DOMINION WARGAME, OLD TINPLATE TANK, a GENEROUS GIFT

                                                          TINPLATE TANK ARRIVES

I decided to take a gamble and purchase this tinplate tank. The toy is not particularly rare, but the vast majority you find are covered in rust, this one is fairly free. It was made in China during the 1960s for the CODEG company, and the model number is 226. My decision to purchase was influenced by the quite fair price, £20.27 delivered. It's a fun piece, and will look great as a tankette with several 54mm armies.

When it arrived I noticed the rear plate was disconnected to the side and base plates. Pleased to report this has been fully corrected. As for cleaning, I used a multi-surface spray polish and a soft white rag. It had no impact on the original paintwork, but some orange rust was clearly removed, and the tank acquired a pleasant shine.

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                                     NEW BASING SYSTEM FOR PLASTIC CIVILIANS

I recently decided to split my collection of civilians into two sections, the predominantly metal figures, and the somewhat smaller plastic. The former will have simple bases, relying on the quality of the old castings. The latter will have textured bases, and most will be grouped into pairs. Being smaller castings, about 52mm, the plastic will work perfectly with my Ruritanian collection. Here they are rebased.

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                                                                A RATHER NICE TOY VAN

A visit to a local charity shop (March28) proved worthwhile. Picked up this toy van for only £1.25. Further research indicated these were made either in the 1990s, or 2019. Made in China for Tootpado, and other importers, they are Zinc alloy die-casts, but with a large amount of plastic. But the doors work, and the roll-back mechanism is very robust. It is listed by one source as 1/24 but I think you will agree this is nearer 1/32 in scale. I have found some others for sale, starting at £16.

Most vintage-style die-cast are Dinky, and too small for 54mm.

I really wanted to repaint the vehicle as a military ambulance, or the Dad's Army blue van. After all, I got it cheap. But now I'm not so sure.

PS. Production is still listed as part of the Tai Tung Metal Factory range of toys, so someone might decide to import some more.

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                                                            MORE CIVILIANS ARRIVE

My town figures are going through a reorganisation. Here are a couple of new additions. Already painted, they cost £13, including delivery. Have added some extra detail.

MGB

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DOMINION WARGAME

The recent arrival of reinforcements to Detroit was not by chance, the American commander for Lower Ontario immediately ordered a rapid three pronged attack on London, Ont., only recently liberated from the Americans. It is estimated that some eighteen military units were to be involved in this new campaign. 

The Empire commander for London was fully aware of this likelihood and sent word to the Toronto garrison for assistance. By calling in his own outpost guards, the London garrison mustered twelve units. However, the garrison commander chose attack as his best means of defence, leaving five units in the city, he advanced out to engage the American brigade approaching from Niagara. Uncannily, this furnished a game in which two armies both mustered seven units...... so I decided they WOULD comprise similar components. (That doesn't happen too often!) I also granted both sides air support.

The table terrain was distributed in my usual way, a grid and dice determining the location of key features. I then join up the dots to create a visually attractive setting.

THE BATTLE COMMENCES

Both sides were forewarned of each others near proximity by their air support but still strived to secure a local bridge. MOVE ONE The first loss of life, an elderly gentleman came out to greet the Empire army only to become the first casualty, from the American biplane..... shocking.

MOVE TWO The Empire biplane dropped a bomb on the bridge, well that was rubbish. Still, no matter, the river is totally fordable. Both sides could now clearly see each other. MOVE THREE Both sides began to take up positions, with the advantage going to the Americans. A Canadian goose voiced his displeasure and was promptly shot......shocking! 

I AM HAVING PROBLEMS BELIEVING THIS, my honest word, I did not cheat. Both roving cannons fired their shots at each other, simultaneously. The Empire RC scored two D6, the American scored a D3. I even ensured a suitable space was set aside for clear throwing of the dice. What a start to the game! I do confess, at least one person in the vicinity shouted out something. Despite some crammed targets on the table, the biplanes did nothing worthwhile.

(My experimental 'smoke and fire' cutout.) 

