Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

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If you search the net for walls in 15mm,20mm,28mm etc you will find
literally hundreds of companies that make them and in a huge amount of
varieties. Even so there is a conspiracy out there that thow shalt not make
or sell a curved wall. A do not mean a tiny curved wall but a long sweeping
20 degree curve of a wall. If you look at any pictures of WW2 gaming every
house has a straight wall connected to it, every factory has a square
compound so a straight wall can encompass it.
Even the narrow and winding lanes of the ancient bocage countryside that
were shaped by wandering sheep and carts supposedly wandered in straight
lines to ensure straight walls.
Noooooooooooooo, it cannot be true.

Up until now due to the inability of designers to mould in a curve and a quiet
majority of complacent wargamers who have ignored this strange conspiracy,
we have lived in straight walled world.
That was until (drum roll) the company called http://www.modelscenery.com/ invented Reddiprene38.

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Basically a hard type of rubber that can be cut with a sharp knife easily
and then shaped using a hairdryer for less than 20 secs into any shape you desire.
It stays in the shape you mould it into. There is no mess and you have lots of time
to mould it and fix it into the desired position.
The church wall in the picture below was moulded by me and each 200mm section of
wall took me about 30 seconds to shape into place. Its stayed that shape ever since !
Whats more that entire length of wall surrounding the church cost £3.40 and is
suitable for 15mm up to 30mm depending on how you cut it.

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Its so good I would give this product my vote for best product made for the
modelling community this year, perhaps this decade ?
So now you need never be driven around the bend by straight walls and forever
spiral in control(not out).

Bovington Tank Museum

Posted: May 25, 2015 in Reviews, Wargaming, WW2
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I decided to take the wife for a day out at the sea side

yesterday and it just so happened that the route

went right past a tank a museum so I had to have

a look. Yes your correct she didn’t believe that for

a second but it was worth a try.

Back to the subject in hand and what a fantastic tank

museum Bovington is. Its in deep dark Dorset and about 15mins

from the South coast so it was near the sea lol.

Now I have only posted up a select few pictures to give

you a taster but I must of taken 300 plus photos easy. Its

the boring photos that are the most important and interesting

to me the modeller. Tiny little things like different types of zimmerit and

the way it is applied ,how air intakes are aligned, the way wheels overlap

between tracks and tiny details that are left off 15mm models that I can add

myself.

Just looking at weld seams is interesting to somebody that

loves detail. You also you need to stand next to some tanks

to get a feel for the size and power of the thing(the Jagdtiger

would be a great example of a beast of a machine).

If you ever think of going its better than all the write ups.

Probably the best tank and AFV collection in the world plus they

have a fully working Tiger tank. Plus its only £13 to get it and

gives you a free entry for a year.

Other plus points are that they have an open day once a year called

“Tankfest” where the tanks are let out and strut their stuff and the

local wargaming club holds its wargaming events between the tanks.

Click on any picture to enlarge it.

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Sorry the pictures are all WW2, there are all periods

of tank covered at the museum.

One small word of warning, there

is a huge shop and its impossible not to buy something.

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If you know who this guy is then the book coming out shortly

is a must. Angel Giraldez is an expert at painting Infinity

figures and a daemon with an airbrush. The book is limited to

a run of 5500 and comes with a one off specially sculpted figure

of Joan Of Arc(see above). Even if your not an Infinity fan you just have

to admire his work and detail.

If you want the book there are various places pre-ordering the

book now, but hurry as the book will sell out fast and will not

be re-printed.

Official blurb below :

Masterclass Vol.1

“If there is a date which is important to me is the October 24th of 2013. That day I decided to start a new stage in my career, a step up to become a better artist. This new goal was to release a painting book to show and teach my personal painting techniques applied to the Infinity models.”

In that moment Angel decided to start a new adventure. And now Corvus Belli is pleased to present you “Masterclass Vol.1”, the first painting book by Angel Giraldez.

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Ángel has matured as an artist within Corvus Belli, and his tireless work has earned him a place among the foremost professional miniature painters in the world.
This manual describes, in meticulously detailed step-by-step tutorials accompanied by hundreds of full-color pictures, how Ángel applies his technique to some truly extraordinary Infinity pieces.

