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15 years worth of collecting, carving , painting. Britain's, Conte , Blackcat casting, LOTS of Conte plastic/blackcat metal conversions ect ect.

I had to take certain liberties.But I hoped to at least capture some critical moments and a general representation.

Bill and Matt have helped greatly  over the years.As have many others  Time and come, these figs all needed a good dusting off. So, after a week or so taking them all off the shelves , I had the Civil War itch. So I went ahead and TRIED to do justice to this moment in our Nations History.

 I'll have to cast some more figs. There are BC castings, I never kept or painted any  for myself!

Had not set these up in quiet a while. Had bought the Barzso Castle and buildings 2-3 years ago and never got around to setting it up. Always doing another theme. Have Britain's plastics from all generations from Herald, swoppets, all kinds of Deetail. There are some Starlux and a few Tradition kits I painted 15 years ago. Siege towers are elastolin as is the trebuchet.  Found another tubb with archers stakes and a bunch of Timpo great helm foot Knights with banners, after I took the pix.

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I was recently asked to post these pics. I had meant to post these sooner but I got a tad busy with some other things. I wanted to get around to hiding bases etc.... but I just don't have the time right now. I'll update the pics when I get around 2 it.

My new project that I am move on. It is a 90mm kit from Romeo Model.  Very early stages, primers have been applied; this one has a huge shield as well that will be a nice challenger.

Ciau

 

 

Heading back to Gettysburg after 31 years. No more running around in wool for me but I am excited. Had my table cleared and this all, just sort of happened. I was trying to do the Cyclorama in miniature. Not quite.

I need far more Rebel's and casualties. I have 65 , not counting the falling soldiers. They just get lost on the table. Have 300 plus more Iron Brigade and Zouave figs screaming to be let on the table, but no.

Painting CTS and even some Marx to fill it out.  Theres a toy show In Gettysburg May 5 and several shops to hunt for more additions. Going for a week. Taking it all in.

Ill conceived layout but I had a very bad itch to get my collection out. Painting figs and adding others, vehicles ect over the years. I was going to bust if I did not set it up. Of course I HAD to use every terrain piece that would work since it's been years since I Had anything WW2 Europe n the table.

Over generalized scene. Had British Para in the town at one end of the 16 foot table, 160 more in 2 Companies at the other end.German in between of course, plus attacking the town. All light armored vehicles , no medium or heavy types. British had three 6 pounders, 4 mortars and 2 pack howitzers. Roughly 250 troops on both sides. 500 figures and some change.

Close game. The British almost manged to link up with those in the town.

Fun game for the 5 players.100 degree heat , but they soldiered though it.

Now, I get to put it all away. Thought about changing the terrain and removing the British, and use my American, or British Tommies for some pix as they have not seen outside their storage in years either.

The crazy thing is, I am completing a 28mm collection of Airborne complete with lots of jeeps and towed guns.Have x2 Horsa gliders , lasercut to put together.At a standstill .Can't seem to muster the determination to build them. Always something far easier to tackle and knock out in an evening.

The EAGLES NEST (named after my football team) is officially finished,accept 4 STUKA,s which I can't shift because I cant find their boxes and they don't travel well.

 

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It's been several years since I had my ZULU collection on the table. Last time we played a war game using THE SWORD AND THE FLAME  Colonial rules. Since then I have added quite a few figures. Mostly Britain's but theres a good number of Conte metal and plastics, 50 or so Frontline that I have had for a long time and found another couple sets recently. More Plastic Expeditionary Force Zulu and British including some mounted and a gun set which I did not include in this set up. A few Collectors showcase made their way in. I kit bashed some Conte and Ex force Zulu's. I moved the troops over a few nights to show the action. Not really enough room for everything in 54mm but it was enjoyable and a little bit of a workout.Next, the drift.

JJD AND fL Figures

A small dio of some of JJD's PA regiment from his FIW range:

 

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I've just completed work on another diorama. This one has been several weeks in the making and features an Arsenyev Tribune, six Aeroart Roman Legionaries (two auxiliaries), and three Aeroart Roman war machines- onager, trebuchet and scorpion. Next will be smaller vignette style diorama featuring Mongols.

I hope you enjoy the images.

Joe

 

 

 

 

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My P51 is a bit special to me, it was Piloted by Urban Drew and given to me by him.  A little background on the man for those who are not familiar with him copied from internet ( lazy today) 

 

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on May 14, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program in October 1942.

Drew was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings in Marianna Army Field on October 1, 1943, and began training as an instructor pilot for the North American P-51 Mustang at Bartow Field and then served as a P-51 Mustang instructor pilot with the 56th Fighter Squadron of the 54th Fighter Group.

He went overseas in May 1944 and was assigned to the 375th Fighter Squadron of the 361st Fighter Group, which was stationed at RAF Bottisham and later at RAF Little Walden.

During his tour with the 361st Fighter Group, which was commonly known as "Yellowjackets", Drew completed 75 missions, rising to command of "A" Flight and the 375th Fighter Squadron.                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

Drew would be officially credited with six aerial victories during his combat tour. "Detroit Miss", coded E2-D was his personal P-51, during his tour with 361st Fighter Group. He was credited with 6 aerial victories, 1 ground victory, 1 damaged and 1 water kill, in which he and his wingman sank and burned the largest aircraft in world, the Blohm & Voss BV238-V1 on 18 September 1944. Hitler was going to use it to bomb Washington and New York City.

 

His biggest day was on October 7, 1944, when he shot down 2 jet-powered Me 262s on a single mission while leading an attack on Achmer Aerodrome.

 

His appeal for the Distinguished Service Cross was denied, because of the lack of evidence for his kills; the gun camera of his P-51 had jammed and his wingman, 2nd Lt. Robert McCandliss was shot down and became a prisoner of war.  However, he was awarded the Air Force Cross many years later.

 

A few shots of his Plane, and him as a young man.

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I first met Mr Ben at a Militaria show many years ago. He used to attend many shows in the States and Europe and was also invited to many of the old pilot get togethers. I remember going to DC to meet him and Herr Galland who was like a rockstar at those events always wearing a silk suite, sporting that mustache with his very young wife on his arm. Those were good times.  I was introduced Mr Ben by a mutual friend and we all went to dinner. He was a great guy like most WWII vets I've had the pleasure of knowing and was happy to call him a friend for years. Anyway anytime we were at the same event we would always make it a point to meet for dinner.

He gave me this plane model which he autographed to me, its made of solid wood he told me he had it made in the Philippines. I have enjoyed it all these years and often think of Ben & all those guys from the greatest generation that we've lost. What would they say now days ???? I know they were horrified 30 years ago... 

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Thought I would post a shot of my current set of original and modified FL British 51st Line figures.  They are proving excellent subjects for conversion and I will end up with quite a few more poses than the original 15. Not sure I can get to the French 18th's record 40 but who knows.
 
 

Frontline Figures with a haze overlay....Explosion is pillow fiber spray painted.

 

 

Halloween lights placed in explosions for a glowing effect.

 

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I thought I would break up the WWII monotony here a bit a post something related to another period.  So I was messing about today in my office after coming in from nearly freezing my fingers off moving snow and took a few shots of the Napoleonic figures in my office.  Hope you enjoy.  Again, do click on the full size options so you can enjoy the detail.

 

https://flic.kr/s/aHskr65TdK

Close Call

Christmas Greetings   Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas  John