Sunday 28 July 2019

Tentative Beginnings

It's all very well running headlong into a new project, buoyed by the childlike, naive enthusiasm that never seems to leave us, but then comes the reality check, the moment when you stop and ask yourself, "what on earth am I playing at?"

To his great credit, James had seen this coming and had started to consider a project management spreadsheet, something that now seems a rather splendid idea as I run around like like loon deciding what to do next!  We also considered trying to record some of the progress made via blog or Instagram posts as a way of encouraging vicarious collaboration from a wider audience, and so this is one of those posts.  As we broke up for the summer holidays our respective tasks were clear insomuch as James was going to battle on with the castle design, whilst I was going to consider the feasibility of building a game around the structure.
I am now starting to finally relax and have put the thoughts of a difficult academic year behind me; this mental decluttering has allowed me to give some time to the prospect of the rules for the game.  I have fleshed out my original thoughts, and although very much a work in progress, they have been offered up for consideration to others.  This is all very exciting as it is something completely new to me, but it remains the painting and modelling aspect of the hobby that I find the most relaxing, not to mention rewarding, and so have indulged in a little 'palette testing'.  I had a sprue of 'Warlord Games' plastic American G.I.s which were attached to the front cover of a copy of 'Wargames Illustrated'.  These have been duly assembled and based and colour has started to be added, aided by some rather splendid reference material that I have amassed along the way, but what I really wanted to try was a tank!
This is a completely new era for me and I was keen to cut my teeth on some Allied Armour and so ordered up a 'Warlord Games' M4 Sherman Medium Tank.  Gluing together the plastic kit took me right back to my youth, when young Master Awdry would spend many a happy hour assembling various Airfix models, the heady aroma of plastic cement filling his nostrils.  
Assembled straight from the box, without any additional customisation,  I was fortunate enough to be directed to the rather wonderful 'John Bond's Wargaming Stuff'.  What a veritable mine of fabulous work this turned out to be, carefully ordered and clear to follow.  I shall refrain from repeating John's post, suffice to say that I followed it almost to the letter.  A couple of notable exceptions being that I was fortunate enough to have a spray can of Tamiya Olive Drab that worked well for the base coat and used some of the 'Games Workshop' Typhus Corrosion along the edges of the vehicle.
I have to say that I was rather pleased with my first efforts, but have subsequently realised that the tank involved in the battle was in fact a later version,  M4A3E8 or Easy 8 Sherman, fondly known as Besotten Jenny - I have so much to learn!
So we are off an running, so much more to do, but having a lot of fun along the way!

51 comments:

  1. Excellent work all the same Michael!

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  2. Off to a cracking start Michael, even though you have had a minor setback with the mark of the tank, keep pushing forward as much as possible during the early stages, as this will make it a lot easier towards the end of the project

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    1. Thank you Dave, lots of ideas still buzzing round my head.

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  3. Looks and sounds like you're on a great start for this most-interesting project, Michael. Looking forward to seeing more updates.

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    1. Thank you Dean, hopefully more updates before too long.

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  4. This looks very promising. Onwards and upwards with the eagles

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    1. Thank you Martin, great fun to work on some armour, looking forward to some artillery pieces before too long.

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  5. Looking good. I´ve been Hunting for info on german sites, not a lot of new stuff so far. The hunt goes on.

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    1. Thank you Paul and for looking, hopefully something will turn up.

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  6. Splendid work, Michael. What a corking start you've made too :-)

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    1. Thank you Simon, loved working on the tank and will probably push the wear and tear a bit more on the next one.

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  7. Well done getting off the starting blocks.

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    1. Thank you Joe. I have a few more bits primed so hoping to tick off a few more pieces before the ned of the holiday.

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  8. Nice work Sir M. I do like the tank.

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  9. A great start to the project Michael :)

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    1. Thank you Tamsin, feeling positive with the start.

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  10. Brilliant start Michael! Can't wait to see more 😃

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    1. Thank you Ivor, hopefully not long to wait for the next update.

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  11. Great looking tank! Rubicon make an easy 8 and are great kits!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thank you Iain. I was looking at Rubicon the other day, I shall have to give them a go - thank you for the heads up.

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  12. You guys have taken on a big project Michael but like any journey its only ever completed by taking the first steps, I'll be following along with interest.

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    1. Thank you Frank. It feels good to have the first painted models and miniatures on the table.

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  13. Great start Michael, although now you have built one tank it is a slippery slope to a full tank company - they are addictive.

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    1. Thank you Mike and I am worried you might be right!

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  14. A good start Michael I hesitate to say that with your attention to detail it could be a long project 🤔

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    1. Thank you Mat and I am worried that you might be right.

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  15. Great start man. "from little acorns" and all that. Will really enjoy watching this project progress.

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    1. Thank you and certainly looking forward to what happens next. I definitely think it will help making regular updates.

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  16. Nice start Michael! The tank may be a large model & one would think easy to finish with a basecoat & some dry brushing, but we all know better than that. You will begin noticing small things that will make it better & before you know it, your afternoon has been filled! This is where your plan will help keep the focus...you can always come back to dabble when time permits!

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    1. Thank you Terry and good advice. I have already caught myself wandering off piste!

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  17. Love it, Michael - good effort, sah!

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    1. Thank you so much Monty and good to hear from you.

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  18. A good start Michael, will be a big help when you have the right tank ;)

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    1. Thank you and yes, but I like to consider this one a dry run. :D

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  19. This is going to be really good, will be watching to see how all this develops. The Schloss is a great idea.

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    1. Thank you so much Martin, enjoying the tinkering stage at the moment.

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  20. Flippin lovely tank mate. Paint job is spot on. This is going to be a fun project to follow!

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    1. Thank you so much Dai, lucked in with the remnants of a rattle can that I was using to paint terrain with!

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  21. Nicely done Michael. IMHO, the British made the Sherman better by sticking a 76.2 mm gun into the tank aka Sherman Firefly.

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  22. Am awesome start to a prommising new project!

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  23. Looks like a great start to a rather obscure but highly interesting project.

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  24. Excellent work, that's a great start!

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