Mod. 13 British Forces Plan - 28mm

   A fine spring afternoon in London, at Horse Guards, a meeting of Important Personages of the Realm. After a fine luncheon, the meeting begins.

   "Ahem! Pardon me, gentlemen. If you will all please take your seats for the briefing? Thank you. Welcome to the Ministry of Defense's briefing on force availability and build up plans for Her Majesty's Imperial interests in the solar system. We will be discussing today what forces we have, and those which we intend to establish in the coming year. Budgetary constraints may restrict this goal somewhat. Everyone has their drink topped up? Good. Waiters, you are dismissed. Corporal, please secure the door?"

   "SAHR!"

   "Now, if you will please open your briefing envelope, breaking the seal - you have all signed your Official Secrets Act Notice, yes? - we can proceed. Note that the unit entries are color coded. Green indicates units already in place. Yellow indicates units that are in process, and an approximate percentage of completion will follow the line item. Orange indicates units for which the requisite equipment has been acquired, but not yet prepared for service in any fashion. Red indicates a unit that is, at this time, purely theoretical."

   "Another notice, before we really dive in to the meat of the report. The organisation formerly styled the Royal Artillery Research and Development Center has been replaced by the Royal Special Weapons and Ordnance Research Division. They currently equip two platoons and a field battery for testing devices under actual field conditions."

MARS

30th (Cambridgeshire) Regiment of Foot, 1st Battalion

  Company B, No. 5 Platoon

    Lieutenant

    Sergeant

    Corporal (x2)

    Private (x16) [xx%]

17th Lancers, No. 1 Squadron

  B Troop (Mechanickal)

    Mk. I Sentinel (x1)

17th Lancers, No. 1 Squadron

  B Troop (Aerocavalry)

    Lieutenant

    Sergeant

    Lancers (x8) [12%]

1st Victoria's Landing Rifles, 1st Battalion

  Company A, No. 1 Platoon

    Lieutenant (British)

    Havildar

    Sepoy (x18)

Royal Artillery, No. 5 Brigade

  Battery N [Replacement by Empress Miniatures pending]

    9-pdr gun

    Crew (x4)

Royal Special Weapons and Ordnance Research Division

  Field Platoon No. 1 (Special Weapons) [Replacing Praetorians with Victoria Miniatures]

    Lieutenant

    Sergeant

    Private (x8)

    Grenadier

    Portable Gatling

    Caloric Ray Emitter

  Field Test Battery B [Awaiting delivery of replacements, Curious Constructs Kickstarters]

    Tesla Gun

    Photonic Cannon

    Dual Automatic Cannon (3-pdr)

    Galvanic Gatling Gun

    Revolving Rocket Array

    Heavy Rocket Tube

Royal Aeronaval Service

  HMAS Dragonfly, Aphid-class airship

    

Royal Navy Landship Service

  HMLS Wales, Kingdom-class landship

VENUS/EARTH

22nd (Cheshire) Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion

  Company A, No. 3 Platoon [Venusian Service Uniform]

    Lieutenant

    Sergeant

    Corporal (x2)

    Private (x16)

Coldstream Guards Regiment, 1st Battalion
  Company C, No. 8 Platoon
    Lieutenant
    Sergeant
    Corporal (x2)
    Private (x16)

17th Lancers, No. 1 Squadron

   B Troop (Mechanickal)

     Mk. II Sentinel (x1)

14th Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry (Ferozepore Sikhs), 1st Battalion

  Company B, No. 6 Platoon

    Lieutenant (British)

    Subedar

    Havildar

    Naik (x2)

    Sepoys (x15)

43rd Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry (Gurkhas), 1st Battalion

  Company A, No. 2 Platoon

    Lieutenant (British)

    Havildar

    Naik

    Sepoys (x7)

Royal Artillery, No. 5 Brigade

   Battery L

     9-pdr gun

     Crew (x4)

Royal Special Weapons and Ordnance Research Division
  Field Platoon No. 2 (Skywalkers)

    Lieutenant
    Sergeant
    Private (x8)

  Field Test Battery A [Awaiting delivery of replacements, Curious Constructs Kickstarters]
    Tesla Gun

    Photonic Cannon

    Dual Automatic Cannon (3-pdr)

    Galvanic Gatling Gun

    Revolving Rocket Array

    Heavy Rocket Tube

Royal Aeronaval Service

  HMAS Locust, Aphid-class airship [same airship as Dragonfly, different planet]

Royal Navy Landship Service

   HMLS Ireland, Kingdom-class landship [same landship, different planet]

[Editor's Note: These plans are subject to change. But it gives an idea of what is going on in my madness with just one force of my massive plans and collection. I have more Brits I want to field in 15mm and 6mm, as well as Dystopian Wars Fleet Scale. Then add in other nationalities, some in multiple scales as well: Germans, Texians, French, Russians, Japanese, Turks, Canal Martians, High Martians, Lizardmen, Parrotmen, Octomen, Confederated Italian States, not-one-but-two Mad Scientist factions, Americans...]

