A GENEROUS GIFT ARRIVES

                                                          A BOX OF TOY SOLDIER

I was having a conversation with Mark from the ManofTin Blog (https://manoftinblogtwo.wordpress.com/2024/09/08/the-cupboards-are-emptying/) concerning his plans to organise and display his collection of toy soldiers. He is presently looking at the possibility of constructing some glass fronted shelving. Another person advised, stay clear of some modern furniture, it is all show with inferior materials. Mark later mentioned, he had a quantity of Airfix WW2 figures that were surplus to his requirements, would I like them? Well, I have been carving up a fair number of Airfix figures for quite a few side projects, I said yes.

Mark only lives in the neighbouring county, and it was a quick postal delivery. Rushing to open the box of toy soldiers (lol), the first job was to do an inventory of the contents.

The box contained thirty-three British Paras, eighteen Desert Rats, fifteen Gurkhas, fourteen US Paras, twelve Africa Corps, and twelve Japanese. Now, he did warn me that many had gun damage (near half). Fortunately, those most interesting to the collection, such as the Gurkhas, were in good condition. I was fascinated to see the latter as these were new to me. I now plan to raise a couple of companies, convert a mortar crew, and also use the LMG figure. As for the others, I'm going to look at what might be achieved with head swaps...... something different, something interesting to paint. I'm tempted to convert the Desert Rats into Indian National Army (Anti British Empire Indians). And I may convert the Japanese into some more 1930s Chinese Nationalists. Lots of ideas to contemplate on.

Thank you, Mark, for your generosity.

                                                           W. BRITAINS ACW GUN

Well pleased with this project. The Britains ACW gun recently picked up for £7.20 is now repaired. Have attached it to another to form my US Light Artillery battery c.1870-1900. )

(The figures are mainly Herald Guardsmen which I converted some time back.)

The missing gun cascabel is replaced. Yes, I also painted the gun, it looks nicer! 

DEETAIL JAPANESE BUGLER

I was gifted this toy soldier on purchasing some others in good condition. As it was missing an arm holding the rifle, decided to use a metal spare arm with a bugle. This gives me seven figures, so I will be seeking out another to complete two companies.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

                                                                                                                                                                      IDENTIFICATION, help wanted

Would like to know who produced this 54mm ACW mounted officer. No plans to use it, but would welcome some background information. Have found a photo on the internet, perhaps the horse gives us a clue?

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTS

Thank you, Hugh. I was hoping you or Brian would give us some insight. As its value is not great, and staff officers can add much to any game, I'm thinking of painting the figure in a blue uniform, with a off-white summer hat. I could use it as a staff officer in several armies. 

Hi Donnie. I know how collectable the Deetail Japanese are. No way I wouldn't seek out a method to utilise the figure, and I remembered seeing a Japanese WW2 bugle somewhere.

Thanks, MJT. It was very kind of Mark to think of me as the means to see these spare figures used in some games. I'm working on some of them at this moment. I really do need to increase my WW2 Chinese army. 

MEDIEVAL WARGAME (Moors versus Crusaders)

                                                                      SCENARIO

This wargame was set in Spain in about 1250AD. A Moorish Taifa army had been raised by their Hajib, or local ruler. His forces numbered about one hundred figures. However, about thirty were unarmored civic militia and could not be considered reliable. But he did have two small units of household cavalry, and also his palace foot guards. These were equal to knights in their resolve. And the forty or so mercenaries and ghazi volunteers were equal to men at arms. And not forgetting, his state artificers had time to construct a powerful trebuchet. The Hajib was determined to hold this key river crossing.

The Christian opposition was commanded by a lesser member of the French Royal Family (Chris). His army also mustered about one hundred figures, including twelve mounted knights. The others were all retinue/men at arms. To aid his assault, the prince had decided to experiment with a blackpowder light bombard/cannon...... well the noise might scare the Moors. Honour now required him to secure this river crossing. The game would conclude at the end of move twelve.

                                                 THE CRUSADERS COME INTO VIEW

Sorry folks, this was a fun game but due to the nature of melees, a detailed blow by blow account was  just unpractical. But we did take a number of photos which, hopefully, will still be of interest. It really was a bloody affair as both of us eagerly looked on to see what fate awaited our military units. 

Chris resolutely advanced his army towards the bridge.

Sword and Scimitar clashed.

The mounted knights began to cross over the river....

