Yours in a White Wine Sauce!

Usuthu!!!!

2012-01-22T08:38:00.000+11:00

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

2012-01-14T09:04:00.000+11:00

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

2012-01-09T00:01:00.001+11:00

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

2012-01-07T08:09:00.000+11:00

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

2012-01-05T12:49:00.001+11:00

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

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T09:52:00.000+11:00

May your drinks cabinets never be empty in 2012!

Dystopian Wars: French sneak-peaks

2011-12-30T08:57:00.000+11:00

Spartan Games have released some concept pics of their new range of DW models: the Republique of France:

Bretagne Class Cruiser

The dawn of the 19th century brought with it a series of catastrophic events that stripped France of its status as an imperial power. Having reached, as they saw it, the very lowest depths of despair, the French spent the following decades dedicating all their efforts into rebuilding their nation and its glory.

Couronne Class Battle Carrier

Now, as the 1870s dawn, and the world is gripped by crisis, France sees at last the chance to regain its rightful place as a great power. The self-satisfied, naysayers and complacent, at home and abroad, who in the past have sought to write off the Republique's fortunes are soon to be proven very wrong.

Focault 'R-6' Class Medium Tank and Hotch 'FT-12' Class Small Tank

The French military forces are split into three services: l'Armee de Terre, l'Armee de Mer and l'Armee de l'Air: literally, the Armies of the Land, Sea and Sky. The Navy and Air Forces also include their own integral marine forces, known as Mousquetons, after the compact automatic carbines that are their main armament.

'B-17' Class Land Ship

L'Armee de Terre is split into the Regular and Reserve Armies and the Heavy Assault Command. The Regular Army is formed of Armoured Regiments; each incorporates its own artillery and infantry elements. The Armoured Regiments form the backbone of the Land Army.

Lyon Class Frigate

The French Navy is divided into three fleets: Atlantic, Channel and Mediterranean, with the strongest forces assigned to the latter two. The Navy also incorporates its own aerial element, the Maritime Air Force, which is responsible for the fighter and light bomber squadrons employed on the Navy's battle-carriers.

Furieux Class Medium Flyer

The third of the Republique's armed services is the most glamorous and also very cosmopolitan. The French air service, focussed as it is on France itself, employs large numbers of conventional short ranged aeroplanes, organised into fighter and bomber squadrons (escadrons de chasse and bombardier respectively) grouped within Air Combat Wings. This part of the air force also incorporates the heavy bomber squadrons.

Voltaire Class Bomber

Factorium Relocated

2011-12-29T21:24:00.000+11:00

The move is now completed, with only minor damages.

Looking forward to re-establishing production soon!

Merry Christmas One and All!

2011-12-24T10:16:00.002+11:00

Best Wishes for a safe and Merry Christmas to All!

Back into the Hindukush...again!

2011-12-16T02:05:00.001+11:00

Yes, time for my biennial relocation of the Man Cave and its associated factorium.
Will be offline for a bit, but will advise when my drinks cabinet has been firmly re-established!

Acoustic Terrain

2011-12-14T07:03:00.003+11:00

Brigade Models have released their acoustic mirror terrain packs:

Welcome to the start of our range of Land Ironclads (and by extension, Aeronef) terrain.

This first two items are ideal for both ranges - a pair of acoustic mirrors (also known as listening ears), based on the real WWI-era installation at Denge in Kent. They make perfect targets for bombing raids or ground assaults, or give you early warning of impending air-raids.

Rules for Aeronef can be found in issue 42 of Ragnarok, if you're able to get hold of a copy.
(and yes, I have a copy!)

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/LandIronclads/Terrain.html

Tiny Troublesome Fellas...

2011-12-12T04:07:00.000+11:00

View Halloo Chaps! With the cook busy making some festive brandy pies and basting the goose under the Memsahib's careful instruction I retired after a lunch of crubeens and beetroot to the study and was browsing the interweb on my personal Babbage Machine when I discovered a new business organisation in the Little Wars market called Troublemaker Games.

Perusing their wares it appears they make available for purchase tiny models in what is known as 10 mil scale where the little soldiers are apparently just 10mm tall (one must confess that I am not quite sure what 10 mil is, sounds bloomin' Froggy to me, but apparently it is just under 1/2 an inch so bally small eh what?). Their range is some form of Wells inspired Land Ironclads scientific romance type with stalwart British types fighting the beastly Hun!

If one is quick one could get the man servant to purchase some for you before the festive period and snowy weather. Pip Pip!Ho!

Horns of the Buffalo

2011-12-11T08:53:00.001+11:00

If you are serious about getting into the 1879 Zulu War, and can commit to a bit of painting!, then you may be interested in this figs and terrain mega-set from Warlord- if you get stuck into it over Christmas you might even be ready to play on the Anniversary of the battle next month!!!
http://www.warlordgames.com/14631/new%C2%A0horns-of-the-buffalo-rorkes-drift-collectors-set/

Yours on a White Wine Facebook

2011-12-09T00:01:00.000+11:00

You may be interested to know that there is now a "Yours in a White Wine Sauce" page on facebook, which sends a telegram or some-such to your man servant to tell you something has been posted here.

Come along and join in the mess games!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yours-In-A-White-Wine-Sauce/312675768750836

WOTW: The New Generation

2011-12-06T22:00:00.001+11:00

A 're-imagined' version of the War of the Worlds Musical? By Liam Neeson?
http://www.sfcrowsnest.com/articles/news/2011/Liam-Neeson-in-new-War-of-The-Worlds-16411.php

Gillivan's isles?

2011-12-05T04:59:00.005+11:00

Back to work at last, and here are some islands, two from the Dreadfleet set, two improvised from discarded beach toys. At the rear is the dreaded 'hand of Neptune', actually a rather creepy doll hand reaching our from the sea. My VSF ships are still not deployed after the move to my new headquarters, so I had to borrow an old Man O' War ship to set the scene. The 'water' is the Dreadfleet mat, which in defiance of my original scepticism works quite well.

Now where are my ironclads......

Rorke's Drift Play Set

2011-12-04T23:47:00.002+11:00

Gentlemen, and boys of a certain age and intelligence, will be pleased to learn that those wallahs at Warlord Games have released a Rorke's Drift play set complete with buildings, loads of blooming zulus and some stout redcoats so one can recreate the heroic battle using Well's Little Wars on the dining room table with a port once cook has cleared away the Christmas goose...

One can also send one's servant out to purchase more brave redcoats which will be damned useful for chaps paying Little Wars games against other nefarious foes such as the bally French or Martians.

