Airfix

lots of new & re issued goodness from airfix in the 2013 preview actually like the lego style kits ?
http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/new-for-2013/

improvised delivery system

Certain deliverys this year called for a more updated form of transport sorry rudolf.

New Toys

 Some recent purchases ,they are 20mm die cast helicopters they come "free" with a fortnightly magazine ,the mag is pretty poor but the miniatures are very nice and at £7.99 are about £40+ cheaper than buying the corgi ones and a lot cheaper than available plastic kits .I have 2 others a Blackhawk which I will probab;y never use but that was the 1st one so was only £2.99 and a Cobra for my IDF project. The 3 shown are a Chinook ,Lynx and wessex all will be making appearences all over the globe and time scale the lynx for example will feature in my BAOR 1980's force as well as my modern Brits in Afganistan force (which it is actually marked up for ) ,I am one of those people that know I am playing a game and its not real so dont mind a slight bit of poetic license .

These are available on line as back orders as well as being on sale in WH Smith and Asda at least.

Pulp Alley

A fantastic new pulp game will hit the market next week (unless you join the forum and get it early ) its a great little game a bit different from others a definate work of love ,I am a bit chuffed I get a mention as a playtester although I only played a small part in it . Please take a look I am sure it will become a big hit.
Please  use theLink to the right in the useful links & friends section..

Pulp Alley

Just a quick note for any one interested in pulp gaming to take a look at
 http://pulpalley.com/index.php      a new set of rules in the developement stage but a nice friendly forumand a yahoo group as well where you can down load all sorts of goodness.I have only managed a quick read through so far but like what I see and after buying a few sets of rules so far and not being remotly interested in playing them I am a bit excited about these and will be playing a few games soon .

Heresy Miniatures what fantastic service

A few weeks ago on a impulse I purchased the witchfinder general rules , after reading them and realising I already had most of the figures needed for a game i decided to order a few odds and ends (some demon dogs ) from Heresy miniatures ,wow what service from ordering to having them in my hands 4 days ? plus there were some free sweeties in the box . Really fantastic service ,wonderful toys .
Thanks Andy at Heresy.

Little wars

Even though I have a dozen projects on the go I am becoming more interested in Britains little wars of the 50's and 60's Aden ,Malya (started this and shelved it ) etc. The force on Force rules and the upcoming supplement and seeing things like this(above) are not helping me to resist another lead pile ....A life size diorama at IWM Duxford depicting an action in Aden.

A great weekend

Hi just a thank you to every one who helped in what ever way with our raffle last weekend. Every thing went well although the royal mail caused us a few nightmares, all but one of the confirmed donators supplied wonderful prizes and we had two last minute donations as well.

Ambush Alley Games
Elheim Miniatures
Ground Zero Games
Battle Flag
UnderFire
Kan Doo Painting Services
Sheffield Wargames Society
Rogue Miniatures
Too Fat Lardies
Gripping Beast
Osprey Publishing
S&S Models
Galloping Major

All the above for donating fantastic prizes and just being great people who offered support in many ways.

First Corps who donated without informing me they were and the parcel arrived after the event so sadly have missed out on all the advertising but I will auction the fantastic donations from them and add it to the total raised this year thank you First Corps for your help and sorry I have  not included you before

Wargames Emporium Sheffield
A special thanks to John and Eric for their massive support through the year and selling tickets and giving us a great home to run games and events from.
(please remember this is the real Wargames Emporium based in Sheffield and Mansfield not another company thats using their name )

John Grayson who helped me run games at various events around England and does other tasks as my joint point man and fund raiser

Elaine Winter for undying support and doing loads of work to help

Tim Gow for his support and praise and great ideas

Ian Goadsby for his help at Triples and other things (remember the Italians )

and every one who donated cash or bought tickets through this last year .

Todays the Day and last minute donation (update )

Today is the day of our RBL raffle draw and the pressures on thanks to the Royal Mail a couple of parcels in sorting offices ,But a last minute donation is from Dave Parsons figure painting service who has donated a voucher worth £20. Thanks Dave and all the other people who have made this a fantastic year prize wise .

Well thanks to the post offices hard work I got the parcel in time although it looked like it had been on the somme the packaging almost didnt exist any more but as least we have the fantastic rules from Too Fat Lardies ,although slightly different to the original list .
we are just waiting for part of the AAG packs as already mentioned.

Gripping Beast

The lucky winner of the Gripping Beast prize for this year will recieve one of the new 4pt saga sets when they are released next friday.

