After the Apocalypse

I've been enjoying the World Without Humans series recently, which I found very interesting and of course both very diverting and inspiring hobby wise.  Naturally it lead me to some further internet research and discovery of this very interesting site which allows you to see famous world site and then fat forward to what they might look like in a 'population zero' scenario.  Very cool!  Of course this one was my favourite!

http://viralscape.com/world-after-apocalypse/

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/aftermath/videos/world-without-humans/
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/aftermath/episodes/aftermath-population-zero/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWUym_YPTqU

Roads from Shingles

I am always impressed when I see a clever use of common (read cheap and easily obtainable) materials to make effective war-games terrain.  I just came across this great article by Architects of War on how to make roads from cheap asphalt roof shingles - very clever and they are very suitable for smaller scales in particular.  To the hardware store!

http://www.architectsofwar.com/Howto/roads.pdf

Terrain Tutorials

If you haven't been to Rob Hawkin's Hobby Blog and seen his amazing scratch built terrain (as I hadn't until just now), then you are in for a treat.  This is the link to his tutorials page, which is excellent, but there is a lot of jaw dropping awesomeness there - enjoy!

http://robhawkinshobby.blogspot.com/p/terrain-tutorials.html

On the Freedom Trail and more of the USS Constitution

Old Granary Burial Ground - many of the Revolutionary personalities are buried here, as are the Boston Massacre victims

I took my Boy Scout Troop up to Boston over the weekend to hike the Freedom Trail and see the key spots of the beginning of the American Revolution.  About 9 miles of walking and a lot of fun with key highlights for me being Bunker Hill and the USS Constitution (my third visit I think!)

Old North Church 

Now this is History I can get behind!

The Monument to the Battle of Bunker Hill, which is not on Bunker Hill but on adjoining Breed's Hill (where the fort actually was)

Details of the Battle provided to the boys by the excellent Park Rangers

The Lad steers the mighty USS Constitution 

The Troop mustered

Our guide shows the ship's helm, which was shot away by HMS Java (40 gun frigate) in 1812.  Captain (later Admiral) Bainbridge was severely wounded in this action and stayed at his post to defeat and capture the Java.

Some famous names are on that board.

Different shot types fired by Constitution's 24pdr long guns and 32pdr carronades

This is a neat temporary highlight - members of the public can engrave their names on the copper which which shortly be attached to the Constitution's hull during her drydock refit

How she got her nickname "Old Ironsides"

A beautiful model - over 6 foot high