Busy weekend

This Saturday will see me take the Crann Tara stand to my local show at Stockton
https://www.battlegroundshow.co.uk/
Since Leon of Pendraken miniatures has taken over the show has gone from strength to strength plenty of traders and games, free admission and this year there's a number of short talks on the ECW engagements that took place in the area, so if you want to know how 'Stumps cross' at Guisborough got its name now's your chance.
I also use the show as an opportunity to do my annual clearance

There are a lot of books, magazines and 28mm plastic and metal Ancients and Dark Age figures to go at silly prices. The huge rationalisation project continues as I really want to get back to using what I have and game more instead of just painting and boxing. So we shall see what the day brings.

Can I also take the opportunity to recommend you visit my friend Stuart Inch's blog. http://stuartinschwargames.blogspot.com/

Stuart has just published a small book on Wargaming the Sugar Islands Campaign and follows the British invasions of Martinique and Guadeloupe with a guide for gaming and campaigning the engagements- at £8 excluding postage it's an excellent buy

  Mm

I did some figure conversions for Stuart but have decided to get some figures made so Richard Ansell has started on the Naval Landing Party and will follow up with some Maroons and militia. 

If anyone decides to attend the show then pop by and say hello.

Finally can I commend another blog worth of following 1642 and all that

http://1642andallthat.blogspot.com/

Run by 'The Jolly Broom Man' - Mark an Englishman in France writes an entertaining and informative blog with some great ideas on running campaigns and games in the ECW.

Still Printing

As the arthritis in my fingers seems to have taken a grip early and I'm only getting about an hour a day painting then playing around with the capabilities of the printer continues.
I've done a 28mm test print of a Napoleonic British infantry for Ian Mountain (sculptor) and I thought I'd try printing some 10mm WWII vehicles that I got off thingiverse just to see.
How they turned out.

 

In addition Graham Hilditch painted the 40mm Prussian Officer I printed - very pleased and very tempted. Just waiting for the files of the other figures now.

Go Large

I'm afraid I'm still playing with the printer 🤣 Anyway I thought I'd have a go at scaling up and make a 40mm figure
I don't think it turned out too bad.
Will take some better photos today but pics taken in poor light.
All very promising.

First print results

Well first print results are promising a lot of work is required in positioning and supporting the figure so the first figure is one made for me to go with my range. 

The 'orcs' are 18mm I downloaded off thingiverse to practice the support process etc. Exciting times.

Home again and non stop together with a new project.

Well I've been home a fortnight and this is the first opportunity to play catch up on the blog.

I had to clear some Crann Tara orders and carry on packing the lead and plastic mountain which even though I have sold loads still seems overly large !!!

The Saxon Rapid fire cannon arrived from Griffin and is on the Crann Tara web shop.
And in a moment of madness I bought myself a 3d Resin printer ------

An Anycubic Photon and at a little over £400 is a pretty low cost entry into this world.

I'm hoping to use to print the resin masters for the series of artillery pieces I aim to release in the future and I'm also hoping to do likewise with a new range of 18th century figures I'm having done for me so lets see.
Of course that doesn't stop me looking at all sorts of other silly things that are out there!!!!

Finally to bring a close to my sons wedding and the trip to Chicago - a lot of people commented how my step son is a minime version of David and that as they grow older he gets more like him!!!
Very odd.

Next update will be back to gaming although it may see a return to some board gaming whilst the packing to move takes it toll!

Chicago Bound

I apologise for the lack of posts these last few weeks life has been a little hectic. The Crann Tara Saxons have sold extremely well and I have been playing catch up on the orders.

In the interim Dawn and I thought we should look at downsizing - I'm pleased to say games room and study were on her list for me but having sold the house within 3 days of it being advertised we have been running around finding somewhere suitable. We have found a house that provides all we want and all I need :). So house moving before Christmas is on the agenda!!!

Finally I'm off next week to visit my son in Chicago which I am really looking forward to.

Behind the scenes a mini campaign organised by Charles Grant for a future publication is off the blocks and more importantly following discussions with Charles about another book he intends to publish I have been busy converting figures into Von Luckners Hanoverian hussars and Charles has been working on mounted Frei Korps with other troops in the pipeline to accompany the book expect some exciting news in the future.

Little on the gaming front to report other than the usual gaming nights and whilst I have sold the majority of my Greeks ( although UPS appear to have lost a large parcel of them :( the new Mortal Gods game from War Banner looks interesting and I have just enough figures left to use them for this.

In the meantime some of my favorite pics of my British

Battle of Vellinghausen

As I've mentioned before from time to time I have the pleasure of travelling up to Charles Grant's to take part in Battles for his future publications.
This weekend saw me go to Perth to take part in the Battle of Vellinghausen.
Rather than go through a full background and excellent account can be found here

http://www.kronoskaf.com/syw/index.php?title=1761-07-16_-_Battle_of_Vellinghausen

The Battle itself lasted over two days, commencing on the evening of Day 1 and for most of Day 2.

The game itself focused on the attack on the Allied left by the Duc de Broglie.

I played the part of the Allies whilst John Dougan commanded the French.

The British commander on the Field of Battle was the Marquis of Granby and Charles asked if I had a suitable model, I didn't so I set about converting one to look something like the picture of him at the Battle of Warburg.

Don't think I did too bad a job.
So upon arrival at Charles I was presented with the table -

No enemy in sight - British pioneers working on defences to the front of Vellinghausen - the orders from Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick to hold Vellinghausen at all costs.

Now of course I can't go into details of the game as this will be appearing in a future publication. But it was a hard fought and bloody affair.

Here's a picture of part way through day 1 with both the Prince and Granby praying for night to fall.

 Then we have a picture at the start of day 2 before hostilities recommence and what was to be a very bloody day.

Once again a fantastic weekends gaming, superb hospitality from Charles and his wife Liz and great company with John, Charles and I discussing all things hobby and Crann Tara related late on the Saturday night. Watch out for more new releases - the list is long :)