MOVE FIVE At this point, I don't know what to write, the American artillery piece unlimbered, while the Empire RC fired its gun again........ two D6s, followed by another D6, even taking out the gun crew. The biplanes continued to waste ammunition. But no small-arms fire, they were just out of range. MOVE SIX Neither side wished to enter the no-mans-land, but the Empire field gun and RC just threw D5s as if there was nothing else marked on the dice.

(Both the Toronto Scottish and London Scottish regiments wear the same Hodden Grey dress uniforms)

MOVE SEVEN My natural cautiousness led me to think it might be best if the Americans withdrew. But I decided to throw a dice, LOW would see them withdraw. HIGH, they would charge the upper field to try and break their predicament. They scored a D3, and started to retire, I allowed the biplanes, Empire artillery, and RC to continue to act for two more moves, but no serious pursuit.

RESULT

This was not the game I was expecting, concluding before small-arms even came into range! But the Campaign required a strategic American withdrawal. The Americans suffered thirteen casualties, with two military units destroyed. The Empire had one Canadian Highland casualty (the final bomb from the biplane), one civilian, and a Canadian goose. 

The Empire commander decided to move five military units closer to Niagara, while hastily returning to London with two. The planned American attack on the city was actually cancelled after intelligence was received that reinforcements had already arrived by train from Toronto.

The US President has instructed nine military units to prepare to be sent from the Washington area to Pittsburgh. 

MILITARY UNITS

MGB

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A BOX ARRIVES IN THE POST

I already had on file some photos of wargames Graham Apperley had staged several years ago, and I was impressed. It was also clear we shared an enthusiasm for trying to capture that pre1980s Toy Shop look on the wargaming table. Graham subsequently made contact and shortly afterwards started his own blog...... and its arrival has already enhanced my internet excursions with just a few of his uploads.

TALES FROM THE TOY ROOM

https://talesfromthetoyroom.blogspot.com/

In a recent email, Graham mentioned he had some items that were not required, but might be of service for my projects. Sure enough, a box arrived a few days later, with a real assortment. And yes, despite that wide variety, EVERYTHING has turned out to be of genuine interest to me! Not least because some of those items are a little bit tricky to find.

Here are some photos......

Starting off. A Hornby 1950s tinplate 'O' Scale station. Now I already have two items which work perfectly with 54mm, but this is distinctly smaller, but I love it, and I will joyfully keep it with the other Hornby items. Don't you just love the colours?

It's one of those Marks & Spencer Christmas lanterns. This one is missing its light, but that works well for me. The two I have in good condition I'm keeping as decorations. So this one can be converted and painted for 54mm wargames.

There are some very nice lead extras here, and I will enjoy repairing and repainting them. Will upload more in a future post.

This is a W.Britains plastic ornamental pond, with plants. I will integrate this into my plastic civilian collection. Do I leave it as it is, or fully rebase, it already requires some pond water?

Graham, thank you very much indeed for this generous and interesting box of gaming extras. I can see a load of fun projects.

Very much appreciated.

Michael

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JAPANESE EMPIRE versus DUTCH EMPIRE Wargame

                    JAPANESE NAVAL AND LAND FORCES INVADE DUTCH EAST INDIES

Decided to stage an amphibious linked wargame over several days. Chris was off work this week and took charge of a small but powerful force of Japanese. (Well he does drive a Toyota!) His orders were to seize or neutralise a colonial Dutch coastal settlement. The game was set to run for twelve moves.

The Japanese force comprised a powerful warship, and a transport vessel. The former was carrying a naval landing party (12), the latter carried a battalion of Japanese infantry (12), and two independent companies (6). 

The Dutch garrison comprised a battalion of infantry (12) stationed in the barracks, a naval gun crew with a field piece at the landing place, a river gunboat armed with a medium gun, and an anti-aircraft gun with three crew. There was also a company of local police (3) stationed at the gaol. Their early warning system comprised a spotter at the coastguard office situated at the estuary entrance.

THE INVASION BEGINS

MOVE ONE Chris made no attempt to neutralise the Coastguard position or disembark troops for a land-based assault from the rear, he chose to simply enter the estuary. MOVE TWO Chris came into range of the settlement and decided to open up with his four naval guns. This was indirect fire on the settlement, and at some distance, so the shells fell randomly. (The town was divided into six sections, and each section was divided into six more, two D6 then determined where each shell landed.) MOVE THREE Chris continued to fire his heavy guns, believing the settlement would find it difficult to retaliate. The Police gaol was hit, and they suffered a casualty. A civilian house was also hit. But half of the shells landed in the jungle (numerous parrots being killed and injured). No fires were reported in the buildings, but all four hits in the jungle caused fires to start (D5 or D6).

