Howls of Joy!

I wasn't going to post about this, but in the absence of any other tangible material I have caved in, that and I have been as giddy as a schoolboy all weekend.  I had already read of several large boxes arriving at other notable Bloggers' homesteads and having finally receiving my notification last week, I started tracking my own bundle of plastic plunder across Europe - the wolves were on the move!

Safely across the channel, I saw that it was 'out for delivery' on Friday - blast!  Metaphorically shackled to the desk at work, I waited for the inevitable update, which duly came around 2pm, 'Unable to deliver, returned to depot - double blast!!  I could, of course, arrange for it to be left with a neighbour or in a designated safe place, but I stumped up the five pound required for it to be brought to the gates of 'Awdry Towers' on Saturday morning, I defy anyone to say that they would have done anything different in this situation.

Now I had thought this was all going to work beautifully as after a feverish bout of cunning, I envisaged the 'Saintly Mrs. Awdry' on her way to the swimming baths, as is her want, at a respectable hour of the morning and whilst away, I could greet the the DPD driver with a hearty 'Hello and thank you' and have the boxed upstairs and stashed away faster than a smashed stretch goal!  Alas things are rarely this simply and it would appear that 'Awdry Towers' was fist on the list of chaps receiving their toys that morning; I was caught standing at the door, weighty box in hands grinning from ear to ear.  

Finally then the Zombicide Wulfsburg expansion has arrived, along with all the stretch goals and a couple of packs of extras that I had forgotten about.  So much stuff and just so wonderfully conceived and packaged - a plastic paradise.  Now it is fair to say that I am easily distracted and work is not playing nice with my hobby time at the moment so it was inevitable that I opened a couple of packs to have a closer inspection and oh joy!

The Abominabeasts are just superb, huge and incredibly well sculpted these immediately caught my eye and have now taken up residence on the painting table, not sure when or if I'll get around to them, but they just needed to be out on display.  Other items that caught my eye were the medieval Batman and Joker known as Scowl and Grin - so much to choose from, but where to begin?

Obviously the solution lay in the spin of a coin, the new metal first play coin!

Finally a quick shot of one of the 'smaller' beast next to a miniature for scale!

Forgotten Heroes are go!

On its launch, I was gripped by the excitement that was ‘Forgotten Heroes’, immediately signing up to be 'on board', when I suddenly became aware that I hadn’t a clue what to do!  I toyed with the idea of replicating various current celluloid superheroes, but of course that meant that, with franchising being what it is, there were already many viable options of miniatures available on the market, which didn’t seem to fit with the ethos of the event.  I decided to cast my net a little further and tried to remember comic book heroes from my youth, but tittles like Warlord and 2000AD* yielded little to work with.  Union Jack Jackson and Rogue Trooper were undeniably super, but were they superheroes?  This was getting serious, I was starting to worry that I might have to withdraw!

*Young Master Awdry’s preferred reading at the time.

I trawled around the internet for inspiration, but again was left a little bewildered by the current multitudes of squeaky clean and squared jawed defenders of justice and peace.  Deciding to go back to its source, I narrowed my search to focus on those Superheroes that were created in, what I now understand to be, the Silver Age of comics.  This was a fascinating exercise and it was wonderful to see the original incarnations of many of the now lycra or rubber clad denizens of the silver screen – different times indeed.  Eventually my research unearthed a totally new character to me and yet one that seemed to resonate with yours truly – let me introduce you to Bouncing Boy.

Bouncing Boy, created for DC Comics in 1961 by Jerry Siegel and Jim Mooney, first appeared in Action Comics #276 and was a wholly unlikely member of the Legion of Superheroes, but all the more charming for it.  Charles Foster Taine, a 30th Century Earth scientist, accidentally drank an experimental super-plastic fluid believing it to be his sugary beverage of choice while watching a sports match.**  The fluid drastically altered his body’s cellular makeup, giving him the power to inflate into a round shape that could bounce and ricochet off walls without harm.  As Bouncing Boy, Chuck, was impervious to both physical damage, and of all things, sadness; yes, Bouncing Boy’s good humour and charming personality led him to proclaiming himself the Legion’s ‘Morale Officer'.