The Photojournal of Surgeon Parks, RN

2011-12-03T07:43:00.001+11:00

The Imperial War Museum now has wonderful online photos attributed to renowned Surgeon Oscar Parks taken during WW1.
He was a RN medical officer who became the editor of Jane's Fighting ships in the 20 and 30s). These are just a few of my favourites.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?filter%5BmakerString%5D%5B0%5D=%22Surgeon%20Oscar%20Parkes%22&query=

HMS Abercrombie

HMS Bellerophon, 1918

HMS Canada

HMS Emperor of India, 1915

HMS Emperor of India

HMS Erin 1915

Forth Bridge, 1918

HMS Hercules

HMS Invincible, in the Falklnd Islands

HMS Iron Duke, 1917

HMS Lion, 1915

Brigade Xmas sale

2011-12-01T00:01:00.003+11:00

Its time to get 15% off your Aeronef and Land Ironclads at the Brigade Models Christmas Sale!
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Xmas.html

US Aero-navy Conversions

2011-11-28T21:26:00.000+11:00

Have a look at these great conversions by Nic at "Fen Edge Wargaming" - some great new takes on Brigade's designs:
http://web.me.com/n.j.hawkins/Fen_Edge_Wargaming/Fen_Edge_Wargaming/Entries/2011/3/22_USN_Aeronef_Conversions.html

Prussian Sky Fortress 'Ziethen'

2011-11-26T23:33:00.000+11:00

An inspirational model, you have to check out this dig styled carrier:
http://analogue-hobbies.blogspot.com/2011/11/dystopian-wars-prussian-sky-fortress.html

Les Mystères du Nautilus

2011-11-23T21:20:00.003+11:00

During our recent visit to Paris, we surprised the Lad with a surprise trip to EuroDisney. Aside from the other great bits about this day out was the "The Mysteries of the Nautilus" walk-through attraction, based on the 1954 Disney adaptation of 20,000 Leagues under the Sea (starring James Mason as Captain Nemo).

As a big fan of the movie (despite its departure from the novel) I really enjoyed this attraction and took a bunch of pictures. Amused at my detailed observations, SWMBO reminded me at one point that it wasn't a museum at one point! Anyway, I took a bunch of pictures from a modelling/design perspective. The quality isn't great because of the lighting and crowds, but from an architectural perspective they do the job.

Captain Nemo's Cabin : This cabin shows the Captain's belongings and bunk. One bulkhead is the main navigation chart, which has a neat brass armature which appears to track the submarine's position (which BTW was in the northern part of the Sandwich Islands)

The Chart Room : This room is the hub of the Nautilus, with staircases ascending to the wheelhouse and the main deck above (although these cannot be visited). Several charts are displayed, including one representing Vulcania (which I have posted here: http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2008/09/vulcania.html), Nemo's lair in the movie. The others were mostly of islands and areas in the Pacific Ocean (so no divulging the secret location of Altlantis!)

The Diving Chamber : In the center of this small chamber is a water well and diving suits hang on the wall.

The Main Salon : This is the heart of the Nautilus with books and treasures of the sea gathered here. The Captain's organ stands on the far side and you can see Nemo's reflection when staring at the mirror just above the keys. One scuttle opens on the ocean's depths and you to witness the attack of the giant squid. As it approaches, its beak reaches for the submarine then gets repulsed by an electric charge.

The Engine Room : sadly no detail here or looking into the reactor like on the movie.

So overall I really enjoyed it in a nerdy VSF kind of way that few can appreciate!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Myst%C3%A8res_du_Nautilus

And some more pics taken by others of this attraction:
http://www.20kride.com/photos_other_p2.html

Paddlesteamers and Gunboats

2011-11-21T22:18:00.000+11:00

A wonderful scratch-built paddlesteamer for the Sudan campaign, 1884-85:
http://lonelygamers.blogspot.com/2011/11/paddle-steamer-for-sudan-188485.html

and a great scratchbuilt Colonial Gunboat (sadly not by me):
http://vintagewargaming.blogspot.com/2009/09/jack-alexander-colonial-gunboat.html

Musée de la Marine

2011-11-14T18:35:00.010+11:00

While in Paris recently, my Lad and I visited the French Maritime Museum. Somewhat lost among the 200 odd other museums in that lovely city, I really enjoyed this site and its treasure trove of goodies which includes some ship models over 200 yrs old. Naturally I took lots of pics to share with you!

The multifaceted helmet was designed to give better peripheral vision

An 1882 registered patent by the Carmagnolle brothers, this wonderfully Vernesque design weighed in at approx half a tonne. An articulated design, it was claimed to be effective at depths of up to 150 metres (very speculative - see more here http://www.divingheritage.com/armoredkern2.htm). Nevertheless, its very 20,000 Leagues under the Sea and was one of the highlights of the visit.

Blurry pic aside, you can see that you wouldn't squeeze a big lad in there easily

The Suit in action! from:http://www.maxforums.org/members/BishBashRoss/view.aspx?image=diver

This is the Imperial Barge, built in 1810 for Napoleon, but also used by his successors.

The famous Whitehead torpedo, revolutionary in its design- not sure what HM Government though of Mr Whitehead selling his patent to foreign powers though... Note the polished metal finish. http://www.weymouthdiving.co.uk/torphist.htm#WHITEHEAD

Lad added for scale

There were also these three samples of anti-torpedo netting (to defend against aforementioned torpedoes). Self-evidently, each design balances protection with weight which would be considerable when deployed underway. I thought this was interesting as I had only seen WW2 vintage harbour defence netting before.

Then there was the rather wonderful collection of Ironclad/Pre-Dreadnought era models, ripe for some VSF modelling action. Sadly many of them didn't have very good labels or descriptions (and there were no books available in English) but they say a picture tells a thousand words so here they are (if you can help identify these ships please do!)

An early, pre-turreted ironclad very reminiscent of some US Civil War designs. Look at that armoured ram!

Edit: 'Captain Bill' advises that this is the USS Dunderburg, built in 1862 and sold to the French after the Civil War in 1867 where she was commissioned as the Rochambeau - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Dunderberg_(1865)

This is L'Amiral Duperré, the first barbette ironclad built by France in 1879 - thanks for the information 'laptot' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ironclad_Amiral_Duperr%C3%A9_(1879)

An early submersible and an interesting ironclad with one massive turret up forward. Reminded me of the RN's Nelson class battleships on WW2 actually. Here is a beam view, clearly showing the dual battery layout.

She may be the Fulminant, a Tonnere class turret ship completed in 1882, or perhaps the very similar Tempete class breastwork monitor.
EDIT: 'Latot' has confirmed that this ship is of the Tempete class

I believe this is the Battleship Hoche. You can see that the torpedo netting would have been difficult to deploy and a massive drag. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ironclad_Hoche
http://le.fantasque.free.fr/php3/ship.php3?page_code=hoche

This is le Trident, an ironclad of the Colbert class built in the 1870s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_ironclad_Trident

The ironclad Le Ocean

The armoured corvette L' Jeanne de Arc (1867-1883)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_corvette_Jeanne_d%27Arc

A cutaway of the early (1860s) submarine Plongeur http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Plongeur

The evolution of the torpedo boat as a sea denial weapon under the Jeune Ecole doctrine, adopted by the French to combat the dominance of the Royal Navy. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeune_Ecole)

And finally, this may not be very VSF or Ironclad navies, but it is a wonderful piece of modelling!

Overall a great little museum and well worth an hour or two of your time if you are in Paris. My pictures don't do these wonderful models nearly the justice they deserve!
http://www.musee-marine.fr/index.php?lg=fr&nav=47
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_national_de_la_Marine

Lest We Forget

2011-11-11T13:54:00.000+11:00

Thanks to Mssr Blease for this pic he took of the Australian memorial at Mouquet Farm, the Somme.
http://www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/mouquet-farm/index.html

Confederate Aquanef

2011-11-02T22:24:00.000+11:00

Hot on the heels of the Tsar's designers are the Confederate Aquanef builders!

CSS David Charleston 1865 - public domain image

Confederate inventors were the first on the board when William Cheeney developed a small three man submersible in the James River of Virginia in 1861 shortly after the outbreak of hostilities. A second, larger craft was developed by the same team and was similarly experimental. Cheeney’s craft were unsuccessful and were poorly documented although their existence was reported by Union spies. They were the first of a long line of curious craft...

