Tiger II at 2015 Retromobile Paris

Just came across this great piece of footage of the Tiger II arriving at the 2015 Retromobile Paris Show.
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Vapnartak 2015

On Sunday (1st Feb) I went along to Vapnartak.  This is the annual wargames convention staged here in York by the York Wargames Club at the York racecourse. I've been along the last two years and found it to be a great show.  This year was somewhat different however as I had volunteered to put on an Aliens Participation game.  Managed to get on-site and get the 6x4ft table set up for about 09:30. This gave me an hour to look round the show before I was planning to run my first game.  
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CCKW 352 - Truck Adventures - Update

A bit of a update on truck adventures in the last few weeks.  Always a bit reluctant to to start after being stood for a while, with the assistance of a few squirts of Damp Start (ether based) she will normally fire up.  After a failed attempt I cleaned the plugs and check the gaps, but didn't help, so it was clear that something was amiss.  As there was fuel in the filter the problem was probably electrical, although I did a have a spark at the points.  Having inspected the inside of the Distributor Cap I could see it was quite pitted so I thought I would replace that along with the Condenser and Rotor Arm as well for good measure.  A call through to Rex Ward sourced some replacements which turned up the next day :)
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Fitting the new parts in turn, the old Condenser was the culprit, but just for good measure I still went ahead and replaced the Cap and Arm.
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It's two years now since I had the truck independently looked over, so I had arranged to take up to MV Depot at Helperby this week.  I want him to have all the wheels off, check all the brakes over and amongst other things change the fuel filter.  In preparation for the 20 mile drive I stuck some fuel in at the local Tescos supermarket and was happily driving it home when the engine spluttered to stop and I found myself broken down at the side of the road :(   Checking under the bonnet, the problem was obvious, fuel contamination...  See pic below.
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Fortunately I subscribe to a recovery service through my insurers, so eventually I got recovered.
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The following morning the truck was winch off at MV Depot, and he managed to get it going.
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On the one hand I feel unlucky because it broke down just before the main fuel filter was going to be changed.  Sludge and water in the system would have become apparent then.  On the other hand I feel lucky that it broke down on a straight stretch where it didn't inconvenience anyone.  Given that I'd just driven right through the centre of York, if I'd broken 2 miles earlier in the middle of one of the major junctions it could have caused truly massive disruption...
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Kampgruppe Von Abt Web Site

This web site has some outstanding dioramas on it built by a very talented modeller and painter called Peter Shaw.  Well worth a look.  Link
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Zombicide At The Harrogate Wargames Club

Last Thursdays club night saw a busy nights gaming by my normal crowd with two games under way.  John Savage ran an ancients game, using for the first time the Sword and Spear rules.  From what I could see the game played well and the Romans in managed to achieve their objective of rescuing some captured soldiers who were about to be sacrificed in a Wicker Man.
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Myself I was involved with Chris, Gavin, and John Elwen in our first Zombicide game.  I posted on 31 Dec 14 that I'd got a copy of the game for Christmas and both John and I were really looking forward to trying it out.  It's one of those things you can read the rules, but until you actually get into a full blooded game you don't know whether its going to be any good.  We managed to get two games in and thoroughly enjoyed both.  Looking forward to our next session so be can progress to the next scenario :)

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Boom !

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Comment:  Whatever your thoughts are about the conflict, that is an impressive firepower demonstration.
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Picture Of The Week - No 37 - Attention To Detail

Black Powder ACW at the Harrogate Wargames Cub

Last Saturday was the annual X-Mas holiday big game at the Harrogate Wargames Club.  Organised by John Savage with input from Theo Street who then umpired during the day this was the American Civil War (ACW)  being re-fought in 28mm scale.  Forces for the day were, Simon, Chris, John E and Gavin on the Union side and myself, Mark, Bill, John S and Mick as Confederates.  The results of two small battles before lunch (one a draw and the other a Union victory) 'Front Royal' and 'Mcdowell' were fed into the one big game in the afternoon - the '1st Battle of Winchester'.

