Good Heavens... over a Hundred Visitors in only a few days

Thanks very much for the patronage chaps!

Vanvlak's patented Heavy Dig Bomber

Vanvlak Industries has done it again - this time with a Heavy Dig bomber for the discerning would-be Aero-Fleet Admiral!

"A high speed bomber dirigible which is unfortunately poorly manoeuverable (small tail, see?), and has has a quad gun turret added fore to prevent Aeronefs at higher altitudes from attacking the vulnerable fore top quarter. Unfortunately, this has reduced the design's speed drastically....

There are much smaller Maxim guns dotted around the hull.... but the forward area was particularly vulnerable to diving Nefs, something which has now been countered by the quads. Of course all the Nef has to do is attack from the rear. But here's the catch - the formation of dirigibles will protect each other, flying a box formation (are we sure these aren't B-17s we're talking about? ). As for the rear ship, ah, that's a special design which has rearward firing guns as well. "

Mssr Betts reliably informs me that he constructed this dig from an Aeroplane recce pod, and got the canvas look from "white undrcoat and the standard flesh wash over everything - this time heavily watered down to make it look like one big tea-stain. "

Great work again John!

Tripods!

Luis, a stout chap I know from the Club, sent me this great news:
Detailed models of those confounded Martian Contraptions!



"Retrokit are primarily known for their armor and artillery models. This model of H.G. Wells (in)famous Martian Tripod is their first science fictional offering. It's based on the illustrations of Alvim Correa in a 1906 French edition of the novel, drawings that Wells said were very close to his own vision of the fighting machines."
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/was/jl_retrokit.htm

More can be seen at the manufacturer's site here: http://www.retrokit.net/79.html

Smashing!

Name Sir?

Added a site counter to see how many chaps attned this Club and its premises
Chin-Chin!

MALTA: DEFENDING THE CROSSROADS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

WHILST VISITING THE ISLAND OF MALTA ON A DIPLOMATIC MISSION AT THE BEHEST OF THE GOVERNMENT I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO MEET WITH MR. J. BETTS (ALSO KNOWN AS VANVLAK) TO DISCUSS MANY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELDS OF BOTH AERIAL AND SUBAQAUATIC CONVEYANCES. WE ALSO DISCUSSED AT LENGTH THE IMPENDING THREAT CAUSED BY THE BELLICOSE ATITUDE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SUBLIME PORTE. AFTER TAKING COFFEE AT ONE OF THE ISLANDS PREMIER EATERIES IT WAS RECOMMENDED TO MYSELF THAT PERHAPS A TOUR OF THE DEFENCES OF THE ISLAND WOULD SERVE TO ALLAY ANY FEARS HER MAJESTIES GOVERNMENT MAY HAVE. AFTER AN EXCHANGE OF GIFTS AND MUCH TECHNOLOGICAL INFORMATION CONCERNING CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES OF BOTH AERIAL AND SUBAQUATIC CONVEYANCES I PROCEEDED TO ACCEPT THIS VERY KIND AND IMPROMPTU INVITATION. SADLY, AFFAIRS OF STATE DID NOT PERMIT MR.BETTS TO ACCOMPANY MYSELF ON THIS TOUR WHICH WAS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING AS HIS INFORMATIVE AND CHARMING MANNER WOULD HAVE BEEN MOST WELCOME.

IN THE COMPANY OF MY FAMILY AND A SMALL DETACHMENT OF THE ROYAL MALTA REGIMENT I PROCEEDED TO INSPECT A FEW OF THE MANY FORTIFICATIONS ON THE ISLAND - CONCENTRATING MAINLY ON THAT MOST STRATEGIC OF POSITIONS - THE GRAND HARBOUR. THE EQUIPMENT IS OF THE MOST MODERN VARIETY WITH A BEWILDERING ARRAY OF GUNS LARGE AND SMALL AS EVIDENCED IN THE ATTACHED DAGUERRETYPES. THE HARBOUR HAS A BATTERY OF 32 PDRS MANNED BY THE MEN THE ROYAL MALTESE ARTILLERY - A FINE, UPSTANDING REGIMENT OF MEN, RESPLENDENT IN THEIR SERVICE DRESS. THE COLOUR OF THEIR UNIFORMS INCIDENTLY, IS A PERFECT MATCH WITH THE LIMESTONE THAT IS THE ISLANDS PRINCIPLE BUILDING MATERIAL. DURING TIMES OF PEACE THIS BATTERY IS USED FOR A NOONDAY SALUTE AND SO FIRES EACH DAY AT THIS TIME. DUE TO CONSTRAINTS OF TIME WE WERE SADLY UNABLE TO VISIT FORT RINELLA WHERE THE BATTERY OF 100TON ARMSTRONG MECHANICAL CANNONS ARE LOCATED. THESE MONSTER GUNS ARE CAPABLE OF HURLING A 1 TON SHELL THE DISTANCE OF 8 MILES AND ABLE TO PENETRATE 21 INCHES OF STEEL ARMOUR! THE RATE OF FIRE OF THESE LEVIATHANS IS AN INCREDIBLE 1 ROUND EVERY 6 MINUTES! AS WELL AS THE GARRISON FORMED FROM COMPANIES OF THE ROYAL MALTA GARRISON ARTILLERY THERE ARE SEVERAL INDEPENDENT BATTERIES OF 8" HOWITZERS.

