Merry Christmas 2012

Very best wishes to you!

Anti-Aeronef gun

In 1911 the threat of aircraft was already apparent, as this lovely light anti-aeronef prototype mounting shows:

"Rear Admiral Nathan C. Twining of the United States Navy is spending all his energies to make air craft unsafe, at least in warfare, while H. La V. Twining, brother of the Admiral, is seeking daily to improve aerial navigation. Rear Admiral Twining bas just invented a gun (see below) which, it is believed, will meet and prevent the menace of bomb-throwing airmen." ("Studying Airships in War; H. La V. Twining Builds Planes - Admiral Twining Has Gun to Destroy 

New range of Victorian coastal craft!

Now here is something that has caught my eye - a range of 1/2400 scale Victorian/ACW era craft by Tumbling Dice.  Cant see to find any pics of the range at the moment though:

ASV1 1st Rate 120 Gun Converted 3 Decker (1856) x1

• ASV2 1st Rate 120 Gun HMS Victoria (1859) x1
• ASV3 2nd Rate 90 Gun HMS Hero (1858) x1
• ASV4 2nd Rate 100 Gun HMS Duncan (1859) x1
• ASV5 Frigate HMS Phoebe (1859) x1
• ASV6 Frigate Souveraine (1859) x1
• ASV7 Frigate HMS Diadem (1857) x1
• ASV8 Small Frigate HMS Arrogant (1840) x1
• ASV9 Large Frigate HMS Galatea (1859) x1
• ASV10 Very Large Frigate HMS Mersey (1858) x1

http://www.tumblingdiceuk.com/product-category/12400-naval/victorian-period-acw

British Frigate HMS Mersey

Scandinavian Fleet takes to the air!

Those clever chaps at Brigade Models have released a new Aeronef Fleet: The Scandinavians!

In our (unofficial) Aeronef timeline, Sweden and Norway have been joined in a union by Denmark and control most of the Scandinavian peninsula, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroes and of course the Kattegat, Skagerrak and the Danish Straits between the Baltic into the North Sea. The Union is a primarily defensive organisation, with no expansionist agenda, merely a desire to look after the territory and peoples of the three countries. here>

The initial releases for this force include:
VAN-2301 Oscar II class Battleship £6.50
VAN-2302 Lillehammer class Battlecruiser £6.50
VAN-2304 Frederiksborg class Heavy Cruiser £3.00
VAN-2307 Udbye class Destroyer £1.50
VAN-2309 Scheele class Corvette £1.00
VAN-2310 Vanern class Torpedo Nef £0.50
VAN-2311 Glomma class Patrol Nef £0.50
VAN-7231 Scandinavian Heavy Turrets (x12) £1.50
VAN-7232 Scandinavian Light Turrets (x12) £1.50
VANF-2302 Swedish Union Flag £0.50
VANF-2303 Scandinavian Union Flag £0.50
VANF-2502 Norwegian Union Flag £0.50

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Scandinavian%20Union.html

Dystopian UUUULLLLAAAA!

Thats right, the Martians are coming to Dystopian Wars!

"As gamers of Dystopian Wars you know that the nations and factions of the world are locked in a bitter and gruelling World War with one another, with two major power blocs striving for supremacy, and many lesser nations flocking to support one or other of these great alliances. But what about this question: what would it take to pull all of these warring factions away from each other’s throats, and force them to stand together in common cause? Well we think the answer is a simple one. And it goes something like this: An invasion by a power not of this world, using technology so far advanced that it makes even the greatest achievements of Man seem like child’s play. And to make it worse, these invaders don’t want to simply win the war, they are hell-bent on cleansing the planet of the inferior race they see as infecting the world!"

And so we present the story of the Invasion of Earth by a hostile alien intelligence, known to humanity only as ‘The Invaders’. These mysterious beings command extraordinary powers, but are utterly inimical to all earthly life, seeking only to destroy it and alter the very world itself to suit their own needs. The events of this campaign are speculative – it is not intended to be part of the plotline of the Dystopian Wars game, which we are rapidly developing and expanding in our campaign books and other publications. Instead, it provides an account of just how the human nations of the world might react when faced with such a mysterious, deadly and relentless enemy."

