Martian Airships sighted...

   Our intelligence reports indicate that the Martians have obtained two additional airships to menace the good people of Victoria's Landing.

   Made by RedVectors in the UK, these skiffs were custom adjusted a bit to work for 15mm. I am in the process of assembling and painting the first of the pair. The price was quite reasonable, I thought, and the shipment was dashed quick.

   Not quite done. It needs a gun on that forward platform, and a crew. I suppose this calls for a visit to Scale Creep for minis...

Millennium Con XX Prep, Part 2: Quadcycle Stats

   I think I have decided upon the minions of Otto Maton to be the fourth faction in my convention game, just because I like these guys so much. I will probably take the gentlemen of the Sapphire Club as well, in case I need to squeeze in a fifth player.

   And I think they need a vehicle. I happen to have one already painted and good to go - the nefarious All Terrain Quadruple Wheeled Lightly Armoured Autocycle (Machine Gun), more commonly called the "Quadcycle" or even simply "Quaddie." 

You've seen this before, no?

So, I need to stat it up for In Her Majesty's Name. Probably best to treat it as a walker, I think, as far as the rules for hit allocation are concerned. This is what I am thinking:

Pluck: 5+ (2 pts)

FV: +1 (1 pt)

SV: +3 (4 pts)

Speed: 9" (2 pts) - based on Bestiary from HVF

Armour: 10 (4 pts)

Weapon: Machine gun (26 pts)
Equipment: Steam Dynamo (10 pts)
Equipment: Lined Coat (Steersman, AV 8) (1 pt)
Equipment: Pistol (Steersman) (3 pts)
Equipment: Breath Preserver (Steersman) (2 pts)

Note: Can not enter Difficult Terrain

What says the collected wisdom?

Rising like a Phoenix...

   This is the Quadcycle that was destroyed a few weeks ago by my puppy. 

   Actually, it's the Quadcycle that Elderac very kindly sold to me to replace the one eaten by my puppy. I changed the paint a bit to match my existing minion forces and put it on a base.

   But from tragedy comes renewal - I finally got that piece finished and it's ready to grace the table as soon as I stat it up for either GASLIGHT or IHMN.

HMLS Dreadnought by Captain Darling

Captain Darling has slipped through my network of reporters previously, but this time, we have him! His report on the new landship HMLS Dreadnought, can be found here.

More information about landships and the arms race between Britain and the Russians can be had here and here. I shudder to think the Russians may be able to use this information in their own quest for imperial domination...

[Editor's Note: I like the photo effect used here. Nice looking bit of kit, and I am now following this blog, which had in fact escaped my attention previously.]

Colonel O'Truth's Miniature Issues: Back On Board!

   The good Colonel is BACK!  By far the most outrageously visionary and grandest in scale of any Victorian Science Fiction model builder of which I am aware... after a long hiatus, he returns to the construction of his sextupedal masterpiece.



   You could say I am right chuffed about it.



Colonel O'Truth's Miniature Issues: Back On Board!: Hi, All! Archibald Phunk enjoys a stroll on-deck, reassured by a sturdy new hand-rail. After something like a fourteen month break, I...

Federated States Fleet Sighted!

   In December, while wandering about the FLGS, I saw they had an old box of the Dystopian Wars Federated States of America Battle Group on sale. It wasn't much off price, probably only about $10, but hey... it's $10, right? So I picked it up.

   As of this moment, I need to finish the flyers and four frigates to complete the box. Like my other Spartan Games minis, they are a lot of fun to paint. The detail is crisp and I have yet to find a bubble in their resin. Pictures of my version will have to wait a few weeks, because I am entering the Lead Painters' League competition again, and need to build up some items for entries. I have a personal rule that only minis I have painted in the current year can be entered, and they have a rule that no minis that have been shown off elsewhere can be entered. SO... sorry guys, but you're going ot have to wait.

   In the meantime, here is what the box looks like/contains:

   I do not believe this particular combination is available any longer, unless you find it as I did. Spartan does have a similar group, with the addition of a Saratoga-class carrier.

Interesting Spider Vehicle

  This is the Gustav Eiffel and Spider Construct from the Wild West Exodus game, available here. I am not sure what the scale is, however. If it were in 28mm, I would be sorely tempted to purchase one to serve as a focal point for Doktor Otto Maton's forces.