SHOULD THE TURK ATTEMPT TO ARRIVE BY SEA THEN HE WILL BE IN FOR A VERY HOT RECEPTION - THE MEN AND EQUIPMENT OF THE MALTESE FORCES, TOGETHER WITH THAT OF THE KNIGHTS OF ST.JOHN, FORM A FORMIDABLE COMBINATION, ABLE TO DEAL WITH THREATS FROM LAND, SEA AND SKY.

ALAS THE VISIT TO THE ISLAND WAS OVER ALL TOO QUICKLY BUT A FINAL SURPRISE CAME FROM THE CHARMING MR.BETTS HIMSELF. AN ABANDONED DESIGN FOR A SMALL AQUANEF ORIGINATING FROM THE RAYLEIGH FACTORIUM (DETAILS OF WHICH WERE PROVIDED AS A PART OF THE TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE ALLUDED TO EARLIER IN THIS COLUMN) WAS AMENDED AND ENHANCED BY THIS INTREPID ENGINEER AND IS NOW PROVIDING A SUBMERSIBLE PATROL COVERING THE APPROACHES TO THE GRAND HARBOUR.

IT WAS A FIRST CLASS VISIT AND A VERY REWARDING ONE AND I AM QUITE SURE THAT WHATEVER THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THIS GALLANT AND PLUCKY ISLAND THAT ANY AGGRESSORS WILL BE IN FOR A HOT RECEPTION.

J.TURK ESQ HAD BEST TAKE NOTE - 'ST.ELMOS PAY' WILL BE THE ONLY THING THEY BRING AWAY FROM THE ISLAND!!

Strange Aquanef sighted at Malta Conference

My agents have reported that secret bilateral discussions were held this week between the Knights of St John and a shadowy European envoy this week.

Meeting in an undisclosed location on the small Mediterranean Isle, nefarious agreements were no doubt made and undermining plots hatched. Rumours of Anarchist participation also persist. All that is known is that shortly afterwards, this never before seen submersible was seen close offshore. Despite attempts to the prevent it, the negatives were delivered to our representatives in Geneva yesterday.

What secret deals have been made? Have the Knights taken possession of some new technical marvel to help fight off the Turks? And if so, who built it and are there more?

Co-Modelled by Vanvlak and Ogrefencer - the guys had a get together this week in Valetta. Have your luck gents!

White Apes of Mars unleashed!

Martian naturalists have discovered, rather violently and bloody, the legendary White Apes of Mars on a recent expedition near Syrtis Minor!

You can these these beasts and some other rather wonderful VSFness here: http://www.agisn.de/html/victorian_sf.html

Aeronef Action at Fisticuffs

I found this photo from Fisticuffs 2004 at the PeterPig website. It looks very similar to the Wessex Games 'Nef demo game I attended at SALUTE 01, which I posted pics of here (last year some time) Who is that mystery man with the blue measuring device??? :-)

You can see the rest of the Peter Pig website here:
http://www.peterpig.co.uk/photoreports.htm

2mm Martian Infantry

Germy has been busy indeed..! He has produced these cephalopodic nightmares which you may recall from that terrible summer. He says:

"Following the description HG Wells gives I think they came out rather well :)Obviously they will need to get themselves in a fighting machine quick since there combat ability as lumbering hulks was never described!

So next up had to be a martian spread to the four winds. I thought people could build little dioramas of a fallen tripod and dead martian."

I know I'll be making up a diorama just like that!

You can see more of Germy's WOTW studd at his miniGerm website here: http://www.minigerm.co.uk/workmarinf.html

Coastal Defence Monitor

I saw this neat looking VSF Coastal Defence Monitor on ebay today, though unfortunately its in 25mm which is not my scale of choice. The 4 turrets train independently and the hull is made in one piece resin.

Does anyone know who the manufacturer is? I want one in 15mm!

Flying Martians observed!

That stout chap Germy has released his lastest pics of flying Martian contraptions!

With good luck, they will soon appear with Germy's other WOTW stuff at the Brigade Models website.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.minigerm.co.uk/workmartian.html

Cloud Effect markers

.
I know many Aeronef players out there have been looking for ways to integrate weather and cloud effects iunto their games. Some have produced excellent cloud models, but not everyone has the time or inclination to do so.

