Older IS Better

 It's a busy year already, which is of course a great thing. It does mean however, that I am not updating my blog as often as I might like.

Last week, I had a lovely box of delights arrive from Navwar:

 I'm really pleased with the whole package, not just because the models are crisp, clean and nicely detailed, but that the whole experience was one which took me back to my youth. 

Having to send an order using a proper paper order form, by post and then wait for stuff to arrive (albeit a very short wait indeed) really reminded me of the simple pleasures of expectation and fullfilment, making the process of beginning a new project (or in this case, revisiting one) a real joy.

A surprise came later in the week with a visit from painting and modelling legend, Andy Ritson to the Dark Tower atop Fackham Hall.

Andy had said he'd drop off a much needed Giant Head, but also brought me a gift in the shape of a scratchbuilt triceratops with converted Dwarf rider, which he had built and painted almost 40 years ago.

This was a legendary model in the Northern gaming scene, particularly locally (remember that Sheffield was second only to Nottingham, back in the day) and was looking the worse for wear with a thick layer of dust, and some breakage to the triceratops sculpt and rider, along with becoming detached from the base. But I cannot convey just how proud and humbled I was to become the new custodian of this model.

24 hours later, and I had thoroughly cleaned the model, rebuilt the claws and horns, scratchbuilt a new weapon for the rider and reattached the model to the base. Two coats of high quality varnish to protect the paintwork and re-matte it down, and this venerable old boy was looking as sharp as it did all those decades ago:

I asked Andy to 'sign off' on my restoration, and now, once I get a box for Terry and Flash Cnut, they will be off to the games room to be used on the tabletop.

Thanks again to Andy, for gifting and trusting me with a piece of gaming history.

I'm busy planning my final big project, which will be Renaissance in theme, but I am weighing the possibilities offered by the Italian Wars and the Swabian War of 1499. The former is a classic of course, but the latter marks the first meeting of the Landsknechts and Swiss, both formidable exponents of a new way of waging war. Of course, as my Italian Wars plans revolve around the early Franco-Spanish phase, it may be fun to start with a core of models for the Swabian War and simply expand into Italy, with a 2 for 1 approach.

In just over a week, I will be taking ownership of another classic collection. I'll save the details for a later post, but, if all goes well, it will indeed nbe a collection worth a blog post or two.

Finally, I still need one head to complete my Citadel Giant, and I am offering £75 if anyone has this one:

Well, it's a working day, so if you will excuse me, I'd better ascend the stairs of the Dark Tower and do a day's work.

 

TTFN