Here are a few pics :)
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The start of the first battle I was involved with.  Viewed from the Confederate side we had to  force the Union from their positions and try and exit units off the board.
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Mid way through the game the my Confederate Infantry engage the Union troops across the river whilst Marks cavalry circle round behind.  We ran out of time before I could really force the issue.
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Pics now from the big afternoon game.  The Union defence line can be clearly seen.
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The Union stage a surprise attack on the Conferate right flank.
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The crux of the battle taking place on the left flank as the Union line starts buckling under the pressure.
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Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all visitors to my Blog.  I hope you have a prosperous and happy 2015.

X-Mas Presents - Zombicide

Gaming wise the present of note this year was Zombicide.  Seen quite a few pictures of the game in action and several people I know highly recommend it, so can't wait to have my first full game :)
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Tower Bridge, The Dubstep Movement

Not connected with wargaming or military stuff, but still worth a watch anyway :)
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Tower Bridge, The Dubstep Movement from Chadchud Timelapse on Vimeo.
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Merry Christmas

A slightly belated Merry X-Mas to all the readers of my occasional ramblings. I hope you had an enjoyable and stress-free X-Mas.

Recon Wargames Show 2014

Went along to the Recon Wargames Show today.  This is a small local show put on by the Wakefield and District Wargamers Club in the Pudsey Civic Centre.  It it must be over 15 years ago since I last went so I couldn't clearly remember anything about the venue or the show.  Found myself pleasantly surprised all in all.  There was a good mix of traders and selection of games to watch/participate, plus  the food and drink was very reasonably priced.  My only criticism is reserved for the Bring and Buy which was rubbish.  The space available to show the bits for sale was inadequate as was the frontage to view the items, plus there was insufficient depth because it shared the room with several traders.
Found myself tempted by all sorts of goodies, but in the end settled on a purchase of the 'Firefly' board game, a jar of green Basetex and a Flames of War blister pack for £5 containing two CCKWs. Looking forward to getting to grips with the game, as I've read lots of good things about it. Link
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Festive Lights For The The Truck

Mrs Vulture has been and bought some festive lights for the front of the CCKW truck. Seemed like a good excuse to go for a drive into York last night, coinciding as it did with my birthday.  :)
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Here we are parked up in front of York Minster.
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Fury: The Exhibition

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On the 20th October 2014 Murray Walker OBE, a former Sherman tank Commander with the Scots Greys during World War II, well-known as a motor racing commentator, opened The Tank Museum’s latest exhibition, ‘Fury’. 
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Picture Of The Week - No 36 - Tank Her Up !

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Comment:
Not something you often see...  A WW2 German Panther tank taking on some fuel in a petrol station.
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FUBAR 40K Game At The Harrogate Wargames Club

At the moment I'm re-reading one of my favourite sci-fi series of all time, the Gaunts Ghosts omnibus edition by Dan Abnett.  Of course reading about the Warhammer 40K universe prompts an itch to dig out my 40K figures and have a game.  The problem though is the Gameswork Shop 40k rule set which is not at all liked by myself or my gaming group at the Harrogate Wargames Club.  As a comprise I suggested we use the expanded version of the FUBAR rules I've blogged about before and a 40K supplement I found on the web.  Accordingly we had a game a couple of weeks back with myself acting as the Umpire.

Playing on our usual 8' x 8' table an Imperial force comprising 2 x squads of 5 Space Marines and a squad of Imperial Guard (10 strong) entered in one corner and the forces of Chaos in the shape of 2 Ork squads (12 each) and 2 squads of Grots Snotlings (10 each) at the opposite.  Both sides moved forward and got set into each other and it quickly became apparent that the Space Marines had a significant qualitative advantage in-spite of their small numbers.  Both sides fed reinforcements in in the form of heavier units including a 3 man unit of Imperial Terminators which teleported down but using a random dice not into a great spot! LOL.  Undaunted however they climbed onto a building and opened up with their Heavy Bolters.  This was an interesting moment for they almost wasted an entire Orc squad in one round of firing.  This generated lots of banter round the table and a last ditch effort by the underpowered Orc team to try and kill some more Marines.  At this point we ran out of time, but notwithstanding this the game was judged to have been a great success.  Easy to pick up rules that gave a reasonable result without too much stress made a for a good evenings wargaming entertainment :)
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Here's a selection of photos from the game.

