Joie de vivre

The initial attendance list was higher than usual for a UK battle, with 9 planned participants. On the morning of the battle the FTF phone line was kept busy with people explaining why it wouldn't be possible for them to make the arduous journey from the next village. Final attendees were Funky neroc , Miss Claire and Mr Philip Palmer. To say the three of us had a great day would be an understatement, with no shortage of assets (some of them even in working condition).

The battle kicked off in an explosive fashion, the explosions were mainly from T055 as Phil wrestled the Co2 capsules into position. After the battle FTF munitions experts recovered T055 in order to strip its marker down. The Locust had participated in many battles over many years and is now receiving a much needed A service.

The assets and operators were organized thusly-

Team "Bottom Garden Boom Band":
    Phil Palmer in control of T051 acting as a Field Artillery 
    Miss Claire in control of T088 fitted with its one shot NERF gun 

Team "Patio Prancers":
    Neil Rochford in control of T068 fully working and hot.

Miss Claire was given the task of keeping T051 supplied with ammo, as well as staying alive and attempting to land shots on T068. She had a lot going on in a head that is already filled with fluffy kittens and soft toilet roll.

Phil Palmer had come a long way and had killing on his mind, little mercy was shown to the Marder as those large panelled sides took a pasting again and again.

The Marder behaved well, the investment of a new 2X60 amp Sabertooth had paid off. The WWII classic had no problem driving over obstacles to get into position. Initially T068 did what it was designed to do, which was stay back and lay down fire from a distance, anyone who saw the film "Saving Private Ryan" will know the Marder's weaknesses at close range. It's always tempting to move closer when shooting artillery crews and that is where you get painted. With numbers so few in the UK it's not much fun playing safe so the usual FTF method is to move forward and wipe out the enemy at all cost.