Korea (1950), Kosovo (1999) and Mozambique (1964) Wars & Locomotives - by Carlos Briz

(Class F7 locomotive - US Army Transportation Corps)

Here you have a brand new batch of dioramas, all related to late XX century conflits.

Enjoy!

(Class D13 locomotive - Norwegian Railways)

(Class 11 locomotive - Portuguese Mozambique Railways)

JF/PC

Character Series nº 7 - Nuno Álvares Pereira

(Part IV)

In my last post you saw a glimpse of what it took to make a combat leader in medieval times (or in any time, for that matter).

As you noticed, NAP continued to charged alone a much superior enemy force, when all of his companions came to the conclusion (on the way...) that discretion was the better part of valour.
This attitude on the part of NAP's companions was in tune with the attitude of most Portuguese soldiers at that time, who were used to see most of their leaders order a charge against the enemy and then stay safely in the rear, to check out how things turned out.

Remember that this was the first war NAP was in, and by 1382 he was only about 22 years old. However, this guy instinctively knew that the only way to become an effective tactical leader in medieval times was to lead from the front line.

And from this moment on, he started gathering around himself a group of guys not only loyal to their national cause, but also personally devoted to him. And the next time the order "charge!" was given by NAP, there was a race between all of them, but a race to see who got the privilege to be the first in the fray!

Following the incident I described, this guy started asking his older brother to give him permission to leave Lisbon and travel to the portuguese border with Castille in the province of Alentejo, since a great battle between both Kings (whose armies were facing each other) was expected there at any moment.
However, his brother (and for all purposes, military superior) denied his request in the most assertive manner, and had spies watching his every move to prevent his hot head younger brother to desobey his orders.

Well, that did not work out, since NAP went anyway, followed by a small group of knights.

Upon his arrival, events took an unexpected turn, since apparentely no one was much in the mood for fighting.
The wife of the King of Castile died prematurely, and the Portuguese King immediately offered the hand of his daughter in marriage to him, to seal a brand new alliance.
His 10 year old daughter, by the way.
And the strange thing is that the Castillian King accepted that, and people from both sides started a joyful celebration as if they had not been bent on hacking each other to death just a few moments before.
It seemed NAP was one of the few that was not at all happy with the way things turned out, and he thought it best to let everybody know how he felt about it.
During a formal reception to celebrate the engagment between the (poor) bride and groom, with the presence of both Kings and all the highest officials of both Kingdoms, NAP came close to the royal presence and unexpectedly kicked down one of the tables, full of food, wine and precious cristals.

The noise made everybody freeze and look in NAP's direction. Right then, he made a bow to his King and calmly withrew his person from the reception, with every eye on himself.
The Castilian King, after inquiring who he was, said something like this: "a man that dares this, has heart for much more".

He did not know how right he was at the time, but he would find out soon enough, as so will you guys, if you stick around to follow the next episode of this (wonderful...) Series!

PC

WWI & Locomotives Series nº 11 (Part II) - by Carlos Briz

As requested by one of our followers, we bring you a few close-ups from one our last posts, where you can check out this outstanding diorama with considerable more detail

As you can see, you just have to ask and the Brigada Tripeira guys always provide!

Also as usual, there is no charge involved (although we would not mind charging it to our sponsors - you just have to click'em all!)

A close-up really makes all the difference!

Thanks for these nice pics Carlos!

JF/PC

WWI Locomotives & War series nº 12 - by Carlos Briz

(Class P8 locomotive - Bavarian State Railways)

Back to WWI we come, this time with a (very) low flying allied biplane over this good looking iron horse.

(Class 4-6-4 locomotive - Railway Operating Dvision)

The Airco DH.4 was an outstanding airplane, by WWI standards, considered by many to as the best single- engined bomber of this conflict.

And since I know for a fact that the challenges I usually post over here are enormously popular, here is another one for you: 

Who knows the identification of the RAF unit that was the first to use this outstanding bomber in combat?

JF/PC

WWII Locomotives & War Series nº 23 - by Carlos Briz

Two more brand new dioramas, this time of a thematic nature, with railway material included, naturally.

The ubiquitous "auntie" Ju (Junkers JU 52) this time is in a cobblestone setting.

Here we have another great WWII airfield.

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 provided the "Ace" status (5 or more enemy kills) to more than 2.500 German fighter pilots.

They also provided a fairly easy "turkey shoot", later in the war, to allied fighter airplanes like the Mustang  (P-51) 

JF/PC

1870 War & Locomotives Series nº 1 - by Carlos Briz

A brand new series, again?

Is this really possible?

You can believe it all right, since you can see it with your own eyes!

In this particular war the efficient use of the railway system by the Prussian and German forces gave them a tactical and strategical edge, that the French army was never able to catch up to.

The battle of Sedan (September 1870), that resulted in the capture of a whole French army together with the Emperor Napoleon III, and the loss of Paris (January 1871) were two events that sent considerable shock waves throughout France.

