Having spoken to Steve and David, 50 seems like a decent number of mortar rounds, at circa £4 a pop. Steve, if you could sort out purchase of those please.
Regarding the steel cases for firing them, im going to have to speak to Sandhurst Forge about getting them made up. I was thinking about 3 per side, but after giving it a bit more thought 2 per side will do the job. I'll crack on and get them sorted.
Now, another question. I have a fair few ammo boxes at home. Should I set a pair of them up specifically for carrying the rounds and the spare thermobarics?
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
Yes, good idea. Partly realism but mainly safety. I presume you mean putting dividers in the boxes?
The way Gunman worked it (not always a good guide but worked well) was having a two man crew. The crew had to lug the mortar and ammo case which tempered the initial enthusiasm, having to weight the coolness of lobbing pyro against the back breaker of lugging kit! Of course, they have the option of persuading other team members to help carry kit but it requires two men to fire the thing and they must be the designated mortar crew. This works as a) it's reasonably realistic b) it takes a while to get an eye in, so makes sense using the same people and c) H&S - the crew are instructed on safe use.
As per Tony Lewis's recommendation we should go for wooden boxes if poss, especially if they're struck pyro. Other than that, all good; I'll order today.
Just to quickly confirm.
If I order the pyro our kitty will be left at just over £450.
Jay, I mentioned the wrong figure on the phone, I hadn't subtracted the money owed to TLSFX already.
We've bought £331.35 worth of pyro already. The thermobarics at £2.75 each will cost £161.56 inc vat plus delivery for 50 of them.
S
They aren't normal thermobarics - they have a launch charge with 7 second internal fuse to the thermobaric bang at the end, so are dearer.
As an economy measure could we (if Jay hasn't started making the second mortar) just have one firing mortar this game and, since it will be available to one side only, make it a sub plot for capture/re-capture?
Frankly, it would make my life a whole lot easier. We're moving buildings before christmas so i'm going to be working 10 hr+ days for the first three weeks in December, so spare time is very much at a premium.
From a plot development POV if the defenders start with the mortar, then it could be captured by the attackers and re-used (actually happened - the Mk V version of the British 3" mortar could fire german 8cm rounds, and vice versa - just to shut Yith up lol) If we drop to one Mortar, then I'd suggest we procure 2 mortar shells, and get, say 45 of the thermobarics? 20 for the morning, 20 for the afternoon, and 5 for us to mess around with.
Price wise, Steven, i'd suggest getting in contact with TLSFX to double check the price. I was trying to do three things at the same time as being on the phone to Nick (and was exactly succeeding 100% at any of the tasks lol)
There will be no cost for an ammo box to go with a mortar. I have one here thats perfect for the task (and i'll fit a padlock hasp to it as well to keep prying fingers out when not wanted!)
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
No worries on plot score, more than happy to work with one mortar.
This wont be a two-man crew. It'll be three. Minimum.
1 to carry the barrel
1 to carry yoke and bipod legs
1 to carry the baseplate + an ammo box.
Regarding the ammo boxes, yes, they'll be wood and internally partitioned. How many rounds do you want to go in each one - 10?
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
Wilko, will order 45 tomorrow if the price is right.
S
Ah yes, forgot your mortar is in bits! Three man crew it is - they can use four men to carry parts if they want to lighten the load but it must be manned by the designated three man crew to fire it.
Given the cost of rounds I wouldn't like to give anyone 10 rounds - too much of a temptation! Didn't the real mortar round carrier have three rounds in it?
Here is a thought - three rounds available for immediate use. If they want to use more (they will be in the box but separated) then the loader must get personal authorisation from a 1 or 2IC. This way they can't waste willy-nilly, seeking permission is akin to fetching up supplies and it also gives us a tactical/gaming decision - if things are going poorly for the side (or getting boring!) then they can bomb away, or if they need slowing up then supplies can be denied.
I like that plan 
Real Mortar boxes came with between 3 and 5 in them - depending on the variant of the box. I have enough ammo boxes here that I can sort out 3 or 4 for the purpose.....
When we were a Kingdom it was run by a King
When we were an Empire it was run by an Empress
Now we're a country we're run by a..........
FFS, still no answer from TLSFX so I've emailed them the order. Will follow up with a call tomorrow.
S
Mortar rounds now ordered and on their way for delivery to Dave's work address before 5th December.
Dave, I've asked them to chuck both invoices in with the box.
Ta
S
Box of 50 mortar rounds arrived this morning. The driver gave me a funny look and cast a suspicious eye round the premises - box was addressed to 'Comrades in Arms' and was marked on the outside '50 mortar rounds' along with the hazardous goods 1.4G label!
Invoice was attached so I'll forward that.
Brill.
How much is it for? They couldn't confirm the price over the phone. 
Jay, have you had a quote for the mortar round bases yet? If so, how much? I could do with checking the balance. (Guy will be reimbursing you for this from the cash he holds.)
This game won't turn a very big 'profit', but we kinda knew that from the start; plus we've made a couple of capital purchases for the future.
S
£3.50 a pop plus £17.50 del plus VAT - total £226 or so
£3.50!?!??! Feck me!
Pretty good. It's a thermobaric and a Mk5 combined.
We don't have to use them all in this game, in fact it would be impossible to! They can only use three rounds until they resupply, so no willy-nilly-ness!
BTW, I have secure indoor storage available so no probs looking after it long term.
PS Guy doesn't "hold" anycash ...I managed to skank twaty bollox for some , less what you owe me were looking at around £160 .
Just so's you know .