Old Glory March 2019

Earlier today I picked up this issue of Old Glory (issue 349 March 2019) for just 50p from a charity shop in Ledbury, Worcestershire. I was initially drawn to the article about Bulmers Cider and its various vehicles but back home and having taken the time to look through the magazine I have found many articles of interest. Old Glory is not a magazine that I would have usually purchased, but I think I have found a real gem with this issue and I might have to reassess my attitude to this magazine.

Tony

The Jabberwocky Tower - Miniature Wargames issue 497

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 497 - September 2024) has yet another tutorial written by me showing how I built a fantasy tower based on an illustration by Oliver Chipping for Disney and in particular The Jabberwocky poem by Lewis Carroll. Next month there will be a follow-up article showing how I painted the tower.

For more information about the contents, see this post.

The magazine is available from today.

Tony

1/35th scale Narrow Gauge Layout -part seven

It's been some time since I updated this Blog on the progress of my 1/35th scale narrow gauge layout. Earlier today I finished off the main bridge with the upper span being built from 5mm thick insulation foam and odd bits of blue foam. I even got some brown ground cover painted.

The layout is going to be an Inglenook inspired shunting layout - something I can easily house in my office and hopefully get some trains running. There is still a lot to do but I am planning on having track laid before the end of the year.

Tony

Even more wands

I've had great fun producing even more wands for my grandchildren. Here are the complete set of seven scratch built wands that I have made laid out out the order they were constructed with the latest - the bone wand at the bottom.

Most are inspired but not copied from images of Harry Potter wands that I have found on the internet. I think my favourite is the Elder Wand, third from the top.

Tony

Flintloque Elf Grenadiers - update

The Ferach standard has now been hand painted and finished. This image was taken on my small display board with a  ruined tower building and some bottle-brush trees in in-direct sunshine earlier today.

I would expect to show some work-in-progress shots later this week.

Tony

Flintloque Elf Grenadiers

This is my unit of eight Elf Grenadiers from the Flintloque boxed set 5105 1er Velite Grenadiers de la Garde Mordred. The figures were bought secondhand some time ago and the box set was not complete, hence just eight minis. The miniatures have been mounted on to 2p coins with the groundwork built-up with Milliput two part epoxy putty. I will give more details of how they were painted in later posts, but for now here are the varnished and based figures.

The unit was painted in two batches of four minis - the first two started prior to my recent visit to Portugal and the second batch on my return. I find that painting minis in small batches is so much easier.

More to follow but for now, enjoy.

Tony

Pen and Art Shop in Porto, Portugal

Sue and I have just returned from a short holiday in Porto with our daughter Holly. One of the highlights for me was a visit to this pen and art shop on the R.das Flores, Porto. It was one of the most beautiful retail shops I have ever visited and as a bonus was crammed full of both pens and artist materials. I spent ages browsing the display cabinets and even convinced Sue and Holly to re-visit (twice).

Obviously I found something to buy, but now I'm back home, I wish I had spent more.....

If you ever get the opportunity to visit Porto you should make time amongst the many Port Lodge visits and lectures and tastings and seafood restaurants to walk up the hill and visit this little jewel.

Tony