Yet more 'Nam

Another grunt for Easy Company and another VC guerrilla.

A Pilot for the Hook

Having got the Chinook, I had to paint a pilot this morning for it!

A Hook for 'Nam

My Newray Boeing Ch-47 arrived, very pleased with it for the price. I have the Ch-64 on order for the USMC as well.

Here are the last known photos of Easy Company before they took off for a secret mission in Cambodia. Seen here being photographed by Scarlett O’Hare before they board a Hook piloted by an Air America crew.

More 'Nam

Two more grunts and two more VC for my 'Nam project.

A Civvy for 'Nam

A civvy for the 'Nam project this time. This is Scarlett O’Hare, a photo journalist from Newsweek.

'Nam - Another Occasional Project

No background story for this yet. I am just enjoying painting a few minis for a Vietnam game. So, just a few photos of progress so far.

Yes, I know Sergeant Rock is WWII. However, he has been reincarnated in the '60s!

Congola - An Occasional Project

As the title says, this is a bit of an on/off project. I paint a few figures and then put it away until I feel like getting into Africa again. I would like to build an airfield for this game but other things are demanding my time and money at the moment. I have two Tabula Rasa buildings from Knights of Dice which I want to make into the Congolan Police HQ and Interrogation Centre.

So, without further ado, I present to you from right to left; General Muangamizi Ndofa, President for Life of the People’s Republic of Congola, Colonel Koko ‘Simba’ Ndofa (so young to be a Colonel but his Dad insisted), son of the General and Mma Precious Ndofa née Ramotswe (originally from Botswana). Seen here outside Katanga House, the Presidential Palace.

A special day for the General as a BBC film crew have flown out to Congola to interview him. On the left is Austin Powers who works at the British Consulate in Congola, Moira Stuart next to Precious and on the right, General Ndofa’s Close Protection Squad. The General insists on female-only bodyguards and no-one disagrees with the General!

I am planning three main factions plus some civilians and war reporters.

• Ndofa’s eldest son by his first wife, Kubwa Mvulana Ndofa ('Big Boy') who wants to be President. He is supported by the British who want the rights to Congolan copper mining which Kubwa has promised them. In the game, Kubwa is supported by a deniable SAS force.
• Ndofa and his forces, mainly female soldiers and three bodyguards. Couple of mercenaries perhaps, ex-Spetsnaz and Black Wasps.
• Communist guerrillas led by a rival Congolan tribe Mangbetu-Azonde, maybe supported by the Russians and Cubans. Their leader will be Mkate wa Kubanika.

This is Kubwa Mvulana Ndofa.

General Ndofa's elite regiment.

WIP on the police station. Two police guards and in the centre the expert Police Interrogator.

Operation Chastise - The Dambusters Raid

77 years ago today, the Dambusters Raid took place through the night of 16th to 17th May, 1943.

On the night of 16-17 May 1943, Wing Commander Guy Gibson led 617 Squadron of the Royal Air Force on an audacious bombing raid to destroy three dams in the Ruhr valley, the industrial heartland of Germany. The mission was codenamed Operation 'Chastise'. The dams were fiercely protected. Torpedo nets in the water stopped underwater attacks and anti-aircraft guns defended them against enemy bombers. But 617 Squadron had a secret weapon: the 'bouncing bomb'.

With Guy Gibson's Lancaster flying above to attract anti-aircraft fire, Henry 'Dinghy' Young drops his 'Upkeep' mine on the Möhne dam.

The Ruin of Mimsie Hawley - Turn 9 - The End!

Due to wavering morale, Sir John has now to throw a dice to see if he will engage, but the great man makes his throw, turns from the body of Sir Miles and takes on Lord Melchett. Will the big man be able, single-handedly to turn the tide of battle? Read on! As Sir John turns to face Melchett, Bottom runs into the fight swinging his matchlock. Stirrup runs towards the fight but is still some distance away.

So once again, Sir John fights for his life against two opponents. The previous combats must have told on Sir John, though. Melchett is able to pierce not only Sir John's defence but also his heart! Bloody Lane claims another victim in this feud without a cause.

'Sound trumpets! let our bloody colours wave!

And either victory, or else a grave.'

Lord Melchett and Bottom step away from the gore-soaked ground and look to the south and the solitary figure of Stirrup at Hanging Cross.

Stirrup, observing that he is the only one of Sir Jaspar's original party still alive, decides to make a run for Fannys Bottom and safety. The cart is still loaded with booze so Stirrup elects to take the cart with him and gets Muffin the mule moving at a good pace to get home in time for tea and medals.

...and there our story has to end as sadly as it begun with many a good man dead including our two main protagonists, Sir Francis and Sir Jaspar, not forgetting dear Mimsie as well! The tale may now changed from The Ruin of Mimsie Hawley to The Death of Mimsie Hawley.

There was, back at the beginning (which seems so long ago) a table of Victory Points which I will remind you of here. Relating to this we find Sir Francis scored 12 points and Sir Jaspar 10 points. But as you survey the field of battle, dear reader there appear to be no winners today.

In war whichever side may call itself victor. There are no winners. But all are losers.

I must thank Doug em4 and Vagabond for taking part in this game and playing like gentlemen (with a straight bat to the wicket) and making it so enjoyable. Even at a distance, we managed to make each other laugh. As Eric and Ernie always said at the end of their show, 'Bring me Sunshine, in your smile, Bring me Laughter, all the while,'. Adieu.

The End.

The Ruin of Mimsie Hawley - Turn 8

At the start of turn 8, Sir John Falstaff challenges Lord Melchett to a Duel. Should Melchett accept this challenge, no other figure would be able to interfere following the En Garde! rules. Melchett declines the challenge and Bottom shoots at Falstaff. Bottom has obviously not been carrying out regular weapon maintenance as his ball goes flying over Sir John's head, narrowly missing the Hawley banner that Melchett so proudly carries. Falstaff charges Lord Melchett shouting "Refuse a challenge, eh? Shoot at me, eh? Well, have some of this my son, you have as little honesty as honour!"

Stirrup (remember him?) reloaded last turn and takes a long shot at Sir Miles Cholmondely-Warner. The wind must be blowing in the right direction as Stirrup scores a hit on Sir Miles and causes a light wound. Sir Miles limps in to join Melchett in combat against the massive figure of Sir John Falstaff. It was to be said (particularly in the Boars Head Inn) in later years that this was Sir John's greatest moment since hiding in the laundry basket (see The Merry Wives of Windsor). Adolf Schrödter captured Sir John in oils, showing him at his best with his page in attendance.

But I digress, back in Bloody Lane, Wrench runs at Lord Melchett and tries to cleave him in twain with his halberd. The stage is set for another round of combat in this already blood-soaked drama.

To resolve this combat, the fight was divided into two separate combats with Melchett fighting Wrench and Sir Miles taking on the mighty Sir John. Sir Miles lunges at Sir John, but the big man is able to parry. Sir John steps forward, strikes and Sir Miles sinks to the ground breathing his last. Another death in Bloody Lane.

We now turn to Melchett whose skill it seems, is more than able to overcome Wrench's mighty weapon. A well-placed thrust from Melchett and Wrench is an ex-servant, he is brown bread. Morale is tested due to the amount of bodies piling up in the road. Sir Jaspar's men start to waver but Sir Francis's men remain steady (this is where the banner comes in handy).

To be continued...