Bargain of the year (updated)

Please ignore my post from earlier this week.....

On Friday I picked up this classic, a book I have been searching for for some time and this one is in near perfect condition (unlike some I have seen) bought from a charity book clearance outlet in Malvern, Worcestershire. And the reason I'm moving this to the top of my list of  'bargains of  the year 2025' is because they were only asking 75p.

Yes just 75p. I was so embarrassed that I gave £3.00 which was all the loose change I had with me.

For anyone interested in aircraft of the Great War this is a must-have and now at long last I have my own copy - a book I will cherish.

Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War 1, originally published in 1919, then 1990 and again reprinted in 1992. A huge studio edition with just a small tear to the dust cover and a couple of pricing stickers on the rear. A great charity shop find, not quite my best ever, but close.

Tony

Bargain of the year (so far)

A fantastic charity shop find from earlier today. Continental Modeller from 2010. 20p each or six for a £1.00. I took all twelve even though I am sure that I have read some of these. It was jut too good to pass up.

Once I've finished with them, I will either pass them on to my uncle or donate them to another charity shop. So once again recycled!

Tony

Burrows & Badgers - a different perspective

 

When I first received my copy of Burrows & Badgers - second edition I was under some pressure to read the new rule book and write a review for the editor of Miniature Wargames (to meet publication deadlines). However since then I have had the opportunity to  enjoy my copy at a more relaxed pace. Last month I took it with me when on holiday with my two grandsons and we had great fun both reading the rules and developing our own warbands.

Following this Finley (aged 10) wanted to write his own review. This is his review;

"I found the pictures and illustrations helped to imagine my own band of characters, they helped me to make up my own stories and I liked the miniatures. I also liked that there was lots of choices which made me want to play the game. I liked the magical aspect, the stories and the quests. I liked the fact that you could use human characteristics and place them on to animals as well as being interesting. I liked the magic spells and all the tools and weapons that you could choose from."

Since the initial introduction we have played one simple quest. Finley taking control of a Hare leader called de Havilland with a pair of Field mouse twin brothers (Bill and Ben) who armed with bows and 'special arrows' made up the firepower element. Then there was a toad magic user called Lightning who obviously used fire elemental magic, a Peregrine Falcon called Spitfire and a stoat fighter in leather armour.

I had three Badgers (no names so far) and we explored a small clearing with a stone wall running across the centre of the board. My die throws were horrible (three times I rolled 1's) and although there was no ultimate outcome we both enjoyed the game.

I hope that this gives a feel for the fact that a 10 year old can enjoy playing this game with a pensioner!

Thanks to all involved in the production of the game and in particular the second edition.

Tony (and Finley)

Burrows & Badgers second edition - Miniature Wargames issue 506

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 506 - June 2025) includes a full page review of the new Burrows & Badgers second edition rule book written by me. I have included part of the review below, but if you want the full article you will have to pick up the magazine.

"Before I start this review of Burrows & Badgers Second Edition, I should acknowledge that I have been a firm supporter of the game and miniatures since before the first edition was launched back in 2018. I purchased it almost as soon as it was available to buy and believe it to be one of the very best wargame rule books ever produced. The premise, the content, the presentation and the beautiful illustrations by Gary Chalk secure the first edition as one of my most prized rule books. As you can image, this second edition has a lot to live up to.

So what do I think of this new edition?

I was pleasantly surprised at the heft of the second edition rule book having more than twice as many pages as the original and the presentation is just delicious, looking more like an illustrated hard back novel than a rule book. The production values and the new illustrations are just fantastic, but what about the content?

The rules follow a logical and structured sequence that, on first reading, just seemed intuitive. Maybe this was due to the fact that I was comfortable with the earlier edition, but they are also more rounded and I enjoyed the simple descriptions and lack of jargon. I found myself reading the rules as if reading a novel quickly finishing one section and looking forward to moving on to the next. I enjoyed the process of studying the written rules and then reading the highlighted examples which, in all cases, helped to clarify one aspect or another....."

It really was a privilege to be asked to review the new rule book and without giving anything away - I thoroughly recommend it.

Tony

Miniature Wargames issue 506 - the Decorative Gourd

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 506 - June 2025) features another scratch built Gourd for Burrows & Badgers. Like the earlier Gourd that featured in issue 504, the decorative vegetable was sculpted over a discounted Christmas decoration and painted with acrylic paints. For more information of the magazine contents, see this link.

