Wednesday 25 December 2013

Humour - The Zoo Keeper

The Zoo Keeper

A bloke starts his new job at the zoo and is given three tasks.

First is to clear the exotic fish pool of weeds.

As he does this a huge fish jumps out and bites him. To show who is boss, he beats it to death with a spade 

Realizing his employer won't be best pleased he disposes of the fish by feeding it to the lions, as lions will eat anything.

Moving on to the second job of clearing out the Chimp house, he is attacked by the chimps who pelt him with coconuts.

He swipes at two chimps with a spade killing them both.. What can he do? Feed them to the lions, he says to himself, because lions eat anything....

He hurls the corpses into the lion enclosure.

He moves on to the last job which is to collect honey from the South American Bees.

As soon as he starts he is attacked by the bees. He grabs the spade and smashes the bees to a pulp.

By now he knows what to do and shovels them into the lions cage because lions eat anything.

Later that day a new lion arrives at the zoo.

He wanders up to another lion and says "What's the food like here?"

The lions say: "Absolutely brilliant, today we had Fish and Chimps with Mushy Bees".

Seasons Greetings

Merry Christmas everyone  :)

Friday 20 December 2013

Flames Of War Game - Crap Dice Rolling

Having just returned from the Harrogate Wargames Club, I can share with you after playing my 4th WW2 game in 10mm scale using the Flames of War ruleset, and taking a beating for the 4th game in a row, feel I might need to take a rest from playing it for a while.  The combination of my crap dice and my opponents good savings rolls is just becoming too demoralising :(   Plus I find some of the 40k ish aspects of the rules really difficult to swallow, (deep sigh).  I'll post some photos in the next day or so.
-

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Tank Museum’s Tiger 131

The Tank Museum’s Tiger 131 is home once again, after stealing the show on the set of Brad Pitt’s upcoming war film 'Fury'. Link
-

-



Sunday 15 December 2013

Pearl Harbor Wasn't Only Surprise Attack that Day

The Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor is burned into the American consciousness. But for two North Texans, Dec. 8 is the day they will never forget. Just hours after the dawn attack on Pearl Harbor but across the international dateline making it Dec. 8, Japanese planes also bombed American bases and Manila in the Philippines. "It was a complete surprise. We were unprepared. It was the second of a number of Pearl Harbors in that first year of the war," said Leon Long, a 93-year-old who grew up on a dairy farm in Wisconsin and then joined his high school friend George Loritz in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1939.
-
The full article is well worth a read: Link
-

Monday 25 November 2013

Humour - Glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words

These glorious insults are from an era before the English language got boiled down to 4-letter words.

The exchange between Churchill &; Lady Astor:
She said, “If you were my husband I’d give you poison.”
He said, “If you were my wife, I’d drink it.”

A Member of Parliament to Disraeli:
“Sir, you will either die on the gallows or of some unspeakable disease.”
“That depends, Sir,” said Disraeli, “whether I embrace your policies or your mistress.”

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” - Winston Churchill

“I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” Clarence Darrow

"He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” - William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway).

“Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” - Moses Hadas

“I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” - Mark Twain

“He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” - Oscar Wilde

“I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play; bring a friend … if you have one.” - George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill
“Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second … if there is one.” - Winston Churchill, in response.

“I feel so miserable without you; it’s almost like having you here.” - Stephen Bishop

“He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” - John Bright

“I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” - Irvin S. Cobb

“He is not only dull himself; he is the cause of dullness in others.” - Samuel Johnson

“He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.” - Paul Keating

“In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily..” - Charles, Count Talleyrand

"Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” - Mark Twain

“His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” - Mae West

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” - Oscar Wilde

“He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts … for support rather than illumination.” - Andrew Lang (1844 – 1912)

“He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” - Billy Wilder “I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.” - Groucho Marx


THE BATTLE OF GAUGAMELA


-

Saturday 23 November 2013

MY COMBAT STORY by Clarence Smoyer

This is a fascinating read, highly recommended: Link.  The recollections of Clarence Smoyer as his time as a crewman in a M26 Perishing tank during WW2.
-

Guard


-
Comment:  This is excellent :)
-

Friday Humour - Husband Store

A store that sells new husbands has opened in New York City , where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates:

You may visit this store ONLY ONCE!   There are six floors and the value of the products increase as the shopper ascends the flights. The shopper may choose any item from a particular floor, or may choose to go up to the next floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building!