Read more at Suite101: Confederate Submarines of the Civil War: From The CSS Hunley to the CSS David | Suite101.com http://christopher-eger.suite101.com/confederate-submarines-of-the-civil-war-a121370#ixzz1cXvIhRTT

http://militaryhistory.suite101.com/article.cfm/confederate_submarines_of_the_civil_war

Tsarist Aquanefs

2011-10-20T06:55:00.002+11:00

I borrowed a book from the library this week: "Submarines of the Tsarist Navy: A Pictorial History", Edited by Spassky and Semyonov, 1998

http://www.ajarmsbooksellers.com/cgi-bin/ajarms/10922.html

This is a wonderful little book, delivering exactly what it promises with pictures and diagrams of the Russian Imperial Navy's submarine fleet up until the Bolshevik takeover. Lots of great Aquanef inspiration inside and two designs which have caught my initial attention are:

Osetr (Lake) Class, 6 boats in class, built by a US firm 1903-106

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

Delfin - the first Russian battle submarine, launched in 1902

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

The Case of the Malevolent Mummy

2011-10-18T07:06:00.000+11:00

A fantastic looking game "The Case of the Malevolent Mummy, run at Hurricon 2008 in Orlando, FL"

See all the pics here:

http://www.pbase.com/alex757/mal_mummy

200,000 Erudite Gentlemen

2011-10-12T21:29:00.001+11:00

have now visited this humble abode in the five years since its inception. Egads - who would have thought it!

We of the White Wine Sauce salute and thank you most sincerely for your patronage.
Open the Gin!

Turtlegg

2011-10-05T16:48:00.000+11:00

A masterpiece of egg modelling indeed!

http://mastermodels.blogspot.com/2011/04/turtlegg.html

First Clash over the North Sea, 1890.

2011-09-28T06:01:00.000+10:00

John's Battle Report from the Anglo-Russian War of 1890, fought with his own VSF rules, is posted at his blog here: http://johnstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2011/09/first-clash-over-north-sea-1890.html

VSF and 15 mm Science Fiction Gaming: Colonial Wargames (Up Date)

2011-09-27T05:32:00.000+10:00

VSF and 15 mm Science Fiction Gaming: Colonial Wargames (Up Date): Bob the webmaster of this splendid site has done some up dating.... http://www.colonialwargaming.co.uk/

Big game hunting on Venus

2011-09-25T08:13:00.000+10:00

Its been awhile since I heard about a cracking good hunt, but some intrepid chaps recently went to Venus!

Hunt Report
http://laughingferret.blogspot.com/2011/07/big-game-hunters-safari-on-venus-battle.html

Rules:
http://laughingferret.blogspot.com/2011/07/venus-skirmish-game-big-game-hunt.html

Princess Viktoria and Friends

2011-09-12T20:01:00.007+10:00

A wonderful range from Hinterland miniatures received some more additions last month. If you aren't aware of it, here is the intro blurb from the website:

On 22 October 1909 Princess Viktoria-Luise of Germany received her commission as Colonel-in-Chief in the 2nd Leib Hussaren regiment. The 28mm-scaled miniatures available on this site are intended to represent a fictitious unit of female Hussars, serving at the end of the 19th Century, up to World War I. Although these miniatures wear the famous Death's Head Hussar insignia on the busby, they could be painted to represent a variety of Hussar regiments. I hope you enjoy these products.
- Jason

Have a look at the great range here (all pics from this site, not mine - unfortunately!)
http://hinterlandminiatures.weebly.com/storecart.html

If you go to the customer gallery section, you'll see these great VSF style conversions by Froggy from the Lead Adventure Forum - he has added breathing tubes for the harsh conditions on Mars (maybe even Venus?)

Then delving further into the www, I found that Froggy had gone further, making this Martian Cavalrygirl (note she is even riding sidesaddle)

http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=27526.0

Thanks to Der Feldmarshall for the heads-up on this figure range!

Golfing during Enemy Action

2011-09-07T21:26:00.000+10:00

Ironclad Tunneling Machine

2011-09-05T04:44:00.001+10:00

Egad! News from the front and that smart chappie at the Kings Sleep blogging site has spotted a dastardly infernal machine at the Newark Little Wars show designed by those clever chappies at Ironclad industries. Here is one of the chronomatic images taken by the Kings fellah...

Seems the wallahs have had a few teething problems getting it into production (probably some engineer been on the sauce again, give 'em a good thrashing I say!) but the Sleep chappie reckons it'll be in production as soon as next week. Harrumph! Now one will have to worry of that rumbling is my tum after some mutton and port or the bally Froggies tunneling under the Channel!

Lovecraftian Jen

2011-09-03T21:56:00.001+10:00

Being Jen Haley's jaw droppingly magnificent diorama of the Steampunk Adventuress figure by Dark Sword Miniatures.

http://www.paintrix-miniatures.com/gallery.php?sub=Dark%20Sword%20&group=manu&img=201

Doctor Drake's Patented Aerial Steam Carriage

2011-09-01T06:59:00.000+10:00

Whilst perusing my Portable Babbage Machine to see who the Old Etonians have signed before the latest association football transfer window closes an electronic missive popped into my incoming box from those clever chappies at Fat Dragon Games that will be of interest to the cleverer bods amongst you who play that H G Wells wallah's Little Wars game.

Seems the Dragon chaps have produced a paper model of Doctor Drake's Patented Aerial Steam Carriage which would have been jolly useful on campaign in the mountains of Dodjibottistan I can tell you (the Aerial Steam Carriage not the paper model, well thinking about it and those blooming curries maybe the paper model as well, harrumph!).

Swift wallahs who get a move on can get a 20% discount at RPG Now and you can print as many as you want. What ho!

Indomitable Armoured Siege Tower

2011-08-30T17:50:00.000+10:00

What ho chaps! With the ever present threat to our fair isle from the nefarious Froggies and bally Sausage Eaters across The Channel it is reassuring for all English gentlefolk to be rest comfortably in their beds knowing that the factoriums of fair Albion are filling the our arsenals with the best ordnance in the world! Witness the latest weapon to trundle out of the Rotcod Factorium, the Indomitable Armoured Siege Tower!! They will be quaking in their boots in Paris and Berlin I can tell you eh what?!

John Carter

2011-08-21T09:03:00.000+10:00

Taking a break from watching England thrash the bally Indians at The Oval I sat down with a fine port and piece of game pie at my portable Babbage Engine this afternoon and came across this chronophotographic adevrtisement for a forthcoming feature about that Yankee bounder who we came across on Mars (he'd gone bally native don't ya know).

Harrumph! Whatever, it put the wind up one to see one of those bally four armed green Martians again I can say, time for a stuff one what?

Top Of The World!

2011-08-14T20:25:00.001+10:00

A rounding huzzah from all stout fellas for the indomitable Mister Strauss and his brave Englishmen who by thrashing the bally Indians at Edgbaston yesterday are now officially recognised as the best test side in the world! Must mention Cookie's 294 career best, jolly good show. Off to the Oval now to see if we can whitewash the blighters 4 to nil. What ho?!

Men of Harlech

2011-08-02T17:04:00.003+10:00

This never fails to get the juices flowing!

Super Galactic Dreadnought: Games at South Texas Mini-Con

2011-07-13T00:22:00.002+10:00

Super Galactic Dreadnought: Games at South Texas Mini-Con: "The events for our local do-it-yourself game convention are starting to materialize. Here's a tentative list of games: I, of course, pl..."