Nine Moorish archers on the edge of the woods almost wiped out the mounted knights in two moves! It required two moves to cross the river. Under my rules, archers shooting at close range targets (8"), that are also closely packed, only require a 4,5,6 per dice, although plate armour or shield can claim a saving throw, 5 or 6.

The assault across the bridge was a push, and counter push..

A unit of Moorish cavalry crossed the river upstream and hit the Crusaders flank. This caused several units to rout. Although some of these later rallied, and the Moorish horse were sacrificed, it severely delayed the Crusader main attack. 

The action took down so many in a small area, we just had to clear some of the casualties!

On MOVE ELEVEN I offered terms, allowing a handful of retinue to make their escape. With no hope of the Crusaders making a second crossing, GAME OVER

This really was a fun wargame, which we both enjoyed playing.

Moorish casualties were about twenty, the Crusaders suffered about thirty. The price of attacking? 

I really did not trust my three bands of civic spearmen, and purposely kept them to the rear as a potential threat, or final fling.

I'm unsure if it is an age thing, but Medieval games seem more fun with 54mm!

NEW PAINTS

I was recently in Exeter and visited a shop selling Warhammer and other similar products. I actually popped in to purchase a few paints. I wanted a standard red, and also a warm brown, the latter to be suitable for firearm stocks, leather belts, etc. A member of staff kindly assisted me but confirmed he was out of suitable Citadel colours. He then went on to say that he uses Scalecolour. Not only are they less expensive (£2.99), but they have a working nozzle, totally full, and with a thick acrylic paint which can be diluted with water. Just confirming, they are excellent!

BARGAIN ARTILLERY

Could not resist this BUY NOW pair of W. Britains artillery pieces. OK, I will need to repair the missing rear button/knob/cascabel on the ACW barrel, but that's easy enough. But I have been wanting a Britains-made Napoleonic naval piece for some time, but did not wish to spend £10+....... these two pieces were only £14.48 including delivery. And they came with some ramrods, a bucket, and original ammunition too!

ps. In about 1972 I picked up a Britains naval cannon in a junior school bring and buy, it cost 50p. I subsequently removed the spring and loaded it with 'banger' black powder. It held my attention for a brief spell, then I moved away from London and my childhood toys disappeared.................... well, I've put that right now........ IT'S BACK AGAIN!

MGB

REPLYING TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Cheers Donnie, the Scalecolour company produce several ranges, with particular characteristics. I have only used their WW2 range. These are solid colours, and their titles are more useful than fantasy labels. I also like the price.

Hello Spearhead. I had a small collection of 54mm in my childhood, 1970s. Then raised a large collection of medievals in 28mm during the 1990s. Still have Spanish and Portuguese. But I far prefer wargaming the period in 54mm. On the positive side, it is still possible to start a collection in this scale thanks to Ebay. The prices are still very fair, and sometimes you see some great bargains. I adopted this scale helping a young relative start his collection of toy soldiers in about 2010, now I am hooked!

Cheers Brad, it was a fun change to have the Medievals on the gaming table..... surprised my tactics actually worked, as Chris typically wins! Yes, hoping the pair of guns arrive ok. To the horror of some, I intend to paint the ACW gun a shade of green, to complete a battery. I just don't like plain wood guns, this is done in museums to confirm that part of the artillery piece is a modern replacement. All, or practically all wooden gun carriages 'sent' on expeditions, from Medievals onwards, would need to be fully oiled (and adding a colour to the oil was easy and attractive....... painted).

That's very kind, Roger, thank you. The Britains Deetail Saracens/Turks were never planned. While raising armies of Guelph (Papal) and Ghibelline (Emperor) armies for Medieval Italy, I occasionally picked up a Deetail Saracen figure, or two. I really liked them, and so this collection started to increase..... their armour detail is really fun to bring out with paintwork.

Cheers MJT. Chris and I enjoyed the game, but it is time to contemplate what next to put on the gaming table. I'm tempted to stage a Dominion game, but I haven't used my Grand Budapest Hotel collection, nor the Chinese 1930s army.......... ???

Thanks Quinn. Mad keen to stage another wargame, possibly this weekend. Just spent an hour working on repairing a Britains ACW gun, and I'm pleased with the result. Have formed a battery with another such gun, and with their green carriages, they are suitable for American, Danish, French, or Ruritanian armies!