(During a lull in the fighting, one of the locals actually repainted the door of his house!)

MOVE FOUR The commander of the Dutch garrison sought to return fire, and some ammunition was considered suitable for the anti-aircraft gun to use..... well it's something! The gunboat and field gun decided to also give it a go with some indirect fire. (A similar system as before, but the estuary was divided into eight sections for a D8 to use, each of which was then divided into a further six parts. Note, with the exception of the AA shells any hits on the warship were unlikely to cause serious damage.)

 

The commander then instructed two of his four infantry companies to utilise the battalion truck. One company was to be dropped off at the gaol, while the other was to occupy the house further down the road, with the newly painted door.

Out of direct sight, these were the positions of the Japanese vessels. My plan and hope was to sink a fully manned rowboat, and hold on for twelve moves! When the jungle caught alight, I thought all was going well!

The Japanese now decided to act with vigour. The warship transferred its landing party to two rowboats, and then proceeded around the hook. With guns blazing, there was another indirect hit on the gaol. The last policeman alive decided to scarper, but the infantry remained.

MOVE FIVE This marked the end of Dutch opposition. The warship having passed the hook opened up with all four guns. Two were direct fire, with a hit on the Dutch gunboat, a crewman was lost. Two shells were indirect but by sheer luck still scored a hit on the AA Gun crew. MOVE SIX All four naval guns were firing directly now, two more direct hits (D5, D6) on the gunboat........ it sank! Only one crewman survived.

(The remaining photos are from move nine.)

MOVE SEVEN The naval guns silenced the Dutch gun on the landing place, gun and crew blown to smithereens! (Two direct hits out of four, one of the hits exploding the gun chamber.) 

Obliged to test their morale, the two companies manning the barracks fled for their lives (D2). At this point I lost all resolve to continue fighting and ordered the AA crew to withdraw. MOVES EIGHT and NINE The Japanese store ship and rowboats arrived in the settlement. There was still one position held by Dutch infantry, the gaol, but it was visible to the warship's guns..... I assumed they would surrender!

CONCLUSION

I honestly don't think I have ever thrown such a dismal flow of dice in any game, while Chris steadily threw D5s and D6s. I never once came close to scoring a hit with direct fire, my average dice throw was D2. And my indirect firing on the map was arguably even more distant! Not a single Japanese casualty! Dutch losses were six navy, including the gunboat captain, two infantry, two policemen. a gunboat, field gun, and a newly painted door. The AA gun was also captured intact. I know the warship looks all powerful but on passing the hook I still had three artillery pieces working, and potentially able to do something!. But we both enjoyed the game, and some photos recorded the fun occasion.

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These two card buildings were constructed for the game, based on Chinese houses. 

MGB

United States Navy Monitor, soldiers painted and based, my Roulette Wheel

                                                 ANOTHER WARSHIP JOINS THE FLEET

This was a fun project. My house number was displayed on an oval piece of thin wood. It had been there for nearly thirty years, and it showed. Having picked up some nice brass door numbers for only £1.20 (my local Homebase was closing down), decided this piece of wood could be turned into something more useful. 

My symbolic 54mm toy ship is very, very loosely inspired by the USS Monterey, commissioned in 1891, and completed two years later. It was actually a type of monitor, hence the very low waterline. The Monterey served in the 1898 American-Spanish War, and also WW1. Two colour schemes were available, as much as I preferred the yellow version, the grey is more practical for service with other armies and later based conflicts.

(When someone dismantles part of his house to construct a wargame toy...... that is commitment!)

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                                                              DOMINION WAR NEWS

Imperial intelligence has informed Empire Command for North America that the United States is planning to break the Royal Navy blockade of the Chesapeake Bay. Supporting this view, American newspapers have recently reported that a new warship has been launched, called the USS Congress, and it is large (21 inches long). With four 'heavy' guns, this is a mighty powerful vessel. These photos confirm its existence.

