The Great War Exhibition

Yesterday afternoon former Head of Defence Force, Rhys Jones, very kindly took a group of us from the Wairarapa, along with family and friends on a tour of The Great War Exhibition in Wellington. The exhibition is absolutely stunning. It is created to tell a story that educates, gives historical social context, and deliberately makes you feel different emotions. Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor have done an incredible job. My photos do not do it justice. At the moment entry is by guided tour only. If you are in Wellington go and see this exhibition. You will not be disappointed.

A sneak preview of the New Zealand room to open May 2. This is closed to the public until then. Rhys is at the back left behind Mim, and took us through to see the Chunuk Bair diorama many of us worked on. Very emotional and sad.

The first "wow moment". Life-size gun team and French aeroplane. The lighting and sound create a powerful atmosphere.

Life-size tank. The other side is a cut away view of the inside. There is also a trench below the tank..

There are lots more picks on the Mustering the Troops blog http://anzacdiorama.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/tour-of-great-war-exhibition.html

TVNZ coverage of ANZAC diorama

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/sir-peter-jackson-developing-multi-million-dollar-wwi-exhibition-video-6288901

Meeting Sunday April 12

We had a good turn-out today with 15 people at the club meeting this afternoon. Everyone played either World War 2 or Science Fiction games. Great to see a new face, Alex, and to have Ben, Ed and Jake back after ages away from playing with toy soldiers. Carl brought along his latest painting, Napoleonic dragoons. He, James and Rex are planning a game to show off their figures (toy soldiers, not tummies!).

The hall being set up. There are 13 in the pic because Carl had not arrived yet and Vince (me!) was taking the photos.

Five of Da boyz setting up a multiplayer 40K game.

Ed, Jake, Jonathan, Alex and Alex. Black was the colour of choice!

Neil, Peter and Rex setting up a game of Axis and Allies. Vince also played. Berlin fell to the British, Moscow fell to the Germans and the Japanese and United States gave each other lots of trouble.

Part way through the game.

Ben, Ceilidh and Harley played Science Fiction skirmish game, Deadzone.

Carl's very cool French dragoons. The figures are 28mm Perry Miniatures.

Ross, Carl and Craig getting up close and personal playing the World War 2 version of Wings of War.

Update on ANZAC diorama and tour of the Great War Exhibition

The Perry twins, Sir Peter Jackson and some of the Turks

Rhys Jones has passed on his thanks and praise for our club's contribution to the ANZAC diorama - he is most grateful for the painting done by, in alphabetical order, Ben, Ceilidh, David, Harley, Neil, Rex and Vince.

Rhys has offered to personally take anyone who wants to visit the Great War Exhibition in Wellington on a tour of the displays. This is not just the painters but others from the club and also families. There will be the diorama, of course, and much more. We are looking at the morning of Monday April 27, which is the "Mondayised" ANZAC Day holiday. If interested, please get in touch with Vince Cholewa on toysoldiers111@gmail.com or 027 344 1073.

The Perry twins on the diorama base!

Updating work on the diorama, the figure designers, Alan and Michael Perry, arrived from the UK at Easter to oversee the installation of the 5,003 ANZAC and Turkish figures on the giant diorama. The diorama has been built at Weta Workshop, will be transported to the old Dominion Museum this week, and the finishing touches will be made. It will be formally opened on April 18.

Lots more pics at http://anzacdiorama.blogspot.co.nz/
Also check out https://www.facebook.com/perryminiatures?fref=ts

The crew who worked over Easter at Weta Workshop. Sir Peter Jackson is the dude with no shoes. The Perry twins are kneeling in front second left and first from the right. In front, second from the right is Kapiti coast wargamer, Roly Hermans, who runs the official Mustering the Troops blog. Standing back right, with no hair, is Wellington wargamer Rhys Jones, who is former head of New Zealand Defence Force and has been organising the painting. 

The Perry twins, shocked and amazed at the quantity and quality of painting!