So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband.

On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men Have Jobs

She is intrigued, but continues to the second floor, where the sign reads: Floor 2 - These men Have Jobs and Love Kids. 'That's nice,' she thinks, 'but I want more.'

So she continues upward. The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, and are Extremely Good Looking. 'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going.

She goes to the fourth floor and the sign reads: Floor 4 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Good Looking and Help With Housework. 'Oh, mercy me!' she exclaims, 'I can hardly stand it!'

Still, she goes to the fifth floor and the sign reads: Floor 5 - These men Have Jobs, Love Kids, are Drop-dead Gorgeous, Help with Housework, and Have a Strong Romantic Streak.

She is so tempted to stay, but she goes to the sixth floor, where the sign reads: Floor 6 - You are visitor 31,456,012 to this floor. There are no men on this floor. This floor exists solely as proof that women are impossible to please. Thank you for shopping at the Husband Store.

(scroll and keep reading!)
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
PLEASE NOTE: To avoid gender bias charges, the store's owner opened a New Wives store just across the street.

The first floor has wives that love sex.

T he second floor has wives that love sex and have money and like beer.

The third, fourth, fifth and sixth floors have never been visited...

Tuesday 19 November 2013

'Last' WW2 Tiger tank to be used in Brad Pitt film

Chaps, just seen this on the BBC web site. Link Can't wait for the film to come out :)
-
A World War Two Tiger tank - thought to be the last of its type in working order - is being loaned to the makers of the latest Brad Pitt film. The star has been shooting scenes for the action movie Fury around the village of Shirburn in Oxfordshire. The German tank was restored by experts at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset, where it is usually on display. Museum director Richard Smith said it was "one of the the most feared weapons unleashed by the Nazis". He said it had a "formidable reputation and could destroy an enemy tank from over 2km away". Curator David Willey said: "The Tiger was restored so that the public could fully appreciate what a truly fearsome machine it would have been during battle. "Now for the first time countless numbers of people will have the opportunity to see a genuine Tiger in a contemporary war film." Remembrance apology He described it as "a unique piece of military heritage" and said its time on set would be "carefully managed and overseen by a group of museum workshop staff". Another tank from the Bovington museum, its Sherman M4E8, also features in the film.
-

Sunday 17 November 2013

GZG 8 Wheeled MLRS

Further to my posting on 12 Nov, I've now assembled the vehicle and given it a base coat of grey primer.  I've slightly modified it by adding a HMG (or equivalent) just above the drivers station to provide some close in self-defence capability, along with a small ball sensor at the back.  I've secured the MLRS in place with a rare earth magnet.  This will also make it easier to re-role the vehicle to use in other roles, such as AA or AT.
-

-

Tuesday 12 November 2013

Been Spending On 15mm Sci-Fi Again

Spotted a new version of the series of 8 wheeled vehicles that Ground Zero Games (GZG) manufacture.   This one has a Multiple Rocket Launcher on the back.  Couldn't resist it, so purchased on Sunday over the Internet, and it came today in the post :)
-

-

The Iron Harvest

Mustard gas blisters and a daily risk of death: Bravery of soldiers still clearing the 'iron harvest' of World War I shells from beneath Flanders' fields Read more:  Link
-

-

Sunday 10 November 2013

Remembrance Sunday

Here in the UK it's been Remembrance Sunday when all over the country people attend services and parades to remember those affected by conflict.  Myself I bought the biggest poppy I could lay my hands on and fastened it to the front of the CCKW.

-
Talking of which, with winter just round the corner I decided that this year I'll strip the back down and put the canvas and seat woodwork into store.  Here's a couple of photos.

-

-

As you can see from the lengthening shadows (above) I was running out of time, so for the moment the seats are still in, and will have to wait until another day.
-

Flames of War Company Builder - Easy Army.com

Found another Flames of War unit creation site called Easy Army.com Link  A labour of love it has been,  putting it all together.

Saturday 9 November 2013

Spitfire 944


-
Comment:  Worth watching.  In 2005, an 83 year-old World War II pilot is surprised to see 16mm footage of his 1944 Spitfire crash for the first time.
-

Friday 8 November 2013

Friday Humour

A guy was sitting quietly reading his paper when his wife walked up behind him and whacked him on the head with a magazine.

