tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3012084560908397112024-03-17T20:03:29.573-07:00Milgeek UKMilgeek's blog about military related gaming, crafting, modelling and artwork.Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.comBlogger148125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-18405548866575294322024-03-15T00:57:00.000-07:002024-03-15T00:57:25.757-07:00'Generation X' Plastic Toy Restoration Videos!<p><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">I Love Pre-1960s Toy Restorations, But What About the 1970s to 1990s?</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<p>As someone of the Boomer generation I guess the toys I remember most fondly are things like Dinky, Corgi, Airfix and Action Man, but I was a teenager in the early 1980s and also looked on with some envy at the toys that kids were getting in the 1990s! </p><p>While I do watch a lot of tin plate and diecast metal to restoration videos I have also started watching the Toy Polli channel which shows a lot of repairs of plastic toys that I would have loved to have played with when I was just a kid.</p><p>Some of the toys covered by this channel do kinda make me feel like I missed out a bit when the whole 'action figure' craze came along. No 'Action Force', 'Transformers' or 'Star Wars' figures and toys for me, sadly...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YmkXE_gey08?si=idHrvfD24-XvAaj0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-91783711618342782972024-03-12T04:10:00.000-07:002024-03-12T04:13:01.713-07:00My Favourite 'Off Topic' YouTube Channels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJWeo4AY79sB8-bt1HVCDKn4Wjmi2gKESsQ1ESO4jjYSq0q1RU-UU1J3QZjZbpvu63bUnRasPU_VbrQ4G8tSzjLK5IKd_ADj8361MeBPeYk6sr_H_W42nUycAGPxZN8ev0dvJ7E8achKfvdP7FKzFZSMUPD-F2jOo68KQbI9JUnZcL8u0IXg38kjJWR4/s1172/japwalk3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1172" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJWeo4AY79sB8-bt1HVCDKn4Wjmi2gKESsQ1ESO4jjYSq0q1RU-UU1J3QZjZbpvu63bUnRasPU_VbrQ4G8tSzjLK5IKd_ADj8361MeBPeYk6sr_H_W42nUycAGPxZN8ev0dvJ7E8achKfvdP7FKzFZSMUPD-F2jOo68KQbI9JUnZcL8u0IXg38kjJWR4/w640-h410/japwalk3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">I Like a Lot More Stuff Than Just Computer Games, Trains, Models and Military History!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What Do I Do To Relax From Relaxing...</span></h3><p>You know, sometimes your main hobbies - despite them supposed to be fun - do get a little on top of you. You may have just had a particularly tricky model session, or had a bit of a bit of a painting disaster or technical issue, or just spent a little too long on the one subject, so it's nice to take a 'time out' completely away from the usual hobbies so that you can come back to them refreshed.</p><p>I like to break up what free time I have and do something just a little different - which is probably why some of my projects take so long to complete π- and I do like to relax and watch something completely random on YouTube to rest those little grey cells.</p><p>Here's some of my favourite 'intermissions'...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. Retail Archaeology - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/@RetailArchaeology" target="_blank">@RetailArchaeology</a></span></h3><p>I had a big binge a few years ago when I got quite obsessed with 'Dead Mall' YouTube channels (video tours of dying or closed retail centres, mainly in America). I found these urban exploration adventures fascinating and indicative of the fragile nature of capitalism and our societies addiction to shopping.</p><p>Anyway, the whole 'Dead Mall' movement kinda waned after a while, I think because there was an limited pool of content and many of the channels were beginning to cover locations that had already been done (and because, I suspect, once you have seen a dozen empty shopping malls you've kinda seen them all)!</p><p>...But, one related but tangential deviation from the retail park video craze was the 'thrift store rummaging' video and this has remained a favourite watch for me as I love seeing what hidden gems channels like 'Retail Archaeology' can find amongst the junk. More so, because in the UK we do not have some of the huge thrift stores (what we call 'junk shops' or charity shops over here) that the USA has... </p><p>One person's junk is another's treasure!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xVW2OtK9FKg?si=t0OvoSxihRASZkBy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. 4K Japan Virtual Tours: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@4KJAPAN" target="_blank">@4KJAPAN</a></span></h3><p>I guess my fascination with Japan comes from two sources; the movie Bladerunner and my love of the Cyberpunk genre (which borrows heavily from the neon Tokyo aesthetic) and the rather more nostalgic animi classic works of Studio Ghibli.</p><p>The eye candy of Japanese architecture and landscapes never fail to give me inner buzz and I find the lazy tours around Japanese locations very soothing (as way as creatively inspiring). There's not much else to say really, except enjoy the immersive beauty...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe2FjRxSOhk" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="841" data-original-width="987" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijohma9w7GxCoGbUp5LLzHoJSxeZngTbKPA1XlixBjuObOq85zF6t2GJkkTvZiSuN7uTen5aQuG4sHuB5SFr17gtmfynch6vNXHavOqTGaGn5jpvTSz-ba9Z7E8Zj9yZzdVnMF4TD9rB7HuePm689E55NK_AqBOluxThVUYRykr5qlU7ghIzr2Ksk9yVs/w640-h546/japwalk.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Note - this is a link to the @4KJAPAN Video. (Opens in new window.)<br /><br /></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. StezStix Fix? - Fixing (& Breaking) Electrical Stuff!</span></h3><p>I have no knowledge whatsoever about wiring and soldering electronic stuff. I can barely change a fuse! But I do enjoy watching a interesting gadget repair.</p><p>No idea why, I'm definitely not looking to learn how this sort of thing is done nor have a broken gadget I want to repair myself and so need to know how... If it's broke I bin it! (Not very green of me I know!)</p><p>But there is something very hypnotic and relaxing about watching zoomed in circuit board work and the puzzle of finding which tiny part is actually the faulty one. π</p><p>I just sling one of these videos on, sit back with a mug of tea and relax!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zrbVR5-x5bo?si=QAU1X23-kADqulcY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. Medieval Music Playlists - Elthin Ensemble: <a href="http://www.elthin.cz" target="_blank">www.elthin.cz</a></span></h3><p>One of my absolute favourite books is <b>Barbara W. Tuchman's ' Distant Mirror: The Calamitous Fourteenth Century'</b>, a history of the French and France during the 1300s. It is an absolute cracker and while the subject might sound a little dry to some Tuckman's writing style and cheeky humour make it a glorious read. I have lost count how many times I have read this brilliant book.</p><p>Anyway, this made me a bit fond of French medieval history and so I accidently got into listening to period music whilst I was doing other things.</p><p>One of my favourite 'bands' - Le LOL - is Czech (yes, not French I know) Medieval & Renaissance Ensemble called <b><i>Elthin</i></b>. This find was a bit of a rabbit hole for me as this lead me to building a 'medieval music playlist' as - believe it or not - there's a lot of medieval music channels on YouTube!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KFRUM_iNzZ4?si=9lPVjlwK8WB_xVOd" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. Dan Monroe - Movies, Music & Monsters: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@MoviesMusicMonsters" target="_blank">@MoviesMusicMonsters</a></span></h3><p>A little more 'on topic' (kinda) than the others in this list, the Milgeek Blog has always included at least <i>some</i> posts about sci-fi and horror movies in the past. I love learning about some of the behind the scenes work that went on during the making of my favourite shows and movies from the past and Dan Monroe insider peak really does enhance your enjoyment of the small and big screen greats.</p><p>I don't know about Dan's background but he very obviously have one of this distinctive 'radio voices' that makes his shows a joy to listen to. He also does a lot of research for each of his shows and I always come away with a plethora of interesting titbits and cinema history fun facts!</p><p>My only tiny niggle is that Dan - naturally - focuses on classic American movies and TV shows and I wish we had something similar that covered British sci-fi and horror history in the same style.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VX-Mjy8IOCo?si=BqZaTS-yVc63WuLm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p><br /></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-42600416644158277232024-03-10T05:03:00.000-07:002024-03-10T05:03:04.681-07:003D Printed GROOT Model Repair<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53578440171/in/dateposted/" title="3D Printed GROOT Model Repair"><img alt="3D Printed GROOT Model Repair" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53578440171_d988747779.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p>x</p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>This is the SECOND repair on the 3D printed GROOT models I made for my daughters... Same break in same place! (I maybe should have mounted them on a base?) This one is StaceFiona's Groot, and I used a new method of heat wielding the crack to strengthen it this time. π</p><p>The wielded join seems really strong, it looks like this is a good technique when repairing PLA printed objects.</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-68509322074180545952024-03-08T03:44:00.000-08:002024-03-10T01:14:08.239-08:00My Top 5 WW2 Handguns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5g1OsUGuCZEhzRBTlgW63gV45c9Rnn4RBjYwVNcVGwUCAKL_3kSQXg2ajcO5_aP-0w92qMNxTM_0omBT9lpMXmn1PWkX6bGfhcbzA8CVPRLVx-v3KVfbym6KJGT5nnp2QafaW3eq49AtxNVFIR2GrIFRVYetVQv48Xr3XD-zuJULh-4Wr5XMTX3BB7g/s288/main-qimg-4667ad582c8b4cd5f7297ff3e6d45603-lq.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="288" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5g1OsUGuCZEhzRBTlgW63gV45c9Rnn4RBjYwVNcVGwUCAKL_3kSQXg2ajcO5_aP-0w92qMNxTM_0omBT9lpMXmn1PWkX6bGfhcbzA8CVPRLVx-v3KVfbym6KJGT5nnp2QafaW3eq49AtxNVFIR2GrIFRVYetVQv48Xr3XD-zuJULh-4Wr5XMTX3BB7g/w640-h604/main-qimg-4667ad582c8b4cd5f7297ff3e6d45603-lq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Military Sidearms: Crucial Personal Defence Or Dead Weight?</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Least Used Military Weapon in WW2?</span></h3><p>There is a case that handguns were practically irrelevant to the soldiery of World War 2. Aside for an status of rank or as a crew personal defence weapon, where troops could carry a more potent small arm they would. In fact, most armies completely spurned the handgun as a standard piece of kit for the rank and file.</p><p>And yet, handguns still have a unique fascination and many armies took pride in their choice of handgun, it becoming representative of that nation's military pride. You cannot think of the British Army and it soldiers of this period and not think of the Webley, and a GI without his Colt 1911 is unimaginable.</p><p>I'm afraid I am just as much a victim to this fascination with the handgun as a piece of military regalia as most and I do have my particular favourites...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. Colt/Smith & Wesson M1917 Revolver (USA)</span></h3><p>Now, I know what you're going to say, 'but what about the Webley'. And, yeah, it was hard to leave the good old Webley out, but I think the classic Colt revolver doesn't get as much love as it should. So I'll highlight this instead (this time, watch out for my <i>'Top 5 Handguns of All Time'</i> post).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/M1917_Revolver_issued_by_US_Army_during_WWI_to_Charles_H._HoustonN_MAAHC-2018_59_3_001.jpg/1920px-M1917_Revolver_issued_by_US_Army_during_WWI_to_Charles_H._HoustonN_MAAHC-2018_59_3_001.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="800" height="285" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/M1917_Revolver_issued_by_US_Army_during_WWI_to_Charles_H._HoustonN_MAAHC-2018_59_3_001.jpg/1920px-M1917_Revolver_issued_by_US_Army_during_WWI_to_Charles_H._HoustonN_MAAHC-2018_59_3_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>To me, the 1917 design is a real thoroughbred classic and is - basically - the format which influences the majority of revolver designs even up to this day. It's the familiar silhouette if you think of American police revolvers (especially from 1970s movies) and 1930s gangster alike (when not totting the 1911).</p><p>The 1917 format had the distinction of being manufactured by both Colt and Smith & Wesson, so the design was dominant, especially when you consider the general format was made is a host of frame sizes and calibres.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/L'Ennemi_Public.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="600" height="313" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/L'Ennemi_Public.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>By World War 2 the 1917 was a 'second line' sidearm, having been replaced by the Colt 1911 semi-automatic in general issue. As well as being issued to US stateside security forces and military policemen, they were used overseas by troops such as tankers and artillery personnel.</p><p>It was also used by the UK, the Home Guard and the Royal Navy used it during the Second World War as an alternative to the Webleys in the British .455 calibre.</p><p>I love the look of the elegant 1917, the 1911 was too 'showy' for me and a bit of a hoodlum's gun. A variation of the design - the Colt Police Special, which pre-dated the 1917 - was the preferred handgun of one Indiana Jones!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53515498647/in/dateposted/" title="Indiana Jones and his Colt Police Special"><img alt="Indiana Jones and his Colt Police Special" height="212" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53515498647_37b6e88a68.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. Mauser C96 - Germany</span></h3><p>Predictable me! Everyone's' favourite 'steampunk' handgun is definitely the excellent 'Broom Handle'!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5IhP3Xqp2Sczfd6H8MqVPuF6nu6yCB4OcJp9HTKX-szW3hruzVUTYViyOoInGgCDg4nL5YUp8pKjlo6HmScH-t37OZG7PdpxctyB8vX2RUTITQtf3mT-F7rBj6ks-pHz04QwA_fqvLVPq6dNV7zwqszGfO03BGJc9QUFqg3oDjHjCUDz2MG-4BzKYLA/s1200/Mauser-1896-Pistol-7.63-mm-Mauser.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="1200" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5IhP3Xqp2Sczfd6H8MqVPuF6nu6yCB4OcJp9HTKX-szW3hruzVUTYViyOoInGgCDg4nL5YUp8pKjlo6HmScH-t37OZG7PdpxctyB8vX2RUTITQtf3mT-F7rBj6ks-pHz04QwA_fqvLVPq6dNV7zwqszGfO03BGJc9QUFqg3oDjHjCUDz2MG-4BzKYLA/w400-h225/Mauser-1896-Pistol-7.63-mm-Mauser.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A rare and historical early Mauser Model 1896 cone hammer<br />"Porfirio Diaz" presentation pistol with a matching Stock. Gorgeous!<br />Source: <a href="https://www.rockislandauction.com/riac-blog/the-mauser-c96" target="_blank">Rock Island Auction.com</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's kinda a strange inclusion merely because of it's age, having been names after it's year of production - 1896! And yet, this reliable handgun soldiered on all the way into the Second World War. Again, Webley fans will smirk and say 'so what', but revolvers have a tried and tested longevity that saw very little innovation over a long period in basic design, semi-automatics - on the other hand - saw a lot of innovation since their widespread adoption by militaries at the turn of the twentieth century.</p><p>The Mauser C96 - therefore- was something of an anachronism by 1939 and yet was still the preferred sidearm of a select few soldiers. In a way, this may be because - with it's addition of a stock and, later, a box magazine - it was a sort of the granddaddy to what we call now the PDW (Personal Defence Weapon).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oxau0CRHIeOcqGW_3jyLhmC8QttQLUqLTsP2DqvdkFWEM9Dg9EyI85yeQA-K3QeHVTFT-kMW7C-ypj9_c4QdRfKT2XbInzVPJl0buDPwBWPjPm8IdnGhvlzQUnhRHG6WN4ClgbDc7GgsJTm4qNmHlMrtNkcj5d89anx5cVriFyUtMtyYLz4PkGEaqcg/s862/Screenshot%202024-03-07%20083033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="572" data-original-width="862" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oxau0CRHIeOcqGW_3jyLhmC8QttQLUqLTsP2DqvdkFWEM9Dg9EyI85yeQA-K3QeHVTFT-kMW7C-ypj9_c4QdRfKT2XbInzVPJl0buDPwBWPjPm8IdnGhvlzQUnhRHG6WN4ClgbDc7GgsJTm4qNmHlMrtNkcj5d89anx5cVriFyUtMtyYLz4PkGEaqcg/w640-h424/Screenshot%202024-03-07%20083033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Underlining it's 'bad boy' image, here a SS trooper is using his<br />stocked Mauser C96 in it's fully automatic - sub-SMG - form.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Popular culture tends to align the use of this gun with the 'bad guys', though Harrison Ford was the exception to this rule having used the C96 in both Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade and also in a pimped-up form as Han Soloβs DL-44 heavy blaster pistol from the Star Wars trilogy!</p><p>I like the C96 simply because it looks 'sick' - as the kids say - and because it's such a unique design. As I said, the Steampunkishness of it is uber attractive and if you asked any gun nut which was the most attractive pistol chances are that the C96 would be in their top 5, as it is with mine.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. Welrod Silenced Pistol</span></h3><p>For some strange reason when you ask people about the best WW2 handguns they never seem to think about the Welrod. Maybe because it was a 'specialist' covert pistol, or because it was numerically tiny in it's employment compared to the huge numbers of Webley's or Colt 1911s that were produced. In any case, it's a bit of a forgotten success story which belies it's importance.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukSsVwVaAmmPKiN_0nayuR7MIldoMCesDiuyXGeVtNQfrZeuDhAxmxcqzUrNU5f1J8JHOb4C7CPeZjDdLkcrBQ88yvTlwzL4xQ38xZ13PtgrDsO3QZzDgj3e_gjBjDv_V4Eb5FIh-by70BZ5dBdRRjOPl-UpgqDpwX7Spz7feARU6ZJ7POZKIHEKRQo8/s1920/1920px-Welrod_Mk_I_(6825681998).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1920" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjukSsVwVaAmmPKiN_0nayuR7MIldoMCesDiuyXGeVtNQfrZeuDhAxmxcqzUrNU5f1J8JHOb4C7CPeZjDdLkcrBQ88yvTlwzL4xQ38xZ13PtgrDsO3QZzDgj3e_gjBjDv_V4Eb5FIh-by70BZ5dBdRRjOPl-UpgqDpwX7Spz7feARU6ZJ7POZKIHEKRQo8/w640-h304/1920px-Welrod_Mk_I_(6825681998).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Looking more like a mechanics tool than a weapon the Welrod<br />oozes a sinister intent and which belies it's 'home made' looks.<br />Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welrod" target="_blank">Wikipedia </a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Handguns, in the modern military sense, are by and large defensive and 'secondary' weapons or are indicative of status. But the Welrod was wholly aggressive in it's intent - it had one use and one use only, to kill and enemy.</p><p>Whether it was to silence (pun intended) a enemy sentry or assassinate an enemy target, there was a cold, xxxx nature to it's existence. This, coupled with the specialist nature of it's users elevated it's real effect on the war over and above other handguns despite smaller deployment.</p><p>Studies show that in actual use the handgun was - despite it's numbers in WW2 - was hardly used. 'One of the major challenges for the US Army's attempts to figure out what they wanted from future pistols coming out of WW1 was finding enough confirmed uses of pistols in combat to develop a basis for statistical research.'</p><p>On the other hand, when a Welrod was deployed there was a greater expectation of it's use. And when it was used it took out targets that had a greater effect on a mission's success - and the course of the war, even - than any of the relatively rare kills that a general issue handgun could achieve.</p><p>Whether a sentry guarding a crucial enemy installation or an enemy officer, these kills mattered in the wider sense of the war. (That's not to say that kills using a general issue pistol didn't matter, particularly when saving a soldiers life as a last ditch defensive weapon, but how many of these uses actually effected the results of a mission, campaign or the whole war?)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3reLgElMQCRZw9jGo14-U_wCQkHNxKbMaXpO0QJaHSmqfN5v9KqyH_eaOZ0mjxcwQH9PLfMGLwA_KUIYZr_c-Fo3rp5wn368qqjW_KENuDaZecO-UD7Naod4HtZ4p1j9u3ciybAtgyDp81Kdc5hyphenhyphenu3m8Zx_qUHeDuw0AGW0vvak0fHe5ZUu6dA2sDAM/s600/600px-SniperEliteV2_Welrod_Mark_I_holding.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG3reLgElMQCRZw9jGo14-U_wCQkHNxKbMaXpO0QJaHSmqfN5v9KqyH_eaOZ0mjxcwQH9PLfMGLwA_KUIYZr_c-Fo3rp5wn368qqjW_KENuDaZecO-UD7Naod4HtZ4p1j9u3ciybAtgyDp81Kdc5hyphenhyphenu3m8Zx_qUHeDuw0AGW0vvak0fHe5ZUu6dA2sDAM/w640-h360/600px-SniperEliteV2_Welrod_Mark_I_holding.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Finding historical evidence of the Welrop in use in the field is practically impossible,<br />mainly due to the covert nature of it's deployment. You are - in fact - far more likely to<br />see it wielded in a modern video game, as here, in Sniper Elite!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>OK, I exaggerate a little for effect, but in essence that's the whole point of a specialist weapon like the Welrod. It's existence is partially the psychological effect (and reputation) it has as well as the statistical one. Like the British Commandos, the willingness of a nation to deploy such things is a measure of their sheer determination and this does have an effect on how the enemy perceives it.</p><p>Anyway, the Welrod was an evil looking contraption and it's sinister look only reinforced it's nefarious nature.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. Sauer 38H</span></h3><p>The what? It wouldn't surprise me if you ain't heard of it (unless you are a real gun nut). But most people when thinking about WW2 German 'officer pistols' tend to think of the legendary Walther PP and PPK (you can thank bloody James Bond for that). But, in fact the Walther was <i>not</i> the best compact of the war... The 38H was.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbf8-34kFDVOD53RoaoacFz1HNfQVfszXD1TiW8V6X02GCXImedeTBhBNRIXgIFMe9IT_m-H1g7tVwc6WFfC5SaOhVECX-1jnoqKW10kkIvNfMiWUEi1UCM8mB2hMCgalMSYk5ljKylUqWPivjuU-lM0qLXxgp3kCcP3HsKm7CVAE8Go6ZaygSmgzN8Z8/s550/1287732877.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="550" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbf8-34kFDVOD53RoaoacFz1HNfQVfszXD1TiW8V6X02GCXImedeTBhBNRIXgIFMe9IT_m-H1g7tVwc6WFfC5SaOhVECX-1jnoqKW10kkIvNfMiWUEi1UCM8mB2hMCgalMSYk5ljKylUqWPivjuU-lM0qLXxgp3kCcP3HsKm7CVAE8Go6ZaygSmgzN8Z8/w400-h281/1287732877.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>While the Walther get's the star role for best known small military pistol it did have it's draw backs and today is seen more of a historical bookmark than a piece of real firearms innovation that is still relevant (though it is still manufactured and sold). The Sauer 38H does not have the reputation that the Walther has though, instead what it does have is a real influence of the way handgun design evolved with reference to todays pistols.</p><p>I dare say that were today's gun user given a choice of which to carry - the Walther PP or the Sauer 38H - as a concealed carry defensive pistol, those with experience would take the Sauer! The 38H had several design features that made it a safer and more 'modern' feeling a pistol to use than it's more famous German compatriot... Here's video which explains why better than I can...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Fm9pKMKKO0g?si=7RnNnqU2hPwF8aJZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. Browning Hi-Power</span></h3><p>John Moses Browning - the patron saint of gun makers - once said that the Hi-Power was the Colt 1911 done right (I paraphrase, but it's close enough). While many might question why I have left out the legend that is the Colt 1911 I will simply say that's because the Hi-Power existed and was a better gun!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAReR052ZuwpSyoAMp7vcycaGqHi-myBRM7IYPnxP7xED4vytOD22QnnabIhOBZKc3W7BEUPeDfvVJKvGqAJjhlXlw-gpw7Q0fECwHKehUVu1nYTAfDHX75eFcTpvKBOpJoik6ZjXYr07Hy3v_gBXKYt1bqvIc6EhyYseSNjTLUFG-78OZ_B-_1ZZoB8/s781/FN_Browning_High_Power_(right_side).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="781" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAReR052ZuwpSyoAMp7vcycaGqHi-myBRM7IYPnxP7xED4vytOD22QnnabIhOBZKc3W7BEUPeDfvVJKvGqAJjhlXlw-gpw7Q0fECwHKehUVu1nYTAfDHX75eFcTpvKBOpJoik6ZjXYr07Hy3v_gBXKYt1bqvIc6EhyYseSNjTLUFG-78OZ_B-_1ZZoB8/w400-h271/FN_Browning_High_Power_(right_side).png" width="400" /></a></div><p>I cannot highlight the Hi-Power without dropping the over-used 'factoid' that it was one of the few firearms which was used by both sides during World War 2 (thanks to the German occupation of Belgium, the home nation to the FN company which was responsible for the Hi-Power's initial manufacture).</p><p>There are all sorts of reasons why the Hi-Power is at the top of my list; the classic looks, it's historic significance (it ultimately supplanted the Webley and thus brought the renowned relationship between the British Army and the Webley revolvers to an end), it's continued popularity which has seen FN reintroduce a new version despite handgun designs moving forward.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yQKqWJ78bYjxSL1kUHbSHK7W-7HXey9lQw8llJjMlo_PLgJP_nipiVH6aw_ZpCdw3ya6zrmPtAGnd0egEYD7ao6YgrFNNGKV2iVF9-uw-FsCazOrMf0PpTyJvxvjylfSX3V06TRSvgOZgXiHcJ4jNr_7de3T6vephp6q5BFKrx4KNDM_Q9EeJOmsESA/s1005/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20090902.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1005" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yQKqWJ78bYjxSL1kUHbSHK7W-7HXey9lQw8llJjMlo_PLgJP_nipiVH6aw_ZpCdw3ya6zrmPtAGnd0egEYD7ao6YgrFNNGKV2iVF9-uw-FsCazOrMf0PpTyJvxvjylfSX3V06TRSvgOZgXiHcJ4jNr_7de3T6vephp6q5BFKrx4KNDM_Q9EeJOmsESA/w640-h558/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20090902.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: The legend Sean Connery showing you the naughty end of a Hi-Power. <br />No Walther PPK for James Bond this time! From 'A Bridge Too Far', 1977.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>But most of all - and quite simply - this is my number one choice because it's a gun that I have actually fired! Whilst undergoing a British Army induction course when nearing the end of my schooling I handled the Hi-Power on the range. I'll never forget that, as it was a hugely enjoyable and exciting event, and was intended as my introduction to joining the army full-time.</p><p>Events took a different turn, however, but I will always fondly remember this as a 'what might have been' moment in my life.</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-91199388760876476762024-03-06T02:52:00.000-08:002024-03-06T02:52:34.054-08:00Lord of the Rats - Vermintide 2 (PC)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL8njtn8p3PjAD-RzcvR-uLkWo0aMkVdW_X0N8xEWFO75N4IGZ232xilyk9_0MZJcNO-nqTNKYfjUybjJuApQp1rAYrv6ibqQ8f_FkC5q_03eY9qkTAc6asWv2zdB6-PQufKsMUpsaTSlMiqdylSTAvWfHpDQXlUZP3d-iqXgduu0pXaGRjs91PPdn30/s480/apps.61180.14560336103515561.244aa362-119a-4621-8624-cbaef37ff37f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="480" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXL8njtn8p3PjAD-RzcvR-uLkWo0aMkVdW_X0N8xEWFO75N4IGZ232xilyk9_0MZJcNO-nqTNKYfjUybjJuApQp1rAYrv6ibqQ8f_FkC5q_03eY9qkTAc6asWv2zdB6-PQufKsMUpsaTSlMiqdylSTAvWfHpDQXlUZP3d-iqXgduu0pXaGRjs91PPdn30/w640-h360/apps.61180.14560336103515561.244aa362-119a-4621-8624-cbaef37ff37f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Warhammer, Not Just a 'Poor Man's' LOTR!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Left4Dead Meets Camelot?</span></h3><p>Stace and I are big survival horror fans - whether that be the classic Left4Dead, or Back4Blood or Zombie Army 2 - we like a good hoard based co-op shooter. The only thing is, getting reliant on one - albeit exciting and enjoyable - game mechanic, like hoard survival, can get a little tedious after a while. Having played through and completed both Left4Dead and Back4Blood Stace and I were ready for something a little different.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLj-r0Dv1kWM3e5bbROzkJmE7cLa4m6tvaz0cSl39qPj2CMMNX4KpNDTenIoIvzwhuhZJTNGCCM_l5BVw3i5-60qBD2rA2friI3vqEagEbS-sjM6hQnvzKWQjzCSUlm0ZPzLggP0RQFGX9pENWPK3aNn-vJ5JFR_mmlEF4CzDTacKHwJXEfgz_LIKeZU/s1012/4coop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1012" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLj-r0Dv1kWM3e5bbROzkJmE7cLa4m6tvaz0cSl39qPj2CMMNX4KpNDTenIoIvzwhuhZJTNGCCM_l5BVw3i5-60qBD2rA2friI3vqEagEbS-sjM6hQnvzKWQjzCSUlm0ZPzLggP0RQFGX9pENWPK3aNn-vJ5JFR_mmlEF4CzDTacKHwJXEfgz_LIKeZU/w400-h301/4coop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Left4Dead established a format which inspired a host<br />of wannabe games based on the 4 team-member co-op hoard<br />survival mechanic. It's getting a little clichΓ©d now though.