2016 a personal review

Like many Bloggers, at this time of year I find myself looking back at 2016.

2016 has seen my hobby interests become more and more like a small business, with magazine articles and commissions taking up most of my modelling time and stock of Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 2 - More Wargame Terrain selling out (stock of Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 1 - Building Wargame Terrain sold out much earlier). Then I had to work on Book Three - Models for Wargamers which became a priority towards the end of the year, but is now being proof read (expect publication and release around Easter of 2017). I am hoping it will be ready for Alumwell on Sunday March 12th, and should have more details very soon.

Rob Alderman of Hysterical Games has got around to casting up some of the 'Wave Two' buildings for Panzerfauste - details appear on the Blog, but even more new models should be released in the New Year,

My main regret for 2016 is that I have not painted anywhere like enough figures, but as any regular reader or follower will know, terrain modelling is taking over my life! I also found that I read fewer books than in previous years, but this was (in part at least) made up for by the amount of magazines I have purchased and read.

I think my model making highlight was having two magazines (different magazines) each with an article written by me on the shelves of W H Smiths at the same time. I think I have become used to seeing my name in print, but to have two articles in two magazines at the same time was a little special. Similarly, the last issue of Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy had two articles in the same magazine. Another landmark.

Away-Days were a little sparse in 2016, but The visit to St Fagans was very special and I can see myself going back once the latest round of improvement work is finished. 2016 saw me attend just three shows, Alumwell, UK Games Expo and Scale Model World (all three are detailed on the Blog). I would have liked to have gone to more, maybe in 2017, I will get around to it.

My hobby purchases have also been less than previous years, but in truth, more than I can reasonably expect to paint in my 'free hobby time'. I actually found myself selling-on a number of items on e-bay and I can see this continuing in 2017.

For now, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year with a promise that there is more to come.

Tony

IPMS 2016 - the rest of the aircraft images

I have started this latest post with this stunning diorama of a F7U Cutlass crass landing on to an aircraft carrier. You can see the inspiration for the model by Googling Cutlass crash landing.

I particularly liked this display of What-If Russian aircraft.

Finishing with one of my all-time favourites - Fireball XL5

Tony

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and all your family from me and mine.

Tony

The Splata for Pax Bochemannica S. P. Q.oRc

Image 'borrowed' from OITW

Thursday 22nd December and day 22 of this years Advent from Orcs in the Webbe. Another article written by me - this time a huge weapon of smash destruction inspired by a sketch from Max Coxhead. I present to you The Splata Mk II

For full details see this post. Or you can pop along to OITW to see the whole of this years Advent.

Happy Advent.

Tony

Piob-mhor - The Great Highland Bagpipes, Day 17 of OITW Advent 2016

Image 'borrowed' from Orcs in the Webbe

Saturday 17thth December and day 17 of the Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2016 is another short story written by me called Piob-mhor - The Great Highland Bagpipes.

For full details see this post.

And for details of the 2016 Advent calendar - a daily treat of free gifts from Craig Andrews, see this link.

I hope you enjoy the adventures of Merodach and his enchanted bagpipes.

Happy Advent.

Tony

Gin Tasting for Holly's Birthday

As a birthday treat for Holly, I once again conducted the Gin Tasting talk that I first did two years ago. As you can see we had lots to choose from.

I started with this tasting kit - each of the plastic boxes contains dried botanicals - something I remember from my time working for Beefeater Gin/Hiram Walker.

Obviously, I had my reference material to hand.

Plus some tasting guidelines and my hand written notes.

It is amazing how much FREE information is available - here are some that I picked up since the last time I conducted a Gin tasting.

And not forgetting the tonic water.... 

My current favourite is the second from the left - Tescos Finest Tonic Water in a glass bottle. Sorry about the image, no flash!

After tasting four distinctive or styles of Gins we were each then able to sample whichever Gin, tonic and garnish we wanted. My own choice was a Boodles Gin, Tescos Finest Tonic Water and Pink Grapefruit garnish.

A very enjoyable evening.

Happy Birthday Holly.

Tony

Pre-Chrismas haul

With most of the Christmas shopping done, Sue and I decided to have a relaxing day out, go for a walk along the river and window-shop in the small market town of Tewkesbury, Gloucester.

