Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(11)

Nope, this cannot be true...

I do not believe this stuff is all made of paper and in 1/144 scale!

Well, we will have to give ML the benefit of the doubt and believe that he really managed to pull out these outstanding models from his desk.

Great details and a great paint job ML!

As you can see, that building over there is not only for display. 

It is also wargames material!

It is ready to harbour a few infantry squads and will surely be used in a future Ambush Blitz wargame.

Keep´em coming ML!

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(10)

Well, when most of you guys were expecting more (paper) armour as a gift from ML at this time, he surprises everyone once again, this time with a paper bridge!

This pic turned out really well, showing all the nice shading and details of the bridge.

As you can see, this bridge is 1/144 scale all right.

It is a perfect fit for the AEC Matador.

A bridge sure comes in handy, since it would be a shame if ML's models caught some water while crossing a river...

Since they are made of paper and all...

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(9)

Another day, another great PAPER model - for your eyes only, as usual!

As you can see, rust brings a great shine to paper.

The AEC Matador was a medium artillery tractor extensively used by the British army during WWII.

The DAK forces managed to capture several Matadors, among other British army hardware, during the north african campaign.

Rommel affectionately named two of them "Max" and "Moritz" and used them as his movable headquarters.

ML does not hold out on anything and has nothing to hide.

Even the mechanical underbelly of this model has paper fittings!

OK ML, don't think you can use all the christmas celebrations (or your work, for that matter...) as an excuse to hold out on placing a new model over here until the next weekend.

Your huge fan mail is demanding just that!

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(8)

And now ML is starting to reveal his secrets!

 (Yes Mário, from now on this will be your BT member nickname - blame JF for this)

(For his lack of imagination, that is...) 

Now you can see ML's drawing board, where his paper models see the light for the first time.

It must be a really simple thing: you just draw this stuff on a paper sheet and then use a good pair of scissors to cut it to size - no big deal, after all...

To tell you the truth, I did not even know there was such thing as a SU-1-12 Russian self-propelled gun.

However, now I know that it mounted a 76 mm gun (1927), that was placed on a GAZ-AAA truck.

I dare you to find a similar model out there made of PAPER!

Another great model ML!

BT

Current Poll - The best place to visit in Portugal!

Well, I have to agree with you in the sense that the current poll is pretty much one-sided.

But the fact is that we just can't help it. We LOVE the place where we live in: PORTO!

For those of you that do not know it yet, the name of our wargames and modelling club is inspired in our beatiful city. The inhabitants of the Porto region are called over here by the nickname "tripeiros", that translates more or less as "tripe eaters".

Sounds strange, huh?

They say that that nickname was originated in 1415, by the time of the first portuguese expedition to north Africa (Ceuta), when our good King John the First asked that every region in Portugal contribute stuff to that memorable event. Well, it seems that one of the things he asked of Porto was food.

It so happens that our ancestors gave all the food they had for that, and kept only the animal tripes, that since then  became our favourite delicacy.

You have to taste it to know what I mean...

Here is what the poet says of the guys from Porto (terrible translation, as usual...):

"The Porto dweller does not appreciate Lisbon. He does not appreciate the police. He does not appreciate authority. He takes back on authority by despising it. He takes back of the police by resisting it. He takes back on Lisbon by giving its visitors the most gentle hospitality, mixed with bizarre behavior"

It sounds better in portuguese...

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(7)

Oh yes!

Here you have it, a WWII Russian combat unit in the making - in PAPER!

(In 1/144 scale and all scratchbuilt...)

The ZIS 6 truck variations take the lead.

And the rough and tough KV2's bring on the rear, for protection.

These models are ready to serve as a complet Ambush Blitz armoured unit...hopefully.

Mário: I have an established and solid reputation as the laziest wargamer in town where painting is concerned, and I sure need some help in getting a new Russian army for the next Ambush Blitz tournament.

Think about it - there is still enough time to send you my army list.

I promise you the infantry will show up on time (I'll ask JMM to paint them...) 

Here you have it - how the PAPER master performs his magic!

A Russian light tank in the making.