Wargames Development

I have enjoyed playing games by Tim Gow at SWGS for a long time and was talked into joining Wargames Development by Mr Gow earlier this year and I must say that the modest membership fee was well worth it I have already spent many hours reading items from the Nugget and must encourage people that like fun in their wargames to join WD or at least track down MR Gow and his band of merry men at wargames shows to try out a game ,YOU WILL BE HOOKED .

http://www.wargamedevelopments.org/index.htm

underfire miniatures

Another update The parcel from  Underfire miniatures has just arrived and they have donated a selection of their lovely figures from Helmand 2010 range .

The Elusive Force on Force Bag and contents this plus the army packs make the best prize we have ever been able to offer in our raffles the tomorrow war will be similier I think other than themain  rules .As stated the lucky winners can pick up their army packs on Saturday and the bags as soon as they arrive.

Raffle update Ambush Alley Prizes

Due to a problem with the postal services it is very doubtful that the two packs from AAG games will be with us in time for saturdays draw, I have recieved both sets  of figures so the lucky winners  can take those away on the day and the rules etc can be collected as soon as they arrive with me ,How they will be collected will be sorted out on saturday .
Still plenty of time to buy tickets they are on sale at Wargames emporium Sheffield Branch and at Sheffield wargames Society Wed 7th November and Sheffield and Rotherham club on Thurs 8th nov ,every penny goes directly to the Royal British Legion so dig deep
 Thank You

Forest of Dean

.

 Recently had a few days away in the Forest of Dean ,lots to see and do in the Forest and in the Towns and villages tha the Forest surrounds.

If any one wants a fantastic few days away this is a great place , if you need a B&B please let me know and I will drop you a link

Ground Zero Games /Tomorrows war

Hi the figures for the Tomorrows war pack from Ambush Alley Ground Zero Games have arrived they are :


The first full production releases for the Official TOMORROW'S WAR 15mm range! We are launching EIGHT packs in the first wave - our normal 8-figure packs with 2 each of 4 different sculpts in each pack - four each for both the DPRG (Democratic Peoples' Republic of Glory) and RANG (Republic of Arden National Guard):

TW15-RA01    RANG rifles pack A (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-RA02    RANG rifles pack B (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-RA03    RANG SAW gunners (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-RA04    RANG MRAWs and Snipers (8 figs, 4 different poses)

TW15-DP01    DPRG rifles pack A (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-DP02    DPRG rifles pack B (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-DP03    DPRG SAW gunners (8 figs, 4 different poses)
TW15-DP04    DPRG RPGs and Snipers (8 figs, 4 different poses)

All TW15 packs are £3.60 each inc. VAT (£3.00 ex VAT for non-EU customers)

The above is from GZG webstore any one not wanting to chance their luck on the raffle draw can get them from GZG direct I will post a pic of the packs and what else is in the joint prize when the other bits wing there way in from Peggy inn  the USA.

Battle Flag

Those nice chaps at Battle Flag have confirmed whats in the pack of Prize donations they have popped in the post for us:
1.Sheriff & Gallows
 2. Paint Tray Vallejo
 3. Paint Tray Citadel/ Humbrol
 4. Saloon & Transfer

Some more amazing prizes take a look at the Battle flag web site to see the items in the "Flesh" and then buy those raffle tickets for a chance to win .

Ambush Alley and Elhiem

The Great tomorrow war prize has been matched with a joint prize from Ambush Alley Games and Elhiem the official FOF miniature manufacturer.
A AAG Bag with a copy of Force on Force and card deck and a selection of fantastic official figures from Elhiem  a photo of each of superb prizes will be shown as soon as possible .

Ambush Alley & Ground zero Games Prizes

Ambush Alley and Ground Zero Games have joined forces to supply a fantastic raffle prize :
An  AA Games bag will contain a copy of tomorrows war rule book a set of cards and a AAG tape measure with a set of the great new tomorrows war figures from GZG's this great joint prize isworth buying a few more tickets for remember every penny goes to support our veterens from current and past conflicts and thier loved ones as well.

Tomorrows war & Force on Force

Just spoke to Peggy at Ambush Alley Games and she has put together two great prizes for our raffle a force on force pack and in co-operation with ground zero games a tomorrows war pack ,both contain rules and cards plus lots of other goodies. Each comes in a special bag to carry your prize home in .

Green Howards Museum

A little break from the recent posts ,I recently visited the Green Howrds Museum in Richmond and what an enjoyable visit it was ,photographs ,medals ,videos ,paintings ,medals, uniforms and medals are all displayed with great care and easy viewing, you begin your visit on the top floor and follow the regiments history from the start to today ,every campaign is covered withsome fascinating items on show .There is an Olympic room showing the connection with the regiments men and women and the events they took part in but also puts each games in context with world events .This is a recommended visit for any one interested in the British Army .

