Steampunk Walkers

You may have come across the Star Wars: Steampunk project going about, but with Land Ironclads in mind, I just had to post this great bit of artwork: Steampunk Imperial Walkers!




You can see more steamy Star Wars artwork here:

http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=31&t=477974&page=1&pp=15

"The horrors of æthers"

I am in the process of preparing a transcript of the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica article on Æther. It begins as follows:

ÆTHER, or ETHER (Gr. αιθnρ, probably from αιθω, I burn, though Plato in his Cratylus (410 B) derives the name from its perpetual motion — οτι αει θει περι τον αερα ρεων, αειθεnρ οικαιως αν καλοιτο), a material substance of a more subtle kind than visible bodies, supposed to exist in those parts of space which are apparently empty.
"The hypothesis of an æther has been maintained by different speculators for very different reasons. To those who maintained the existence of a plenum as a philosophical principle, nature's abhorrence of a vacuum was a sufficient reason for imagining an all-surrounding æther, even though every other argument should be against it. To Descartes, who made extension the sole essential property of matter, and matter a necessary condition of extension, the bare existence of bodies apparently at a distance was a proof of the existence of a continuous medium between them.…

The source of the infomation can be found here: http://en.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=User:Tim_Starling/ScanSet_TIFF_demo&vol=01&page=EB1A330

The pages involved are scans #329 through #334, inclusive (scroll down).

What's prompted this is the Astronef map I've been developing. I feel that in order to complete it, I must understand the notions of the period regarding Æther. It is a rather long article, as you'll see if you visit the above URL, so I probably won't be posting it here (at least not all in one go) but I will announce the finished file and make it available to those who might be interested.

Awesome VSF style Cannon.

OK, its really made for Warmachine, but this artillery piece is a beauty!

It also comes pre-painted so it good to go right out of the box.

In 15 and 25mm it could be a "threatre seige cannon", but I'm also thinking that in smaller scales it could be a astronef launching cannon too. Or a Mad Scientist doomsday weapon ready to launch cholera bomblets hundereds of miles away...

You can see more of it here:

http://www.gf9.com/

Indomitable class Armoured Cruiser

The support to Isotx's Iron Grip universe continues to build, this time with the unveiling of the Rhamos Protectorate Airforce's Indomitable class Armoured Cruiser:

"One of the oldest cruiser designs in use by Rahmos, Indomitables are still very formidable vessels compared to most airship types employed by other nations. In addition to being among the largest vessels yet commissioned at the time of their introduction several decades ago, they featured lots of experimental technology for their day, such as advanced Stormreapers, stereoscopic rangefinders for the main armament, ducted lift fans to help keep the vessel aloft, bow and stern thrusters to aid maneuvering, and much more. Many of these technologies are now standard on Rahmos warships, though some of the innovations are already obsolete.

In contemporary times, the Indomitable is badly under-gunned compared to modern armored cruisers, and comparatively slow due to the small-diameter thrust propellers which, due to driveshaft positioning, can’t be economically upgraded. Most of the Indomitables have been refitted with triple 30mm antiaircraft turrets as pirates and rival nations have developed heavier-than-air flying machines. During times of peace, General Marshals often use these as flagships of “civil defense fleets” primarily composed of destroyers and unarmored patrol vessels. Against smugglers and pirates, the Indomitable is a very persuasive force. During wartime, squadrons of these old cruisers are often used as diversions and decoys and other high-risk jobs due to their depreciated value as compared to more modern and expensive ships.

Length: 216m

Beam: 30m

Armament: 22 x 150mm guns, 6 x 102mm guns, 14 x triple 30mm, 12 x 20mm, 1x biplane -torpedo launcher

Quote from Admiral Dorsin's radio call to the T6 Fleet: "if the encirclement fails, just use up the Cruisers to ram and bail out"?

http://www.isotx.com/index.php?view=4397

Thanks to Tom for the link!