With the book, you could find an exclusive model that has been totally and re-designed and re-sculpted of the special character Joan of Arc. This model follows the new PanOceania design as featured in the “Infinity. Operation: Icestorm” Battle Pack.

*********************************************************

Check out his facebook page or blog to get a taste

of his work.

http://www.studiogiraldez.blogspot.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/StudioGiraldez

Also check this video out : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g_s6q0068g&feature=youtu.be

Hope you get lucky and get a copy.

Been reading a lot recently and I thought I would

share my views on some of the content.

1st The Americans at Normandy by John C.Mcmanus

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One of the best books around and a very detailed account

of what the Americans did after they got off the beaches at

the Normandy landings. This book goes into great detail about

the lives of everyday soldiers and the problems they had to

overcome at great cost. Its still unbelievable after all the

planning that went into D-Day that not a thought was given

to the bocage countryside awaiting them, which would

prove a far greater obstacle than any beach defence and cost

a huge amount of lives. Compelling reading beginning to end.

2nd WWII Diorama Art by Roy Wells

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This is the first book I have bought off Blurb and I was

extremely pleased with it. Its basically 1/35 scale models

set up in beautiful dioramas but we are talking serious,

serious high quality work. The book covers 20 detailed projects

with high quality glossy images of the superb work. You also get

an inside look towards the end on how the dioramas are built.

For me its something I just pick up now and again when I need

a bit of inspiration or want something to drool over.

3rd Painting Wargame tanks by Ruben Torregrosa & Mig Jimenez

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For those of you that recognise the name, “Jimenez” you

probably know what your going to get and your right. Lots

of painting guides using Mig paints(Vallejo) and pigments.

Lots of glossy step by step guides on painting tanks ,including

an early Sherman, Stuart M5 and a Panther Ausf G, Panzer IV,

Panzer III, SDKFZ 251, T34 and Tiger. The book is also split

up into a beginners section and advanced painter.

All in all a good buy with lots of mouth watering pictures.

4th Painting war WWII German Army by Heresybrush

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I found this book on http://www.breakingwar.com and also on

http://www.heresybrush.com and its a lovely painting guide on

WWII German soldiers. What makes it really specially is that

includes step by step guides on different size models so

even 15mm is catered for. Once again the guide is Vallejo

paint only but this seems to be the norm in most military

painting these days. This is a very detailed guide and on

looking at the contents covers just about every German uniform

going and more. A must for any miniature German soldier painter.

……………………………………………………….

I hope you liked my reading material and the very quick reviews. All

four were good value for money and are very well presented books.

More soon….

Below is a final tally of what I got finished in 2014

to the best of my knowledge. There are quiet a few things

I have left off because they are too small to mention and

I`m sure somebody will remember something else that I have

just plain forgotten about. Lots of things just don’t make it

onto my blog, especially refurbs and smaller projects.

At 1st glance it looks a lot but just remember all the 28mm

stuff and 15mm will each fit onto a single 2×2 board apart

from the larger bits of terrain.

28mm

  • 4 x Blood Angels Command team
  • 1 x Space Hulk Cat
  • 1 x Black Legion rhino
  • 3 x Blood Angel vehicle crew
  • 5 x Blood Angel scouts
  • 5 x Death Wing Terminators
  • 1 x Large Ork Fort
  • 5 x Blood Angel Terminators
  • 24 x Black Legion Choas space marines
  • 5 x Orks
  • 1 Kromlech Ork cannon
  • 3 x Salamander rhinos
  • 1 x Salamnder Landraider
  • 1 Gothic Church battle board(2 x 2 feet)
  • 10 x Orks
  • 5 x Ork Glyphs
  • 1 X Khorne Berserker
  • 1 x Blood Angel Space Marine
  • 1 x Death Wing Terminator old style
  • 1 x Ork Nob
  • 1 x Ork Copter
  • 9 x Gretchin
  • 5 Ork Nobs
  • 12 x Iron Warriors Chaos Space Marines
  • 1 Iron Warriors Rhino
  • 1 Iron Warriors Warsmith
  • 12 x Imperial Guard & 1 Mortar team
  • 12 x Orks
  • 1 x 40k Statue
  • 2 x Imperial Guard Heavy Weapon teams
  • 2 x Iron Warrios Chaos space marines.
  • 1 x Iron Warriors Terminator
  • 1 x Chaos stone bit of terrain

