Mercenary Orcs from Warmonger

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest and I've not been painting miniatures recently. These three Warmonger (Foundry) Mercenary Orcs were picked up second hand and re-based and re-painted as a bit of fun - a distraction.

I didn't strip the mini's but just repainted the original colour scheme with acrylic paints and washes. The paint style isn't one that I would have naturally chosen, but they just seem to work. They are based on GW 40mm round plastic bases with simple plain sand bases over Milliput and odd static grass tufts glued in place with superglue.

I'm sure I have a fourth somewhere in my Lead Mountain and will be searching him out over the next couple of days.

If you are also wondering what to paint, it is sometimes worth picking up minis that are not part of your main themed armies, but something a little different.

Tony

Some Birthday Gifts

A quick post to highlight some of the birthday gifts I received this year. An Army Painter Wet Palette, some terrain foliage and a box of Silver Bayonet Goblins.

Thank you for these and my WHSmiths voucher.

Tony

The Machinists Tool Chest - A very special gift

Yesterday I was given this very special gift - a second hand Machinists Chest with tools! I've been looking for a similar tool chest for years and have seen many second hand boxes for sale but you either have to pay a fortune or they are in a terrible state. This one is an ideal 'fixer-upper' and has this selection of 1930's or 1940's engineers tools.

The chest needs some work and a new front, but I think that is part of the appeal. But that's not all..... Just check out what came with this tool box.

The drawer front and rear have the M&W or Moore & Wright, Sheffield England marks, but the tools are also marked E. Evans an engineer from Oxford. Expect more posts detailing the tools and others giving facts and backstory for Mr. Evans but for now the question is.....

Should I do a full restoration back to bare wood or a more subtle restoration keeping the oily patina?

Thank you Mal and Holly for this very spacial gift.

Tony

Latest Article for Miniature Wargames - Tool Box

It has been well over three years since I first started writing a 'short series of articles' or tutorials for Miniature Wargames showing how I build and paint wargame terrain from scratch. This months article is a little different as it shows some of my favourite tools and materials and as such is a little more encompassing.

For more information pick up the latest issue (480 - April 2023) or see this link.

Tony

Alumwell Wargames or WMMS

Yesterday I drove up to Wolverhampton and to the West Midlands Military Show at the Aldersley Village Sports Centre. This is the first time in some years that I have attended - what with Covid and cancellations. I had a pocket full of spending money and was particularly looking for something to rekindle my MOJO as I've not really done that much modelling or figure painting since before Christmas.

As usual the show was a great success and I really enjoyed the thrill of my first wargame show in over two or is that three years! For anyone not familiar with this show, it is a modelling and wargaming and reenactment show - so something for everyone - I even spotted a couple of railway themed displays.

I came away with a single blister of miniatures, lots of much needed paints and a MDF building (more on this is future updates). In addition, I picked up some second hand magazines which I have already started to read and enjoy.

Below I have posted a selection of images taken at the show - I didn't take as many as usual and I was not there for long and the time I was there was mainly spent catching up with old friends.

A great day out and I can confirm that my MOJO is back.

Tony

THUD by Terry Pratchett

Some time ago my son gave me a CD recording of THUD by Terry Pratchett. I have started listening to it while driving in and back from work. I had mistakenly thought that I had read this Discworld book when it first came out but now know that this was wrong and the tale has been a pleasant surprise as the story is new to me and I'm very much enjoying the experience of listening to a new-to-me story. In fact it has been one of my favourite audio books for some time.

I really must get back in to the habit of reading and re-reading Pratchett's Discworld books.

Tony

Stanley Surform

I picked up this vintage Stanley Surform (model number  21-122) in a second hand/antique shop in Tewkesbury earlier today. It was in the 'everything for 50p' box and although it needed a good service and clean it came out great. I can remember my Grandfather having a similar tool and for 50p plus some cleaning up time it is now in my toolbox ready for action.

The most difficult part of the service was wire brushing the blade, but with a good clean and a spray of WD40 it is now serviceable and ready for another lifetime of work. The more modern version has a yellow handle and aluminium body but you can also get an all plastic version, which I don't think is as good.

50p very well spent.

Tony

Alumwell Wargames - WMMS Sunday 12th March

Next Sunday - Sunday 12th March 2023 will be the West Midlands Military Show - now in it's 47th year and held at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton for more details see this link.

