Tintin Vs Cthulhu

I so wish that some one would write this book. This has to be the greatest ever idea for a Call of Cthulhu adventure.
This is the work of artist Murry Groat, who has made four Cthulhu/Tintin covers, including Tintin in Innsmouth. It's very cleaver and right up my street.
It's kind of got me thinking, as Mark Copplestone already does a Tintin character, and some snow-bound explorers, it could be great fun to do as a mini project (And could possible tie in with my Pulp stuff).
Great, just what I need- another mini-project to distract me!

More Battle Cars

My 10 year old son and I have been at it again, and have created two more battle cars for our Axles and Alloys game. Charlies is the Red Rocketeer, a van armed with a turret mounted medium missile launcher and a smoke launcher, while I opted for the more 'up-close-and-personal' Disco Inferno, a pick-up truck armed with a huge flame-thrower on the side, a rear facing military grade pulse laser, and a big ol' rusty ram on the front.

The cars are matchbox-scale Fast Lane cars, and the weapons are old Games Workshop.

Big Game 3 (VBCW) review

Last week end I went to the famous Big Games 3 (Or BG3), one of the biggest annual event in the 1938: A Very British Civil War (VBCW) calender. Organised by hardcore VBCW nutter Mort, and attended by some of the big names in VBCW, including some of it's visionary creators.

Trades Union Band

(Not my picture, but so nice I had to use it)

Unfortunately because of work commitments, I could only attend one day, but I proudly took my VBCW militia along. The weekend was a bit chaotic, in a good way, with various battles being fought simultaneously on various tables, and events occurring on one table directly effecting the events on another table: For example, it was possible for a force to retire from one table only to enter another table, based on a rather random map in Mort's head (or based on Mort's whims, I wasn't sure which).

The campaign had a narrative style, not a competitive one- no one bothered with points values or trying to make sure the fights were balanced, it was all about building up an interesting narrative based on the battles going on.

British Union of Fascists Tank show scant regard for the high way code (again, not my picture, but too good not to pinch)

For my part I was rather on the periphery of the main battles. I was allied to the Anglican League, a militia based around the Church of England. My job was to organise road blocks and extract a tithe from passing traffic, in order to fund the Leagues continued campaigns.

In the first battle I advanced with about half my force onto a tiny hamlet, hoping to extract some money from the unsuspecting villagers and any passing travelers hoping to make their way through. Unfortunately I encountered stiff resistance from the Somerset Freedom Fighters (SFF), and their allies in the RAF, who had managed to muster up an anti-tank gun. My troops performed poorly, not least because my commander got shot down in short order by the troops of the RAF. My 3" mortar made a good showing, wiping out the best part of an RAF platoon, but eventually I was forced to withdraw and leave the village to the SFF.

My boys advance on the village, hoping to extract tithes form the locals, unaware that a large force of Somerset Freedom Fighters were heading our way, determined to stop us.

In the second battle, I managed to secure an undefended village, and construct a road block. My troops took up well defenced positions in the village. Again I was attacked by the SFF, this time controlled by Mort himself. This time I performed better, and although some heated shots were exchanged, I managed to drive off the SFF without sustaining any casualties. Once their HMG was wiped out by my armoured car they lost the stomach for the fight and quit the field.

My boys hold the line and repel a SFF attack.

All in all the event was a lot of fun, the VBCW guys were very welcoming, and the native driven plot was a welcome change form the highly competitive Warhammer 40K tournaments I have been to in the past. Things were chaotic, and often the people organising the event seemed as confused as everybody else, but it was a a great laugh. It was fantastic to play on some lovely scenery, and to see so many brilliant VBCW armies in one place. I am defiantly looking forward to BG4.

Just one of the fantastic battlefieds we

fought over- exactly what a VBCW battlefield should look like.

More Grey Aliens Sighted!

The evidence of a plot by the Grey aliens to invade Britain continues to mount with the siting of two important members of the alien delegations were spotted surveying tactically sensitive sites around Birmingham.

Lady Bitnarg, supreme mistress of the fourth rite,

and undernarg to Master Psynarg.

Science Officer Scarnarg,

Wielder of the Trans-portal communicator.

Yet again these grey aliens are form Black Cat Bases. I have really enjoyed painting these little chaps, and I am looking forward to incorporating them into my supers campaign.

Battle Cars

My son Charlie (who is 10) and I have embarked on a new, exciting, and slightly silly project. We have started converting old Matchbox type cars into crazy post-Apocalypse Mad Max style battle cars, by gluing on lots of bits and bobs I have in spadefuls in the garage- all sorts of Games Workshop guns and such from a myriad of half finished projects or spares. The result looks surprisingly cool, and we are delighted with the way they turned out. Cue a frenzy of filing and gluing as we both embark on an arms race to create the ultimate killer car.

I will point out that the black car, aka The Destroyer, is Charlies. He painted it himself, and I think that it's hard to tell because his standard of painting has improved so much. I am very proud of him. My VW, aka The Battle Bug has come out very well too. Charlie added an Imperial Guard Lascannon, and death spikes made from part of the GW 40K buildings kit. I added a Heavy stubber, and oil slick dropper, and armoured wheels.

