French Cuirassier Mechanique

  From Agent Skrapwelder, we have received this item: a French mechanickal walker! Apparently, napoleon III has decided to get involved in mechanickal warfare, probably at the urging of his Minister of Science, Jules Verne. Better late than never, and an excellent first piece.

   As you can clearly see, this two-legged, steam-driven device is fitted with a heavy armour glacis plate, and armed with a Gatling-style machine gun and a spar torpedo underneath. The open cockpit provides the cuirassier piloting it with excellent visibility, while still able to duck behind the thick glacis for protection. The device on the shield is from His Imperial Majesty's coat of arms.

[Editor's Notes: This was converted from a GW Sentinel by Skrapwelder. I purchased it from him about two months ago, and repainted the shield to my taste. The rest of the work, minus a few paint touchups here and there, is all his. It is the first piece of 28mm VSF I have for the French.]

A Second Sentinel is Finished!

"British Engineering Still the Marvel of Western Science!"

The Army today unveiled its newest steam-driven military conveyance, the Sentinel, Mk. 2. The original Mark of the Sentinel chassis was armed, you may remember, with one large cannon slung underneath the operator's station, and two Tesla voltaic rifles for close defense.

The Mark 2 has done away with both weapons of the earlier Sentinel, and is instead fitted with ten 24-pdr Cosgrove bombardment rockets, which fire in pairs. This fearsome combination will undoubtedly batter down the walls of any native potentate who dares to defy Her Britannic Majesty's imperial will. And our European cousins which have been casting their covetous eyes over our beautiful colony here on the Red Planet must be content with gnashing their teeth, as they would never be so foolish as to risk a confrontation against such awesome firepower. Marching into the firestorm of these huge rockets is more than any Continental conscript soldier could bear.

His Excellency, the Viceroy of the Crown Colony spoke at the unveiling, held on the parade grounds of Fort Gordon:

"Before you stands proof - further proof! - of the superiority of our British society. British engineering is still providing the yardstick to which all other nations compare, and is the marvel of Western science. Luckily for the other imperial powers here on Mars, Her Majesty's Government does not, at this time, seek to expand her influence abroad, as there is dashed all they could do about it now! Haw haw!"

End of Month Progress Report [ooc]

So, here's the progress on projects this month.

Deathray cavalry: Have received all figures. Three additional lancers, a musician and the unit leader are painted and assembled, just waiting to be mounted on the rays. After these, I have five more to finish, and the units will be done. I say units because I have two. One is the Prince himself, with standard, musician and four guards. I am considering adding three more gun-armed men to this unit to round it out to a full ten. The other unit consists of a captain, musician and eight lancers.

Martian Personalities: I have painted the Incomparable Dejah Thoris, John Carter, a Martian priest, and a Martian king/hero. The butler/assassin is primed, but hardly painted.

Martian swordsmen: Little progress.

Bombardment Sentinel: Purchased Whirlwind for conversion of rockets to Sentinel. Awaiting arrival.

Gunship, 28mm: Received guns, assembled and primed. Currently on painting table. Trying to decide on magnetic attachment option or permanent fixture.

Gunship, 15mm: Main deck cut out. Primary lower hull section built. Mast section assembled but not cut to final length yet. Re-working cabin section design. Forward lower hull needs final desing and assembly. Guns not ordered; considering ERM fittings. Help with 15mm guns would be appreciated.

Parrotman Huts: Prototype finished. Adjustments still to be made for remaining three huts. Back-burner project.

15mm Papal Troops: Two 90% painted as prototypes.

Mordian/German Special Weapons: About 70% painted on lieutenant, sergeant, grenadier, and three riflemen, plus two mortarmen and melta-gunner.

Gex/Gaters: Decided to send to be painted, as I am never going to get around to them. Looking for painting service in US.

That's pretty much everything that's even remotely active for right now. I am hoping to get some projects finished in March, letting me get back to some older projects that have been on hold for a while.

The Prince is Ready!