I saw these smoke markers today (with an appropriately VSF-ish clockwork machine next to it!) and thought they may fit the bill for some players. They are Gale Force Nine’s Warmachine Cloud Effects Markers: "designed to effectively denote continuous Cloud Effects on the table top with a dynamic 3-D marker while still maintaining playability."

There are are two kinds, the smoke marker and this "wall of smoke" marker.

Be warned that they aren't cheap, and they may not be your cup to tea (...even with a slice of lemon added!) but if they do tickle your fancy, you can find out more here:

http://www.gf9.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=338&osCsid=5f447fe20ef4c32096b00df2d5b82f96

And here:
http://www.gf9.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=320

Skyland

This is the 200th entry at 'Yours in a White Wine Sauce' - Huzzah!

I came across a rather good show today. Well the kids did, I just happened to walk past as they were watching really.

Its called "Skyland" - a PulpSF version of Aeronef!

Unlike most anime style shows, its not Japanese, but a joint French and Canadian venture. Briefly, it set in the 23rd Century, the Earth has been shattered into chunks of rock which now float around a core. There are some rather right wing chaps called the sphere, some renegade style pirates, some kind of mystics, most importantly lots of cool flying ships and battles. very transportable to a VSF setting, just insert Prussian, Anarchists and cultists respectively.

This the the St Nazaire, the man pirate vessel in the show. Actually, its much more Neffish in the show than this rather poor picture. It looks more like somethig out of Star Blazers here (not that that is bad, just not aeronef-like).

As well as the series there is a movie currently in preproduction and scheduled for release late next year.

You can read more aout the show and its characters here: ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyland And there is a rather well done website here: http://www.skylandtv.com/

Let me know what you think!

Steampunk Desktop

For the erudite gentleman who takes his decor seriously!


How to...
http://steampunkworkshop.com/lcd.shtml

Review of new Brigade releases

Its always an exciting time when a package arrives, its even better (IMHO) when its from Brigade Models!

Anyhow, as I went to open it I noticed that fellow Wine Wine Saucer Zophiel was online (on messenger as 'Major Magik'), so here is the text of the first (recorded) web-live Brigade model opening and review! Typos left in to embarras the typing challenged (me!)

Paul says: OK, time for live opening and review of Brigade purchases!
Major Magik says: woot

Paul says: I'll have to put this on the blog!
Paul says: OK - first thing plain white envelope...nicely weighted!
Major Magik says:heh

Paul says: Inside - minis all in a plastic ziplock, not the usual video or plastic boxes or blisters.
Paul says: Lots of goodies in here...
Major Magik says: heh

Paul says: OK I couldn't wait any more, contents are all over desk in small zips. Taking them 1 at a time...
Major Magik says: heh

Paul says: First, the Aerial redoubt:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-510.html/
Very crisp and clean, no flash at all. Lovely detail.

Paul says: Next, Aerial Battery:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-509.html
Again very crisp and clean, but a little bit of flash (minimal though) some of the barrels are slightly bent but fixable. 3 of these guys.
Major Magik says: nice

Paul says: Turkish War Balloons:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2012.html
Major Magik says: I got 5 of those.

Paul says: Again 3 of them. They are quite a bi smaller than the Aerial batteries - the platform is about half the size. A little bit of flash on the balloons but again the detail is very crisp. These will look great in a bright colour with some Turkish decals
Paul says: Next- fighters and bombers> Turkish Kindjals (the ones that look like Taubes)- 2 packs, very clean. Love the look of these, they are just dying to bepainted up in bright colours like a German WW1 'Circus'
Major Magik says: heh, yah.

Paul says: Now I have 2 packs of generic fighter and 1 of bombers. I dont remember ordering those!
Major Magik says: heh.

Paul says: I'll have to check my order. No doubt they'll come in handy somehwere anyway!
Major Magik says: truly.

Paul says: next: 4 engined bombers 92 packs) - these are awesome and HUGE compared to the ohers
Major Magik says: I haven't gotten any of those yet
Major Magik says: 92 fighters?! that's a lot of planes

Paul says:(2packs) rather!
Major Magik says: ah, k.

Paul says: Top wing comes seperately but minimal issues to fit it. Waist guns are very clear, these will paint up nicely
Major Magik says: woot

Paul says: Pack of US single turrets for conversions - nice. 12 of them on sprues of 3 each.

Paul says: Onto the Nefs, Russian Strashchni class Destroyer:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-511.html
2 of these. Lovely little ships, guns everywhere including fore and aft twin turrets. The detail again is very crisp (one of the benefits of getting models from new molds I guess).

