Props

Just thought I'd clarify what props would be handy
1 2 off Working Field Telephones - can I put you down for this Yith ?

Yes I'll look into this.

5 MP armbands - 6 off possibly - although I'm thinking maybe something more subtle . Maybe "modern berets" , similar scarfs , a piece of kit that looks "wrong" (ie DPM pouch?) and hence points out that they are not what they are. I'd also like to decide this on the day so that only the Germans will know for sure . Make it more fun , unless you really want to know for sure .

I like the MP armbands myself... do we need as many as 6? I was thinking more like 4... I was going to handle this.

I guess we may have an issue with players that don't know how to roleplay using out-of-game knowledge and shooting them. But I'd like to think that people are not that much of a spoil sport? Anyway if it happens we can always have the MPs on permanent regen... heh...

OOO! How about some MPs are germans and some aren't?

I've got some modern Cammo net , which I think would look wrong

Yeah it probably will... not sure what to use instead...

Anyone got any netting more in period . Also any wooden crates or boxes ? The reenactors amongst us probably have a better idea of stuff that would add to the 1944 feel .

Sorry I did have some very old wooden boxes, but chucked them away recently in a mad clean up of the garage (it was an f'ing mess)
The best I can offer now is a couple of metal ammo boxes, that are definately post-war.

Anchor have a load of interesting old boxes piled outside their shop in Ripley... anyone considered a trip to have a look? I'm a bit busy a the moment.

Anyone fancy knocking up a field gun or such ?

Heh.. again LF has a very nice one of these... I'm not storing it outside my house though and don't have a tow hook on my car so its probably a no go...

What about a mortar though? hmmm I know someone with one of those... Semmy... He's unfortunately not a close friend. Not too diffifult to make if you have the nouse though... a piece of drain pipe and a couple of supports?

Another thing to remember is first field dressings or similar... Major suggested Anchor for those.

Top banana ! A morter - consider it made, as I still have a drainpipe left from the sam site for TA3 . Another subplot takes to the air . Plus it's a damn sight more portable than trying to wheel a field gun around F&O

The ammo boxes I have are all modern , but to be honest as a game prop should suffice. I'll spray an eagle or some german writing onto them for the day . Jerry cans are pretty much jerry cans as far as this day goes, althought it would be nice to have a pile rather than two .

Re the MP armbands .. lets think it through next Thursday , I was thinking of trying to make it a bit harder for you and Steve I also said 6 so you won't know quite how many there are

Cool stuff... I'll try and remember to bring my ammo tin down as well... I use it as a bb catcher

I had a chat with Shaun at LF we can borrow the telephones no problem

It looked for a while that I'd have to go and get some cable as what he had was all in a knot (a 500m long knot), but I just rang back and Shaun said he just found a good reel in the office...

I am going to a re-enactment show in Sheffield this weekend (Endcliffe Barracks in Ranmoor if you're interested) and could also drop in at Johnson's in Leeds... so if there's anything we need, ask.

I'm thinking of asking about the ffds at Johnson's.

Guy - I have three large format printers here and mounting gear (part of my busines is graphic design, fine art printing and exhibition graphic) so signage of all sorts is no problem and at no cost to the event.

I would be quite happy to handle all the graphic material...

Sound, I'll make a list of what I think is required over the weekend , and perhaps discuss on Thursday ?

Bt Thursday I should have V2 of the scenario drafted up , probably going ot be 2 3hour games now rather than 3 . But more later

Take 50 quids worth of junk from B&Q …………

Spend one day having a muck around ………

Quick spray of paint later and we have two identical mortars for the games.
They weigh very little as they are mostly plastic. They come to bits easily and can be carried by one person with rifle slung .
I’ll post some piccies on the open bit to whet the appetites !

I suspect the neighbours are getting used to this nonsense in the back garden now.

Methinks you should really have been cutting the grass but very glad you didn't - superb work!

Um.....yes been meaning to give it it's final cut for a while

Actually...... was leaving it for that authentic WWII photoshoot look

They look fantastic!

I cut my grass today.

Flash as FOOK!

Love 'em

How well do they strip down for carrying?

Two bits - the tube and legs lift out of the base and can be carried comfortably on your shoulder or under your arm. The base has a carry handle built in . Deployment in seconds !

We should line those tubes with roofing lead to make the buggers sweat a bit.

BTW, in previous games, when fuel canisters have had to be recovered I've filled them with water to create a little more autheticity. Tee hee!

Only water? I've been known to fill objectives full of bricks and miscellaneous masonry... make 'em sweat I say!

They are actually used a lot by me , I could leave half full of diesel , although they might slop a bit . Mind you would stop the nonsense of running around with them .

I've done the town signs and road signs (well, artwork done and printed out, just got to mount them). I have also done some period posters to dot over the place and some pin-ups too!

Don't make the jerry cans too heavy - don't want to put folks backs out plus we have to move the damn things at the start and end of the day!

No probs, they'll be empty ! Deisel's too expensive to use !

Phew!
BTW, the sign posts will be stripey black-out type poles and the fingers can point in any direction and will lift off the pole for removal (thinking about clamping them so requiring unbolting - will make the process take longer, might get the adrenalin flowing as they get panicky and all fingers and thumbs - what do you think?)

Yes! Panicky = exciting.

Excellent work Dave . A couple of bolts and wingnuts to undo , might get the adrenalin going esp with cold fingers . Plus it will be more obvious to the unsuspecting yanks that something odd is going on !