Hi all,

I'm not sure how others felt but our passion and obsession (I shan't use hobby as this seems way too mild for most of us) has meant most of us have taken advantage of the situation despite obvious concerns for the health and well being of our nearest and dearest.

During this peculiar time I've broken my promise to stop buying this year and do more. Some manufacturers have been excellent in getting stuff through to me in Switzerland thanks to their efforts and those of various carriers.

I want to say a special thanks to these companies, all of whom have delivered excellent products during this time when we all were requested to stay in isolation as much as possible.

Alexandros Models - My chef d'Escadron 5th Hussars arrived. Delays due to the lockdown in Greece meant delays but I was kept very well informed and didn't have cause to worry.

Mitches Military Models (Gordon Mitchell and gang) - my "They're over there sir" was delivered to my German delivery address 4 days after the Swiss.German border was closed. I heard it might re-open in a fortnight so something to look forward to as well as seeing my friends who've been busy keeping in touch with me. Therefore I had the duelling Hussars delivered directly and they arrived promptly and are an absolute beauty.

RP Models - Murat and General Pascha arrived with a minor delay due to the restrictions we all face across Europe. Marvellous kits. A special thanks to Hugo as he kept me informed of things despite working long hours as a doctor in Lisbon - one day he wrote to me to apologise he was a bit late in writing as he'd completed a 72 hour shift and needed a 15 hour sleep.

Troop 54. My order arrived seamlessly and again wonderful figurines. I think it took no more than two days longer than usual.

Oakwood Studios. Last but not least I needed bases for the above figurines plus numerous other figurines in my Grey army, including some custom bases. Richard made and had everything delivered to me in the usual time!!!

Still to come are a few bits from Chronos, a cuirassier from Avanpost, General Kleber from FigurinItaly and the Apocalypse Biker from Journeyman Miniatures. And I just ordered the new Lepic from Gordon... then I'm going to say no more buying for some time or until temptation overcomes me. Thank God petrol prices are 15% down and I'm using my car and bikes much less at the moment, in fact until today I've bought no petrol since the middle of March.

Why such a long post? Apart from a natural tendency towards verbosity, these companies are doing a great job in difficult circumstances too and throughout have serviced and are servicing our relatively small community. I wanted to publicly say thank you to all of them and there are doubtless many more companies in our small community performing equally good work.

Additionally, it reinforces that these are genuine manufacturers we should support and not those thieving miscreant re-casters who wouldn't provide this service or quality of product.

Cheers

Huw

You are clearly out of cotrol mate......do a reboot

Have been for decades - you've only just noticed???

I will only add, Huw, that you'll love the Avanpost curassier, it's a peach of a sculpt, and casting is flawless. All fits together like a dream. Enjoy your treasures, boyo
I'm looking forward to Lepic in 75mm, that looks to be a cracker. In the meantime, I'm up to my ears in a certain gun team, and loving every minute.

Ewch yn ddiogel,

Alan

Now I'm in even more of a frenzy!!!

Cheers

Huw

Always been happy with Richard/ Oakwood.

I know Journeyman have been busy packing up the Rat Bikes so that'll be with you soon too.

Great to hear about those other brands too. Should keep you busy for a week or two.

Huw! You have just made me feel so much better about my little shopping spree of late! LOL Keep those brushes moving!!!

Kevin D.

Kevin. I'm glad to help a fellow human being feel better.

Cheers

Huw

An update:

The Avanpost cuirassier was delivered on Tuesday or was it Wednesday?? Could've been Monday. What year is it???? Anyway a lovely piece very well sculpted and well cast as Old Taff commented. Again the service was marvellous.

Now for General Kleber. It arrived today which I know is Friday because it's not Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and "Have I Got news for you" was moved to Thursday instead of today and it was transmitted last night. Therefore it is definitely Friday. Seriously the service from Ivo was execllent. The parcel was psoted as promised and it arrived today and I'm delighted with the model - it's blown my already blown mind.

These small companies are really providing a fantastic service at a very peculiar time. When things improve we should not forget them.

Stay safe and well everyone.

Cheers

Huw

A further update: arrivals - Lepic arrived quickly as do all my order from Grod/MMM, the Chronos Order arrived, the Rat Biker from Jounrneyman Miniatures arrived. Of course the latest Metal Modeles Releases were a must (especially the cuirassier), and for good measure the latest fout figures from Tommy's War. My 2020 budget had been more than blown! Thanks to all these suppliers for their excellent service.

Cheers

Huw

And for anyone in any doubt, Huw has now moved into the apartment next door as well. Go, Huw bach, you're keeping the industry going.....

Seriously, though, I have to agree....all the retailers , producers and manufacturers are doing a fantastic job keeping us supplied.
A bid "Thank you" from me.

Alan