From the Shelf of Shame….

A solitary SE5a flying somewhere in France. Note the Dawn Patrol gaming map that uses squares rather than hexes.

Aside from fighting a Portable Wargame style battle using my block armies - a full report will feature in a further post - I also managed, at long last, to send some time on my WW1 aerial ‘flying counter’ project. If you recall, I decided to take the aircraft counters from the old TSR RPG Dawn Patrol and put them on a flying stand to give the impression of flight. I am happy with how the idea looks but the process required to amount the counters on MDF bases for durability is a tedious one, involving as it does significant amounts of cutting and filing.

The source of the counters. Although designed as a role playing game Dawn Patrol also includes a standalone tactical aerial game.

The ‘cutting mat that was on the shelf of shame’ with the counters - the mounted allied types are at the top of the picture, north of the super glue. Next to the scalpel are the next 36 counters for the Germans and Austrians.

I had previously gotten as far as mounting all the allied counters but had not done so for the Germans and Austrians. Well, this afternoon I took the plunge and started on them! Thus far I have only tackled 12 of the 48 counters but, most importantly, I have made a start.

The first dozen counters for the Germans and Austrians. Only 36 more to go.

Once the Central Powers are suitably mounted I can then paint the edges and undersides in the appropriate shade of sky blue and then satin varnish them for protection. The only counter currently ready for action is a solitary SE5a but no matter, he will soon be joined by heaps of other friendly types and some suitable opposition.

One thing that did cross my mind whilst I was busy gluing, cutting and filing, was that a WW1 version of Angels 20/Bandits High would certainly be doable and indeed, in many respects would be better suited than for WW2, especially for late WW2 ‘power’ aircraft.

Looks like the gaping hole of another rabbit hole has just opened….