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53520754059/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Party of 4 - Warhammer Vermintide II"><img alt="Party of 4 - Warhammer Vermintide II" height="277" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53520754059_32bd99bd2d.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Vermintide 2's party of four!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Rebellion's Zombie Army 4 did give us a new and interesting theme pitting us in a WW2 scenario against Nazi zombies, but it was still kinda a modern shooter with conventional and familiar automatic weapons.</p><p>A bit of a change was 2K's 2022 'Tiny Tina's Wonderland', which was a co-op game within the Borderlands universe BUT one that added a 'sword and sorcery' theme to the usual mechanic with a greater emphasis on fantasy melee and magic weapons. Still, it was only a cosmetic change to the usual gun-heavy borderlands fair, and a great many of the 'fantasy weapons' were little more than the same old Borderlands guns in disguised.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53046469005/in/album-72177720306936053/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dad & Daughter Game Night - Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (PC)"><img alt="Dad & Daughter Game Night - Tiny Tina's Wonderlands (PC)" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53046469005_0a4bda03d1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Tiny Tina's Wonderland was touted as a 'Sword & Sorcery' take on the Borderlands<br />IP, but while there were swords - big ones - there were also a lot of guns (again)!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>So when it came for us to pick our next game for Dad'n'Daughter Game Nights we were curious to see what a more full-on 'sword & sorcery' based hoard survival would feel like and so we picked up <b>'Warhammer Vermintide 2'</b> from the STEAM store.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Warhammer Universe - The Pepsi to LOTR's Coka-Cola</span></h3><p>Game's Workshop's Warhammer (formerly Warhammer Fantasy Battle or just Warhammer Fantasy) is a tabletop miniature wargame with a medieval fantasy theme. In many ways it sought to mimic a Tolkien type universe but add a little more fun to the different factions in order to support GW's miniature designs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTSJK09qx_HikuSPP2G_v3KSgs8cS1rVKBU43lelsU0m8ax4YJxlvT18LLz1zBE1hxWcoYa8X8fwtxVKdbvH2VOufT6MI9F5R5xla2gDUcxMjzZx1xK-G2SPg2RTZ76Nw0d9eDGk-CNPnzOu7moVQ3g2yMwBeoCyrs5sHGs8l_KfOfACr3EWmxTfakJQ/s1097/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20085925.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="1097" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTSJK09qx_HikuSPP2G_v3KSgs8cS1rVKBU43lelsU0m8ax4YJxlvT18LLz1zBE1hxWcoYa8X8fwtxVKdbvH2VOufT6MI9F5R5xla2gDUcxMjzZx1xK-G2SPg2RTZ76Nw0d9eDGk-CNPnzOu7moVQ3g2yMwBeoCyrs5sHGs8l_KfOfACr3EWmxTfakJQ/w640-h434/Screenshot%202024-03-06%20085925.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: 'Age of Sigmar', the latest incarnation of GW's 'Old World' Warhammer Fantasy.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Though, while Tolkien's LOTR universe can be said to have been heavily influenced by his interest in Dark Ages and Anglo-Saxon myth and legend, Warhammer has a more late-medieval flavour to it, to the point where it does incorporate technological advances like gunpowder. (So, yes, you do get guns!)</p><p>The races and entities depicted in the Warhammer 'Old World' (to differentiate it from the later incarnation of the game - Warhammer 40,000) are recognisably Tolkienesque, with Elves, Dwarves, Goblins, Wizards and Dragons. But GW also added some more unique races like Choas, Skaven, Lizardmane and Vampires, for example. Anyway, you can read more about Warhammer Fantasy here: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warhammer_(game)" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Warhammer</a>.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz7_e8H8y8o-vTlkYe4xGZD9twEuo7DkhuQwOIBPkfxxs-1dr2HrsHQcgsj0Nv5Vxkn56F0kf24ajGPtoHQvHzBWs41w3T6gSv5Idu3Mv-HN5s2b6zT2KR6GJ7PBoewd2z8VPM6Y-IVIVoybysdQTG3PJu1-WciT5VzmTGMiUL5mezncI7oaFHpIkIKg/s795/Skaven%20_%20Warhammer%20Wiki%20_%20Fandom%20-%20Brave%2006_03_2024%2009_08_24.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="795" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzz7_e8H8y8o-vTlkYe4xGZD9twEuo7DkhuQwOIBPkfxxs-1dr2HrsHQcgsj0Nv5Vxkn56F0kf24ajGPtoHQvHzBWs41w3T6gSv5Idu3Mv-HN5s2b6zT2KR6GJ7PBoewd2z8VPM6Y-IVIVoybysdQTG3PJu1-WciT5VzmTGMiUL5mezncI7oaFHpIkIKg/w400-h348/Skaven%20_%20Warhammer%20Wiki%20_%20Fandom%20-%20Brave%2006_03_2024%2009_08_24.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Skaven - or 'Ratmen' - are the primary footsoldiers you<br />come up against in Vermintide. Makes a change from Orks! LOL</span></i></b><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Now, I give you this potted backstory because - there is no doubt about it - when you start playing Vermintide 2 you will get very heavy LOTR vibes! Despite the fact that Game Workshop would vociferously argue that theirs is a distinctly different fantasy world and that they - in this game - cunningly swapped out the main villains of the piece from Orks (which exist in both these fantasy universes) to Skaven (giant rats). π</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53517442532/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - That is No Ork Horn!"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - That is No Ork Horn!" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53517442532_d5b7f67778.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: You'll get more than a few 'LOTR' flashback references when <br />you play Warhammer Vermintide 2, as we found out!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">OK, But Is the Game Any Good?</span></h3><p>Phew, that was quite a preamble to get to the point. Is Warhammer Vermantide 2 any good (despite suspicions of it being a tad derivative)?</p><p>Well, yes. It is actually a lot of fun. I am a big Tolkien fan myself but love Warhammer's take on the fantasy genre. The tone - as I mentioned - is slightly more 'late medieval' as you can see from my character that I chose in the game - The Mercenary...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53564430102/in/dateposted/" title="Warhammer Vermintide 2 - Mercenary Character"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide 2 - Mercenary Character" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53564430102_fe1e0081a3.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>He is clearly a version of a <b><i>Landsknecht</i></b> - German Mercenary Pikemen & 16th Century Warfare, Medieval or 'The Middle Ages' spanning a wide period of European history from about a.d. 500 to about 1500. So, stylistically, it can take in a lot of 'knightly looks' from the post-Roman 'Arthurian' to the start of the gunpowder age.</p><p>My character - in particular - allows access to early gunnery items, from handheld cannonettes to early flintlock contraptions. There are other characters that you can play which use guns if you feel you aren't quite ready to go 'full hack & slash'! (It's a good - if somewhat cheaty feeling way to make this game more accessible to those more use to the modern shooter games like L4D).</p><p>That said, I really got into the edged weapon skirmishes, and particularly liked maces and axes...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53564296917/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Vermintide 2 (PC) - Dad's New Chopper!"><img alt="Vermintide 2 (PC) - Dad's New Chopper!" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53564296917_f6469f3a3f.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Dad's got a new chopper!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The one thing I would say about weapons in Vermintide 2 is that they tend to fall foul of the same problems weapons did in the Borderlands series. The game has gone for quantity over customisation.</p><p>You no sooner find a weapon that you really like, than - due to the game progression - it peaks in it's effectiveness as better enemies come along and so you constantly have to be upgrading to a more effective weapon, even if the newer type isn't quite to your liking. My daughter - Stace - notes this issue in the above video, where her new magic staff maybe stronger than her old one but isn't as useful in the context of her preferred play style.</p><p>I'm afraid - in Vermintide 2 - you just have to suck it up and make do with whatever weapon you end up upgrading to, whether it feels as fun or as useful as the less-powerful one you had previously. Hard cheese!</p><p><i><span style="color: #38761d;">(I'd have much preferred it if there were fewer weapon types, but that you could earn or win weapon upgrades for those types. So, for example, if you are a mace fan - like me - you could be constantly improving the strength and ability of the mace you have, rather than having to exchange it for - say -m a long sword which is more powerful, but has a different melee style (longer range, but not so fast up close).</span></i></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What About Bad Guys? The Enemies in Vermintide 2</span></h3><p>Vermintide 2 follows the time-honoured method of enemies improving in strength and type with each new level you progress to. As well as topping off each 'Act' or chapter in a campaign with a 'boss level' baddy!</p><p>There are also random appearances of specialist enemy - like Gas Rats or Assassin Rats or Chaos Warriors - to keep the action spicy. And these have a habit of turning up at just the wrong time, so you have to be ready to focus the attention of the team on them when they appear.</p><p>And some of the 'big' sub-bosses are BIG... π¬</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53561066308/in/dateposted/" title="Dad.n.Daughter Game Night - Vermintide 2 Session"><img alt="Dad.n.Daughter Game Night - Vermintide 2 Session" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53561066308_b89eb66bee.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>So you have plenty of challenges ahead of you, and as usual in co-op survival games you need to work together as a team to over come the end of level bosses, these can be very powerful and challenging.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Conclusion</span></h3><p>It came as quite a surprise - particularly to Stace, who I think thought this would be a sort of role playing fantasy game - just how enjoyable Vermintide 2 is. The change in theme from the usual zombie/post-apocalyptic world to a fantasy setting has really revitalised this style of game for us.</p><p>Of particular note is the wonderful job that the developers have made of the game world which has a variety of different environments. From dank mines, to misty forests, to dilapidated medieval towns the environments have been excellent eye candy as well as being constantly varied and refreshing mazes which you fight through.</p><p>Even the character 'lobby' - a ramshackle castle where you equip your character, meet your teammates and chose your missions - is intriguing and it grows larger as your character progresses...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53565726080/in/dateposted/" title="Warhammer Vermintide 2 - Castle Walk Around"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide 2 - Castle Walk Around" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53565726080_0b37c22f6f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>All in all, we have been very pleased with what we thought was just going to be a 'filler' game until we found the next big release. We are finding it very engaging, to the point where an evening's session is flying by!</p><p>I'm looking forward to seeing how the game unfolds and where the campaign's story is taking us, and what creatures we are going to face next!</p><p>And most of all, a kudos to the developers for bringing the Yorkshire term<b><i> 'wazzock' </i></b>back into our vocabulary! (Used by the Dwarven character frequently! Much to our amusement!) π</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjdXFL8mx4eVSy2TRxKu_dNxap2Co1XOQg3LA6-bjiuc1yumt_jI11KSJHEu_NlKbKfSc7hKE0Yi2RhmPR5YLXmAeym0pkYgN7lCJ0Nfna7WD8YfdL5c5F1_jiwMyiZDRSUhtRzIZ0c88BbUjJ7LRQePr_zXGjM7i9oTToi_ypqubCgr7DKoZFFLYsRU/s673/wazzock.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="104" data-original-width="673" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjdXFL8mx4eVSy2TRxKu_dNxap2Co1XOQg3LA6-bjiuc1yumt_jI11KSJHEu_NlKbKfSc7hKE0Yi2RhmPR5YLXmAeym0pkYgN7lCJ0Nfna7WD8YfdL5c5F1_jiwMyiZDRSUhtRzIZ0c88BbUjJ7LRQePr_zXGjM7i9oTToi_ypqubCgr7DKoZFFLYsRU/w640-h98/wazzock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-47356396130553829232024-03-05T01:36:00.000-08:002024-03-05T01:36:02.563-08:00What's On The Workbench - March 2024<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53567011878/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Diorama - The German Pilot"><img alt="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Diorama - The German Pilot" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53567011878_c32de03491.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Clean Slate and Some New Projects for March</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">βHello, Good Byeβ Iβm late, Iβm late, Iβm late!</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKuaPHf1jD0qcMzBXJYUDDsXpmJxeOa2hOn5MPvJD-heelAVDA83uAEVObg-G0KqN63SbZzm7J99LyKjs4RrFVXx62AFcExZoI4aN28Oj05lw7eyzgxBm6U26KtWLumbIgFbU2lvWl3qVBes33wm43UYxWwGi8T32dBoqR4wVByBJatWhh_ZcTQbqH6s/s700/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20074731.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="700" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKuaPHf1jD0qcMzBXJYUDDsXpmJxeOa2hOn5MPvJD-heelAVDA83uAEVObg-G0KqN63SbZzm7J99LyKjs4RrFVXx62AFcExZoI4aN28Oj05lw7eyzgxBm6U26KtWLumbIgFbU2lvWl3qVBes33wm43UYxWwGi8T32dBoqR4wVByBJatWhh_ZcTQbqH6s/w400-h253/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20074731.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p>Where does the time go? It seems like it was just a couple of days ago that it was Christmas, and yet here we are now in March!</p><p>I thought time was supposed to slow down when you retire! But the opposite seem true, I've so many things to do but still struggle to get projects finished quick enough. At this rate, I'll still be working on this Christmas's presents of models <i>next </i>Christmas. π Anyway...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. LEGO Plane - Indian Jones and the Last Crusade Diorama Set</span></h3><p>I got the first half of this Christmas present - Indi's little car and the Indie and Prof. Jones figures - completely in January, but February was given over to model railway projects and getting my workbench sorted out.</p><p>But I've gotten the second half of this project started and it's looking good for me finishing this set within the next week or so. This part of the set is the little German fighter aircraft from the movie, and it's a complicated little model which will tax me as a 'newbie' LEGO builder!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53568136729/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Diorama - WiP"><img alt="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Diorama - WiP" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53568136729_7782b5dab4.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I'm going to try and avoid the long-winded, commentary heavy, filming approach I took with the 'Part 1' video I made on the car build and try and make a snappier (excuse the pun) video of this second part. I've watched a few other LEGO video builds done by others and they use a kind of 'time-lapse' approach, just showing the brick connections in quick succession. It's worth a try.</p><p>Incidentally, as a bit of a war plane nut there was some question in my mind about just what aircraft the film makers used in the 1989 Indie film that inspired this LEGO set. I did not recognise it as any authentic 1930s German type, and it turns out I was right. They actually used a slightly later Swiss design - the Pilatus P-2 trainer - as a representation of a Nazi fighter.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL65zdP19a0QSfMRbHly0v7t-pYuCOyEzwwlbpXM9e9QWK4_ahelbcmQbQ_HdcsyQVjstDALJ9S0uSWxgm9TJ5MJc-bPl_Of98-HVlxwoeK_nfMAf1wa_9V6W3nJenH0h4jLXbrWkG73IvSIMnXepumeLq0mErh0JLTycErW2IBgr-O7V1wyXKoxE_N4/s436/431521393_419189153805202_7458894264605547556_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="436" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLL65zdP19a0QSfMRbHly0v7t-pYuCOyEzwwlbpXM9e9QWK4_ahelbcmQbQ_HdcsyQVjstDALJ9S0uSWxgm9TJ5MJc-bPl_Of98-HVlxwoeK_nfMAf1wa_9V6W3nJenH0h4jLXbrWkG73IvSIMnXepumeLq0mErh0JLTycErW2IBgr-O7V1wyXKoxE_N4/w400-h286/431521393_419189153805202_7458894264605547556_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>This fits in with the fantasy comic book-like atmosphere of the Indie movies. Perhaps the makers did not want to get bogged down with the the inclusion of too many historically accurate things, thus breaking the high-adventure - almost Tin-Tin - feel of the movie?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99uaZb-4FHQMPmkVaB00O2tMHmwkFE-KufOnTeUxTbWf7fyvKvNOdhqlbHpCnOcFebOQWziMxtEYRuDzYXfjWOhhx0MKsaZN_QwPBp6soxW4YLoYUWdP178TkOEBjWZHB92BvSKmYVoTGpDJ8JdArtNVpdMFdcaAnOizadnavrdHMZOQuYWunSc823E/s895/430612339_419189013805216_6642538885387069241_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="895" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd99uaZb-4FHQMPmkVaB00O2tMHmwkFE-KufOnTeUxTbWf7fyvKvNOdhqlbHpCnOcFebOQWziMxtEYRuDzYXfjWOhhx0MKsaZN_QwPBp6soxW4YLoYUWdP178TkOEBjWZHB92BvSKmYVoTGpDJ8JdArtNVpdMFdcaAnOizadnavrdHMZOQuYWunSc823E/w400-h141/430612339_419189013805216_6642538885387069241_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. Shunter Mk. 2 - N Gauge 3D Print Project</span></h3><p>I wasn't altogether pleased with my 'Mk.1' shunter model attempt. I suppose I can chalk this down to it being just my first go at 3D printing a loco body for N Gauge scale and so there were bound to be some issues. And issues there were...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53472437175/in/photolist-2ppW6gk-2pqbjew-2prxYJL-2prBTVG-2psmsUy-2pt6nLg-2pt75rB-2pt7XgZ-2pt7XrZ-2pt8vnU-2ptbdBZ-2pthbGi-2ptW5Ag-2ptWoEP-2ptWpKK-2pu22cn-2pu24se-2pu24su-2pu3C3v-2pu47Gq-2pu47Gv-2pue7ks-2pAqnk2-2pAvxWn-2pAFYE8-2oHkpKg-2piuHd9-2pjyPFe-2pmkq4Z-2pnyPxz-2pnCkpr-2pnEojP-2ppa4rb-2ppLPWt-2oHksxR-2pmjqAR" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="N Gauge SHunter Body Project - Matt Lacquer Coat"><img alt="N Gauge SHunter Body Project - Matt Lacquer Coat" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53472437175_7dde0b9e8f.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: My 'Mk.1' attempt at a loco body design. Meh.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Quite aside from my having to modify my idea for the design I really wanted to more easily accommodate the shape of the KATO power chassis I had bought - which meant that I ended up just recreating an already available commercially design - I also mis-calculated and made my design in slightly the wrong scale. I made mine in British 1/148 scale, instead of the continental 1/150 scale.</p><p>Not a huge difference, but annoying and *I* know it's wrong. π‘</p><p>And so, I am moving on to my next attempt. This will include the following modifications:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Scaled correctly to Japanese compatible 1/150 scale.</li><li>I will attempt to model a rear-cabbed shunter layout.</li><li>I will experiment with transparent PLA filament</li></ol><p></p><p>Possibly a lot of new things going on at once, but it's only a small model so I may be able to get away with this. First of all, lets look at the new design layout...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53554413507/in/photolist-2ppW6gk-2pqbjew-2prxYJL-2prBTVG-2psmsUy-2pt6nLg-2pt75rB-2pt7XgZ-2pt7XrZ-2pt8vnU-2ptbdBZ-2pthbGi-2ptW5Ag-2ptWoEP-2ptWpKK-2pu22cn-2pu24se-2pu24su-2pu3C3v-2pu47Gq-2pu47Gv-2pue7ks-2pAqnk2-2pAvxWn-2pAFYE8-2oHkpKg-2piuHd9-2pjyPFe-2pmkq4Z-2pnyPxz-2pnCkpr-2pnEojP-2ppa4rb-2ppLPWt-2oHksxR-2pmjqAR" title="N Gauge Shunter 3D Body Design MK. 2"><img alt="N Gauge Shunter 3D Body Design MK. 2" height="323" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53554413507_4d4447d454.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I managed to work out a way to work round the centrally situated motor of the chassis in order to get a rear cab loco by adding a extrusion in the middle (that small rectangular box that juts out of the engine enclosure in the above picture). It's a bit of a fudge, but it's all I can do to make this design work with the KATO chassis. Ah, well.</p><p>I also re-structured (shrunk) the design so it comes closer to 1/150 scale.</p><p>Finally, the big gamble, I tried printing the design out using 'transparent' PLA filament. The idea is that with the whole model printed in transparent plastic I shouldn't have to add window (which are a bit of a pain) and just paint over the body masking out what I want to be windows... In theory! It's an experiment.</p><p>Well, the good news is printing the transparent PLA actually worked - although I had to have a few goes to get the wall thickness right. This is my third attempt...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53555424757/in/photolist-2ppW6gk-2pqbjew-2prxYJL-2prBTVG-2psmsUy-2pt6nLg-2pt75rB-2pt7XgZ-2pt7XrZ-2pt8vnU-2ptbdBZ-2pthbGi-2ptW5Ag-2ptWoEP-2ptWpKK-2pu22cn-2pu24se-2pu24su-2pu3C3v-2pu47Gq-2pu47Gv-2pue7ks-2pAqnk2-2pAvxWn-2pAFYE8-2oHkpKg-2piuHd9-2pjyPFe-2pmkq4Z-2pnyPxz-2pnCkpr-2pnEojP-2ppa4rb-2ppLPWt-2oHksxR-2pmjqAR" title="N Gauge Shunter Loco Body Mk. 2"><img alt="N Gauge Shunter Loco Body Mk. 2" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53555424757_5d073b201c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>SO... All I have to do now is add the detailing in styrene plastic to the transparent body and then mask the windows before painting. That's the next job. Fingers crossed! π</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. N Gauge Gas Station</span></h3><p>Now that I've finished my first N Gauge building model - the railway station - I can crack on with the little gas station (it still niggles me to call it a 'gas station', it's too American) I was already well on with. Here's a re-cap of where I got to with it...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53218039574/in/photolist-2p5Gn5s-2p5GYNn-2p6qwG7-2p6qKVo-2p6rnoD-2p6thhc-2p6KyGt-2p6LpK2-2p76Q89-2p7o4Jy-2p88GYc-2p8ghpA-2p8nBSZ-2p8nBWX-2p8RX1B-2p8ZTrD-2p91w9w-2p9a83y-2p9G23U-2pbT6Ao-2pbTd9Z-2pdnijS-2p5kKeh-2p5zTdk-2p6qnJJ-2p2TnbP-2p2XntM-2p2Y3QD-2p35QWk-2p3B4Wd-2p3Ffsb-2p3Z3x8-2p3ZTZC-2p4j7kq-2p4qBDR-2p55WoP-2p2Tnc5-2p2Tnd7-2p2Tnds-2p3h3Xa-2p3j4pj-2p3yGme-2p3C4He-2p3UKoG-2p3XbK6-2p3ZHtX-2p4pSU3-2p4Afig-2p5jXiC-2p5kKen" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="N Gauge Japanese Gas Station"><img alt="N Gauge Japanese Gas Station" height="377" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53218039574_7a0f6605b0.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Main building done... Tick!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53255531590/in/photolist-2p91w9w-2p9a83y-2p9G23U-2pbT6Ao-2pbTd9Z-2pdnijS-2p5kKeh-2p5zTdk-2p6qnJJ-2p2TnbP-2p2XntM-2p2Y3QD-2p35QWk-2p3B4Wd-2p3Ffsb-2p3Z3x8-2p3ZTZC-2p4j7kq-2p4qBDR-2p55WoP-2p2Tnc5-2p2Tnd7-2p2Tnds-2p3h3Xa-2p3j4pj-2p3yGme-2p3C4He-2p3UKoG-2p3XbK6-2p3ZHtX-2p4pSU3-2p4Afig-2p5jXiC-2p5kKen-2oKsVo9-2oKBueo-2oKCfqh-2oKDqWg-2oKDWdW-2oKDXaJ-2oKKn79-2oL2AmN-2oMU78G-2oP6QqB-2oQE1Ve-2oQE1Vj-2oYrhLX-2oZEvUD-2p24ca1-2p2jjrQ" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="N Gauge Gas Station - Fencing Back Yard"><img alt="N Gauge Gas Station - Fencing Back Yard" height="377" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53255531590_9305d172f1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Ah, yes... I was doing the base and the backyard!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>With the project dusted off - literally - I could see what I was doing and pick up from there. The main job is to complete the rear 'junk yard' behind the garage and store. Then I can move on to fitting the gas pump island and some cars.</p><p>As with the railways station, although I have made accommodation for lighting I am not adding any at this stage.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #bf9000;">And Finally, Something Completely Different!</span></h3>Something else I am working on, but not strictly on the workbench, is my latest acquisition of a STYLOPHONE BEAT box!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS5WlDj0D5qZ-KGhPzten3DboCRZkEfUeEYXNfz3gcyt_O1VCAmv02CC5w8291O2WPwFciPscVMkBFZmi5XW2w4b0JCjthNBr9CB1MXOcxE5hBjZbRX8g8pFVT5F2YmTf_4yAKEhykk3viLgQqjn9rMb0VGCc8fQqBXtOCoIh0Di3yXdDCvKcMTn6GrI/s707/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20093101.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="707" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWS5WlDj0D5qZ-KGhPzten3DboCRZkEfUeEYXNfz3gcyt_O1VCAmv02CC5w8291O2WPwFciPscVMkBFZmi5XW2w4b0JCjthNBr9CB1MXOcxE5hBjZbRX8g8pFVT5F2YmTf_4yAKEhykk3viLgQqjn9rMb0VGCc8fQqBXtOCoIh0Di3yXdDCvKcMTn6GrI/w400-h399/Screenshot%202024-03-05%20093101.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I am toying - aptly enough as the Stylophone is more of a toy than a real instrument - with ways I might make some of my own simple background music tracks for my videos. In this way I could circumvent copyright or licencing issues and also get the exact length of tracks that I need.</div><div><br /><div>It's a bit of an ambitious idea, and won't really happen for a good long time (if at all if I find I just don't have an aptitude for making music). But, it's worth a go as the type of sound tracks that I have bellow my videos is only barely audible and there only to give my droning commentary some pep! π</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53569166529/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Stylophone BEAT - First Practice Session - Learning the controls"><img alt="Stylophone BEAT - First Practice Session - Learning the controls" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53569166529_40867123e1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: First attempts trying out the BEAT and seeing what the<br />controls do. Not - incidentally - the sound I'm after for my videos! LOL</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>I've started with the Stylophone BEAT box as it looked fun, but I am also getting the Stylophone GEN X-1 synth as the genre of music that I particularly like is ambient beats.</div><div><br /></div><div>My favourite radio station is <a href="https://somafm.com/" target="_blank"><b>SOMA FM's</b></a> 'Groove Slade', 'Drone Zone' and 'Synphaera Radio' channels.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>It's nice to do something a bit different... Even if it turns out to be a complete failure!</div></div>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-51013055506633579212024-03-03T05:47:00.000-08:002024-03-03T05:48:52.170-08:00Which Spectrum Games Would I Like to See on Evercade?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSosHEbR-6mygF9u9TPoHY3ZDy481I5g53DtqQlNM7HL7oA6G8LG-wRcEPgzM8-NXytb18-qUD3u1RgCDn1_aGvmcHWtQVbQGdxF1NPFzx7gtAAl0nPsmGDUV17XUMdCufVXjHWmkvAuMYWgGUTHjKXiZyXW_DVipXTK_hjbWL4PgQhzPqWeWHIzVdoNY/s1920/ZX_Spectrum+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1920" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSosHEbR-6mygF9u9TPoHY3ZDy481I5g53DtqQlNM7HL7oA6G8LG-wRcEPgzM8-NXytb18-qUD3u1RgCDn1_aGvmcHWtQVbQGdxF1NPFzx7gtAAl0nPsmGDUV17XUMdCufVXjHWmkvAuMYWgGUTHjKXiZyXW_DVipXTK_hjbWL4PgQhzPqWeWHIzVdoNY/w640-h378/ZX_Spectrum+.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Could We See Speccy Games on the EXP/VS?</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Feeling a Bit Left Out! π</span></h3><p>BLAZE'S Evecade consoles have quite the expansive library of game carts now. I just bought cart No. 22 and I don't think that's close to how many there actually are. BUT...</p><p>While a lot of retro console and computer platforms are represented in the Evercade range there are two that haven't been so far, and - frustratingly - they are the two platforms that I owned in my younger days... <b>Sinclair Spectrum 48k and Atari STe</b>.