Fantastic News

[Ian61]

where exactly is Cranfield?

South of Wigan...

...terra incognito as far as you are concerned, Jim.

 

Well, we've dragons down this way.

[Nick Harbud]

What can you expect, living so close to Wales?   

[Jim Webster]

where exactly is Cranfield?

South of Wigan...

...terra incognito as far as you are concerned, Jim.

 

Once you get south of Lancaster on the M6 motorways degenerate and civilised life becomes impossible. North of Junction 36 and everything is so much more reasonable 

[Imperial Dave]

What can you expect, living so close to Wales?   

 

[CarlL]

Where's Wigan?

And does it really have a Pier?

And what's the M1...etc.....

Eh its grim down suff...

CarlL up norff

[Imperial Dave]

I may venture that way come the autumn...

[Jim Webster]

Wigan does have a pier, I have seen it


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[Imperial Dave]

But where are the pies...

[Jim Webster]

Not had one I'm afraid
Not been to Wigan for years, but then it is 90 miles away. (Same distance as to Carlisle, our 'county town')
Actually Wigan was long famous for Uncle Joe's Mint Balls  https://uncle-joes.com/

Travelling north from London by train, arriving at Wigan and seeing the big painted sign for Uncle Joe's Mint Balls told you that you had finally arrived in the North and were entering civilisation 

[Erpingham]

But where are the pies...

I think the actual question is "Who ate all the pies?" Followed by "You fat bastard!" 

[Jim Webster]

But where are the pies...

I think the actual question is "Who ate all the pies?" Followed by "You fat bastard!" 

So far over my head I never heard the ricochet 
We've not had a telly for over twenty years now 

[Nick Harbud]

The pies are great - I used to regularly indulge whilst commissioning the new baked bean line at Kitt Green 40 years ago.  Can't recall the name of the place, but it might have been Baldy's.

[Bohemond]

I will be giving a preview of my Bannockburn lecture for Battle Day 2027 at the Convention. I have been casting around for wargaming interpretations of the battle. I think that I have found an interesting one in  the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis. However, I'm not sure that I have the time or the skill to make up all the necessary cardboard figures. It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B

[Ian61]

I will be giving a preview of my Bannockburn lecture for Battle Day 2027 at the Convention. I have been casting around for wargaming interpretations of the battle. I think that I have found an interesting one in  the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis. However, I'm not sure that I have the time or the skill to make up all the necessary cardboard figures. It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B

Just been looking at that series. Interesting idea, but not really my scene modelling or time wise. Hope your search is successful and look forward to your lecture.

[kodiakblair]

I think that I have found an interesting one in  the Paper Soldiers series produced by Helion and illustrated by Peter Dennis.  It occurred to me that there might be someone - possibly a student or other offspring of a SOA member - who might be prepared to do the necessary skilled work for a mutually-agreed payment. Any takers? Matt B

I've some experience with Peter's "Paperboys" series, happy to give some pointers.

They are being used for a Hastings game at the Other Partizan this year. Game is 1:1 figure/man ratio so volunteers were needed. I signed up for 2 bases, Huscarls, then did a further 2 bases of bowmen/crossbow when someone dropped out.

If you're planning on a similar team effort it's best to have everyone use the same materials. 120gsm paper, it seems slim and flimsy but it stiffens up when glued together and it's much easier to cut than say 150gsm or 180gsm. Pretty robust if smeared with PVA or 'Modge-Podge' before basing.

Talking of basing, we were told to use 1.5mm 'Finnboard' as it's fairly warp resistant to gluing.

Scissors.

Peter recommends the Beadative brand. I ruined a fair few stands attempting to snip with cheap home/office scissors, the recommended brand work much better.

Colouring the cut edges with a grey or brown felt tip really improves the look.