I picked up these nine books/magazines from one shop - the second-hand book shop on the high street and the best part was - each was on the discount table - so just £1.00 each.

A real steal. I now have to ration myself and not read them all in one go.

Sue was annoyed; because if she had seen them first - they would have been surprise Christmas gifts.

Tony

IPMS 2016 - Armoured Vehicles

In this post I have added images of some of the fantastic armoured vehicles that I saw at Scale Model World 2016, Telford earlier this year.

Tony

Panzerfauste Terrain - update

I have just received the latest resin model in the Panzerfauste Troglodytes series. Another Dwarf Pillar, this time with a wooden shack to the side.

This is the fourth model in the Pillar series (two of the earlier ones are in the background) and should be available from Hysterical Games very soon. This earlier post gives more details.

While the image below shows the model from a different angle.

Tony

The Weathering Magazine #17

I recently saw this magazine featured on The Modelling News (see this link for full details) and thought it was worth taking the risk of purchasing it. I bought my copy via e-bay for just £8.99 and was very impressed with both the quality and the content of this very specialised publication.

As modellers we regularly confuse Filters, Washes and Oils interchanging these description and terms. I openly admit that I do! This magazine clears up a number of different techniques and through loads of full colour illustration each step/technique is clearly explained.

Chapters include;

Filters

Washes and Oils

Oil Dot Techniques 

plus step-by-step examples working with aircraft, tanks and Sci-Fi subjects.

I would say that this is one of the best 'primers' or Newby publications on these techniques and definitely worth the money. A book that rewards study and practice.

Tony

The Weathering Magazine issue 17 October 2016
Published by MIG Jimenez
ISBN 2340 289X
(Available in different languages - this one was published in English)
Contact; info@migjimenez.com

Vintage Port Tasting

Last night was the annual Charity Port Tasting, regular reader will know that once a year I conduct a charity evening and arrange for a Port tasting.

This year we tasted
Dows Renown
Fonseca Bin 27 Finest Reserve
Guess the Vintage Port was
Quinta de Ventozelo 2003

All were very good wines, but I think my favourite was the Fonseca.

We raised over £200 for charity and had a very good time.

Tony

Foul Mouth Freddy and the Wrong ****ing Wagon

Image 'borrowed' from Orcs in the Webbe

Day Four of this years Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar and we see that 'potty-mouthed Orc sergeant', Freddy get involved with some Wine Barons. The short story and gaming scenario which was written by me, can be found here.

Freddy has become a regular on OITW and further stories can be found here. There is even a limited edition miniature of this rogue produced by Alternative Armies which can be purchased from AA.

What is the OITW Advent? 

Check it out here.

Enjoy and once again Happy Advent.

Tony

Book Three - where are we and update.

Images of the completed Damaged Tower House - one of the models to feature in book three

I have agreed to exhibit at the Alumwell or WMMS on Sunday, March 12th 2017 - see this post. Having made this decision it then followed that I would like to have Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No 3 - Models for Wargamers published and ready for sale by this date.

Over the last month I have been working every hour I have spare to get the images and text ready for proof-reading and editing. I can now announce that the text and images are now completed and within the next week, I will be passing the files over to my Daughter, Holly who has once again agreed to do the editing and get the book ready for publication.

Hopefully I will have more details very soon, but for now this is the plan for Book Three - Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No 3;

A4 size

Card Cover

Over 110 pages

8 model based chapters

Approximately 40,000 words

Approximately 300 full colour images

My plan is to produce Book Three in limited numbers with the first 100 books being signed and numbered, as the previous two books.

I would expect the cost to be a little higher than the earlier two and postage to be about 10% - 12% higher. But as stated above, more details very soon.

Tony

Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2016

Image 'borrowed' from OITW site

And so it begins. Thursday 1st December 2016, day one of the Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar. Craig has chosen a Panzerfauste scenario written by Matthew Hartley called Fear Itself as the first post.

For full details see this post.

Keep checking back for December Advent goodies each day on the Orcs in the Webbe latest update page.

Happy Advent 2016

Tony