Æther, the final frontier...

We seem to be in an ethereal mood. This detail of a work-in-progress demonstrates how far each planet (out to Jupiter) will travel in a terrestrial month. It is, of course, simplified and loses track of precise location after about two years. The larger spaces on each orbit roughly shows the real positions of the planets in the middle of January in 1899. All of the planets shown move one space counter-clockwise per month.

The work-in-progress image shows the full orbit of Jupiter (so you can imagine its size). Reaction to this post will guide the direction of the project.

Mechanical Marvels

I found this with some great old SF pics of Astronef style vehicles (though admittedly many others are from the post-Victorian period). Some great reading here!


http://blog.modernmechanix.com/category/space/

Beat to quarters and secure the deck for action!

Most of building the Nautilus is flat-panel work. When you decide to adopt this view, the task becomes far less daunting. The remaining tricky part of this stage is getting the angles and dimensions properly planned out. That's what's in progress now and will soon be enhance via a new CAD program.

In the meantime, I am ordering the parts that are be beyond my present sculpting skills regardless of CAD help.

From Reviresco:

These doors will be part of the Pilot house, Nemo's cabin, Salon/Museum, Library, Engine room, and the Diving chamber.


I mainly needed two of the Engine Order Telegraph pieces; one will go in the Pilot house and the other in the Engine room.

From The London War Room

These doors will be used for the smaller "port and starboard" rooms that are not designated with a letter (seen a few posts ago).

More Iron Stars

Rory has posted some pics of his Aeronefs and Iron Stars ships, as well as other pics of his great gaming models, here: http://web.mac.com/rorymh/iWeb/Home/Gaming.html

More Contraptions!

Today I discovered Andrew's VSF page, which I hadnt come across before and has some wonderful 25mm VSF contraptions, shown below.

You can find his webpage here: http://andrewnz2.tripod.com/id59.html

Prussian Steam-powered Walkers (old 40k sentinels converted and painted by Ken Crawford)

Brit Steam Armour

Stellar Cartography

With Astronef on the horizon (relatively speaking) Tas and I got to talking about a map. After some consideration of how to make something like this - http://sajri.astronomy.cz/asteroidgroups/hildatroj.gif - a game aid (with tokens and spaces), I have decided that the most useful Astronef game map would show Jupiter with Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto. This map is in progress and should be posted soon.

My decision not to show the solar system (at least as far as Jupiter) was not merely based on simplicity. Tas believes that most of the interaction in Astronef will be a much more limited scale. If you are engaging and enemy near Deimos, it will not matter if he has additional ships deployed near Mercury.

Still, you owe it to yourself and your crew to visit the link above included.


Reply by Tas:
I envision an azimtuh projection of the Inner planets, but cenetred on Earth not the Sun. The idea being it would be an Astrogator's chart for navigating from Earth to other destinations (which are depcted in their relative motion to earth). There would then theoretically be a correspnding chart for each of the destination to return.

Idea floated so far are a Stellar Meridian (for standard emasrement of time) and units of measurement being Aetherial Leagues.

Blazar V4 Pin Pulsar

Introducing the first of its kind, the VanDeco* Blazar V4 Pin Pulsar!

* A subsidiary company of Vanvlak Industries Pty Ltd


The design is a pup-sci-fi design messed up by a meddling time traveller who dumped it in his labs in 1899. His assistant is still baffled by the glass device fitted on one side. It's a bit scuffed and corroded, and what appears to be a sighting device is scratched, but it still appears to be functional.




The Blazar V4 was a spurious name assigned to the gun returned by a time traveller to the VanDeco Institute, the V4 designation intended to confuse spies. The Institute subsequently manufactured a mass-produced version, the Blazar 1900, which WOULD have more brass etc.

But I still have to build that - it's in the future of that past... er.... I think....



Well done Sah! Well Done indeed!

