Flying, Fighting and Reflection: The Life of Battle of Britain Fighter Ace, Wing Commander Tom Neil DFC* AFC AE

This is the thrilling account of the last remaining Battle of Britain ace fighter pilot, Tom "Ginger" Neil. Neil was one of an elite band, nicknamed "The Few" by Winston Churchill, he flew Hurricanes during 141 combat missions in that battle and went on to command the first Spitfire XII squadron during 1942/43 as the RAF went on the offensive in north-west Europe. In this, the only full account of Neil's life to be published in collaboration with his family, we learn how he became a poster boy for the war effort and how he credits his "sixth sense" for keeping him alive during the Second World War. There was, however, one terrifyingly close brush with death, when in 1940 he had a mid-air collision with another Hurricane. With the rear section of his aircraft gone, the plane was out of control and hurtling to the ground, yet somehow he managed to bail out and miraculously survived with only a minor leg injury. As well as RAF service during the Siege of Malta, Wing Commander Neil, who is now in his late nineties, also served with the Americans during the D-Day landings. During his career, Neil was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for the destruction of at least fourteen enemy aircraft, and was a successful test pilot after the war before commanding a jet fighter-reconnaissance squadron in Egypt's troubled Canal Zone during the 1950s for which he was awarded the Air Force Cross. With contributions from the man himself, this book also looks at his life after the RAF and his career as a successful author. For military buffs and novices alike, it is a must-read account of a true war hero.

1/1200 Naval Range For the Battle of Lissa 1866 from Pithead Miniatures

On the face of it, the Italians had a huge advantage in ships and guns at Lissa , her ironclads outnumbered the Austrians by 11 to 7 and the guns the Italian ships mounted were far heavier than their Austrian counterparts. These material advantages also carried over to the Italian wooden vessels  of Albini's frigate squadron which had 7 frigates superior to anything the Austrians possessed.  All this paper strength however didn't take into account the command and technical shortcomings of the Italian navy at this time. In the battle itself, Admiral Persano, the fleet commander not only dithered from the outset but allowed a dangerous gap to open in his line while he transferred his flag to  the powerful ram Affondatore.

Albinis Squadrons

The Austrian Ironclads passed through the Italian line and wrought havoc with their aggressive ramming tactics and even the Austrian wooden warships got stuck in to the fight while Albinis  powerful Italian frigates stood passively at a distance avoiding battle . Spithead will shortly be completing its Lissa series of ships and although the first dozen sets have now been sold,  it is hoped that a second batch will be produced if the demand is there. This is the only complete set of Lissa ships to have ever been made apart from the pricey collectors models that were produced HAI so this  will be a one time opportunity to own a limited edition set of these models before production ends soon.

Austrian Avisios

Pithead Miniatures

First Orc Concept Model Finished from Dark Fields Factory

First Orc concept model finished

Orc concept

Dark Fields Factory

The Legends of Mythos of Legends

For millennia the actions and adventures of heroes, villains and monsters have been passed down through fables, legends, sagas and stories across the generations. Recorded in song and stone, on parchment and tablet, from campfire tales to paperback and epub. The legends of humanity’s history have been carried through time, with truth and fantasy blending inexplicably into something that transcends culture, language and belief. Whilst the units of Mythos of Legends are predominantly made up of nameless men and beasts, the most exceptional characters of all ages have been encapsulated within the factions of the game, with abilities and powers inspired by their role in the stories of history and myth.

Within the game, Legendary units are as unique and distinct as the epics they’re drawn from, taking on a variety of roles that a player can chose to enhance their game play. Unlike their regular mortal and mythic counterparts, legendary units are not influenced by the whims of the gods. As such, they have their own skill test target scores, and the number of dice rolled in a given test is not affected by the Mythos Board. This can make legendary units an interesting part of an army, able to prop up an aspect of the game that the player’s deity is weak at, reinforce a strength or bring special abilities to the battle.

The Legendary Units of Mythos of Legends have a mixture of unique and bespoke special rules, weapons and Mythic Actions at their disposal, to create innovative plans of battle and dynamic ways to approach conquest. Should the Lernaean Hydra at your disposal annihilate your foes through immolating flames or savage fangs? Would it better to use the prophecy of The Norns to enhance the saga of your warriors, or undo the threads of fate for your opponents? Perhaps the Sphinx at your disposal could simply pounce and crush your opponent’s general under claw or would it be wiser to ask them a complex riddle and consume them should they fail?

Legendary units can also bring a new and innovative way to collect and play your games of Mythos of Legends: with Ragnar Lothbrok fighting within your force, hordes of Viking raiders can ambush opponents in new and dynamic strategies; under the leadership of Nephren-Ka your force of Eldritch abominations may be blended with the hosts of Ancient Egypt to create the Army of the Black Pharoah, where unspeakable horrors draw battle lines alongside hosts of chariots and apostate
guard.

These miniatures are designed to be a slightly larger scale than the regular counterparts. Practically, it can help players to identify these special units more readily if they may not be aware of another faction’s characters. As hobbyists, this slightly larger scale creates opportunities to present centre pieces to their collection, with a greater volume of detail and character, whilst remaining affordable and aesthetically fitting as ‘larger than life’ legends should.

Throughout the Kickstarter campaign we will continue to unlock a whole range of legendary miniatures for players to collect, assemble, paint and use on the field of battle. Follow the link below to explore the developments in the Mythos of Legends Kickstarter Campaign today

The World of Lardello

Maulers are now back in stock by TTCombat

Back in a derelict city near you! maulers are here to wreak havoc!

Now back in stock on TTCombat website

 TTCombat

M44 & M59 Self-Propelled Howitzers Released from Pendraken Miniatures

We've got a quick couple of releases ready before we head off to the Fiasco show this weekend, with the M44 and M52 self-propelled howitzers ready and on the website!

These two are both conversions of the US Walker Bulldog chassis, the first with a 155mm howitzer and used by the US, Britain, Italy, Belgium, Greece and Turkey.  The second has a 105mm howitzer was used by both the US and Turkey (under the M52T designation).

Modern Vehicles

MDV62    M44 Self-propelled howitzer, 155mm      £4.00

MDV63    M52 Self-propelled howitzer, 105mm      £4.00

Forum Discussion
Pendraken Miniatures

Project Update #2: 10mm Celtic Warrior Army Kickstarter by Lancer Miniatures

Vercingetorix has been made, and suitably heroic looking.

Vercingetorix was a king and chieftain of the Arverni tribe; he united the Gauls in a revolt against Roman forces during the last phase of Julius Caesar's Gallic Wars.

Vercingetorix was the son of Celtillus the Avernian, leader of the Gallic tribes. Vercingetorix came to power after his formal designation as chieftain of the Arverni at the oppidum Gergovia in 52 BC. He immediately established an alliance with other Gallic tribes, took command and combined all forces, and led them in the Celts' most significant revolt against Roman power. He won the Battle of Gergovia against Julius Caesar in which several thousand Romans and allies died and Caesar's Roman legions withdrew.

Kickstarter
Lancer Miniatures