Free modelling material for scratch-builders

I have frequently written about the use of 'scrap wood' when building wargame terrain. I know that many (including myself) use Balsawood, but there is a huge un-tapped source; Scrap wood or wooden packaging. For example;

Image One - Shows a simple wooden vegetable crate that I picked up for free when walking in an out-door market. The stall holder was only too happy to see this go to a good home. 

Try to pick up the solid wood crates rather than the plywood crates.

Image Two - This time a box that held satsumas, bought from Marks & Spencer's. The thin veneers of wood are perfect for wooden roof tiles - just remember to texture them with coarse sandpaper before cutting them out.

Image Three - This time a MDF box, again for holding citrus fruit. Perfect for cutting up your own bases and again free-of-charge.

Look out for FREE or scrap wood, particularly thin section wood, the perfect material for scratch-building.

Happy Hunting.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show 2015 report

As promised, here is the first of my WMMS photo reports. I hope that you like the images I have chosen.

Tony

West Midlands Military Show - Alumwell Wargames 2015

Sue and I have just returned home after a great day out at The West Midlands Military Show hosted by the Alumwell Wargames Club. This was the first time that I had exhibited my scratch-built terrain models - the ones featured in Building Wargame Terrain and More Wargame Terrain. In the first image you can see the table layout, with Sue and Holly busy brewing up a cup of tea!

I was also able to present The 'A' Frame Hovel to John of Mystic Spiral Miniatures. Readers and followers may remember that I had promised that one of the models featured in More Wargame Terrain would be given away after the first 100 signed and numbered books had been sold.

I can now report that the 100th book was sold and shipped last month and the winner of the draw was John. I kept the prize draw secret knowing that I would be meeting up with John at the show. Congratulations and I hope that you enjoy the model.

In addition to selling some copies of both wargame terrain books, I also managed to off-load a number of surplus books and magazines, but it was meeting up with so many fellow modellers and followers that made the whole day so rewarding. Thank you to everyone who made themselves know to me and thank you for the kind words of support.

Expect more images of the show over the next couple of days.

Tony

(For Graham - This is the link for the UK foam supplier)

Barking Irons for FREE

Issue One of the short-lived paper based magazine Barking Irons is available for FREE - Go to The Notables Yahoo Group and you can download the 32 page magazine for free.

To access the group go to this link.

This Spanish Windmill Model that was built by me and is included in More Wargame Terrain was featured on pages 28 - 31 of the magazine.

The publication contains articles on Flintloque, Firefight, Alien Squad Leader and The Age of Might and Steel.

Tony

The Hartlepool Monkey by Sean Longley

I picked up this hard-back book while visiting Coventry earlier this month. Actually Sue saw it in a charity book store and pointed it out to me. I have in the past written a Foul Mouth Freddy short story based on the same tale - for details see this link.

While an internet search brought up this delightful graphic novel.

Details of the original tale can be read on this Historic UK site, here while this postcard (found by doing a Google Search) gives another image.

The book only cost me £2.50 and given that I'm sure it had never been read, this is a bargain book I look forward to reading and reviewing at a later date.

Monkey Hangers! Fact is sometimes weirder than fiction.

A review of the story can be found here.

The Hartlepool Monkey by Sean Longley
Published by Doubleday in 2008
ISBN 9780385612531
List Price - £14.99

Tony

Wargames Soldiers & Strategy - issue 77

The latest issue of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy has just arrived. The main theme in this issue is WW1 or Great War French and I have a four page article detailing how I 'scratch-built' a Chatillon-Panhard Balloon Lorry. The model was inspired by a Will's Cigarettes Card illustration - Military Motors No. 33 Motor Balloon Lorry (French).

Here is an image of the finished 1/56th scale lorry and balloon trailer on a simple display base.

While this is an image of the pre-painted model. Full details of both the build and the painting can be found on pages 46 - 49 of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy issue 77.

In addition to this Build article, there is another detailing the French Great War Diorama - Storming Out by Andrew Amain (see cover illustration) and an interesting article on how to build/convert the Hollywood Tank featured in the film Fury.

Further articles feature scenarios for WW1 French, a review of suitable figures and an article on French Paratroopers in Indo China in 1952. I have found the magazine full of interesting content and would recommend it as a great buy.

Tony

The Lady Canrig Bwt - A St David's Day short story

Image taken from the Orcs in the Webbe site

The Lady Canrig Bwt - A Short Story by Tony Harwood

Just over a week ago, Craig Andrews from Orcs in the Webbe e-mailed me to ask if I would write a short story for St David's Day 2015. Craig's plan was to write a new back-story for Foul Mouth Freddy, the days before he joined the army! I have to admit that at first I said no. Too little time, but after searching the internet for inspiration I penned this little tale. Craig has had to add some detail. Thank you Craig.

I hope that you enjoy reading about a (very) young Orcling called Freddy.

For full details of the tale go to this link.

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!

Tony

PS.
The West Midlands Military Show will be taking place next Sunday - a week today. I'll be there with a table display, exhibiting some of the terrain models featured on this Blog and in both of my Terrain Making Books.

Full details can be found here.