Words to Live by

2011-07-10T10:22:00.000+10:00

Mssr Blease has just made this, and I coudn't agree more!

July 4th

2011-07-04T07:14:00.003+10:00

Harrumph!

Armed Forces Day 2011

2011-06-26T05:47:00.003+10:00

A Bit Of Quicksilver For A Few Pennies....

2011-06-20T08:09:00.001+10:00

Hullo Chaps! Interesting thing for you wallahs who spend all their hours on their Babbage Engines instead of out hunting grouse, three of the Quicksilver short stories by that wordsmith Green are available for some kind of portable Babbage book reader malarky (all very Heath Robinson what?). Not quite sure if my old grey matter understands what this paperless books stuff is all about but the stories included are the excellent Fruiting Bodies, the pivotal Vanishing Point and the barking White Rabbit.

Mutton Chop Miniatures

2011-06-17T20:38:00.005+10:00

Lord Cirenchester

Paul Hicks has opened his own miniature company called Mutton Chop Miniatures.

From their announcement:

Mutton Chop Miniatures is the sculpting ramblings of Paul Hicks. It is a collection inspired by the spirit of the 1930s and Heath Robinson styled contraptions. You won’t find any large ranges of historical themed armies here. You will find figures that are full of character and great for skirmishing or adding flavour to a themed army.

Thanks for looking
Mutton Chop Miniatures
http://muttonchop.co.uk/

Messing About On The Water

2011-06-14T06:00:00.002+10:00

Was enjoying a glass of Pimms on the Thames the other day and as the waves lapped the hull and the heat beat down I almost came over all misty eyed recalling campaigns up the Limpopo against Sultan Dodjibotti and his slavers back in the day. Poor old Haversham... Harrumph!

Anyhow, thought you Little Wars chappies might be interested in these jolly little models of one of our sterling Royal Navy picket boats by some wallahs at an enterprise called Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company. They also do a couple of Russkie boats which no doubt will sink very quickly. TTFN.

Soldier who fought off 30 Taliban — Alone

2011-06-03T23:34:00.001+10:00

Sergeant Dipprasad Pun, 31, of the 1st Battalion the Royal Gurkha Rifles holds his Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, after it was presented to him by QueenElizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in central London June 1 , 2011. Sergeant Pun defeated more than 30 Taliban fighters single-handedly during an attack on his checkpoint in Helmand province, Afghanistan in September 2010. The award is second only to the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for armed forces of the Commonwealth.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110602/wl_uk_afp/britainmilitaryafghanistannepalaward

Usuthu!

2011-05-28T04:43:00.000+10:00

Those wallahs at Warlord Games are showing off the 3 ups of the plastic Zulus they're going to produce in conjunction with the memsahibs at Empress Miniatures. Look jolly good and perfect for Little Wars games of Rourke's Drift. Ah, Men of Harlech, makes one's moustache twirl!!

Martian Walkers for Little Wars Games

2011-05-27T04:55:00.002+10:00

What ho chaps! Good news for those of you that like to play that Little Wars game written by that Wells fellah with your toy soldiers because thanks to those jolly nice colonial chappies at Eureka Miniatures have released a 16 inch high Martian Fighting Machine and one of those Cephalopod wallahs that piloted the bally things! Brings back the memories of those terrible days I can tell you, off to have a snifter of brandy or two...

DW Brittania Cruiser

2011-05-22T16:18:00.001+10:00

Allan has finished this rather lovely DW Cruiser, from the Kingdom of Brittania

See more at his blog here:
http://onepainterscrusade.blogspot.com/2011/02/kingdom-of-britannia-finished-cruiser.html

150 Followers!

2011-05-17T11:55:00.000+10:00

In the last few days, Yours in a White Wine Sauce has ticked over to 150 Followers:
Thanks for the support and encouragement everyone!

Huzzah to Sylvain, who was our 150th member -chalk up a bottle of celebratory claret on my mess account dear chap!

Deep Sea Divers

2011-05-15T18:35:00.001+10:00

Newly released by Foundry, as part of their Victoriana range:

http://wargamesfoundry.com/historical_ranges/single_packs/victoriana/victoriana/deep_sea_divers_vc021/?comprisesofback=31726

Plastic Zulu War Miniatures Previewed

2011-05-14T22:21:00.002+10:00

Warlord Games have posted pictures of the work-in-progress British 3 ups from the forthcoming 28mm plastic Zulu War range they will be producing in conjunction with Empress Miniatures...

Conflict on Mars released

2011-05-12T06:53:00.000+10:00

The new Mars supplement for When the Navy Walked has now been released as a pdf download:

When the Navy Walked: Conflict On Mars! is a miniature ruleset that covers an alternate history set during the colonization of the Red Planet of Mars by the Great Powers. As the Great Powers vie for control of the planet's few resources and the Red Planet's native Red, Green and White Martians make tenuous treaties with them, something older stirs in the depths of the planet. Something dark and terrible that has been hidden for eons in forgotten creches locked in a stasis of bloody dreams of conquest.

The Overlords are awakening from their deep slumber and returning to the planet's surface once again! The Gray servants of the Skvani are gathering their Tripod War Machines! The future of Mars bears dark days of war!

WTNW is more than just a Victorian Science Fiction game. It is a springboard for imagination and a high-level game of tactics and battles set amongst a 'what if' world inspired by the classic authors of Victorian Science Fiction and Retro Science Fiction. In WTNW, players take the reins and command massive armies of men, fantastic beasts and steam-driven vehicles of leviathan proportions. In the end, the thunder that cascades across the battlefield to settle in the souls of the fighting men will only be assuaged with the assistance of the landship.

This Conflict on Mars supplement is not a stand-alone game. You will require the full version of When the Navy Walked, Second Edition, to play the game. So grab your goggles and your Aethertech, and get ready for a good time filled with steam and adventure!

More here: http://www.wargamevault.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=3206&filters=0_0_0

The Birth of Naval Aviation

2011-05-04T16:40:00.000+10:00

100 Years Ago, January, in San Francisco, Eugene Ely invented naval aviation.

One hundred years is a very long time. Yet in the hierarchy of modern marvels, the ability to recover and launch aircraft from the deck of a moving ship stands out as one of our signature accomplishments. Which just goes to show you: Some tricks never grow old.

Naval aviation was invented one hundred years ago, on January 18, 1911, when a 24 year-old barnstormer pilot named Eugene B. Ely completed the world's first successful landing on a ship. It happened in San Francisco Bay, aboard the cruiser USS Pennsylvania, which had a temporary 133-foot wooden landing strip built above her afterdeck and gun turret as part of the experiment.

Ely accomplished his feat just eight years after the Wright Brothers made their first flight at Kitty Hawk. His aircraft was rudimentary: aCurtiss Model D "Pusher" biplane, equipped with a 60 hp V-8 engine that gave the aircraft a 50 mph airspeed. To get a sense of how simple it was, behold a contemporary replica of Ely's 1911 Curtiss Pusher that was built to celebrate this 100th anniversary:

But back then, innovation was afoot. Ely's Curtis Pusher had been fitted with a clever new invention called a tailhook. The idea was to quickly halt the aircraft after landing by using the tailhook to catch one or two of 22 rope lines -- each propped up a foot above the deck and weighted by 50-pound sandbags tied to each end -- strung three feet apart along the Pennsylvania's temporary flight deck.