Illuminated Tripods

   These are scout tripods from Alien Dungeon for their All Quiet on the Martian Front game. I saw this photo (and several more) on TMP. The work was done by Scott Washburn, adding what looks like small red LEDs into the head of the plastic tripods.

   Really great job there. I just thought as many people as possible ought to have a chance to see it! Mr. Wells would be proud. Horrified as well, but certainly proud!

EDIT: I just found Scott's "how-to" on this project. Find it here.

Das Holzfallermaschinen Unveiled at Last

   The Imperial German governor of Venusstaadt has announced the arrival of a new agricultural walker, the Holzfallermaschinen (Lumberjack Machine). Originally designed to assist in the clearance of the dense jungle terrain in Germany's tropical colonies on Earth, the Holzfallermaschinen carries a large buzzsaw, a pincer claw, and a flamesprayer. It's steel shell is tough to withstand falling debris from trees it is clearing. The clanking monstrosity of machinery is perfect for slash-and-burn land clearance, able to clear several acres of dense jungle foliage in a single day.

   When military emergency arises (as so often happens), the tough "Holz" has been fitted with a machinegun by the Imperial Army and sent off to fight for the Kaiser. 

[Editor's Notes: The Holz is obviously a Games Workshop 40K Ork dreadnought. From the early 2000s, I think. All metal, I purchased it at Historicon in the flea market last summer. $8, if I recall correctly.]

French Landship Completed!

   The French landship is completed, after receipt of replacement starboard drive units. Also, tricolors and a personalization icon have been added. The cock is the symbol of French athletics, in this case, the French National Rugby Football team (better known as Les Bleus). I think I will call this little scout ship Les Bleus.

The missing starboard drive unit, in place.

FFR Logo, rear of landship.

Oops! Blurry.

  A wall of paint bottles shields from view some of my Lead Painters' League entries still in process. No peeks! I will hint and say that there will be some VSF elements in my LPL entries. Big surprise.

Replacement Parts Arrived

  The aethership in highport today unloaded replacement parts for the French landship that has stalled due to incorrect pieces. Engineers have unpacked the parts and begun removing the packing grease. Once the solvent has dried, the pieces can be painted, assembled, and attached to the steamtank. A fast enquiry at the Victoria Steamworks indicates that the professional opinion for the time to complete this project as less than one week. At that time, the French should have an operable scouting vehicle.

[Editor's Note: Ironclad Miniatures rapidly despatched my replacement tracks and they arrived today. I washed the necessary part to remove any residual mold release, and I'm waiting for it to dry. I should be able to prime it tonight. Painting tomorrow, and then attachment on Monday. And then it will be done!]

French: Steam Tank Development at Halt

French Engineers Stymied as Compagnie du Char Drops Ball

   Reliable sources in the French demesne report that the project to supply their armed forces with a small scouting landship (or steam tank) has come to a sudden halt. Apparently, the manufacturer supplied the government with two portside drive trains and no starboard!

From this angle, it seems okay...

An idea taken from another: smokestack supports.

Just some L-iron Plastruct, cut and painted to match.

Now we see the problem...

The logo for the French National Rugby team.

I am considering putting this on the tank, along with a tricolor.

[Editor's Note: I bought this tank back at Historicon, and just got around to putting it together. Lo and behold: two left tracks and no right one. I've contacted Ironclad Miniatures (the manufacturer) to correct it. I am sure they will - they have a good reputation and I've had one similar issue with them previously which they corrected immediately and with good spirit. On the other hand, I think it is going to look quite good when it is finished!]

Prussian Bombard Battery

   Three Prussian Empire BS-3 Bombards in a battery. These self-propelled high-angle guns fire indirectly and at great range. Again, I went with the dark green paint scheme that I used on the Sturmpanzer, and that is depicted on the Armoured Battlegroup box. I probably should have gone with a grey scheme, and thought about it, but chose this one for the contrast between the armour and the brass.

Prussian Empire A9-V Sturmpanzer

   I just finished several pieces of armour for the Prussian Empire of Dystopian Wars. This is the A9-V Sturmpanzer, a large capital class landship. It is armed with four turrets with heavy cannon, twelve smaller cannon, one massive Tesla cannon and several smaller Tesla coils in broadsides.

Forward View

Port Side

Aft View

 

Aerial View

The Huns Field a Tank!