'What was that for?' he asked.

'That was for the piece of paper in your trouser pocket with the name Laura Lou written on it,' she replied.
 'Two weeks ago when I went to the races, Laura Lou was the name of one of the horses I bet on,' he explained.
 'Oh darling, I'm sorry,' she said. 'I should have known there was a good explanation.'
 Three days later he was watching TV when she walked up and hit him in the head again, this time with a frying pan, which knocked him out cold.

When he came to, he asked, 'What was that for?'
 'Your horse phoned...'


======================================================================

Pensioner's reply re Tesco

Didn't like shopping there anyway. Yesterday I was at my local TESCO’ store buying a large bag of Winalot dog food for my loyal pet and was in the checkout queue when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.

What did she think I had, an elephant?  So, since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Winalot Diet again. 
I added that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in hospital last time, but I'd lost 2 stone before I woke up in intensive care with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.

I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pockets with Winalot nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in queue was now enthralled with my story.)

Horrified, she asked me if I ended up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me.  I told her no, I stepped off the kerb to sniff an Irish Setter's arse and a car hit me.

I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. 
I'm now banned from TESCO’. 
Better watch what you ask retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of daft things to say...


Monday 28 October 2013

'Blurred Lines'


-
Comment:  I don't normally post music videos, but there is a lot to enjoy in this one...  :)
-

FIASCO - 27 Oct 2013

On Sunday went over to the Royal Armouries in Leeds for the annual FIASCO wargames convention. Ended up spending a lot more than I first intended ! LOL.  Came back with amongst other things the core elements of a 1,500 Flames of War US Tank Destroyer company in 10mm scale from Pendraken. I was very taken with their M18 Hellcats so ended buying 2 platoons worth. To compliment them I also bought a bunch of Infantry, 105 mm towed Artillery and some 3 x M5 Stuarts.  Being a GMC fan I bought a pack of 3 trucks as well although these are major disappointment being dimensionally all wrong and with virtually no detail.
-

Here's a pic of a great looking 20mm WW2 demo I saw there.
-
- - Pics of the M18 Hellcat I took a liking too.  Plan to get some paint on them ASAP, and post photos of the progress made.
-

Pic of a lovely Star Wars shuttle that I bought that is part of the X-Wing game system.  One of my all time favourite sci-fi spacecraft.
-

Sunday 27 October 2013

Flames Of War - Army List Creation Site

Whilst thinking about the type of force mix required for a 1,500 US Tank Destroyer Company in Flames Of War (FOW) I happened across this very useful little site called simply, 'FOW Lists'.  Perfect for designing the force you want in no time at all.

Picture Of The Week - No 20 - Wrecked Tank Park


Comment:  Just came across this astonishing photo of a wrecked tank park.  I can spot:
-  Panther
-  Tiger II
-  T35/85
-  Sherman
-  SU76
Anything I've missed ?

Tuesday 22 October 2013

In pictures: Battle of Leipzig, Napoleonic re-enactment

The battle has been described as the bloodiest engagement in Europe until the First World War. Polish Lancers - played by re-enactors here - fought as part of Napoleon's army at Leipzig in October 1813. Link
-
Comment:  Looks a fantastic event to be involved with.
-

The brutal world of the Nelson-era Navy

The 18th Century was a tumultuous period for the Royal Navy. From bustling dockyards to ferocious sea battles - and from jolly Jack Tars to Admiral Lord Nelson's elevation to one of the best-known figures in British history.

The National Maritime Museum explores how the Navy secured its place in the fabric of the nation in Nelson, Navy, Nation - a new permanent exhibition opening on Trafalgar Day, 21 October 2013. Take a look with co-curator Quintin Colville.  Link

Monday 21 October 2013

Monday 14 October 2013

15mm Sci-Fi - Club Game - Objective: Take And Hold The APC

At the club last Thursday whilst some of our gaming chums tried out a 1/300th game of the new FoW Arab Israeli supplement, John Elwen and myself started a game of 15mm Sci-Fi.  We'd talked about it for weeks, and so were looking forward to the game.  I did originally have aspirations to pull together a detailed scenario, but pressures of work and family got in the way, so on the night we opted for a straightforward encounter game.  The objective for the night was to take and hold a broken down APC in the middle of the table which held important intel.
The rules for the night were our own expanded version of FUBAR in which we are also trying out three adjustments:
1. +1 to Activation roll if the unit failed to Activate on the previous turn.
2. Units on Guard have a -1 penalty to Hit.
3. New action called Overwatch. Acts the same as the Guard but with +1 to Hit. Troops don't need to re-activate to each turn.