Mark J. Denger of the California Center for Military History has written a tidy biography of Eugene Ely which narrates the historic day: On the morning of January 18, 1911, Eugene Ely, in a Curtiss pusher biplane specially equipped with arresting hooks on its axle, took off from Selfridge Field (Tanforan Racetrack, in San Bruno, Calif.) and headed for the San Francisco Bay. After about 10 minutes flying North toward Goat Island (now Yerba Buena), Eugene spotted his target through the gray haze – the PENNSYLVANIA.

Ely's plane was first sighted one-half mile from the PENNSYLVANIA's bridge at an altitude of 1,500 feet, cruising at a speed of approximately 60 mph. Now ten miles out from Tanforan, he circled the several vessels of the Pacific Fleet at anchor in San Francisco Bay. The aeroplane dipped to 400 feet as it passed directly over the MARYLAND and, still dropping, flew over the WEST VIRGINIA's bow at an height of only 100 feet. With a crosswind of almost 15 knots, he flew past the cruiser and then banked some 500 yards from the PENNSYLVANIA's starboard quarter to set up his landing approach. Ely now headed straight for the ship, cutting his engine when he was only 75 feet from the fantail, and allowed the wind to glide the aircraft onto the landing deck. At a speed of 40 mph Ely landed on the centerline of the PENNSYLVANIA's deck at 11:01 a.m.

The forward momentum of his plane was quickly retarded by the ropes stretched between the large movable bags of sand that had been placed along the entire length of the runway. As the plane landed, the hooks on the undercarriage caught the ropes exactly as planned, which brought the plane to a complete stop.

Once on board the PENNSYLVANIA, sheer pandemonium brook loose as Ely was greeted with a bombardment of cheers, boat horns and whistles, both aboard the PENNSYLVANIA and from the surrounding vessels.

Ely was immediately greeted by his wife, Mabel, who greeted him with an enthusiastic "I knew you could do it," and then by Captain Pond, Commanding Officer of the PENNSYLVANIA. Then it was time for interviews and a few photographs for the reporters.

Everything had gone exactly as planned. Pond called it "the most important landing of a bird since the dove flew back to Noah's ark." Pond would later report, "Nothing damaged, and not a bolt or brace startled, and Ely the coolest man on board." (NOTE: Safety first! Check out Ely's inner-tube life preserver!)

After completing several interviews, Ely was escorted to the Captain's cabin where he and his wife were the honored guests at an officers lunch. While they dined, the landing platform was cleared and the plane turned around in preparation for takeoff. Then the Elys, Pond and the others posed for photographs. 57 minutes later, he made a perfect take-off from the platform, returning to Selfridge Field at the Tanforan racetrack where another tremendous ovation awaited him.

Both the landing and takeoff were witnessed by several distinguished members of both U.S. Army and Navy, as well as state military officials. Ely had successfully demonstrated the possibility of the aircraft carrier.

Indeed. The US Navy's first aircraft carrier, the USS Langley, was commissioned in 1922, eleven years later. But Ely didn't live to witness the milestone; he died just a few months after his historic flight, on October 11, 1911, when he was thrown from his aircraft during a crash at an air show. But 100 years ago, he merged the power of naval warships and aviation in ways that remain cutting-edge, even today.

Regimental Mascot

2011-04-30T21:48:00.001+10:00

In watching the Royal wedding this week I was quite taken by the splendid mascot of the Irish Guards - this magnificent Irish wolfhound, named Conmael. Impressively, this hound even has a medal!

It was a big day for everyone...

And so it occurs to me that in building my next HQ unit, perhaps I need to add an appropriate mascot.

Tripods Attack!

2011-04-28T07:20:00.001+10:00

Rob from WTNW sent me some sneak peeks of artwork to be featured in the forthcoming Conflict on Mars supplement.
I really like this one (click for bigger version)

Lest We Forget

2011-04-25T05:32:00.000+10:00

German Zyklops Landship

2011-04-24T13:12:00.001+10:00

The Armchair General has sent me these great pics of his German Zyklops Landship, which is a 15mm(!) scale leviathan being produced by JTFM. She has nice detail and at CAD$35 looks like a great acquisition. Click for Larger pics

More here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/337611/

St. George's Day

2011-04-24T04:55:00.004+10:00

Regardless of the YIAWWS's antipodean time setting it's still the 23rd April in England...

Bally Martians Again!

2011-04-20T18:46:00.001+10:00

Egad! There I was researching the recent Martian invasion for my magnum opus on my Babbage Engine when I came across this chronophotographic scientific romance adventure for young boys set fifteen years into the future after the First Martian War! Looks a jolly wheeze one must say but I think the bally war elephants are a bit strange, though I would have liked one up Whereizitstan when one was fighting the dirty fakirs I can tell you, what!

"Dam the Torpedo's and Full speed Ahead"

2011-04-18T20:25:00.004+10:00

Any VSF fan attending Salute 2011 could not have been but inspired by the jaw-dropping Aeronef game being run by Arbuthnot's Aeronautical League of Gentlemen.

"Dam the Torpedo's and Full speed Ahead" was a surprise attack by Imperial Japanese forces on the American coaling and R-matter station on the Solomon Islands.

The game featured many beautifully painted and super-detailed aeronef models, many being rigged and a number had anti-torpedo net booms.

Additionally a number of the aeronef were conversions including an exquisite American aeroplane carrier. Apparently there are a couple of Japanese mega-carriers (converted from 1/700th kits) to be introduced at shows later this year.

The terrain was equally fantastic with some beautiful islands and a scratchbuilt refuelling station that made a great target for the Japanese. A nice touch was the flashing LED lights under kapok smoke, that twinkled like fires after the Japanese had bombed targets.

Unfortunately my photos aren't fantastic and don't really do the game justice and it is worth going through other people's Salute photo albums to see more photos of this excellent game.

Truly inspiring, "Dam the Torpedo's and Full speed Ahead" should also receive run-outs at Colours and SELWG this year...

Shock and Surprise!

2011-04-17T08:13:00.000+10:00

A usual, TMP has a bunch of polls going. One of them at the moment is [what is the] "Most Popular Painting/Wargaming Site Besides TMP?" Well blow me down if I didn't find this blog listed there as one of the selections!

And not only that, but 4 people (OK, me and 3 other people) voted for YIAWWS - Huzzah!

Make your vote count, whatever it may be, here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/polls/1792421011/

New Portable Babbage Engine

2011-04-11T03:39:00.000+10:00

What ho chaps! Just found out that some clever boffin chappies have made a portable Babbage Engine that is just perfect for talking on expeditions up the Congo and to Waziristan. This moving picture show illustrates what a jolly clever device it is eh?!

G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium - the video!

2011-04-10T17:12:00.000+10:00

G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium

2011-04-07T20:40:00.000+10:00

Exciting news - if you aren't already into GASLIGHT, read this:

Chris Palmer and I recently completed the cover for the upcoming G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium. It is ready to go to the printer by the end of the week. We are just giving it the last once-over and review.

The G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium meets all your VSF and Pulp needs, from skirmish and roleplaying to large battles and airship fleet actions.

