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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