SPECIAL THANKS. I would like to thank Paul Watson for his sponsorship of several lead figure collections on this blog. Having decided to clear his spare/surplus figures, he generously forwarded them on with no other requirement than they deserved to be restored. I would also like to mention George S. Mills, who kindly furnished a quantity of plastic figures which allowed me to complete another five or six military units, serving in several collections.

Friday 3 June 2022

USN GUNBOAT DOLPHIN enters service (and BLOG NEWS)

Just completed a second American gunboat. My original plan was to construct ten ships for the Dominion War campaign. However, a shortage of plasticard, combined with a reassessment of what was actually required, allowed me to reduce the number to eight models, with one more constructed for my Soviet WW2 collection. Only thing still to complete are some national flags!

I'm very pleased with their general appearance, and have no doubt they will provide some great scenarios for future games. The miniatures collection in 54mm is also nearing completion, with less than fifty odd figures still to be integrated. So that too is a project largely sorted.


Concerning this blog

I can't deny, posting on this blog gave me the incentive to complete my projects, a very useful morale boost.

I've now decided its time to reduce my posting on blogs. I want to concentrate my hobby time on condensing numerous shoe boxes full of notes I compiled over twenty-five years ago! Half are on a feature of the American Revolutionary War, the others are on my local volunteers and yeomanry during the French Revolutionary Wars. Both are mainly drawn from Government papers. Completing these projects must take priority; these are my attempts to fully record the exploits of others, A lot of time and resources went into researching both subjects, and they include a great deal of information which has never been published before. It really is time to get my act together and bring the information together.

In conclusion, most of my future wargaming will be just a family affair, lol. Posting here will have to take a backseat.

MGB

THE FULL FLEET ON MANOEUVRES (inspired by some similar scenes on Megablitz blog, see links.)

11 comments:

  1. I really like your fleet, but is the 54mm collection really near its end? Say it ain’t so. Blogging shouldn’t feel like an obligation. Just post when you feel like it.

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    1. Hi Jim. Just as the blog gave me a boost to clear wargaming projects, I hope my declaration will do likewise in clearing those shoe boxes. And I really do want to see the information consolidated, and more. Yes, will still post occasionally, mainly wargames fought. If you saw the shoeboxes, full of fading scribbles with a pencil (where I went, no pens were allowed), you would understand my situation. I also wish to supplement the notes with watercolours, showing their uniforms, etc,. It really is something I'm excited about, so the time appears to be right to go full steam ahead!
      Regards, Michael

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  2. An excellent naval review to signal your sabbatical from blog posting. I hope your research write up goes well. Best wishes!

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    1. Thanks Mark, I finally have acquired space at home to clear the paperwork. So I'm excited to have a go bringing the notes together. Will still be posting occasionally, there is about six posts in a state of draft, and wargames will provide occasional breaks from paperwork, lol.
      Michael

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  3. God bless skipper - will hopefully drop in with some bits and pieces towards the end of June but Bravo !! on keeping the blog going for as long as you have (I can't keep a diary more than a few days - no matter how hard I promise); Hope we'll get to see some of these amazing notes and watercolours in the future. Best of luck with your endeavours.

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    1. Cheers Paul, there is a real thrill in knowing the notes have content which is exclusive, but its all jumbled up. it needs to be brought together to provide the 'full record'. And then there is the required watercolours, thats another issue. Lost two weeks because of health issues recently, probably due to kidneys, but have come out of it feeling ok. And now there is space to get the papers out and start consolidating. I want their names listed, and their exploits available in a simple format, thats the plan. Will still be posting on this blog, as a break from my main projects. Hope you are keeping ok, we have both gone through the same health issues.
      Michael

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  4. Take care and glad you're on the mend mon ami :D

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  5. The full fleet is glorious Michael and looks wonderful en masse! The best of luck with your future endeavors and I look forward to any posts we are fortunate enough to receive!

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    1. Thanks Brad, there are still several posts half completed, mainly French projects, and I'm still going to put up the occasional war-game. Cheers for now!
      Michael

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  6. Michael,
    While I am sad to hear that posting will be less frequent (you have provided me and many others with much inspiration), your new project sounds like a meaningful and worthwhile endeavor. I hope you'll consider sharing some previews here now and again.
    Cheers!
    - John

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    1. Most kind, John. Perhaps an occasional watercolour. Much of the American content will be a bit heavy on background information. And the Volunteer & Yeomanry stuff is peculiarly local, which pub was their meeting place, etc. Regards.
      Michael

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