</p><p>Now, while the Atari is a bit more difficult to round up STe specific games (not impossible) most of it's games were shared ports with a certain other competing computer - the <b>Commodore Amiga</b>. π</p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V1GOHx-P_YU?si=S_ZvEujDRLjPmfVF" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p>However, the 'Speccy' - on the other hand - was a huge source of innovative and classic exclusive titles. So, why BLAZE has left off adding some of the most fondly remembered games from this legendary home computer is a bit of mystery (my only thought is - as happens with some games it wants - it may be issues with licencing. But, there are so many Speccy games that it is an issue that surly can't effect them all!)</p><p>Anyway, were BLAZE to eventually decide to produce a Spectrum Cart Volume 1, here's what I would chose to go on it...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. Skool Daze(Microsphere, 1984)</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlPEeQICtZYlOXdQD9aSLVJOimVS_m17jAPlChi8Bdjn58Bc6wjYFvfOg5nDF1SUVy9YoV36mu9f-S22VT8lMTB1vZVrNth_-ruH5mFbeFsYqJsHTBXmnDK6DAK1dK9yNNegdzNon_-PmLRXI2A77-2UiMBT4ejPC4ewojYOojRLromXGX-vdSvWF2Oo/s256/download.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="192" data-original-width="256" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlPEeQICtZYlOXdQD9aSLVJOimVS_m17jAPlChi8Bdjn58Bc6wjYFvfOg5nDF1SUVy9YoV36mu9f-S22VT8lMTB1vZVrNth_-ruH5mFbeFsYqJsHTBXmnDK6DAK1dK9yNNegdzNon_-PmLRXI2A77-2UiMBT4ejPC4ewojYOojRLromXGX-vdSvWF2Oo/w640-h480/download.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>You really could NOT make a game like this in these woke times! There would be uproar. But Skool Daze really is a slice of the 1980s and what it was like to be a 'non-conformist' kid in those post-Punk years. </p><p>Here's a peak and explanation (sorry about the volume of this guys' video)...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BLIelkl8PEA?si=J6gDcerRKv61x_4n" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>In a way, you can say that Skool Daze was a pre-cursor to games like GTA4 or Red Dead in it's sandbox approach to role playing, albeit in a pretty rudimentary way. But what you have to remember is that, back in 1980, this was a virtual as it needed to be as kids then had what we called 'an imagination'!</p><p>Despite this being a flag bearer of alternative anarchistic culture at the time this one of the Guardian Newspaper's 30 greatest British video games! Which just goes to show how those scruffy irrelevant teenagers of the '80s grew up to be solid cardigan-wearing drones of the establishment. Ironic. Anyway...</p><p>After a day at art college I liked nothing better than coming home, having a plate of Findus Crispy Pancakes, tuning into the BBC to watch 'The Young Ones' and playing some Skool Daze on my Speccy. Ah, how simple life was!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnU6_lW4kYTHSHZW4ECOV33iAkvA2p5YGwrD0_S8Am8xOsjcaKlUpyy9FZO8-KX40jKpSAjszziaUous8AUUFeVjvSlgfe2MVCw2o0sI1bVKeHxe1YTBg5MdVkJCD38PMpEhgk0kNpHElRPqOF8V0wM-P6vsZQZkysKHNP8tV2JJ9mb0mfFZMRLue_gs/s1088/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20104832.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1088" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnU6_lW4kYTHSHZW4ECOV33iAkvA2p5YGwrD0_S8Am8xOsjcaKlUpyy9FZO8-KX40jKpSAjszziaUous8AUUFeVjvSlgfe2MVCw2o0sI1bVKeHxe1YTBg5MdVkJCD38PMpEhgk0kNpHElRPqOF8V0wM-P6vsZQZkysKHNP8tV2JJ9mb0mfFZMRLue_gs/w400-h290/Screenshot%202024-03-01%20104832.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: If the 1980s was a taste, this is what it would be.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. Jet Set Willy (Software Projects, 1984)</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zd9GIL97dsUTGahjQL72VxQB05dD_cBtBPRZMY3VMiyc6c6p8sUhsNfeTvy6RKygrgMwOIk3xNz2lWctUH8mhpdQ4CTJFlFGBQRXu3hYqlMn-9hLbAPvlylpDVd7XxzVaQ1vohthK5XS0gYOiMsY2TO9xGmWFInWQh5IOjgjlh7BMRRf2D47cXClXcA/s1024/jet.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1024" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Zd9GIL97dsUTGahjQL72VxQB05dD_cBtBPRZMY3VMiyc6c6p8sUhsNfeTvy6RKygrgMwOIk3xNz2lWctUH8mhpdQ4CTJFlFGBQRXu3hYqlMn-9hLbAPvlylpDVd7XxzVaQ1vohthK5XS0gYOiMsY2TO9xGmWFInWQh5IOjgjlh7BMRRf2D47cXClXcA/w640-h474/jet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>I felt I would have to include JSW in any compilation cart that Evercade might do of Spectrum classics, even though I wasn't a huge fan myself. I did play it, mostly as I think it came with the Speccy bundle I bought, but it was kinda a right of passage for Spectrum gamers, like Horace Goes Skiing. You had to play it at least once or you weren't a member of the club!</p><p>Here's a overview, and - again - I dunno what is wrong with YouTubers who make videos about Spectrum games, but the audio is crap! I can only assume that they have been listening to far to many 8bit beeps and clicks and that their ear drums are in tatters...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z-OPhaWC2Z0?si=VUVNA41YuEkGjv9n" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Anyway, the other reason I include this game is that it highlighted just how low our expectations were as a home computer gamer at the time, or how easily we were pleased. It's easy to look back now and say how rubbish a game like JSW appears to be by todays standards, but when you consider that you are talking about THE FIRST generation of computer gamers who were not long ago flipping their lids over 'PONG' then you will understand how JSW was like the 'next gen' to them!</p><p>If you think of an Evercade retro cartridge as being a sort of little museum of what a particular gaming platform was like, then Jet Set Willy really needs to be on one as a snapshot of the 'Speccy scene'. And as much as I wasn't a fan, about a million cassettes of this game was bought, so that does say something about it!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. The Hobbit (Beam Software, 1988)</span></h3><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrCq0VyQbqLfdAtn6lpmDyIi8zNUxPAes6jPK7Q6ta91Zmeqd8dVcGeAzSm2FepVEf_UayGi_uKg6akNTClnF00TB_faFdAuWNAbMeBz0Fn0Z-Q73s5SrNAm_gvMFAG6R4whA_1BXqhRLJMcVepzpfCxHKPwIZ8R6YLOr4dhETRsNjo_rdBZG6ArJ0mE/s1041/3.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1041" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrCq0VyQbqLfdAtn6lpmDyIi8zNUxPAes6jPK7Q6ta91Zmeqd8dVcGeAzSm2FepVEf_UayGi_uKg6akNTClnF00TB_faFdAuWNAbMeBz0Fn0Z-Q73s5SrNAm_gvMFAG6R4whA_1BXqhRLJMcVepzpfCxHKPwIZ8R6YLOr4dhETRsNjo_rdBZG6ArJ0mE/w640-h472/3.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: You mean I have to type in TEXT? LOL</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p>Now, including The Hobbit on an Evercade cart collection is a bit of a quandary. There is <b><i>no</i></b> question it should be there, but - on the other hand - are Evercade uses:</p><p>A. Ready for a TEXT adventure, and...<br />B. Would EXP owners be able to play this on their tiny screens? π</p><p>This, in fact, is one of my problems with the idea of a 'representative' compilation of Spectrum games for a Evercade. A lot of the games I liked, back in the day, were - surprisingly - text and menu heavy!</p><p>Here's teaser...And YAY! It has reasonable audio...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7TQnvMLHwsY?si=7mwrKLIN_0P437-j" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>I liked strategy and war games, some of which required you reading through lengthy scrolling text OR had tiny little icons representing units that even on a 14 inch TV were a bit hard to make out!</p><p>Of course both the Evercase VS and EXP has the ability to be connected to a big TV screen so size of graphics and text perhaps isn't an issue, but even so, I kinda think that the majority of retro gamers prefer the simplistic easy of interface - with not a lot of controls or reading of menus - that games like The Hobbit would confront them with.</p><p>Good Lord, the idea of having to read a manual is so un-Evercade! So, - sadly - there are a lot of games that I would like to include on my list that I simply feel I can't because that would not be well received by the majority of Evercade owners!<i> (God, CCS's excellent 'Arnhem' war game [1985] would freak out the average Evercader!) </i>π</p><p>Anyway, all that said, there is a big case for the inclusion of The Hobbit on a Evercade Speccy compilation, even if it's just to prove that all home computer games of that era weren't platformers or side-scrolling shooters! And on top of that, it's actually a brilliant game!</p><p>In a way, The Hobbit was to the Spectrum what the 'Oregon Trail' was to the Apple II. It almost has a legendary status when talked about by veteran gamers.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. Super Hang-On (Electric Dreams Software (UK), 1987)</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP63etxxafpKwdABSF9qkUsd7msZlCya0_5We1I-JaKH4qY1mmqUq94MXBFKLTdY_M-6-tY8z50xsELs8gnAGID6ZtatGyQSgJMlEPW3ETBj8yBe7TWfGHBcfSEhsQKbzYyVJ3j6MKW5PjNDDPErF_7xU5p-bn2fjdakzKzq-0BzqPpXqyB_CudropK8/s640/SCRtoImage.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLP63etxxafpKwdABSF9qkUsd7msZlCya0_5We1I-JaKH4qY1mmqUq94MXBFKLTdY_M-6-tY8z50xsELs8gnAGID6ZtatGyQSgJMlEPW3ETBj8yBe7TWfGHBcfSEhsQKbzYyVJ3j6MKW5PjNDDPErF_7xU5p-bn2fjdakzKzq-0BzqPpXqyB_CudropK8/w640-h480/SCRtoImage.png" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>To this day, one of my guilty little gaming secrets is that I love driving games. In fact, this is the one reason that I have held onto my old Xbox 360, that I love to just tune out and relax to a easy to get into, easy to put down again session racing game.</p><p>Back in the Spectrum days, for me, there were a handful of excellent racing games - like 'Turbo Espirit' and 'Chase HQ' - but something a little different which really captured the excitement of speed was a motorcycle racing game, Super Hang-On.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mzFxW9p7vfs?si=-YNynLaaQQt-pV_G" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The main thing for me was the smooth (for a Spectrum) animation of travelling through a scrolling course which was a little more varied - and so unpredictable - that the some of the more boring tracks in Spectrum driving games. And the undulations of the hilly sections really did give a reasonable sense of a fast ride.</p><p>Additionally, for once, the leaning motorbike style of driving was actually nicely simulated using the dodgy old squishy Kempson joystick! π</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. Knight Lore (1984)</span></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosV_p6Imzodb8oWd7BpgKfH_LuqTX3FxM1O-MMSj-Ja_wNJwd75hZAYHNiHIf6qOvsP8n2sOU0mfOQFE1M55cPhtof3UyTEDu7nQlzz7kTcdrQZ0_3ToQe2xVh81pXhvNufjqe8MEmKRU5bTtm_L4613BAEag848qtHEc22GzVPQVmYMpIRFKsZG6SoQ/s539/Knight%20Lore%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="539" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhosV_p6Imzodb8oWd7BpgKfH_LuqTX3FxM1O-MMSj-Ja_wNJwd75hZAYHNiHIf6qOvsP8n2sOU0mfOQFE1M55cPhtof3UyTEDu7nQlzz7kTcdrQZ0_3ToQe2xVh81pXhvNufjqe8MEmKRU5bTtm_L4613BAEag848qtHEc22GzVPQVmYMpIRFKsZG6SoQ/w640-h490/Knight%20Lore%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p>I tremble when I think of this game as, in your computer gaming life you always remember that one game that took you to another level of obsession... This was Knight Lore for me.</p><p>Admittedly, the initial novelty of this game was the faux-3D nature of the isometric graphic in a world of 2D side or vertical scrolling shooters or platformers. The addition of the illusion of being able to move in the 3rd dimension was - at the time - a real 'wow'. And, again, probably tells you a lot about how easily pleased we were in the early 1980s BUT it was genuinely a real step forward (or sideways LOL) for game design.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7n7qtErhF-A?si=IlSOhoW3bWSh30pK" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>I'll admit that, looking back now, Knight Lore was not - eventually - the very best of the isometric platform puzzle games - that title probably goes to 'Head Over Heals' - but, as often is the case, you tend to remember the first time a game did something special rather than the later variations or improvements that came out after that.</p><p>For me, though, it was that fantastic mechanic where - in time with the moon's phase - your character turned into it's werewolf persona which altered your abilities. This was done with a fantastic animation and sound clip which all players of this game with always remember with fondness!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Conclusion</span></h3><p>Well, there you go, five Speccy games I'd love to see on a Evercade cartridge collection. Obviously, these are my choices, other Spectrum fans will point out that some of these are not what are considered the best games (there's a couple that would struggle to get into a Speccy Top 10)!</p><p>Also, as I mentioned briefly, this collection does not include a whole genre of Spectrum games that I played a lot - strategy and war games. I've left those out simply because, while Evercade VS console players would play these happily connected, as they are, to a big screen TV, Evercade EXP handheld players would probably need a magnifying glass to see soe of the tiny icons used in these type of games...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BAlefNNj8Gc8KYRdUjxb45XkP4wNOczwVBr_IKfuu3KSOIqOF57hVNo6qZYFxdIYV7I7bR6irxrcbOg0at7gUQIUdNqZOfKpNCHEObiPk88wHqYDgykc0IGdqLzJxj33EgVmkp_0nI_4-fdni9ykupQAu8tIse-eZMfVJDGSlYIfu1HtsGvfxq2YRfs/s244/vulcan1.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="244" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8BAlefNNj8Gc8KYRdUjxb45XkP4wNOczwVBr_IKfuu3KSOIqOF57hVNo6qZYFxdIYV7I7bR6irxrcbOg0at7gUQIUdNqZOfKpNCHEObiPk88wHqYDgykc0IGdqLzJxj33EgVmkp_0nI_4-fdni9ykupQAu8tIse-eZMfVJDGSlYIfu1HtsGvfxq2YRfs/w640-h472/vulcan1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Unfortunately, I cannot see some of my very favourite Speccy games, like<br />'Vulcan' coming to a Evercade cart as this would be a no-no for EXP players.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Still, despite that sad exception, there are an enormous amount of cracking games to be cherry picked from the Spectrum library, with some really unique exclusives or games that appeared on the Spectrum first.</p><p>I really do hope that BLAZE will be bringing some Speccy goodness to the Evercade consoles this year as their omission of this legendary platform so far has been somewhat perplexing (too many C64 fan-boys in the company I reckon)! π</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-71468288557069839412024-02-28T00:50:00.000-08:002024-02-28T00:54:06.764-08:00My Top 5 WW2 Naval Assets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6efuQS0W0-RW74qWh74lPTaGqCMg5VUgyEGS9WhXfOhnkOkxrr4eGOOMcD5SyvGFssJDcs79e4IiNUS8IIUEdR7AKhlXH2BnfyIBbJkAHxDq3YNcPIjdM-TzB80jvK9kH71MNZOXeCBVgDvqYx5oc4rkD3xyPSCpJEY-vo_35duj5NHN_oNnMhNk5Afs/s740/USS_PT-105.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="740" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6efuQS0W0-RW74qWh74lPTaGqCMg5VUgyEGS9WhXfOhnkOkxrr4eGOOMcD5SyvGFssJDcs79e4IiNUS8IIUEdR7AKhlXH2BnfyIBbJkAHxDq3YNcPIjdM-TzB80jvK9kH71MNZOXeCBVgDvqYx5oc4rkD3xyPSCpJEY-vo_35duj5NHN_oNnMhNk5Afs/w640-h506/USS_PT-105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">In the Navy, You Can Have a Lot of Fun...</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Disclaimer...</h3><p>Just a quick reminder, these 'TOP 5' posts that I'm starting to do are <b><i>not</i></b> a list of what are generally perceived to be the best of whatever category I am writing about! These posts are MY personal (and probably biased) favourites! As such, these list are just my opinion and not open to discussion! (Though you may disagree and have your own opinion.)</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">My Top 5 Naval Assets</h3><p>Anyway, now on with my list. But note that I've called this post 'naval assets' and not ships or craft or whatever. Truth be told, the navy and it's history is undoubtedly my weakest knowledge area and I'm not up on what makes a 'good' warship, especially these days, so I've widened the scope to include other naval weapon technologies which I am a bit more familiar with.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. HMS HAWKINS (D86) 1915-1947 - UK</span></h3><p>Having say what I just said, let's kick off my list with a ship. And as if to underline that these lists are my personal lists I've chosen HMS HAWKINS as the first of my favourites, simply because my uncle served on it!</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52853916250/in/photolist-7Puso6-2nrKPhG-2oww8U7" title="HMS Hawkins 1942"><img alt="HMS Hawkins 1942" height="317" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52853916250_8fd92f4328.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Now, before you say 'that is very unspecific, illogical and shouldn't count' hear me out... British WW2 ships all seem to have an understated anonymity about them, in fact - in that strange British twisted thinking that a defeat is somehow more 'heroic' and character building than a victory - unless a ship was tragically sunk, like the Hood or Royal Oak or Ark Royal, most people cannot name a WW2 Royal Navy ship at all!</p><p>Yet, the Royal Navy's fleet of largely unknown warships ALL contributed in their modest ways to the cumulative Allied victory and each had their own moment of heroism or interesting part to play. My uncle's ship is typical of this, in that who has heard of HMS HAWKINS? It wasn't a great battleship, in fact it was something of a outdated and outclassed vessel that the German navy - I'm sure - might have sneered at as being antiquated when compared to their modern warships.</p><p>Think on this though - and again, bear in mind that practically nobody has heard of this ship - HMS Hawkins in 1941 Hawkins began escorting convoys off the West African coast, rescuing nine survivors from the oil tanker British Premier, which had been torpedoed off Freetown by the German submarine U-65.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53515947975/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Hawkins, 23 May 1942"><img alt="Hawkins, 23 May 1942" height="362" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53515947975_4046f76c29.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: At anchor, 1942. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Hawkins_(D86)" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>OK, pretty standard stuff at the time I dare say, but shortly after - during the British invasion of Italian Somaliland -Hawkins captured <i><b>five</b></i> Italian merchant ships totalling 28,055 tons! </p><p>But, my favourite mission that the Hawkins took on was it's contribution to the Western Task Force Gunfire Support Bombardment Force U to support American troops landing at Utah Beach. On 6 June, the ship bombarded the coastal artillery positions in Grandcamp-Maisy and Saint-Martin-de-Varreville with some effect.</p><p>She was broken up in 1947.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. VOSPER MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT - UK</span></h3><p>Navy enthusiasts all have their particular favourite type of vessel, some like the great war wagons that are battleships, others the sleek and ubiquitous destroyers, and some like submarines. But of all the navy's vast array of craft I have always had a soft spot for the motor torpedo boat!</p><p>As a kid these fast boats often appeared in my go-to comic - 'Commando' - and always told a story of guts, glamour and glory as they small craft took on a David and Golith struggle against bigger enemies and won! Obviously, having grown up I realise that these kids stories don't paint a true story of the terrific job the Royal Navy's MTBs did during the war, and these days I turn to books like Douglas Reeman's 'Torpedo Run' for my attack boat fiction!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518231343/in/dateposted/" title="Torpedo Run by Douglas Reeman"><img alt="Torpedo Run by Douglas Reeman" height="235" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518231343_aa07952f55.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>There's just something fascinating about these small naval vessels - and their US equivalent, the PT boat - that gives me a fantastic buzz. I really can't explain what it is about them. Maybe it's the speed, the job they did or that I have a piquant for machinegun turrets.</p><p>But, in any case, I do know that I like the idea that despite their size they could foil some of the enemy's larger ships with a well placed torpedo! (Blame my opinion on this ability being far too heavily influenced by the movie 'They Were Expendable' (1945) with John Wayne).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EpfmMLy8_3A?si=HAifYy-2HCoZVOJx" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Sadly, there wasn't despite the British film industry being able to produce some excellent wartime naval movies - like the 'Cruel Sea' (1953) and 'In Which We Serve' (1942) - but no cinematic adaption of a MTB story.</p><p>So, I had to rely on Hollywood to give me my fast boat fix - despite the fact that the Americans never met the ultimate fast boat nemesis of WW2 - the infamous German E-Boat or <i>Schnellboot</i>! It was the threat that these powerful and deadly craft posed that caused the Royal Navy created its MGB force and later developed better-matched MTBs like the Vosper.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Britishmtb.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="800" height="451" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Britishmtb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: MTBs in the Mediterranean, February 1945. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motor_torpedo_boat" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />3. LVT-2 BUFFALO - USA</span></h3><p>Let's not forget about The Marines! You'll understand, now, why I said my top <i>naval assets</i> rather than my top ships! This is the one non-shippy type </p><p>The LVT series - collectively known as the Buffalo was a major innovation at the time, and as we all know that necessity if the mother of invention, WW2 produced a great many inventions!</p><p>Now, while we European probably recognise this unusual 'craft'/vehicle but associate it with D-Day, that is because we tend to forget that America's more immediate concern was it's campaign in the Pacific.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LzCAO4vcAYHkJC_lTdmi-NQZn7C1SRxzjHIYGXyV9jVFrm0lApkRoxYXgB6t7N6FhAr94wD_8rIax6BA-bFCgXlYcu6SaR0f6UOTO3QFdcwse1zaXaJNZqxaRwB_yqUIoOypOxGbC7hywYHh-wXpIm2fSTtRa9kz1f7lo5ccXliedkmu78Daaldl6Dc/s1458/Tracked_landing_vehicles_(LVTs)_approach_Iwo_Jima;fig14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1458" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LzCAO4vcAYHkJC_lTdmi-NQZn7C1SRxzjHIYGXyV9jVFrm0lApkRoxYXgB6t7N6FhAr94wD_8rIax6BA-bFCgXlYcu6SaR0f6UOTO3QFdcwse1zaXaJNZqxaRwB_yqUIoOypOxGbC7hywYHh-wXpIm2fSTtRa9kz1f7lo5ccXliedkmu78Daaldl6Dc/w640-h402/Tracked_landing_vehicles_(LVTs)_approach_Iwo_Jima;fig14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: LVT-4 approaches Iwo Jima. Thus is not only a really impressive photo but<br />also one which highlights the forgotten scale of the Pacific conflict. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Vehicle_Tracked" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>People (even some Americans) tend to forget about the huge theatre of the Pacific campaign. But, as I say, this was America's primary focus as they were more immediately and actually on the defensive at the start of their entry into World War 2.</p><p>Amphioxus landings were - by nature of the so-called 'island hoping' warfare that was going on against Japan - a crucial means if America were to defeat the Japanese. So, naturally, a lot of thought was given to how best to get Marines and the Army ashore in what could be (and was) very hotly contested landings.</p><p>The LVTs saw their first operational use in Guadalcanal in 1942 and while - initially - they were used to land supplies it became evident , through hard fought experience, that the LVTs could provide protected transportation for landing operations. Through a process of trial by fire, the LVT steadily evolved - after a complete redesign of the original LVT - into the LVT-2 Buffalo.</p><p><i>Factoid: I, like many people, tend to think of the US Pacific campaign as one mostly carried out by the Marine Corps, but in actuality the US Army was very heavily involved as well.</i></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk88USVfDudOFhIbA7VQDnnnn8P-z4U6zXdMRJCsi4DtPinbxqFF2wwHtQJKKKDG4IAE9i8P6OIyHF8fqixNoXKGpvjKOovh36CEwBTpwWMDJ8K0QG6SrQbFUx3S3PGU5aDW7fapVt_bZCf8ZyE-KPUQEU4BRtEfHzSM5aByohX5CCK-hOky4MwEW0p4/s1302/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20074134.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1302" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwk88USVfDudOFhIbA7VQDnnnn8P-z4U6zXdMRJCsi4DtPinbxqFF2wwHtQJKKKDG4IAE9i8P6OIyHF8fqixNoXKGpvjKOovh36CEwBTpwWMDJ8K0QG6SrQbFUx3S3PGU5aDW7fapVt_bZCf8ZyE-KPUQEU4BRtEfHzSM5aByohX5CCK-hOky4MwEW0p4/w640-h342/Screenshot%202024-02-27%20074134.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: As usual my choice of favourite military assets has a lot to with what<br />scale models I really like or have built in the past. The AIRFIX Buffalo &<br />Willys Jeep set is a vintage classic.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Anyway, as it turned out, the Pacific campaign and the lessons learned there were an ideal proving ground for when - eventually - the Allies invaded and liberated mainland Europe.</p><p>Why I like the LVT-2 Buffalo? Well, first of all, the design was a piece of genius which - in my humble opinion - matched the much vaunted and more famous British 'Funnies' that helped win the D-Day campaign in 1944. Also, if you have ever watched the beach landing scene in 'Saving Private Ryan' you will appreciate what a deadly and costly activity it was landing troops using the conventional landing craft.</p><p>It was OK landing craft getting troops <b><i>to</i></b> a beach, but getting them <b><i>up </i></b>the beach was quite another thing. What I'm saying is the LVTs saved a LOT of lives and were crucial to the eventual Allied victories in both the Pacific and European theatres. Though, ironically, the US Army was sceptical about the usefulness of the Buffalo...Though hindsight is a wonderful thing</p><p>I think the Buffalo is a real unsung hero.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />2. Short Sunderland - The 'Flying Porcupine'.</span></h3><p>Again, not a ship! π But I think we all understand the important part that aircraft played in maritime operations, particularly during World War 2. From reconnaissance to anti-submarine, to transport and rescue, to fleet protection and attack, aircraft became a huge part of the navy's operations and the aircraft carrier overtook the battleship as the number 1 naval weapon.</p><p>But, while we tend to think of carrier-borne aircraft when it comes to naval operations it is somewhat overlooked how many maritime air operations were undertaken from land. Britain's RAF Coastal Command had the responsibility of protecting of Allied convoys from attacks by the German Kriegsmarine's U-boats. It also protected Allied shipping from aerial attacks by the Luftwaffe. </p><p>In doing so Coastal Command employed a great variety of aircraft types; from the smaller twin-engined patrol 'bomber' types like the Avro Anson and Lockheed Hudson to the heavy bombers like the Consolidated Liberators and Handley Page Halifax (to name but a few types flown). But, of all the interesting aircraft that protected our seas (and fought around the world's oceans) the Coastal Command flew one very unique type that went on to earn itself almost legendary status and - apparently - struck fear into the hearts of it's German opponents... The Short Sunderland 'flying boat'!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2YBj8snl6ZIwzKqO8x8jaaFY4Vb3PQHUTO1KLlI6oRvMb0y43DIceSHoKwKg2cZh1stfFMOsXSa-IqPjkg8PdCqlfDfBsRRMkVNRJ_fxQG9vAPuqgv0Kna-EeS0txOmsek8DMdFlLGn4Ur3fd4kOoVqTGI9jSsq6BkJE6f9bxPxmwtztA21JZRBvELI/s1024/Short_Sunderland_Mk_V_ExCC.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2YBj8snl6ZIwzKqO8x8jaaFY4Vb3PQHUTO1KLlI6oRvMb0y43DIceSHoKwKg2cZh1stfFMOsXSa-IqPjkg8PdCqlfDfBsRRMkVNRJ_fxQG9vAPuqgv0Kna-EeS0txOmsek8DMdFlLGn4Ur3fd4kOoVqTGI9jSsq6BkJE6f9bxPxmwtztA21JZRBvELI/w640-h480/Short_Sunderland_Mk_V_ExCC.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Short Sunderland Mk V ExCC. Just beautiful and very intimidating!<br />Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sunderland" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I could tell you about the sterling and important roles that the Sunderland played - particularly against the German U-Boat threat and protecting Atlantic convoys - but what piques the most interest in this aircraft was it's formidable reputations that earned itself the nickname of the 'Flying Porcupine'!