Martian Kite "Bloodrunner"

Earlier this week, I showcased Dan Thompson's wonderful HMS WASP.

Well, he also scratchbuilt this wonderful Martian Kite: Bloodrunner!

Like his HMS WASP build, he has reposted the pics and notes previously lost from his old site. Check them out here: 

https://ourworlds.net/gallerynew/index.php/Martian-Cloudship

HMS WASP & Adventures on the Red Planet

This week I added to my hobby archive with this back issue of FineScale Modeller, from way back last century (September 1992):

which I got for this wonderful article:

The article's author Dan has now reposted more pics and details of this project, previously lost from his old site, which you can find here:

https://ourworlds.net/gallerynew/index.php/HM-Aerial-Gunboat-Wasp

Not so incidentally, in chatting with Dan via email this week I discovered he has also authored this book, Adventures on the Red Planet, sporting his HMS WASP on the cover. Naturally, I have also added this to my archive and am enjoying it. You can find it here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1502969513

You can find Dan's other great modelling projects on his Facebook page here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1810926807

Royal Navy Airship scratch build

Found this fabulous scratchbuild by Mr Edward Garcia on Facebook, from a post some 10 years ago. I wanted to post here for reference (such things tend to disappear and be sadly lost):

Again this is NOT my work, but that of highly talented Edward Garvcia, who writes:

"Scaled at about 1/64 this model of a Mars based British aerial gunboat is based on those mentioned in the old roll playing game Space: 1889. I extrapolated considerably on the small tree view drawings available online at the time (over ten years ago) and created a scale models that fit the story line but also reflected actual elements of Victorian naval architecture. The model measures about 32 inches (81cm) long and is crewed by about 15 hand painted 28mm crewmen. For the most part the model is made from scratch with the main exceptions being small parts such as ship’s guns, fittings and crew figures."

Again, this is not my work, and the original post here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18RhWK1FmB/

This is first of a few "internet rescue" posts. Having gone through a bunch of my VSF links I was sad to see so many sites have dissappeared and their contents gone. I will ensure that such posts are very clearly and appropriately credited, and only done to ensure that great material isn't lost.

Avanti Italia - to Venus!

The Italian Army on Venus? Who saw that coming? Not me either. 

But someone has to fight my Russians if I deploy them to Venus, so a good opportunity to branch out. Hmmm...maybe some of the Afrikan German colonial troops also...

Here follows some a notes for a potential project as the mood strikes me, given there isn't much out there for the Italians on Venus. Indeed, in the Space 1889 niche, Venus is seemingly rare for tabletop gaming. On the topic, GDW's Soldier's Companion (1990) states only that:

Separately, the later Ubiquity edition of the Venus Sourcebook (2014) states:

Rather than seeing that as a restriction, I see it as opportunity to mix and match! After all, the Bersaglieri and their flank guard/recon roles would be right at home in the jungle protecting vulnerable convoys and working with native (lizardmen) guides.

An Italian Infantry regiment of the period typically consisted of 3 battalions, although some formations had 4 (specifically Bersaglieri). Each battalion comprised 4 companies. A regiment was around 1,500 men at peace footing, expanding to roughly 3,000 men on a war footing.

Thats probably what the 7th Infantry Regiment "Cuneo" / 7º Reggimento fanteria "Cuneo" looks like, though I'm sure a few Bersalgieri and other small units from the Italian military are there also, if not in force.

While it was established in 1891, if there are troops of Venus it makes sense to establish the "Regio corpo truppe coloniali de Venere" and sweep all the troop on Venus into it under the Italian Governor's authority.

Uniforms

Researching late 19th Century Italian Colonial forces, the Italian colonial army (primarily operating in Eritrea) wore a mix of white or khaki tropical uniforms, commonly featuring a white cork helmet with an azure-blue band, or the traditional red tarbush(fez) with a turban for native ascaro troops. Native soldiers often wore white linen tunics and sash combinations, armed with Vetterli-Vitali rifles.

