Posts

Bank Holidays, Battles, and Buying More Minis: My Descent into the World of Zulu (1964) Characters in 28mm

-
Image
There are a few certainties in British life: rain on a summer weekend, queues forming from thin air, and - every Bank Holiday - some TV channel showing Zulu . The 1964 classic is a staple of British broadcasting, and for good reason. It dramatises the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo–Zulu War of 1879, depicting the defence mounted by just 150 British soldiers - engineers, infantrymen and several wounded - against thousands of Zulu warriors. At the centre of the film is the unlikely partnership between Lieutenant John Chard (Stanley Baker) and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead (Michael Caine), whose strained but growing cooperation under fire anchors the story. Packed with spectacle, character conflict and moments of mutual respect, Zulu remains one of the most memorable and iconic portrayals of a real military action ever committed to film. Whatever your personal view of the British Empire or colonial history, I absolutely adore this film. Some of the first plastic figures I ever bo...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Beast in the Woods

-
Image
The deputy shifted his weight as the black government sedan rolled to a stop at the edge of the dirt road, headlights cutting through the mist around the old Montgomery Estate. A tall, sharply dressed man stepped out first. A woman followed - red hair, structured bob, oversized 90s suit. They approached with steady confidence. “Agent Davids, FBI,” the man said, flashing a badge.   “Agent Gillian,” the woman added. The deputy nodded. “Something’s not right out here. Lights, chanting… a smell I can’t explain.” “Occult signs?” Gillian murmured.   “Possibly,” Davids replied. “Show us.” They headed into the silent woods - too silent - until a grinding, wheezing noise froze them in place. They reached a clearing. A blue police box stood there. Beside it: a man in a tweed jacket and bow tie, and a woman with wild blonde curls in a white leather jacket and boots. “I definitely packed a fez,” the man muttered.   “You always say that,” the woman replied. “Hands where...
5 comments
Location: Southampton, UK
Read more

The Slow Train from the Far East

-
Image
The wind howls through the dust-choked streets of Lester’s Gulch , rattling loose shutters and rolling tumbleweed past abandoned storefronts. Then, with a wheezing groan, a blue police box materialises in the centre of town. The door swings open. “Wicked!” cries Ace , leaning out into the blazing sun. “Looks like we’re in the Wild West, Professor!” Behind her, the  Seventh Doctor adjusted his hat and peered over her shoulder. “American Wild West, late nineteenth century by the look of it… though something’s not quite right.” Ace grins. “What is it?” The Doctor’s eyes narrow. “What do you notice?” She scans the street again. Her smile fades. “It’s quiet… No gunfire. No horses. No livestock. Not even a piano from the saloon.” “Exactly,” the Doctor replies softly. “Come along, Ace. Let’s take a look around.” Windows are boarded. Doors are barred. The saloon stands silent. Lester’s Gulch is not a town at peace - it’s a town holding its breath. At last, movement. A knot of grim-...
6 comments
Location: Southampton, UK
Read more

Review - Augusta Abandoned Station

-
Image
I recently picked up this Warcradle MDF terrain kit from Wayland Games, and after getting it assembled and on the table, I wanted to share some thoughts for anyone considering adding it to their modern or industrial skirmish setups. What’s in the Box? The kit includes a surprisingly generous amount of scenery: 1× Building 1× Shelter 6× Fences 2× Trolleys and Crates 1× Bench 10× Train Tracks Although marketed as suitable for 28mm - 35mm skirmish games set in modern or industrial environments, the proportions suggest it's better suited to the 35mm end of that range - particularly when looking at elements like door height and trolley scale. What I Liked 💷 Great Value Everything shown in the photos came to just £27 including postage, which is excellent considering the volume of scenery you get. 🎨 Pre‑painted (Mostly) The kit arrives pre-painted - more of a basecoat than a finished job, but it gives you a solid head start. If you enjoy detailing or weathering, there’s plenty of scope...
2 comments
Location: Southampton, UK
Read more

Blue Moon Bloom

-
Image
The Wayfinder’s boarding ramp hissed open to admit a whirlwind in oversized goggles and dust-stained academic robes. “Magnificent vessel!” the woman declared, spinning slowly as she took in the cargo bay. “Functional. Rugged. Slightly on fire at the back, oh no, that’s just scoring. Good.” Cap’in blinked. “We prefer ‘experienced.’” The woman beamed and thrust out a gloved hand. “Professor Maysi Dustfellow, Department of Xenobotany, University of Chandrila.” Brains looked up from his datapad. “The University of Chandrila?” Professor Dustfellow nodded proudly. “Yes, yes, very reputable. Peer-reviewed. Occasionally funded.” Jugro muttered, “That last bit worries me.” The professor activated a small holo-projector. A shimmering blue cactus appeared above her palm, its spines glowing faintly. “The Blue Moon Bloom,” she said reverently. “A bioluminescent cactus that flowers once per standard year - only under a full moon. Each blossom lasts mere hours. Each petal contains extraordinary regen...
4 comments
Location: Southampton, UK
Read more