Whorled Deathray Cavalry Take to the Skies

At long last, His Highness, Prince Musta Gopotty has finished training the first of the golden whorled deathrays for cavalry service. Eleven more brave Martians have volunteered to train with the Prince in the art of aerial cavalry. Some are armed with guns, some with lances, and two are known to have been in possession of musical instruments when they volunteered. Perhaps once a few more golden whorled deathrays are captured and saddled, they will be seen practicing their graceful yet deadly art in the skies of the Red Planet.

Photostats of this momentous occasion in Martian military history are forthcoming, awaiting only proper lighting conditions for a better quality photo.

"Ghost" Archers Sighted In Outlying Agricultural District

In other news, we have sighted a few Martians dressed in strange headdress and carrying bows sneaking about the countryside. Martian militia units have also been sighted in the same area, armed with a mix of guns and swords. Only time will tell the intent of these furtive figures, but this journal would suggest that the Government send patrols to the Ukana District.

Sentinel #2 Preparing for Service at Orlock

From Orlock Ironmongery of Mars, reports filter out that bombardment rockets for the long-awaited Sentinel #2 are in development. Only time shall tell what form these terror weapons shall eventually take, as security has been extremely tight (good show, that!) and many copies of misleading evidence have been allowed to be discovered, in order to confuse the spies of Napoleon III and Kaiser Wilhelm.

[Editor's Note: I must remember the silly names I give these Martians, for continuity's sake. I rather like Musta Gopotty, though. Be careful to wear nitrile gloves when pouring resin. It does not come off of skin easily. Please let me know if you like the 'new' look of the posting - more like a newspaper, I think. It won't be every post I make, but...]

Some new photostats have arrived

Gentlemen, I know many of you have wondered what a Martian farm must look like. So, I present to you, a typical farmstead.

The dome atop the farmhouse is the atmospheric water condensation device, which comes in very handy on the arid plains of the Red Planet, away from the life-giving canals.

Also, note the unusual trees next to the farmhouse. This is the famous Martian leatherleaf tree. The Martians often use the tough leaves of this plant much as we use leather. Once properly cured, they will last for years, staying as soft and pliable as deerskin but as tough as elephant hide.

Note also some reinforcements for the Royal Martian Crown Colony's sepoys have been arriving (in 25/28mm). [RAFM Space 1889 Colonial Infantry] Pictured here is Private Gleepa, his Martini rifle at the ready.

Next, we have additional photostats of the newest mechanical marvel from the minds of Britain's top engineers: the Sentinel-class light cavalry walker [modified GW Praetorian Sentinel] For some reason, this trooper is not flying his identification pennant. I am sure a few days of fatigue duty will remind him how a proper soldier of Her Majesty should make ready.

Finally for the evening, I present to you an in-the-works photo of the Pappegaivolk, Parrotmen of Venus. [GW Kroot, unmodified except for parrot-y paint job]

Gentlemen, I think its time for a round at the Club. Good even to you all.

[Editor's Note: the field photographed up at the top was made by spraying a cheap doormat from Target (about $2.99 for a 2'x3' mat) with dark brown paint. Then a few dustings of other colors (terra cotta and tan), and voila - a plowed field. I will be doing more from the same mat, adding some vegetation and such to show crops coming up. The farmhouse was a butter tub and Easter egg half, painted, with some basswood accents added on. It's not entirely done yet.]

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.

Egads! What's that pink fluff?

My darling wife has begun to notice the large quantity of rigid pink insulation in the garage and gameroom of our humble abode. Well, actually, its not such a great amount, only one large sheet of the stuff, you know. Seems a good deal more to her, I tell you! Its in use for the modelling of hills, cliffs and such for photostatic reasons and advanced military simulation. I hope to have the early results ready for your perusal in the near future, perhaps by the end of the upcoming Holiday weekend.

In addition, I would like to announce a successful trading venture in lead from the United States to Great Britain (Essex, if you must know). A good man from a favorite telephonic differencing site (www.theminiaturespage.com) got in touch with me in regards a request for models of Venusian gex, and provided them in exchange for models of native Martian troops [Black Hat Imperial Martians]. I feel I must djust the Pledge totals, although no purchase was made.

A slight amount of progress has been made on the British steam strider. I should really like to finish that by the end of the Labour Day weekend as well.