A New Direction for The Research Platoon

 

   After years of working on Games Workshop Imperial Guard Praetorians, I have made a fateful decision: I prefer another figure. That figure is the Victoria Miniatures Victorian Guard, from Australia. The minis come in pieces, legs, torso, head and arms all separate. Among other things, this means you can have kilted legs that fit with the Victorian torsos, to add some Scots into the mix. Remember, the Research Platoon is actually made up of volunteers from multiple regiments.

 

The Rough Rider Conversions.

Something I have always wanted to add.

These rifles look less 40K, more VSF.

Proper webbing, and no epaulettes on Other Ranks.

 

 

All told, I figure I am going to drop about $230 on this change over, for a unit of ten cavalry, nine riflemen, two officers, a piper, eight heavy/special weapons troops, and a dozen native contingent lackeys. That does not include any changes to artillery pieces, which I do foresee, because I am also looking at purchasing some gun carriages from Curious Constructs of the UK for my artillery pieces.

 

 

 

 

   As for cavalry mounts, I have two options, both from Mage Knight. One is the steam horse and the other is a mechanical dragonfly. Maybe save the steam horses for draft animals?

 

Photoshopped picture, and ignore the rider.

Ignore the rider. And the base.

 

 

More Victoria Lamb Previews

   This is becoming embarassing, I think.

   But this lady's figures are just... excellent. I want them.

Victoria Lamb is my Heroine

   As much as I like Colonel Gravis' Praetorian Rough Riders... these are just superb. They are done by Victoria Lamb, out of Australia, and are available here. Obviously, these lads are part of the Research Platoon's Mounted Troop.

  Ms. Lamb also has a steampunk lasgun available, and kilted legs for infantry to go with the torso here. Just wonderful stuff, really.

The Research Platoon Finished at last!

   Well, virtually finished. All that is left is some touch-up work on the flame-projectionist. For those of you that haven't been following this blog for years, the Research Platoon is attached to the Research and Development Department of the Royal Artillery. They are the brave chaps who actually carry the sometimes temperamental devices invented by the boffins in the labs out for actual field service. All in Her Majesty's Service, of course. And the extra hazardous duty pay doesn't hurt recruitment, either.

   At any rate, the establishment is ten men, including one officer, an NCO, and eight other ranks. The men are primarily armed with a Photon Emission Rifle, though you will often find someone armed with more exotic fare: a portable Congreve Launcher, a Flame Projector, and a Caloric Ray Emitter.

Clash in the Sands

   We have recently been given a report by an anonymous source within Government that a minor skirmish between our valiant forces and the nefarious devices of Doctor Maton has taken place along the Victoria Landing - Shastapur road. Although the total number of forces was rather small on both sides, new technology developed by the Royal Artillery was brought to bear in the conflict.

   The enemy forces included, it is reported, Doctor Maton's main assistant, a Turk known only as Mister Fez. He led a troop of mechanickals, along with one of the Doctor's fearsome Brass Soldaten warriors. In addition, a troop of Maton's filthy minions, two lightning gun snipers and the crew for an unwholesome weapon that uses poisonous black fumes to slay in a cowardly fashion.

   Our valiant troops were led by Captain Norfolk-Ingood, and a platoon of the 23rd Regiment of Foot. The platoon was supported by our newly developed "Automatic Repeating Cannon, Magazine Fed" and two heroes of the Royal Artillery Field Testing Platoon armed with Tesla Rifles. Finally, a flock of High Martian mercenaries acted as scouting forces for the platoon.

  Blood was spilt recklessly, and in the aftermath, smashed machinery and lifeless bodies littered the field. The end result was a draw, with only Tesla-armed snipers still in action alongside their officers. Rather than risk the deadly fire of the snipers, both commanders withdrew from the field.

