AIRFIX Cloud Climber Glider!

I recently came across this AIRFIX Cloud Climber glider kit when moving some old TV's an was wondering if it is worth anything? I have tried to find a similar model on the internet and ebay, but with no success. Can anyone help?

As you can see it is still in it's original packaging and in good if not perfect condition. I cannot remember where or when I bought it and it could very well have been in the attic for years.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated.

Tony

Mason's Court - Stratford-upon-Avon

Today, Sue and I went to Stratford-upon-Avon and had fun browsing the shops looking for Christmas presents. I particularly enjoyed the art exhibition, where I saw loads of great original work and chatted to the artists. On the way back to the car I took these images of Mason's Court - an open bay house typical of the medieval period and similar in design to Bayleaf House at the Weald and Down Museum.

I have taken images from the front and right hand side to show the timber frame construction. The brick infill is not original.

Tony

Broadway Museum, Cotswolds

Sue and I have been planning an away-day in Broadway, Costwolds for some time and earlier today we drove out to this jewel of the Cotswolds for a quiet walk along the main street and a browse of the shops.

I saw this book - Recreating the Past by Victor Ambrose and Mick Aston in the secondhand book lobby of The Broadway Museum. I thought it was a real bargain for just £1.00, but when paying for the book we were informed that because it was the tenth anniversary of the museum, entry and cookies were free of charge.

It's been many years since we visited this museum, I think the last time was when the children were young. It was a great museum to browse and we both enjoyed the exhibitions - particularly the Tudor room display and the GWR exhibition.

For more information, see this link.

This is not the only Victor Ambrose book that I own - last year Holly bought me a similar book also full of illustrations.

Tony

Commando Comics with a Napoleonic theme - update

Following on from this earlier post I have recently picked up these two Commando Comics. The first called Cold Steel (5193) deals with Napoleons advance and retreat into Russia. While the second called The Phantom's Revenge (5131) is about the early months of the Peninsular War.

I'm sure that they will supply some inspiration for a Flintloque short story or scenario. I look forward to reading both.

Tony

Orcs in the Webbe 2019 Advent coming soon

Orcs in the Webbe Advent Calendar 2019 coming soon. For those who are not familiar with this much anticipated annual event see this link.

I'm looking forward to seeing what daily Advent posts Craig Andrews has for us this year and will keep the Blog updated with details.

Tony

The Channel Island at War

Yet another second-hand book purchase - this time a large card bound book called The Channel Islands at War written by George Forty which was picked up at a recent car-boot sale in Worcestershire.

The book is full of black and white illustrations which give a real flavour of what life on the islands must have been like. I particularly liked the illustrations of the underground and narrow gauge railway complexes.

Although not one of my usual periods or genres, I did like browsing the chapters.

The Channel Islands at War - A German Perspective by George Forty
Published by Ian Allen
ISBN - 978 0711026780

Tony

Selly Manor, Bournville, Birmingham

Earlier this month Sue treated me to a Groupon Away-Day with a trip to Selly Manor, Bournville, Birmingham. This is the first time I had visited these preserved buildings and we had a great day out. The two timber framed building were purchased by George Cadbury of Cadbury's Chocolate fame and gifted to the people of Birmingham as a historical memento or time capsules.

The larger of the two buildings, a 14th Century manor house originally stood on a site near Bournebrook and was bought, dismantled and re-constructed by George Cadbury in the early 20th Century, The smaller building Minworth Greaves (see above) was purchased for its timber as it was thought they could be used in the re-construction. However both have been re-built on the same site and the pair are now open as a museum and wedding venue.

Both buildings have been heavily modified during the re-build, but even so there are a lot of original details to be seen and the re-construction, although a little simplified by today's conservation standards has much to entertain the visitor.

Both Sue and I enjoyed our Away-Day and I would expect to visit again. For those who are interested Selly Manor is right next door to Cadbury World Birmingham.

You can find more information by visiting the official site here.

Tony

Meccano Build a Crane

The latest part work available at W H Smiths is this Meccano Crane. Part one is available for just £1.99 and I have picked it up as for this money, I am sure I will find a use for the parts and the packaging. I have no intention of subscribing for the additional part works, but saw this and thought - "that's a bargain". I can add it to the small amount of old Meccano I have in the garage.

For more details see this link.

Tony

Buried Treasure - Uncovering Hoards

The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham University has a new exhibition - Buried Treasure - Uncovering Hoards. The Barber Institute has 48 Hoards and this display shows eight from around the world, including two from Britain.

This was the first time Sue and I had visited this gallery - a hidden treasure of art and antiquities. We had a grand day out and I would recommend both the art gallery and the exhibition to anyone who can make it.

Details of the exhibition can be found here.

Tony

Illustrations by Angus McBride

I picked up this pamphlet in the Blue Cross charity shop in Stratford upon Avon last week. As I browsed the illustrations I was reminded of on of my favourite illustrators - Angus McBride and when I checked the inside front cover I saw that he had been the artist responsible.