VSF Dog-fighting

Now here is something I've been thinking about for awhile - VSF dogfighting! This one is a later pulp version, but simple and full of the kind of silliness we have come to know and love from this genre.


BLAZING SKIES FLUFFY CLOUDS: Air War In the Age of Jingoism.
by Atkins Wargames

Flying Officer Stumpy Prangsworthy’s handlebar moustache streamed behind him in the 80mph wind as he craned his head round trying to locate where Von Strudels Flopper Troutplane had gone to. Deep within the cloud, the spineless Boche had shown his true colours and escaped Stumpys righteous justice. The little Armstrong-WTF 90hp engine growled a new song as he side-slipped his trusty Soppingwet Camel down towards the now helpless Gotha Inhimmel. The Gotha was almost at the target and in scant moments would land at the brewery and snatch No14 Squadrons Claret from under their noses.


Battle in the skies in your Soppingwet Camel, Hawker Ptooey, Flopper Troutplane, Gotha Inhimmel, Knockwurst Einedicker, Vicar’s Funbus, Vicar's Victim, State Model~1337 or Caproni Antipasto! Upgrades include:

• Intimidating paint Job -Such is the fear instilled by the paint job, bandits firing at this kite are -1 to hit it



• Iron undercarriage - +1 to Bumps rolls on fitted kite



• Bribe the C.O - The C.O writes a glowing report on you. +1 gong point



• Pints in the mess - Everyone thinks you’re a good chap, choose your kite for the next mission out of the squadrons inventory



• Disposable Escape kit - Chap automatically escapes from enemy prison

Energy management, height management and the ability to scream "Dakkadakkadakka" whilst surrounded by fellow gamers is what this game's about. A strong campaign side allows pilot and plane development

From the Introduction (and their website):

"Suddenly from behind screaming out of a wingunder manoeuvre the Troutplane appeared in Stumpys vanity mirror, its machinenblastens sparkling motes of fire. A line of holes stitched up the Soppingwets wing and tore the aileron. “Blast you, Von Strudel “yelled Stumpy as he realised that he had been sold a duffer and was gone for a burton.

Only one trick could save him. Feathering his Kites prop, he hit the airbrakesand was rewarded with the bright pink Troutplane flashing under him.

Dropping the nose Stumpy let rip a corking burst which caught the Jerry a treat. Flames poured from the Troutplane’s Junkers Jumbo radial engine and Von Strudel Hit the Silk. Von Strudel shook his fist as Stumpy flashed past. “Verdammt Englander! Finish me now! The shame is too great!” “Not a chance old pip,” grinned Stumpy; “A Englishman flies by the rules of the game, and potting a Chap on his chute is defiantly not playing the game.”

What a laugh! Sounds great and with just a little imagination, a swag of VSF kites could be gathered also.

See more about this great sounding game here: http://www.freewebs.com/tommiatkins/

Or read more and see an AAR here: http://www.freewebs.com/tommiatkins/blazingskies.htm

and I found an old News article at TMP with some comments here: http://theminiaturespage.com/news/894498

Has anyone played or seen this played?

"So no more time for breifing chaps, Scramble! Chocks away and we'll be back before opening time! Hurrah!"

Continuing the tour...

Here we see the correction of the previous illustrations. The dimensions of certain rooms have been altered. Additionally, Nemo's quarters has been moved to another deck, just below and just ahead of the pilot house. The galley has been expanded and moved to just aft of the dining room. The chamber shown as "X" is the diving preparation room.

All the spaces not designated with a letter serve as storage or spare cabins (though we must imagine visitors are exceptionally rare).

This will likely be the last post of schematics. Our project will move to 3D construction quite soon.

Need a Monster aerostat?

Here is a 1/144 scale model of the German WW1 naval Zeppelin LZ4, by Airalex

With this beast you can cross the channel at will and bomb with impunity!