Key Aspects of the 1890s Italian Colonial Uniforms:

• Colonial Units (Askaris/Native Units): Native Eritrean troops commonly wore a red tarbush (fez) with a blue feather/turban, a white or linen-colored tunic with insignia, white trousers, and sandals.
• Italian Officers: Wore white tropical tunics and trousers, often with a white cork helmet ("salacot") decorated with a blue band.
• Note Officers in Italy wore white pants with a Dark Blue jacket with black piping around the collars, cuffs and red edges, and white leather equipment, which might add variety
• Fatigue Uniforms: In barracks, troops wore "dirty brown" canvas fatigues, which were more durable than their white parade dress.
• Distinctions: Light blue distinctions were often used on helmets and uniforms for colonial troops.
• Arms: Soldiers were often armed with the M1870/87 Vetterli carbine, M1874 cavalry sabers, and traditional local knives in their sashes. 

These uniforms were specifically adapted for the climate in East Africa, shifting away from the heavy wool uniforms used in the Italian mainland at the time, which featured dark blue coats and grey-blue trousers. So these would naturally appeal for the steamy jungles of Venus!

Infantry Captain, Truppe d'Africa, 1896 service dress

Bersaglieri were a high mobility light infantry and skirmishing force, originating in Sardinia before being incorporated into the Italian army when th Kingdom of Italy was formed in 1861. In the 1895 period, in tropical climates such as Abyssinia and Eritrea, they tended toward the newer khaki style uniforms with sun helmets and their distinctive plumage of black feathers.

Bersaglieri Lieutenant, marching order

In the 1860 period, Bersaglieri wore a Summer Campaign Dress of white trousers and dark blue jackets (see first picture in this post) with wide brimmed hats.

In Somaliland (and others) the Italian colonial forces made good use of Tribal irregulars, many of which were equipped with their tradition spears and shields, and a limited amount trained to use firearms. I think that tradition would continue with local tribes of lizardmen

Wargames Atlantic plastic Lizardmen from "Gisby's Gaming Blog"
(https://gisby.wordpress.com/2022/02/17/space-1889-lizard-men-of-venus/)

So yes, a new Army and a new planet to contrast to our adventures on Mars.

Would love to hear people's thought on the subject, or Space 1889 on Venus in general.

And while we talking about Venus do remember that on this planet, Germany is the strongest Colonial force...

Schutztruppe militia in the outback of the German protectorate

The Tsar on Mars!

Presenting my first two Russian line infantry battalions - primarily for my Crimean War project but also deployable to Mars!  

Two Battalions with Regimental officers advancing in Attack columns 

I used different shades across the greatcoats to show varying wear and quality in pre dye-fast colours, and gave the units some identity with one unit sporting a mix of helmets and forage caps (mutzes) which became more common as the war progressed, and another with more strict NCOs ensuring all the troops wear their issued helmets! 

1st Battalion (white shoulder tabs) - all in helmets

I enjoyed a good dose of the inevitable "basing dilemma", badly overthinking it before deciding to go with groups of poorly drilled troops with intermingled casualties, representing both bad training and a stoic intent to get to grips with the invaders regardless of cost! 

2nd Battalion (red shoulder tabs) with mixed helmets and forage caps

Figures are mostly plastic Warlord figs with some metal models by Great War Miniatures mixed in. The former are relatively monopose, but the seperate heads let you impart some great character with modest turns. The latter are wonderful sculpts and mixing them in gives a more dynamic look. Colours by Battle-Flag.com

Normally I hate doing faces but these were very satisfying to do

The army grows!

Space 1889: Battle for the Trading Outpost- Part 2

A roar of aerial and ironclad artillery signalled the commencement of the French attack upon the Martian Trading Outpost, and the dying on both sides began.

Somewhat unimaginatively, the French attack focused on the Martian Legions on the plains, and attriting the Red Legion holding the outpost, before unleashing the Guards to steal all the wine. Of course, the French could bombard the place to oblivion at leisure but that was the way of the hated Prussians or scorned Belgians, and General Escargot was under orders to capture the location for French use. 

