A Scrapbook of Ideas!

I've managed to put together a pretty good library of books and reference material regarding the Burma Campaign all of which is extremely useful from a collecting point of view and also a creative, sculpting point of view. As I have a interest in the Border Regiment, namely the 4th Battalion 23rd Brigade (Chindit) I'm always on the lookout for any literature dealing specifically with this battalion. Unfortunately there is very little information about, especially printed material, so I started to collect odd bits and pieces from the 'net and eventually put it all together in a small, handmade book 'The Forgotten Chindits' this contains a brief overview of Chindit operations, units, formations and a couple of memoirs of 4th Battalion veterans. Once this was completed I started to find more information, mainly photographs and realised I'd have to make a bigger book to accommodate all this new information! So I did. Below are a couple of photos of the resulting scrapbook which includes a pocket to hold the original booklet and page after page reference pictures, not only of Chindits but the Burma campaign as whole; Merrills Marauders, 1st Air Commando, Natives, Aircraft, Strongholds etc, etc. Its amazing what you can find on the 'net when you take the time to look! This will be a valuable addition to my reference library for future projects that I hope to pursue. Watch this space. Matt

Battle of France Marker Stone

Hi all, I've just got back from a week's holiday in France just south of Paris. Most of the holiday was actually spent at Disneyland Paris (some giant diorama ideas there!) but we spent one day walking in the Rambouillet woods near to where we were staying and quite by chance I came across this marker stone marking the death of two Frenchmen 69 years ago almost to the day. The inscription reads - loosely translated :-

Died For France: Lepage Gaston, Pilot Adjt-Chief. Petriconne Pierre, Sgt-Chief 60th Infantry Group of the Air whose aircraft was shot down here on June 12, 1940 by the luftwaffe.

I haven't posted for a while due to work commitments but hopefully will have something soon. Keep well. Matt

New Year. And he's finished!

Sculpting is finished, well at least the main figure. I need to start the groundwork, plinth and the japanese items that are to be strewn at his feet. I took these pictures this morning when the light through the window was perfect, of course once I'd set everything up; the light changed! Oh well. This is how he looks before a basecoat is applied. I can't wait to start painting this and see it 'come to life'. Cheers for looking. Matt