"It is also a chance for you, the players, to pit your forces against the military might of a terrifying new foe from beyond both the stars and human understanding. Or perhaps you will choose to side with the Invaders in their attempt to purge this valuable jewel of a planet of its current unworthy residents. Either way, you must marshal your forces, stand fast and load heavy ammunition – the Invaders are here"

http://www.spartangames.co.uk/

Custer's Last Jump

Aero Squadrons and dirigibles during the American Civil War, biplane and mono wing fighters transferred to Cherokee and Sioux Indians, the US 505th Balloon Parachute Battalion attached to Custer's 7th Cavalry - this short story bu Stephen Utely and Howard Waldrop has it all!

A quick and fun read any advocate of Alternate History and clever chaps in flying machines will approve of!
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/u/steven-utley/custers-last-jump.htm

Space Captain Smith, by Toby Frost

Just saw this book reviewed online - hadn't heard of it before but sounds like something I'll be looking out for:
http://bookswithballs.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/review-space-captain-smith-by-toby.html

Happy Birthday to me!

40 years young today!

There is Nothing beneath me!

Found this awesome work by Shadowking today - a great Mole model (though I prefer to describe such contraptions as "Terranefs" myself).  Go check it out, along with a 28mm scale Aeronef and some nice Pulp figs here:
http://shadowking-shadowkings.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/aeronef-mole-pulp-goodness-finished.html

PS This is the 800th post at Yours in a White Wine Sauce - Huzzah!

Russian Coalition sighted!

Latest offerings from Spartan

The Juggernaut of the East Arrives!

This summer promises to be an explosive one as the fearsome Russian Coalition, Dystopian Wars seventh devastating nation, enters the ever-escalating war. The battle-hardened Russian Coalition has been one of the most highly-anticipated releases of the year, possessing many powerful and unorthodox models, all crafted with a distinctly industrial aesthetic.

With the release imminent, you can now plan your Russian Coalition land, sea and aerial forces as you seek out your enemies and destroy them using iron and steel forged by this giant nation.

These models will be shipping from August 1st 2012. 

Battlefield Dominance

Watch with awe as the Kursk Class Land Dreadnought bulldozes through the enemies frontline with frightening and unparalleled might, shaking the very foundations of Dystopian Wars.

Nations should fear the land forces of the Russian Coalition. Vigilence is called for if you want to avoid the armoured vehicles of this nation from crushing you beneath their tracks.

The ships of the Russian Coalition are brutal, with turrets arranged into forward-facing salvos, and hulls matching the angular forward momentum of their deadly style of combat. They are covered with ablative armour plating, forcing enemies to break their Critical Rating before they can even think of damaging them. Not only does this give them an intimidating profile, but it makes them extremely difficult to break down in battle. 

The Russian Coalition dominates an incredible one-sixth of the world's landmass, and in order to defend these lands their military must be highly adaptable. Its skyships are capable of holding their own against the aerial forces of any nation, and its navy has ships armed with a multitude of torpedo-breakers and rocket-jammers - devastating weapons that ensure the Russian Coalition is as much a threat in the sea as they are on land.

Perhaps the most interesting and visually awe-inspiring string to the Russian Coalition's bow is the ability of the beastly Kostroma Class Battle Carrier to create glaciers. These hazardous clumps of ice have been the bane of naval fleets for many years. Now, the resourceful and wily Russian Coalition have found a way to utilise them in battle.

Combining their large, industrious behemoths with their speedy, smaller vessels is the key to success with the Russian Coalition. With Land Dreadnoughts, Repair Vehicles, Skyships and plenty more surprises soon to be at your disposal, it is up to you to command the Juggernaut of the East to victory.

http://spartangames.co.uk/shop/index.php?route=product/category&path=62_77

Congratulations your Majesty

Long Live the Queen!

Dystopian Wars - Kingdom of Britannia

My buddy James has posted pics of his DW Britannia Fleet at my other blog - check them out here:
http://tasmancave.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/dystopian-wars-kingdom-of-brittannia.html

New 'Nefs from Brigade!

Those clever chaps at Brigade have released more new goodies to tempt our poor wallets - Huzzah!