</p><p>The Sunderland could be armed with a whopping 12 Γ 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns, which made any encounter with it a very prickly one (see what I did there π)!</p><p>As a lad this 'armed to the teeth' flying boat real caught my imagination, especially when one reads about some of the 'poor' Germans who tried to get the best of it, as in this particular occasion...</p><p></p><blockquote><span style="color: #0b5394;">"The type's capacity to defend itself was demonstrated in particular by an air battle over the Bay of Biscay on 2 June 1943, when <b>eight</b> Junkers Ju 88Cs attacked a single Sunderland Mk III...The Sunderland survived and claimed three Ju 88s destroyed." Amusingly and quite aptly this aircraft's call sign was "N for Nuts"!<i> (It's worth reading the full combat report as it's ripping stuff! Link: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sunderland" target="_blank">Wikipedia entry for the Sunderland, opens in new window.</a>)</i></span></blockquote><i></i><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BXnVrHmUQVHfl1-oNfnJn-GXdT3Ji3L8qigU_P3ivfP9mBPhbuMClePe3GMybJywM0rMHYz2UalAJKsQY6YvjnZyj7bVb2xd7UQFTHrl34EDnDKTpU9HmdRhnEw7rz2nRePDj7ipls-aZBo4dCqgbDzlNXlomMl7JUOH0y7uBdMYOi80zo_VCXH-3Gs/s800/Royal_Air_Force_1939-1945-_Coastal_Command_C243.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="800" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BXnVrHmUQVHfl1-oNfnJn-GXdT3Ji3L8qigU_P3ivfP9mBPhbuMClePe3GMybJywM0rMHYz2UalAJKsQY6YvjnZyj7bVb2xd7UQFTHrl34EDnDKTpU9HmdRhnEw7rz2nRePDj7ipls-aZBo4dCqgbDzlNXlomMl7JUOH0y7uBdMYOi80zo_VCXH-3Gs/w640-h476/Royal_Air_Force_1939-1945-_Coastal_Command_C243.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Guns everywhere! A couple of the Sunderland dorsal 'quills'! Ouch!<br />Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sunderland" target="_blank">Wikipedia</a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gEE2nsxlKDU?si=ASOf3dO2cWdNV93P" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;"><br />1. 'Sea Pigs' - Italian 'Human Torpedoes'!</span></h3><p>And finally. When one thinks of World War 2 there is one nation - in particular - that always gets a very bad wrap, and that's poor old Italy. We've all heard the jokes, being British we have a nasty habit of belittling other nation's militaries in order to big up our own. But, to be fair, Britain - especially in WW2 - had it's fair share of ignominious and embarrassing moments, we just turn them into 'glorious and heroic defeats'!</p><p>With Italy though, it does not help that their major ally - Germany - had a habit of jumping aboard the bandwagon and voicing it's own negative opinions about the quality of the Italians. </p><p>Luckily, over time and with the interest in historical research Italy and things Italian during this period have been somewhat reappraised and some of the positives about their role in WW2 are being accepted. Whether that be some of their excellent small arms, some of their world class aircraft, units like their famous and excellent <i>Paracadutisti </i>(paratroopers) <b><i>or thier navy!</i></b></p><p>Yes, The Regia Marina also suffers from the stigma which dogs Italy, and - to be fair - this poor reputation stems not from it's ships or men but from it's poor leadership and choices that it made in conducting the war.</p><p>The fact is, the Italian navy had some of the most modern and well designed vessels of the time - in particular, some excellent battleships - and it may surprise you to know that they were also<b><i> world leaders </i></b>in one particular aspect of naval warfare...</p><p>The Italians were highly respected and effective 'frogmen'! To such an extent, in fact, that even the snooty Germans respected them!</p><p>The <b><i>Decima Flottiglia MAS</i></b> (Decima Flottiglia Motoscafi Armati Siluranti, also known as La Decima or XΒͺ MAS) (Italian for "10th Assault Vehicle Flotilla") was an Italian flotilla, with marines and commando frogman unit, of the Ialian Navy...</p><p><i></i></p><blockquote><i><span style="color: #0b5394;">Decima MAS was active during the Battle of the Mediterranean and took part in a number of daring raids on Allied shipping. These operations involved surface speedboats (such as the raid on Souda Bay), human torpedoes (the raid on Alexandria) and Gamma frogmen (against Gibraltar). During the campaign, Decima MAS took part in more than a dozen operations which sank or damaged five warships (totalling 72,000 tons) and 20 merchant ships (totalling 130,000 GRT). [Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decima_Flottiglia_MAS" target="_blank">Wikipedia.</a>]</span></i></blockquote><p></p><p>As elite as the Italian frogmen were, perhaps the most dangerous and fascinating of their innovative practises was the use of<i> 'Siluro a Lenta Corsa'</i> (SLC), also known as <i>Maiale</i> (pig) which were - in essence - human torpedoes'!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/335p0U_XY6U?si=dH6r8gNLeeYjoiCv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>The mere fact that a military deploys something called a 'human torpedo' has to make you pay attention! And the Italian frogmen really did carve out a formidable reputation for undertaking operations that no one believed or considered were possible.</p><p>My father served in North Africa in World War 2, and despite him not being above repeating the usual uncomplimentary opinions about the quality of the Italian army, he did mention just how shocked the British were about the Italian frogmen attack at Alexandria. It was - it seemed - a real blow to British morale at the time.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR2CP83P8YFPu-jKAbMwZaODwzcM_He0-j5bi3tVov0CvXINuBbMbuymVwpy0cQfo4LxLJOLg2INbOz88_UqqXm29Tz4NDFrBoASLorWH8t8wyVbBdbg-0Rfc2hPyaq9RGLMi5xYVsw4r8_dE7nNZZI4DPiSGCt5BHdrEy3SKT4i7WVA5uu39zi21X2Y/s1280/IGB_005838_siluro_guidato_detto_maiale_al_Museo_della_scienza_e_tecnologia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKR2CP83P8YFPu-jKAbMwZaODwzcM_He0-j5bi3tVov0CvXINuBbMbuymVwpy0cQfo4LxLJOLg2INbOz88_UqqXm29Tz4NDFrBoASLorWH8t8wyVbBdbg-0Rfc2hPyaq9RGLMi5xYVsw4r8_dE7nNZZI4DPiSGCt5BHdrEy3SKT4i7WVA5uu39zi21X2Y/w640-h426/IGB_005838_siluro_guidato_detto_maiale_al_Museo_della_scienza_e_tecnologia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: I mean, would YOU get on one of these things? It takes a lot of guts to do so.<br />Manned torpedo, called Maiale, at the Museo nazionale della scienza e della tecnologia<br /> Leonardo da Vinci of Milan. Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_torpedo" target="_blank">Wikipedia </a></span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'll end with this final complement about these brave Italians. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so in 1942 - after the Alexandra raid - The Royal Navy created (copied) the Italian design to make it's own version of the manned torpedo, which they called the Chariot.</p><p>In something of a revenge attack, in 1943 a number of Chariots launched from the submarines HMS Thunderbolt and HMS Trooper attacked and sank the Italian Capitani Romani-class cruiser the Ulpio Traiano in Palermo harbour, and severely damaged the Italian troop ship, a former ocean liner, Viminale.</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-6536947691488613312024-02-26T02:50:00.000-08:002024-02-29T00:22:15.391-08:00Do We Need a New Evercade EXP2 Retro Handheld?<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52724916446/in/album-72177720306325700/" title="Evercade EXP"><img alt="Evercade EXP" height="338" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52724916446_d6337a13b9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Sometimes Technology Moves TOO Fast!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Out With the Old?</span></h3><p>One of the Evercade YouTubers that I watch regularly is 'Crazy Birger', who does nice reviews and reports on retro gaming. And in his last video he discussed - hypothetically - the idea of what a updated EXP handheld might look like and why he thinks it's needed...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Ff6n4UoPPA?si=-PgvSTFUsxnD6Bvv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>....I'll be honest, I'm not sure an EXP2 is needed quite yet. Not only does it - in my opinion - fulfil - all that is needed for mobile casual retro gaming (I <b><i>always</i></b> pack my EXP for trips and holidays) but Evercade have already - in a way - done a clever 'upgrade' of this handheld.</p><p>In 2023 Blaze Entertainment (makers of the Evercade range) launched the <b><i>'Super Pocket'</i></b> - a compact handheld games console which could be seen a mini-EXP in a way. In taking the handheld concept DOWN a size - rather than taking it UP in size - they have made this handheld Evercade even MORE mobile and convenient for carrying than the bigger EXP.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqqVVyLWSm1PkEte5hoRfsbw3qk1oxqCrV0kO8kx70sKpHd34YKJVWA-WIIWYKpH3z4cAg8T44-R6qNCk92ngByNrMszPvcbYQjqx26lnlh-lkXVlrFUlRatDulAJyHeS3lrrcH8TYXN67lB7ccwEQ7KijYZaZogMjPdlizw8LG85GrlKO-N-2VrkDnI/s472/capcom-pocket.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqqVVyLWSm1PkEte5hoRfsbw3qk1oxqCrV0kO8kx70sKpHd34YKJVWA-WIIWYKpH3z4cAg8T44-R6qNCk92ngByNrMszPvcbYQjqx26lnlh-lkXVlrFUlRatDulAJyHeS3lrrcH8TYXN67lB7ccwEQ7KijYZaZogMjPdlizw8LG85GrlKO-N-2VrkDnI/w339-h400/capcom-pocket.webp" width="339" /></a></div><p>That said, I still prefer my EXP - even though it needs to be totted around in a bag - unless you have super-size pockets π- to be fully 'mobile'. And - in a way - if I want really pocket size gaming with me at all times I use my iPhone! (A lot of the retro arcade games - or versions of them - are available on the Apple Arcade Store.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53553412854/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="1942 on the iPhone"><img alt="1942 on the iPhone" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53553412854_9819029ccb.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #274e13;">Above: My favourite retro arcade game - 1942 - on my<br />iPhone 11. Handy portable gaming with me at all times!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>But I can see a lot of people liking the 'Gameboy'-like format of the 'Hyper Mega Tech' (Blaze's new brand line for this console) Super Pocket.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Back to Upgrading the EXP , First Question Would Be 'Why'?</span></h3><p>Well, the simple answer might be this - BLAZE are starting the push the envelope of what the EXP is capable of because they have lately started to introduce N64 games to their library (and there are likely to be Playstation 1 and Dreamcast games too if they can work out the coding to get these on a cartridge).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXquYki8aEB4HbnqeBKRAqNHQYZ8g4Clz51tFTUabf-oZwg-Myv7lOG_OLC3-nXCgD3IGmsszIYqiSznU4uqHtZzggm0YYt7Qu-Q_8nxGctb-LLRtkwum32V7YsNVNxDnvsA855sAINmclOwQefogZLvRRqQiuouPEcBhPhy-PjkP8bATYK6wVu4X2qUM/s768/sega-dreamcast.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="768" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXquYki8aEB4HbnqeBKRAqNHQYZ8g4Clz51tFTUabf-oZwg-Myv7lOG_OLC3-nXCgD3IGmsszIYqiSznU4uqHtZzggm0YYt7Qu-Q_8nxGctb-LLRtkwum32V7YsNVNxDnvsA855sAINmclOwQefogZLvRRqQiuouPEcBhPhy-PjkP8bATYK6wVu4X2qUM/w640-h360/sega-dreamcast.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Add: 1998's SEGA Dreamcast. A retro gaming fan favourite, but<br />how would an EXP emulate THAT controller?</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>This push to add more (comparatively - remember we are talking retro games here) sophisticated games from later consoles come at a cost. In essence it like they are trying to squeeze these games into a package that was never really designed to cope with them.</p><p>What eventually might be needed is a slightly more powerful and versatile EXP so that it can make the most of this later generation of retro games.</p><p>NOW... Here's the rub. I kinda have a problem with this.</p><p>... To me Evercade might be going in completely the wrong direction IF they made an EXP2. They would be kinda solving the issue of a limited amount of less sophisticate older types of games by trying to open up new fresh fields of availability by going to slightly newer generations of console games (like the N64, Playstation 1, SNES and Dreamcast).</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsFI6HQAQjlbIjsrwkO7UDOtgkUkcmZenml5Gsf4LOMCEbgR3CpBfmRMqLYliyYJN4tl7ncmAsA9n_cbokSImWk1CwmpM5z661TBYn4S7w1_noYzA-VvytJAMyiPghhs7mgrp3UaiV3ZfcQElhzEljdQ5L2ekGLW57W_DIh0F_wtAwSt3Ji7mV4Kl0uc/s1920/N64-Console-Set.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1920" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsFI6HQAQjlbIjsrwkO7UDOtgkUkcmZenml5Gsf4LOMCEbgR3CpBfmRMqLYliyYJN4tl7ncmAsA9n_cbokSImWk1CwmpM5z661TBYn4S7w1_noYzA-VvytJAMyiPghhs7mgrp3UaiV3ZfcQElhzEljdQ5L2ekGLW57W_DIh0F_wtAwSt3Ji7mV4Kl0uc/w640-h344/N64-Console-Set.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: 1996's 64 bit Nintendo 64. Trying to get N64 games onto<br />the EXP is sorta like squeezing a quart into a pint pot!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I think this would be wrong-thinking. I'll explain why I think this in a minute but I would say this.</p><p>IF they truly need a more powerful type of EXP to play these game properly, do we need a EXP2 to do that? OR... Just as they added the Super Pocket and potentially killing the EXP by replacing it, might it be better to simply add another handheld in the line specifically for those who want a more powerful machine?</p><p>Not an EXP 2 but something else!<i> (And remember here, this is all speculation. BLAZE have not said they intend to launch any new consoles this year.)</i></p><p>And the other reason I say an EXP2 would be wrong thinking is this...</p><p>IF the reason BLAZE might be looking at a new machine it might be because - as I mentioned - that it's getting a bit harder to find suitable older games for the systems they already have. Not that theres a limited amount of retro games out there - there isn't, there are huge amount - <i><b>but </b></i>because getting the rights to these games might be getting harder and harder.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52800881282/in/album-72177720306325700/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Evercade EXP - Donut Dodo"><img alt="Evercade EXP - Donut Dodo" height="389" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52800881282_e16a7ab46c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #bf9000;">Above: In case you need a reminder, this is the EXP. Not a lot of<br />real estate, on top or inside!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Theres still plenty of avenues to explore for the current machines - I am hoping for some Sinclair Spectrum games to be added - but like a shark that must keep swimming to survive, BLAZE may feel that they need to keep periodically upgrading hardware <i>just </i>to maintain market interest (this is - in my opinion - why they made the Super Pocket).</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Never Say Never</span></h3><p>OK, so that's my reasons why I think an EXP2 might be a bad idea, though - at the same time - I do like some of the ideas in Crazy Birger's video. Yes, I'd like a bigger screen on the EXP and a better battery life. I even like the idea of a future machine adding a port so you can add alternative controllers as one of the nice things I like about the EXP is you can sorta turn it into a tabletop console by plugging in a HDMI cable and attaching it to you big TV!</p><p>But, anyway, whatever BLAZE intend to do next I'm sure it won't be what we expect it to do. After all, every Evecade fan has their own personal 'wish list' of things that they would like to see BLAZE doing.</p><p>And with that said... Here's my ideas...</p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">1. Make NEW Evercade Featured Release!</span></b></p><p>We all love the retro games, but as I mentioned above, these may be getting harder to find for BLAZE. So why isn't BLAZE developing it's own 'new' retro games??? Or, if they don't want to do it...</p><p>There are colleges and universities (and small indie developers) all over the UK who would love to get a start by having their own games featured on a special Evercade cartridge. Why isn't BLAZE sponsoring a competition for these groups, winners of submission to go onto a cartridge.</p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">2. Add a 'MIX TAPE' feature?</span></b></p><p>Now I don't even know if this is technically possible BUT...</p><p>Evercade fans really like the collecting aspect of the physical media. It's kinda old skool and quite addictive! BUT, this means that your favourite games are spread over many different cartridges, which can be a bit of a pain!</p><p>Every tie I go on a trip and want to take my EXP I then have the daunting task of choosing which carts to take with me - ideally all of them π but that is impossible - but if we could produce a 'mix tape' cart ourselves this would solve the problem. </p><p>Again, this seems technically hard - PLUS there are issues of piracy here, so it may never happen.</p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">3. Add Alternative Controller Ports</span></b></p><p>I touched on this in my main post, but the reason I think this would be cool is that it would actually solve one of the main issues that Crazy Burger raises in his video. Later gaming consoles like the N64 had thumbstick controls and their games utilised these... The EXP does not have thumbsticks, so this poses a big problem when considering which N64/Dreamcast game to port...</p><p>How do they emulate thumbsticks on a console that doesn't have them?</p><p>So, adding - say - a USB port to an upgraded EXP or VS would allow third part controllers to be plugged in. This gives a EXP2 a kind of future proofing as newer consoles have many different ways of handling controls...</p><p>Crazy Burger even suggested that a mouse could be attached... I agree, as this opens up a lot of games that required one to play. Think of some of the computer shooters, for example.</p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Edit: 4. Bluetooth!</span></b></p><p>I don't know why this didn't occur to me until I had to plug in my wired headphones last night... I mean, who had wired headphones there days (aside from old gits like me who never throw anything away)! π</p><p>The EXP only comes with a 3.5mm audio plug if you want to output sound to anything. A bit anachronistic these days when everything seems to have Bluetooth now! Being able to pair up a EXP2 to your earbuds would be idea as it enhances the portability aspect of the console...</p><p>Nobody wants to hear the tinny clanging of 8bit games on a train journey! π</p><p>---------------------------------------------------------</p><p>So there you go. I'm trying to have my cake and eat it as I don't think a EXP2 is a good idea BUT I can think of reasons that it might be! π</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-33852574155916897042024-02-11T13:10:00.000-08:002024-02-12T00:16:29.674-08:00B17 Gunnery Station Action<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53513290142/in/dateposted/" title="B17@ The Mighty 8th Redux - Ball Gunner 262"><img alt="B17@ The Mighty 8th Redux - Ball Gunner 262" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53513290142_9b45d8766f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Which B17 Gunnery Stations Do I Like Best?</span></b></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Fun Play Versus Successful Mission?</span></h3><p>Some of the gunnery turrets are more fun to play than others but - of course - this is a matter of personal preference. Some may like the dizzying 180 degree dance that is the turret gunner while other might like the concentrated fixed field of view the waist gunners or even the claustrophobic box that is the tail gunner.</p><p>Each position has it's pros and cons - from a game play point of view - and you also have the additional choice of specialising on one position or the frenetic juggling which is compartment swapping! Again, some might prefer one type of play over another.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DWYqu1Il9Ps?si=vBG8I_OAkPbE-SeJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><br /><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: a REAL USAAC aerial gunner training film!</span></i></b></p><p>Personally I like to specialise - choose one position - as I would argue that it's a more authentic sim way of doing things - the real gunners didn't jump from one position to another in WW2 - and it allows you to get proficient at using that pun position to it's full advantage, thus increasing the chances of a successful mission.</p><p>So here's a little look at some action footage I took whilst trying out all the gunnery positions, it might help you choice what style of gunnery play you fancy...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. NOSE GUNNER</span></h3><p>I'm glad to get this particular gunnery station out the way first, because - in my opinion - it's perhaps the least useful and least interesting position to play. The nose gun is a single M2 on a pinacol mount cramped into an awkward asymmetric location pointing forward on the starboard side of the bombardier/navigator compartment.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53516696465/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Nose Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Nose Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53516696465_50df8fd5b5.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The arc of fire and field of view from this point is the most restricted of all the other gunnery positions on the B17. But what's worse is that it does not have a dedicated gunner, it was an 'emergency' fix to the German tactic of head on attacks and - as with the chin turret - was manned by whomever was available between the bombardier and navigator (I found using that navigator for this nose gun the most logical).</p><p>Being a 'one trick pony', other than head on attacks the gun was useless for anything else. I found - as it was restricted to a roughly 90 degree arc biased to the forward firing position, time after time I caught sight of a target <i>just</i> in the corner of my line of sight - to the right - but was unable to do anything about it!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53516214041/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Nose Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Nose Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53516214041_6500e39d9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Get used to this happening when you play Nose Gunner! I can see him but<br />my gun cannot traverse any further back. Frustrating.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>This and the chin turret are the two positions that you cannot really specialise in as I would do with any of the other guns as - for a large portion of the journey to and from the target - these positions were unoccupied. The bombardier and navigator being busy doing their own jobs.</p><p>Through my several play throughs in this position I only managed <i>one single</i> 'probable' damaged hit.</p><p>Link: <a href="https://libertyladybook.com/2016/02/07/nose-guns-in-the-b-17/" target="_blank">NOSE GUNS IN THE B-17 by Pat DiGeorge</a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. CHIN GUNNER</span></h3><p>While being a non-dedicated position like the nose gun, the chin turret is actually quite useful and from a play point of view quite fun to use. It has good specialist sights and a approx. 180 degree field of fire with it's twin .50 cal guns.</p><p>The only fly in the ointment is that - like the nose gun - it is a sort of 'emergency gun' intended to deal with the head on attack (so, in total, the could be three M2s firing forward, in theory). In this case the manning of this position was usually done by the bombardier. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518486725/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Chin Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Chin Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53518486725_1d7b85c23a.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Now, while - unlike the navigator - the bombardier was perhaps not so busy on the flight to and from the target he was very busy - of course - once approaching the target so unable to fulfil the secondary role as chin gunner.</p><p>This may have not been such a big issue as I imagine head on attacks by German fighters were perhaps mostly encountered on the inward or outward journey and not so much during the bomb run?</p><p>But in any case, it's another of the positions where you wouldn't really position yourself as a specialised gunner throughout the mission. Like the nose gun, it's a position that lends itself to the <i>role swapping</i> technique of the game (if you are adept at that). Again, not a favourite occupation of mine.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518157431/in/dateposted/" title="Chin Gunner"><img alt="Chin Gunner" height="338" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53518157431_d075f8d060.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. UPPER TURRET GUNNER</span></h3><p>My personal second favourite gunnery position to play. You can cover a lot of sky in the top turret, both - importantly - to the high-rear (the crucial 6 o'clock) and also contribute to head-on defence. <i>And</i>, of course, everything laterally in-between.</p><p>Along with the ball gunner, you are most able to track targets for a longer period - relatively speaking - in a way that the much more restricted fields covered by others do not allow them.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518233382/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Top Turret Gunnery Action"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Top Turret Gunnery Action" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53518233382_2cec90d8e7.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I was surprised - though - that when I started playing this station for the first time just how much of your vision was hampered by the turret's frame and big gun sight. But this may be due to the fact that there's no 'free look' facility in the game which allows you to turn your 'head' independently from which way the turret is facing, thus increasing your field of view.</p><p>It's the ability - as I mentioned - to track targets through a wider range of motion is this position's biggest advantage. Obviously you lose sight of targets which are diving past diagonally or vertically very quickly, but on the horizonal you can sweep your guns around a 360 arc.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. LOWER BALL TURRET GUNNER</span></h3><p>The dreaded ball turret, at least that's the bad reputation this position has. The general opinion is that this station is both cramped, claustrophobic and - they say - dangerous. At least that's the impression that movies like 'Memphis Bell' leaves you with.</p><p>However, statistic seem to contradict the general view on this turrets safety as they showed the Ball Turret gunner was the least likely member of the crew to be wounded, as he was surrounded by armour plate, <i>however</i>, he was also the least likely to survive should the plane be shot down.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53513339956/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Ball Gunner Action"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Ball Gunner Action" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53513339956_30fa07cce7.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>...In the case of landing gear system failure, the ball turret would likely be destroyed due to the lack of clearance, meaning anyone occupying the turret would be in a precarious position!</p><p>Other statistic paint a darker picture about the Sperry Ball Turret: <i>While B-17 crews had a 30% mortality rate, the ball turret gunners had a 60% mortality rate</i></p><p>So, while in reality it was NOT a good place to be in a game, however, the turret is a reasonably good position and very useful. The view is, as with the top turret, kinda cluttered with most of your vision impeded by the turret frame and the sights. But this is somewhat compensated by the fast 180 degree range of movement. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. WAIST GUNNERS</span></h3><p>Looking at the big 'window' on either side of the B17's mid fuselage I always thought that the waist gunners had a nice wide view from which to acquire their targets...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RfqHDxv3aXg?si=SIqucgkevakdTqeP" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>What I found, however, was that unless the enemy fighter was coming at them directly side-on they suffer from one major draw-back. A side attack is less likely - not unlikely , just less likely - than the most obvious and common attack, which is - of course- from the rear or '6 o'clock'.