We managed to get about 4 turns in before running out of time.  On the last turn of the night I managed to get my commander (in Dreadnought armour with a mini-gun) onto the objective, but his supporting squad was totally wiped out.

Vehicle of the night was a (Hammers Slammers) Blower Tank of John's that soaked up multiple hits that KO'd its main gun and inflicted so much damage on the skirts it was reduced to 1/8th speed.
The game still has some legs, so we are continuing this coming Thursday.
Here are a few photos.
-

My team advancing.
-

My Grav jet tank starts its high speed run it.
-

Robot support.
-

My HQ Power armour squad
-  
John's blower tank right next to the object.
-

My commander confidently jetpacks to the top of the objective.
-

Overhead shot from Johns end of the game table.
-

A squad of John's infantry (GZG) advance with tracked support units (each armed with twin-linked 50 cals).
-

THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS -The Staggering Cost of WWII

This quite an interesting article on the cost of WW2. Link

Friday 11 October 2013

The Monuments Men - Film Trailer


-
Comment:  This looks like it could be quite good :)
-

Sunday 29 September 2013

1/144th Modern Gaming At The Harrogate Wargamers Club

On the last two Thursdays at the Harrogate Club my gaming group has been trying out a set of Modern gaming rules that we have been developing.  These are essentially a cut down version of the WRG 1950 - 1985 set. Thus far I'm liking the way they are playing out.  Anyway, here are a few photos from the last Thursday.  I was on the Soviet side which is quite unusual for me (borrowing a friends vehicles).  Must confess I was quite taken with some of their kit and might be tempted get myself some vehicles from the Minfigs 12mm range Link  :)
-

My company commander in his T72 commanding his force with cunning and daring, or alternatively skulking like a girl, depending on your view-point...  :)
-

T80s on my right flank commander by John Elwen.  ZSU23-4 in support.
-

The opposition, a tooled up Challenger.
-

The battlefield.
-

-

British Lynx helicopter ready to fire.
-

Friday 27 September 2013

F-16 Flies With No Pilot

An F-16 took off from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., on Sept. 19 without a pilot in the cockpit.  Read more: Link.
-

-

Tuesday 24 September 2013

Picture Of The Week - No 19 - 'Minor Problem With The Tiger Sir'


-
Comment:  These guys have got their work cut out trying to get this King Tiger running again.  Looks like damage to both front drive sprockets.  If the damage has continued in and taken out the final drives, that is massive about of work to replace them.  Both the drive and hull mg stations have to be dismantled as a starter.
-

CCKW 352 1/16th Scale Model

Last year I was contacted by keen modeller called Morten Moeslund who wished to build a 1/16th scale model of a CCKW truck and was looking for some assistance with measurements and photos.  I was happy to help, and a couple of months back he sent me some photos of the end result.  It looks just brilliant.
-orten MoeslundMorten MoeslundMorten Moeslund
-

-

-

-

-

-

Troop Train (1943) Short Film


-
Comment:  Worth a watch.
-

Monday 23 September 2013

War Tales - Ed Deluka

This is worth a read, about a chap called Ed Deluka and his experience during the Battle of The Bulge. Link
-

-

Saturday 21 September 2013

Outside the Chieftains Hatch: Maus


-
Comment:  A fascinating looking inside a Maus !
-

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Army Truck - Brake Test Fail


-
Comment:  Ouch !  That wasn't supposed to happen...
-

Saturday 14 September 2013

Crumbling buildings where soldiers from the Somme were treated

A haunting look inside a once state-of-the-art military hospital: Images show the crumbling buildings where soldiers from the Somme were treated.  Read more: Link
-

-

Friday 13 September 2013

Tank Recovery - STuG III German Assault Gun Pulled From The Mud


-
Comment:  Looks amazingly well preserved !
-

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Picture Of The Week - No 18 - Tiger Tank


-
Comment:  Assuming this a not staged, this is a very unusual shot of a Russian AT shell lodged in the gun mantle of a WW2 German Tiger I tank.
-