Reginald's Regiments of Renown, Issue #3

Royal Artillery

Research and Development Platoon

History

The origin of the Research and Development Platoon of the Royal Artillery is shrouded in secrecy. It is thought that Her Majesty's Government began a secret program of technological development in the years immediately after the Russian War. Evidence for this lies in the budgetary increases to the Royal Artillery passed by Parliament at the urging of the Prime Minister and the Horse Guards. The precise nature of the expenditures is listed merely as 'Confidential.'

It is certain that the public first became aware of the Research and Development Platoon (RDP) in the spring of 1866. Every Londoner remembers that spring, of course: the rampaging dinosaurs through Hyde Park would be impossible for anyone to forget! Cnventional rifles failed to bring down the largest beasts, and conventional artillery was considered too indiscriminate to use in the midst of London's better residences. Quite right, too, as the home of none other than Sir Reginald himself is in that district! I digress. Conventional weapons being unsuitable, Her Majesty personally demanded the newly developed weapons be employed against the great monsters. One squad of electrorifle armed soldiers laid the beast low, and Lieutenant Hiram Goswalding removed the head with his chainsword. Suitably mounted by the taxidermist's arts, the head now rests as a trophy above the RDP's wardroom fireplace.

Combat History

Other than the Hyde Park Dinosaur Incident, the RDP has primarily seen service in the off-world colonies. It took part in the Ikora Pacification, the Defense of Victoria Landing, and the Second Galfor War. There have also been numerous skirmishes with natives of both Mars and Venus. The most famous of these minor actions has been the Retreat to Aphrodite on Venus, where the First Squad of the RDP acted as rearguard against a horde of the native lizardfolk. Sergeant John Cooper distinguished himself by killing the horde's warchief as the brute tried to ride down a wounded Tommy. A single shot from his Caloric Ray Emitter burst the warchief's chest in a gory spectacle of Imperial bravery and technology's superiority over native cunning and ferocity.

Lieutenant Goswalding and two privates of the RDP, atop "Bessie", a draft bronto on Venus

Sergeant Edward Tisintrite, RA RDP, aboard HMAS Bee

Uniform

The RDP wears a uniform similar to the standard British infantryman of a Royal regiment: red woolen tunic with blue facings, white fringe on the epaulettes, and dark blue trousers with red seams. The cut of the tunic is different from the standard British issue, being double breasted and buttoning on the right hand side. Black boots (officers wear brown) and white equipment and sun helmet, with brass fittings to all. Officers wear brown leather equipment and a gold aguilette on the left shoulder is common.

Weaponry varies, but the 'standard' longarm for the RDP is the Johnson Patent Electrorifle. Officers carry a Grenville Voltaic Pistol and have their preference of Benson Vibrating Sword or the 1871 Jamison Pattern Chainsword. Other weapons include the Caloric Ray Emitter, patented by Prof. K. Blooie, the Bening Pattern Flamegun, and the Man Portable Hale's Rocket Launcher.

Wasps over Albertport

Aerial Gunboat Takes to the Skies of Mars

We have also received word from the Royal Navy's ethership docks here in Albertport that Her Majesty's Royal Navy shall soon have a new class of small, steam-powered, hydrium-lift gunboats to protect the Crown Colony from the German menace and the troubling actions of certain Martian princes. Though it has yet to be armed, your faithful journal writer has no doubt that it soon shall be.

Seen here is the armored control cabin and the steam engine of the new HMS Wasp, the first ship of its class. Below, you can see a sergeant of the Royal Artillery's Research and Development Field Testing Platoon atop the armored cabin. The lights of the Albertport Ethership Tower can be seen in the distance behind.

You can not see the hydrium venting system in the hull that helps control the altitude of the armored airship in these photostats. Unlike the more common rigid frame gasbag type of airship, this vessel uses internal tanks of hydrium and is constructed largely of liftwood for added bouyancy. It can rise and dive rapidly as a result, and is far smaller and more maneuverable than even the smallest of the framed gasbag types.

[Editor's Notes: This airship can be converted for use by other nations in a matter of minutes, by changing the flag (on a removable pole). It currently sports the naval ensign of Imperial Germany, which is why it isn't seen in these small photos. It still needs a good bit of work, repairing damage sustained during shipping, and adding little details I like. Plus weapons, of course!]

A Minor Gex-based quandry

To this point, I had thought that the gex would be in homogenously hued tribal groups, each warband consisting of ten warriors to fall in line with the rules set that we most commonly use.

So, one group would be ten red and orange warriors, one ten dark and light green, ten dark and light blue, and so on.