What is this? This little model is going to cost one euro? One full euro?

I am glad we're able to get Mário a free truck load of paper. 

This way the price of this stuff is sure to drop again to the cent figures.

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(6)

Thanks guys!

Since you gave such an overwhelming response to our request for "sponsor clicking", here you have another brand new post related to the paper artwork of our friend Mário.

JF is still counting them, but I am sure the number of "clicks" you put out over here is more than enough to buy a full truck load of PAPER!

This time we have here a brand new KV2, all geared up and ready to roll to the nearest wargames table.

JMM has already mentioned that the next Ambush Blitz tournament will be all about Germans and Russians, so my guess here is that a KV2 will come in handy.

Mário: you forgot to mention the price on this one...

BT

Paper Artwork - by Mário Laranja(5)

Right now Mário has entered a whole new level: check out how paper & armour mix really well!

Did you see that? Making a russian KV-1 in paper is even cheaper than a ZIS 6.

It costs only 2 cents!

This paint job looks great Mário.

The Kliment Voroshilov (KV-1) made its operational debut during Operation Barbarossa (June 1941) and the depth of its armour sure made an impression on the German tank crews.

We have a few more armoured paper models coming up but we will post them only if you guys behave well and...click on our sponsors.

The fact is that the price of paper is rising over here in Portugal, and we need some extra cash in order to afford to buy a new truck load of paper and offer it to Mário - so that he can continue doing this great job!

BT

Locomotives & War (Angola, WWII & Yogoslavia) - by Carlos Briz

(Class 11 1-4-1 locomotive - Benguela Railways)

The colonial war in Angola lasted more than 10 years (1961-1974). Unlike Portuguese Guinea and Mozambique, this particular TO was more or less stable by the time of the 25th April Revolution in Portugal (also called the Carnation Revolution, in 1974), that ended the authoritarian dictatorship known as the "Estado Novo".

Both sides in this war indulged in a few terrible atrocities against civilians.

(Class 440 locomotive - Indian National Railways)

Carlos sure knows how to put the elephants to good use in his dios.

As you can see, there is nothing like a couple of good old elephants to push a railroad car to it's proper place!

(Class D-37 locomotive - Yugoslav State Railways)

The Chinook is a heavy lift helicopter that no self-respected army can do without - except those that cannot afford them...

BT

Locomotives & War (Boer and Franco-Prussian Wars) - by Carlos Briz

(Class 2-2-0 locomotive)

And here you have them: two more elegant dios from our friend Carlos, with their painting still fresh.

The Boer guerrilla fighters sure knew how make an ambush.

The British regulars had a very hard time catching up with the Boer guerrillas in the Second Boer War (1899-1902), during the guerrilla phase. 

This conflict showed (once again...) that there is only one method to win against an insurgency: utter ruthlessness.

(Class Bournonais 0-3-0 locomotive)

On the other hand, the Franco-Prussian war (from July 1870 to May 1871) was a perfect example of how things can go terribly wrong in a short time, when the general plan is not well prepared - remember that it was France that declared war on Prussia.

The German superiority in tactics, training and materiel took an awful toll on the French armies.

BT

KURSK 1943 - AMBUSH BLITZ CAMPAIGN 2012

Breaking News ------------

BT secret services discovered the best kept secret of 2011, the next year theme for Ambush Blitz Campaign - that´s right folks - first hand - we are going to have Russians against Germans - the place of the event .... Espinho, the date .....September 8th.

BT spies have discovered the building up of german and russians forces and the beginning of their troop movements. The Russians anticipating the long-expected attack began first, preparing their defenses, massing forces, starting with the HQ´s, Anti-aircraft positions and moving infantry.

Top Secret - Here are the evidences gathered by our field agents:



HQ - Zis M1 saloon car from Pithead, and

 Russian officers from Pendraken





Bren carrier and Soviet tank riders from WGS





76mm AA gun, M31 by Pendraken



These AA guns seem fearful, pointing and looking at the sky in search of the dreaded Stukas and junkers 88.

Stay tunned for more secret news - By the way you are all invited to appear next year in Espinho.

Best regards

JMM