Hello Peter, always nice to see others adopting traditional 54mm figures. I think it is the combination of gaming with a strong dose of nostalgia which makes it all the more magical. I restarted in about 2010, I now have about 300 Guelph and Ghibelline, and about 120 Saracens. I also have some small numbers with English, Scots, and Swedish heraldry. Look forward to seeing how your collection grows. I'm sure the Flanders based PMCD group would be well worth making contact with. (I don't think I make much effort to promote my blog, so not surprised you 'stumbled' on to it. On the other hand, I sort of quite like having just a select group of friends that sponsor and/or regularly comment with encouragement........ there is an old joke in the UK, two Englishmen meet in a pub, they decide to form a private-members club, two Welshmen meet in a pub, they decide to form an all-male choir, two Scotsmen meet in a pub, they decide to form a merchant bank, two Irishmen meet in a pub, and they decide to have a fight.)

Peter, I am a firm believer in using a primer before I paint figures.... however. The material used on Deetail figures rarely seems to need it! So I often just prime the shield, and enhance the armour features with a mixture of silver and black (I only buy a handful of acrylic paints, and mix what I need). But I do gloss varnish my 54mm, to exaggerate their 'toy' nature.... I never gloss varnished my 28mm. I always remove Deetail shield heraldry, it is fake, and research the correct heraldry. Others prefer the Deetail heraldry, each to their own. Most of my weaponry is home-cast pewter.

WARGAMING 1st SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN WAR (and New Additions)

                    A DANISH GARRISON IS ATTACKED BY A LARGE GERMAN FORCE 

For my Saturday game, the table was laid out for an 1848 Schleswig Holstein action. I distributed the armies and terrain in what I thought was interesting and photogenic. No bias here, I only look at the visual impact, and always allow any guest players to view and choose who they wish to command.

SCENARIO

A Danish brigade was encamped in a small coastal town. In the harbour was a naval gunboat with a heavy gun. The garrison comprised a cavalry squadron, two infantry battalions, a detachment of hunters, two field guns with crew. In addition, the local town furnished a small battalion of militia, and a company of militia hunters. The Danish commander was granted permission to request reinforcements, three dice would determine on which move they would arrive. It would comprise either an infantry battalion, or another gunboat.

Approaching the town were three battalions of German infantry (from various States), three companies of Jaeger, a squadron of cavalry, and a howitzer with crew. There was also a Hamburg naval crew manning a heavy gun. Supporting these regulars were three battalions of Schleswig volunteers, and one volunteer artillery crew with a field gun, all rated as militia for morale purposes. 

THE ATTACK BEGINS

MOVE ONE The Germans made an appearance on the table. MOVE TWO The Germans continued to advance, while the Danish signal cannon warned the garrison. MOVE THREE Both sides advanced, the Danes seeking to occupy the modest hill and windmill. The Ship gun opened up..... amazing, a D6 followed by a D6, knocked out the volunteer gun. The volunteer crew scattered. The Hamburg gunners fired back with their naval gun, hitting the Danish militia hunters, they now declined to advance further.

MOVE FOUR The general advance continued. The Danish militia rallied their Hunter company, who now agreed to advance. Both naval guns missed their targets. MOVE FIVE The Germans occupied a prominent farmhouse. Both naval guns inflicted a casualty, the Danish militia hunters fell to half strength and scattered. But the militia infantry nearby stood firm. 

MOVE SIX saw the Danish field guns open up. But the small arms were largely ineffectual. MOVE SEVEN The Hanoverians charged the woods held by Danish hunters. Initially they held and fired, but in the following melee the skirmishers suffered, their morale broke, and it spread to a neighbouring battalion of infantry! Elsewhere, some Hessian jaeger began to snipe at the Danish gunboat, no hits, but disturbing nonetheless. MOVE EIGHT saw small arms and guns bring down many on both sides, but none were broken in their resolve. Indeed, a member of the Danish royal family rallied a routing infantry regiment.

CASUALTIES

MOVE EIGHT Danish: 8, Germans:10.

MOVE NINE was bloody for both sides, but the Danes were able to rally their routing hunters. And the Danish militia holding the windmill more than held their own. MOVE TEN took the Saxon Guards below 50%, and their morale broke, with the nearby volunteer battalion behind them also going. The Danish cavalry charged the Jaeger, they barely held on. The Mecklenburgers charged the windmill but, amazingly, the Danish militia stood firm. 

CASUALTIES

MOVE TEN Danish: 13. Germans: 21.