Victorian Science Fiction (VSF) gaming is set in the world in which the predictions and visions of men like Jules Verne, HG Wells, and H. Ryder Haggard are true. In G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T., Main Characters and Extras battle in a world of steam-powered vehicles, fantastic weapons, lost worlds, and terrible creatures. Pulp gaming pits steely-eyed, flint-jawed, barrel-chested, two-fisted, deadeye, tough as woodpecker lips, stud among studs, no kidding, stuff-of-legends hero-type guys against colorful, charismatic, egomaniacal, dastardly, nefarious villains and their mindless minions. The G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium has rules for the creation of characters, the construction of vehicles and weapons, and the generation of fantastic creatures. This open-ended approach is one of the reasons G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. has been so successful over the past eleven years.

The G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. Compendium includes material from four books: G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. (for skirmishes), Battles by G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. (for larger battles), Adventures and Expeditions by G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. (roleplaying), and To Be Continued… by G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. (Pulp). All the systems are completely consistent, allowing players to tailor their G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. VSF or Pulp games. In addition, The Compendium includes new rules for airship fleet battles and more detailed rules for aerial vehicles in G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. or Battles by G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. The vehicle hit charts have been revised and combined, and there are specific vehicle hit results for walking, driving, flying, and legged vehicles. The record sheets used during game play have been completely revised. The book is 190 pages with color throughout.

We are looking for a July release, in time for Historicon. The book will also be available as a PDF download.

http://theminiaturespage.com/news/363264/
http://bucksurdu.com/blog/?p=441

HML Leviathan Test Shot Miniature photos

2011-04-01T06:39:00.000+11:00

Dont walk- RUN -to check out these pics!

http://monstersinthesky.com/2011/03/30/hml-leviathan-test-shot-miniature-photos/

Austro-Hungarian Land Ironclads revealed!

2011-03-21T21:23:00.000+11:00

Those chaps at Brigade Models aren't men, they're production-line machines themselves!

Following hard on the heels of the Belgian and French armies, the Austro-Hungarians expand the wars of Land Ironclads into south-eastern Europe.

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Salute%20Releases.html

Burpa Revolt Footage

2011-03-15T20:48:00.001+11:00

What ho chaps! I was browsing the old Babbage Machine after a bit of tiffin and came across this chronophotographic footage of the recent Burpa rebellion involving my old fag from Eton, Sidders. Looks like he managed to fight the bally Pandees off with the brave lads of the Third Foot and Mouth. Jolly good show what?!

The Ides of March

2011-03-15T06:44:00.002+11:00

Good advice - ignore Soothsayers at your peril!

Today is "Idus Martii" - take care and cancel any Senate tours or visits you may have planned...

Vincenzo Camuccini, Mort de César, 1798.

Allez Les Bleus!

2011-03-12T21:53:00.000+11:00

More Goodies from Brigade Models: they are really on a roll at the moment!

Hot on the heels of the Belgians (aren't they always !?) come the next great nation in our Land Ironclads range, the French. Packed full of Gallic charm, wearing berets, carrying a string of onions* and ready to
do battle with anyone else that comes close ! There are five ironclad models, two contraptions and a host of packs available to order now.

VLI-401 Detendu Ironclad £3.50
VLI-402 Immuablement Ironclad £2.50
VLI-403 Vengeance Ironclad £1.25
VLI-404 Glorieux Ironclad £1.00
VLI-405 Blockhaus Roulant Ironclad £0.75
VLI-420 Char St Maxim £1.75
VLI-421 Char Mazerey £1.75

VLIP-401 French Light Ironclad Battalion £14.00
VLIP-402 French Medium Ironclad Battalion £22.50
VLIP-403 French Heavy Ironclad Battalion £35.00
VLIP-404 French Contraption Battalion £13.50
VLIP-406 French Infantry Regiment £12.25

*We would like to apologise to all our French customers out there, Tony's just come back from a weekend away in Paris and has got rather carried away by the experience ...

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/LandIronclads/France.html

Belgian LIs: Rolling Hot!

2011-02-25T20:41:00.000+11:00

OK, I'm getting my VSF and Hammers Slammers mixed up, but you get the point: the Belgian LI range is now available from Brigade Models!

Positioned between the mighty powers of France and Germany, Belgium often ends up caught in the crossfire. Recreate the fight for survival of the plucky Belgians with our new range of Land Ironclads models.

There are five models in total - three ironclads, two contraptions, and a pair of battalion packs.
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/LandIronclads/Belgium.html

Turkish Delight

2011-02-19T22:32:00.000+11:00

New goodies from Brigade - more Turks at last!

After several years stuck in development hell, we can finally announce the release of the twin-hulled dirigible Ottoman battleship Barbaros Hayreddin. This floating behemoth will certainly add steel to the forces of the Sultan in the Middle-East.

As if that wasn't enough, the scheming Grand Vizier's engineers have modified the design to carry a flight deck and hangars and created the Abdulmecid class fighter carrier. Both models are available individually or in two new fleet packs, along with the new Turkish Grand Fleet Pack.

http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Turkey.html

Thunderchild's fate

2011-02-17T20:57:00.001+11:00

Just one example of lonesome crow's excellent WOTW artwork here: http://lonesome--crow.deviantart.com/gallery/#

Heath Advice for the Fairer Sex

2011-02-16T06:40:00.003+11:00

Ladies: Do you have feelings of inadequacy? Do you suffer from shyness?

Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist about Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is the safe, natural way to feel better and more confident about yourself and your actions. It can help ease you out of your shyness and let you tell the world that you're ready and willing to do just about anything.

You will notice the benefits of Sauvignon almost immediately and with a regimen of regular doses you can overcome any obstacles that prevent you from living the life you want to live. Shyness and awkwardness will be a thing of the past and you will discover many talents you never knew you had.

Stop hiding and start living.

Sauvignon may not be right for everyone. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it. However, women who wouldn't mind nursing orbecoming pregnant are encouraged to try it.

Side effects may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, incarceration, erotic lustfulness, loss of motor control, loss of clothing, loss of money, loss ofvirginity, delusions of grandeur, table dancing, headache, dehydration, dry mouth, and a desire to sing Karaoke and play all-night rounds of Strip Poker, Truth Or Dare, and Naked Twister!

WARNINGS: -

* The consumption of Sauvignon may make you think you are whispering when you are not.
* The consumption of Sauvignon may cause you to tell your friends over and over again that you love them.
* The consumption of Sauvignon may cause you to think you can sing.
* The consumption of Sauvignon may make you think you can logically converse with members of the opposite sex without spitting.
* The consumption of Sauvignon may create the illusion that you are tougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

Please feel free to share this important information with as many women as you feel may benefit!

Now Just Imagine What You Could Achieve With a Good Dry Merlot!!!

WTNW Core Rules Released

2011-02-11T07:08:00.001+11:00

The core rules for When the Navy Walked, have now been released

When the Navy Walked is a miniature rules set that covers an alternate history from the 1872 Victorian era to the 1909 Edwardian Industrial Age. It is a springboard for imagination and a high-level game of tactics and battles set amongst the 'what if' world inspired by the classic authors of Victorian Science Fiction and Retro Science Fiction.

WTNW is available now from wargamevault, under the publisher Armchairgeneral, and is on sale for USD$10 until 18 Feb.

Canals of Mars

2011-02-09T07:30:00.000+11:00

Some lovely 2mm VSF stuff here, including some Aeronef battles to control a Martian vital canal junction.

Warsips also ply warily along said canals, including the venerable HMVS CERBERUS which has been 'painted in Games Workshop Fortress Gray, washed with black ink and dry brushed with white for the hull; and, GW Dheneb Stone, washed with brown ink, for the deck.'