At $300 each I'm guessing you wont be flying squadrons of them on the table but she does have wonderful detail as is hand-made. I love the paint scheme too, I might have to use that on my next big Dig.

http://airalex.homestead.com/ZEPPELIN.html

Captain No-one

Having gone a little Nemo crazy this week at WWS(and there is nothing wrong with that!), I thought it would be interesting to think about the man more in depth.

Captain Nemo is a unique and interesting character who was left deliberately vague in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Thus, he has been represented in different ways by those who wish to depict the genius behind the Nautilus.

One of the major differences are the portrayals of his heritage. Some depictions are European, others more Indian. Recently, I found this explanation on wiki, which was interesting:


"In the initial draft of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Nemo was a Polish noble vengeful because of the murder of his family during the Russian repression of the Polish insurrection of 1863-1864. Verne's editor Pierre-Jules Hetzel feared a book ban in the Russian market and offending a French ally, the Russian Empire. He made Verne obscure Nemo's motivation in the first book. However, Nemo reveals an Indian ancestry in a scene where he saves a South Indian fisherman while on a scuba dive.

It is in the sequel that Nemo presents himself as Prince Dakkar, the Hindu son of the Rajah of Bundelkund and nephew of Tippoo Sahib, having a deep hatred of the British conquest of India. After the Sepoy mutiny, he devotes himself to scientific research and develops an advanced electric submarine, the Nautilus. He and a crew of his followers cruise the seas, battling injustice, especially slavery. The gold of Spanish ships sunk at the Bay of Vigo provided them with money."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Nemo

You can read the chapter detailing Nemo's life online here: http://jv.gilead.org.il/kravitz/3/16.html

This Indian theme was continued in both the comic and movie of "The League of Extraordinary Gentlmen", in which the Captain's death at Mysterious Island was faked in order to disperse international interest in him. Then he went to work in secret with Her Majesty's Government.

Captain Nemo was also portrayed in a self-titled Japanese Manga series, but this time back as a European.

Kevin Anderson has written two books on the adventures of a young Nemo in company with a young French gentlemen named Mssr Verne.

Read a review of the first book here:

http://www.scifi.com/sfw/books/sfw7991.html

According to wikpedia, Nemo has been portrayed in film and TV by the following actors:

James Mason played Captain Nemo in the Walt Disney film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954). His is the most famous portrayal.
Herbert Lom played Captain Nemo in Mysterious Island (1961)
Robert Ryan played Captain Nemo in Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969)
Omar Sharif played Captain Nemo in La Isla misteriosa y el capitán Nemo (1973)
Len Carlson played Captain Mark Nemo in the very loosely connected animated series The Undersea Adventures of Captain Nemo in the mid-1970s.
José Ferrer played Captain Nemo in the TV movie and short lived TV-series The Return of Captain Nemo (1978)
John Bach played Captain Nemo in the TV series Mysterious Island (1995)
Michael Caine played Captain Nemo in the ABC-TV miniseries 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)
Ben Cross played Captain Nemo in the NBC-TV movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997)
Naseeruddin Shah played Captain Nemo (unmistakably as an Indian Lord) in the film adaptation of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
Patrick Stewart played Captain Nemo in the TV movie Mysterious Island (2005)

Finally, there is a great set of Captain Nemo links here:

http://chilembwe.net/captain_nemo/origin.html

Brigade Models Land Ironclads update

The trans-oceanic telegraph (repeated by drums) has informed me that those stirling chaps at Brigade Models are currently sorting out their LI moulds and they should be ready for release around late October.

Bravo I say!

Returning to the Piscine of the Crime...

I wasn't entirely happy with the recent illustration of the Nautilus. Tonight, inspired by a picture of a rabbit fish washed ashore by a recent tsunami, I created a new view of the main deck.

Another metal cylinder from Mars?

Is the first sign of another Invasion force en-route to Earth?

Yes, another Green Flash! Just like last time...