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CCKW 352 Truck Home For The Week

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After weeks of rubbish weather, the sun has been out here in York. Got the truck home today. Plan to bleed the brakes later this week as they feel quite spongy.  
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The day the entire German fleet surrendered

Armistice Day is remembered as the day World War One ended, but for naval historians Britain's greatest victory came 10 days later.  Operation ZZ was the code name for the surrender of Germany's mighty navy.  This article on the BBC web site is worth a read: Link

Star Wars: The Force Awakens International Teaser Trailer

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Comment:  Looking good !  :)   May the force be with you, always...
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Picture Of The Week - No 35 - Tigers On The Prowl

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Comment: Just when I think I've seen all the photos there are to be seen of Tiger Is, a new one surfaces :)
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Andre Davis Sci-fi

This little site dedicated to short sci-fi films is well worth checking out:  Link
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Bolt Action - Optional Vehicle Observation Rules

To spice our 20mm Bolt Action games up, I have come up with some Vehicle Observation Rules.
They can be downloaded here.

The way to use them is quite straightforward.
1.  In secret work our your army list.
2.  Select a substitute vehicle (and make a note against the army list).
3.  When first placing the vehicle(s) down on the table-top, use the substitute(s) rather then the one you have paid for on the army list.  Only swap the modes over when the enemy correctly identify them.
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Here is a picture from a game I played last night at the Harrogate Wargames Club.   It's early on as my vehicles enter the table.  Substituting vehicles, the King Tiger and Jadgtigers are representing Sd kfz 251/22 with Pak 40s, The PIV is actually a Hummel and the Brummbar is playing as itself, after it has just been identified by the enemy (after a lucky combination of die rolls forced a Churchill crew to abandon their tank :) )
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CH-47 water landing - Sonicbomb.com

A simply amazing piece of footage that is worth watching.

CH-47 water landing - Sonicbomb.com

Humour - Good Quotes

Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin..'

- Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)

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I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'

- Eleanor Roosevelt

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Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister and now wish to withdraw that statement..

- Mark Twain

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The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible

- George Burns

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Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.

- Victor Borge

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Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.

- Mark Twain

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By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

- Socrates

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I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.

- Groucho Marx

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My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.

- Jimmy Durante

Fury Film

Went to see the 'Fury' film on Wednesday for a late night showing at our local 'VUE' cinema here in York.  Took along my brother-in-law Mike and my old friend Chris Jenkins.  We decided to make the most of the experience and booked the luxury seats and chose the high definition screen to watch it on.  First time I've seen a film on that screen, and was impressed with the 4 x higher resolution, everything was a lot sharper. 

As for the film itself, for the military/wargaming enthusiast this film is quite simply a MUST see.  It's not perfect by any means as the ending is bit too Hollywood for my taste, but it gets a good 8.5 out of 10 from me.  Tiger 131 makes a appearance, my only slight criticism on that front is that we didn't see more  of it.  Attention to detail in terms of the kit used is almost second to none, and from that point of view it must rate as one of the best WW2 films made.

Here's a short vid showing some bits with the Tiger in.

15mm Sci-Fi - Ground Zero Games 8 Wheeler

Recently finished painting up a GZG V15-54A 8 wheeled support vehicle. I already have a few of this family of vehicles, so I continued with the same 'aggressor' camouflage pattern. I've used a rare earth magnet to secure the missile launcher. As well as allowing the launcher to rotate, depending on the mission it allows me to swap it for a Heavy Auto Cannon (a spare weapon from Critical Mass walker). A small counter-measures jamming pod (ball) has been added for good measure.
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FUBAR - 15mm Sci-Fi Rules

For those interested in my expanded version of the FUBAR rules for 15mm Sci-Fi (adapted from a set originally written by Craig Cartmell) they can be downloaded here from Dropbox.