Lots of lovely LI modelling action there too. Check it all out at:
http://onemoregamingproject.blogspot.com/search/label/2mm

Scratch Built Nefs

2011-02-01T20:18:00.000+11:00

These are fantastic! (and sadly not mine) Check them out at the wonderful Lead Adventure Forum here:
http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=24662.0

Tobsen77 Miniatures

2011-01-30T07:52:00.001+11:00

A German company that makes great looking VSF and Pulp vehicles in 28mm scale. Check out these examples:

Find them here:
http://www.tobsen77.de/index.php?lan=en

IronGrip: The Oppression

2011-01-28T06:49:00.000+11:00

This is a nice screen grab from a Half Life 2 Mod

from: http://lord-k.livejournal.com/213982.html#cutid1

Happy Birthday Australia!

2011-01-26T09:45:00.001+11:00

Huzzah for Australia Day!

'With some Guts behind it!"

2011-01-23T08:38:00.007+11:00

Today is the anniversary of the conclusion of the Battle for Rourke's Drift, 1879. The battle started the previous day when around 4,500 Zulus under the command of Prince Dabulamanzi kaMapande (the King's brother) attacked the station after the main impi annihilated the main British column at Isandlwana.

Lieutenant Chard directs the Defence of the station, from the movie 'Zulu'

The post was held by some 139 men, (mostly of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment) but only 104 men were fit to fight. The command of the post had passed to Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, when Major Henry Spalding of the 104th Regiment left on the morning of the 22nd January. Commanding a company-strength infantry force was Lieutenant Bromhead of the 24th Regiment. James Langley Dalton, a volunteer serving as an Acting Assistant Commissary and a former Staff Sergeant, ordered the construction of barricades connecting the two buildings with sacks of corn, and an inner barricade with biscuit boxes.

When the Zulus attacked, wielding their short stabbing assegais, they were unable to reach the men behind the barricades and they were blasted by rifle fire at point blank range. Most of those who did mount the breastwork were repulsed by the bayonets of the defenders. Some of the Zulus were armed with rifles, purchased from unscrupulous traders, but they were not trained marksmen and the British soldiers were able to pick them off at long range.

The hospital at the western end of the fortifications became the focus for the fighting. Set on fire and stormed by the Zulus, it became untenable. As many men were extracted as possible, the remaining patients perishing in the flames. Privates John Williams, Henry Hook, William Jones, Frederick Hitch and Corporal William Allen all fighting with bayonets once their ammunition was expended, as they contested every room with the attacking warriors.

The fighting now concentrated on the wall of biscuit barrels linking the mission house with the mealie wall. As night fell the British withdrew to the centre of the station where a final bastion had been hastily assembled. The light from the burning hospital assisted the British in their fire.

Both sides fought with desperate courage. A patient from the hospital, a Swiss born adventurer Christian Ferdnand Schiess, stabbed three Zulus in quick succession after he had clambered over the breastwork. In the yard Surgeon James Henry Reynolds tended to the wounded, oblivious to the life and death struggle going on all around him. Those too badly hurt to shoot propped themselves up as best they could and reloaded the guns, and re-supplied ammunition to those who were still on their feet.

The savage Zulu attacks were resisted until around midnight when unexpectedly the ferocity of the assault fell away. Firing continued until around 4am when the Zulus drew off taking their wounded with them and leaving at least 351 dead around the barricades. By then the British held only the area around the storehouse.

At 7am a body of Zulus appeared on the hill, but no attack followed. It became apparent that the Zulus could see Lord Chelmsford’s column approaching from the direction of Isandlwana to relive the garrison. The Zulus turned and left. Soon afterwards the column arrived at the drift and crossed the Tugela, marching up to the mission station. Chelmsford’s delight at finding the garrison alive and still resisting was heavily tempered by his despair at finding that no survivors from Isandlwana had escaped to Rorke’s Drift.

Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were both awarded the Victoria Cross, as were the redoubtable privates Alfred Hook, Frederick Hitch, Robert Jones, William Jones, Corporal Allen, James Langley Dalton and Pte. John Williams. Surgeon Reynolds got the Cross for tending the wounded under fire; and the Swiss volunteer Christian Schiess - the first to a soldier serving with South Africa forces. This was is the highest number of VCs to be awarded in a single action.

So this last bit of the movie Zulu might be a bit ahistorical but its top-draw stirring stuff none-theless!

Zulus Sir - thousands of them!

2011-01-22T08:02:00.003+11:00

"March slowly, attack at dawn and eat up the red soldiers."

- Zulu King Cetshwayo's order to the 24,000 strong main Zulu impi

Painting of the Battle by Charles Fripp - I have a print of this in my Dining Room.

Today is the Anniversary of the Battle of Isandlwana, in 1879. This battle rocked Victorian Britain when the Zulus wiped out a substantial British force including the 1st Battalion, 24th Foot.

Lt. Colonel Pulleine was in command of 1774 British troops encamped on the eastern slope of Isandlwana. By 10am Pulleine had received a dispatch from Lt. Gen. Lord Chelmsford to break camp and move the entire contingent to Chelmsford’s location 13 miles southeast of Isandlwana mountain. Tents were being struck, oxen hitched to wagons.

At 12 o’clock the camp was attacked by 24-25 000 Zulu warriors, using the tactics of the horns of the buffalo. The Zulus totally surrounded the camp annihilating 1 329 British soldiers. Lt. Melvill gallantly attempted to save the Queen’s colour and was helped by Lt. Coghill whilst trying to cross the Buffalo river. Lt's. Melvill and Coghill died in their attempt to save the colour and the honour of the regiment.

Thou great and mighty chief!
Thou who has an army
The red soldiers came:
We destroyed them.
The mounted soldiers came:
We destroyed them.
The mounted police came:
We destroyed them
When will they dare
To repeat their attack?

Zulu Victory Song, sung after the Battle of Isandlwana

The Zulus then went on to surround and attack the British outpost at the small mission of Rourke's Drift, but that had a very different outcome...

(Don't tell her, but I remember my Mum's birthday because its the same day!)

Steampunk'd

2011-01-20T11:50:00.001+11:00

This is an interesting collection of 14 short-stories covering a broad range of VSF themes.

All the stories are by different authors and this collection includes contributions by Michael Stackpole and William Dietz.

Lots of rousing, steam turbine powered stuff and definately worth a read (with a good claret and a stilton, by the fire of course!)

Imperial Steam Walker

2011-01-11T00:01:00.003+11:00

Brilliant!

Imperial Moon

2011-01-10T16:20:00.001+11:00

A clever chap has dressed up a 1/6 "Action Man" style figure as a Victorian Astronaught and concocted this background to go with him - bravo!

In 1899, Britain added the Moon to it's Empire. The mission was the result of decades of work by the Empire's greatest engineers, scientists and mathematicians and culminated with Captain William Harland (Royal Navy) planting the British flag on the lunar surface.

Over the following week, he explored the area around his landing site - collecting samples of rock and dust (to study back in his spacecraft) and making observations of the nearby highlands.

Like every good Victorian Explorer, he took a rifle with him in case he found something to shoot! In this case the rifle is air powered and can fire 20 shots before needing reloading (such a rifle was used for real by Lewis and Clark on their Expedition in the early 1800's).

Unfortunately, there was no plan for getting him back to Earth, and after transmitting his final findings back to Earth by wireless, he was never heard of again...

http://www.onesixthcollectors.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=6954
Personally, I dont think we've heard the last of dashing Captain Harland!

