Another Kickstarter done.

   The Empire of the Dead: Requiem Kickstarter has funded. Here is what I expect to be receiving (also a PDF of the rules, but I couldn't find an image):

The Gentlemen are Hunting.

One of the boxed sets I am getting as an extra add-on.

Werewolves of London.

Warren Zevon, eat your heart out!

Actually, not one of my favorites. But I'll take it!

I like Iron Head Ned and Jade Dragon. The rest, meh.

Ordering the weapon sprue as an extra.

I LOVE this figure.

Of these, certainly the Tesla Projector and the Clockwork Butler.

Possibly HM with Gun and John Brown.

Of these, certainly Lightning Jack.

 

 

  I actually have some points left over (8, I think). I am leaning towards the additional Gentlemen set and some of the maybe individual figures. Total about 54 minis, plus rules, and a set of tokens (not pictured). All of this for just shy of $200, including shipping from the UK. Not a bad deal, I think. I also love the Brotherhood faction minis, and will be getting them at some point in the future - maybe Historicon.

EotD: Gyrocopter

   Continuing on with my recent flying things fetish, I present to you the Steam Gyrocopter that is being made for the Empire of the Dead game.

   As usual, the model is not mine, nor the paint job, nor the photograph, but I think it is quite nice. I am looking forward to seeing some pilot figures for it. I especially like the upholstered seat. A gentleman couldn't be expected to fly about over London on some hard wooden bench? Might get splinters in his tailcoat!

Fresh from Down Under

   I received in the post yesterday a small package all the way from Australia. Yes, I received a shipment of troops from Victoria Miniatures, at long last. Not that the shipping time was the delay factor. That was rather prompt, I thought.

 

  My initial thoughts are that they look very nice. I have taken one set of the Rough Rider legs and test fit them on the Dragonfly from Popular Mechanicks, Vol. 7. For the record, they fit fairly well. A bit of hobby knife surgery on the soft plastic of the mount and the fit is even better. I am going to try to knock at least one or two of these out in the next week or so.

 

   So, anyway, look for my Praetorians to hit the auction block in the near-ish future.

19th Century Vernacular

These terms, and quite a few more, can be found on The Art of Manliness.

Bunch Of Fives. The fist. Pugilistic.

Cat-heads. A woman’s breasts. Sea phrase.

Cut. To renounce acquaintance with any one is to cut him. There are several species of the CUT. Such as the cut direct, the cut indirect, the cut sublime, the cut infernal, etc. The cut direct is to start across the street, at the approach of the obnoxious person, in order to avoid him. The cut indirect is to look another way, and pass without appearing to observe him. The cut sublime is to admire the top of King’s College Chapel, or the beauty of the passing clouds, till he is cut of sight. The cut infernal is to analyze the arrangement of your shoe-strings, for the same purpose.

Fizzing. First-rate, very good, excellent; synonymous with “stunning.”

Gentleman of Four Outs. When a vulgar, blustering fellow asserts that he is a gentleman, the retort generally is, ” Yes, a Gentleman Of Four Outs”—that is, without wit, without money, without credit, and without manners.

Hugger-mugger. Underhand, sneaking. Also, “in a state of Hugger- Mugger” means to be muddled.

Job’s Turkey. “As poor as Job’s Turkey,” as thin and as badly fed as that ill-conditioned and imaginary bird.

Keep a Pig. An Oxford University phrase, which means to have a lodger.

Lay down the knife and fork. To die. Compare Pegging-out, Hopping The Twig, and similar flippancies.

Nose in the Manger. To put one’s nose in the manger, to sit down to eat. To “put on the nose-bag” is to eat hurriedly, or to eat while continuing at work.

O’clock. “Like One O’clock,” a favorite comparison with the lower orders, implying briskness; otherwise “like winkin’.” “To know what’s O’clock” is to be wide-awake, sharp, and experienced.

Saucebox. A pert young person, in low life also signifies the mouth.

Saw Your Timber. “Be off!” equivalent to “cut your stick.” Occasionally varied, with mock refinement, to “amputate your mahogany.”

Scandal-water. Tea; from old maids’ tea-parties being generally a focus for scandal.

Popular Mechanicks, Issue #7

ORNITHOPTERA

  Ornithopters, or 'thopters, as they are sometimes abbreviated, are aerial vehicles which achieve motion through the flapping action of two or more wings, in the manner of a bird. The first design was developed by the Italian master engineer and artist, Leonardo d'Vinci. Unfortunatley, Master d'Vinci lacked modern technology for power and lift, so his design was limited to gliding.

   With the advent of lightweight steam plants for power and the discovery of unobtainite for the cancellation of the effects of gravity upon an object, modern engineers have been able to resurrect d'Vinci's dream. The modern 'thopter is a small aircraft with incredible maneuverability and the ability to take off and land vertically. It is easily distinguished by the high-pitched humming or buzzing sound of the wings as they beat against the air, reminiscent of a giant bumblebee. Two companies are currently producing ornithopters for military and civilian use: Tobsen 77 of Germany and Shapeways of America.

   The Shapeways model was designed by a Mister Afrodri.

This model (the Mark I) is armed with a Maxim gun in the nose.

It is designed to go with 15mm troops.

   The design from Tobsen77 is significantly larger than the Shapeways model, designed to accompany 28mm troops. I believe that the French Aeronautique plans to purchase some for evaluation of its suitability as a scouting platform with light combat capability. It is armed with both a pair of water-cooled machineguns for aerial attack and a light bomb load for surface attack.

The "Libelle," testbed in neutral paint scheme.

   

  One final form of 'thopter technology is in development by the British Royal Artillery Research and Design Works in Bedfordshire: the Individual Ornithopter Mount. The size of a horse, it utilizes cutting edge handwavium steam turbines to provide an aerial platform for individual operators. These operators are armed with torpedo lances and galvanic rifles. Able to make use of the extreme maneuverability and speed offered by the IOM, the concept is to use IOMs in a manner similar to lancers in attacks against armored aerial vehicles. One hit from a torpedo lance can cripple or destroy most light aerial vehicles (of, say the Aphid-class), while an entire troop's lances should bring down any conceivable aerial juggernaught.

  Unfortunately, at the time of this article's release, our photostatic crew have been unable to capture an image of the IOM in flight. However, we have managed to obtain this image of one at rest for your enlightenment. The handwavium reaction tanks at the front of the IOM are clearly visible, as are the wings, landing gear, and saddle. Cooling vanes for the galvanic generator adorn the 'head' as well, and a flexible tail-like rudder assembly assists in sharp turns.

Pictured on the tarmac floor of the Design Works aerodrome.

[Editor's Note: I own neither the Shapeways nor the Tobsen, yet. Both are on the 'buy it someday' list. The photos are taken from the makers' websites, without permission, and are used here only as reference and not for commercial purposes (other than possibly as advertising for their manufacturers). If you would prefer I remove them from this site, as always, please let me know. the IOM is a Mage Knight Soaring Gunner's mechanical dragonfly. I am awaiting a shipment of riders from Australia, a la Victoria Miniatures, to provide riders.]