And so the Martian sepoys were thrown in to lead the attack while the regulars stayed back to provide covering fire (a very Earthman approach, a cynic might suggest)

Martian view of the French left flank attack

Focusing fire on the left flank with Le Epee supporting, the French advanced steadily with aerial fires sweeping away the Martian artillery quickly (some good rolling for hits, AND some bad rolling for pin checks!). One unit of sepoy infantry made an early dash to secure the ruins (and the cover they invited).  Centrally the clanker landcruisers focused on counter battery fire, the sharpshooters sniped and the Grenadiers sipped champagne and patiently waited their turn. 

"These snazzy rouge pantalons make us invincibles Mon Ami!"

Far out of the right wing, the Martian Gashants advanced and General Escargot deployed his own cavalry Regiment to counter (yes that is indeed 52 gashant models on the table at the same time, for which we claim a Guiness World Record - prove us otherwise!)

"Mon Dieu! Ennemie Cavalrie!"

Meanwhile the Legionaries advanced into a firing positions and nobody really cared what they thought of things. It is the way of things in the Legion.

Back on the left flank crossfire whittled down the Martian Black legion, but Le Epee's fire - pinpoint at the start of the battle, rapidly became ineffective and a Hill Martian sharpshooter unit took the sepoys under fire, bogging down their advance. 

Spying his chance for gloire, Prince Imperial Louis-Napoléon (on secondment to the training cadre in Ideaus Fons) took command of the closest Sepoy unit - storming the hill, throwing back the Hill Martians and blasting them with panache and a dash of fusilade! For his actions that day he was subsequently gazetted with the award of the Légion d'honneur. Bravo!

"Avant! Hommes en avant!"

The French Cavalerie had fully deployed by now and a standoff had evolved with both forces just outside of charge range (and looking magnificent, naturellemont!)

And when the dance had became tiresome and the fromage was all gone, the hooves of giant desert lizard creatures was defeaning as both mounted formations committed to the charge!

First up, the French Cuirassiers crashed into the lead Martian cavalry...

...and instead of the newly painted Frenchies dying to a man in the great wargaming tradition, they saw off their opponents and sent them packing with heavy losses while only taking a single casualty themselves!

And then the err.. other 'French' and Martian units collided and the French elan and strength of mounted arms was repeated!

As this second Martian unit fell back, the Cuirassiers added insult to injury by slamming into their flank

And as the dust cleared, the Martian Cavalry force was looking rather battered

A fresh Martian unit charged into the upstart Cuirassiers, who rose to the challenge yet again!

Having beaten back this third unit, and with fresh reinforcements from the Sepoy gashant squadron coming up, the Martian Cavalry Legion attempted to retire. Most of it was chased down and destroyed in detail.

Naturally, the French began considering a garlic jus to serve with the roasted carcasses, but perhaps a simple White Wine Sauce would be most appropriate...

The Final Insult: The Martian Cavalry Commander, resplendent
 in his fine armour, is slain by the jubilant Cuirassier commander

With that action done, it was time to embrace the spirit of "L'audace, encore l'audace, toujours l'audace!" and commit my Guards Battalion to the assault! Rolling to unpin the only Guard unit sporting a pin marker - snake eyes, and it routed off the table to investigate rumours that the Mess tent had opened early for pre dinner drinks.  Perhaps more pummelling of the defenders was the better part of valour...

Nevertheless, French had the momentum on both flanks though the Martians had some untouched Defenders that needed routing out at the tip of the bayonet. It would be bloody work. Of course the French could stand off and pound the settlement to destruction but that would somewhat sour the views of the very Martians that they sought as allies. Time to encircle, besiege, and offer terms from a position of strength while saving precious French lives.

VP tally 

The French had captured the Ruins (1), had Prince Louis engage in Close Combat and survive (1), and destroyed 3 legions (9) for 11 points. Meanwhile the Martians retained control of the Trading Post (5) and had eliminated one French unit (the Guards unit that routed, to the chagrin of all) for a total of 6.  A Victory for France!

And so, my French Army was most reluctantly not returned back into their usual place of honour in Gav's figure cabinet, but placed into a new figure case bought just for them for long term storage. Rest and recover well mes hommes!

la Fin!

Epilogue: With a grand total of 52 Gashants on the table, Gav has proclaimed that this game was the winner of the World Record number of Gashants simultaneously fielded in a Space 1889 wargame. Post your accolades or provide evidence to the contrary!