We will use the rules Axles and Alloys, which is available free of the net in a play test format. Although the cars are nominally 20mm scale, we can us the rocks and cactus etc from the western board for scenery, so I won't have to start making lots of new scenery (but I might anyway, just to use up some of the bitz I have in the garage).

Here's some WIP shots, to jive you an idea of what we did. We are hoping that when me old mucka Leon sees these pics he will feel inspired to rise to the challenge, make a few himself, and try his hand in the Arena of Death!

That's if he has got the balls.

Two cars- 70p each from Tescos

Key the paint with a file to create a good surface.

Add detailing from left over bitz box stuff, and aluminium body mesh (from car repair shop) to windows to keep the zombies out.

Bullet holes added with a pin drill.

Spray Chaos Black, paint with GW .

Don't forget some mud spatters and weathering on the paintwork.

easy.

VBCW Chester Local Defence Force

The Duke of Farndon's own militia forces continues to grow, their ranks swelled with volunteers from the dukes personal estates in and around Chester. Here is Lieutenant Arthur Maxwell, recently commissioned to the CLDF. Luckily for the CLDF, Maxwell has some previous millitary experience, all be it during the Boer war in 1902. He was retired from the army after receiving a wound in battle, and since then he has worked as a solicitor in Chester. The Duke himself personally persuaded Maxwell to once more take a commission. At 57, Maxwell is well past his prime, but his experience and maturity are useful in tempering Captain Grover's own excessive enthusiasm. He also like to point out that he won his medals in battle, unlike his commanding officer.
Maxwell's adjunct is Second Lieutenant William Pinkerton, who previously worked for Maxwell as a solicitors clerk. Pinkerton is, at best, unimaginative as an officer, but his meticulous attention to detail is ideal for his role as adjunct.
Their uniforms are specially made by the good women of the Chester Women's Institute to a design made by Captain Grover. Not quite as nice as his own, but certainly conforming to his own sense of what an officer should look like.

2nd Lieutenant Pinkerton and Lieutenant Maxwell

of the Chester Local Defence Force

These minis are from West Wind Games (I think, or they might be Black Tree Designs). They are WW2 Soviet officers, but Maxwell has had a head swap with one of WWG's own WW2 British army heads. I added a holster to Maxwell's belt using green stuff.

The Rat Catcher

This unsavoury character is the Rat Catcher, and while he might look harmless enough, he is mastermind behind a series of audacious crimes that have plagued the city over the last few months. Leading his minions of giant rats, rat swarms and even mutant rat-men, he has infested the sewers of the city, meaning he can strike where ever he wishes, emerging from storm drains and man-holes to wreck havoc, before escaping back to his sub-terrainian lair.

Law enforcement and heroes have made it a priority to locate the Rat Catchers lair, but so far have turned up nothing, despite numerous sweeps of the city's archaic network of Victorian sewers.I painted this to prove that this blog is still about superheroes and super villains, despite the fact that all I seem to be painting at the moment is 1938: Very British Civil War (VBCW). If you like the VBCW stuff fear not, there is a glut of it on the way soon.

The miniature is a limited edition Wargames Foundry one I picked upon ebay for a couple of quid. it's a lovely characterful model. it was nice to paint brighter colours after the dowdy 1930's armies I have been working on lately. I also plan to get hold of some ratty minions for him, but as always, money is in short supply.

A big hello goes out to the newbies Nick and Cash1204. hope you enjoy and as always comments and so on are always welcome.

VBCW: Duke of Farndon's Militia

The Duke of Farndon is a powerful figure at the royal court of King Edward, although his reputation has been tarnished by his close association with the British Union of Fascists, especially since the Prime Minster, Mr Oswald Moseley, has fallen out of favour with the King. Recently the Duke has tried to distance himself from the BUF, and Moseley, by openly supporting the more conservative British Fascisti (BF). His political maneuverings mean that the Duke is forced to spend much of his time at court in Madresfield.


The Duke is also the main land-holder in and around Chester, with his ancestral home just on the outskirts of the city. Having lost many of his holdings in Westminster to the Anglican League, the Duke is determined not to loose Chester to the damn Reds from Liverpool, and so has formed his own militia, the Chester Local Defence Force (CLDF). This private army of volunteers drawn from his estates has been armed and financed by the Duke himself. While they are firmly Royalist, the dukes history with the BUF mean the CLDF are as likely to clash with the BUF as they are fight along side them.

Captain Hon. Robert G. Grover

of the Chester Local Defence Force

The Duke, being absent at court most of the time, has appointed his youngest Nephew, Hon. Robert George Grover, as commanding officer of the CLDF. Styling himself as Captain R.G. Grover, the young lord has taken to his new role with relish, despite his lacking in military experience, or ever having held a commissioned rank. He designed his smart uniform himself, and is believed to have bought the glittering array of medals he often sports at an auction. He believes that it is more important to the average British tommy that their CO looks and acts like an officer, rather than actually having any experience.

