NAVAL WARGAME, REPAIRING OLD LEAD TOY SOLDIERS, etc.

                                                       GUNBOATS IN THE GARDEN

On the 9th of April we had some lovely weather, perfect for a garden wargame. Having completed 'most' of my daily chores, time enough for a minor action involving gunboats. 

My Dominion War campaign required a gunboat action to decide who controlled Lake Ontario. It was presently held by the Americans but two Empire gunboats had recently appeared out of Kingston. Matchstick guns were used at a range of eleven feet.

                                                                    FIRST GAME

The first action involved two opposing gunboats near Grenadier Island. As this was a solo game I allowed each side to fire six shots..... the previous three shots system involved too much getting up and down to exchange fire. The Americans won the dice to fire first, with no simultaneous firing in this small wargame, this could be important.

FIRST FIRE The American guns missed. SECOND FIRE The Empire guns scored two hits. I then had to choose a HULL, GUN, or SUPERSTRUCTURE target, and then throw a dice. I chose HULL but threw a D3 which had no effect. I chose SUPER for my second hit which always confirms a reduction in the target's overall strength (four such losses on a medium sized ship would see it sink). 

THIRD FIRE The Americans now scored two hits. On both occasions they chose SUPER. FOURTH FIRE One hit by the Empire ship, I chose the GUN but the low dice throw gave no effect. FIFTH FIRE The Americans scored one hit, and again chose SUPER. SIXTH FIRE The Empire scored a hit and chose HULL, a D5 saw the American gunboat engine knocked out. However, the Empire ship could not afford another hit on its superstructure and decided to escape the scene.

RESULT The American gunboat's engine was damaged, but no losses. The Empire gunboat had suffered three casualties and had to flee the action. I decided the American loss of power was still a concern, having no allied ships to provide help. I threw a dice, D1, but as Lake Ontario has no tidal flow, I determined there was no risk of running ashore. I settled for the gunboat being towed to an American harbour by a passing fishing boat, where replacing the engine would involve some time and effort. 

                                                                  SECOND GAME 

Having enjoyed this first game, decided to have another. This action took place near Cape Vincent. Again, this involved two gunboats. 

FIRST FIRE went to the Americans. One hit. They chose GUN, and throwing a D6 knocked out the Empire's main gun! Unable to fire, the Empire gunboat sought to depart. I decided a dice would be thrown to determine how many moves the American guns could still fire before the Empire ship escaped. A D3 indicated three, or eighteen matchsticks. The SECOND FIRE six shots missed, the THIRD FIRE six included a hit. The Americans chose HULL, and threw another D6, the magazine exploded....... ship and crew lost. AN AMERICAN VICTORY.

Very simplistic rules, but still good fun. And they will work even better with two or more gunboats per side. 

RESULT. Lake Ontario is still firmly held by the United States. The American public is now demanding the US Navy engage the enemy fleet near the Chesapeake. 

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                                    REPAIRING AND RESTORING LEAD TOY SOLDIERS

On the 2nd of April I received a box of 54mm toy soldiers and display pieces from Graham Apperley, who runs the 'Tales From the Toy Room Blog. He was having a clear-out of some spares and wondered if the items might find some service in my collection.

Examining the contents, I was happy to confirm they were most welcome. Some castings were actually on my wants list.

During early April I worked my way through them. First job was to paint strip the lead castings. Then it was time to repair those that were broken. After a thorough cleaning, they were primed, repainted, varnished, and based. 

Here is the original condition......

This figure has been supplied a musket arm, to serve in my Schleswig volunteer army of 1848.

This country lady is now a street seller of herbs.

The Doghouse is restored.

It was tricky repairing the back with Milliput but it is good and secure.

And here is my Gentleman of the Road.

Better start on the garden lawn......

Here is the repaired farm well. Luckily, found a lead bucket in my spares box, which I will add with some thick  thread or string, it will then rise and fall with the handle.

A Lovely addition to my miniature garden, a sundial..... thanks Graham.

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OLD TINPLATE CANNON?

When I spotted these on Ebay, decided to put in a bid. I turned out to be the only bidder, and picked them up for £27 delivered. It is not clear who made these pea shooting, tinplate guns. But one claims to be made in Germany. Others, camouflaged, were apparantly made in that country just before WW2, but I have seen half a dozen green-painted that were made just after WW2, although they all had modern wheels. Some of the latter were also marked 'American Zone'. 

While I cannot confirm their age, I still think they are fun additions. I will be listing them as Heavy Field Guns. For the record, I found some items to represent peas, or shells, and the firing range was always ten foot or less, nothing like the power of the matchstick firing die-casts. 

OTHER EXAMPLES ON THE INTERNET

Here are some examples I have seen elsewhere. It is the distinctive shooting hook (box) system on the gun trail that identified them as being made by the same company.

A lighter green paint. The seller claiming it was a Hausser Lineol, 1930s

Camouflaged, and described as pre-war.

Alternatively, mine are well produced fakes...... but I still like them.

MGB

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