Northen Ireland

Great War

Malaya

A update of all prizes as of 17/10/12 thanks to all the fantastic suppliers for thier help

S&S
 Barricade with destroyed pick up
Burning saloon car
Barricade built around car
 
 Galloping Major
FIW RAN 1
FIW Major Roberts
FIW FCM2
please visit the Majors web site for more info on the pack contents ,wonderful figures

 Rogue Miniatures

Tommy & Winston
Agent Retro
Agent Cowboy
Major Twatt (love this one )
Bill & Lady Bill
Red Rum
Trav  (need a yellow taxi )
Fritz
Mirth and Dirth
Rogue
please visit the rogue web site to spot who's who .

Too Fat Lardies prizes :

Dux Britanniarum rules and cards
I aint been shot mum
Bag the Hun
Through the Mud and the Blood
Charlie Dont Surf
Sharps practice

Sheffield Wargames Society Prize

Tickets for Triples 2013

Osprey prizes

 The Para fitness Flick Book  by Major S.Mcgrath
Soldier I                                by P.winner &M.Paul Kennedy
Force on Force                     by Ambush Alley Games
Bolt Action ww2 rules           by warlord games
armies of Germany                by Warlord Games
The daring Dozen                  by G.Mortimer
El Alamien                            by B.Hammond
Tank spotters Guide             by The Tank museum
Iraq Full Circle                     by Col.D. Wright


more updates has the prizes are confirmed

Elhiem Miniatures

Matt at Elhiem Figures as Joined us this year with some nice prize support so far the full list of our sponsors is :

 Two Fat lardies
S&S models
Northstar
Ospery Publishing
Ambush Alley Games
Underfire Miniatures
Gripping Beast

first time sponsers :
Battle Flag
Rogue Miniatures
Sheffield wargames Society
Elhiem
Galloping Major
Still waiting for replys from a few others so hopefully more soon.

Rogue Miniatures Prize Update

Another Parcel arrive today with some lovely figures from Rogue Miniatures ,some figures are based on film and tv characters and are easily spotted when you look at them on the website or in the flesh ,I will be ordering myself a few of these for 7tv and other things.
The Miniatures donated are listed below each figure or set will be one prize

Tommy & Winston
Agent Retro
Agent Cowboy
Major Twatt (love this one )
Bill & Lady Bill
Red Rum 
Trav  (need a yellow taxi )
Fritz
Mirth and Dirth
Rogue
please visit the rogue web site to spot who's who .

Prize update

So far the confirmed prizes are :

Too Fat Lardies prizes :

Dux Britanniarum rules and cards
I aint been shot mum
Bag the Hun
Through the Mud and the Blood
Charlie Dont Surf
Sharps practice

Sheffield Wargames Society Prize

Tickets for Triples 2013

Osprey prizes

 The Para fitness Flick Book  by Major S.Mcgrath
Soldier I                                by P.winner &M.Paul Kennedy
Force on Force                     by Ambush Alley Games
Bolt Action ww2 rules           by warlord games
armies of Germany                by Warlord Games
The daring Dozen                  by G.Mortimer
El Alamien                            by B.Hammond
Tank spotters Guide             by The Tank museum
Iraq Full Circle                     by Col.D. Wright


more updates has the prizes are confirmed

poster

Below is the draft of the raffle poster to be displayed at points of sale

A Prize Raffle to Support the

Royal British Legion

A raffle to raise funds for the Royal British Legion:

£1.00 for a strip of 5 tickets on sale here:

Saturday 10^th November 2pm at wargames Emporium Sheffield

Prizes donated by : Ambush Alley Games-Too Fat Lardies-Osprey-Underfire Miniatures – BattleFlag-Galloping Major-S&S models –Northstar-Gripping Beast –Rogue Miniatures-Sheffield war games Society-

Prizes include : Rule Books –Figures – Vehicles- Buildings – Reference Books- Show Tickets – military Books –

More Details at : http://wargamesandwalking.blogspot.co.uk/

sponsor update

 As of today these are the very generous people/organisations that have pledges prize support to our raffle tickets on sale from Wednesday 10th October from the wargames emporium Sheffiels only £1 for 5 tickets.