Victoria class Heavy Battleship

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Great%20Britain/VAN-117.html

Heyworth class Heavy Biplane Bomber

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Great%20Britain/VAN-118.html

Burevestnik class Seaplane (pack of 3)

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Russia/VAN-512.html

Stirling Castle class Liner

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Merchants/VAN-5010.html

ANZAC Day 2012

Lest We Forget

Build your own Islandwana

Thats what this guy did - very effectively too!
http://wargamingwithsilverwhistle.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/isandlwana-backdrop.html

New Brigade Releases for Salute

Lucky so-and-sos attending SALUTE will be able to pick up Brigade's new releases, which include some great looking sea and land fortresses for Land Ironclads.
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Salute%20Releases.html

Vampire Killing Kit

I've posted things like this before, being impressive fan made movie prop type items. This is not such a thing - in fact it resides in a Museum!  The Mercer Museum in Doylestown Pennsylvania hosts this intriguing item, which has the following entry in the catalogue:

Object Title	Vampire Killing Kit
Accession Number	89.06.001.01-.11
Object Description	Leather covered wooden case, hinged and divided into a top and bottom section. Sections are divided into compartments and lined with felt. Top section has latching leather cover enclosing contents. Case includes (top section): flowers of garlic, two vials of 'serum', glass syringe, silver needle, magnifying glass. Bottom section of case includes: powder flask, bullet mold, crucifix/wooden stake, pistol, two silver bullets with crosses cut into them, and two lead balls. A paper label describing kit and contents is affixed to inside of leather cover enclosing top section.
Materials	wood; leather; Steel; Brass; ivory; glass; silver; Iron; mother-of-pearl; felt
Label/Mark/Inscription	Vampire Killing Kit/This box contains the items considered necessary, for the protection of persons who/travel into little known countries of Eastern Europe, where the populace are/plagued with a particular manifestation of evil known as VAMPIRES. Professor Ernst Blomberg respectfully requests that the purchaser of this kit, carefully studies his book/in order, should evil manifestations become apparent, he is equipped to deal with them/efficiently. Professor Blomberg wishes to announce his grateful thanks to that well-known/gunmaker of Liege, Nicholas Plomdeur whose help in the compiling of the special items, the silver bullets etc. has been most efficient. (LABEL)
History of Use	The kit was examined by Dr. Jeffrey A. Baylor while he was working on his PhD disertation on Vampirism in Literature (Lehigh University). Dr. Baylor said that both the contents of the case and the label include elements of vampiric lore that existed at many different times in the 19th and 20th centuries, and he considered it unlikely that these elements would have been combined this way in the mid-19th century. Based on a literary analysis, he did not believe the kit was authentic
Measurements	Height: 3.500 in Width: 11.000 in Depth: 7.000 in

This item has also been incorporated into the RPG Space 1889 - the online article here is what tipped me to it in the first place.

http://starweb.mercermuseum.org/starweb/MercerCollections/servlet.starweb#?

An American "Flashman"?

We shall see!

SCOUNDREL!

The Secret Memoirs of General James Wilkinson In the humorous, iconoclastic tradition of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman novels, Gore Vidal's Burr, and Thomas Berger's Little Big Man, meet real-life scoundrel James Wilkinson as he lies, schemes, backstabs, and seduces his way through our nation's early history.  In Scoundrel! historian and novelist Keith Thompson mixes fact and fiction with intense characterization and riveting story.  Scoundrel! is a book for anyone who loves adventure, and will hold special appeal for aficionados of historical fiction, military fiction, and U.S. history. This first book, subtitled The True Spirit of '76, recounts Wilkinson's misadventures during the momentous year of 1776, starting at the siege of Boston, following him through Benedict Arnold's disastrous Canadian invasion, and ending with Washington's attack on Trenton.  Along the way he battles savage Indians, seduces beautiful women, fawns over egomaniacal generals, falls in with British spies, and betrays everyone who strays into his path. In short, Scoundrel! is "History with Humor", and after experiencing Wilkinson's irreverent spin, the reader will never view the Revolution or the Founding Fathers the same way again.

http://www.scoundrel1776.info/

20mm Nostalgic Revival: Donald Featherstone

20mm Nostalgic Revival: Donald Featherstone: The Father of UK Wargaming is 94 years young around this time, many congrats to him, his books got me started way back in the mists of t...

PREPARING FOR A WARGAME

( WITH THE HELP OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE )

In peace there’s nothing so becomes a wargamer

as modest stillness and humility;

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

then imitate the action of the tiger;

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,

disguise fair nature with hard favour’d rage.

Then lend the eye a terrible aspect,

let it pry through the portage of the head

like a brass cannon; let the brow o’whelm it

as fearfully as does a galled rock.

Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide;

hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit

to his full height. On, on, you noble wargamer

whose blood is that of fathers who wrote the rules !

