Wednesday 15 July 2020

Discovery of old photos

I can't remember what I was initially searching for (and I doesn't really matter now) but you know how you accidentally stumble across something that you thought was lost and you let out one of those gasps of surprise and relief and contentment (steady at the back there)...

I recently came across some old external hard drives, which I thought had been lost over time.
On one of these was a very 'important' folder... including all the old photos I took when Charles S Grant and I played the campaign for the book Raid on St Michel.

Many will be familiar with the book, I'm sure. It included the collection of figures features in Charles' father's book, The War Game. 

These pictures were, of course, reproduced in B/W for the St Michel book, but most have never been seen in colour before.
They show off that iconic SSM collection rather well I think.








I gave a presentation of the first action of the campaign to the Virtual Wargames Club last weekend, using these pictures, and discussing the campaign mechanisms (such as casualty recording and how the various teaser games were strung together), and I will be doing more from this campaign at the VWC this coming weekend.

As well as that, we have the usual high standard of in-depth wargaming chatter, pictures and banter from all the members. 
I am indebted to the VWC members who have all entered into the spirit of the 'club', developing genuine friendships, and making significant contributions each week with their pictures and information. It really has been the best possible way of finding out about how other people approach the hobby.
Last week our conversation went from Stalingrad to Tolkien to 18th century campaign mechanisms... and all stations in between. And I have picked up lots of little tips and tricks and techniques regarding the painting and modelling aspects of the hobby.

The group began as an antidote to lockdown wargaming blues, but has now become a regular weekend tonic and I can see it continuing in some form well into the future.

If you fancy joining us for a chat, the details are on the right hand side of this blog, including my email address.
Feel free to get in touch.


12 comments:

  1. VWC is one of the best things going on throughout the pandemic era. It is a joy to interact with people from such diverse places as The Phillipines, Australia, the US and of course, the U.K. I've learned a lot of new things about painting and scratch built modeling techniques.

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    1. Thx Jim. Your involvement and contribution are always very welcome, and highly valuable. Seeing your Sudan collection grow, week by week, is great. See you this coming weekend. Phil

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  2. Love the old school photos - they have a real presence. Glad the VWC is going from strength to strength - regards to all. Cheers Greg

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    1. Thanks Greg. Hope you're staying well. All the best. Phil

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  3. Very happy you found these photos. I remember those buildings or similar from my youth. Funny how things change but stay the same if you follow me...
    Bets wishes,
    Jeremy

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    1. Cheers Jeremy. Yes, the buildings are the originals from The War Game too. It was an honour and a privilege to campaign amongst them. Best regards. Phil

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  4. Really, really enjoyed hearing your first hand experiences re St Michel, Phil, and looking forward to future instalments

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    1. Thank you Chris. See you at the weekend. Phil

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  5. Thanks for sharing the pictures. Such wonderful miniatures and scenery! Cheers, Karl

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  6. Nice to see the pics in 'technicolor'. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Hendrid. It's certainly a more colourful array than I had imagined from seeing the original B/W photos in The War Game. All the best. Phil

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