iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Great to see you playing some NORTHAG Jerry, you should pop over to Bristol for a game with @ironcow2103.bsky.social, @brizzlerob.bsky.social and I sometime!

A 6mm miniature cold war gone hot wargames table

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Featuring @brizzlerob.bsky.social's lovely 3d printed order tokens!

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

It's nice to re-connect with an old friend. Today that was Kiss Me Hardy, a salty sea dog from 2003. Today an RN squadron took on a formidable Franco-Spanish fleet. Honors largely even, but Admiral Charles led a heroic boarding action taking the French flagship as a prize! #SpreadTheLard #Wargaming

Model ships on the table exchange broadsides

1/700 model ships. HMS Saucy Sue is forced to strike her colours under the combined gunnery of 3 french ships, as her consort HMS Boudacieous tries to provide support

1/700 model ships on the table. The fighting swirls around the British and French flagships, which are locked in a vicious boarding action

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 06/04/2026

Normandy O Group today against Ben and Rob, using Rob's lovely #6mm setup. The 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers faced a stern fight to break into St Manvieu, but a third assault on the church finally broke the back of the German's resistance #SpreadTheLard

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Sometimes if you have want to get your head round something, you just have to get a map out. (why yes, I have spent most of my evening doing this.) #WW2

A composite map of the southern Netherlands, showing an approximate front line of 21st Army Group in October 1944, with divisonal objectives for Operation Pheasant.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Enjoyed some festive Battlegroup NORTHAG with @ironcow2103.bsky.social and Rob today. Great to finally see it on the table in 6mm, where the ground scale makes more sense. Thanks to Steve for his heroic painting effort to get it ready! #JoyOfSix #Wargaming

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Had a nice afternoon putting some Lard veterans through their first run of CoC2 set in Crrte. The Fallschirmjager overcame a tough start, to push round the right flank and break the doughty Kiwis defence. Terrain and miniatures courtesy of Rob, dodgy umpiring by me. #SpreadTheLard

A 15mm scale wargaming table with terrain for Crete

A 15mm scale wargaming table with terrain for Crete. On the left German paratroops amongst the olive groves are firing suppressing fire at New Zealand troops occupying a strobe wall.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

Unexpected consequences of a holiday in Crete... Nice to be able to get a full platoon for Chain of Command out of a box of Perry Desert Rats! #SpreadTheLard

A platoon of 28mm Perry plastic desert rats, assembled and based ready for painting.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

I visited La Ferte in June. An extraordinary place, that I found to be much more visceral than the Atlantic Wall fortifications in Normandy. The temperature drop and atmosphere change as you descend the stairs was unsettling.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

A nice start to the bank holiday weekend. Great effort @toofatlardies.bsky.social #SpreadTheLard

Chain of command 2 rulebook with the test match on the television in the background

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Good morning from Taunton. Worcs are 22/0 from 5 overs.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

So as I enjoy a beer tonight and catch up on the rugby, I'll be thinking of F/Sgt Kemp, F/Sgt Mitchell, Sgt Beatty Sgt Hayes and Sgt Yuille who didn't get to go home and raising a glass to their memory. #SecondWorldWar

Detail of the memorial to Wellington R1465 and her crew: F/Sgt Kemp, F/Sgt Mitchell, Sgt Beatty Sgt Hayes and Sgt Yuille

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

Whilst out in the hills I also came across the wreckage of an RCAF Wellington bomber and the memorial to the crew who were lost with her. Some of the wreckage was in remarkably good condition and the geodesic structure is instantly recognisable. #SecondWorldWar

Wellington bomber wreckage in the Brecon Beacons

Memorial to the crew of Wellington R1485 which crashed in the Brecon Beacons on 6th July 1942.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 09/03/2025

A nice day to get out in the Brecons and blow away the cobwebs. I even managed to have a cup of tea with the ducks!

