Imperial Skies

Check out this Kickstarter for a new Flying Game partnered with Brigade Models.  Written y the guy who made Gruntz (15mm SF), its is set in WW1 vice a VSF period.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rottenlead/imperial-skies-wargame

Kaiserin class Dig Carrier

New goodies this week for the relatively under equipped Austro-Hungarian Air Service, the very nice looking Kaiserin class Dig Carrier!
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Aeronef/Austro-Hungary/VAN-713.html

Flying Fortress "Behemoth", 1918

Fantasy aircraft in the form of armoured and cannon armed German aircraft inspired by the Zeppelin Staaken R.VI, but most notably the Caproni Ca 4, Caproni Ca.48 and similar projects. Three doomed British aircraft go down ion flames at the bottom of the picture.

This watercolour was on the cover of “La Domenica della Gazzetta”- 1 Settembre 1918.

Flying Airfield takes off!

Brigade has released a new Nef, and a monster it is!

Today we’re unveiling a new Aeronef model, and our largest to date in this range. The Langley is an American carrier which supports up to 18 fighters in its capacious hangars. It’s well equipped with anti-fighter batteries for self-defence, although with nothing in the way of offensive armament.

The model has been computer designed and 3D printed, but styled to fit in with the existing models in the US fleet.

The Langley is available on its own, or in a pack complete with escorts, fighters and bases. The new anti-fighter turrets are also available in a pack of 12, along with a second circular AA turret – ideal for conversions or upgrades to your existing models.

Austro-Hungarian Salzburg Class Carrier

Jack M recently posted some pics of this lovely Austro-Hungarian conversion, which he has named the Salzburg Class.  I am quite taken with this (one doesn't see too many AH conversions) and asked him if he would share the modelling tips of its construction here.  He kindly agreed and here it is:

I based it on a Ferdinand Max class Battleship (see here) but left out the main gundeck to give me the room to place a runway down once I'd offset the smokestacks.

I cut a couple of the sponsons from the Ferd Max and added them to rear superstructure to provide some guns. I felt this wasn't enough for a ship of this size so I cut down some spare masts to make the tiny turrets seen on the main deck and the upper rear of the Nef. With the spare rod from these masts I also added the twin guns on the prow as well as the fuel drums on the flight deck.

Finally, I added the main masts and a pair of Lohner-Taube's to complete the look and got it painted!

Great conversion Jack and thanks for sharing the modelling tips with us all!
Hope to see more of your fleets soon :-)

Updates from Brigade Models

A couple of snippets from Brigade Models in the past week.

First up, some new releases in the shape of a nice Dig Battleship for the Austro-Hungarians plus some escorts for the Brazilian Nef forces:

The largest model in this release is the Austro-Hungarian von Parseval dig battleship (for those not familiar with the terminology, a ‘dig’ is shorthand for dirigible – a hydrogen-filled airship). Giant airships are used to terrorise opposing populations as they fill the skies and rain bombs down on innocent civilians. The resin-cast gasbag is over 4″ long, making it almost as large as the German Schleswig-Holstein.

The other two models come from the other side of the Atlantic, with the addition of the Tamandare torpedo cruiser and Paraná class frigate to the Brazilian fleet.

VAN-712 – von Parseval class Dig Battleship – £6.00
VAN-807 – Tamandare class Torpedo Frigate – £2.00
VAN-808 – Paraná class Frigate – £0.75

And secondly, the Aeronef stats have all been updated:

I’ve just updated the Aeronef Profiles Page on the website with stats for all our our recent Aeronef releases, including the von Perseval and Brazilian models released last week. While I was there I made a few fixes and updates to the profile generator software – all of the stats cards are generated automagically by some code I wrote years ago that takes the profiles of each model and formats a GIF image, but this seems to have suffered from code rot and a few bugs had crept in.

All of the stats cards can be downloaded from the profiles table, and they’re also in an updated Zip file so you can pull them down at one go. They’re designed to be roughly the size of a business card so when printed out can be cut out and laminated or stored in a vinyl pocket

French Nefs re-released

Those chaps at Brigade Models have remastered their French Charlemane class Battlecruiser Aeronef and recast them with different variants of beautiful tumblehome hulls and period style hull guns.

I think they look just fantastic but now my exiting French fleet (here) can never compare and needs to be upgraded.  The naval arms race continues...

The first real Aeronef

An interesting article regarding pre WW1 commentary on the impacts of technology, including airships. Very reminiscent of HG Wells in War in the Air

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2366435/Pictures-military-science-1913-America-feared-deadly-bomb-showers-battle-begun.html

Awesome Aeronef scale terrain

I was visiting the Boston City Hall this week and received a brief from the town planners.  In their office they had this fantastic model of the downtown area.  Superbly detailed and yes its in 1:1200 scale just like the Aeronef model range!  I can also see it with Tripods marching their way downtown sweeping all before them with their heat rays...

Blown Away

If you haven't seen it yet, pop over to Brigade Model's blog and look at the report of the weekend's Aeronef gaming - some rather fetching looking aerial warships in action!  You'll also see the new 2mm fortifications in play.
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Blog/2014/07/blown-away/

Pic from Brigade Models blog at the link above

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

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

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

Acoustic Terrain

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

US Aero-navy Conversions

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

First Clash over the North Sea, 1890.

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

Words to Live by

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

SALUTE 2011 Aeronef Photos

Posted in 2026 In the spirit of Internet rescue, Jon of "Arbuthnots' Aeronautical League of Gentlemen" blog (https://arbuthnotsleague.blogspot.com/) was a valued White Wine Sauce member back in the day. Sadly his blog has gone untended for many years with his last update being in July 2011. Hope you're well out there Jon.

