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Monday 18 March 2019

I have been to ... Skirmish

SKIRMISH takes place twice a year at Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School, Sidcup, Kent.


As it is by far and away the closest wargame show to where I live, I always try to attend, and despite a few domestic problems (the need to take my wife to have her glasses urgently repaired after she had fallen over in Faversham. Kent, on Saturday), I managed to spend just over an hour there yesterday morning.

There were several traders in the entrance hall ...



... but the majority were concentrated in the main hall.


The school's dining room was the location for most of the wargames that were taking place as well as the bring-and-buy stand.


This particular show took as its theme EGYPT AND THE SUDAN, and in the main hall Replica Metal Models staged a re-fight of the Battle of Tel el Kebir using 54mm toy soldiers. It was magnificent, as the following photographs show.










The Rainham Wargames Club also staged a re-fight of the battle (but in a much smaller scale) ...



... whilst the Old Guard fought a skirmish between British and Egyptian troops and some Mahdists.



Skirmish Wargames put on the wonderfully named 'What A Carry On Up The Nile' using some stunning terrain, buildings, and a huge model paddle steamer ...





... and the Maidstone Wargames Society fought a battle between the British and the Mahdists.







Some non-Colonial games were also put on. These included several post-apocalypse and fantasy games by Tunbridge Wells Wargames Society ...


... the Medway Wargames Society, ...



...and The Emperor's 10th Gamers Club.



Milton Hundred Wargames Club ran a participation game using the 'What a Tanker!' rules ...




... and the Privateers of London recreated the Battle of Havana, which took place during the War of Austrian Succession.




One of the joys of going to shows like SKIRMISH is the opportunity to meet and talk to other wargamers. On this occasion I was able to spend some time with Big Lee, Postie, and David Crook.


It was great to see them, and I only wish that had been able to spend longer at the show.

16 comments:

  1. The 54mm game looks superb Bob. What a fine collection of figures.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maudlin Jack Tar,

      I'd love to have the space to own and use such a superb collection of shiny toy soldiers.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. Hi Bob,
    Very nice Colonial Battles - the 54mm one of Tel El Kebir is very impressive...something about 54mm Shiny Toy Soldiers- very appealing. Thanks for Posting. Cheers. KEV.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      The sight of all those Colonial wargames has got my wargame juices flowing.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Great post Bob, That's a frightening photo at the bottom of the page!

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    Replies
    1. Ray Rousell,

      I wasn't sure about the last photograph ... but as the camera survived the encounter, I thought that if might be safe to publish it on my blog.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  4. Looks like a great event. That 54mm Tel el Kebir awakened more than a touch of nostalgia for the long gone Emir of Wadi Foulyam and my 54mm Colonials.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ross Mac,

      It was a great local wargame show, and the Battle of Tel el Kebir was very, very impressive. I wish that I owned a collection like it.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  5. The shows seems to have a nice feel to it
    Especially all those colonials :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exile FoG,

      I always look forward to going to SKIRMISH, and the next one - in September - will also have a a Colonial theme, South Africa.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  6. Splendid 54mm game! Thanks for sharing. Do you happen to know what business the trader was in the first photo with all the plastic figures? (the one with the guy in the red t-shirt)

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    Replies
    1. Alastair,

      The 54mm figure game was even more impressive in real life than the photographs show.

      Unfortunately I don't know who the trader in the red shirt is. I think that he uses the same pitch at each show. If I find out, I'll add another reply to your comment.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
    2. Thanks Bob – I've made the move back to 1/72 plastics and he looks like a good source :)

      Delete
    3. Alistair,

      The stand had a very interesting and diverse collection of plastic figures on sale, and I'm sure that they would be a useful source for anything that you want.

      Unfortunately, I've had a look at the original photograph and ones from previous shows, but I cannot find any additional information. If I do, I'll let you know.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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