I hope everyone enjoyed reading the articles previously published in this journal about the Parrotfolk of Venus. I certainly enjoyed writing about them. Naturally, I wish to retain my copyrights for all the material I created and posted, but feel free to use it in your games if you wish. Just please don't try to sell the idea, or use it in something you would like to sell without asking first.

I have so many things to do and seem to have even less time that ever to do them. The summer was particularly disappointing, as the many illnesses and other inconveniences combined to severely limit my time working on the models and stories I so enjoy. I originally had high hopes for the hot summer months, but with the school year beginning anew on Monday, I fear that the time has gone on and left me wondering to where it has all melted away.

Well, here's to a good finish to this month and a strong start to next month, then! I just need to get something finished, to regain my sense of accomplishment which does so help in driving me along.

Until next time, my friends: Stay Thirsty.

It seems I spoke too soon

The very day after writing that I felt my health troubles were behind me... I end up back in hospital for another night. Ahhh, the wonders of modern pharmaceuticals. I could use the end result of that night for terrain. It would make a decent rock for 15mm troops, if the doctors were not so interested in studying it.

At any rate, once again in full command of my faculties, I eagerly post photostatic evidence of Progress in Her Majesty's Service.

Steam-powered cavalry support walkers... wonders never cease! I have not yet learned if these so-called "Sentinels" shall be fitted with voltaic rifles or flameguns. There has even been some rumor that Hale Patent Rockets may be fitted to their flanks, the better to rain fire upon the enemies of Her Majesty and all that oppose the Right Progress of Empire and Civilization across the Solar System. Huzzah!

Unfortunately, it will most likely be several weeks or even months before these fine examples of Brittanic craftsmanship shall be seen at their tireless Duty.

So, how do my recent purchases affect the Pledge? I have added seven 28mm troops and 2 vehicles, plus the dinosaur since last update. No finished painting, but a few small projects are getting nearer completion, including the first of the Clockwork Soldiers of Professor Otto Maton, the Mad Scientist of Lower Batavia.

Back in the Saddle

Friends, I am glad to say that I have finally, it seems, gotten back into the groove of gaming and blogging. At least somewhat. My health problems are behind me for now, and its full steam ahead.

I finally touched brush to metal again yesterday morning. I have received a pair of incomplete Praetorian Sentinels (Games Workshop) and some additional Praetorian Imperial Guard troops (again, Games Workshop) via eBay in the last few weeks. They all need a repaint, both to match my other troops and to make them more Victorian in feel. I'll post in progress pictures, of course. The Sentinels are going to be assigned as armored support walkers to the 17th Lancers, I think. At least, that's how I am planning on painting their drivers, as lancers. I'll probably affix a pennant to each as well, red over white, just for snazzy looks.

As far as conversion work goes, I need to put together a coal bunkerfor each. I may have to order the bitz for the roll cage, as those are missing. I haven't decided if I really want that though. And I suppose I could always scratchbuild one instead. One Sentinel has a very neat looking computer flat screen monitor kind of thing going on in place of the gun, but that will have to go. Simply too high tech for VSF feel. I'll probably arm them with either twin voltaic light rifles (lasrifles) or flameguns, as I did the 15mm steam tank mentioned elsewhere in the blog.

Paint scheme-wise, the Sentinel I have started to paint is getting a blue-gray paint job all over. Very 'battleship' looking. I'll add a good bit of brass accent here and there, especially around the hydraulics tubes. Black india rubber hoses as well, with brass couplings, what? The second Sentinel is still in its ochre and green camouflage as purchased. Not really a bad job of camouflage painting, but just not fitting into my VSF ideal.

Quick uniforms question: Does anyone know what color the plastron on the tunic ought to be for lancers? Still dark blue? Or should it be facing color (white, I think)? I may paint it white anyway, just to get a bit of contrast out of them. White sunhelmets, of course.

Final note for today, I have finished writing my first short story based on Victorian Science Fiction and the early exploration of the luminiferous aether. Now all I have to do is write about a half dozen more and start shopping for pubblishers, what? Fame and wealth just around the corner, haw haw.

Until next time...