Jon ran the Aeronef game at SALUTE 2011 which looks absolutely amazing

He then did some followup posts in 3 parts on his blog with detailed pics of his creations. So they don't get lost to time, like so many others, here they are all together and unchanged from Jon's original posts.



Here are the first of a series of photo's generously donated by Alan Daniels and Dominic Hutton, cheers guys, of the Salute Game, i'll be adding them to the blog over the next week, but hope you enjoy!

First up the rather Flash Gordonesque Zurich Class Dig Cruiser, far too sexy for the Swiss, so here it is in the colours of the US Pathfinder squadron. For those interested in such trivia the original designer of this craft was sequested from Switzerland by the long arm of the PBI ( Pinkerton Bureau of Investigations), provided with a new false identity as a slug juggeling artist in the Hollywood Hills under the name of Mr C Chaplin!, and set to work on the next generation of US nef.

Lethally fast these ships are armed with Samuel Colt's patented Torpedo revolver device and are the eyes of the Fleet.

This the elderly but much vaunted USS Maine, Flagship of the Picket Squadron commanded by Commodore Lewis Armistead II, representing as she does post ACW Nef design she hails from a bygone age, however  with her turret mounted 13 inch Armstrong muzzle loading Naval rifles she still packs a punch. Commanded by Armistead, a true patriot of the Southern Cause, with her band playing Dixie, she was last seen firing to the last amidst the Japanes naval line, the "stars and bars" still flying proudly from her mast, her crwe crying "One last time boys, for old Bobbie Lee!" ( This model still reqires rigging)

Supporting the USS Maine are the Michigan Light Cruisers, converted with extended stacks and boilers for long distance patrol, these are the predecessors of the Pathfinder Digs above, again due to their age, they did'nt stand up to the might of the newer Japanese classes of Nef.

Aagain many thanks to the talented photography of Alan and Dominic, hope the macro lens has'nt shown up too much of the dodgy paintwork The game is very much a work in progress as are these models, most of them require rigging to be fully completed.

I would like to take this opportunity to honour a true master of the art and "Godfather" of naval gaming in Rod Langton, having admired his models and craftsmanship for many years, his Napoleonic ships are things of wonder and he was a major inspiration in this project, the aim being to "do a Langton" on the Pre Dread Nefs, so hats off to you sir and a big thanks!

Salute Photo's (2) - The Imperial Japanese Navy

Here are a few extra shots of the Japanese fleet to balance out the earlier US shots, yhis is the Mikasa Super Dreadnought, Admiral Togo's Flagship, yet to be rigged, but it represents state of the art Japanese Dreadnought design.

This shot shows the effect of rigging using thread cotton, as mentioned previously, i was really trying to emulate Rod Langton's amazing modeling when doing this and i think the effect adds to the ships.Rigging along the side is to represent torpedo nets, and again adds toi the overall feel of efficiency I wanted to convey with the Japanese models. Stripes along tail indicate class, 4= Battleship/ Dreadnought.

My own personal favourite amogst the Japanese models, the Light Cruisers, work horses of the fleet and the eyes and ears of the fleet. Searchlight just visable above the wheelhouse is a superdetailing extra from Waterline-models.com, an outstanding service supplying all sorts of bits and pieces that help to add a little extra to the models.Small boats are from the Revell QE2 kit, 20 boats at £5.00, again add as little extra something. 

Here we have a line astern shot of the Japanese Battle line as they bring the big guns to bear.....

Still more to add to this force, a couple more light Cruiser squadrons and then the Super Carriers Kaga and Akagi..

Salute Phot's (3) - Dewey's Pride and Joy!

Here she is, the USS Langley, America's first attempt at Carrier design, an escort class carrier she representrs America's first steps in evolving carrier borne support for the fleet. With a limited capacity of 1 Squadron of P24 Pursuit fighters she lacks punch. Lexington, Yorktown and Sarratoga are on the workbench, and i'm hoping to work on America's Super Carrier Enterprise over ther next few months which will give them a bomber capacity....

Anway here she is, Dewey's pride and joy, "The Flat top wagon" - USS Langley

.

Front on and looking mean....any similarity to a certain graceful lady by the name of Galactica, is as they say....purely coincidental!!!

Here she is from above, colour scheme is based on a combination of the Great White Fleet colours, and authentic  Naval Air markings for the early 20's

Detail shot showing the aircraft, here I used Dom's Decals for the roundels and I carn't recomend them highly enougth, they are superb and really make the models as well as taking a lot of the hassle out of the painting.

Again side on shot of the aircraft....

For those interested in how it all went together, the core of the carrier is the Russian Aeronef Tender from Brigade Models used for the hull and the lower work deck, this is then built up with Plasticard, as are the tail fins. One of the Brigade Models Bombers was added from their generic range to indicate a an Observer plane capacity. Langley is an Escort Carrier class, small with a relativly limited range, she carries no Bombers at this time, being restricted to a single Pursuit Fighter Squadron.

The Introduction of the later Enterprise class will provide the Great White Fleet with airborne torpedo capacity, but that's for another day......

Anway back to the build, the upper Flight deck is made up of several layers of standard and embossed plasticard from 4D Models, with brass rod added to represent torpedo netting. The airbags are W H Smith Illumo markers painted up with some 1-48th scale US Early Pacific War roundels from Hannants model supplies, available over the internet. Side gun barbettes and funnels all bits and pices from the Brigade range. A tougth one to build but well worth it, i think, hope you enjoy, comments and suggestions always welcome.

"Dam the Torpedo's and Full speed Ahead"

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...