Mon Sep 17, 11:23 PM -
Mystery illness strikes after meteorite hits Peruvian village

LIMA - Villagers in southern Peru were struck by a mysterious illness after a meteorite made a fiery crash to Earth in their area, regional authorities said Monday.

Around midday Saturday, villagers were startled by an explosion and a fireball that many were convinced was an airplane crashing near their remote village, located in the high Andes department of Puno in the Desaguadero region, near the border with Bolivia.

Residents complained of headaches and vomiting brought on by a "strange odor," local health department official Jorge Lopez told Peruvian radio RPP.

Seven policemen who went to check on the reports also became ill and had to be given oxygen before being hospitalized, Lopez said. Rescue teams and experts were dispatched to the scene, where the meteorite left a 100-foot-wide (30-meter-wide) and 20-foot-deep (six-meter-deep) crater, said local official Marco Limache.

"Boiling water started coming out of the crater and particles of rock and cinders were found nearby. Residents are very concerned," he said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070918/sc_afp/peruhealthoffbeat

Sometimes a Cigar is...

I have some Nautilus plans coming in the mail but I'm not one to let that stop me from art.

Here is the initial draft of the main deck of our submarine. The code for rooms (adjacent to the letters, of course) is as follows:

A = a kind of guest room
N = Nemo's quarters
S = Salon/Museum
L = Library
C = another cabin
G = Galley
B = Berthing for the crew
E = Engine room

Pig Tickling

If you've not heard of it before, you need to discover:

.

Pax Limpopo

by Eureka Miniatures

.

Gentlemenly madness and mayhem on unicyles,

with a mechanical pig thrown in for fun!

.

Pig Tickler is a game for any number of enthusiastic players, the more the merrier. Lancers on unicycles ride around a field attempting to score points or gold rumps by stabbing a mechanical pig, whilst avoiding being knocked over and trampled by the pig.

.

Pig Tickler itself refers to an incident that occurred during Pax Limpopo's version of the Crimean War. On the eve of the charge of the Light Brigade, Lord Cardigan lost his horses in a poker game. Lord Lucan forced him to use unicycles instead. His men drilled all night and became quite proficient at them. The next day, during the battle of Balaclava, the Light Brigade charged on their one-wheeled steeds. The Russians, in response, let loose clockwork pigs purchased from the Prussians. The pigs would scare horses, but they had no effect on the unicyclers. They got to the Russian guns and captured all of them without a man lost. Ever since, British mounted units played a sport where they would mount unicycles in an attempt to stick an original Balaclava mechanical pig (converted to "dependable British steam") with a lance. This became known as "pig tickling".

.

Just the kind of sillyness we like eh?

.

Just as importantly though, there are some fantastic figs that go with these rules.

Zorz at TMP posted a link to his Pig Ticklers a little while ago

http://wargamesterrain.50webs.com/pig_tickler.html


These Pig Tickler minis were painted by Flashman14 and are hosted at "Cool Mini or What"

http://www.coolminiornot.com/14679

Niall has also posted some of his Pig Tickler Minis to Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/niallcorbet/379329219/


And Matakishi's Tea House website has some good pics and description of the game too
http://www.matakishi.com/pigticklerproject.htm


As for me, I played once at an Open Day a few years ago, but being a 15mm VSF player I plan to convert some British Zulu War Lancers to play in my preferred scale, and I have an "incendiary pig" from an Ancient range to use too.


...but you can order the figs and rules from Eureka Miniatures here:
http://www.eurekamin.com.au/

...or if you are already into Pig Tickling, you may find the House rules listed here amusing additions for your own games:
http://www.hyperbear.com/pig/pig-house-rules.html


...and if this doesnt amuse you, try the next Pax Limpopo game "Wagers of Sin":

Street urchins race savage velociraptors around the fetid sewers of Victorian London in a base travesty of the sport of kings. You can wager your ill-gotten gains on the outcome.

HMS THUNDERCHILD in Action!