Fathers who, like so many Alexanders,

have at these Conventions from morn ‘till even fought,

and pocketed their dice for lack of argument.

Dishonour not your mothers, for did they not sit

whilst those whom you call fathers painted their armies ?

Feel superior to players with troops in other scales,

and teach them how to wargame. And you, good players,

whose hands were made for wargaming, show us here

the mettle of your army; let us swear

that they are worthy of your painting, which I doubt not;

For there are none of them so mean and base

that hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

straining upon the start. The game’s afoot !

Rattle your dice ! And upon the charge

cry ‘God for Scruby! Featherstone! and HG Wells!’

Space 1889 Audio Dramas

I'm doing a lot of driving during the week at the moment, and have rediscovered these stories set in the Space 1889 universe by Noise Monster Productions.

The first 3 stories are a series set on Mars: Red Devils, The Steppes of Thoth, and The Siege of Alclyo.
The fourth story The Lunar Inheritance is a stand alone story.

I quite enjoyed all of them, particularly the wonderfully stereotyped characters.  If you haven't heard them before, they are 70 or so minutes well spent, even if just to get a few different ideas.

The CDs can be elusive to locate, but seem to still be available from the US here:
http://www.whona.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=W&Category_Code=space1889

JC of Mars

The girls went out to the Taylor Swift concert tonight, so naturally the boys sneaked out to see John Carter of Mars after they left.  Its had a bunch of mixed reviews, but our opinion? Epic!  A great adventure movie with amazing effects.  It had some slow spots, but these were necessary for the plot and I guess they just seemed slower after all the action bits.

Seriously, ,the Green and White Martians and the associated special effects are fantastic (and should be for 250 million dollars!)  If you are looking for a good, fun adventure yard this is a great ride.  The Lad and I are itching to play some "Redcoats on Mars" style games now!




PS Its pretty WoW in 3D!

1891: A Space Odyssey

UnMuseum

Some fun "relics" and bits and bobs here, including the possessions of Professor Aronnax!
www.unmuseum.org/notescurator/league_art.htm

A Cracker Day on the Field

My lad Reilly captained his Cricket team for this week's U/12s match. A great game on a hot day, here is the match report, posted by a proud Dad (BTW Reilly also got a wicket, bowling out the opposing Captain):

Match Scores:
Grammar (Navy) 5-75 (Reilly 12no, Ethan 7, Jack 7, Angus 2-3) defeated Grammar (Sky) 5-57 (Angus 13, Justin 10no, Bailey 9no, Tom 3-8)

Match Report:
This was another closely fought contest between these two evenly matched teams. Navy batted first and posted a respectable score of 75 from their 20 overs. When Sky batted they lost some early wickets which put them behind the required run-rate and although they recovered their final score of 57 was not quite enough. There were some good performances on both sides with bat and ball but perhaps the difference was the excellent fielding of Reilly O’Grady for Navy who stopped many possible boundaries fielding at mid-wicket. Both teams have displayed excellent improvement throughout the season and will look to continue this in their final two games.

Player Awards:
Navy – Reilly, Sky - Angus

Dr Grordbort and the Deadliest Game!

Dr Grordbort Presents: The Deadliest Game from Media Design School on Vimeo.

French Aeronef Le Louis Daguerre: Part 1

Renowned modeller Tony from Dampf's Modelling Page, has entered the Roebeast trash bash competition.  Excitingly, his project is titled:

French Imperial Aeronef Le Louis Daguerre

An Observation and Survey Nef currently serving at Le Mons, Mars (French Sector)

He has posted this teaser to get our VSF juices flowing:

Part One;

Ten years after the first human set foot on Mars the Colonial Land-Grab is in full swing with Great Britain, Germany, The United Stated of America and the Belgian Republique leading the assault. Japan and France came late to the table and have never achieved the victories of the earlier states. This is all about to change with the French Government finally agreeing to build both the largest Astronef - Le Gloire and now Le Louis Daguerre an observation and survey Nef to explore and map the Le Mons area of Mars.

The Loius Daguerre is one of the largest Nef's ever constructed on Mars and was built to house the newly developed Daguerreotype Camera which uses huge half-metre square silver coated glass plates to take images of the Martian landscape and 'map' the built up areas.  The process needs huge reserves of dangerous chemicals which are housed in two large and two smaller containers built into the main hull. Early experiments have proven than an area of five square kilometres can be successfully mapped in less than three days, thereby cutting down on man-hours and the risk of being assaulted by rival States or marauding Martians.