</p><p>This means that the vast amount of targets I saw passing my waist gunning 'window' were fighters flashing past me quite closely from rear to front. This was because they had dived in from to attack from the rear - giving them the best chance at spraying up along the fuselage of the B17 and - crucially - getting shots in one the venerable engines!</p><p>...They then brake off - left and right - shooting past past the B17 pass the waist gunners positions but by then so fast that there is only the most fleeting of a target and not much of a chance to get much of a shot.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">6. TAIL END CHARLIE</span></h3><p>Possibly the most crucial defensive turret given that the majority of attacks. German pilots are quoted as going after the tail gunners position on purpose. While both the upper turret and the ball turret can contribute to the '6 o'clock' defence (upper or lower) the tail gunner has the most unobscured view of all the rear field of view.</p><p>Importantly, and conversely, a direct attack on the 6 o'clock is also perhaps the most dangerous for the incoming fighter pilot too! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53522544413/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Tail Gunner Action"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Tail Gunner Action" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53522544413_71d0a609b9.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The most difficult aspect of arial gunnery is working out the 'lead' on tangential targets in relation to the direction that your aircraft is travelling itself. Without going into complicated trigonometry, the knack of bomber gunnery was to fire at where the target <i>would be</i> rather at <i>where it is </i>when you pull the trigger!<i> (Yes, that is dumbed down a lot - but I asked my science teacher wife to explain this to me and I lost the will to live 5 minutes in to the explanation)!!! </i></p><p>Cutting to the chase - literally in the gunners case (brum-tish) - it's trickier to calculate the potential position of an incoming target when he is coming at you from a tangent as both he and you are moving at different speeds and at slight different directions...UNLESS... he comes directly at you from the front or rear, in which case 'leading the target' becomes somewhat less of an issue...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53522905486/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="USAAC Firing Position Training"><img alt="USAAC Firing Position Training" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522905486_b1b982ce54.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Slide from the original USAAC gunnery training film on<br />'position firing' and how to 'lead' the target.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>In fact, most of the time the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock target is almost flying into your stream of fire without you actually having to do much more than pointing your gun vaguely in the approximate direction of attackers! </p><p>All of this is completely unscientific, but it seems to be true of B17: The Mighty 8th! To be frank, as the tail gunner I shot down the majority of my incoming fighter kills completely accidently! π</p><p>OK, all that was very tongue in cheek, there is - in reality - quite a bit of prediction as to where a fighter - once spotted - will com into your field of view and arc of fire. So, top tip, play close attention to those clock face call outs!</p><p>While - for example - a 'incoming at two o'clock' call might not seem to immediately concern you as the tail gunner, that plane will in all probability be coming past your position as his flight path takes him on his merry way! Be prepared for this.</p><p>(In a way, this is a reason why position jumping in this game can actually be counter-productive, as by the time you have swapped from one position to another in pursuit of a passing target, he has already out-paced you and moved past whatever gun position that you've jumped to! Just saying.) π</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">CONCLUSION</span></h3><p>Personally, I would suggest that in the beginning learning by specialisation allows you to master all the positions individually before stepping up the compartment swapping aspect of the game. Jumping quickly from one gun to another that you aren't altogether familiar with is just a recipe for missing targets and conversely lowering the overall proficiency of your crew.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53522726853/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17 Gunnery Arcs of Fire"><img alt="B17 Gunnery Arcs of Fire" height="386" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53522726853_2b5a39de21_w.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: B17 Arcs of Fire. Upper turret (blue) gives you 360o upper<br />field of fire and the ball turret (orange) 360o lower.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Think of it as being like one of those plate jugglers... You have to maintain maximum aptitude for each position otherwise it all comes crashing down... Here's a video that illustrates 'position jumping' in B17: The Mighty 8th! π</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53523183111/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="The Consequences of the Beginner Position Swapping"><img alt="The Consequences of the Beginner Position Swapping" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53523183111_fe94a6456e.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: An early attempt at 'hot swapping' positions, which turns into a chaotic mess<br />resulting in the loss of BOTH my waist gunners at the same time!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Notes on my position swapping experience:</b> First instalment of my Top 10 rend down of my favourite war movies. Not, I hasten to add, what I believe to be the greatest war movies, but rather the 10 war movies I like most!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">The consequences of trying to be a jack of all trades...You end up being a master of none! Now, while I am sure you do get more adept at 'position swapping' the more you play this game - and big hint here, <b><i>LABEL your hotkeys for the different turrets </i></b>- in the beginning trying to keep up with the chaos of a swarm attack just ends up a big hot mess! ...As you can see here where I lose BOTH my waist gunners at the same time!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">Now, at this point in the games release - it is still early access - the interface is a buggy dumpster fire! Sometimes you press a hotkey to switch positions and....Nothing happens! And then, after a long pause, you change places BUT by that time the target has moved on. FRUSTRATING!</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">In the end you get so annoyed that you start button bashing just to find a gun position that you can use. This is a recipe for disaster as you loose all of where you are in relation to the attacking planes.</span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;">This state of the game is another good reason why picking a station and sticking to it is - at this point - the most efficient way to play the game. Hopefully, they will sort out these bugs soon.</span></p></blockquote><p>My favourite play style is - as I mentioned - sticking to one position, as that just more 'realistic'. Sure it cuts down on the frenetic action a bit and sometimes you only see a percentage of targets. But I think you are 'simming' properly this way. Others may disagree.</p><p><b><i><span style="color: #b45f06;">Anyway, which gunnery position do I like the best...?</span></i></b></p><p>Well, I think I'll rank them as what I found to be the easiest to use and most useful</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Nose Gunner - least useful. Only good for frontal attack and IF it is crewed. No hot key.</li><li>Ball Gunner - hardest to use for the beginner. More useful with experience.</li><li>Waist Gunners - Nice field of view within a restricted frame, prey for a lucky pass.</li><li>Chin Gunner - great view but best for frontal attacks.</li><li>Top Turret - 360o coverage of the top BUT not great depression, but fun.</li><li>Tail Gunner - Best chance for kills. Most important position. Most fun. Small window!</li></ul><p></p><p>Right, having bored you silly with my meandering ramble I think you deserve a bit of a reward for bearing with me, so here's a far more entertaining look at the B17 from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@HardThrasher" target="_blank"><b>Lord HardThrasher</b></a>... You will smile...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eN8RYIwdU0w?si=yc3orLPjG4a1ld4R" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Thanks for stopping by! TTFN π</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-57347941070842774042024-02-11T03:24:00.000-08:002024-02-11T03:24:41.986-08:00'New' Old Co-Op Game - Vermintide II<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53520754059/in/dateposted/" title="Party of 4 - Warhammer Vermintide II"><img alt="Party of 4 - Warhammer Vermintide II" height="355" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53520754059_32bd99bd2d_w.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Have We Found a Game to Scratch Our Co-Op Play Itch?<span></span></span></b></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p><b><span></span></b></p><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">An Oldie But a Goodie?</span></h3><div>My daughter and I managed to complete two of out co-op titles over the Christmas and January period, but this left us in something of a pickle as there were no new games around that could fill that slot.</div><div><br /></div><div>We did try <b>'Aliens: Fireteam Elite'</b> and that seemed to be a a great candidate for our Dad'n'Daughter Game Nights... BUT ... We found, and this is a very personal preference, that it was a little <i>too</i> intense and fast moving! We like to kick back a bit in our game night play and it's about eating snax and having a chat as much as it is about frenetic shooting games. And A:FE just didn't seem to let up and give us a breather!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518650199/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - Hit So Hard he Glitched!SPAZ"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - Hit So Hard he Glitched!SPAZ" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53518650199_53fa4deb6c_w.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: When things kick off in Vermintide II it can get a little chaotic BUT the pacing between<br />all in dust up and then the cool down pauses do allow up to grab a quick chat and a snack!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>SO... Back to the drawing board and it was while I was having a rummage back through the many games I already have in my STEAM library that I came across <b>Warhammer Vermintide II</b>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Lord of the Rings Meets Left4Dead?</span></h3><div>Actually, I must say that that title is a bit unfair, as Warhammer - as a fantasy franchise - is a fictional universe in it's own right. So, let's not upset Warhammer fans BUT there is a lot of Tolkienian reference points which means that fans of <i>any</i> type of Sword & Sorcery will enjoy this game, however they got into fantasy gaming. And as we found out, Warhammer is not beyond recognising the influence of Tolkien's work by including a few sideways references to the LOTR!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, disclaimer aside - mustn't upset the fantasy nerds π - I was a bit unsure just why I had this game but can't remember playing it much. I think I bought this when I was still playing as part of a gaming clan but it turned out not to be the rest of the guy's type of game (they mostly liked modern shooters like Battlefield or CoD). So I never sparked it up again...</div><div><br /></div><div>Stace and I really enjoyed <b>'Tiny Tina's Wonderland' </b>which was sort of a fantasy take on the Borderlands games - but still with guns, albeit heavily disguised guns - and I remember thinking when we were playing this whether we might like a full on fantasy co-op game?</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53518500518/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - They Have a Cave Troll!"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - They Have a Cave Troll!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53518500518_132e02b31d_w.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Act 1 Finale of Vermintide II left us both a bit surprised at just how much<br />we actually did enjoy a fantasy setting for a co-op survival game!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>And so, here we are, dusting off the swords and wizard's staff!</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">War(hammer), Huh! What Is It Good For</span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53520494554/in/dateposted/" title="One Does Not Simply Walk Into Moria"><img alt="One Does Not Simply Walk Into Moria" height="235" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53520494554_ebba086d98_w.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned, there is a prevailing view that Vermintide is just Left4Death with a fantasy theme. And, to be honest, from our experience that's about spot on. Though, there's a bit more to the class system, character skills, weapon upgrades and cosmetic upgrades than the pretty basic character abilities that were available in L4D.</div><div><br /></div><div>The character classes, in particular, are interesting be you a man-at-arms or a witch or one of the classic fantasy race like a dwarf or an elf. There's something for everyone.</div><div><br /></div><div>I went for the more medieval type of Mercenary class, while Stace went full magical by choosing the aptly named Battle witch. It was a nice mix of realistic melee weapons and ranged staff spells and on top of this - like Left4Dead - you could have a couple of computer controlled bots added to your party to help out (we had the classic combo of a wise cracking dwarf and elf)!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53521152160/in/dateposted/" title="Warhammer Vermintide II - Team Beaty"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide II - Team Beaty" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53521152160_90f22e66a7_w.jpg" width="394" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>Of us both, I think StaceFiona was surprised just how much she enjoyed out Vermintide II evening, as she is pretty much a dyed in the wool gun totting play style type of person. But she was pleased with her choice of the Battle Witch as she could do some pretty nifty sniping using her magic staff!</div><div><br /></div><div>And I liked heavy metal sword or mace melee style of my Mercenary which was a little less fancy in that he wasn't a magical user but I liked that and enjoyed the slash and cut action. There was something very satisfying about jumping into a tight group of enemy and watching the body parts flying as I bludgeoned them left and right!</div><div><br /></div><div>And just when we finished off one hoard of <b>Rotbloods</b> <i>(Vermintides version of 'zombies', decaying worshipers of Nurgle)</i> and <b>Skaven</b> (huge rats), take stock and pick up some loot off we go again with the next round of mayhem and murder!</div><div><br /></div><div>Like Left4Dead or Back4Blood a chapter culminates with a boss battle, something a bit bigger and a lot harder to kill where the party has to work together to bring it down...</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53517442532/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - That is No Ork Horn!"><img alt="Warhammer Vermintide II (PC) - That is No Ork Horn!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53517442532_d5b7f67778_w.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: 'That is no Ork Horn!' Another LOTR moment as we face another<br />wave of baddies leading up the a boss battle! Phew!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>How much did Stace and I enjoy Vermintide II? Well, we usually game until 9pm sharp (so we both have a bit of time to spend with our respective partners before bed time) BUT on this occasion we completely lost track of time and when we looked at the clock we realised we had over overshot our gaming cut-off time by an hour!</div><div><br /></div><div>Most of all I was surprised how much Stacefiona had enjoyed this game as she's never really been into the whole fantasy, D&D or Warhammer game genre. </div><div><br /></div><div>I like Warhammer as it doesn't take itself quite as seriously as LOTR and gives Sword & Sorcery gaming fans a bit of low-brow skirmishing fun (where as LOTR games tend towards the RRP end of the gaming spectrum). And I think that's what Stace thought Vermintide was - an RPG - which made her hesitant at first, but now she's defiantly on board with it!</div><div><br /></div><div>PLUS... As it was already in my library it saved me some much needed pennies this month! π</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YoAr0HopzyM?si=zDFDKJ6XcHuJOW1W" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-23648042493504391202024-02-09T08:42:00.000-08:002024-02-26T05:27:11.671-08:00Much Achoo About Nothing (Train Stuff)!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOMqhD1Fs1z4rLWkjcB-ifXZLwU8NiDLMN5OuN_LEvAs7Uwv5ITYteL9lEBycABco8ZrBcJwBhaMBHQHd8F4_tAgx6zDSitXFQeZOFcBukJH9pbwej7eQuDeAhk2ikO85DdnSfnuSOrV_9gu2bZFVdeMoP8946pqHjVT8JX5Dvbf83qaAt46qWkhr4_s/s753/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20132247.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="753" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOMqhD1Fs1z4rLWkjcB-ifXZLwU8NiDLMN5OuN_LEvAs7Uwv5ITYteL9lEBycABco8ZrBcJwBhaMBHQHd8F4_tAgx6zDSitXFQeZOFcBukJH9pbwej7eQuDeAhk2ikO85DdnSfnuSOrV_9gu2bZFVdeMoP8946pqHjVT8JX5Dvbf83qaAt46qWkhr4_s/w640-h426/Screenshot%202024-02-26%20132247.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">It's Not All Fun & Games, Hobbies Can Be Frustrating As Well!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">DE10 Diesel Loco Work</span></h3><p>Disappointingly, the fragile and small plastic accessories - the hand rails and couplings - on my KATO JNR DE10 loco have a habit of being knocked off very easily. So it's time to do a bit of repair work and add the loco number plates to the engine unit.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53529463125/in/dateposted/" title="KATO N Gauge DE10 Loco JNR RED"><img alt="KATO N Gauge DE10 Loco JNR RED" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53529463125_78521afcb8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I made a short video covering this work but in doing so I came across another issue concerning the couplers...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZLmS1dUNuA?si=p40fi59pOO6gL48e" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Now I've since posted up to a couple of Japanese N Gauge groups asking for advice on the couplings and whether there is either a part missing or if I have just put them back together incorrectly. So we shall have to wait and see (I'll do an update when I have firm information about this).</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Feeling Blue, As I Don't Know What To Do...</span></h3><p>The second little job I had to do this week was to work out in what order the lovely blue sleeper coaches I got from my brother attach to the loco unit...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53424350740/in/photolist-2oFSMxR-2poVLcw" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Tomix N Gauge Japanese Sleeper Train"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Tomix N Gauge Japanese Sleeper Train" height="349" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53424350740_a1aef67099.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Well, the upshot is... I still don't know. π</p><p>I've been trawling around YouTube for Japanese train enthusiasts' (do they call them trainspotters in Japan?) videos of express sleeper trains which show the carriages and the order they are arranged. On the up side there are tonnes - the Japanese are really very obsessive about trains - but the down side is that each and every sleeper train I have seen had a totally different selection of carriages attached, and all in different orders! π</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cXd1P-X8e9w?si=bMi9SNHbRRuszWCN" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>So, I am afraid the answer to my quest points firmly back to TOMIX - the manufacturer of my express sleeper carriages set - and whether I might possibly be able to get the original box set instructions (which includes the car arrangement) AND whether it's pictorial or in Japanese (more problems)!</p><p>The code for the set is <b>TOMIX 92607 Express Type 25</b>, so there is a slight chance if I can find the TOMIX contact email (you guessed it, their website is of course in Japanese) and contact them and hope their staff speak English they *might* send me a PDF of the instruction sheet...</p><p>To be continued...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Found Footage (Not Scary Witches)</span></h3><p>Having found a lot of my missing N Gauge Railway station painting video clips I am now sorting them out and starting to put them into some sort of order again. Not sure if I have every stage in this project, I think - sadly - I only have a part of the original footage I shot. βΉοΈ </p><p>Still, better than nothing! Here's a taster... A lot of this project was painted using the dry brushing technique, which is easier for my wobbly hand to deal with!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53528160077/in/dateposted/" title="Warning: Corrupted! Recovered N Gauge Rural Japanese Railway Station - Painting Footage"><img alt="Warning: Corrupted! Recovered N Gauge Rural Japanese Railway Station - Painting Footage" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53528160077_56cba41dca.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>So, currently I'm just finishing of my reconstruction of the painting video and hope to have it up soon. A bit of a shame but even if I use some of the dodgier clips (ones that I shot then decided weren't good enough to use or were slightly corrupted) that will be better than no video at all. π</p><p>It's all very pernickety stuff at the moment as you can see, but I have to get these jobs done before moving on to more interesting train projects!</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-60764068822048736052024-02-06T03:14:00.000-08:002024-02-06T03:18:19.941-08:00WW2 Bomber Gunnery (In Games) a Knack or Just Luck?<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511480348/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511480348_90a6509867.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Turret Gunning in B17: The Mighty 8th Game...</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">A Beginner's View on Aircraft Gunnery</span></h3><p>First off, this post isn't a 'how to' that will improve your experience as a defensive gunner in this game. I'm actually still just in the training or Quick Mission stage of this game and learning the basics myself, so I have nothing much to teach you as yet.</p><p>This is more just my observations about the art of turret gunning and a how it gave me some very fleeting insights into what the real thing must have been like (aside from terrifying)...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What I Changed From My Very Early Attempts</span></h3><p>To say that my first few tries at playing a gunner - or rather gunners - in this game were chaotic, confusing, aggravating and ultimately failures is perhaps not surprising. After all, at least the really aerial gunners went through gunnery school first before they too to the sky.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53512532014/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B-17 - The Mighty Eighth - The Consequences of Failure"><img alt="B-17 - The Mighty Eighth - The Consequences of Failure" height="451" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53512532014_afe6108bf2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: The consequences of failure! Between 1935 and May 1945, 12,732 B-17s were<br />produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions. </span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>That said, some of the issues I encountered playing the gunnery stations in this game were hampered by two things that were beyond my control. First was that I actually tried to take on the roll of ALL the aircrafts gunners in the first place, jumping from one station to another during combat. And the second - related very much to the first, and the biggest problem - was the clunky mechanics of this game which meant that there wasn't an smooth transition from one station to another, at times there were - crucially - palpable pauses in between these transfers!</p><p>Frustratingly, while trying to track enemy planes flying by my B17, by the time I have - say - moved from tail gunner to waist gunner the target fighter had already passed by.</p><p>What ensued, therefore, what a game of<b><i> 'Whack a Mole' </i></b>where I ended up missing my targets the vast majority of the time. In fact, a lot of the time I didn't end up seeing them and didn't even get a shot off!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511315191/in/photostream/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53511315191_3e2fb7038c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Just looking in the right direction at the right time. Gunnery - I found - was<br />about aiming at where the enemy might be, and not where they are!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Now, it's well documented that this game has 'issues' and that the underlaying mechanics are showing their age a bit (remember that this is a remaster of an older game). The generally clunky interface isn't something you should expect to have to battling while at the same time trying to play a fast passed game (at least the battle sequences are).</p><p>If you think the fast Me109s or FW190s are hard to get a bead on as the flash by your limited field of view, then wait until you meet the infamous Me262 jets!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511633199/in/photostream/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511633199_13e135bc71.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A very, very rare moment where I got a clear glimpse of an Me262!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">So How to Combat the Game Limitations as a Beginner?</span></h3><p>Simply put, I just didn't try to fight the game's inherent quirks at the same time as trying to learn the basics of arial gunnery! And if there's one piece of advice I can impart to other novice gunners it's this....</p><p><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: medium;"><b><i>Don't try to do everything</i></b>, in the beginning do what the real airmen did - pick a station and stick with it throughout the mission.</span></p><p>I know, you will think that swapping positions is all part of the fun of playing the gunners, but trying to do so until you have built up experience and - most importantly - learned the game's control keys for doing so is a complete waste of your time. Like me, you will just end up most of the time looking into empty space, as the fighter you were trying to get has already <b><i>gone</i></b>.</p><p>My first try at this 'single station' approach was - yes, a little boring at times - but crucially I was in the right place at the right time when things did kick off. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511633229/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511633229_5eb88b7ac9.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: My first FW190.... A very rare 'kill' (probably damaged).</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53510420367/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53510420367_19e87f1721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Sheer dumb luck! Amazingly I did manage to get a Me262 kill, BUT I had no idea<br />what was happening and HE flew into MY firing stream!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>In fact, I actually started to get some hits and best of all - on my very first attempt using this method - we (the crew) managed to get our B17 home safely at the end of the mission, And that, I would argue, is the number one priority.... There are plenty more missions to try hitting the target.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What Does This Tell Us About REAL WW2 Gunnery?