15mm

  • 5 x Panther tanks
  • 3 x Firefly tanks
  • 10 x T26 tanks
  • 1 Horse drawn ambulance
  • 5 x explosion markers
  • 2 x BT5 tanks
  • 1 x Battle board(2 x 2 feet)
  • 1 x Jagdpanther
  • 1 x SU76
  • 1 x Fuel dump
  • 1 x Command bunker
  • 1 x ISU 2 tank
  • 1 X ISU 152 TD
  • 5 x wooden bunkers
  • 1 X Opel Blitz truck
  • 5 x Sherman tanks
  • 4 x Battle Boards(2 x 2 feet)
  • 5 x Cromwell tanks
  • Loads of bocage sections for battle board
  • 37 x British infantry
  • 2 x Sexton guns
  • 3 x Bren Carriers
  • 6 x Universal Carriers
  • 3 x 6pdr guns and crews
  • 1 x Matador truck
  • 8 x British MG teams
  • 13 x British Infantry
  • 1 X Normandy Farm complex
  • 4 x M10 tank Destroyers
  • 1 M18 TD
  • 1 Orchard terrain piece
  • Normandy signs and telegraph poles
  • 2 x Sexton guns
  • 1 x Normandy bridge terrain
  • 3 x Daimler Dingo scout cars
  • 1 x Staghound Scout car
  • 2 X Daimler armoured cars

My plan for 2015 is as follows but I`m bound

to deviate.

1. Lots more tutorials(step by step guides).
2. Lots more terrain.
3. Space Hulk stuff.
4. Infinity.
5. More book reviews.
6. Battle reports.
7. Reports from Wargames shows and museums.
8. Getting to grips with an airbrush.
9. Don’t paint as much stuff as 2014 and concentrate
on the detail and technique.

Finally I have left the piccies until last and

wish to thank everybody who has viewed or commented

on my blog.

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Its just been released today specifically for people playing Flames Of War.
Basically its an online army generator saving you the time and effort to
work out what you can and cannot field on the table.

Here is the official line :

Forces Of War gives you the ability to prepare and refine army lists effortlessly.
This website is an automated tool which lets you trial endless combinations of platoons
and options from Flames Of War Intelligence Briefings until you find the ideal design
for any points level or model collection. Not only does it allow you to build the perfect army list,
but also print it out in an attractive, easy-to-read format, including the appropriate
Arsenal data and Special Rules for your force
.

Beware there is a cost involved but its a lot cheaper than buying all the books.
Rough costs work out at $16 an online briefing compared to a $50 book.
You can also have smaller briefings at a $1 a go. Its also only in ipad format so far, I think ?

Follow the link below : http://forces.flamesofwar.com/index.aspx

A big plus for this as I see it is that its much easier to have a tablet on your
gaming board with all the rules, lists and info than half a dozen large books.
The storage factor is also a large plus as I have shelves of books going dusty.

I will be giving it a go later and will report back.

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I recently bought this book to fill in my lack of information of British tanks

during the D Day landings and was greatly impressed with the in depth

information and quality of detail. The book is published by “Historie

and Collections” who are also responsible for most of Jean Restayn`s

fabulous books so I new is was going to be good.

The book covers all the British divisions ,brigades,organization ,markings,

tanks, tank destroyers and artillery. This is backed up by

black and white photographs of the vehicles in action and

high quality colour plates of all the vehicles and their various

markings.

Added to this are various gems of information like most

people are under the impression that the Americans provided

most of the men and armour on the D-Day landings. In fact

between the 6th and 16th of June 1944 the British put ashore

as many men as the Americans(270,000) and more vehicles(46,000).

Also I wasn’t aware that Sherman Firefly`s always had a spotter

tank with them because the violent flash at the muzzle brake

raised a cloud of dust blinding the crew. Its little tiny details

that keep a reader interested.

Overall a fantastic book, full of information for any WW2

historian or military modeller alike. In fact its an interesting

read full stop and comes highly recommended by me.