MOVE ELEVEN witnessed the Danish cavalry continue their melee with the jaeger skirmishers, it concluded with the latter surrendering! While at the windmill, the Mecklenburgers tried again to enter but were unable. As loser in the melee, and under half strength, they now routed. The Hessian hussars witnessed the jaeger surrendering, and they declined to move forward. MOVE TWELVE the Danish cavalry declared a willingness to charge the Hessian hussars. AND, another battalion of Danish infantry began to appear near the town. The German commander sent word that he was willing to depart the field, this was accepted by the Danish commander. GAME OVER

TOTAL LOSSES

The Danish lost Seventeen (Infantry 5, Artillery 4, Navy 1, Militia 6, plus 1 deserter). The German Regulars lost forty one. (Infantry 25, plus 6 captured and another 10 routing). To this number we must add the Schleswig Volunteers. Only one casualty, but an additional 28 scarpered.

German prisoners are escorted away.

The best games rely on an interesting and believable scenario! But I did forget to grant a bonus to small arms firing from recognised marksmen, German jaeger and Danish hunters. Oh well, it was still a success, and enjoyable. 

                             

NEW ADDITIONS

                                                         NAPOLEONIC and MEDIEVAL

Spotted these on eBay, buy it now for £5 including postage. A few extra archers are always welcome, I will convert these into Saracens. Had a box of Airfix British Napoleonic Infantry in the 1970s..... fun to see them again. Still to decide how I will actually use them.

Couldn't resist working on the two Saracen archers!

This gives me nine archers, and eight javelin men.

WORKING ON MY W. BRITAINS JEEP

Went to work paint stripping this die-cast jeep, removed any residue, primed, painted, and then varnished. Decided to attach the model to my WW2 British Paras. It made sense, had already constructed a Para trailer out of plastic card in February, so it completes an interesting table piece. Also of interest, the Paras camouflaged their jeeps with black patches.

Still to add some unit markings, will be easier now the basic paintwork is safe to handle.

Primed and ready

Superb Quality Restoration/Reconstruction

Original Photo

PARA CREW FOR THE PARA JEEP

Picked up three Airfix para figures in the collectables shop for £1. A bit of a project, one of these needed to be converted into a seated driver. The standing officer now has a steel pin drilled into his foot and into the jeep footwell... nice and secure. 

A REPAINT JOB

Participating in the above wargame was a reconstituted unit of cavalry. I had decided to reduce one of my Spanish Cazadores cavalry units, and to convert them into Hessian Hussars. All went well!

Previously.......

AND ANOTHER JEEP ARRIVES!

I think this will be the last jeep for my collection. The Collectables trader kindly sold it for £6, and will be drafted into my American army. Just need to complete the spare tyre, and paint over any scratches. It was made by Dinky.

MGB

REPLIES TO FRIENDS COMMENTING BELOW

Thanks MJT. It was fun to fight something more colourful, and a little less modern! My next game will be Medieval, perhaps using my Saracens too........... Well, Chris has four days off work and has said we should fight another game. Likely Tues. or Wed.

Cheers Brad. I didn't want to undertake a 'major' conflict in the 19th century, nor did I want to invest too much time and resources in raising a collection. The Schleswig wars suit my situation, and I have enjoyed my three excursions into the conflict. Unfortunately, August, and now September have been humid, and often raining, so garden games were not viable. Oh well, an English summer! Yes, pleased with the restored jeep, completes my unit of Paras. About to distribute the Medieval armies on the table!

Thank you, Donnie. It seemed daft having six squadrons of Spanish cavalry when the collection is really a garrison force. Luckily, it only required a change of heads and some slight overpainting and I could have a Hessian unit. I'm tempted to repeat this process, to raise a hussar unit for the Danish. 

Hello Roger. The game started with a likely victory for the Germans, and then it all went wrong. Lucky dice kept the Danish in the windmill, and it stifled the German advance. And then the Danish cavalry did their job, and panic began to spread. 

Yes, one article mentioned the 'Mickey Mouse' rounded camouflage, although some examples are more like sharks teeth, lol. Amazed to see the Dinky jeep transfers were still ok.

Hi Quinn, my instincts also told me the Germans would win...... so I got that wrong! The big surprise was the Danish militia holding the windmill. Yes, they had a bonus in their morale because it is a 'declared position', but being charged made it likely they would panic. And that is what broke the entire German attack!