The new technology of image capture is causing quite a stir amongst the other Earth-Bourne Governments and Le Louis Daguerre is now accompanied by at least one French Aeronef when ever out on operation's. It is rumoured that The Kaiser has raised a bounty of one thousand gold crowns for the capture of the Loius Daguerre - a rumour that is having quite an effect on the fleets of Martian Pirates.

I'm looking forward to seeing his entry on 1 March!

http://dampfpanzerwagon.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/trash-bash-2012.html

Adventures in a Lost Land

I haven't done any Dino Hunting games for awhile, but I came across these rules by 2HW the other day.  Anybody tried them out?

Take the shot!


You hear the whispers. Giant creatures from the dawn of time alive and walking the earth. Dinosaurs! How can it be? As a hunter you have to find out the truth so you follow the rumors to this God-forsaken corner of the world, Lemuria!


You've spent days and large sums of money in tracking the Beast and now it's come to this. Your bearer trembles as he pulls back the branch giving you a clear view of the Beast in all its splendor. As you steady your aim it turns, looks you in the eye and at that moment you wonder... Who's hunting who?


Adventures in the Lost Lands, introduces you to a world like no other. A world of giant creatures and prehistoric men where you can Be a Pulp Era hero exploring Lost Lands and searching for valuable treasure. Lead your tribe of primitive cavemen in a fight against other primitive tribes. Be a modern day big game hunter who travels to a pre-historic land that time forgot. Command a Victorian Era expedition bent on discovery and conquest. Be a dinosaur, not only a dinosaur, but THE dinosaur, as you take on all others for supremacy.


In Adventures in the Lost Lands you can do all of this and more. We've included a number of linked scenarios forming a campaign which can be played solo, cooperatively with all players on the same side, or head to head against your friends. It's all up to you!


*Really? Louisiana? Yep, it's a long story.


http://www.twohourwargames.com/adventures-in-the-lost-lands.html

England Win Calcutta Cup!

What ho chaps! A stalwart display by our young fellers at Murrayfield today, beating the bally Scots at rugger in their back yard 13 to 6 to win the Calcutta Cup! Jolly well done chaps, have a well earned Indian Pale Ale!

The Baron Rides Again!

An "Aeronef over the Aegean" campaign report, by Ruaridh.  Its great to see one's creations being used by others - now I know how Mssr Blease feels all the time!
http://ooh-shiny-complex.blogspot.com/2012/01/aeronef-over-aegean-photo-report.html

The Russian Ironclads

An interesting (and short) essay regarding the development of the Russian ironclad fleet from the Crimean war onwards:  http://www.neva.ru/EXPO96/book/chap9-1.html

Though I notice there is not much mention of the Tsar's Aquanefs...

Usuthu!!!!

Yes, today is the Anniversary of the Battle of  Isandlwana and day 1 of of the Battle of Rourke's Drift, in which the most Victoria Crosses were awarded for a single engagement.  May you have a better day than the lads of the 24th and raise a glass to the courage of the participants.

New Sky Fortresses and Carriers

Now available from Spartan: the wait is over!

Covenant of Antarctica Epicurus Class Sky Fortress, Federated States of America Savannah Class Sky Fortress, Kingdom of Britannia Illustrious Class Sky Fortress

Empire of the Blazing Sun Kagoshima Class Mobile Airfield (left), Federated States of America Alamo Class Mobile Airfield (right)

Empire of the Dead

I so have this on my 2012 "to get" list
http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/

Anatoli has some great news scoops at his blog here, and more info here:

http://www.sweetwater-forum.de/index.php?page=Thread&threadID=7044

More Stout Chaps

Warlord Games continue to develop their comprehensive (and impressive) line of Zulu war figures with more plastic British Infantry, out in time for the Anniversary of the Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift.  Have at 'em chaps!

http://www.warlordgames.com/15830/new-plastic-anglo-zulu-war-british-infantry/

"Alright then - nobody told you to stop working!"

And certainly not least, are these Heroes of the Empire!

The sullen but doughty Private Hook VC, the stoic but reluctant Lt Chard VC, the dandy English gentleman Lt Bromhead VC and the unflappable bayonet fighting Colour Sgt Bourne.

28mm Nautilus

is now available from HLBS!
http://www.hlbs.co.uk/product.php?id=782