Friday, 21 February 2014

Picture Of The Week - No 25 - Stug


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Commentary: 105mm SP Howitzer Sturmhaubitz 42 lurking in a building on the Italian front - Jan 1944.
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Monday, 17 February 2014

Humour - 'Dear Mum'

Dear Mum Letter

A mother passing by her son's bedroom was astonished to see the bed was nicely made, and everything was picked up.
Then, she saw an envelope, propped up prominently on the pillow. It was addressed, 'Mum'.  With the worst premonition, she opened the envelope and read the letter, with trembling hands

'Dear, Mum.
It is with great regret and sorrow that I'm writing you. I had to elope with my new girlfriend, because I wanted to avoid a scene with Dad and you. I've been finding real passion with Stacy, and she is so nice, but I knew you would not approve of her, because of all her piercings, tattoos, her tight Motorcycle clothes, and because she is so much older than I am. But it's not only the passion, Mum. She's pregnant. Stacy said that we will be very happy. She owns a trailer in the woods, and has a stack of firewood for the whole winter.  We share a dream of having many more children. Stacy has opened my eyes to the fact that marijuana doesn't really hurt anyone. We'll be growing it for ourselves, and trading it with the other people in the commune, for all the cocaine and ecstasy we want. In the meantime, we'll pray that science will find a cure for AIDS, so Stacy can get better.  She sure deserves it!! Don't worry Mum, I'm 15, and I know how to take care of myself. Someday, I'm sure we'll be back to visit, so you can get to know your many grandchildren.

Love, your son, Nicholas.

PS: Mum, none of the above is true. I'm over at Jason's house. I just wanted to remind you that there are worse things in life than the school report that's on my desk.

I love you!

Call me when it is safe to come home…!!

Friday, 7 February 2014

Multiplayer Like You've Never Seen Before

This looks incredibly cool :)   Link to the full article.
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4000 Point Flames of War Game

Enthused with Flames of War my gaming crowd started on a FoW games two weeks back   4 players per side, I took my cleaning living god fearing Americans along with Chris and Theo, and our stiff upper lip Brit ally John against the unwashed Nazi scum in the shape of Andy, Steve, Simon and Mick.  The random scenario we rolled up was Breakthrough.  As my Yank unit always attacks, unsurprisingly  the Allies were the attacker.  Good placing by the Germans prevented an Allied breakout from the town with Brit armour and a determined Infantry assault by Theo was stopped dead by a combination of Infantry and AA guns used in the ground role.  Turn 5 saw a breakout by American & Brit armour to the north however, wiping out a small Tiger and a Panther platoon.  My two Veteran TD platoons came on as reinforcements and after seizing one of the objectives rapidly has to retreat in the face of lots of German Infantry loaded with Panzerfausts.
Here's a selection of photos taken with my Samsumg IIIS phone.
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Hetzer reinforcements on their way to hassle the US Tank Destroyers.
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My first M18 TD unit contesting the objective.  Latterly forced back, a lucky German 120mm barrage took two of them out in one hit.
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Mick's German paras, beautifully presented.
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Johns armour in the town waiting to break out.
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John's British artillery - 25pdrs, very nicely based.
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Andy Baxters Panthers waiting it out in a wooded area.  All were subsequently KO'd by a massed Sherman attack.
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Johns Armour moving again in the town.  The Fireflys both destroyed the 2 x German Tigers that were bothering us for the first half of the game.
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Theo's infantry in the wood trying unsuccessfully to take the hill.
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Brit amour out of the town starts to flank German tanks.  The German infantry behind them were unable to mass sufficiently to launch an attack, and were subsequently wiped out by Brit artillery and tanks.
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The 2nd German Panther platoon belonging to Steve keeping my M18s from getting near the objective. Worked for a while until they are overwhelmed by Shermans and my remaining TD platoon last night  Final result a victory for the Allies.

Fancy Buying A Tiger 1 (replica) ?

Just seen this advisement on Milweb Link

"Tiger 1
Well known, UK based, Tiger 1 replica is now up for sale.
Built on a T55 tank chassis. 
Completely manufactured from steel. 
Runs and drives well, full power traverse and hand elevation. 
Gas firing 88 mm replica main Gun. 
Recent new steering brakes and clutch. 
Ready to go. 
Export worldwide no problem.
Highly campaigned in the Re-enactment world and ultimately one of the best replicas around. 
Be ‘KING OF THE BATTLEFIELD’ !
POA"
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Sunday, 2 February 2014

Saturday, 1 February 2014

U.S Marines make big bang detonating IEDs Afghanistan


Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Crazy emergency braking with a Leopard 2 tank in the Netherlands


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Comment:  You have to be totally nuts in my humble opinion to risk this stunt !  LOL
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Sunday, 26 January 2014

Humour - PARAPROSDOKIANS

PARAPROSDOKIANS (Winston Churchill loved them) are figures of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently humorous.

1.   Where there's a will, I want to be in it.
2.   The last thing I want to do is hurt you. But it's still on my list.
3.   Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
4.   If I agreed with you, we'd both be wrong.
5.   We never really grow up, we only learn how to act in public.
6.   War does not determine who is right - only who is left...
7.   Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
8.   They begin the evening news with 'Good Evening,' then proceed to tell you why it isn't.
9.   To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism. To steal from many is research.
10. Buses stop in bus stations.   Trains stop in train stations.  On my desk is a work station.
11. I thought I wanted a career. Turns out I just wanted paychecks.
12. In filling out an application, where it says, 'In case of emergency, notify:' I put 'DOCTOR.'
13. I didn't say it was your fault, I said I was blaming you.
14. Women will never be equal to men until they can walk down the street with a bald head and a beer gut, and still think they are sexy.
15. Behind every successful man is his woman. Behind the fall of a successful man is usually another woman.
16. A clear conscience is the sign of a fuzzy memory.
17. You do not need a parachute to skydive. You only need a parachute to skydive twice.
18. Money can't buy happiness, but it sure makes misery easier to live with.
19. There's a fine line between cuddling and holding someone down so they can't get away.
20. I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not so sure.
21. You're never too old to learn something stupid.
22. To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target.
23. Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
24. Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine.
25. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.
26.. Where there's a will, there are relatives.

