PASSING OF A FRIEND, JOHN TUCKEY

Just heard from a friend of mine that John Tuckey recently passed away, aged 88. I think its appropriate for me to remember him here. I started wargaming with John in the late 1980s, and continued to do so during the following twenty years. Among a certain generation, particularly those organising shows, he was a well known character. As a wing-commander, retired, he was every bit a no-nonsense, forthright sort of bloke, and he wasn't acting the part. I liked him, and others have said that when he mentioned my name, it was positive. I will take that as a strong compliment. I suspect many visitors to shows all over England from 1980 to 2010 will have seen his historical refights, always involving thousands of 28mm figures, and in all periods of history. Recently spotted a photo in a Featherstone book with a Tuckey game featured. He later staged his own wargames show at Marston-Magna, Somerset, and I was pleased to put on a game at most if not all his shows. In his last few years he sold his collections and re-embraced model railways, but on occasions we did still speak. He was a powerful character, a British patriot, and I'm sad to know he is no longer with us. RIP John. Michael G. Butterfield

RUSSIAN LOG BUILDING

I'm spending most of my hobby time these days working on my 54mm toy soldier collection. However, with this hot spell, I decided it would be a nice change to use up some spare card and wood dowel constructing a large log building, something to sit behind similar fortifications. MGB

MY RUSSIAN SUBMARINE c.1721

Some time last year I picked up a small treen pot for 50p in a charity shop. Thought I might be able to make something interesting out of it. Today I have de facto completed my Efim Nikonov submarine, originally designed in 1721. I point out it was only designed that year as it failed all its testing, and the Russian government scrapped its funding for this project. Hope you agree, however, if it had worked, it would have been a useful weapon against the Ottoman fleet operating in the Black Sea....... hope to find out soon! MGB

RUSSIAN NAVY SLOOP c.1700

I put this model together quite a few years ago, but it always needed revamping. New additions are four fixed artillery pieces. an improved deck layout, a ship's wheel, and a lot of brighter paintwork. While I love the idea of naval participation, I've no ambitions for owning larger 28mm ships, I'm not convinced a broadside from thirtyfive guns on a Frigate would enhance any wargame, but I can see some problems in storing the model, lol. But I might still add a couple more cannon to this vessel. Well, its time my Muscovites engaged the Ottoman/Tartar alliance. MGB

Muscovite Commander's Coach, Cossack and Tartar artillery

In an attempt to clear my store of spare wheels decided to construct a few wagons and guns for my Renaissance armies. I can't confirm the authenticity to this model but the idea that the Muscovite Command might have had a campaign coach seems plausible. The war-wagon is based on some late medieval ideas and can serve with either the Muscovites or the Ottomans. I'm satisfied with the Cossack light guns but the Tartar artillery is a bit boring, perhaps they need more interesting bases. MGB

APOLOGIES FOR MY LACK OF ACTIVITY

Late last year my Kidney disease moved up a level and it became necessary to devote my time and effort towards other issues. From about March this year, my health seems to have improved. It is now my hope to return to posting on several blogs, and to increase the actual number of wargames I stage. Regards MGB

54MM MEDIEVAL FOOT SOLDIERS (Part Eight, Chinese-made)

Have just completed several Medieval banners for my Ghibelline and Guelph armies in 54mm scale. The first is a unit of spearmen in the service of Guido Bonacolsi, Captain General of Mantua, a supporter of the German Emperor. The second unit are Visconti Milanese, supporting the Papacy and France. Also included is the Emperor with a small unit of Imperial pikemen. Practically all these figures are modern, cheap Chinese imports. Painted up, they provide useful foot soldiers to serve with the W. Britains Herald knights. MGB