</span></h3><p>Well, first off there is no comparison. The feeling of being a 19 year old kid stuck in a tin can flying a mind numbingly long way over enemy territory in freezing conditions is impossible to simulate. That these kids were able to function at all during these terrifying missions boggles my mind.</p><p>Add to this the chances of things going wrong with mechanical failures, imprecise navigation, adverse weather, the possibility of collisions, flak, enemy fighters, catastrophic ordinance or fuel explosions, etc, etc </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53504461191/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Top Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Top Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53504461191_291b0caa1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Terrifying and sole destroying. A B17 is damaged and falls out of formation. I can<br />only watch helplessly from my turret as in the next moment it is swamped by Me109s!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Prior to 1944, a crewman's tour of duty was set at 25 missions. As a measure of the hazards they would encounter, it is estimated that the average crewman had only a <b><i>one in four </i></b>chance of actually completing his tour of duty.</p><p>So, we can't really glean anything about the human physical experience of a mission in a mere game That said, there were a few tiny instances during the game that made me think about some aspects of what being a bomber's aircrew was like.</p><p>The first was - trying out all the gunnery stations - what a horrendously limited field of view each gunner had. Most positions were static with the guns limited to very restricted firing arcs, this was something I had not considered before. And even in the rotating turrets where - in theory - they had a better ability to track targets in a 180o arc your vision was impaired by the cluttered view from the turret as to reduce the perceived view to a fraction of what the ability to rotate - you would think - would give you!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511480333/in/photostream/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511480333_d25cb924fd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Good gunnery? Well no, this 262 just happened to appear right in front of me!<br />I didn't even have time to pull the trigger before he was gone!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Worst - I think - was my tail gunners slot (IMHO), the view through that tiny rectangular window was so restricted, as was the guns limited movement, that unless a enemy was coming steadily straight for the bomber 6 o'clock you had little chance to react to tenemental attacks.</p><p>And if there's one thing we know about the German fighter pilots, they were no fools and they would do everything they could to exploit the B17's blind spots.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53504461411/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Crew Status"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Crew Status" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53504461411_2cd4175cc4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: The numbers stack up against us! Each incapacitated crew member is one<br />less to do a job. In this case, we are TWO gunners down! Our chances shorten.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Another fact that I had never considered was the limited ammunition. In old movies I cannot remember an occasion that a gunner ran out of ammo... But in most of my missions so far there has been 'out of ammo' calls over the comms on each and every mission!</p><p>The twin 50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns in each of the waist positions - for example - was over 11,000 rounds. But the rate of fire of each of these Browning M2's was about 1,100 rpm. So, some quick math means that there was only 10 minutes of ammunition for a single mount and just 5 minutes for a pair of guns! Other gun positions deferred, of course, but the fact remains that during a sustained attack it must have been possible for the inexperienced gunner to burn through most/all of his ammo in one go....<i> And then what do you do on the way home?</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53503574437/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Mid Gunners"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Mid Gunners" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53503574437_543659b7da.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: The B17 waist gunners. 11,000 rounds each sounds a lot, I bet they didn't think it was.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'm sure ammunition conservation and the limit to short burst would have been covered in the gunners basic training, but in the heat of battle... That's maybe a different thing.</p><p>And the final thing I thought about during my virtual missions was this... What stopped an over enthusiastic or panicked gunner from blowing his own planes tail off or - indeed - firing at other B17s in a tight formation?</p><p>I did it...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53511480338/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Tail Gunner" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53511480338_8aff4be4b8.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Not only was it a danger that your tunnel vision on a target could make you lose track of 'friendly' objects in your field of fire, but also there was no saying that other aircraft would not pass into your line of fire while you were busy firing at an enemy target (which is what happened to me).</p><p>I wonder, how many B17s were damaged - or worse - shot down because of stray .50 cal fire?</p><p>These were just some insights into the dangers of flying in a B17, you will definitely not learn them all from just playing a game. So I will end this post by putting up the following links which you might find interesting (links open in new windows):</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/the-b-17-crewman-who-survived-fifty-missions-over-germany/" target="_blank">The B-17 Crewman who Survived Fifty Missions...By Allyn Vannoy</a></li><li><a href="http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/b17.htm" target="_blank">"Life and Death Aboard a B-17, 1944," EyeWitness to History</a></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bi4jL6NVXeM?si=iYUUQIpAcbMnP2M7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-62147139465730027882024-02-05T04:36:00.000-08:002024-02-05T05:44:54.131-08:00February Game Round Up<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53503574832/in/dateposted/" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Exterior View"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux (PC) - Exterior View" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53503574832_c7629260ea.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Having Finished My Current Games I'm Looking for New Entertainment!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Ending the Game Drought!</span></h3><p>My daughter and I completed a couple of big games over January which left us a bit up the air about what to do to do now. On top of this, I'm looking around for a single player game I can play on my laptop when gaming casually on the sofa.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53502377873/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Frying Tonight!"><img alt="Frying Tonight!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53502377873_b022cc07ef.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: To keep us going until we find a suitable new co-op game, Stace and I have<br />turned up the difficult in BACK4BLOOD and a redoing the missions again!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p> So, scouring STEAM I've found a few candidates that were on sale and I've been tinkering around with them to find 'the one'.</p><p>On the matter of a big co-op game that we can play on Dad'n'Daughter game night, there actually nothing new out at the moment that's really caught out attention. Therefore, I've had to look back through my STEAM library. Anyway, here's what I've been trying out...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Single Player World War 2 Games</span></h3><p>I fancied something historical by way of a shooter and a couple of games seemed to fit the bill and weren't too expensive.</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">1. B17: The Mighty 8th Redux</span></b></p><p>The first game is a remastered version of an older Microprose bomber sim. Now, I've always quite liked the idea of having a good bomber sim but I never played the original version of this game. And despite it being a USAAC themed game centred around the B17 Flying Fortress - and not, as I would have preferred an RAF bomber game - I was attracted to the fact that you could take over the roles of any of the crew, while all the other work was done by the computer.</p><p>I always wanted to try out the roll of turret gunnery! Here's a little video tour of the gun positions (non-combat)...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53510571819/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Gunnery Tour"><img alt="B17: The Mighty 8th Redux - Gunnery Tour" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53510571819_13b0dc3632.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: Please note - the long silent pauses between changing gunnery stations<br />are part of the clunkiness I mention about the game! Bear with it.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Now while I enjoyed the turret play, I have to say that the interface of this game is somewhat clunky, plus - unfortunately - player feedback about it has been very mixed. Some note the problem with the interface but also some bugs and general optimisation issues which has left some people finding the game does not compare favourable with contemporary games.</p><p>Not hard to understand this being as it's a remaster of an old game. Basically, those bits of the game that have been modernised look good, while some of the older parts leave something to be desired.</p><p>So, worth the Β£10 I paid? Well, as I only playa very specific part of the game - gunnery - and don't meddle with the rest of the flying part of the sim, it's a 'maybe'.</p><p><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">2. Beach Invasion 1945 Pacific</span></b></p><p>Now I have played the first game in this series - Beach Invasion 1944 - and quite enjoyed it. It's basically a casual tower defence type game that owes a lot to the 1983 classic C64 game 'Beach Head' (which I used to play to death in my younger days).</p><p>So I thought I was on to a safe bet with the sequel to Beach Invasion, but - sadly - it didn't take me long to discover that this version was a bit of a flop!</p><p>Here's a clip of the initial US map (you can play a Japanese map too) and it gives you a fair impression of the bugginess and horrendous sluggishness of the game.... </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53509112187/in/dateposted/" title="Beach Invasion 1945 Pacific"><img alt="Beach Invasion 1945 Pacific" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53509112187_01ea60cd87.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Now, perhaps predictably given the large negative response to this release the developers were quick to do some damage control and posted this update message on STEAM:</p><blockquote><p><i><span style="color: #38761d;">For the past weeks, we have been working on a number of fixes and improvements. We are also working on a major content update that will introduce new maps...[There will be] UI and gamestate change for better performance...</span></i></p></blockquote><p>Well, I hope the patch does work out the problems with this game as the basic concept - and the previous game - are good and I'd like to give it a second chance.</p><p>Anyway, long story short (too late) I'm still looking for that killer single player casual game. π</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">A 'New' Co-Op game for Team Beaty?</span></h3><p>Meanwhile, I'm also searching for the next co-op type game for Stace and I. Our preference is something along the lines of the <b><span style="color: red;">Left4Dead</span></b> format of first person team survival shooter. BUT, maybe something with a little different theme from the zombie games we have completed recently (Zombie Army 4 and Back4Blood).</p><p>We did have a crack at <b><span style="color: red;">Aliens Fireteam Elite</span></b> but that just didn't seem to click with Stace. To be fair, it is pretty intense and does demand a lot of concentration so we could do our usual mucking around and chatting while playing! And worse there never seemed to be a break in the action for us to eat our snacks, which is a big part of our game nights!π </p><p>So we want something like L4D, that has action but then a lull then action again...</p><p>Looking back through my library of games I came across <b><span style="color: red;">Warhammer: Vermintide 2</span></b>...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GfYBSWAOcZs?si=23N-FRqrEGLbIgFY" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>It's an bit of an oldie that I played back in the days I was apart of the BIG gaming clan, but it somehow got forgotten about.</p><p>It is accepted to be Left4Dead but in a fantasy world setting, so we are going to give it a try on this Wednesday's game night! Fingers crossed!</p><p>Edit: Turns out I did a test play about 8 months ago...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52997349972/in/photolist-2oKcgKj" title="Vermintide2_Test"><img alt="Vermintide2_Test" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52997349972_21e3339129.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-12522212808226076772024-01-29T02:37:00.000-08:002024-01-29T02:37:50.081-08:00What's On the Workbench - End of January 2024<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53494224897/in/dateposted/" title="Workbench 29.01.24"><img alt="Workbench 29.01.24" height="426" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53494224897_6592ac3b58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">The Good Start of a New Year! </span></b></p><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">A Mess of Doings!</span></h3>Well, I can't say I don't have a lot to keep me occupied at the moment. In fact, it's a rather long list of project at the moment, which pleases me. π<div><br /></div><div>...Let's get the usual out the way first though - yes, I'm STILL struggling to get the attic man-cave tidied up. It's a job that's rather like painting the Fourth Road bridge, just when you think you are getting close to completion you have to start again!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53493147989/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Gratnell Cupboard Complete"><img alt="Gratnell Cupboard Complete" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53493147989_b7db5771af.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A new arrival that will definitely help with the clearing up of all<br />the bits I actually want to keep is this Granell cupboard. My wife got hold<br />of this as her school was getting rid of it, but it's removable storage trays<br />are ideal for the hobbyist. I had to disassemble then reassemble it to get it<br />up to the attic. It's built like a tank!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>This is because of the annual 'put away the Christmas decorations and wrapping paper' influx of junk I get after the Festive season. π</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Actual Projects - There's Quite a Few!</span></h3><div>Housekeeping aside I am actually surrounded with a good few piles of Christmas present models which are now in the 'to do' pile...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53493301006/in/dateposted/" title="January 2024 Stash Cue"><img alt="January 2024 Stash Cue" height="357" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53493301006_1cf8c74df2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>But, more immediately I already have a little selection of jobs that I have started or are about to start on my workbench, so let's take a look at those...</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Blast From The Past!</span></h3><div>So first up on the conveyer belt comes a bit of a oldie. And crazily enough this is the second time I have had to do this kind of repair on one of my 3D printed models! It is, of course, one of the pair of GROOT figurines that I made for my daughters a couple of Christmases ago, this one is my youngest's which has bizarrely broken in exactly the same place. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53495228588/in/dateposted/" title="Groot Model Repair"><img alt="Groot Model Repair" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53495228588_9ba11c7564.jpg" width="497" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>Once again and accidental drop has sheered off one of the very flimsy arms. You know, I remember thinking when I made these that the arms looked a bit brittle and thought about mounting the whole model on a base of some sort, but didn't. Ooops.</div><div><br /></div><div>On the bright side, having repaired Kayleigh's I know exactly the best way to mend Stacey's Groot! Oh, boy! π</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Blast From the Even Paster Past...</span></h3><div>Repairs are at the top of the list on the workbench as I uncovered one of my old ornaments while clearing up my man cave. It's a wonderful little wooden model of the space shape from the TINTIN story 'Destination Moon'.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53493730711/in/dateposted/" title="The_Adventures_of_Tintin_-_16_-_Destination_Moon"><img alt="The_Adventures_of_Tintin_-_16_-_Destination_Moon" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53493730711_df7b6a5bb8.jpg" width="303" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>This is one of my favourite Tintin books and the model dates back to late 1980s when my then wife and I went on a holiday to Belgium. We visited the <a href="https://www.comicscenter.net/en/home" target="_blank"><b>COMIC ART MUSEUM</b></a> while in Brussels and I was just able to afford this rocket from the gift shop. Sadly, it has had some rough treatment in all the moves I have made since and needs a complete refurbishment to return it to it's former glory.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53495415039/in/dateposted/" title="Tintin Rocket Repair"><img alt="Tintin Rocket Repair" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53495415039_4c96a5703c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">LEGO Project is Go!</span></h3><div>The first of my Christmas presents that I decided to have a go at is the one I was given by my youngest daughter, Stace. It's the wonderful Indiana Jones Fighter Chase set...</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53459884434/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Set"><img alt="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Set" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53459884434_3267684618.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>This construction set depicts a scene from - my favourite Indiana Jones movie - 1989's <b>Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade</b>. A sensational ripping yarn that pairs Harrison Ford with the legendary Sean Connery who plays his father, Henry Jones Senior.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/70Z28nULwfQ?si=9t7aLi4XZIw6JPYk" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>It's my first even go at making one of these themed LEGO sets and I have to admit to being a bit nervous as I have heard how complicated they can be, seeing as you presume they are for kids (when everyone knows it's not really kids who are buying these kits)! π</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, work is underway and I'm videoing my progress with this one... And from what I've done so far. boy is it going to be a long video (in fact, I will have to do it in two parts documenting first the car build and then the plane in separate videos).</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53495365275/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Set - WiP"><img alt="LEGO Indiana Jones Fighter Chase Set - WiP" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53495365275_984d33981c.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Yet Another Repair Job... A loco!</span></h3><div>As jobs go, this shouldn't be a biggy but it needed doing. My N Gauge Japanese xxx diesel loco has a few small parts that have fallen off - like the front hand-rails - and refused to be easily put back on.</div><div><br /></div><div>This has necessitated a more intensive workbench session as I work out not only how to fix the parts back on, but also how I can ensure that they don't easily fall off again! Honestly, they didn't take but the lightest of handling to pop off the model and as this is my favourite model train I don't want this happening every time I get it out for a run.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53494190602/in/dateposted/" title="Kato DE10 Loco Repair"><img alt="Kato DE10 Loco Repair" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53494190602_60b8f02a05.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">My First and Possibly Last Scale Model Kit (?)</span></h3><div>Nostalgia is a tiny bit of a theme in this workbench journal it seems as I picked up this scale model kit despite the fact that <i>I know I will have problems with it </i>because of fond memories!</div><div><br /></div><div>While this may not have been exactly the first plastic model I ever made as a kid (I've forgotten what that might have been - probably an Airfix, maybe), this model is - however - the first model I can remember making.</div><div><br /></div><div>Although now packaged as being made by ARC Models it's actually a re-boxing of a vintage FROG kit. For those who haven't heard of FROG (long defunct now), this manufacturer was right at the bottom of the 1960/1970s pecking order as far as desirable kit makes was concerned. The general rule was - back then - that if you couldn't buy a Airfix kit then you bought a Revell kit, and if you couldn't buy a Revell kit THEN - and only then - would you resort to a FROG kit! π</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, although I have more or less given up on scale model now - because of teh crazy hand - I couldn't resist grabbing this kit when I saw it advertised. I just want to see how a vintage 1970s kit stand up to how I remember them being. Also, I have warm and squishy feelings as I can remember exactly where I bought this, it was in - of all places - an old fashioned hardware store round the corner from where I lived. Quite why a hardware store had plastic kits I have no idea, but they were all of the FROG brand and they were cheap!</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53495080181/in/dateposted/" title="Ex-FROG 1/72 Vultee Vengeance"><img alt="Ex-FROG 1/72 Vultee Vengeance" height="376" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53495080181_8b7f2dc423.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going to build and paint this OOB - as they say - with no clever custom jobs or fancy painting (I'll be lucky if I can pull off a simple paint scheme TBH). So fingers crossed - maybe a bad choice in expressions given my problems - that I can do a OK job of this!</div>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-23779060760631858722024-01-27T04:46:00.000-08:002024-01-27T04:46:30.888-08:003D Printed Diesel Loco Experiment Video<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53484317864/in/dateposted/" title="N Gauge 3D Printed Shunter Complete"><img alt="N Gauge 3D Printed Shunter Complete" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53484317864_3b33bd8135.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Learning How to Make 3D Printed Locomotives.</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Don't Know How to Do Something, Check Out How Others Do It!</span></h3><p>I had no clue where to start out with making my very first N Gauge model railway loco body, particularly as it had to fit onto a commercially available power chassis. There was so much to take into consideration like; scale, fit, 3D printing thicknesses, resolution, how small I could make detailed parts, etc, etc, etc!!! It was mind boggling.</p><p>SO I did what I normally do when making a new and unfamiliar model type, I source an example and see how other people have done it!</p><p>I know, that's 'cheating', but I had to start somewhere... Anyway, it worked and I'm now a little more clued up on how to go about making these type of models...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GcVTWFTyEUg?si=c45MFaY-o1CQZBLZ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Incidentally, now I have gotten a basic grounding in the process I am already starting to plan my own model design. As I mention in the video I really wanted to make a rear cab shunter and I have now figured out how I might do that. Here's some reference shots of the kind of thing I want to replicate (with suitable modifications based on my experiences making my test model)...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53481059557/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Japanese Diesel Shunter Loco"><img alt="Japanese Diesel Shunter Loco" height="333" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53481059557_df5dfb1609.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A Japanese DD502 diesel, a bit big but I can shorten the design.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53482367965/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Japanese Diesel Shunter Loco"><img alt="Japanese Diesel Shunter Loco" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53482367965_d46cc2d733.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A Japanese 28-ton Switcher.</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53481966836/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Japanese (Model) Diesel Shunter Loco"><img alt="Japanese (Model) Diesel Shunter Loco" height="362" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53481966836_1c81900a0e.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Above: A model kit available in Japan, just the look I'm after.</span></b></i></td></tr></tbody></table>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-38255794915778954382024-01-26T04:22:00.000-08:002024-01-26T04:22:57.329-08:005 Favourite WW2 Twin Engine βDestroyerβ/Heavy Fighters<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53487509652/in/dateposted/" title="WhirlwindfighterprojectBLUE"><img alt="WhirlwindfighterprojectBLUE" height="415" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53487509652_1dd5d666b2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Does Bigger Mean Better? WW2 'Heavy Fighters'.</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder</span></h3><p>Aircraft are perhaps my favourite military machines. There's something about combat planes, even if someone doesn't much care for war and it's technology most can generally appreciate and romance of flight and the elegance of a well designed aeroplane.</p><p>Out of all the types of aircraft which served the world's air forces I have a special liking for twin engine light and medium fighters and bombers, <i>even</i> over the much vaunted single engined fighters!</p><p>I don't actually know exactly why, it's maybe something to do with these types being generally more multirole in function, or that they can be more powerful - both in terms of engines and weaponry. Or it may have something to do with the type of specialist missions that these types were designed for or eventually undertook.</p><p>But whatever the reason, I do love to see a fast and agile two-engined warbird, more especially - out of the wide variety of types - the fighter variants slightly over the bombers (but I will be doing a separate post on my favourite twin-engine bombers later).</p><p>One last note, I DO NOT proclaim that this list represents 'the best' aircraft in this category, merely that they are my favourite (thus avoiding any arguments - this is just MY opinion)!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">5. Kawasaki Ki-45 - Japan</span></h3><p>The Japanese name for this aircraft was the <b>Toryu</b> (ε± ιΎ, "Dragonslayer"). And armed with 37mm cannon you can see why this was thought appropriate! Designed in 1937 it's as if the Japanese almost predicted the bombing campaign that was later to be waged against them. However, this aircraft wasn't design specifically as a 'bomber killer' but rather as a long range escort fighter, much like the German Me110.