Current version:  3-8-1   Link      (Originally uploaded on 6 Nov 2016, link refreshed on 8 Feb 2020)

In addition there is an Excel file with vehicle details:

Current version: Version 14     Link    (Originally uploaded on 6 Nov 2016, link refreshed on 28 Sep 2017)
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Picture Of The Week - No 34 - 6pdr Anti-tank Gun Sight

A month back I was at an event on Ginkel Heath remembering Operation Market Garden and the British para drop.  Whilst there I saw this 6pdr AT gun, and got an opportunity to look through the sight. Found myself amazed at the simplicity and lack of any appreciable magnification !

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ENVOY - SHORT FILM

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Comment:  Worth a watch if your a sci-fi fan :)
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Pak-40 & Flak 37 Firing

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Comment:  Impressive !
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BBC Battlefields 4of4 Arnhem

Friday Humour

A teacher asks her class, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

Little Johnny says "I wanna be a billionaire, going to the most expensive clubs, take the best bitch with me, give her a Ferrari worth over a million bucks, an apartment in Hawaii, a mansion in Paris, a jet to travel through Europe, an Infinite Visa Card and to make love to her three times a day".

The teacher, shocked, and not knowing what to do with the bad behaviour of the child, decides not to give importance to what he said and then continues the lesson.
"And you, Susie? " the teacher asks.
Susie says "I wanna be Johnny's bitch."

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Star Wars: I.M.P.S The Relentless Season 1

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Comment: For Star Wars fans, this is a must see :)
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Picture Of The Week - No 33 - US 105mm Howitzers In Action

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Comment: This weeks picture is of United States M2A1 105mm light field howitzers in action during WW2.
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Humour - Epic Fail

DIY Lightbox

I'm posting a link here to a great article on how to make your own Light Box for photographing miniatures which I read today on the Dropship Horizon Blog - Link.  Well worth a read.
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The Wargames Website

There is a new discussion and news Blog/Forum web site out there called 'The Wargames Website'.  Worth a check out.  Link
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Humour

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Here we have it guys !   Irrefutable proof that the right woman can bring Balance and Stability to a man's life..  :)
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Humour - Being Married

The officer says, 'I clocked you at 120 km/h, sir.'

The driver says, 'Christ, officer I had it on cruise control at 100, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating.'

Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: 'Now don't be silly dear, you know that this car doesn't have cruise control.'

As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, 'Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once?'

The wife smiles demurely and says, 'You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did.'

As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, 'F..k it, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?'

The officer frowns and says, 'And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.'

The driver says, 'Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket'

The wife says, 'Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving.'

And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, 'WHY DON'T You shut the f..k up?'

The officer looks over at the woman and asks, 'Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?'


    I love this part ... :




   
   
   

   

   


 'Only when he's pissed.'

Mad Max: Fury Road - Film Trailer

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Comment:  Oh yes.....  This looks good :)
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The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies - Teaser Trailer - Official Warner Bros. UK

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Comment: Looking good :)
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Picture Of The Week - No 32 - Tiger I On Its Side

Some the pictures that continue to surface on Facebook never cease to surprise me.  Give the size of the Tiger that must be one big shell/bomb hole it's in fallen in/been blown into...
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Lack Of Motivation

Loads of stuff to paint, but can't work up the enthusiasm...  :(    Not good.

Restored Panther In Action

Restored Panther in action:

Space Hulk - Deathwing

This looks like it might have promise :)
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Humour

Jake was dying. His wife sat at the bedside. He looked up and said weakly: "I have something I must confess."

"There's no need to," his wife replied.

"No," he insisted, "I want to die in peace. I slept with your sister, your best friend, her best friend, and your mother!"

"I know," she replied. "Now just rest and let the poison work."
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Picture Of The Week - No 31 - Sherman

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Was sent this great colourised picture of a Sherman done by a gentleman called Royston Leonard.  The description is: M4 Sherman tanks of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers advancing into Caen, Normandy 10 Jul 1944.
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Film - 'Edge Of Tomorrow'

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Comment:  Went to see this with my son yesterday.  Brilliant sci-fi entertainment, best seen IMHO on the big screen if you can !  Out of 10, we give it a 10 ! :)
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Top 10 Mortar Fails

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Comment: These are worth watching !  Must confess I never realised Mortars were so dangerous to use.
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