Carp Feeding and Veterinary Suit 1877

I recently came across this illustration from the acclaimed tome, The Secret Scrapbook of Professor A.J. Copperthwaite (The Lost Genius of English Architecture) Edited by Alan Robertson and Michael Taylor. The book gives details of a revolutionary plan to improve and re-model Caernarvon Castle, North Wales into a Carp Farm and Aquarium 1875-1877.

I was immediately struck by the possible use of a similar suit as an underwater or low atmosphere EVA suit in Victorian Science Fiction adventures.

For anyone interested in these lost records, I would suggest that they search their local records office for a copy of this book (google or e-bay).

The Secret Scrapbook of Professor A.J. Copperthwaite
Edited by Alan Robertson and Michael Taylor
Published by Grafton Books 1986
ISBN 0-586-07043-5

Tony

The Throwing War with Brian Blessed

I came across this fantastic short film while browsing The Lead Adventure this morning and thought it was well worth re-posting.

For full details go to this link, settle back with a cup of tea and enjoy a true legend enjoying himself.

Tony

Kali for Typhon

Over the last two, to three months I have found myself wanting to paint some of my un-loved figures, my Lead Mountain! The Building Wargame Terrain book has taken up much more of my time than I had expected, and Book Two is continuing to be a drain on my free time or leisure time. However in between modelling structures for the book I have also allowed myself the decadent pleasure of 'just painting a miniature'. Most (if not all) have been 40mm figures, either 40mm Ancient Greek for my long shelved 40mm Typhon project or my 40mm Flash Gordon figure collection.

Instead of trying to update my Blog with an On-Line Build for September, I intend featuring one model a week, one model that I have based and painted over the Summer. I will start with Kali. Kali is a plastic figure, part of the Monster in my Pocket collection that I picked up some years ago from Poundland (for one pound). I choose Kali after reading a thread on the Lead Adventure Forum, where a member was asking for suitable Kali figures for his own Ancient Greek adventure.

The figure is mounted on to a pre-decimal 1d coin with the base built up with Milliput. There are some areas where I have had to fill gaps (most notably, around the back of the shoulders), but the figure is pretty much stock.

Prior to painting, I have undercoated the whole figure with some slightly diluted uPVA glue before painting with acrylic paints. The colour scheme is as the original miniature with some added 'Kevin Dallimore style' highlighting on the snakes body. I have Matt Varnished the miniature with Galleria Matt Varnish before adding some static grass.

Photo Two - Shows the Kali figure alongside my 40mm Spartan Miniatures Greek Hero. Kali stands 65mm from base to top of swords.

Photo Three - Kali from the rear. It is obvious where I have had to use Milliput to fill-in the joints between the central pair of arms and the body. This Kali model is ideal for my 40mm collection, but possibly too tall for a 28mm/30mm collection.

Tony

Masons Court, Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon

These photos were taken last week when Sue and I visited Stratford upon Avon. The building has obvious Wealden House features, similar to the model master that I produced for Grand Manner, for details go to this link.

The building is situated on Rother Street, Stratford upon Avon and is named Masons Court, for anyone wanting to find it go to the Queen Victorian Monument and head West away from the market place. Masons Court is situated on the right and opposite The Shakespeare Hospice Bookshop.

Information found on the Internet states that this is reputed to be the oldest dwellings in the Stratford, built around 1450. It is obvious that over time the building has been rebuilt and modified, but there are a surprising number of original features that are worth checking out. The following photos show some of the details. For more details go to this link

Tony

COLOURS 2013, Newbury

It's that time of year again. The Newbury & Reading Wargames Society will be holding their annual wargame show COLOURS 2013 at Newbury Race Course on the weekend of Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th September 2013, for full details go to this link.

I have made plans to be there on Sunday 15th and will be helping out on the Grand Manner trade stand, so if you fancy meeting up - you know where I will be.

I missed Colours last year with work commitments and am looking forward to a full day at the show. I intend wearing my Dampfpanzerwagon poloshirt, so if you see a grey poloshirt with Dampfpanzerwagon emblazoned across the shoulders, make yourself known.

Tony

The 'Fighting Forty-Firsts'

My complete Flintloque Section - 'The Fighting Forty-Firsts' based on a Commando Comic called Days of Daring (number 3765), for full details go to this link. While this Blog. contains more details of how the initial miniatures were re-based and painted, search the Flintloque Label on the right of the page for more information or go to this link.

I am attempting to raise a small Flintloque section using Flintloque Third Edition rules and following the same formula as this post by Gavin Syme and featured on Barking Irons Online.

The Northshires or Forty-First Foote Regiment are light troops serving under 'Olde Nosey' in Calalucia and employed to harass the Ferach and defend their allies, the Algarvey Goblins and the Catalucian Dark Elves. This is the regiments first taste of action, although a few career soldiers have already tasted blood.

Section Title; 'The Fighting Forty-Firsts'
Fantasy Race; Orcs
Section Size; Eight Characters
Troop Type; Light Troops

Photo Two - Show Luke Benson - Platoon Commander (second from the left) and his section of light troops. Detailed from left to right they are;

3. Private Perkins / average / light troop
None
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

2. Lieutenant Luke Benson (our hero) Platoon Commander / experienced / light troop
Sharpeshooter, Raised from the Ranks, Good rider and Does not like dogs (frightened by one as a young boy).
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

4. Private Blister (back row) / raw / light troop
Youngest in the group (called Nipper), Jamminess
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

5. Private Blakey (front row) experienced / light troop
Sauce
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

6 Private Blewitt (bugler) average / light troop
Wind, Musician
Bakur Rifle, Bayonet and Bugle

7. Private Boxer average / light troop
Pub Brawler
Bakur Rifle and Bayonet

Photo Three - Two more characters;

1. Colonel Charles Devonish Regimental Leader experienced / light troop
Heroic Courage, Loved by his Men, Hold the Line, Professional Officer
Umbrella and Sword

8. Robert Benson (Luke's cousin) Amorican experienced / light troop
Scoundrel, Military Experience (guerilla fighting against Indians), Nerves of Steel, Flash Waistcoat (like Dazzling Uniform, but with only -5 modifier)
Nock Seven Barrel Volley Gun and Pistol

The 'Fighting Forty-Firsts' have built a very good reputation against the Ferach invader in Catalucia, Luke is seen as one of the very brightest new officers, but his cousin Robert is a scoundrel and although he would never do anything to endanger the squad he should be played with extreme caution.

I have yet to play a game with this section, but have enjoyed putting it together and developing the stats and background story based on the Commando Comic. I hope you enjoy reading about them.

Tony

Citadel Washes for sale!

Last Friday I posted that I had been lucky enough to find four new pots of CITADEL WASHES in a toystore call Your Place in Alcester. I have decided to keep these pots for my own use. However earlier today Sue and I visited Stratford upon Avon and passing Alcester I stopped at Your Place to see if there were any more pots of Citadel Washes.

There were;
Three pots of Badab Black and one pot of Devlan Mud. I bought all four and have placed two of the pots on E-bay with a starting price of just 99p. At this moment they are available to view at this link and this link.

The two images show the two pots and the receipts to prove that they are NEW, bought on 27.08.2013.

Happy bidding.

Tony