Captain Walton, Royal Artillery

Luckily for the defenders of Chester, not all of those in command lack military experience. As well as the BUF Legions from Manchester, the city is defenced by detachments of the Royalist Northern Army, in the form of the Manchesters, loyalist members of the tretcherous Liverpool Regiment, and a detachment of the Royal Artillery.

These officers represent the start of my new force for VBCW, the CLDF. I plan on building up a small force of the militia, possibly with some allies from the regular army, and the Manchester Legion BUF. Captain Grover is a Black Tree Designs miniature representing a Russian general, but I painted him in the fictitious uniform of the CLDF, using English uniform paint by Valleyo. Captain Walton was one of Gripping Beasts WW1 German air force officers from their Red Baron pack. I just painted him up as an Artillery officer instead, without converting him.

In addition to this CLDF Stuff, I have also been out shopping, and have bought myself a train. I bought it from the Entertainer, for just £6, and I think it scales very well with the 28mm minis. Great value at the price. The trouble is I am not sure what to do with it. I think an armoured train might be cool, or I could do it up as a piece of static scenery. I think I might throw the topic out onto the Gentleman's Wargame Parlor, to see if any of the VBCW fans there have any ideas. I am thinking of getting another to use with my Legends of the Old West cow folks.

A train. Any ideas?

More British Black-shirts

Captain Ernest Webster, of the Manchester Legion of the British Union of Fascists; sometime known as the Butcher of Beswick. He likes to encourage the use of this nick-name in the hopes of fostering a fearsome reputation, but in actual fact he earned it not for some act of brutality but because before the war he was just that: owner of a village butchers shop.
Webster is an ambitious man, who sees the BUF as a means to an end- and that end is to become ennobled. In his own mind he sees himself as a crusading knight, fighting for king and country against the forces of liberalism and socialism. He honestly believes if he distinguishes himself in battle, then the king might grant him a knighthood, or even a peerage. The fact that he has no experience as a commanding officer, or even served in the military, does not seem to daunt him.

Corporal Edith Benson, of the Women's Volunteer Axillary of the BUF, is Captain Websters driver, and sometimes bodyguard. Many snigger that she is a good deal more than that, but never to her face. She is absolutely loyal to the captain, and shares his vision of his eventual rise to the ranks of nobility. The BUF are not short of weapons and equipment. The Prime Minister, Oswald Mosley, makes sure that they have the latest equipment at their disposal. It's a pity that so few of them have the skill and training to put them to good use. Here is a heavy machine gun section ready to lend support to their BUF colleagues during the siege of Liverpool.

These minis are by Musketter Miantuires, exsept for Edith, who is by Pulp Miantures.

Mr Achnacarry and Mr Archer (VBCW)

In the alternative Britain of 1938: a Very British Civil War, the city of Liverpool has declared itself a free city, independent form the rest of war-torn Britain. It's mayor, Henry Walpole, is a socialist, and has managed to unite the diverse forces in Liverpool, ranging from Irish Nationalists, to Communist dock workers, Anglican league militias, local volunteer militias and elements of the Royal Navy and the Liverpool Regiment who have declared themselves in support of the Liverpool Free State. Keeping this desperate group of idealists acting together as a cohesive force in the face of the besieging royalist and fascist forces is no easy matter. Mayor Walpole is a charismatic man, but sometimes it is necessary to use more direct forms of persuasion to influence his supporters.
These two 'gentlemen' are Mr Archer (on the left) and Mr Achnacarry, agents of Mayor Walpole. Officially they are civil servants, but they are more commonly known as the mayors secret police. Mr Achnacarry passes himself of as a gentleman, mild mannered, sporting an umbrella and a monocle, but his soft spoken threats are real enough. Rumor is that he used to be a policeman in Shanghai, and knows as much about killing as is possible to know. Mr Archer is his assistant, bodyguard and sometimes his enforcer. Most people believe the rumor that he used to be a circus strongman or a wrestler. Certainly the way his muscles bulge beneath his ill-fitting suits suggest their may be some credence to these rumours.
Mr Achnacarry and Mr Archer are seen all over the Liverpool Free State, having quiet words with the commanders of the various forces fighting for the city, ensuring that Mayor Walpole's wishes are carried out.

These two minis are by Artizan Designs. I liked them so much I just had to come up with a back story so I could use them in my army. I will probably treat them as special characters, or something like that.

Later in November I will be joining a load of other VBCW fanatics at the Big Game 3, in Evesham, where my Reds will be representing a militia force working for Lord Bath. The chap who is playing Lord Bath has requested I bring along a heavy machine gun or a mortar. As I haven't got one, and I am a bit skint at the moment I thought I would have a stab at making one. Here is the work in progress shot of it. The bipod is a GW mortar, and the barrel is a piece of plastic form a cotton wool bud. Minis are by West Wind. I am quite chuffed with the result. It might not be an exact copy of a ww2 3 inch mortar, but you can tell what it's meant to be. I also hope that a lucky shot form a mortar might prove to be effective against the royalist armoured cars when I next go down to Stourbridge, because I had nothing that could damage them in our last battle.