Paul says: Turkish Sakarya class Destroyer (x2):
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2011.html
Major Magik says: yah, those are sweet.

Paul says: these are bigger than I thought they would be, a full 6cm from stem to stern. A little more flash but not much and again very crisply detailed
Major Magik says: yeah, they're bigger than they look in the photo.

Paul says: Yeah, It'll be interesting to match them up to other DDs, especially the German Dig ones
Major Magik says: when does LI launch? I suspect that new nef will appear after that.

Paul says: Next: Turkish Muin-I-Zaffer class Dig Cruiser (x1) - smae as my last one, but this time destined for my Russian Far East Fleet as a captured vessel pressed into service:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2003.html
Major Magik says: heh.
Major Magik says: I'm eager to see some new ones, like a Chinese ship.

Paul says: Not sure yet, Wessex Steve is still sick so its on hold for a bit. Cant wait to get my hands on some of those LIs!

Paul says: AH Huszár class Destroyer:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-707.html
Looks really nice, and will be the Leader for my small AH Squadron. I use a small AH escort type flotilla as the fast element for my slower german Dig Fleet., Again crisp and with barely any traceably flash at all.

Paul says: Brazillian Júlio de Noronha class Cruiser:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-806.html
Lovely ship, great lines, very sleek and lethal looking. More in line with the French style if you like. Dunno whose fleet of mine it will join, but I love the model!
Major Magik says: nicely designed. I might have to get a Brazilian fleet going once there's more in the range

Paul says: Turkish Gemlik class Frigate:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2009.html
Very much in the German style, about half the size of the DD we mentioned earlier. I have some other Sth American vessels, not becasue I have fleets, but because I like the models. my Aerial Pirate cabal might end up with them
Major Magik says: I have at least one of every Turkish thing they make. I'm waiting on the release of that twin-dig thing.

Paul says: The Twin Dig BB? Me too!!!!
Major Magik says: it looks fantastic.

Paul says: sure does!

Paul says: Turkish Turgut Reis class Cruiser:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2008.html
Again in the German style but large for a cruiser, more a battlecruiser type size. No flash even visible.

Paul says: French Fléche class Light Raider:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-416.html
No pic on the site
so I have been very keen to see what these are like.
Major Magik says: I won't order one if there's no pic
Major Magik says: a quirk of mine

Paul says: Very much a smaller version of the L'Eee with a large turret on the Forcastle and a few smaller side batteries. neat light cruiser sized vessel.
Paul says: I dont usually either, but then Ive yet to be dissappointed by a brigade design too. I ceratinly wouldnt buy from a new company without pics
Major Magik says: right.

Paul says: second last: US Twin-turret pack (it was hiding under th last behemoth...) very crisp and again 12 turrets on 4 sprues of 3 turrets each. These wll be great or conversions
Major Magik says: I want the turrets for other nations.

Paul & Lynette says: All in good time!
Major Magik says: "good time" would be sooner.Paul says: hehe.

Paul says: Last, is a Turkish Abdul Aziz class Dig Battleship:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/VAN/Items/VAN-2001.html
Major Magik says: love that one.

Paul says: It's a monster, but the important bit is that about 18 months ago I bought th Turkish Fleet pack when it was released, like many others who had been waiting!
Paul says: I looked at it, said 'sweet' and got on with thatever I was paintign at the time. About 6 months later when I got around to my Turks, I realised by Dig BB was missing. Brigade Steve was great (as always) and offered a replacement, which I said could wait until my next purchase to save him the shipping. Well off back to sea I went and forgot all about it until last month.
Paul says: He honoured our agreement without a word or batting an eyelid even though it was well over a year later. THAT'S customer srevice for you!
Major Magik says: wow, a missing BB.

Paul & Lynette says: No longer!
Major Magik says: That's something I think I'd have noticed right off.

Paul says: Of course, I was waiting for you to let me know what shipping was costing so I could insure I paid you fully.
Major Magik says: You were lucky in the response.

Paul says: Truly.
Paul says: Having checked my order, I now realise the 'extra' fighters were Japanese Shinden Fixed Wing Fighters. Should have known that!
Major Magik says: ahh.

Paul says: well there you go, our first 'out of the box' Brogade Aeronef review!
Major Magik says: woot, that was fun.

Paul says: I'll clean it up and post it to the Blog
Major Magik says: very nicely done.

Paul says: Overall, another nice package of goodies from Brigade, but exceotionally good casts this time, because they are all new models I think. not that the usual Brigade stuff isn't good, but this is exceptional.
Major Magik says: The war balloons are special.
Paul says: Oh yeah - awesome!

Paul says: OK mate, you to bed and me back to Real Life and essays etc
Major Magik says: take care, my friend
Paul says: Ciao.