An AHPC15 entry again and this time it was in pursuit of one of my pet projects. Fauxterre 1930 is a catch all for my 20th century escapades. I started with ww2 but have inexorably been drawn to an earlier time period. Basically I want the look of armies from the 1930’s. So thats most of the kit available in 1939 but also kit that went out of service after 1930 as countries mobilised for impending conflicts.
My recent lorry posting covered the origins of this project.
In this “later” between the wars period 2pdr guns were fine as were 37mm Anti tank guns – the bofors version being the subject of this entry.
You get 2 guns in the first to fight box As you see these are actually bofors as corrected by John @ just needs varnish! Thanks John!
First to Fight make a lot of kit I can find a use for and these anti tank guns caught my eye. They are slender and making them is not as easy as the few parts you get suggests. Complete with figures – I particularly liked the prone gun aimer?
Fauxterre 1930 remains a slow burn project not least because it started out as a “bricks and mortar” project – buy things from real shops by walking into them.
In this case these AT guns came from Monkbar Models in York, North Yorkshire.
During AHPC14 I got into modelling instead of painting and specifically building models from household recycling – cardboard and plastic. The net is repleat with simply magnificent models done this way. I thought why not have a go.
I started to collect bits together for some spacecraft only to see the idea fade during AHPC14 as WW2 models took centre stage including a white reconnaissance spitfire – my first aeroplane kitbash in years.
Into the bargain I managed to paint up some magazine “freebie” dwarves and hobbits. AHPC15 as with AHPC14 drew me away from my projects and regular painting. While that meant less progress with my chosen periods the change was as good as a rest – as they say.
Indeed I have tended to use these APHC challenges to experiment with painting and modelling methods. Also the AHPC participation has certainly speeded up some of my painting habits. And that must be a good thing for a slowcoach like me.
Another entry from AHPC15. This time I was preoccupied with the challenge theme – Dantes Comedy where you had to descend each level into the abyss. Gluttony was the theme.
AHPC15 not only saw me make progress with my mid C19th century armies. Much delayed Fauxterre 1930 or my Lockdown Bricks and Mortar Shop project actually got in on the act.
Back in Covid times I decided on a whim to try and build some WW2 armies by walking into shops and physically buying stuff! Yes I know this is a bit of an old technique nowadays. At the time the logic was “get out and about”.
As it happened I had found a book in a shop window and snapped it up by………walking in and buying it. At the time shopping was a weird but satisfying escape. Sold as a vintage item it was Charles Grant Snr’s Battle! Practical Wargaming (B!PW)
Now this book gave me a way into WW2 on the limited basis I was looking for. Also Grant was quite happy to use german and US kit for his Russian forces – in other words country kit for that country only was not that important (of course the Russians used any kit they could lay their hands as did the germans) and indeed his forces were RED v BLACK – pure fantasy. Ok so that meant Russians versus Germans in reality.
Now this fed my need for a “fantasy historical” WW2 set up. I would use the technical aspects of the period but mess up the actual forces involved and of course the countries would be make believe. Thats Fauxterre. Sorry no zombies or rayguns.
In keeping with a theme I had developed, Fauxterre 1930 started to take shape. Why 1930? Well I had on this particular journey become more and more interested in the early war set up and less and less the final years. This escalated into pre war when I started to look at aircraft. I was quite taken with the transition from biplane to monoplane. And before you know it I was looking at AFV technology.
Did you know – the fairy swordfish biplane flown by the British Royal Navy fleet air arm in the 1930’s was still in combat duty in summer 1945 armed with rockets! so much digression….
The net result is I am trying and failing to get Fauxterre 1930 off the ground. My Plastic Soldier Company US and Russian troops were my first choice for figures when it was Fauxterre 1940 and are fine for the early war period but somehow I don’t like the figures if I roll back a decade. I do like them but not for Fauxterre 1930! They work for Fauxterre 1940 so would be ok but that is parked for now.
On a trip to a toy show I picked up some bin end corgi trucks.
And before you know it I had added to my Fauxterre 1930 logistics kit.
Lets face it the channel system is alive and well when it comes to the Arts. Take York Open Studios for example – you will not see gaming miniatures on display.
As the front of the brochure says – you will see fabulous art in ceramics, collage, digital, illustration, jewellery, mixed media, painting, print, photography, sculpture, textiles and wood.
Of course wargamers can claim a few of those techniques for themselves.