Its maiden Garden Voyage.

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                                        NEW FIGURES ACQUIRED, PAINTED AND BASED

      Officer, King's Royal Rifle Corps. Still need to recruit another to complete a battalion of twelve.

New Jersey Veteran Zouave, French-made Aluminium.

Officer, Japanese Skull Regiment. Converted Airfix

Harvey Series cowboy by LONE STAR. I know some will look on in distain, but I prefer these earlier solid plastic to Deetail and later Timpo swoppett cowboys!

Grand Budapest Hotel. Two more recruits for the DOUBLE ZEE battalion, making twelve.

Medieval Portuguese Javelin-men. I'm keen to increase the number of medieval shooters that aren't using longbows. Decided to alter these figures to hold a dart. 

Some have suggested the English pub game of darts derives from these weapons. As a side point, the Crown passed a law in 1252 requiring ownership and regular practise in using the longbow, this applied to all males aged 17 to 60. I can confirm this law was repealed in 1948. Now I know my grandfather had a pistol, but I don't remember any mention of him owning a longbow.

MEDIEVAL WARLORD, repainted Lord of the Rings figure.

RAF REGIMENT, postWW2. Completed a second company (3 figures) of Lone Star plastic figures..

Recent additions from the collectables shop are these three figures. Someone has painted these solid and hollow cast rather nicely as Army Service Corps. So I will use them as British HQ orderlies, this unit was mainly concerned with transport, logistics, and providing staff clerks. I have been picking them up at £2 each.

The Detroit Light Guard c.1885 has gained two recruits, making a battalion of twelve. These are old Crescent lead figures with epaulettes and plumes added.

This was a Deetail Union officer with a damaged pistol and slouch hat. Decided to convert the figure into a mid-19th century naval officer. New head and pistol, altered the coat lapels, removed the water canteen and replaced it with a small cartridge box

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STATE OF THE EYES RIGHT YELLOW COATS

Have been devising a plan for utilising the yellow coated figures, kindly donated by a toy fair trader that lives nearby.

Neither the standing, or the marching bandsmen were suitable to complete a unit as they were. And seeking out the additions required to do so is not something I wished to undertake. So, some radical rethinking was required. Two of the damaged standing drummers are to be integrated into two plastic units of American infantry, theywill be repainted. And the lead drummers they replace will go elsewhere. By mixing and matching, I now have eight complete marching yellow coated bandsmen, these will remain authentic. Concerning the remaining drummers standing. Six are to receive home-cast West Point caps, and repainted as Hellcats (see photo). A fun unit to have on the table. The remaining seven will be swapped, as will the Royal Marine heads.

Original condition....

Below, the West Point Hellcats, a name they acquired due to their participation in waking up the officer cadets. 

This is the reconstituted yellow coats, might purchase a drummer. I can confirm, the yellow was worn by Pershing's Own for a very brief period in the 1950s. The uniform was nicknamed 'Lion Tamer', but replaced with blue in 1957. Pershing's band was formed in 1922, and their ceremonial uniform has often changed, light grey, slate grey, and 'Ike' khaki was also briefly used! Interesting that W. Britains reproduced the yellow, it is certainly bold.

Have repainted the two damaged standing drummers......

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PLEASE PLACE YOUR BIDS

I recently visited a local charity shop and spotted this. As a party game, I thought it was a good buy. It is made of wood, with a hinged glass lid. The wheel is well secured inside but spins nicely. The playing cloth was in perfect condition. There were two metal balls, and a small quantity of betting chips. Luckily, in my drinks cabinet, I found two plastic containers with more of the exact same chips, enough for a handful of people to now play. I may decide to purchase a larger playing mat, and then fix it with fabric glue to a wooden board. Can't help feeling, this wheel is a superior form of dice, and might have some service in wargame battles and campaign reactions. I only paid £5.

MGB

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March 20, Nice Weather!

Could not resist displaying the gunboat collection outside. Many of the toys have been upgraded since my last fleet photo, four more are new additions. 

The four postWW1 inspired are not shown.

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Postscript for Roger. Photo of 1960s plastic cowboys in my collection.