But now I am reconsidering, especially for the bow-armed gex. It might look better to mix them up.

A quandry, a puzzle, a confused muddle of possibilities now exists where once all was clear. Blast it all!

In regards to progress, a bit has been made today. The first Sentinel (I may re-name them, though it is a very British sounding name, is it not?) has been 'dipped' and now awaits its highlighting, basework and matt finish. A bit more work on the Pappegaivolk has been done, though nothing exciting. I have begun work on the 'ghost gex', those made from modified skink totem bearers into giant club wielders. They will be gray and white, hence the 'ghost' appellation. The sergeant for the Research Platoon is almost finished. And a swarm of snakes just waits for basing and matt finish. Finally, the red and orange "Flammekröte" warband of gex is nearly finished, including their fearsome warchief, Firebelly.

Photostats from Venus!

The first plate here shows a small tribe of hunting gex as they move effortlessly through the underbrush. While much smaller than their gater cousins, gex are just as vicious. Their envenomed bite merely adds to the danger of encountering these primitive brutes.



















On this plate, some of Her Majesty's soldiers, in the Research Platoon, ride upon the back of a large saurian transport. From this secure vantage point, they can avoid smaller carnivorous dinosaurs, the more dangerous flora of the Jungle Planet, and find their main foes, the savage lizardmen of Venus.


















A small herd of Triceratops feeding on the jungle growth. These large creatures are herbivores, but like the Earthly hippopotamus, are large, powerful and very territorial. Extreme caution is advised should a traveler on the surface of Venus find himself confronted by even one of these beasts. If there are young about, I would recommend that you flee the area as quickly as you can without drawing attention from the herd.


















This last photostat shows a gater, mounted on a carnivorous lizard, possibly Deinonychus, as he exits the brush line. These gaters are extremely dangerous, remorselessly bloodthirsty savages. When encountered, I recommend they be treated to volley fire by platoon. Thankfully, most of the gaters encountered thus far on the Planet of Mist are not powerful enough to dominate a mount such as this one. The few that are, however, are even more dangerous than their bretheren.

We are expecting our first photographs of the giant Parrotmen of Venus in the near future, good readers, but were unable to obtain any prior to publishing today. I shall, however, publish portions of a short paper by Doctor Fritz Hammacher and Professor Heinrich Schlemmer, both of the Imperial German Institute for Extra-Terrestrial Study (das Deutsche Kaiserliche Institut fur AuBerirdische Gelehrten), in the very near future, perhaps even this afternoon.

A Minor Correction

I hate to report it, but it sems that the facts of the incident leading to the death of Corporal Fanningshire have strayed from the true course of veracity. Apparently, the wepon he was reported to be carrying in the photostat was not the Portable Flamegun as originally reported.

Apparently, Flameguns are doctrinally limited to use as anti-materiel weapons, and certainly not anti-personnel. Such a thing as roasting a man alive in a burning stream of naptha would be barbaric, and best left to the Hun!

No, the intriguing device carried by the late Corporal Fanningshire prior to his demise is properly known as a Caloric Ray Emitter. I am not sure just what those Royal Artillery and Royal Society chaps have created, but apparently it makes whatever or whomever it is used against very hot, very quickly, causing "extreme thermal blooms." Though what flowers have to do with this, I've no idea. In living things, these "blooms" cause the water within the body to boil away to steam, a sort of organic boiler explosion, I suppose. Sounds bloody dreadful.

The Royal Artillery Research and Development Field Platoon

Gentlemen, I present to you incontrivertible photo-static evidence that Her Majesty's Government has begun experimentation with weapons of fantastic power... the Royal Artillery's Research and Development Field Testing Platoon. Or, at the very least, Lieutenant Hiram Goswalding and four members of his platoon. Can you hear the Hun tremble? As well he might!

These fine young men are sporting an array of new weapons currently being tested for safety for operator and effectiveness against the enemies of our beloved Sovereign. Only in Britain can the likes of these fine brave lads be found, willing to test Electrorifles, Voltaic pistols, Chainswords, and Portable Flameguns with nothing but "very nearly certain its safe" assurances from the mad scientists who have created these weapons.

A round of applause for the lads, gentlemen!

Oh, and please drop a few quid into the hat as it passes. The photostat of young Corporal Fanningshire (pictured above, carrying the flamegun) was taken only moments before a catastrophic failure of the Bening Patent Igniter. He leaves behind a widow and three small children.