One of the reasons I enjoy VBCW is that it gives me the opportunity to recreate the toys of my youth as wargames pieces. (I know, if I gamed in 54mm I could just use them)
One piece I was always in love with was the Britains 18-in Howitzer. It was a massive piece, and very impressive to my small eyes. As it turns out, it was actually based on the 8 inch howitzer of the Great War.
As it turns out, the Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company produced that gun in a resin and pewter kit. My lovely wife purchased one for my most recent birthday.
The kit assembles well, and the fit between resin and metal is nigh seamless. There is a flaw- The treads on the two wheels should be opposite to one another. I can live with it.
She also purchased the six-man crew. They are accurate and well sculpted, but seem an odd mix without a group purpose. They aren’t loading or firing, or paying any attention to the gun at all. (I am informed that they are in fact based on a photo of an actual gun in action. Sorry Richard!)
The firing platform is built from coffee stirrers, and is based upon…. 8 inch howitzer firing platforms. The table and chairs are doll house furniture, the cat is 3D printed!
It’s a lovely and massive piece – My only complaint is that now the Britains toy looks like a crude piece of crap by comparison.
Gisby's Gaming Blog 
Nicely done!
Comment by Graham E Wren — May 31, 2020 @ 18:40
Thank you!
Comment by gisby — May 31, 2020 @ 21:32
[…] field wargames versions of toys I had lusted after as a child. Sometimes it has been a joy: The HLBS 8-in Howitzer stood in for the Britains 18-in Howitzer. Sometimes it has been a disappointment: It turns out that […]
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