Back to RAF Hendon

On Sunday the wife and I took our youngest daughter to the RAF museum at Hendon. We've been here several times before (see pictures here and here and here) as there is plenty to see. This time we spent quite a bit of time in the WW1 display hall in the Graham White Factory building. I didn't take too many pictures as I have taken plenty before but here's a handful from what was a very nice afternoon out. 

Myself and my Daughter in front of the Junkers Ju88

Messerschmitt BF 110

Falco CR42

Greham White Factory - WWI zone

The Lewis gun was still being used in WWII and was particularly favoured by the LRDG & SAS

Watch out von Richthofen!

Messerschmitt Me262

Avro Lancaster Bomber

Heinkle He 162

There is lots more to see here if you have a full day available. The quality of exhibits is world class and the displays are very child friendly with plenty of interactive content and hands on exhibits to keep everyone interested. 

Goodbye Caesar

Caesar Augustus Tiberius

Last night we found that our long lived and much loved hamster had died in his sleep. Caesar was nearly three, making him a very old gent in Hamster years. The last few months he has been less and less active and has slept more than usual, so we knew he was on the decline. None the less it was a sad moment and the house won't be the same without him. 

Caesar was a Golden Hamster, was very intelligent and had a very sociable disposition. When he was younger he would climb the walls of his cage and swing from the roof by his teeth (I kid you not). He never bit anyone, even when we tried to cut his claws, an activity he clearly didn't enjoy. He had the cutest little squeak and enjoyed being held and stroked making him an excellent pet. He was also quite partial to wargaming... I took this photo of Caesar reviewing the troops only last week. 

I'd often take Caesar over to my paint desk to show him what I was working on and he would look up at me with his big pink eyes as if to say "I'm not sure about the highlighting on these" or "wouldn't you prefer to paint Romans?".

Just Because

I'm having one of them days when all I want to do is flatten something with a tank (or in this case an APV).

I shot this little sequence at War and Peace last year. Wanton destruction, but great fun to watch over and over again... I must stop fantasising about doing this to the neighbours cars!

Somewhere in Libya - 6mm North African Town

Last week I bought a load more 6mm buildings from Leven Miniatures for my 6mm North Africa project. These will be added to my existing collection of buildings and combined I now have enough to make a small town or administrative centre. I haven't done anything fancy with the painting, although I have added some colour to the market tents and awnings. 

All were base coated in Iraqi Sand (819) and then I painted in the windows and doors. Next I dry-brushed with Ivory (918) and washed with Soft Tone Quick-shade with a final very light dry-brush again in Ivory. I may well add more buildings at a later date but for now I have enough for my immediate needs.