I will keep this as runnng tally of prize info for the RBL Raffle:
Donating so far :
Two Fat lardies
S&S models
Northstar
Ospery Publishing
Ambush Alley Games
Underfire Miniatures
Gripping Beast

first time sponsers :
Battle Flag
Rogue Miniatures
Sheffield wargames Society

Galloping Major & SWGS

More Prize promises the first from another new sponsor Galloping Major I must say I have recently purchased some of Lances figures (a lot actually) they are excellent  and will get some painted up and pics posted soon ,and the other sponsor is Sheffield War games Society ,although this is the the first prize donation they have been very good to us in the past with cash donations and strong support at triples ,there prize is 4 tickets for next years Triples in sheffield .Can I also say a big thank you to Tim Gow for his help as always please visit his blog its a must see .

prizes update from Osprey

Hi a slight change of plan those nice people at Osprey have sent their donation to the raffle , excelent service sent the request monday and a big parcel arrived today ,a parcel that includes the following  items i originally was going to just update the last post but if other donations are near this in size its going to get rather messy list so heres the first list.

The Para fitness Flick Book  by Major S.Mcgrath
Soldier I                                by P.winner &M.Paul Kennedy
Force on Force                     by Ambush Alley Games
Bolt Action ww2 rules           by warlord games
armies of Germany                by Warlord Games
The daring Dozen                  by G.Mortimer
El Alamien                            by B.Hammond
Tank spotters Guide             by The Tank museum
Iraq Full Circle                     by Col.D. Wright

a great selection of books something to suit every one ?

Prizes

I will keep this as runnng tally of prize info for the RBL Raffle:
Donating so far :
Two Fat lardies
S&S models
Northstar
Ospery Publishing
Ambush Alley Games
Underfire Miniatures
Gripping Beast

first time sponsers :
Battle Flag

Royal British legion Raffle

Its the time of year that we raise funds for the Royal British Legion by holding a raffle ,regulars will know most of the details already as they will be same as previous years I have only started organising this today ,but already two Fat lardies have promised some lovely prizes as always.More info over next few days.
Update S&S models are donating some of thier nice models as well

set backs

Hi sorry for not updating anyone on the FOF tournament or even posting on the blog ,but a trapped  nerve led to my arm being in a splint (still is but a bit better ) and Hanna my 14 year old had a terrible accident  which luckily she has got through and her bravery paid off with the good news she doesnt need any skin grafts at all now where as at first it looked like she would need many operations .I will hopefully be up to pace on everything soon and get in touch with everyone who registered for the fof tournament .

 a few more figures ,scenary and cards I managed to finish for my Through the mud and the Blood project

Royal British Legion

For a long time the British Legion has supported our injured service Men and Women and thier loved ones,recently funds have been sparce due to the recession and other high profile charities taking funds away
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19112550,  
please think twice if you are going to donate where your money is going ,please give to the RBL either directly or through one of the many people like myself it is easy to do my donation link is on to the right under bemycharity.

Thank You.

Sheffield wargames society

We will be running a Force on Force game for new players next week 18/07/2012 at Sheffield Wargames Society ,all the places have now been taken but please feel free to turn up and ask questions about the game/rules meaning of life etc. The group behind the very successful Triples show have been going since the early 70's and after a long absence I have recently started going to the weekly meetings again and wish to thank them not only for the support at triples but also the backing they are giving us for the upcoming tournament .For more details of SWS  http://www.sheffieldwargamessociety.co.uk/#.

Through the mud and blood ..a little more

 A few more painted toys ,really chuffed with them so far but must try to paint them in units rather    than a handful at a time.

Peronne Museum -Great War Tour pt3

 During the battle of the Somme in 1916 Peronne lay in the French sector ,in March 1917 the Germans retreated leaving the town in ruins.In 1918 the germans recaptured the town until September when the Australian 2nd Division finally took it..The museum was opened in a restored chateau in 1995 . Most of the uniforms and weapons on display are in pits in the floor

Through the Mud and the Blood

Too Fat Lardies are one of our excellent sponsors for our RBL fund raising and after reading a copy of TMB  which was donated as a prize I purchased a copy of these fantastic rule sets and bought a load of Great war miniatures and now after my recent trip to Flanders I cracked on with a few of the figures and these are the first batch . Originally I was going to paint them up as the Sheffield Battalion part of the Yorks and Lancs but decided to make them a little generic

Accept it I do ...

sent to me a golfer ..he hits a small ball with a daft shaped stick then walks after it.

Force on Force Tournament-update

Ok a bit nearer now , the venues for the early rounds will be Wargames Emporium and Sheffield Wargames Society .
Still need a few more players so please sign up
cost no charge but please remember that we will be collecting for the Royal British Legion ,so if you can please help.
dates still TBC but July & August
Still have not had confirmation from a lot of people so please contact me.
Prizes ,some nice stuff just waiting for a few more bits then will allocate ,runners up prizes etc.

