AVBCW Flags

Some new additions to my VBCW collection, five factional command elements. From left to right, Anglican League, Hellenic Legion, The Checkers Pub Militia, Albertine League, and Communist.

I painted the Pendraken Miniatures 10mm SCW figures in a motley of civilian and military garb drawn from several sources. By putting these command units at the head of any nondescript force I instantly turn it into a dedicated faction. My thanks to Leics_Gamer on the VBCW Forum for the flag designs.

D-Day Game

My club in Britain is currently putting on a massive D-Day game. Here are a few pictures from the superb table set-up, a labour of love spanning 35 years for its creator.

You can see why I'm green with jealousy at not being there to play! ;) For those who have Facebook, check them out here.

Gaining traction - 2

I completed my N-scale armoured traction engine project. Inspired by the "Suffolk's Little Moscow" story, it represents a vehicle modified at the Garrett engineering works in Leiston, Suffolk. The Communist faction in the area has equipped themselves with some heavy armour to take the fight to the enemy. The trailer is an APC fitted with firing ports and can carry supplies, or ten troops in comfort and twice as many at a push.

As I mentioned elsewhere I'm thinking of making separate trailers for different purposes to add versatility to the model, including one with a turret. The flag shown is by Leics_Gamer from the AVBCW forum (thanks!) for a Factory Communist faction, but can be swapped out for the colours of any faction that might use such a vehicle. I chose a camouflage scheme that looks something like the British army pattern of the time.

Our local Rite Aid pharmacy has a sale of Christmas stuff on at the moment. I picked up a 50" by 60" throw for less than $2, in a nice shade of green which looks perfect for a gaming cloth. The photos were taken on this.

Gaining traction - 1

A work in progress shot of an N-scale armoured traction engine and trailer combination I'm building for my VBCW collection. This is based loosely on the Fowler B5 road train design used by the British army during the last Boer War. The shell is basswood with card and cartridge paper in places, and the wheels and boiler cap are cast from the small pipe mold from Hirst Arts. The smokestack is a short length of aluminium tube.

On the to-do list is a length of smaller gauge brass pipe to be fixed somewhere on the cab section to take a variety of flagpoles. This will make it easy to change the factional allegiance. Some arrangement to tow the trailer will be next. I'll probably use a length of fine wire to make a hook-and-eye rig. It'll also make it easy to change the trailer for a different version when I get around to making one. I'm already thinking along the lines of something with a turret.  

The trailer will have firing ports along the sides for rifles, and it can also be used for hauling supplies in hostile areas. I've yet to decide on a paint scheme for the combination, but it'll be either gray overall or a variation on the British army tank pattern of the time.

Bully Boys of the BUF

Two shots of the two BUF sections, fresh off the painting block. I gave them a general 'Black and Tan' look, since in my VBCW the BUF have a similar policy of using a mix and match of army surplus and civilian-produced gear. The figures and L3/33 are Pendraken Miniatures 10mm SCW. They look shinier than they are in reality. I'll give them and the bases a coat of matt varnish to dull them down.

I've yet to work out the 'fluff' for this BUF platoon beyond the fact they'll infest the region of Bury St. Edmunds and the eastern part of Suffolk. They'll certainly knock heads with the Socialist faction in Great Yarmouth and the various LDV and Anglican League formations in Norfolk and Suffolk. 

Happy New Year!

2014 is behind us, 2015 lies ahead. 

I wish everyone 

a

 Peaceful and Prosperous New Year!

* * * *

So, what next..? I have a batch of Pendraken Miniatures 10mm SCW infantry on the painting block, being painted up as BUF. Once I get the spare factional command elements done, the only additions I'll make to my VBCW collection will be Boyes AT rifle teams and some more buildings. After that, I'll consider the collection finished.

The adventures of the Barsetshire Regt. in G'Wundaland will continue. I may add a Naval Landing Party and a few cavalrymen to boost the force, time and funds permitting.

I hope to start a small NW Europe 1944-45 collection in 10mm, configured to the Chain of Command rules, again, time and funds permitting. 

My wargamer son-in-law is currently sorting through the stuff I had to leave in my gaming shed back in England. With luck and a following wind he'll be able to dispose of the figures and models I don't want. One of these days I hope to be reunited with my /1300th Sudan and Early Imperial Roman collection. We'll see...