The work on display at open studios is fantastic. They are clearly successful in their business – as long as they keep producing. And this production need is often at loggerheads with the creative drive or passion. Imagine making a piece of art as a one off then discovering its a best seller – yet it is a subject and technique you have only passing interest in while your passion garners few followers – what to do?
May be the wargamers equivalent is finding out they enjoy painting figures for the period they least like to game…………
The channel system is extremely helpful simply because art by definition could be anything. It helps signpost what’s in store. In the same way, Gamers would probably not value sculpture or oil paintings for sale on stands at a wargames show simply because of some “miniatures” aspect – whats the point.
So its horses for courses or channels, perhaps “categories” of art might work better. The art on display at York Open Studios is mostly to be used solely through its visual impact. Whereas gaming miniatures have a visual value of course but are then primarily to be handled in a gaming situation. I am excluding “models” made for viewing – ship and aircraft models spring mind here.
I have always found a visit to Open Studios rewarding not least because you do get to see peoples work areas and even the mess they operate in – kitchen table – often the neatest simply because of necessity or a fabulous dedicated work room. One particular artist I missed this year had years of oil paint embedded in some carpetted rooms along with the fragrance of turps. Their work was fabulous for me – and thats what matters.
Thoughts this year?
With over a hundred studios open I can only offer a very few of those I have visited.
Ala Jazayeri operates from the South Bank Studios, Southlands Methodist Church, Bishopthorpe York YO23 1NX. Her oil paintings are best seen in real life as the colours and textures differ from the digital image. I enjoyed viewing her work.
Donna Maria Taylor also operates from the South Bank Studios and I really liked some of her winter landscapes. Her approach includes acrylic, watercolour, collage and inks – truly mixed media.
Peter Baker also at South Bank Studios uses wooden blocks to create installations. I thought his work was great fun.
Playful interaction- look through the holes to view this artwork Ok – so you have to go and see yourself!Impromptu York’s ice creamery narrow boat with its own cow!
In Franklins Yard off Fossgate YO1 9TA some fascinating artwork exploring rust and verdigris on plaster and wooden panels – demanding reflection. Alongside were screen prints advertising music bands – great colour – fun.
This view will soon be gone – redevelopment in York is a pacey affair Same here, the view will soon be different Live action art – in this case wall artSign of the times – bricks and mortar shops in retreat probably to become another eatery or coffee shop
Pica Studios in York Centre – on Grape Lane YO1 7HU – lots of strong prints with vibrant colours – but again I opted to picture their tools and paints.
You also get to see some interesting back areas
Not far away at 16 Feasegate York YO1 8SQ is Lincoln Lightfoot who has some fantastic work. In my view something both refreshing and reassuring.
Then over in holgate was
Mountain man
In the reflection is a large print (see runner above) of the great boar fight at Bradford back when it was just a hamlet More work in progress Paints
I suppose participation in the annual analogue hobbies painting challenge (No15 has just finished) has affected my normal year end musings.
AHPC15 started in December and finished in March. It meant I was heads down painting for that time – so no looking in the rear view mirror let alone out through the front wargamers truck windscreen at the turn of the year.
This maybe explains why I suddenly had the need to look at my plans for 2025.
Out of the blue I created a sharp pencil production tool.
A sensible flow
Really it’s a funnelling idea with the visual aim to get to the point!
Of course I have two versions already…..
Just chuck it all in
Of course the second image could be a virtual “log jam” with nothing getting through as they say……
Hector Berlioz Hungarian March played on the country’s national day in Budapest
For classical musics fans who like popular sounds and of course just the best bits of a piece you can’t beat the UK Classic FM chart which captures the listeners favourites once a year.
The chart closes tonight and is broadcast over three days this Easter.
This year I even voted.
Radetzky March by johann strauss senior
Von Suppes light cavalry
Hector Berlioz Hungarian March
Seems a mid century marching theme is emerging here!
It’s ironic that a book about US naval activity in the Mediterranean at the end of the Napoleonic era helps you understand that US policies in its early years were most concerned about defining its own sphere of influence in the Americas.
Beyond that small matter the book is a great read and provides a superb counterpoint to the European aspects of the Napoleonic wars.
Given the US/British wars in North America at the time the story of the US naval fleet actions in the Mediterranean is studded with political and military risk.
The author takes us along at a good pace yet not without plenty of detail.
Given its trans national terrorism theme this is not a dusty old story to be consigned to a historical backwater.
The Wargaming Erratic 