A view of Talybont reservoir in the Brecons Beacons

A view of Pen Y Fan and Corn Du in the Brecon Beacons

A view looking north towards Brecon from the hills

A flask on a bench next to Talbot reservoir with some ducks enjoying the water

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Glorious Spanish dragoons riding down pesky French cavalry who have arrogantly stood on top of a hill.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

With the french having successfully routed the Guards from the farmhouse, the battle draws to a close. A fun, finely balanced game that saw both sides gain and suffer. V&F is a fun set of rules, that I'd be keen to play again in the future. Not bad given they're free! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The French girl another column across the stream against the Devonshires. They draw the combat, but fail their valour test and rout from the field! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The French light cavalry failed to activate, leaving the door open for the British Hussars to twirl their moustaches and charge forward. The french cavalry are forced back across the stream. #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

At the stream, sharp British musketry routs one french column and sees another destroyed in the ongoing melee. Can the doughty Devonshires hold the line against all the odds? #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The British cavalry deliver the coup de grace, destroying the French Dragoon brigade. It's the last turn and the British are one victory point up! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The British Heavy Dragoons resume their attack, but the French are once again able to charge them as they cross the stream. However their horses are winded and two squadrons rout from the British steel! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The Guards counter attack, routing a French battalion in the process. But they are both now shaken and more French columns are advancing towards the farm... #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

On the British right, the Guards suffer heavy losses defending the farm, but remain unbowed. The Highlanders on their right pour fire into the French flank guard, before the supporting line battalions charge through!

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The British light cavalry advance, as the light brigade form squares to defend against the french cavalry threat. #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

In the centre, the French columns surge across the stream - routing and over extended British battalion. Even worse, the brigade falters next turn so they can't rally! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The British light cavalry brigade manoeuvres on the left flank, but the brigade are the crossroads falters at the critical time, leaving the brigade at the stream to face down the French attack columns alone! #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

A savage melee takes place, with both sides suffering. The weight of the French charge is just enough to force the British back across the stream - but they go against type and successfully rally themselves in the following turn. #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The French Dragoons unleash an audacious surprise move, letting them charge into the British Heavy Cavalry, who had paused at the river to take stock. #JoyOfSix

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The french have refused their right flank, concentrating against the farmhouse. The British left flank have secured the crossroads objective, but now must manoeuvre to strike the french flank.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

The Guards brigade face down the French, who are coming on in the same old style.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 15/02/2025

Playing Valour and Fortitude today using Rob's lovely 6mm Peninsular figures.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Three pings a bloody minute! #NavalHistory (Text from 'The Royal Navy in the cold war years' by Edward Hampshire)

Text from 'The Royak Navy in the cold war years', describing how HMS Courageous commanded by Captain Richard Sharpe trailed an Echo II submarine for 320 miles in 1975.

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean that really got out of hand fast! #SpreadTheLard

Thirty bases of unpainted 6mm Soviet second world war infantry

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Doing some hobby for the first time in months. Trying to get started on these 6mm Soviets from 2D6 Wargaming for O Group. They're fiddly!

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 29/12/2024

Fans of Lardy attire rejoice - there is a snazzy new design available to add to your collection! @glenbrookgames.bsky.social will happily provide you with 2025's smartest look if you cross his palm with silver. (Full details on the Facebook event page) #SpreadTheLard

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Had a smashing game of Sharp Practice with Jenny and Phil today as my Spanish tried to escort the 'three wise men's to a barn in the east to visit the Chief. I even managed to blag a win as my Dragoons delivered a punishing charge against the French voltigeurs! Viva el Rey! #SpreadTheLard

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

I was pleased to discover that one part of town regularly toasts the immortal memory!

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 22/10/2024

Bullseye. (Copenhagen provides lots of targets!)

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 18/10/2024

A few quick snaps from our game of French Indian War SharpPractice last night. Some spirited bayonet work by the French Marines broke the Mohawk fighting spirit! #SpreadTheLard

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 09/10/2024

But it's too late for the Germans. The sight of French armour, along with a lucky mortar shot which decapitates the Leutnant - shatters their force morale. This was a 'interesting' game. The deployment rules made life very hard for the Heer. One to return to with some tweaks! #SpreadTheLard

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Andy Crow @andycrow.bsky.social · 08/10/2024

The Germans suffer under a withering crossfire #SpreadTheLard

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