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53488090576/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Japanese_Kawasaki_Ki-45_GREEN"><img alt="Japanese_Kawasaki_Ki-45_GREEN" height="341" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53488090576_056f6bb33a.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: The Allied code name for the Ki-45 was 'Nick', but I thought it was a<br />shame that it wasn't 'Jack' given it's eventual giant slaying attributes!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Rather like it's German equivalent the 'heavy escort' fighter concept foundered, and instead evolved into a class of multi-role combat aircraft where the type was better suited.</p><p>The reason for my inclusion of this aircraft on my list is a bit weirdly specific. Yes, it was an attractive design, but it is very much 'of a type' based on the ideas - proven flawed - of the 'heavy escort' interwar concept (much like the Me110). But I chose this aircraft because on <b><i>one particular photograph</i></b>!</p><p>This amazing photo shows a Ki-45 being every bit the 'Dragonslayer' that it was intended by taking on the mighty US B-29 Superfortress! This David versus Goliath image really appeals to me, not so much because I relish any victory over our American allies, but because I respect the inherent tenacity of the Japanese and because I find this desperate duel in the sky incredible!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53488625724/in/dateposted/" title="KI45 v B29"><img alt="KI45 v B29" height="290" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53488625724_2abe07db92.jpg" width="500" /></a></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">4. Fokker G.I - Netherlands</span></h3><p>While you don't think of the Netherlands as one of the big players in WW2 and have probably never heard of the G.I fighter you will have certainly heard of the name of Fokker. What surprises most people, though, is that Anton Herman Gerard Fokker (6 April 1890 β 23 December 1939) was a <b><i>Dutch</i></b> aviation pioneer, aviation entrepreneur, aircraft designer, and aircraft manufacturer and <i>not</i> German (despite his links to the infamous WW1 Fokker fighter designs)!</p><p>Fortunately, Mr. Fokker chose to return to his native Holland and his company went on to make some very interesting designs on the lead up to WW2. Of particular interest to aircraft enthusiasts as something of a 'what if' talking point was their G.I aircraft, which - again - was born from the 1930 preoccupation with the heavy fighter concept (like - again - the Me110).</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53487287387/in/dateposted/" title="Fokker_G.1_ORANGE"><img alt="Fokker_G.1_ORANGE" height="364" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53487287387_8ee0483321.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Although, and this is somewhat contentious, some might equate the G.I more with the American P.38 Lightning than the Me110. The design allusion is obvious with the G.I's twin boom design, but with a crew of 2-3 it perhaps more easily fits the Me110 category. It's arguable.</p><p>With it's eight - yes, eight - machineguns in the nose you can see why the G.I was covering a few bases with it's design and can easily slip in between heavy-fighter and multi-role concepts (the Dutch obviously keen on getting the most bang for their buck with a plane that could 'do everything')!</p><p>In any case, despite the relatively quick fall of the Netherlands during the Blitzkrieg War of the Low-Countries early in the war, the type did show promise and did score multiple kills over German aircraft. It's interesting, and perhaps rather apocryphal, that the French gave the aircraft the nickname of <b><i>le Faucheur</i></b> ("The Reaper")!</p><p>We shall never know just how accurate this name was, although I personally think it may have been somewhat more on the nose had Finland bought the G.I (as they were considering) rather than the Bristol Blenheim MK1s that they eventually did. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">3. Messerschmitt Bf 110 - Germany</span></h3><p>Well, it had to be here didn't it! I'm not entirely sure whether we can identify the Me110 as the founding aircraft of the interwar obsession with the heavy fighter concept but it's perhaps safer to say that it is the most well known and did at least give us the name KampfzerstΓΆrer (battle destroyer) or just 'destroyer' aircraft.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53487320037/in/dateposted/" title="Me 110"><img alt="Me 110" height="348" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53487320037_3b11f81880.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The failure of this concept is up for debate as while the Me110 did certainly disappoint during the Battle of Britain in this role (heavy long range escort fighter), some would point to the P.38 Lightning as proof that the idea could work. Perhaps an over-simplification might be that Herman Goering (the originator of the design xxxx) asked for the aircraft to fulfil too many roles to the detriment of the fighter aspect of it's character. Therein is where the Lockheed P.38 shone, in that it was specifically a twin-engined single seat fighter.</p><p>In any case, like so many of these heavy fighter designs the Me110 did eventually become a very successful multi-role aircraft.</p><p>Again, my inclusion of this in my list is slightly personal as I always fondly think of the Me110 as it was - I remember - one of the best Airfix kits that I made when I was young that I was really proud of (particularly the painting of the mottled camouflage). I hung this model from my bedroom ceiling with fishing line - as was the fashion in the 1960s and 70s - and the sense of pride in this model has coloured my general appreciation of the real aircraft!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53488629445/in/dateposted/" title="Vintage Airfix Me110"><img alt="Vintage Airfix Me110" height="400" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53488629445_cb4be01ec1.jpg" width="400" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">2. Bristol Beaufighter - UK</span></h3><p>A wee bit on the 'beefy' side in this list is the 'Beau'. It nearly tips into the low end of the medium-bomber scale. But this may be to do with it's Beaufort bomber origins, in any case, unlike all the other aircraft on this list the Beaufighter was not designed from scratch as a heavy fighter, but was a modification of a bomber and was specifically a multi-role aircraft.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53487448217/in/dateposted/" title="BeaufighterBLUE"><img alt="BeaufighterBLUE" height="324" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53487448217_cf9b96212b.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>So, why on this list? Well, it maybe it's to do with it's use in ground attack and it's crew of just two. And with it's powerful main armament of four 20mm cannon and six .303 machineguns it really does deserve the inclusion as a 'destroyer' aircraft! (If just in name, if not specific application!)</p><p>Also, I have a particular passion for ground attack aircraft and the missions taken on by the Beaufighter crews were some of the most daring and dangerous and devastating taken on by Allied aircrews during WW2.... It's no wonder the Japanese called the 'Beau' Whispering Death!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2LwIfIoE6Xc?si=4P9ZQtZFNFLUDsGa" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">1. Westland Whirlwind - UK</span></h3><p>My absolute favourite 'twin' is the much maligned Whirlwind, in fact I probably like it all the more because it's such a divisive aircraft. Was it an inspired design that was just unfortunate that it's engines stopped it from attaining it's full potential? Or was it just another victim of the flawed interwar 'heavy fighter' concept? </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53488398971/in/dateposted/" title="Westland_whirlwindBLUE"><img alt="Westland_whirlwindBLUE" height="324" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53488398971_8d294a31c7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>In a funny way it's hard to understand why the American P.38 Lightning was a success but the Whirlwind wasn't. They are practically - aside from the twin boom tail design - near enough the same aircraft! (I'm painting with broad strokes here.)</p><p>Well, as already hinted at, the key to the difference in performance and reputation lies in the engines. The poor Whirlwind was perhaps a victim of the clammer for advanced engine technology which wasn't quite proven... It was a ambitious gamble that failed (some would say).</p><p>The debate about the Whirlwind is complex and I'll let Ed Nash do his exceptional 'deep dive' into the topic with this video...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zemIImvfQp8?si=3zV1QtcUFlNJg0jE" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>My personal opinion, and why I love the aircraft, is that it was basically 'right thinking' by the powers that be (for once) and unlike the Me110 it was not based on flawed and muddled theories. And, in the end, it did provide good service and those that flew it generally praised it.</p><p>The Whirlwind did not 'suffer the fate' of other pre-war heavy fighter designs in that is was simply turned into a 'multi-role' jack of all trades but master of none. Instead it used it's primary advantage - it's terrifying armament of four 20mm cannon - to great use as a ground attack specialist.</p><p>But, once again, the main reason I have a soft spot for this warbird is a personal one as because I remember so vividly one of the first <b>Commando comic books</b> I ever bought, which was about a Whirlwind squadron and their adventures. As a kid I was completely drawn in by the idea of such a powerful and devastating single seat fighter as the Westland Whirlwind!!!</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-45008960069489591302024-01-25T02:55:00.000-08:002024-01-25T02:55:08.344-08:00It's My Lucky Day! Storage Cupboard & Lost Video Finds!<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53486316803/in/dateposted/" title="Gratnells Cupboard (Static)"><img alt="Gratnells Cupboard (Static)" height="334" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53486316803_e7b4ff64a2.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Well, 2024 is Getting Off to a Good Start!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><p>HRxxxxxxxx</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">'New' Hobby Room Storage Cupboard</span></h3><p>OK, this sounds uber boring, but the storage situation - or rather the lack of it - has been a major pain in the ass for me and my attempt(s) to get my attic man-cave organised and cleared of clutter.</p><p>I hit a major stumbling block in my tidying at the end of last year as I had gotten to the point that I had sorted and got rid of the majority of the junk BUT was still left with boxes and boxes of stuff that I wanted to keep... With nowhere to store the dang stuff! π«</p><p>So, my hobby room was still full of piles of (full) boxes that I just couldn't shift. Every available space in the house being full of other 'crap'! LOL</p><p>Anyway, a bit of a extra Christmas present came in the form of a piece of unwanted furniture from my wife's school. They are one of the 150 UK's schools that is affected by the whole <b><i>RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)</i></b> fiasco, so the school is basically a ongoing construction site!</p><p>Aside from the work to rid themselves of the dangerous classroom the school is having to do a complete reorganisation of their classes by bringing in temporary containerised accommodation for their students in order to continue teaching. π³</p><p>An upshot of this is they are having to get rid of a lot of unwanted stuff or stuff that they no longer have room for... Including lots of older furniture. Ah-haaaaaaa. π</p><p>My wife (after getting permission, of course) secured me a <b>Gratnells Storage Cupboard</b>...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53486303368/in/dateposted/" title="Second Hand Gratnells Cupboard"><img alt="Second Hand Gratnells Cupboard" height="480" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53486303368_bc73938c7f.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Now, these pieces of kit a hugely expensive as they are made like tanks! None of your flimsy IKEA jobs here, these are (forgive the pun) 'old school' construction and cost an absolute fortune. The battered example the wife got hold of for me is the older style all wood version, but even so new examples of these goes for a small fortune new....</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53485253817/in/dateposted/" title="Gratnells Cupboard"><img alt="Gratnells Cupboard" height="203" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53485253817_f7ba466fe3.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>These cupboards are absolutely idea for the hobbyist as instead of traditional draws they have removable plastic trays so that items can be moved from the cupboard to desks for students to work on the contents and then return the work to the cupboard again at the end of classes. FANTASTIC!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53485253802/in/dateposted/" title="Gratnells Cupboard Draws"><img alt="Gratnells Cupboard Draws" height="379" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53485253802_e9c93c1d53.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The small cupboard I got was a bit battered but still very solid, so solid - in fact - that I actually had to dismantle it to get it up the stairs to the attic (and then reassemble it again)! I kid you not, even each individual part weighed a ton, it is all thick wood! </p><p>Sharon even managed to get me some old mucky trays to go with it. So, at least part of my storage problem is solved (just hope I never have to move the pig of a thing again)!</p><p>--------------------------------</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What a Relief, Video Files Rediscovered!</span></h3><p>The second of my bits of good fortune was more of a bit of detective work really.</p><p>Last year I actually completed my first N Gauge building model - my rural Japanese Station - and was very pleased with myself. Sadly, while I got a video up about the construction phase of the project - due to some cringeworthy ineptitude on my part - I somehow LOST the folder containing the footage of the painting part of the project from my computer!!!</p><p>Before you ask - YES I did have a back-up BUT due to a mix up I somehow deleted BOTH the original AND backup folders....... Don't ask! π‘</p><p>Anyway, I thought this was a done deal... Until, I accidently came across a 'transfer folder' that existed on my main PC that I had forgotten about. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53486212911/in/dateposted/" title="Secret Stash - Lost Footage!"><img alt="Secret Stash - Lost Footage!" height="382" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53486212911_9d6748b4d2.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I work across two computers, my laptop downstairs and my main editing PC upstairs (which was partly causes of the problem), so I have to transfer and work from one to the other (I don't have a NAS or Cloud storage set-up - I need one).</p><p>So, there were quite a few folders of raw footage sitting in this transfer folder on my desktop machine all along.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53486506919/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Secret Stash - Lost Footage!"><img alt="Secret Stash - Lost Footage!" height="283" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53486506919_91d67ec932.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Ahhh-haaa! A 'secret stash'!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Anyway, I'm going through the clips now but it does look like I may have enough footage to do a quick overview of the painting process. Another win for 2024! π</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53486359983/in/dateposted/" title="N Gauge Japanese Railway Station - WiP"><img alt="N Gauge Japanese Railway Station - WiP" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53486359983_f286a92375.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-34328153245241724832024-01-14T06:03:00.000-08:002024-01-14T06:03:37.976-08:00Track & Layout Design Time!<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53463616150/in/dateposted/" title="trackbitb"><img alt="trackbitb" height="489" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53463616150_daf132379c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">My First Steps in Planning a Model Railway Layout!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">You Would Think Playing Trains Was Easy!</span></h3><p>Having concentrated so far on building a modest collection of track and rolling stock it's time to get to the nitty gritty and start planning interesting layout designs.</p><p>But, before that, I kinda have to decide what kind of model railway hobbyist I am. I've taken it for granted that I'm just in this for fun and in a way it was the modelling of the scenery that would be my priority as I have a great love for traditional Japanese architecture.</p><p>The picture I had in mind has always been based on the scenes from Hayao Miyazaki's animated movie <b><i>'Spirited Away'.</i></b> A very nostalgic take on rural Japanese train transport.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53449445217/in/dateposted/" title="Hayao Miyazaki 'Spirited Away'"><img alt="Hayao Miyazaki 'Spirited Away'" height="270" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53449445217_f4b310f5cf.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I just wanted a simple layout which really was a setting for my modelling of an idealised Japanese country community of buildings, and I had no real interest in 'modelling' or recreating a realistic and authentic simulation of Japanese railways.</p><p>No recreation of complex running schedules or modelling of an actual piece of Japanese railway for me! But, that said, there is still a bit of planning that has to go into the setting of my scene and how I construct my modest layout.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Experimentation Using a Temporary Layout</span></h3><p>Like most beginners I do not yet have a permanent piece of space with which I can lay down my model railway layout. And even if I did, I have no experience of making layouts so it's highly unlikely that my first attempt at a track design would be satisfactory for very long.</p><p>So, having no set space and no idea what to build with my track, a <i>temporary</i> layout will be my miniature railway laboratory for some time to come!</p><p>This initially took the form of my taking over the wife's dinning room table when she wasn't using it, but as you can imagine that was not a satisfactory situation. Quite aside from the fact that I had to wait until she wasn't using it I also had to drag all my track up and down stairs (from my attic man-cave) to set up a practise layout only to then have to disassemble it again so that it could be used as a dinning table again!</p><p>Not fun! What I really needed was somewhere I could set up my track and then be able to leave it set up - albeit temporarily - for a longer period of time while I tinkered with layout designs and track combinations.</p><p>What I needed, then, was - ironically - a 'permanent' temporary piece of model railway space! ππ</p><p>This problem I solved when I came across a sturdy trestle table on Amazon...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53450716834/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Denny International Trestle Table Indoor Outdoor Garden Catering Heavy Duty Folding Table for Picnic Party Dinner (5ft)"><img alt="Denny International Trestle Table Indoor Outdoor Garden Catering Heavy Duty Folding Table for Picnic Party Dinner (5ft)" height="381" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53450716834_d6bd149b6a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><i>Above: Denny International Trestle Table Indoor Outdoor Garden Catering<br />Heavy Duty Folding Table for Picnic Party Dinner (5ft)</i></span></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I could pop up this folding table, which has enough surface space for a 50x28 inch (5ft x 2ft) layout, on which I could play about with my track until I got a better understanding about 'good' design practises.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Fabulous Track Designs (And Where To Find Them)</span></h3><p>Right, so now I have some space. Not a huge space, but then I am working in the diminutive N Gauge scale. It's amazing what you can squeeze onto just a shelf in N Gauge!</p><p>To find ideas for interesting track designs - mainly based on the basic 'loop' format - I had two initial sources; KATO USA's web site and the PECO Setrack for N Gauge book.</p><p>Both of these resources have a selection of layout ideas based on a variety of 'baseboard' sizes, so I started by seeing what had been done in roughly my size of available space. I should reiterate at this stage that I am interested in a simple 'loop' format of layout. Real Model Railway 'nerds' often create layouts based on real sections of railway lines, which are largely linear in design, therefore they can often squeeze a lot more (or less) track onto a given space in a recreation of an authentic piece of line.</p><p>I likie the round and round toy line format as I'm just a big kid! ππ</p><p>Here's some examples...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53451623710/in/dateposted/" title="KATO USA - 'Amherst' 4β 6β X 2β 6β"><img alt="KATO USA - 'Amherst' 4β 6β X 2β 6β" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53451623710_12a9c74851.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The above layout plan is from the <a href="https://katousa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/N-plan-amherst-20051.pdf" target="_blank">KATO USA</a> website and is on a base of 4β 6β X 2β6β, so it's actually a little larger than my temporary table can accommodate. But, with a little modification I could build something quite similar.</p><p>The main sticking point is the additional 'third (semi) loop' at the outer right of the design. I'd love to have this extra option but would have to do some tests to see if I could squeeze this extra line in. Otherwise I live the inner spurs which would have plenty of interesting options for shunting.</p><p>The next layout design is from the <b>PECO Setrack</b> book and the baseboard size is 3ft 6 ins x 2ft 3ins (106cm x 68.5cm). Now this should fit easily onto my trestle table with room to spare IF the equivalent KATO Unitrack track sections are comparable in size - particularly the curve sections - with the PECO track. We shall see...</p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53451814311/in/dateposted/" title="PECO Settrack Plan 1c - 3ft 6in x 2ft 3 in"><img alt="PECO Settrack Plan 1c - 3ft 6in x 2ft 3 in" height="411" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53451814311_d173a15885.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Again, this design allows for plenty of shunting action, with an interesting dual 'mainline' circuit plus a extra off loop spur 'parking spot'! </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Making Up My Own Design?</span></h3><p>I don't want to out and out copy either of the above designs, these are just ideas to inspire my own creations. What I will use to develop my own layout is a application called ANYRAIL 6...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53462241937/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="First Track Plan Attempt - Harder Than I Thought"><img alt="First Track Plan Attempt - Harder Than I Thought" height="389" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53462241937_2b9499e592.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: First Track Plan Attempt - Harder Than I Thought!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Putting together a track layout design is really like a complicated jigsaw puzzle. Getting all the pieces to fit perfectly is a trail and error job!</p><p>As you can see I'm not anywhere near finished and am spending a lot of time swapping in and out track of different lengths and degrees of curves to get the darn thing to work. Still, it will keep me busy!</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-87716046104612862222024-01-11T01:01:00.000-08:002024-01-11T01:01:38.675-08:00Change of Plan - LEGO Indiana Jones Chase Set<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53422998517/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Lego Indiana Jones"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Lego Indiana Jones" height="498" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53422998517_851239a858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Let Down by Airfix, LEGO to the Rescue!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Luckily I am Spoilt For Choice!</span></h3><p>Unlucky start to my 2024 model making for January as my Airfix Quick Build Ford Mustang kit had a missing piece! (I've contacted Airfix for a replacement, so let's see how long that takes.)</p><p>Therefore, I've had to move on down my Christmas gifts of models to the next on the list - a bit annoying as I had made such a good start and was nearly finished the Mustang - and start a new project. My choice is the <b>LEGO Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Fighter Chase Diorama Set</b>.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">So, Here We Go Again...</span></h3><p>OK, no biggy, plus it's nice to get on with the models that were given to me as I'm anxious to show the family the presents in action, so to speak. This LEGO set was from my daughter - Stacey - and her boyfriend (Leo) and it's the first time I've touched a LEGO set since I was a kid.</p><p>Back in the late 1960s I was very lucky to receive a BIG LEGO construction set from my parents. Amusingly, I think my Dad was a bit disappointed as he was a staunch MECANNO enthusiast! I think he thought the change to the 'futuristic' plastic building toy was a novelty gimmick compared to his more 'manly' metal Meccano! (I jest!)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53456946763/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="LEGO Town Plan Set #810 Circa 1962"><img alt="LEGO Town Plan Set #810 Circa 1962" height="468" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53456946763_711ec4bf52.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: An advert for the LEGO #810 'Town Planning' set of 1962. This must<br />have cost my parents a small fortune at the time! I was a very lucky boy!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Anyway, things have changed a LOT over the intervening decades and LEGO is a huge thing now, with some a lot of their sets being firmly aimed at the teenage/adult market now. This Indiana Jones set is definitely an example of how LEGO have bridged their hobby across all the age ranges now.</p><p><i><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Edit: I Googled the old LEGO set I had in the 1960s and while I can't find the original price, this must have cost Mum & Dad a small fortune at the time as - in good condition - the set is now worth about Β£2,331 to collectors!!!!!!!</b></span></i></p><p>At 62 I'm an 'old skool' Indiana Jones fan and 'The Last Crusade' movie is one of my favourites, not least because of the brilliant part Sean Connery played as Jones Senior!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53456817661/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Indiana Jones & Dad"><img alt="Indiana Jones & Dad" height="318" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53456817661_2d47c2112a.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Sean Connery and Harrison Ford in βIndiana Jones And The Last Crusadeβ.<br />CREDIT: Murray Close/Getty Images</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Let's Get Building...Er, After Some Planning First!</span></h3><p>One of my resolutions for 2024 is that I want to try and do a better job of my model build video projects. So, I'm trying to do a bit more planning of the project - both the actual build and the videoing of it - and it just happened that when chatting to Stace last night she mentioned an app that might be helpful.</p><p>She told me about the LEGO BUILDER APP which is available for Android and iPhone. It's a kinda interactive manual for the range of LEGO sets, and give you a bit clearer instructions about how to build whichever set you have. After my experiences with the AIRFIX Mustang - during which mistakes were made with my building - I thought anything that would make the process clearer would be a good idea.</p><p>The app does not just mimic the printed instructions provided in the set, but cleverly allows you to manipulate the various build stages in virtual 3D so that you can get a better look at how the parts go together. Neat!</p><p>Here's some screenshots of the app, I'll be studying this today before I start putting blocks together! Looking forward to this...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53456778196/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Builder App - Indiana Jones Chase Set"><img alt="LEGO Builder App - Indiana Jones Chase Set" height="296" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53456778196_baeef35cb1.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53455849622/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Builder App - Indiana Jones Chase Set"><img alt="LEGO Builder App - Indiana Jones Chase Set" height="296" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53455849622_fa0ec3e1fe.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>And here's a quick movie clip which shows how you can rotate the virtual model in 3D, very useful!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53456864266/in/dateposted/" title="LEGO Builder - Car Sequence"><img alt="LEGO Builder - Car Sequence" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53456864266_1ab96a0564.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-26331920795523834192024-01-09T03:46:00.000-08:002024-01-25T04:04:03.452-08:00AIRFIX 'Quick Build' Ford 1968 Mustang GT Complete<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53469475011/in/dateposted/" title="AIRFIC Quick Build Ford '68 Mustang GT"><img alt="AIRFIC Quick Build Ford '68 Mustang GT" height="461" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53469475011_99381f5739.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">First Model of 2024 Complete!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><p>Getting a bit behind on my blog posting after the Christmas veg-out! But, I'm starting to get back my mojo back and have already gotten a couple of videos edited, this being the first.</p><p>I enjoyed making this kit - as simple as it was - and it was a good 'prep' for what lies ahead with my stack of LEGO and COBI brick construction sets. Despite being a fairly simplified and low detail model the Airfix '68 Mustang does look dang nice once complete! So, I hope you enjoy the video...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cf5DbWVAd0g?si=3rnuzDyWG2aR3uD5" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-71720043261969371972024-01-06T02:43:00.000-08:002024-01-06T02:43:58.264-08:00My First 'Easy Build' Complete - Gundam<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53445910031" title="GUNPLA - HG RX-78-2 Revive Complete"><img alt="GUNPLA - HG RX-78-2 Revive Complete" height="364" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53445910031_a8a4364943.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Beginning The Move From Traditional Kits to Easier Construction Projects.</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" />
