Thornbury IPMS 2019

Well dang it, we only went and won "best participation game" at the Thornbury show again. More news later but worth noting that Tim won the award for most damage taken in a single game turn. Well done Tim :)

INWarD 2019

The start of a new month means that it is only 6 days until INWarD 2019, the International Naval Wargames Day. To be honest I'm nt sure what my INWarD game will be this year, th 6th is a work day so I may try to get one in early at the weekend (that said it is also the IPMS model and wargaming show at Thornbury and I'm there all day doing Wings of Glory - but I guess I could break out the CMBs and we could run an air/naval game). The alternative is something on the 7th as I may be having a well-earned day off (assuming I don't go for a day trip to the Mach Loop.....)

Whatever happens, INWarD should be a fun day for naval wargamers around the world - even if it does start and end a day or two either side!

Frakkin' Toasters!

The ability to splice 3D models together brings some interesting possibilities. So here's an example of a well known sci fi phrase being brought to life :)

Also just completed, a couple of B5 Starfurys, almost my favourite SF fighter (just edged out by the Buck Rogers Thinderfighter and one other that shall be revealed in a few days....)

Bidi-bidi-bidi

More ships rolling off the Photon production line, this time Buck Rogers in the 25th Century is the subject, with some more fighters made for use with Ares' "Battlestar Galactica" game (there is a link, the Thunderfighter from Buck Rogers was originally intended to be the design for the Viper in BSG, but didn't quite make it).

There are some lovely STL files on Thingiverse for the Thunderfighter, the "Traeger2 variant, and the Quadfighter 4 seater, as well as the Draconian "Marauder" or "Hatchet" fighter. I was a firm fan of Buck Rogers when it first appeared on TV and my love for the series (series one anyway, series 2 was dreadful) continues. And all because of the designs of the fighters. Yes, just because of that....

Anyway, here they are.....

Spare Ribs

I was reminded/embarrassed by Brian Weathersby's blog post about the RIBs I was supposed to do for "Whale Wars" some time ago but which I had completely forgotten about. Inspired by Brian's lovely examples I knocked these up last night,combining a few models on Thingiverse to create a craft with three crew (I have a few 1/700 models for my "Bulldogs Away" collection but they seem a bit odd charging into action with nobody aboard). I'm working on another one with a "rollbar" just now, but these will do nicely to be going on with. They are deliberately overscale to give them a bit more presence.

Vipers and Raiders

I've been quiet here but busy "at the office". The latest models to come out of the print and paint shop have been a trio of Colonial Vipers and Cylon Raiders from the original Battlestar Galactica TV series. Some readers may remember I got a copy of BSG from Ares last year prior to its launch, but my chums in the local games club didn't really take to it. Despite that I thought I'd add to my stock of fighters with these 3D printed models.And to be honest I've always preferred the original series Raiders to the re-imagined ones.

1/600 Romanians

Latest models off the stocks (or rather off the printer) are the core of my new Romanian flotilla in 1/600. An interesting mix of Vosper, BPB and MAS boats with a trio of MFPs in support. There are also three Kriegsfischkutter to complete the set (plus an extra one due to the arrangements I used when I was printing) plus a larger 1/300 "mother hen".

Also tucked in there are a couple of 1/300 MFPs, so far these are the largest 3D prints that I've attempted. I was most impressed with the skills of the modeller, the detail in the weapons is awesome (so good in fact that the 1/600 models have problems with the extremely fine barrels.