**Already I like this chap!

Life as a ‘Super’ seldom runs according to plan and Chuck had to prove his worth, having initially been rejected by the Legion.  Fortunately an electrically charged villain was duly dispatched, due to Bouncing Boy not being grounded, and all was well.  Bouncing Boy then had to leave the Legion when he married Duo Damsel, formerly Triplicate Girl***, settling on the colony world of Wondil IX before ultimately returning to become Headmaster of the Legion Academy.  So my unlikely choice for ‘Forgotten Heroes’ is Bouncing Boy, a round, happy chap, with a penchant for sugary drinks - me as a superhero!  I just need to build him now.

***This stuff is gold dust!

So 'Forgotten Heroes' month is finally here and for a detailed explanation of the 'rules' and an explanation of what's going on, please pay a visit to the official 'Forgotten Heroes' site, which was kindly put together by Roger Webb of 'Rantings from Under the Wargames Table' fame.

Paint Table Saturday#134

Having safely arrived at another welcomed half term break, I had a notion to drop the suit off at the dry cleaners and have a mooch around the Sunshine Coast's mighty metropolis.  After the third attempt of trying* the enthusiasm had rather wained, but I did pop into 'The Works', on the off chance of a cheap dinosaur or two, and came across this interesting little book.  The First World War in a 100 Objects by Peter Doyle.

*Perhaps the World Health Organisation should stopping worrying about Rio and investigate what is targeting Southern Rail's drivers and guards!

Not only heavily discounted, this light read is rather nicely put together and should provide a perfect accompaniment  to my elevenses next week.  Buoyed with my find, I decided to pick up a little something for the hobby table in the shape of a rather splendid coir doormat, which I'm hoping will become wheat fields at some point in the not too distant future.

As for the paint table, well to be honest very little has happened of late, but I have started to put some paint on my Medieval Stable from 'Barrage Miniatures', more of which I will detail in a later post, 

but all too often in these periods of drought, I seem to find myself a victim of UXB** - why else would an emerging steam powered tunneller from 'Ironclad Miniatures' find its way to 'Awdry Towers'? 

**Unexpected buying!

A West Wind blows South.

On Monday we returned from work to find that the postman had left a little red card of happiness alerting us to the fact that something awaited our attention at the local sorting office.  The Saintly Mrs. Awdry, displaying an uncharacteristic lack of gracefulness, tutted and snarled, “It’s for you again” and duly handed it over, the tone in her voice suggesting that I have probably exceeded my monthly allowance of little packages!

Given our early departure in the mornings, it wasn’t until Saturday that I was able to exchange my card for the waiting treasures – and what treasures they were.  Once again, I am in the very fortunate position of benefitting through the generosity of others.  This time I must offer my heartfelt thanks to ‘West Wind Productions’ for the extraordinarily generous gift certificate that I was able to claim for winning the 'Nostalgia' bonus round in the 'VI Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge'.

My Nostalgia round entry.

Having bought from ‘West Wind’ on many an occasion, I was already aware of their magnificent range of miniatures and so my only difficulty was deciding on which to spend my voucher - I was like a child in a sweetshop!  In the end I sampled from quite a variety of different ranges with a leaning towards all things Pulp.

So once again, a big thank you ‘West Wind Productions' and of course all those that kindly voted for my work in the challenge.

Punish Them!

A Witchfinder  General scenario.

From the outset I need to clarify something, I have a real problem with wargames rules - they just leave me cold.  I strongly suspect that it has something to do with the numbers therein, -1 modifiers for this, +1 for that and I'm gone, switched off and drifting away.  Now for someone who has aspirations of commanding his newly painted miniatures across the table top this is proving to be something of a real problem.  What I really want to do is pick up a cavalry unit, make a clippity-cloppity noise and place it somewhere else, but alas it seems that things are rarely this straightforward.

