Sainsbury's OFFICIAL Christmas 2014 Ad

This touching advertisement is based on the true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914. Highly recommended!

Veteran's Day

Today is the American holiday Veteran's Day, a good time to remember the service--and sacrifice--of all who have served our country in its armed forces. Thank you!  The American holiday Veteran's Day was originally named Armistice Day, in honor of the cease-fire that ended World War I. Interestingly, World War I ended on the 11th day of the 11th month (November), at 11:00 AM.

Beyond the Mask Update

The Christian movie Beyond the Mask is coming close to its theatrical release!  The producers have released two videos with movie clips and information on how to bring it to a theatre near you.  I had the privilege to work on construction for this movie.  They will be releasing it in Spring 2015.
You can see their videos at http://beyondthemaskmovie.com/#/videos

This fellow is an officer of the elite Continental Light Infantry.  Serving with the young French general the Marquis de Lafayette, this gentleman has seen much of Virginia through the summer's campaign of 1781.  But neither he--nor anyone else--expects that this campaign will play a critical role in the American Revolution.  For Lafayette's maneuvering would lead Cornwallis to encamp at Yorktown, and Generals Washington and Rochambeau would entrap him there.  The American victory at Yorktown would mark the end of all major battles in what would later become the United States.

Figure by BMC; paints by Testors; varnish by Winsor & Dammar.

American Revolution Light Infantrymen

Here is the complete group of 6 Continental Light Infantrymen.  Light infantry were an elite corps generally used as advanced guards and skirmishers.  They were very useful in the forested continent of North America.  Figures by BMC, painted by the author.  Plumes made from pipe cleaners.

Plains of Abraham Gallery

Today is the 255th anniversary of the Battle of Plains of Abraham.  In honor of this battle which ultimately decided the fate of Canada, I have compiled this gallery of paintings related to the battle.

 On the night of September 12-13, the advance guard of Wolfe's army scaled the cliffs of the Foulon.  Their mission was to secure the road to allow the rest of the army to attack Quebec from its vulnerable landward side.

 Having secured the road and brought up most of his army,  Wolfe's men were counter-attacked by the French under the Marquis de Montcalm.  In the first few minutes of the battle, Wolfe was shot three times and mortally wounded.

 His infantry, meanwhile, had demolished the French attack to their center and proceeded to counter-attack.  The British 35th Regiment claimed to even capture the flag of the French regiment Royal-Roussillion.

As the French retreated back to the safety of Quebec, General Montcalm was shot and mortally wounded as well.  He died early on September 14.   Shortly after the battle, the governor of the city Monsieur Ramezay, surrendered it to the British.  The British defended the city against an attack in 1760 and, in the same year, finished the conquest of Canada.  But it all began with the daring night climb of General James Wolfe's 24 volunteers up the cliffs.

54mm Soldiers--AWI Light Infantry Sergeant

One of my interests is painting 54mm plastic soldiers.  This fellow is painted as a sergeant of the Continental Light Infantry during the American Revolution.  He originally came from a bag of poorly-cast American Revolution soldiers that I bought at Williamsburg.  For two years he was shuffled around in the closet, until I embarked on painting him.  But I ran out of steam quickly and back to the closet he went.  Finally, last year I pulled him out of the closet and painted him.  But he is not my only light infantryman.  He has five comrades, whom I hope to show soon (as soon as I glue on their red-and-black plumes).

Figure by BMC, paints by Testors, varnish by Winsor & Dammar.  The plume is made of two pipe cleaners connected by model cement.