It's been a couple of years since I last attended (as an exhibitor) but I am planing on being there, this time as a paying guest and am hoping that I will be able to pick up some bargains at the Bring and Buy stall.

Maybe I'll see you there?

Tony

Stormbringer from Warhammer

Earlier today I picked up issue 1 of the new Warhammer/Hachette part works called Stormbringer. At just £2.99 it was a real bargain, but I don't expect to purchase any more, well maybe just issue 2! I picked my copy up from WHSmiths, Stratford upon Avon.

For more information of this new release see this link.

Tony

The Geologist's Hammer

On my last visit to Swansea I was given this old Geologist's Hammer by my Uncle Ray. The hammer had once belonged to a visiting student who was researching rock deposits on the Gower Peninsular and who had stayed with Ray and Liz when they owned Tenby House - a Bed & Breakfast hostel in Mumbles, Swansea. When the student left to go home he was very upset to have mislaid his hammer. Many years later Ray was working in his shed having moved to a new house and came across the hammer which had obviously been placed in one of the old tool boxes. Ray had heard how I had been educating my two Grandson's about rocks and minerals and how I had given both Finley and Charlie both tools and fossils for them to collect.

Ray said that I could have the hammer and I thought it would be a great renovation project. The hammer had since been painted black and the handle was very loose.

After polishing the hammer head, I was ready to attach it to the cleaned up handle - a hickory handle which I had modified and sanded smooth.

The finished head and handle were reattached with both a wooden wedge and a metal pin.

Finally I painted the handle base in a transparent green colour and oiled the handle before polishing it.

A great little project that I'm proud to own. I hope the previous owner - The Geologist who was visiting South Wales approves of the renovation. I will show the Grandson's the finished hammer when I next visit.

Tony

Dark Attack 54mm Miniatures

Last weekend Sue and I visited the Malvern Flea Market and Collectors Fair and I picked up this box of Dark Attack plastic figures (set No. 5002) from Tehnolog.

There are 20 plastic figures, 4 Orcs, 5 Dwarves, 5 Elves and 6 Undead or Tomb Guards. The Elves are particularly well sculpted as are the Orcs, while the Dwarves lack the finesse of the earlier two sets. The Undead are the least well sculpted but they do offer some very well detailed weapons and skulls which should come in handy when building dioramas or decorating bases. At 54mm the Orcs could be used as Ogres in 28mm scale and this is how I might use them although I am particularly looking forward to seeing how the Elves paint up.

The box set cost just £7.00 and at that price I think they are great value. I have seen similar sets on the internet, but wouldn't want to pay any more than £10.00 for a set.

I will keep you informed of how my painting progresses.

Tony

Malvern Flea Market and Collectors Fair

On Sunday, Sue and I visited the Malvern Flea Market and Collectors Fair at the Three Counties showground, Malvern. I enjoyed browsing the stalls but for quite some time didn't see anything I wanted to buy.....

Then I spied some Garden Rail Magazines (3 for £1.00) and later Military Modelling and Wargames Illustrated magazines (4 for a £1.00 - I gave one to Mum as it included an article written by me), but my best, best, best buy was this small tool box.

I had spotted a VANCO Co. Ltd printing box and was looking at it because the box was so well made, but I said to the stall owner that I wasn't sure I would use it. He said "have you looked in the drawer?". I had not as the box was orientated with the drawer to the back and not able to be seen. I turned it around and there in the drawer was this small green case which contains some exquisite tools and interchangeable handles.

Image 2

The closed case marked V3-SET VANCO Co. Ltd.

Image 3

A close-up of the case.

Image 4

The contents of the case.

Image 5

A detail shot of the contents - beautifully presented modelling tools and complete. The small metal tube (centre right) contains some more pointers and some drill bits.

How much did it cost me? - Just £5.00. I didn't even try to barter or haggle, I paid the £5.00.

A real steal and some exceptionally well made detailing tools for my model making tool box.

Tony

Miniature Wargames issue 479 - Building Yurts

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 479 - March 2023) features this tutorial showing how I scratch built a couple of Mongolian Yurts. For more information see this link.

Both models were constructed over a corrugated cardboard core with blue foam tops and based on plastic card bases. The detailing was done with DAS modelling clay and loads of 'clutter' items from my spares box. The painting was done with various acrylics before being varnished and adding scatter materials to the groundwork.

Tony