Friday 30 May 2014

Partizan 'In The Park' Show, Kelham Hall


As long as the stars stay in alignment I should be travelling here this Sunday..fingers crossed as so much can go wrong............and what can usually does......

This year it is being held in a marquee due to a double booking issue on the hall's part....

Kelham Hall have now come back to us and suggested that we hold the event in a large marquee (approx. 10,000 sq ft) in the grounds. Clearly this would not be our first choice but given that the only alternative was cancellation we have, after some discussion, decided to go ahead with the event as normal. 


Freebie mini for this show and the September one....to celebrate 100 year anniversary of the Xmas truce in the trenches during WW1 where a game of good 'ol footie was had....


I've posted most of the earlier freebies on the Lost Minis WIKI here. Still missing Lambert Simnel though...

Dags of Frothers fame held a subbuteo WW1 game at Salute in 2010...



Traders coming so far....

Instant Armies
The Last Valley
Trent Miniatures
Mr Dave Thomas
Worley Publications

a couple of pics have just been posted on their Facebook page here..well worth checking if you do Facebook.



and a quick edit as the floor plan mentions a beer truck.......



So, although I am extremely impoverished at the moment I may have to take a little cash......


Sunday 25 May 2014

Thane Tostig Quest II - the skeletons have arrived....


Around June 1977, Barry Minot unleashed 'The Quest of Thane Tostig' onto the gaming world followed by a later second quest against the might of Merlin. I have recently picked up a set of the skeletons and they have been sitting in a dettol bath for 3 weeks.....still some paint adhering after all that time but mostly gone. The old white undercoat should be used on military vehicles in the real world. Nothing seems to shift it....

I present.....The Legion of the Dead Skeleton Warriors

TT37 Skeleton with Axe and Shield


 TT38 Skeleton with Sword and Shield


 TT39 Skeleton with Poleaxe and Shield


 TT40 Skeleton Firing Bow


 TT41 Skeleton with Spiked Mace and Shield


 TT42 Skeleton Standard Bearer


TT43 Skeleton War Trumpeter


Do not judge these sculpts by todays standards. These are old school and wonderful pieces of mini history. 

The original rules and minis are blogged here followed by most of the 2nd quest minis here.

As always; enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk


Thursday 22 May 2014

Bob Naismith old fantasy sculpts.....


Back in the late 70s and early 80s Bob sculpted a number of now out of production fantasy pieces for various companies. I am led to believe he first sculpted for Wargames Publications (Scotland) Ltd. He sculpted a large amount of historical, both in 15mm and 25mm under 'Naismith Design' label which were distributed by Navwar Productions Limited. The 15mm are mostly still available however the 25mm are long gone and Navwar have never been able to supply any information regarding the masters etc. I would assume they are gathering dust in one of Bob's Highland hideaways......the man is a true Scot through and through. He has sculpted for many different companies over the years including being responsible for the first Games Workshop Space Marines (should I insert a 'TM' there?) - the old classic Womble helmeted ones. He left GW around 1990 to become freelance. He sculpted a large Sci Fi range 'Cobalt' that has recently been picked up by Black Hat Miniatures...they are expanding it and they are superb. He is currently producing plastic for both Fireforge Games and Mantic Games

These are what I have of the fantasy he released under Naismith Design.....I would love to pick up the rest if anyone has any. Pics alone would also be great!


F1 Dungeoneer Duck


F2 Adventurer Elf ready to travel


F3 Superhero in cape & tights


F4 Thief Adventurer with loot and pack


F5 Skeleton Warrior with sword and shield


F6 Knight of the Order of the Chaotic Pig


F7 Hunchback half troll prowling


F8 Unarmoured troll advancing


F9 Armoured troll striking


F10 Troll with shoulder plate marching


F11 Mutant four armed adventurer


F12 Green adventurer with "muscles" & sword


F13 Knight of the Order of the Chaotic Ant


A possible variant.....


F14 Wizard casting spell


F15 Witch, invoking the spirits


F16 Orc standing guard


F17 Orc marching, half armoured

F18 Orc in chainmail & plumed helmet advancing

F19 Dwarf with Axe

F20 Armoured Dwarf drawing dagger

SD1 Dragon - Something Special

And an unknown hunchback......


Unknown......from his size he belongs to the trolls but there is no code for him.....he doesn't seem to completely fit the 'Knight of the Chaotic Pig'  stance when comparing him to the Chaotic Ant Knight above.....thoughts??


Two different base inscriptions (I know, I am very sad and lonely). One had the code added which is always useful....



The South American range was wonderful...all sorts from Conquistadors to Mayans to Aztecs etc. Such a shame they are lost. The Aztec litter became a focal piece for my 'all conquering' Slann army.....as usual most have yet to see a lick of paint......

  

missing his feather crown which is somewhere in a bits box I seem to recall.....








Lastly from Wargames Publications (Scotland) Ltd.......

MA6 Warlock Casting Spell


More to follow in a later article...

There is a nice interview here at the Magpie & Old Lead blog and another here at the Realm of Chaos 80s blog. 

If you like the blog, please follow it and become a Politico (top left) - it makes me feel like I'm appreciated as does leaving a comment below!

Also, if you are feel slightly flush, buying me a coffee is always appreciated...blogging can be thirsty work... https://ko-fi.com/davidwood

Email as always; enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk

BTW, the updated blog post is here; 


Monday 19 May 2014

The building bug.......caught again from Salute 2010.....


Back for Salute 2010 I built a few scenery pieces for the Frothers Unite game 'Frotherheim'. Kind of a 'Mordheim' (now defunct, I believe, GW game) meets the uncouth.....as Frothers is renowned for the world over. Or maybe just locally.........anyway, I just found my WIP pieces on my old photobucket account so thought I would share. Once I get some headway into the new building I will post some pics of those as well. Far too early to invite c&c....

The game in progress....a somewhat slimmer (and hairier) me on the right of the pic accompanied by the young Boki Grombal of Stunties fame.




This is the game where I had promised to paint an Otherworld Giant miniature....I had 2 weeks to do it and ended up like this on the morning before getting the train to London....the whole story here.


the buildings blocks c/o the recently tiled kitchen....great fun slicing and dicing mini mosaic tiles with a tile cutter. Messy but fun. The laser cut CD rounds were c/o Ian at Fenris Games...happy to do anything for a buck......


The Well of Doom.........




Barry Minot pieces for the Nymphorium....





This Clan War demon didn't make it past the cleaning up and basing stage....


Froth Towers takes shape...with a Foundry Viking for size....come on down Ragnar Lothbrook....






The tile placement was very laborious but gave quite a 'natural and gothic' feel to the build.

  

   
Inspired by fishing programmes seen over the years....


Plastic Skaven..a lot nicer than I thought they would be....



A watch tower sort of thingy.....




Undead skaven Rat Ogre or similar name...



A good Mordheim site here and it is soon to be PC based...even I might get involved in that.....more details  here.

As always; enquiries@deartonyblair.co.uk