The image below shows Harold at the Battle of Hastings - from Warlords and Warriors also by Angus McBride and one of the illustrations from the pamphlet. The similarities in style and pose are unmistakable McBride.

The five illustrations below were taken at random from the pamphlet and again show the touch of this master artist. The first illustration also reminds me of a painting of Jan One-eye also by McBride.

I'm not sure that these illustrations are available on the Internet and I thought it was worth while sharing them with other modellers.

In Memory of Angus McBride 1931 - 2007

The pamphlet is 210mm x 150mm and has 48 pages and a card cover. It was published in 1981 by Battle Parish Council, Battle Civic Association, Battle and District Historical Society, Battle Chamber of Commerce and Battle Arts Group.

It does not have a cover price or an ISBN - I bought it for just £1.00

Tony

Voyage of the Eagles - Commando Comic No. 4835

One of the latest issues of Commando Comics is this Napoleonic themed adventure - Voyage of the Eagles (4835) which I picked up from W H Smiths earlier this week. I have in previous posts commented on how much I enjoy the Napoleonic themed short stories from Commando and this was no exception. For details of this latest story please see this link.

The story is written by Ferg Handley, the same author who wrote the (missing) Napoleonic themed comic Lawless - the comic that inspired my Legion Irlandaise, see this link and the earlier posts for details.

I have very fond memories of reading Commando Comics as a youngster and usually read them and then donate them to a charity book shop. However with the Napoleonic themed stories. I prefer to keep them as gaming inspiration for Flintloque/Slaughterloo as can be seen with this earlier Blog post.

Tony

Terrain for sale - Books for sale

I'm selling some items of scratch-built terrain on e-bay.

The first is this Beacon that was initially built for Lord of the Rings, but could be of use in a number of different games. Secondly this Sphinx. For full details of these and a number of books/magazines go to this link.

Thank you.

Tony

Swords by Ben Boos - an Artist's Devotion

I came across this book while visiting Glastonbury Abbey last week . The book was on sale in the Abbey souvenir shop, but at the time I thought it a little too expensive. Later when I got home a Google and e-bay search produced little. However, later still I found a perfect copy on e-bay and promptly purchased it.

I have found over the last year (maybe longer) that I am very particular about the books I buy. I find that I buy books for three reasons; Pleasure Reading - my latest being Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett. Research - usually, wordy books or books full of technical drawings for example The Historical Architecture of Britain by F.R. Smith or Barns of Rural Britain by Graham Hughes. Finally we have Books of Beauty - Books crammed full of gorgeous illustrations, one of my latest being Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi and illustrated by Roberto Innocenti.

Swords by Ben Boos is one book that can and will fulfil all three categories. The full title - Swords an Artist's Devotion, gives some hint as to the reason why. This is a true labour-of-love from Ben who has been sketching and researching the subject for many years. There are detailed notes and comments about the development of the Sword, but also beautiful drawings, both colour and black and white, of the sort that appeal to me of Swords, Knights, Vikings and even Sword Maidens - this really is a book to be enjoyed.

Image Two shows an official page spread giving an example of the pen and ink drawings, while;

Image Three was taken from the internet and gives and idea of the artist's work.

The book is beautiful and full of detailed drawings and sketches which should appeal to many modellers, gamers and historians. I cannot recommend it enough.

This link gives more details and this is an official Ben Boos page.

I have also read that Ben had since passed away and I find this a great loss as he was obviously a talented illustrator.

Tony

Swords by Ben Boos - an Artist's Devotion
270mm x 310mm
88 pages - fully illustrated with Colour and Black & White images
Published in 2008 by Templar Publishing
ISBN 978-1-84011-324-2
List price £14.99

A Display Base for my 40mm Flash Gordon Miniatures

In a bit of a change from the usual, here is a post detailing how I built this display base for use at Blast-Tastic in October 2014. For full details of the show go to this link. The stepped display was designed to show off some of my 40mm Flash Gordon miniatures, for details go to the Flash Gordon label on the right.

Image Two - The individual steps were cut from scrap 20mm MDF. I had my friendly carpenter cut the strips on his bench-saw.

Image Three - Each pair of blocks were glued together with No-More-Nails and sanded smooth.

Image Four - The blocks were then glued together to form the steps.

Image Five - A 20mm thick backing board was then glued to the back and the gaps filled with ready-mixed filler.

Image Six - I painted the whole base with three layers of watered-down Silver Mist paint that I had left over from an earlier project.

The whole project took less than two days from start to finish and I now have a professional looking display base that I can use for other shows and displays.

Each step is 50mm wide and 40mm tall.

Tony

Ten things you never knew about Waterloo - the Mail of Sunday

This weekend The Mail of Sunday had this feature in their magazine - Event. Sacre Bleu! Ten things you never knew about Waterloo. For a full breakdown see this link. Please note that I am not sure how long this link will remain active.

I hope you enjoy it.

Tony