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Overlooked Win!</span></h3><p>Life got a bit hectic at the backend of last year, so forgive me if I neglected to cover a nice little completion story.</p><p>I should explain that I didn't make a big thing about my finished my very first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpla" target="_blank">GUNPLA</a> model because - very frustratingly - it seems that I had accidently deleted a lot of the project video footage while cleaning up my cluttered hard drives.... Ooooopsies! π</p><p>I'm usually quite organised regarding my video files but because I have started working a lot more with my laptop rather than trying to work on my main video editing PC I kinda got a bit mixed up and *thought* I had a copy of everything upstairs. I didn't.</p><p>Anyway, I managed to salvage a bit of the reveal footage - luckily I had done a cutdown sequence for social media - so I have at least a bit of a record of the completion of my <b><span style="color: red;">BANDAI HG (1/144) RX-72-2 GUNDAM</span></b> model...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53385991834/in/album-72177720307193817/" title="Bandai HG RX-72-2 Gundam Kit Completed #shorts"><img alt="Bandai HG RX-72-2 Gundam Kit Completed #shorts" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53385991834_3ffb0422de_o.jpg" width="358" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I'm very annoyed at myself for my stupidity <i>but </i>it is a bit of a first for me. Unfortunately, you now can't see the work that went into making this superb model.</p><p>I really can't say too much about the amazing design that went into this kit. I have a few still photos, but one of the most mind boggling aspects of these Gunpla models is there is absolutely no glue holding this complex kit together, just ingenious Japanese engineering!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52883312995/in/album-72177720307193817/" title="My First GUNPLA Kit - WiP"><img alt="My First GUNPLA Kit - WiP" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52883312995_4868bda363_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52883192231/in/album-72177720307193817/" title="GUNPLA Bandai HG-RX-78-2 Revive - WiP Session 2"><img alt="GUNPLA Bandai HG-RX-78-2 Revive - WiP Session 2" height="442" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52883192231_11e5ea0ef4.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>And, thank goodness that I keep a small video diary of construction as I go along and save it to my FLICKR gallery, I also have a few small isolated clips of the project progress...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/52923629417/in/album-72177720307193817/" title="GUNPLA - HG RX-78-2 Revive - Arm Assembly"><img alt="GUNPLA - HG RX-78-2 Revive - Arm Assembly" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/52923629417_ab5949f2de.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53042717269/in/album-72177720307193817/" title="Gunpla Project #1 - Leg Complete"><img alt="Gunpla Project #1 - Leg Complete" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53042717269_c9269ba46a.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Silver Lining - A New Type of Model Making!</span></h3><p>The unique method of 'non-glue/non-painting' model making that Gunpla is an example of is a great new start for me. As my ability to make traditional types of plastic kits wanes this new avenue of model construction means I can still carry on my interest in model making even if my manual dexterity continues to become an issue.</p><p>As I mentioned in my 'Christmas Haul' post I am already enthusiastically jumping aboard the 'Easy Build' and 'Brick model' bandwagon as a means of reducing the stress that I was getting trying to to continue making conventional plastic kits like I used to. The change to chunkier component parts also helps as my increased clumsiness due to my weakened hand has meant that tiny parts are now just going straight to the infamous 'Carpet Monster' in every increasing numbers! π</p><p>So, this Gunpla is the first of a new line of hobbying for me. After all, hobbies are not suppose to ADD stress, they are supposed to help alleviate it.</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-51529238431545943502024-01-03T04:47:00.000-08:002024-01-03T04:47:07.798-08:00Post-Festive Game Day<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53439941479/in/dateposted/" title="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21"><img alt="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439941479_fa0991cfa8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Christmas Is Hard Work! Time to Relax.</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Enough With The Curried Turkey Already!</span></h3><p>One of the good things about that otherwise rather deflating period after Christmas - and before everyone returns to work - is the few quiet days you have to 'recover' after all the feasting. And this is a good time to eke out a little time just for myself...With some games!</p><p>I'd mentioned that I had received some STEAM gift cards for my Christmas, but with all the festive activities I hadn't had time to chose what games to download, much less time to play them. Well, now I have...</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">WINGMAN</span></h3><p>I was a huge fan of ACE COMBAT 7 and enjoyed the wonderfully cinematic 'Top Gun'-esque dust ups that I had in that game. So I naturally felt that Wingman would give me more of the same.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53439941464/in/dateposted/" title="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21"><img alt="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21" height="385" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439941464_33e74aea17.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>In brief, from what I have played so far, Wingman is perhaps a little too much like Ace Combat 7. It's not a bad game, in fact it is - as I said - exactly what I wanted, more of the same. But there are some omissions that definitely make AC7 the better of the two titles.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53427456629/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="WINGMAN (PC) - 3 Minutes of Play"><img alt="WINGMAN (PC) - 3 Minutes of Play" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53427456629_d47f5fd3dc.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: The initial WINGMAN mission, a dawn attack!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></i></b></p><p>Wingman looks fine enough - for an arcade flight combat game - but it's graphics aren't as polished as Ace Combat 7. Moreover, one thing I particularly missed was that Wingman does not have the cinematic mission replay facility that AC7 has, where you can create review of your missions and change camera views to make a very entertaining Top Gun-like scene.</p><p>So, if you want to record your missions - if that's your thing - it'll be a straight gameplay recording or screenshots. For, gamers who post their activities this is a bit of an irritation, but you have to understand that Wingman's publisher <i>Sector D2, Humble Games </i>are not an apex game developer. They do not have the same resources for development as Bandai Namco Studios Inc., who are responsible for the very polished Ace Combat franchise.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53439941459/in/dateposted/" title="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21"><img alt="Wingman (PC) - Initial Mission with MG-21" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53439941459_0b445a2b7e.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">FORZA HORIZONS 4</span></h3><p>OK, while it's great to have a spot of dynamic and frenetic action, there comes a point where you want to put on the brakes and turn off the brain and relax with a bit of good old fashioned 'sofa gaming'.</p><p>There's something laid back - ironically - about racing cars very fast while listening to a banging music track. At time it can get very frustrating - like when you mis-judge that corner and drop from lead position to seventh - but it's a good type of adrenalin rush. The type that has you going back and doing the same circuit again and again to try an get top spot!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53436949347/in/dateposted/" title="FORZA 4 - Dirt Challenger"><img alt="FORZA 4 - Dirt Challenger" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53436949347_05aaeb850e.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Forza 4 is a beautiful game [Forza 5 is out now, hence the STEAM sale of 4] and the range of cars available is stunning. </p><p>Of particular interest to me are the classic American muscle cars - I was delighted to be able to drive a Doge Challenger right from the start - and also the range of 1960s and 70s British vehicles. I have to say, I have little interest in the modern high performance cars, they just aren't my thing. That said, there's definitely something for everyone... <i><b>Even a Robin Reliant! </b></i>π</p><p>I'm using an Xbox controller to drive the cars, adding to the 'sofa gaming' feel to playing this game BUT that adds a layer of difficulty as I am a set in stone keyboard and mouse gamer. There again, I do find the Xbox style of controller is well suited to driving and flying games and I have gotten used to it (but <b><i>not</i></b> for shooters)!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53437993596/in/dateposted/" title="FORZA 4 - Buggy"><img alt="FORZA 4 - Buggy" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53437993596_6b589895c3.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Forza has the incredible knack of losing you hours where you are sucked into the almost trace inducing gameplay as your brain goes into cruise control.</p><p>I'm looking forward to hitching my gaming laptop up to the lounge big screen TV via a HDMI cable to further enhance the 'sofa gaming' experience.</p><p>A great start to the New Year!</p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-39909143296527012023-12-28T03:43:00.000-08:002023-12-28T03:43:15.075-08:00I've Been a Good Boy! Xmas Haul 2023<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53426293193/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Tree 2023"><img alt="Christmas Tree 2023" height="469" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53426293193_a1eb87d041.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Amazingly, Santa Didn't Bring Me a Lump of Coal This Year!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What Santa Brought Me...</span></h3><p>I actually feel a bit bad as this is definitely showing off plus it kinda gives the impression that presents are what Christmas is all about. SO, I should start by saying that the BEST thing about this Christmas was that my girls (wife and daughters) all got together to spend some quality time together as a family over the holiday period.</p><p>My wife - Sharon - is a teacher so she worked extra hard leading up to the holiday so that she wasn't having to do marking and paperwork instead of enjoying the Christmas break with me. And my daughters - despite having better things to do than spend time with their old Dad - have gone out their way to come round to see the old man!</p><p>Today we have our traditional 'Second Christmas' meal and THIS is the best present! π</p><p>OK, <i>that said</i>.... π</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">What Santa Brought Me Part Deux!</span></h3><p>My family must have had a bit of a conflab about what to get me this year as there is definitely a theme going on. Either that or they are fed up of me moaning on about how I'm having problems returning to mainstream model making after my strokes! </p><p>In any case, it was really nice that they picked up that I'm slowly turning to pre-painted 'easy build' kits to get my model-making fix now. So...</p><p>From the wife I got a really lovely looking laser cut globe. I remember when we went on holiday to Wales this summer we saw a load of these type of models in a shop and I mentioned that I'd love to have a go at something like this. So she must have filed that away. π</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53424079048/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Laser cut Globe odel"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Laser cut Globe odel" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53424079048_39d04c907d.jpg" width="391" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>The main attraction of these sort of wooden models is they are interactive and - in this case - the cogs rotate the globe. It also lights up - which is something that interests me a lot as I want to start illuminating some of my models using LED bulbs.</p><p>From my youngest daughter - she of Zombie Army 4 Team Beaty fame - and her boyfriend I received a very novel Indiana Jones themed LEGO set! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53422998517/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Lego Indiana Jones"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Lego Indiana Jones" height="389" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53422998517_851239a858.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I've been looking at LEGO brick type models for a while as a means of getting round my issues and - indeed - I'd already bought an Airfix Quick Build Ford Mustang kit which partially uses the Lego connectors. This set me to thinking that this sort of 'brick' construction kits might open up an new line of model making for me.</p><p>I was exceptionally pleased with the particular theme of this Lego model as Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is my favourite Jones movie. Sean Connery was brilliant in this and the little Lego figure of Professor Jones made me chuckle! π</p><p>My eldest daughter - again - went in a different direction and gave my a lovely little 'DIY Doll House' model. This will seem a little strange as a gift for an old guy, but I have been interested in the idea of building little Japanese architectural vignettes for quite a while (I've been an avid watcher of the HMS2 YouTube Channel and their <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJup9VY8fUN7QVNPNduBdl33Rju16Z5aL" target="_blank"><i>'Showa Era Japanese Apartment Build'</i></a>). </p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53424079018/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Japanese Sushi Store Model"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Japanese Sushi Store Model" height="275" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53424079018_ae9b7d58f7.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I've been wondering how to get a start in this form of model making but didn't have a clue where to start, so this little kit is a great introduction. (Related to this is that I fancied having a go at making a 'Book Nook' model which uses similar techniques.)</p><p>On top of all this - as if the above were not more than enough - I also received several gift vouchers for other other family members. I was very grateful for these as I have never ending 'wish lists' on both Amazon and STEAM!</p><p>From STEAM I plumped for a game I'd been after for some time but was waiting for the price to drop of for a sale. Forza 4 was at the top of my list due to the fact that it's central location for the racing is the city of Edinburgh!</p><p>The game downloaded I was very pleased to find that it runs like a dream on my ASUS gaming laptop (even though it is a low end spec)...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53423920996/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - Forza 4 (PV)"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - Forza 4 (PV)" height="412" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423920996_606d16eba8.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>AND FINALLY! π</p><p>My Amazon vouchers added up to quite a hefty sum! And so, I was able to go a bit mad and buys some more brick models that I had been looking at. I should mention that I had already received a cracking COBI brick model for my birthday (which is on Christmas Eve) in the for a an 'Apocalypse Now' style US Patrol Boat...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53419058550/in/dateposted/" title="Birthday PBR - Cobi 1/35 Patrol Boat"><img alt="Birthday PBR - Cobi 1/35 Patrol Boat" height="391" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53419058550_1fa3c591df.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>This is an absolute cracker of a model in 1/35 scale, so is pretty big. This is one of the up sides of brick models as compared to traditional plastic models - bang for your buck! As traditional models have shot up in price - even for the smaller 1/72 scale sized kits - for about the same price you can get a 1/48 or 1/35 scale brick model, which seems great value for me.</p><p>Now I know model making purists will say that brick models are just 'kids toys' (oh, the irony) and say that traditional kits are a 'grown up hobby' but I love the cartoony caricature style of the design of the brick model, particularly the COBI brand ones. <i>(Although LEGO does do similar types of sets they are more noticeably brick built, whereas COBI compromises with a lot more custom parts which ultimately make the models look a little less like LEGO.)</i></p><p>Anyway, my Amazon vouchers netted me the following...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53424424109/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas 2023 Presents - COBI Polish P.11c"><img alt="Christmas 2023 Presents - COBI Polish P.11c" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53424424109_98557a82f3.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53423179052/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas 2023 Presents - COBI Mirage IIIc"><img alt="Christmas 2023 Presents - COBI Mirage IIIc" height="375" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53423179052_10957bab4f.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>I hadn't mean to get two aircraft, I wanted to get an aircraft and a tank, but in the end I couldn't resist either of these two being as they are two of my favourite military aircraft of all time. (Also, the tank I was after was sold out.)</p><p>And finally, finally, LOL... A bit of a less exciting purchase from my gift money was a piece of software to help me out with my model railway hobby. ANYRAIL 6 is a track layout planning application that allows me to experiment with different arrangements of track in order to design my perfect layout.</p><p>I had been using the free version, but this was limited to 50 pieces of track and it's amazing how quickly you utilise 50 pieces of track when you start getting into more complex arrangements! SO I took advantage of having a bit of spare cash - for a change - and bout the full licenced version of the software...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53424107338/in/dateposted/" title="Christmas Presents 2023 - AnyRail 6 Software"><img alt="Christmas Presents 2023 - AnyRail 6 Software" height="281" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53424107338_ecca44b5ec.jpg" width="500" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>And that's it - aside from a mountain of chocolate - Christmas gifts were a huge haul this year and I am very, very grateful to my brilliant family for being so generous and thoughtful. In particular, the fact that everyone bought me a slightly differing take on the theme of 'models' was terrific as that's the way I want to go in 2024. I'm o longer just a military model making geek!</p><p>But, again, I should end with being clear about what's been best about this Christmas. And that has been that everyone has come together to enjoy the holiday with family visits... That was the BEST present of all!</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301208456090839711.post-71438645165706329642023-12-25T05:35:00.000-08:002023-12-25T05:35:33.217-08:00Christmas Game Night - Completed It!<div style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53410816452/in/dateposted/" title="Zombie Army 4 - Completed"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Completed" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53410816452_c8d9fb444d.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><p><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Stacefiona & Dad Finally Complete a Game!</span></b></p><span><a name='more'></a></span><hr p="" style="border-top: 1px dotted;" /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Not Such a Silent Night!</span></h3><p>For our run up to Christmas we had a festive themed Dad'n'Daughter game night. Unfortunately my other daughter - Kayleigh - had been working so wasn't up for a frantic evening of mayhem so it was just the two of us. (We have another Christmas game night planned though which Kayleigh will be joining us on!)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53410853236/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zombie Army 4 - Team Beaty"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Team Beaty" height="500" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53410853236_bbc37251e7.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: We chose appropriately festive headgear for this Christmas session!</span></b></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>So, instead of the light-hearted 'fun' games we were going to play Stace and I decided to see if we could polish off ZOMBIE ARMY 4!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Holy Night... Well, There Were Holes!</span></h3><p>It's been a long, long time since Stace and I actually completed a computer game together, I think the last one we finished in it's entirety was a BORDERLANDS game. Since then we have partially completed several games but kinda lost interest or found something new before we got to the end of them.</p><p>So we were really determined to push to the finish line with Zombie Army 4. We just hoped that the finale would be a bit lame!</p><p>The game difficulty definitely cranked up a notch - as you might expect as we approached the big boss ending - and we both suffered our first major set backs as we faltered with a couple of deaths at the hand of the increasingly massive hoards of undead!</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53413979514/in/dateposted/" title="Zombie Army 4 - Dad the Zombie!"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Dad the Zombie!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53413979514_d10fc24c40.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53412694517/in/dateposted/" title="Zombie Army 4 - Stacefiona the Zombie!"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Stacefiona the Zombie!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53412694517_5735178c9c.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>Amusingly, and this was something neither of us realised is that when you die in ZA4 your character is resurrected as a zombie and you even try to attack your own surviving team mate!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">Delivering 'gifts' to the Naughty Boy!</span></h3><p>We didn't have to check the list twice to know who was a very naughty boy! π</p><p>The main feature of this game is the opportunity to take on <b><i>Adolf Hitler</i></b> himself in the final big boss showdown! Exceptionally proud of my youngest daughter who entered the spirit of the occasion with a resounding a sincere <b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">'F*** HITLER'</span></i></b>!!!</p><p><i>(And they say that the youngsters these days don't get it! Bless her!)</i></p><p>Despite a rocky start - in which I was my usual inept self - we soon started to warm up. Luckily Stacefiona more than makes up for my complete incompetence!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53412093664/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zombie Army 4 - Tanks a Lot!"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Tanks a Lot!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53412093664_042dbfb5e4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Dad - literally - cannot put a foot right! LMAO</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53410768472/in/dateposted/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Zombie Army 4 - Stacefiona Saves the Day...Again!"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Stacefiona Saves the Day...Again!" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53410768472_6a06074721.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">Above: Stacefiona saves Team Beaty yet again!</span></i></b></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #b45f06;">The Christmas Spirit!</span></h3><p>We had a wonderfully frantic time working through the last few chapters of the game's campaign. But, eventually, it got to the big finale!</p><p>By this time Stace and I had gotten the measure of the normal level bosses but what awaited up in the last part of the game was something that we definitely not expecting. Hitler and his UberPanzer really got us working hard...</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/beaty/53412065859/in/dateposted/" title="Zombie Army 4 - Finale (Long Version)"><img alt="Zombie Army 4 - Finale (Long Version)" height="360" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/31337/53412065859_7a85fd5ba7.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></p><p>And what a surprise we had when there was the twist in the tail!</p><p>We were so happy to not only defeat Hitler but also to finish a game. As I say, it's been a while since we both managed to get through a complete game and we really felt great about it! Zombie Army 4 is a smashing game and we now have the pleasure of working back through the various chapters in the HOARD MODE! So we have something to keep us going until we find our next game.</p><p><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!</span></b></p>Milgeekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08791475027247097256noreply@blogger.com0