For a couple of years now, I have been tinkering away, painting miniatures, amassing terrain and generally researching all things folklore with the intention that I would, one day, be playing ‘Witchfinder General- days of Revelation' the problem is that every time I went to read the rules I would find myself slowly glazing over and gone – back I went to painting miniatures.  

It was a chance comment made by that splendid chap the ‘Dark Templar’ regarding hosting a game of Wichfinder General in the summer here at ‘Awdry Towers’ that galvanised me into taking the bull by the horns and getting stuck in.  So waiting until the saintly Mrs. Awdry was out of the house, not due back for hours as involved in a golf tournament, I quietly set up the table for the first encounter - I could do this!  I had everything I needed, miniatures, terrain, tokens the lot and when all was in place it was time to begin - but how? 

Seeing the miniatures on the table made it easier for me to visualise what I was reading and slowly the game started to fall into place.  The first scenario or encounter was entitled ‘Punish Them’ and was played out as follows.

The villagers of Skinnersgrove have become unruly, Prince Schubert of the Tyne decides to punish them and acquire sustenance for himself and his vile abominations.  Seven ordinary clubmen, four trained with muskets and a Witchfinder that was spreading the good word in the village at the time of the attack defend their homes against the vile abominations, six Noctelinger and six Barguests.  The battle is set in gloomy conditions, which reduces line of sight for the Clubmen to a maximum of 24” depending on the out of two D10+4* but after the second turn the sun would rise on a roll of d6 5+.

*There are those modifiers again, steady Michael, steady!

The clubmen were split into four groups and each group started in one of the houses with the Noctelinger within seven inches of the table’s edge and Barguests within three inches.  Ideally would have been 4’x4’ set up, but as I was commandeering the dining room table I only had a 3’x4’ and as a result the barguests were on the villagers in double quick time!  What ensued was carnage, but I have to say it was rather good fun.  This is probably the only of the scenarios that lends itself to solo play with both sets of combatants actively seeking out the other and engaging them in fisticuffs.  Tactics were minimal, but it did give me the opportunity to start to get o grips with the rules – this constituted a major breakthrough in my mind.  

Mistakes were made including not realising that there was a special rule regarding capturing the villagers and trying to remove them from the table.  The initial wanton slaughter of the Clubmen, was clearly going to anger the Master!  I know that I fudged the loose formation movement rule and will need to look at that along with entering and leaving buildings, but on the whole I was very pleased with how it went.  I like the partial IGO-UGO system that allows for some reaction to the opponent’s strategy depending on how the Fisticuffs was resolved and I was starting to feel more confident about referring to lists during the movement and shooting phases so a successful first venture.

The plan now will be to run through the scenario a couple more times so that I feel more confident with the rules.  I need to build a little more terrain to slow down the Barguests a tad and allow the Clubmen more of a chance in getting themselves organised and then we should be good to go!

Stop that Pigeon!

Hopefully by now, you will have seen Simon’s post on his wonderfully entertaining ‘Fantorical’ blog* showcasing the spoils of  his recent victory in a little side duel that we had as part of the ‘VI Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge’.  Although I managed a few meagre points in this battle of the brushes they fell someway short of my fellow combatants, with Simon emerging the overall Champion.

*It seemed only right and proper that he have the first opportunity to post about the miniature – after all it is his and I only mention it here so that it qualifies to be added to my tally for the year, and after ‘Salute 2016’, I desperately need to redress the balance a little!

So this being the ‘The Pulp Challenge’, with Pulp being defined as being from 1850-1950, I wanted to paint something for Simon that fell into this category.  After much scrabbling around the periphery of the lead pile, I managed to unearth ‘Group Captain Villain’, a particularly splendid sculpt from ‘Artizan Designs’ and certainly one that would suit my needs.

On closer inspection of the miniature, I was instantly reminded of one Richard ‘Dick’ Milhous Dastardly, the much maligned ‘hero’ of the hugely enjoyable Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines**, which charted the hapless ‘Vulture Squadron’s’ efforts to ensnare the courier, Yankee Doodle Pigeon.

"Drat, drat and double drat!"

