I was 'volunteered' for a general sort out and tidying up of the drawers in our old master bedroom, the one we used before moving into the extension which had formerly housed GHQ. In one drawer I found some photographs of figures and games Phil and I had staged at wargames shows back in the 1990's. The photographs predate my digital age, so were a mixed bunch if I was being kind when describing them! Here are three I've salvaged of ACW Display Games, probably at either Partizan or at the long defunct Midland Militaire.
This general view is of a game representing the Federal attack on Fort Fisher, oft known as the 'Gibraltar of the South'. I'd visited the remains of Fort Fisher, near Wilmington NC, probably in 1995 and had been so impressed with it that I persuaded Phil it would make a grand Display Game.
Phil probably built the representation of one face of the fort and I think the palisades were his too from his Darkest Africa collection. The forts guns were by Ral Partha, bought at one of the Historicons I'd attended around then.
The third photograph is of another ACW Display Game, the Siege of Petersburg, and was probably taken at Midland Militaire. Both games won awards at the show, once for best Display Game and once for Best Game in Show. Just shows how far standards have risen in the last 25 years! The sharp eyed will have noticed 'Rawnsley Farm', the blue house on the left in the last photo and front and centre in the first, which is still doing good service here in GHQ!
Well, they do say that nostalgia ain't what it used to be, but I found it strangely satisfying in these strange times we are passing through to spend a few minutes with these fond memories of happier, simpler times. Let's hope we can return to something like these when we emerge on the far side of all this pandemic malarchy... Stay safe and well, all of you.
Ah, those were the days. Tiring but very satisfying, remember making those shell bursts at 1AM, wonder where they went🤔
ReplyDeleteIf you had £1 for every time you've asked that you could buy a new army. The Lost Shell bursts, one of life's mysteries...
DeleteForgot to mention sticking shingles on the blue house at 11.30😂
DeleteDidn't we go on until after 1.00 o'clock in the morning?
DeleteIt's always nice to stumble across stuff like this and as you say, the standard of games presentation has come on leaps and bounds since. However I've grown to love the simplicity of some 'old school' games I've played in as they take me back to my formative days as a child.
ReplyDeleteNostalgia, more necessary than ever amidst all this pandemic malarchy.
DeleteStill, pretty impressive looking games! I do like the blue house, in its various photos!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
They were good for their day I'm sure. The blue house crops up everywhere it seems.
DeleteGood years for me as well, great memories.
ReplyDeleteMemories, all we have sometimes...
DeleteDavid - as per my recent Facebook comment, I've been flicking through my WI collection and your name stands out as one of the best, and most prolific, contributors in the earlier years. Your ACW collection was an early inspiration and, I suspect, subconsciously made me turn to Dixon for this period.
ReplyDeleteBest wihses
Giles
That is really most kind Giles, thank you. I still enjoy contributing to our hobby as and when I'm asked, but must confess that a part of me still misses the old style of WI, an age thingie I'd guess. I have three Dixon ACW infantry units in the Lead Pimple for next year (DV).
DeleteSplendid David...
ReplyDeleteAh! Those wild heady days....
I found some old photos from a WW2 game that Dave and I were involved with... unlike your images mine have gone a distinct shade of orange 😱
All the best. Aly
The orange hue issue is common to older predigital photographs I'm told.many of my find were of that persuasion...
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