I'm a Backer!

   I pulled the trigger on backing the Victorian Science Fiction/Horror skirmish game Empire of the Dead today. West Wind Productions produces the game and figures, and I have been interested for a while now. The Kickstarter Project for Requiem pushed me over the edge. I simply must have some of these models. I pledged £106 to get figures, rules, and two Hansom cabs. That's about $160, so I hope my wife doesn't notice it...

 

   I really like the Tesla Projector model in the set below. And I would like to have Mr. Brown as well, to provide security for Her Majesty, God Bless Her. I already have a model of the Grandmother of Europe, though.

The Infernium Hound sold me on this set.

I hope I can talk them into selling me a few more as single figures.

 

[Editor's Note: These photos are obviously not my own, but taken (with permission!) from the Kickstarter Website. These are just some really awesome models, and I want to share them with the VSF comunity as much as possible in my little way. Thanks, and good night.]

New Species of Martians Discovered

   That's right, a new sort of Martian Johnny is running about the Red Planet. An ancient race, they were recently discovered, and now we bring the news to you, our dear readers.

Note the cloven hoof...

   Only time will tell if these Martians be friend or foe to Her Majesty's Crown Colony of Mars. More information about them can be found here.

[Editor's Note: This is a range of Martians that I just found. They are produced by Red Planet Miniatures, which seems to be a small operation out of the UK. The basic infantry pack is 8GBP for four multi-pose minis. I like them - they are different! If only I hadn't invested so much into my Parroom and Space 1889 Martians. I may pick some up anyway, because they are quite cool.]

Sea Mat, First Attempt

   The following picture is of a piece of cloth that I purchased and dyed, hoping to create a useful sea mat for Dystopian Wars. The color of the lighter blue does not show up well - it was originally white with blue zebra stripes. I think it is too busy, so it may be back to the drawing board, with $18 worth of materials down the drain.

   Anyone have any ideas how to tone it down? Should I hit it with some spray paint or something? Or is this one chalked up to experience and start over?

   Have any of you created a good sea mat yourself? I want some wave pattern in it, smooth finish, not rough canvas weave, felt, or flannel. Any tips for me?

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.

 

 

A Death Ray to Be Proud Of...

   It just isn't fair.

 

   The raw talent and vision that Colonel O'Truth has for the creation of truly spectacular pseudo-Victorian creations is just not fair. As exhibit A, I present to you his newest little project: Professor Shandy Tanglefoot's Over-Compensatory Death-Ray of Doom. Which he threw together in three days. Three. Days.

 

 

 

 

Learn more about it here.