Now completely unable to shift this mental image from my addled brain, I set about trying to recreate Dick Dastardly’s flying attire as best I could.  When complete, and without thinking, I gave him a liberal coating of matt varnish, but suddenly realised that this might be not to Simon’s tastes as he is rather fond of protecting his miniatures with a wonderful high gloss glaze.

With forfeit now completed and delivered, I have put aside miniatures that might represent the rest of the Vulture Squadron, sadly lacking a suitable Muttley at this point, just in case we have a similar challenge next year!

**I should stress that this is a children’s animated program from the late 1960’s and seemingly re-run endlessly in the 1970’s for young Master Awdry to enjoy and not some lost celluloid gem; nostalgia is a wonderful thing.

Muttley, you snickering, floppy eared hound.
When courage is needed, you're never around.
Those medals you wear on your moth-eaten chest
Should be there for bungling at which you are best.

           So, stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Stop that pigeon
           Howww?

                     Nab him
                     Jab him
                     Tab him
                     Grab him
                     Stop that pigeon now!

                               You, Zilly, stop snickering, it's not worth the chance.
                               For you'll be returned by the seat of your pants.
                              And Klunk, you invent me a thingamabob
                              That catches that pigeon or I'll lose my job.

                                         So, stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Stop that pigeon
                                         Howww?

                                                    Nab him
                                                    Jab him
                                                    Tab him
                                                    Grab him
                                                    Stop that pigeon now!

Twoflower!

There is a generosity that pervades our cosy corner of the Blogosphere unlike anything I have seen in other communities. The frequency by which fellow Bloggers celebrate milestones with Prize Draws or giveaways is truly staggering. This is often further enhanced by random acts of kindness where little packets of lead will drop unexpectedly onto the doormat with no other motive than to pass on some good cheer; it is to one of these acts that I now refer.

'Carrion Crow’s Buffet' is a delightful place to spend some time, rich as it is in creativity, but taken in conjunction with a healthy dose of ‘Rantings from under the Wargames Table' and a smattering of 'Fantorical' you find yourself with a heady mixture of hobbyness that is truly addictive.  Just look at their most recent idea, ‘Forgotten Heroes’; an opportunity to convert and paint a miniature to represent a long lost super hero.  It is exactly this sort of fun and creativity that sees me return, time and time again and is credit to its author, who we will simply refer to as Jez.

To celebrate a year at the helm of the ‘Buffet’ Jez decided to send out little packages of joy to regular contributors as a thank you for our continued support, totally unnecessary, but a wonderfully generous gesture nonetheless. Having passed on contact details, I was duly rewarded with my gift, some splendid plastic dinosaurs! Now these will be making an appearance in ‘Dinovember 2016’, but they were not the only inhabitants of the padded manila envelope…

I think that it is fair to say that whilst a generous chap,  Jez also has a mischievous spirit and so once the dinosaurs were safely corralled, I had a closer look at what else inhabited my parcel and lo and behold, I discovered - well I wasn't sure what I had discovered!  Closer inspection revealed a primed  miniature, with fine casting and a beaming smile.   This devilishly handsome character reminded me of someone, but for the life of me I just couldn't think who?  Still a little web based research later, I had discovered that this was in fact a 'Clarecraft' figurine representing Twoflower, a character from Sir Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.  Now I have to confess that I haven't read much Pratchett, I've always intended to but just haven't got round to it yet, so I was a little unsure as to who or what Twoflower was.  

Having now read a little more and watched the rather enchanting 'Colour of Magic', I now know that Twoflower is an optimistic, but naïve tourist of Discworld, in fact Discworld's first tourist who has all manner of adventures with his guide the wizard, Rincewind.  His generosity of spirit and belief in the goodness of human nature make him a charming character, if perhaps not the cleverest!  This bespectacled, and reluctant, hero of the piece has been beautifully realised in pewter and Twoflower now adorns my painting rack, camera in hand, ready to assist with any photography assignments that '28mm Victorian Warfare' might require.

So thank you Jez, I thoroughly enjoyed painting this little treasure and he shall remind me just how lucky I am to be part of a community that really is rather lovely.