All too little progress to report on the hobby front in the past week or two - how long can it really take to paint just 16 6mm figures? That's a 'paint conversion' of ACW Infantry in Slouch Hat to 1859 Piedmontese Bersaglieri - of which more when they are finished! But I hope to boost my inspiration by going to Wargames Association of Reading's show Warfare 2024 at Farnborough Conference Centre this weekend (I'll be going on Saturday). They have published their program on-line, and it's quite impressive, especially the list of Traders who will be there.
A decent set of demonstration/participation games too, I like the sound of a Franco-Dutch War (1672-78) game by 'Ardammer Group, Anschluss Wargames Tobruk game, Malvern Old Wargamers Italian Wars game using Armati rules, and Central London Wargamers 'Emperor of the Battlefield' demo. I was quite looking forward to Oxford Wargames Society 'Bloody Big Battles' game - I have the rules, and hope to try them in the future - but just noticed the Oxford club are only there on Sunday! Oh well - I'll look out for other people's reports on that one. With all those traders, I'm sure some shopping will occur too.. And finally there are multiple tournaments - I am not a tournament player, but the program suggests taking a look at those games too, promising 'some fantastic tabletops on display and some stunningly painted armies that our competitors are exceptionally proud of'. We'll see!
I'll keep this brief for now, and all being well I will post a report of my visit and some pictures after the event. Meanwhile, I really must get those tiny Bersaglieri finished..
As a quick aside, I was at the National Army Museum recently, and noticed an interesting little exhibit - are these the original 6mm wargame figures?
And of course, the seriously large 'tabletop' which they were part of can still be viewed nearby:
Not sure there will be anything quite comparable with this at Warfare 2024.. but you never know!
Keep well, everyone.
Enjoy you show, David! I see that several of the Rejects are making the trip, perhaps you will run into them?
ReplyDeleteThanks Jon, I hope it will be a good day! I'm sure I'll spot the 'Rejects', they do tend to stand out in their red shirts. Always good to meet them!
DeleteAh! That explains why you’re making the feathers for the Bersaglieri yourself!
ReplyDeleteI thought the Siborne figures were close to 10mm (just more anatomically proportional than most figures available today).
Anyway enjoy Warfare!
Chris/Nundanket
thanks Chris, yes those Bersaglieri feathers are a bit of a fiddly job. Hmm... I'm not sure now about the Siborne figures, looking at them through the display cabinet glass made it hard to judge the real size. Maybe as you say 10mm, but much thinner than 6mms tend to be. Must go back and look again!
DeleteThose further North can see more of Siborne's work(including a large diorama) at the Royal Armouries in Leeds. The display there allows you to view some individual figures through a magnifying glass - remarkable.
ReplyDeleteThanks Anthony, I do hope to get to the Royal Armouries someday, you have given me another incentive to do so.
DeleteAnd many thanks for reading and commenting on my blog, I just checked and found I first read a piece by you in Miniature Wargames issue no.15 - from 1984!
A rather inaccurate discussion of English Hundred Years War tactics, I believe. Interesting how understanding moves on : ).
ReplyDeleteOn Siborne's figure size, I think the Armouries display says 9mm. Certainly a bit bigger than 6mm. And picking up the HYW theme, the Armouries have another large diorama of Agincourt made with modern Perry 28mm figures.
I bet you nudged a few people into an interest in the 'WotR', anyway! I think maybe Nundanket has it right, the figures may be more than 6mm but more accurately proportioned than current 6mm wargame figures.
DeleteHave a good time at the show old fruit - and buy at least one random thing that catches your eye since it’s good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mark, I will - and that is very good advice!
DeleteInteresting discussion. There were some Sibourne figures for sale on eBay about 7 years ago.
ReplyDeleteThanks, that's interesting. I wonder if a wargamer bought them?
DeleteEnjoy the show, it sounds most interesting. I look forward to seeing pictures…
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
P.s tremendous tiny troopers
thanks Alan, it was a pretty decent show. Pictures will follow in a day or two, meanwhile look out for Ray (Don't Throw a One' ) and Lee (Big Lee's Miniature Adventures) who will no doubt have loads of pictures - I bumped into them about 5 mins after arriving!
DeleteHave a great day out and take some photos if time permits, as it's always good to see what's on display etc. Moveable arms on some of those miniatures? Wow, pretty impressive but probably quite easy for a jeweller I suppose...
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve, it was a pretty good day overall - blog report coming soon. Good point about the Siborne figures, but they were clearly costing him an awful lot of momey - 'over-specified' to say the least!
DeleteHaving had a preview on VWC by an attendee, it looked like a very good show - the Anschluss Tobruck game especially...
ReplyDeleteAs Anthony said, one of the Siborne dioramas is on show at the Leeds Armoury, although showing signs of age and wear.....
I'll stick some photos on the blog for you although they are not that clear.....
The Leeds model is the smaller and uses what are in effect 25mm, while the NAM model uses 10mm....
Neil
Thanks Neil, your VWC reporter must have hurried back home to be in time to report to you! I will look out for your pics of the Leeds version of the model. One of these days I am going to have to pay a visit to the Royal Armouries... I think there's a gaming show there too!
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