Enquiry about Mould firm

 Just a quick enquiry. I'm after some 54mm moulds that were available last year from a firm called Miniature Molds. Their internet existence seems to have disappeared. Can anyone say if they are still trading or changed name? If so can I have contact details.

I'm after some of their British Napoleonic moulds, which look like Airfix figures, so they may have had copyright problems. I know, back in the day, I got permission from Airfix to do recasts, but they have changed hands since and, although I still have the authorisation letter, the new owners may not look kindly, even though I only want them for personal use. My old moulds have deteriorated and been disposed of and I don't need the hassle of making new ones.

Thanks for any help you can give. It is appreciated.

The old and the new

 Just to show that I have shaken of my lethargy I'm showing a couple of photos I took today. First up I have a model from my display cabinet that I made many years ago from an old 'Men at Arms' kit. It is of a US cavalryman in full dress uniform. What I found interesting about the figure was that it was of a coloured conscript. Not something normally seen. Though quite why he should be stood in front of Orford Castle I have no idea. Please ignore the date (if I don't mention it someone will!) but it seems I need to reset my camera.

I'm really putting it up as a tribute to MGB's blog, Wargaming with 54mm toy soldiers.

Second up is a figure cobbled together from assorted Langley castings and is supposed to represent a trooper from the North Suffolk Hussars. Hopefully the precursor of others, as I have a few of these bits and pieces, and my 'go to' reference book shows a variety of similar uniforms in various colour schemes.

That's it for now, have fun, stay safe.

Getting back in the saddle?

I admit, I have been very lax in keeping up with my blogs lately. This is partly because not much has been going on as it was far too hot this summer, and partly interest dwindled to very low levels. All the figures waiting in my 'to do' list sat gathering dust while paints hardened in the tin. Then tonight I received a promotional e-mail from Prince August, the Irish toy soldier mould people, giving news of a couple of sets issued in their new sub-section 'Great Powers of the 1900s'.

First up is a set of Germans, illustrated here'

While second we have a set of infantry from the USA.

As I was being offered a discount I ordered one of each. When they arrive I hope to have a little play with them. I wonder how they fit with the British Guard moulds already on hand, and whether  I will be able to Mix 'n match parts. Hopefully I'll be able to show you in a few weeks time. Interest is aroused again. 

What do you wear when gaming?

While not being very active on the gaming front at the moment I do tend to keep up with my blog reading list, just to see what's going on and make the odd comment. It is interesting to see how frequent (or infrequent) some writers are. In the meantime I also check my facebook page daily, trying to ignore the various extraneous items that pop up, but one couldn't be resisted. Why the gods of facebook decided it would interest me I don't know, but here are some details.

The particular entry concerned a range of decorated T-shirts, and comes from America. The website is https://topkency.com and they produce, among other items, T-shirts styled as military uniforms, varying from medieval to modern. The picture below is of their take on Nelson. As they are priced in US dollars I'm not sure how they cost out in the UK, but that can be discovered easily enough.

So now you can dress in the style of your game!, enjoy your browse of the site.

R.I.P. Roy Dilley

I have just received a message from Paul Vickers, President of the British Model Soldier Society, that Roy Dilley, doyen of Model Soldier collectors everywhere, has passed away. I am sure that other bloggers will detail his life, times and accomplishments but I'd just like to record that it was Roy, along with Henry Harris, that set me on the route to conversion of 54mm figures.

It was Roy's articles in Airfix Magazine, converting Almark and Airfix figures into troop types I would never have thought of, and his book "Scale Model Soldiers" of 1972, that gave me so much inspiration. Unfortunately I could never emulate his expertise but I kept trying.

So another of the old stagers has gone, and will be missed.

Compliments of the season.

MrsJ has timetabled quite a busy few days between now and the New Year, gallivanting about visiting all and sundry. I suspect she's trying to forget the fact that she retired on Monday and won't know what to do with herself, so is making up for it.
So, as I shall not have time soon (she's out topping the car fuel up and getting last minute milk etc.) I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Blatant Plug

I've slowly been reducing my collection of books, and have started listing some of the overflow military titles I've not looked at for some time onto the e-bay auction site. At the moment there are about 10 titles on there, with most being assorted ones from the early 'Discovering' series and a few Blandford uniform books. If you'd like to have a look at my listings I go by the seller name nospoj1, so feel free to take a look. I've attached a few pictures for your delectation.

Thanks for looking. Other books will appear over the next few months.