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Schwimmwagen


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Comment: I really want one of these WW2 German Schwimmwagen !!   What an awesome little vehicle.
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Monday, 20 January 2014

Lions and donkeys: 10 big myths about World War One debunked

Much of what we think we know about the 1914-18 conflict is wrong, writes historian Dan Snow.
No war in history attracts more controversy and myth than World War One.
For the soldiers who fought it was in some ways better than previous conflicts, and in some ways worse.
By setting it apart as uniquely awful we are blinding ourselves to the reality of not just WW1 but war in general. We are also in danger of belittling the experience of soldiers and civilians caught up in countless other appalling conflicts throughout history and the present day.
Read the full article here.  Link
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Sunday, 19 January 2014

Truck Is 70 Years Old This Month

As best I can make out, my CCKW 352 truck is 70 years old this month.  Took it out for a short spin this afternoon, and snapped a couple of photos in the weak winters sun.
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Flames Of War In 10mm - Breaking News...Victory At Last !

Further to my posting on 20th Dec I have news !!!  Key massive drum roll !!!   After 4 straight losses in a row with my M18 Tank Destroyer Company (TD) unit I had my first victory !  Playing the 'Hold The Line' Mission against my friend Chris with my unit as the attacker I took on his Russian Tank T34/85 Company.  The game was over by the end of turn 3 with 8 of his T34/85 knocked out for the loss of one M18, a truck and a few Infantry.  Chris had below average rolls I felt on a couple of critical points, but feel I'm now starting to get the feel for how to use my unit, especially in these attacking scenarios where really aggressive use of Recc and TD Security teams is required.
Here's a couple of pictures of the unit in action on the 20th Dec and also laid out for review on my computer desk.
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1500 point Task Force A unit - Turning Tide book.
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In an effort to get to grips with the rules I've started typing up all the elements in Italics into a work document. Quite a laborious undertaking, but myself I find this method as good way of remembering and understanding the rules.  I did the same with Warhammer Ancient Battles (WAB) as well. When complete I integrate all the errata and additional guidance given by Battlefront, along with any club 'house rules' we are using.

So that I'm not constrained to just using a TD unit, I've been and spent £60 with Magister Militum and purchased a 20 x M4A3 Shermans - a mixture of 75mm, 76mm and four M4A3E8 'Easy Eights' along with a couple of M10s.  Currently in the middle of painting them up them up to a base standard, acceptable for use on the tabletop.  For me this entails assembling the vehicles, cleaning the flash off, priming grey, then applying a coat of Vallejo USA Olive Drab 889.
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Over the coming weeks I'll then apply a top coat of Vallejo Brown Violet 887, dry-brushing, tracks, aerials, decals etc etc.  I'm now understanding why my friends have over the last few years been telling that 10mm is the best scale to game FoW in.  It's a satisfying blend of the visual detail that can be accommodated in 15mm (but without the 'tank park' look) with some of the game scale that 6mm provides.  Price and reduced storage are also huge advantages, on the former for instance a typically 10mm tank only costs £2.25 so a substantial unit can be collected without busting the bank.
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Picture Of The Week - No 22 - B17 Battle Damage


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Comment:  It is just astonishing that this B17 was able to make it back to base after suffering this much battle damage.
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Panther Tank In Action - Saumur Museum


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Comment: Couldn't resist posting this.  It's just great to see and hear these vehicles moving.
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Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Picture Of The Week - No 21 - Jagdpanther


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Came across this photo on the web just last week of this WW2 German Hunting Panther SdKfz 173 (Jagdpanther).  Love the umbrellas :)
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X-47B UCAS Aviation History Under Way


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Northrop Grumman's X-47B unmanned combat air system demonstrates how to successfully take off and land from the deck of a moving aircraft carrier.
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Comment:  Very cool  :)
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Saturday, 4 January 2014

Tiger I Arriving At The Muster Tank Museum


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Comment:  From what I can gather the Munster Museum in Germany has just obtained this Tiger that was in the hands of a private collector in France.  Currently it is a non-runner without an engine, or much interior detail.
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Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Happy New Year - 2014

Happy New Year to one and all.  Hope you have great gaming year in 2014.

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.
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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
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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.
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The full article is well worth a read: Link
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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


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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.
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Guard


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Comment:  This is excellent :)
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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!)
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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 :)
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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.
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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.
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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 :)
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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
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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.

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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.

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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.
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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


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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.
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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...'


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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'


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Comment:  I don't normally post music videos, but there is a lot to enjoy in this one...  :)
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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.
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Here's a pic of a great looking 20mm WW2 demo I saw there.
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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.
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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
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Comment:  Looks a fantastic event to be involved with.
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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.
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My team advancing.
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My Grav jet tank starts its high speed run it.
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Robot support.
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My HQ Power armour squad
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John's blower tank right next to the object.
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My commander confidently jetpacks to the top of the objective.
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Overhead shot from Johns end of the game table.
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A squad of John's infantry (GZG) advance with tracked support units (each armed with twin-linked 50 cals).
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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


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