The model gourd it was based on a plastic or resin glitter covered pear bought from The Range.

I used a home-made paper mache mix to build up the shape and add detail. The stalk was sculpted from Milliput two part epoxy.

With additional detailing from egg box card and foam.

I based the model on a piece of scrap plastic card and built up the groundwork with DAS modelling clay. Later I added sieved stones and sand to add further texture.

I then had great fun adding the warts! The wart were sculpted by my grandsons, Finley and Charlie and glued in place with superglue.

For details of the painting and finishing, see the magazine - available in all good newsagents.

Tony

Four more Ferach Elves for May 2025

Another week and another four Ferach Elves painted, varnished and based. Like the earlier four, I don't think they are my best examples of painted miniatures, but at least I have now got another (small) regiment of Flintloque Elves for use on the tabletop.

And here we have the full group of eight painted Ferach Elves.

Enjoy.

Tony

Four Ferach Elves for May 2025

It's been a while but I've finally got around to painting a few Flintloque figures. This group of four Ferach Elves were painted, varnished and based over the last week and although not my finest (I'm out of practice) I am pleased with the final result. Now all I have to do is paint the remaining four minis that I have on my workbench.

Tony

More tools!

Sue and I had a day out in Tewkesbury and as regular readers will know, I just can't help picking up old or interesting tools. Today was no exception.....

First we have these three mini drill or pin vices bought for between 50p and £1.00 each from a charity shop. At those prices they were a steal. I particularly like the brass handled vice.

Next we have this OLFA mount cutter again bought in a charity shop this time for £1.50. I'm not sure what I will use it for but at this bargain price another bargain.

I really must stop buying tools.

Tony

SBG issue 1

Earlier today I picked up issue 1 of SBG. It's not a magazine I am familiar with but an internet search shows lots of issues of the Middle Earth Fanzine.

For more information see this review.

Tony

A new hot glue gun

This week my tried and trusted hot glue gun gave up on me.....

My Stanley hot glue gun has been my go-to for over five years and in my opinion the best hot glue gun I have even owned but this week it went pop. I tried replacing the fuse but nothing happened. Then a second replacement fuse and the glue gun went pop. I use it too often to take any chances so have binned it and ordered a new Stanley gun via ebay.

The two heat setting Stanley hot glue gun has been a real workhorse for me. I had a second cheaper hot glue gun but it just isn't up to the job and although great for simple paper-to-paper joins it just isn't as good as my old Stanley.

What do you think?

Tony

Yellow Pelican update

This weekend, Sue and I were childminding our two grandsons Finley and Charlie. When I asked what they wanted to do today, they said play with Yellow Pelican. So out came the narrow gauge layout and we had fun playing trains.

I now have a couple of repair jobs that need doing but we all enjoyed or time running the engines and producing videos.

The Yellow Pelican Mining Co. narrow gauge railway layout was built some years ago to the scale of 1/27.7 or 11mm = 1 foot running on 16.5mm Peco Crazy Track to mimic a 18 inch American mining railway, somewhere North of California.

Tony

Pueblo - Miniature Wargames issue 505

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (May 2025) features this scratch built Pueblo building. the building was constructed from DAS modelling clay and ready-mixed filler over corrugated cardboard on a resin floor tile base.

I started with a rough sketch following a suggestion from John Treadaway (editor of MW) which uses ideas and inspiration found on the internet.

The cardboard was strengthened with strips of torn newspaper glued in place with PVA glue and later clad in ready-mixed filler.

The model was based on a surplus resin floor tile which was cut and then sanded to shape. I have used DAS modelling clay and more ready-mixed filler to refine the shape while sieved stones and sand were glued to the groundwork to give added texture.

Painting was built up over a terracotta base colour using various tester pot paints (bought from my local DIY store). The detail painting was done with acrylic modelling paints and the whole model was varnished with Galleria matt varnish before tufts of static grass and ground foam were glued in place.

For more information, see MW issue 505.

Or see this link.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show 2025 - part two

Part two and this time aircraft. I hope you like them.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show 2025

This weekend I attended the West Midlands Military Show. I didn't buy that much but did meet up and chat to a number of like minded modellers and enjoyed the day. I also took some images of what was displayed. 

For more information, see this link.

I will post more images later this week.

Tony