JF/PC

Congo & Indochina Wars & Locomotives Series nº 1 - by Carlos Briz

(Mallet Class locomotive - UN Congo)

Here you have another brand new series, courtesy of Carlos Briz, and for you eyes only!

(B 5 Locomotive - French Indochina Railways)

I do not know if we have followers that are also fans of the Spanish club Sevilla, where PC Porto is playing tonight.

Well if we have, I hope you guys do not mind me saying that tonight I am wishing that the fans from our club (FC Porto) end the game in a better mood that the Sevilla fans.

And may the best club win! (as long as the winner is FC Porto...).

;-)

JF/PC

The "Best General" poll (10)

(Carthaginian elephant in action)

It seems the stage is set for a victory by Hannibal in the current poll.

Over here is seems the underdog always wins. 

Like any great general throughout history, Hannibal was willing to do anything necessary to get the job done.

Any breach of discipline among his heterogeneous troops was mercilessly quelled. Crucifixion was a favorite method on that regard.

Before the battle of Cannae he made a joke with the name of one of his officers (Gisgo), that was repeated throughout the ranks and did much to diffuse the anxiety created by the sheer numbers of the Roman army that faced them.

(Scipio Africanus)

Scipio came from a traditional Roman family, with a lot of power and political connections behind him.

However, this guy is all "black and white", when compared to Hannibal. 

Some say he is one of the great strategists that ever lived, but I have serious doubts about that.

Well, we now have 13 votes in this poll, so I can already consider it a sucess!

PC

WWI Locomotives & War Series nº 11 - by Carlos Briz

Ok, now Carlos has crossed a new frontier in this diorama series!

Will you just take a good look at this?

Outstanding Carlos!

JF/PC

WWII Locomotives & War Series nº 22 - by Carlos Briz

(Class D51 locomotive - Japan National Railways)

It seems 5 Bf-109E7's were used in Japan for comparison trials with other fighters, but were never used in combat against allied forces in the East.

(Class C50 locomotive - Japan National Railways)

JF/PC

Character Series nº 7 - Nuno Álvares Pereira

(Part III)

I received hundreds of messages from our huge following, asking me to continue my original (and wonderful...) dissertation into NAP's life. It is always good to know there is a lot of people out there with a keen interest in Portugese history and this is the only reason why I chose to neglect my other important professional duties to return to this subject.

As you surely remember (as I am sure you do...), NAP had been appointed squire of the beautiful and evil Queen Leonor by the influence of his father.
And his father had more plans for him. At the age of 16, NAP was introduced to his brand new wife. Well, maybe not that “brand new”, since she was a widow. However, NPA’s father guaranteed that her late husband had never been able to perform his marital duties, due to his old age (a guy has to wonder how NAP’s father knowledge about that fact came about).

Well, that was just another minor detail. Do not forget that NAP’s father was a happily married monk, who begot 32 children.

It seems this business was the cause of much distress to NAP, since from his early years he wanted to devote his life to the service of God and chose the way of sexual abstinence. But he simply had to obey his father. 

And he did.

And for a few years NAP led the life of a medieval Lord, looking after his extensive dominion and hunting with his squires. During the period of 3 years he had 3 children, although only one (a girl) survived infancy.

During the year 1381 Portugal was once again invaded by a Castilian army. The Portuguese forces, timidly led, are not able to avoid the invasion and the destruction of lives and property.  NAP felt depressed because he was not able do anything to change that, since there were a lot of Portuguese nobles that favoured the Castilian King.

Eventually, Lisbon was placed under a light siege (early 1382) by a Castilian fleet and NAP joins the defence. At a given point, he gathers a small force of knights outside the walls to chase a group of Castilian looters. However, a much larger enemy force appears in the meantime.

To NAP the choice was very simple: Charge! 
The thing is, he eventually charged alone, since all of his merry friends turned tail and “went back to get some help”.

But that was not a thing NAP could do.

He went in alone, charging wildly into the middle of the enemy, wielding his spear and sword with the strength born out of desperation.

But this very well could prove to be the end, since the odds were stacked high against him and soon his horse was fatally wounded.

However, help arrives! His friends came back with a vengeance, shamed by NAP’s valour and determined to save him.

And they did.

Great story, huh?

And the best is yet to come…one of these days.

PC

WWII Locomotives & War Series nº 21 - by Carlos Briz

(Mallard locomotive - Great Western Railways)

The quality of this set of pics worked out better than usual, giving us better perspective of another outstanding set of dioramas.

Good going Carlos!

(Class 231 locomotive - War Department Railways)

(Class BR 52 locomotive - German State Railways)

JF/PC

Carlos christmas gift to a Brigada Tripeira guy!

Well, some guys really have all the luck!

Here you have the modest gift that Carlos sent JF recently!

The rest of us are already green with envy!

This was not a smart thing for you to do Carlos, since you do not know what JMM is capable of.

I already warn you that this guy is going to start winning and sobbing until you paint him tons of his own stuff!

On my part you can rest assured, since I am nothing like JMM on this regard.

I will be satisfied with the painting of a single DBA 15 mm army...

PC