Monday 9 September 2013

Space Hulk 2013 - PC Game


-
Comment:  Looks interesting, but I'm not blown away but it.
-

Saturday 7 September 2013

Stalingrad 2013 trailer


-
Comment:  This looks to have promise.
-

Friday 6 September 2013

Leopard 2 Tank

An interesting vid about the German Leopard 2
-

-

Thursday 5 September 2013

Donald Featherstone Passes Away

Slightly gutted today to hear that Donald Featherstone has died.  I've posted about him a couple of times previously Link.  A prodigious writer of Wargaming books, one of his earliest books 'Wargaming' was the trigger for getting me into 'proper' gaming.  Of the books in my collection, it would have to be amongst the five that I cherish most.  There is short piece on Wikipedia about him. Link
-

Army officer freed from POW camp kept promise to return

A British Army officer captured by the Germans during World War One was granted temporary leave from a prisoner of war camp to visit his dying mother on one condition – that he returns. See The Telegraph for more info - Link.
-

-

Monday 2 September 2013

Minecraft - Villager News

My son is still massively into Minecraft.  I was hoping his enthusiasm might have waned slightly since I posted on 27 Jul, but no, it just goes from strength to strength. He's been watch all sorts of videos associated it with on U-Tube, and I have to admit that some of them are really well done.  Here are two of our favourites:
-

-

-

Modern Rule Set ?

We are thinking of doing some Modern gaming (at the Harrogate Wargames Club) in 10mm, and few of us have been dusting off some old and new rule sets.  Currently under consideration are:
1)  Flames Of War - Modern Supplement
2)  A Fistfull of TOWs 2
3)  WRG 1950 - 1985
4)  WRG 1900 - 2000
5)  A set from Miniature Wargames No2
Anyone tried anything else they could recommend we should look at ?
-

Sunday 1 September 2013

"Join the Pork Side" in Angry Birds Star Wars 2 - Video Clip


-
Comment:  This is excellent !  :)
-

New Game - Titanfall


-
Comment:  This looks promising...  :)
-

Thursday 22 August 2013

Very Simple Generic Miniatures Rules

I've been corresponding with a guys called Michael Taylor about the FUBAR Sc-Fi version of the rules I adapted Link.  He referred me to a yahoo group dedicated to a concept called 'Very Simple Generic Miniatures Rules' which are described as, 'A very easy to play set of generic miniature rules for any time period and any figures'.  They certainly look worth investigating.  Link
-

Pompeii - Official Teaser Trailer (2014)


-
Comment:  This looks like it could be good !  :)
-

Monday 19 August 2013

The riddle of the 400-year-old shipwreck

It was discovered by chance and hailed by archaeologists as the most significant find since the Mary Rose. But in spite of years of painstaking work, two tantalising details about the vast wooden ship lying off the Dorset coast remain elusive - its identity and how it came to its meet its end. But tomorrow, as the recovery phase ends, the biggest clue yet will come to the surface when the vessel’s 27ft, 2.4 tonne rudder, complete with Baroque carved face, is brought to the surface. Read more Link.
-

Saturday 10 August 2013

The Difference Between The UK, England, And Great Britain

For those what are aren't quite sure what the difference is between The UK, England, And Great Britain. Link

WWI tourism: Looking for your family hero

As the 100th anniversary of WWI approaches, growing numbers are tracing their genealogy back to Europe's battlefields. Matthew Davis went to Ramicourt in France to find the spot where his great-grandfather won the Victoria Cross. Link to the BBC web site.

Friday Humour - Phil's Scrotum

The pastor asked if anyone in the congregation would like to express praise for answered prayers.

Suzie Smith stood and walked to the podium. She said, "I have a praise. Two months ago, my husband, Phil, had a terrible bicycle wreck and his scrotum was completely crushed. The pain was excruciating and the doctors didn't know if they could help him." You could hear a muffled gasp from the men in the congregation as they imagine the pain that poor Phil must have experienced. "Phil was unable to hold me or the children," she went on, "and every move caused him terrible pain." We prayed as the doctors performed a delicate operation, and it turned out they were able to piece together the crushed remnants of Phil's scrotum, and wrap wire around it to hold it in place." Again, the men in the congregation cringed and squirmed uncomfortably as they imagined the horrible surgery performed on Phil. "Now," she announced in a quivering voice, "thank the Lord, Phil is out of the hospital and the doctors say that with time, his scrotum should recover completely." All the men sighed with unified relief.

