Category: news

Standard Beaverette

A Standard Beaverette of the Home Guard on patrol by a farm.

Home Guard Standard Beaverette
Home Guard Standard Beaverette

This is a 15mm scale model with farm buildings from Hornby’s N gauge Lyddle End range.

The first version of the vehicle was built in 1940 by Standard Motor Company at the instigation of Lord Beaverbrook, then Minister of Aircraft Production (hence the name Beaverette). It was based on commercial car chassis, on which a simple riveted armoured hull was mounted. The 11mm of steel was backed by 3 inch thick oak planks. The hull was open at the top and at the rear. The armament consisted of Bren machine gun which could be fired through a slot in the glacis armour. Subsequent versions received all-around protection and a machine gun turret – an enclosed one with Bren MG or an open-topped one with twin Vickers machine guns. Some vehicles also carried Boys anti-tank rifles. Some had No. 11 or No. 19 radio set. The production was stopped in 1942. About 2,800 units were delivered.

I have always liked the idea of gaming Operation Sealion and one day I may get some more of my collection painted and out on the gaming table.

Shrine of The Aquila




There was a lot of rumours around when the Shrine of The Aquila was announced and how it would look.

I was (and I am sure others were too) disappointed with the model as it was released.

Shrine of The Aquila

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great design, but not really a shrine or a cathedral as was rumoured. So when I saw this picture on the Games Workshop website I went hmmm…

Shrine of The Aquila

This is much more what I was expecting, much more what I was hoping to see.

At least I know now that if I do get one what else I need to buy.

Planetstrike

Managed to get a copy of Planetstrike from my local Games Workshop. When I went when it was released, alas it had sold out.

PlanetstrikePlanetstrike is a game of glorious invasions and desperate last stands set in the battle-ravaged universe of the 41st Millennium. Will you take the role of the defender, repelling the enemy’s vanguard with heavy weaponry and heavier fortifications? Or will you play the attacker, raining hellfire and damnation upon the foe before sending an army of your best troops to claim the smoking remains of his strongholds? This is truly a war on all fronts in which the enemy can appear at any time, from anywhere – especially from above!

This 80-page expansion book contains all of the rules and information you need to play games of Planetstrike; including: full rules for configuring your forces for planetary invasion, a full-colour hobby section on preparing your defences, and a comprehensive background section detailing some of the most infamous planetary assaults.

What was interesting, despite still been sold out on the Games Workshop website, my local store still had a bundle of Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps boxes (not selling well so much, as they tried to get me to buy a box).

Looking through Planetstrike, looks good and some nice pictures too.

Day of the Triffids

Triffids

I have been enjoying the The Day Of The Triffids on BBC Four. This is the original 1981 BBC version, though a new BBC version is coming soon.

I think that there is quite a bit of gaming potential with The Day Of The Triffids, small groups of survivors trying to get past hordes of triffids. Even groups of survivors fighting each other over food caches.

Might try and think of some rules and look for models.

Disappointing Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps

I popped into my local gaming store (an independent) and was disappointed with their limited range of Planetstrike models, they had the landing pad and the bastion, but nowt much else.

I was hoping to get the Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps set.

This box set contains four sets of resin counters, including: three sign posts, six bases of bombs, four booby traps and nine clusters of mines.

Disappointing Mines, Bombs and Booby Traps

Ah well I thought I’ll order it online, it’s only been out for a week.

Then I noticed on the website….

Availability:  No Longer Available

What!

I know the image says ‘while stocks last’ but it’s only been a week and they’ve already sold out!

I am guessing that Blastscape which is also a ‘while stocks last’ product, so I suspect that may go the same way…