When the Navy Walked

2011-01-08T15:56:00.001+11:00

Now has a new website here and starts with this smashing intro:

On the shores of a sleepy island in the Mediterranean
Miklos hunkered down in the trench just in front of the tree line. The crashing waves were in front of him and his fellow Crispo's - and riding in on them were the landing boats from the Spanish naval ships sitting off the coast.
'Yes, come you dogs.'He thought. 'Our land forces will give you one hell of a fight!'

He knew that the costal defense ships had been beaten back by the incoming fleet - he only hoped the navy had given as well as it got.

He glimpsed to his right and he could see the precious Gatling gun that the Crispan government had bought from the Confederate States of America. That, along with a few boxes of rifles and a few old cannons was all that stood between the freedom of his home island and the domination of the Spanish conquistadors.

As the boats made the breakers, the cannons behind his position and the Gatling gun opened up, and he could see the Spaniards making for the beach. The hellfire of the gatling cut down many of the attackers before they could even get out of the water.

For a moment, Miklos allowed himself a glimmer of hope that if they could push back strongly enough the Spaniards would be forced to reconsider their desire to make the island one of their territories.
With a loud blast that glimmer was gone as suddenly the bunker where the Gatling gun was became an inferno. Loud whistles, followed cannon blasts behind him, suggested that the cannons were also under a barrage of fire.
It was now, as the fight become more fierce, that Miklos noticed a ship which had come in closer than the others. The thought of it broken on the shallows almost made him smile.
Almost.

Until ever so slowly the ship began to rise up out of the water on enormous metal wheels affixed to the hull below the water line. The ungainly and clumsy craft raised itself up above the water and began to advance onto the beach itself. The landship rained down a hellfire of artillery from its heavier guns, as well as sheets of lead from troopers inside the beast firing from the side port holes.

All around him, Miklos could see his compatriots. The fear was evident on their faces as many dropped their rifles and ran away from the mechanical monstrosity. Elsewhere, the dead lay with the same fearful expression permanently affixed.

In his heart, Miklos wanted to take up his rifle and fight for his freedom, for his nations very existence.
His head knew better and he took to flight with the others.
The battle, like the Island of Crispo's sovereignty, was at an end.
A new Era among the superpowers had begun.

More action on the Red Planet

2011-01-07T13:59:00.001+11:00

I found this blog recently, which amongst other things has some lovely VSF action from Fall-In! this year - air and land action goodness on the Red Planet.
http://onemoregamingproject.blogspot.com/2010/11/fall-in-10-hawks-room-report.html

I hope those damned savages didnt damage the drinks cabinet - its a long way back to restock ones' claret and brandy supplies you know!

Citistates Of Mars

2011-01-06T09:03:00.007+11:00

Recently popped into the Services Club for a bit of tiffin with Sir Sidney Ruff-Diamond who had just returned from a stint in Khalabar and we started reminiscing about the funny things the local Burpas tried against our valiant troops including of all things an exploding goat!

Funny thing was looking it up on the old Babbage machine back home on the estate I found a bunch of colonials across the pond have set up an enterprise called Exploding Goat Games. Now I couldn't find any games about exploding goats in their telephoescopic catalogue but they appear to be working on a Little Wars type endeavour called Citistates of Mars.

They say it is full of "martian escapades of the Hero of Mars. Four-armed green Martians, red-skinned Martian princesses, strange beasts… its all here", which sounds a bit like the adventures that Yankee freebooter that Burroughs chappie chronicled.

Whatever, it sounds promising and could be a valuable aid for young officers about to embark on colonial service on the red planet (even if it doesn't include an exploding goat).

A Jolly Good Show!

2010-12-29T19:41:00.004+11:00

Huzzah chaps! Jolly good news from the colonies down under! Our chaps have retained the Ashes, wrapping up the Aussies before lunch on day four. Watched it all on one of those new chronophotographic players with a bit of game pie and a bottle of brandy whilst the Memsahib was abed. Three cheers to Messrs Strauss and co. Bring on the bally Hindustanis next, eh what?

Dystopian Wars: Review

2010-12-26T09:27:00.000+11:00

Has been posted by the podcast "The D6 Generation" in episode 70.
Its 1hr 11min into the show and its sufficiently detailed that it goes for over an hour!

You'll find the D6G here: http://www.thed6generation.com/

Wishing you a Very Merry....

2010-12-25T00:01:00.005+11:00

Have a great and safe one everybody,
and wishing you a gaming filled 2011!
(thanks to Brigade Models for the pic!)

Solid Earth Bases

2010-12-24T09:05:00.003+11:00

Gentlemen, I understand that some of you like to mount your toy soldiers on scenic bases whilst playing a game of Little Wars on the carpet. If so you may wish to send the man servant off to purchase some from a company in the colonies called Fiendish Fabrications who make some jolly designs including clockwork, gothic horror and wild west.

Pax Britannia book reviews

2010-12-23T10:24:00.002+11:00

In recognition of Mssr Blease's recent reviews here of the Pax Britannia books, erudite gentleman and author Mssr Green has posted a link to WWS at his own Blog here:
http://jonathangreenauthor.blogspot.com/2010/12/pax-britannia-book-reviews.html

But not only that, he has also posted a short story as a Christmas present to all, titled "SILENT KNIGHT, or, 'TWAS THE DARK KNIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS"
http://abaddonbooks.blogspot.com/2010/12/and-pax-britannia-freebie.html

Told you he is a smashing Chap!

Spring Heeled Jack

2010-12-22T20:13:00.002+11:00

Gentlemen, with the festive season now upon us, it is important that we all keep our wits about us and twelve-bore to hand to protect our loved ones and wine collections from nefarious villians such as the one shown here in this chronophotographic record of the bounder known as Spring Heeled Jack!

Seemed appropriate for post 666! :-)

Steam Trek: The Moving Picture

2010-12-21T11:10:00.002+11:00

Gentlemen, further research on my personal Babbage engine has unearthed this exciting chronophotographic record of the adventures of the crew of an astronef on an alien planet, though I must confess I am slightly dubious to its veracity in parts...

Pax Britannia: Dark Side

2010-12-19T06:38:00.004+11:00

Blooming Memsahib! Seems she toke umbridge about my reference to cook's Christmas Puddings yesterday and has banished me to the gardener's potting shed. Daft old bird... Fortunately with the snow laying all crisp and even I had the good sense to grab a bit of game pie, a bottle of brandy, my cigars and the latest Pax Britannia penny dreadful!

That wordsmith Green don't half knock them out you know? Dark Side is the newest Quicksilver adventure and what a hoot, definitely the best to date! Following his brother Barty to the her Majesty's colony on the moon, we meet up with characters from the short story Vanishing Point and have astronef, Martian separatist anarchists, asteroids, mechanical automatons on the rampage, more pesky Nazi Prussians, a plethora of fillies, a series of murders, infernal devices, selenites, secret bases, tragedy, vengeance and the possibility of the end of everything, everywhere! Blimey, one needed a stiff one after all that I can tell you!! Hats off to Mister Green for a highly entertaining romp...

As usual he treats us with a short Quicksilver story entitled Proteus Unbound. A tragic tale featuring two of the survivors from the Leviathan penny dreadful that brought a veritable lump to the throat and proof to gentlemen everywhere to be wary of what those medical quacks try and force down your throat to cure your gout of lumbago! I'll be making sure mine takes a quick swig first in future I can tell you!