   Although British science and engineering admit no peers, it seems that the German Empire has finally fielded their first armoured vehicle. A crude design, naturally, but it might frighten the natives, or perhaps an unsteady Frenchman. Reportedly rather uncomfortable inside (hot and noisy), it does sport a rather effective Krupps gun and thick riveted plates of armour. I am certain that Her Majesty's valiant Tommies have nothing to fear, however.

The Imperial Ritterkreuz Emblazoned!

A Long-Barreled Cannon for High Velocity Shot.

[Editor's Note: This is an Ironclad Steam Tank, although I forget exactly which of their models it is off the top of my head. Perhaps Steam 7? I purchased it at Historicon over the summer, and just got around to painting it up. I think the green looks rather nice. I considered some splinter camouflage, but decided against it (obviously). Some projects finally moving ahead!]

From the Horizon: Harold's Patent Aetheric Interface Assault Craft!

   Mr. Harold has designed a new type of aetheric craft. Intended to rapidly introduce troops from an aethership orbiting the planet, these Aetheric Interface Craft (known to Tommy Atkins as a 'drop pod') can carry an entire squad of Her Majesty's Loyal Servants in splendid comfort [not really-Ed.] and complete safety [hardly!-Ed.]. Her Majesty's Royal Navy has ordered the construction of hundreds of these disposable units for the Aethermarines, Skywalkers, and even a Naval Brigade Artillery Group. They can also be utilised for the resupply of troops in distant areas!

   To date, attempts to use the Harold Patent Interface Craft to land cavalry have been a dismal failure. The horses, you see.

Seems to have lost its parachute somewhere...

[Editor's Notes: Okay, these are really cool, and pretty inexpensive. You can find out more about them here. And here. I am going to add a parachute draped over the side, and paint them in a lovely Victorian scheme. 15mm, and quite good, really.]

An Interesting Airship Model

http://www.shapeways.com/model/298649/airship-frigate.html?li=productBox-search

   I particularly like the twin ducted fans on it, and the heavy broadside armament. Possible for Dystopian Wars, or just 6mm VSF in general.

Azog Treadbike Previewed

   Over on TMP, the madman known as Tango often clues folks in on the newest and neatest stuff out there on the internet for gaming enthusiasts. Today is no different - what does he do that he has this much time to cruise the internet? I dunno, but I am happy he can, because this is one of the things he pointed out for us today. Although designed for a Weird War II setting, the Azog Treadbike, from Mad Robot Miniatures, could be made Victorian Science Fiction very easily, methinks.

   Perhaps replace the machinegun with a spar torpedo? Or mount the boiler up front in its place? Combine with a lance-carrying arm from either Victoria Miniatures or Curious Constructs, swap the head... oh yeah, I am liking this.

   Which nation does it best suit, though? That begs for something I haven't done in ages around here... a POLL! (Cue the ticker tape and cheering crowds of adoring fans.) So, look to the left. No, your other left. That's it. Vote in the poll. Make your voice heard!

A VSF-suitable 15mm OGRE Mk.III?

   Part of the All Quiet on the Martian Front Kickstarter going on for about 5 more days. I pledged a dollar just so I could get this for 55 more as an add-on. I think it makes for a good Mk.III OGRE substitute in VSF terms. One Main Battery, four secondary, and a load of AP (Machineguns). No missiles, and two too many secondary batteries. Maybe convert the midships secondary turrets into rocket batteries?

The Bug Boys are Coming!

   Ahem, that is to say, a trooper of the 17th Lancers, B Squadron (Aerocavalry), has been sighted. More commonly known as the "Dragonfly Lancers", the Aerocavalry ride into battle astride a mechanickal dragonfly, powered by handwavium and held aloft by unobtainite. They bravely (some would say 'recklessly') charge right at enemy aerial vessels, hoping to strike home with their long, spar torpedo-like Grantham Patent Explosive Lances. They can also make daring low-level attacks against landships and the like, skimming just over the terrain in a dashingly bold manner. The landing struts of the mount can also be used to carry cargo while in flight, and the whole thing can hover in place at need. Quite the thing for delivering desperately needed supplies to remote outposts.

[Editor's Note: Finally, one down, nine to go. This is my prototype Rough Rider from Victoria Miniatures, painted in 17th Lancer uniform, mounted on a Mage Knight mechanical dragonfly. My only complaint is that the resin spears warped in shipping and have to be repaired. Oh, and I need more pieces. Better get to ordering!]