So: many many years, ago, when I was living in Australia, I used to play DBA regularly. There was a local group in Canberra who used to get together to play one day tournaments - always in licensed premises, and part of my fun was to crack the first beer with the first game. I usually found that a winning smile would get me an early brew from the staff while everyone else was making do with takeaway coffee. And the additional challenge was playing the later games after the first few. After all, DBA is just a dice throwing contest isn't it? :)
So one day, there was this other guy there, watched me belly up to the bar, and followed suit. At the time, I was still smoking, so; although he didn't smoke, he and I got chatting out the back in breaks between games, as both of us played fast... Turns out, he had a blog, which I already followed, knew most of the Aussie players I knew, and was great company. Thomo the Lost - Ian Thomson.
At the time, he was working in South East Asia, and was back in Australia for his mum, but from then on, whenever he visited Oz, he and his partner would come and stay at Chez Doug. The dogs loved him, and in between beer and gaming we had great fun. We would plan new forces, egg on each other to more and better painting efforts, and agree joint projects.
We also went to the annual Cancon, and played The one thing we never got to do was some aerial wargaming.. he wanted Khalkin Ghol, I wanted Battle of Britain, so instead we just got more megalomaniac, larger and larger pre-dreadnought fleets, more and more WW2 6mm, till I swear he had an entire Guards Armoured Division at 1:1. but still no aerial wargaming.
We played off at Cancon, for the National DBA Title, (he kept claiming my Teutonic Knights were illegally based for the terrain, with snow, when I won..) Still no aerial wargaming.
Thomo was my Best Man when I remarried in Scotland in 2012. But no time for aerial wargaming. He kept on visiting until I moved from Australia n 2016.
And in 2021, he died in the Philippines from Covid. So too late for Aerial Wargaming.
So these are for him. All home 3d Prints.
What a lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great way of honouring your friend, Doug. As a matter of fact I used to follow Thomo's blog, I noticed the lack of posts but I did not know that he had passed away. I loved his sories and I am sure he is greatly missed. Thank you for sharig this. And, of course, your models look great, the markings are impressive!
ReplyDeleteSorry for your loss of a great friend, Doug. These are a fitting tribute. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute Doug, sad to hear about your mate- best wishes
ReplyDeleteMy condolences on the loss of your friend. Thank you for sharing him with us.
ReplyDeleteVery nice story Doug, and congrats on a great project and tribute to your friend.
ReplyDeleteLovely heartfelt story, great looking planes!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
A really touching, heartfelt story Doug, really sorry to hear about Thomo. Billiant work by the way - I don't suppose you can recall where you got the F2B Bristol stls from? I've been after one for a while, no such luck.
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ReplyDeleteA very fitting tribute, let's remember all those loved ones (within and outside of the hobby) we have lost with awesome entries like yours!
ReplyDeleteTouching story, great minis! Lesson to learn, don't push stuff for later, don't forget to acknowldge your friends and special ones while they are still around.
ReplyDeleteHello Doug:
ReplyDeleteSo many friends taken from us by Covid, I feel like I know Thomo thanks to your lovely tribute. The planes are likewise a fitting tribute and they look great. Several weeks at ADFA left me with very fond memories of Canberra, such a gracious city.
Cheers, MikeP
Sorry to hear about Thomo. That’s a lovely armada.
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