Remember the Jeff Wayne WOTW live show I mentioned a little while ago?

Well, its been released on DVD, and if you'd like a preview, here is my favourite scene on YouTube: the attack of the HMS THUNDERCHILD!

Arrrggghhhh!

Avast there me hearties, you know what day it is? Once again it be:

International Talk like a Pirate Day!

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Seeking Pirate Wench

Must Have
1. Tight Corset and Fyne Booty.
Preferrably likes it ROUGH and does not mind husband who goes to sea for months at a time. Is NOT the jealous type!

Of course, it wouldn't be White Wine Sauce unless we had AIR pirates here!

And this crewman be here for me old shipmate Maksim:

Have ye-selves an Arrrggghhhhh of a day mateys!

Verne Cartographies

After much searching I have finally found a chart showing the track of the Nautilus in 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. Its not very clear, but that has a charm of its own.

I found the map here, which links you to some fascinating articles about Jules Verne and his works.

http://jv.gilead.org.il/sfs/Harpold/#figure3

Still, if you happen to see a bigger or clearer version , please let me know.



And if you havent seen them before, here are some fantastic collection of maps of the heroes travels in Voyages Extraordinaires:

http://www.phys.uu.nl/~gdevries/maps/maps.cgi

The Quest for Great Nautilus...

My first experience with VSF was 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. This may, in fact, have been the first novel (regardless of genre) I ever read. For quite some time, Captain Nemo has been lurking in the back of my head but he's recently inspired a gaming quest.

Let's start our tour with the essential 28mm miniature - The Captain Nemo from the London War Room.

I first became aware of this company through another VSF fascination; that being Mars. I'd already assembled a small, mixed unit of City Dwellers before I noticed the Extraordinary Personages page. The Nemo figure immediately went on my "order this some time" list.

There are actually two versions of Nemo from the London War Room and I made my determination of which to buy based on availability of suitable miniatures for the Nautilus' crew. One cannot just have a Nemo without a submarine.

But there was one other figure that moved all the figures mentioned here from the "some time" list to the "now" category. Artizan Designs has recently released a Swami miniature and he immediately seemed to be a perfect "second in command/spiritual advisor" to our exceptional captain.



This made if fairly simple to narrow the field of searches for what I estimate to be a crew of fewer than 20. It was also helpful to have started the quest with a fair degree of familiarity with companies that make wide ranges of historical figures.

I must admit that I didn't look for every example of Indian/Sikh figures; I was filling a roster and planned to stop when that was accomplished. Three visits later - to Wargames Foundry, Perry Brothers, and Copplestone Castings - and the quest seemed complete.







These figures have all now arrived and the submarine is fully crewed. I may have to add a few from Castaway Arts; I discovered them after the last recruits reported for duty.

I added a few extra figures from Artizan Designs to justify the postage costs.







For similar, I revisited the Martian selections from Parroom Station. If you look at the Scout and some of the Hill Tribesmen, you'll notice a happy accident of simultaneous collecting.







I should note at this point, there's a female figure in IND232 that my wife informs me is Nemo's daughter. There's a tremendous number of roleplaying ideas in that statement.

And here's the Martian Scout:



Now, we need a Nautilus. I happen to have one of Comet Miniatures' efforts.



I bought it many years ago at a convention and have never painted it or mounted it on a base. It lurks (much as Nemo does in my mind) in my attic - but is no less loved for not being on display.

Our Excellent Host recently reminded me of the Comet Nautilus and that prompted a look on eBay to determine its value. This auction, now ended, shows the relative cost of finding one not-in-one's-attic. It turns out to be worth $36.67, with another $10 for shipping.

Upon visiting the closed auction, a "related item" gave me the VSF opportunity of a lifetime - if you'll pardon what may be a cliche.



I actually plan to use these blueprints to build a 28mm-scale model of the Nautilus. I haven't quite decided whether to build it in sections, with interior diorama spaces, or as one solid piece.