on the BPB Motor Gun Boats and RAF Rescue Launch today, blocking in the bases and giving the models a matt black basecoat, ready for blocking in the principal hull and topside colours. I've left the Kriegsmarine escorts to one side for the moment, so that I can concentrate on getting these painted first. I'm hoping that it won't take too long to get these finished, as I also have a convoy of merchant shipping to paint up, not to mention re-basing and tarting up my existing kit.

IAK47WD 2026

I'd forgotten about this but was kindly reminded by Jimmy James over in the AK-47 FB group the other day, so have pimped up the poster for the occasion. It's a way off yet but that means plenty of time to get organised for a game, which should be feasible as it's a bank holiday here in the sunny UK. I'll have to see what I can get organised at the club, which meets on a Tuesday, or possibly at home with the boy, as he'll be off work too. I haven't played a game in ages, so what better than International AK-47 Wargaming Day to dust off some technicals and take them for a test drive!

Coastal Forces Bases and Basecoats

I decided to change the painting method for the coastal forces project, adopting the same approach I have used in the past for my pre-dreadnoughts. Instead of painting then basing the models, I'm doing the basing first and the painting afterwards. The models are glued on to the textured bases and then will have a basecoat of Halfords matt black spray paint, after which I can start painting them in situ. The focus here is on filling gaps in my line up, so there are various Kriegsmarine escort craft and Royal Navy MGB's to be painted up, rather than more torpedo boats or merchant shipping. I'll also be re-basing my existing models to match the new ones, specially texturing the bases and re-painting them in my usual deep sea blue shades. 

New Tumbling Dice 1/600th French WW1 Aircraft

Voisin 8

Caudron RII 

Breguet XIV 

Nieuport 28 

Salmson 2 

SPAD VII 

Morane Saulnier N 

Nieuport 17 

Paul Sulley from Tumbling Dice was kind enough to send me some samples of the new 1/600th French aircraft he has just produced, although not yet available on the website. These fill some big gaps in the existing range, which is primarily early war, which means that the French, Italian, American, Belgian and Russian air forces are now feasible, give or take a couple of types. The Russian Civil War and Russo Polish War are also possible, so not just the First World War. I'm particularly impressed by the Breguet XIV, which is a lovely model and really looks like the real thing. Excellent!

PT Dockyard British Power Boat MGB's

BPB 72' MGB's

BPB 70' MGB's

BPB RAF Rescue Launch

Back home today after the holiday trip and on to the workbench to get the PT Dockyard British Power Boat Motor Gunboats assembled and undercoated. These are resin cast models and require a lot of attention to get them ship shape but, as they're the only option in 1/600th scale it's worth the effort. I replaced some of guns with a Tumbling Dice metal casting, which isn't accurate but a lot less likely to be snapped off than the resin equivalent. I also have a Tumbling Dice BPB RAF rescue launch to paint up, along with a downed air crew, so a nice collection of themed models to get painted over the weekend, if I have the time. I may even base these first, following my established method, rather than painting then basing later. 

Napoleonic Naval Review

The Royal Navy Fleet

The Spanish Fleet...

A couple of years ago I started a 1/2400th scale Napoleonic Naval project, designed for large scale fleet games but also for small frigate actions in a compact space. This was quite productive and I ended up with two fleets, one French and one British, although never got round to actually playing any games. I subsequently stared to build the models for an American squadron but they are still in a box waiting to be painted. 

I also gathered together a large selection of models for a Spanish fleet but, in the end, didn't make a start on them, or any new terrain for that matter. I'm now considering picking up the project with the objective being International Naval Wargaming Day in a few months time. The focus would be on the Spanish fleet or the American squadron, together with a few terrain pieces if I can find the time?

Cry Havoc Reboot

I was very surprised but excited to hear that a new edition of Cry Havoc, possibly my favourite hex and counter game, is being published soon by Footsore Miniatures as a Kickstarter. It's a simple repeat of the original but with updated graphics and maps that are green rather than bright yellow, so I don't really need to get a copy as I have the original. However, I will probably do so anyway, as I am a big fan of the game, as is my son (although he prefers Samurai Blades). It's launching in a few days, so keep an eye out!

War of the Gunboats

We're heading home in a few days so, to make the most of the holiday time left, I'm re-reading this book. Despite the title, it's an overarching account of coastal forces action in all of the theatres of the Second World War, but my interest lies primarily in the early war period in the English Channel and North Sea. It's a really good introduction to the subject and I remember it as being well worth reading as a primer for coastal forces wargaming, so time well spent.