Glut of Grants

Is there some unearthly spiritual layline that links the subconscious of middle-aged wargamers? Are we merely cells in a bigger life form ? Do we exist as part of some greater wargaming and toy soldier protean mass? Er, no. However, I was amused to see that that august personage, Will, of 'Will's Wargames Blog', has also turned his attention to Airfix Grants. Will, of course, is another master of the refurb, and has done a very neat job on his desert Grants, which sport that late Western Desert camouflage of wavy dark earth or black patches. It actually shows just how good those original Airfix armour kits were - robust, looked right (to the non-rivet counter), and long lasting. A sort of Soviet Union of plastic kits production. Will has, probably wisely, chosen not to bother with the desert sandshields, which is, I think, perfectly kosher as an option, but I am now a little more pleased that I did bother to make a muss of them. So, how are my slow cooking refurbs:

Tonight's work was limited to gloss varnishing, then applying turret and hull numbers. The slightly too large turret numbers come from a Fujimi Valentine kit which I made in 1974. It cost the shocking price of 50p! With these basic markings on, I will be able to progress to weathering, chips etc tomorrow evening, and the refurb will, I hope, be finished.

I have not, however, forgotten other chaps on the painting table, and I made a little more progress with some of those rather excitable fellows, followers of the Mahdi:

Note the ghosts of 1812 wandering in the background. If they keep turning up like that I will be forced to try my hand at their two dimensionalist selves.