Lochnagar Crater -Great War tour Pt2

 This is the largest crater on the western front .It was one of sixteen mines detonated on July 1st and was intended to remove a German strongpoint in this area.The tunneling was started by the 185th Tunneling Company and on detonation contained 60,000lbs of explosive. At the time spotter aircraft in the area reported the debris from the explosion rose to a hieght of approximately 5000ft .Many of the Great war craters have been filled in and toprevent this happening in 1979 an English man Richard Dunning bought the crater in order to preserve the sight.
Today the crater measues 300ft across and 90 ft deep

Vimy Ridge -Great War Tour PT1

Memorial to the missing

 I recently spent some time touring Belgium and France taking over 200 Pics of Great War battlefields ,monuments and Cemertery's  so I thought I would Share some of the Pics

German Trench the couple in the distance are in the Canadian trenches

 Over 2 days in April 1917 the Canadians captured Vimy Ridge to enable the offensive at Arras to begin , Today the crater scarred site is home to preserved trenches of both sides ,the sandbags were filled with concrete to allow a lasting reminder of the fierce fighting. At the summit of the Ridge ,known as Hill 145 is the huge Canadian memorial to the missing bearing the names of 11.285 canadian soldiers.

Canadian trench showing fire step

German Trench and Fire step

Mother Canada looking for her lost son's

Perfect view of the zig zag trench work

The Falklands :Triples after show report

The Argentinians wait for another drubbing 

The game was a generic Falklands scenario which was played about 14 times over the weekend ,with a British victory every game ,everyone seemed to enjoy the game and we had lots of people stop by to ask questions about the rules .

Tim Gows excellent game

The show its self was fun as always ,Saturday was definitely the busiest which gave me a chance to join in Tim Gows superb Wargames Development  game on the Sunday ,Tims a real nice guy if you have not yet visited his blog Mega Blitz and more,you must do so (link on the right ) .

Most importantly we raised a nice amount for the Royal British Legion and I must thank our hosts Sheffield Wargames Society for their generous donation , and of course everyone else who donated over the weekend especially John & Elaine my fellow pointmen everything on the table was down to john ,the paperwork was  down to Elaine  I just sat there and looked pretty ?  and Shawn  Peggy and Rob of Ambush Alley games who make this all possible.

Sheffield Triples 2012

Just to confirm our table at Sheffield Triples ,We will be almost in our usual spot still in the main Hall on Table M .In the programme we are listed as British Legion Charity Game Ambush Alley ,not exactly as we put it but it got the main detail there . All three of our pointman team will be there on Saturday and two of us on Sunday its a Falklands participation game so please pop over and join in or just say hello 

Force on Force official tournament -update

Hi not had that many confirm by email yet that you want to take part ,although had a lot of interest so still not been able to confirm too much so giving a cut off entry date for 31st May 2012 then I will confirm everything and remember if at this point you cant make the date set please don't worry .

Date :                            TBC (june or july )
Venue :                          Sheffield have 3 venues on offer will depend on numbers.
Type :                            knock out ,number of rounds dependent on numbers taking part.

Size &type of Forces :   Again depends on numbers but 1st round will be Infantry only one or two sections for regulars ,all games will be a generic regular force against insurgents. 1st round at least will be played as both sides against same opponent.I.E you will play both regulars and then insurgents against same player.

Scale : if you can supply both forces and scenery then anything 10,15 ,20 25 or 28mm .

What do I need from you : an email containing ,name ,what forces you have available ,scale and if June or july is best for you.

Will it cost me to enter  : Yes a small donation (made on the day)which will go to the Royal British Legion and again if we get large numbers a small room hire charge (in total no more than £5.00.)

Prizes: Yes at the moment a few collectable bits from Ambush Alley games ,Caps ,Keychains ,15mm collectable figure plus winners certificates and I'm in disscussion with a couple of sponsers so maybe more .

Age: No real age limit we have a couple of juniors registered but not enough to run a junior only tournament so no age restrictions .

Rules : of course Osprey edition FOF , any tournament amendments will be sent to everyone prior to the games. At least 2 or 3 pointmen will be there and their decisions will be final ,decisions will be made on fair play and within the rules remember this is for fun .

More soon. Plesae pop and see us at Triples with any questions

lots to catch up on

Pavia

Hi illness again (and work) slowed me down a bit ,but over the next week I will put up a update on the FOF tournament ,plus some updates on my sudden painting spree but for now a few pics of one of my recent days out.

Tiger Hunt

Vickers HMG

Boar Hunt

Joust

Samurai