Malvern Flea Market Haul May 2024

Sue and I have just returned from the latest Malvern Flea Market held at the Three Counties Ground, Malvern. For most of the morning the weather was glorious and apart from a brief shower around lunch time, the rain held off.

The first image shows my tool haul - total spend less than £12.00. The best purchase was this Thayer & Chandler air brush which I picked up for £5.00 for both the air brush and the wooden boxed Exacto knife set. The air brush was in a terrible state, but less than one hour later I have cleaned off all the gunk and polished the main body. I've not been able to test it as the screw thread is different to my air hose connector, but the plunger and needle adjuster work perfectly.

Here you can see the air brush after cleaning. Thayer & Chandler air brushes are now sold/manufactured by Badger.

In the bottom of the plastic box was this receipt dated 82 - 04 - 03 for £38.32 so I have had a great bargain. 

The serial number 14203 A A is clearly stamped on the upper barrel.

I look forward to testing it with some paint.

Tony

Dress like an Egyptian

Lats week my grandson had to dress up as an Egyptian for a school project. I was asked to produce some home-made props.

The staff was built on an old broom handle with the cobras head constructed over foam balls using paper mache and card. The eyes were cut from old Christmas decorations.

Sue was responsible for the tunic, a black T-shirt with gold decorations and tied with gold rope from an old curtain.

Finally, we have the necklace. The base was a piece of nylon tent and the main decoration was cut out wallpaper. Additional decoration came from my scrap box.

I can confirm that Finley loved his Egyptian costume.

Tony

Magazine Articles - an update

Earlier this month I asked my followers and readers of this Blog what they thought of magazines that publish articles split over two or more issues. The response was very much appreciated. For more details of the initial question, see this Blog post.

I received 34 responses and the result of the survey is;

10 had no view one way or the other

2 had a great dislike of the format

6 were OK with splitting over two magazines

10 responses sat in between not liking and OK

Taking all of the above, I would surmise based on the responses, that publishing articles over two issues - for example part one - the construction and part two - the painting is OK. The most recent issue of Miniature Wargames has such a split article with part one - showing the construction of the Armoury, and part two - next months issue, detailing the painting and finishing.

Thank you to everyone who responded to my short survey - your comments were a great help.

Tony

Evesham Medieval Market

Sue and I spent most of today enjoying the Medieval Market and displays around Evesham town centre. It was a great day out and we saw loads of interesting and informative exhibits. We didn't buy that much but there was loads to tempt us and if you have chance pop over and enjoy the event. You will not be disappointing.

For more information see this link.

Tony

A question for my Blog Followers/Readers - Magazine Articles

Help.....

Regular Followers and Readers of this Blog will know that I regularly write how-to build scratch built terrain articles for Miniature Wargames (as well as a few for Wargames Illustrated and Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy). Over the last couple of years the format of tutorials in MW has been a three page how-to with a page describing the construction and or painting and then a two page spread with illustrations and text. It is a format that fits with the editors brief as well as being simple and informative. However on occasions I have stretched this format to be a two issue or two month article, for example part one - construction and part two - painting.

My question to all that read this Blog or the magazine articles is.....

How do you feel about two-part tutorials or longer articles that stretch over two issues of a magazine? And are you OK with it or would you prefer a longer article in a single magazine? I am currently working on a more detailed model which I feel would benefit from a split over two months and am asking for guidance.

Any help or comments - whether referring to my magazine articles or wider subjects and publications would be much appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Tony

The Armoury - Miniature Wargames issue 494

Issue 494 (June 2024) of Miniature Wargames features another scratch build tutorial this time part one of a two part series showing how I first built and then painted this model. The building was inspired by one of the card models featured in the Games Workshop Warhammer Townscape pack - in particular building No. 9 which is sometimes referred to as The Armoury.

I have use foamboard, cardboard and foam to build the structure and DAS modelling clay to add texture and detail to the walls. The three page magazine article shows how I designed and built it. I have also used some design elements from the now out-of-production resin company Snapdragon Studios - a range of resin models that I believe to be some of the most characterful ever produced for the wargame table.

The final image shows the model undercoated in a neutral grey colour and ready for adding colour. The magazine is available from WHSmiths, for more information. please see this link.

Tony

Commando Comics issue 5749 - Treachery and Treasure

This month the latest Napoleonic Wars themed war comic from Commando Comics has hit the shelves at WHSmiths. Treachery and Treasure issue 5749 is the latest Commando comic to feature Wellington's Riflemen in an adventure set in 1813 written by Andrew Knighton and illustrated by Manuel Benut.

I have a small collection of these Napoleonic themed Commando comics as I find them great reads and perfect inspiration for both Flintloque and Silver Bayonet gaming scenarios. For more information, see this link.

Tony

Writing for Miniature Wargames

Earlier this week Sue and I were visiting my mother who still lives in Swansea, South Wales. A weeks visit was disrupted by bad weather but we did have a couple of walks along the promenade at Mumbles and at least one Joe's ice cream. While staying with Mum, She pulled out some of the earliest magazines that I had written for and I re-read a few as bedtime reading. This issue from October 2012 was the first time I had written for Miniature Wargames. More details can be found here.

I had previously written for Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy with a number of tutorials showing how I built and painted scratch built wargame terrain, but this was the first time for MW. I am now approaching the 12 year anniversary with another milestone on the horizon..... I have written for Miniature Wargames for each and every issue since January 2020 (issue 442), that's 51 issue without a break and still going!

It is great to sometimes re-visit these earlier article and remind myself of the techniques and models I have built.

Long may it continue.

Tony