The pastor rose and tentatively asked if anyone else had something to say.

A man stood up and walked slowly to the podium. He said, "I'm Phil." The entire congregation held its breath.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
"I just want to tell my wife, the word is sternum."

Sunday 4 August 2013

Friday 2 August 2013

Film - Ralph

Ralph is a short World War One film, based on the true story of Producer Matthew Lightstone’s Great Great Uncle; Ralph Howells, Signing up under aged as a pioneer he looked for an adventure, but what he finds is something far from that.  Link
-

-
Comment:  Looks like a film worth watching.

Seven Decades After World War II, the Search for Germany’s War Dead Continues

This weekend, German officials will travel to Russia for the opening of the latest in a long line of war cemeteries containing the graves of Wehrmacht soldiers killed on the Eastern Front during World War II. The cemetery, located near the western Russian city of Smolensk, will eventually be the final resting place of 70,000 soldiers and is just one of 20 similar sites in Russia, commonly known as “concentration cemeteries,” that have been created in the country since the fall of the USSR two decades ago. Link
-
-

Wednesday 31 July 2013

Kampfgruppe Von Abt Website

This site is dedicated to 1/6th and 1/30th scale models built by the Kampfgruppe von Abt modelling team, living in England.  Well worth a look this site has some astonishingly good modelling on it.  Link
-

-


Monday 29 July 2013

Eve players stage giant online space battle

One of the largest video game space battles ever seen has taken place in the Eve Online game.
For five hours on 28 July about 4,000 players took part in the epic battle between two of the game's biggest alliances. Link
-

-
Comment:  This looking incredibly cool.  Must confess I'd never heard of the game until reading the BBC article. Looks very interesting.
-

Boeing 747 Does Extreme Low Pass !


-
Comment:  We like low passes :)
-

Saturday 27 July 2013

Minecraft

My 11 year old son has become totally immersed in the whole Minecraft thing.
-

-

Is the Mosquito the greatest warplane of all?

The Spitfire is more famous but, discovers Jasper Copping, the de Havilland Mosquito can claim to be the plane that won the war. Read more here Link.
- -

Tuesday 23 July 2013

Picture Of The Week - No 17 - Destroyed Sherman Tank


Comment:  I have never seen a Sherman so badly blown apart, supposedly by German engineers after the battle of Kasserine Pass.
-

Sunday 21 July 2013

Film - A Field in England


-
Comment:  I've read a couple of reviews (link) and this film is meant to be well worth seeing.
-

Saturday 20 July 2013

World War 2 History: The Only Time in History a Submerged Submarine Sank Another Submerged Submarine

In movies and books about the Cold War and whatever era we are in now and wherever we're going, it is not uncommon for two submarines to fight each other deep below the ocean's surface. Usually, one emerges victorious, while the other, holed or blown to pieces, disappears into the freezing, inky depths below. In actuality, there is only one documented instance in history of a submerged sub attacking and destroying another submerged sub.  Link
-

-

Russian T35/85 Tank - War And Peace Show

Nice bit of footage of a T34/85 at this years War & Peace Show here in the UK.  Wish I could have made it along...  :(
-

-

Tuesday 16 July 2013

How aerial photographs tracked down Hitler's flying bombs

At the height of WWII, as deadly German V1 and V2 rockets were fired from northern France towards the UK, a country house by the banks of the River Thames became the centre of Allied attempts to discover the Nazis' test and launch sites. Link to BBC web site.
-

Saturday 13 July 2013

Yorkshire Wartime Experience - Military Event

Went along with the family plus CCKW truck to the Yorkshire Wartime Experience on Saturday 6th Jul with the family and my brother-in-law.  Fabulous weather helped make for an excellent event after it was almost washed out last year.  Lots of vehicles, trade stands to browse, re-enactment events and displays all made for an entertaining day.  I shall be along next year ! :)  Here's a few photos:
-

M10 Tank Destroyer
-

Nice replica PIIIM built on the chassis of a FV432.
-

-

-

-

-

-

British Para re-enactors.
-

M10 Tank Destroyer
-

M24 Chaffee tank.
-

-