Zeppelins across the Seas

Today's YouTube adventure takes us across the Atlantic in the airship Graf Spee!

Whats in a name?

I recently regaled Mssr Betts with this tale, who thought it sufficiently caddish and of drawing room interest to post here. He had asked me where the name "Yours in a White Wine Sauce" had come from...

About 15 years ago (good god! I'm really not that old you know) I was playing a Colonial game with a few of the lads. The Zulu war as I recall, with the movie of the same name playing in the background for ambiance purposes. Of course nobody wanted to be the Zulus so we all played British units and had the Fuzzies on some automatic rules. We all played Officer characters leading our own units of stout chaps in redcoats, but could not discuss tactics or anything while we played. Unless of course, a runner figure had first moved around on the battlefield to pass messages, at which time a hand written note could be delivered to the player concerned.

I was in a particularly hairy situation at the head of the column and surrounded by some rather angry locals with spears, when a runner arrived. I was given a note (written by the player who was the "Colonel") inviting me to afternoon tea at the centre of the column. It was signed "Yours in a White Wine Sauce etc" and took me quite by surprise, as that was before rampant silliness became the norm on our wargaming table.

With good Flashman-like courage, my character accepted the invitation and trotted off after handing command over to his Sergeant. Thus he was absent when his troops were completely surrounded and got the chop. The cucumber sandwiches were lovely and crisp though, with not a hint of sogginess.

It turns out that the good 'Colonel' got the idea from an old Monty Python skit where some shipwrecked sailors debate the finer points of cannibalism, leading to a letter of protest from a Naval Officer decrying that cannibalism is not longer an issue in the RN. He signs the letter "Captain B.J. Smethick in a White Wine Sauce with shallots, mushrooms and garlic".
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So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed the tale.
Its left my throat a little parched though, time for another drink!

Yours in a White Wine Sauce,
Paul

PS You can see the Monty Python skit here- the letter comes in at 3:05

An interview with Dr Steel:- a White Wine Sauce exclusive!

You may recall my recent introduction of a visionary named Dr Phineas Waldolf Steel, which was detailed here:

http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2007/08/dr-phineas-waldorf-steel.html

I have been corresponding with the good (yet unstable and unhinged) Doctor and recently requested an email interview in which he would answer some posed questions. To my great pleasure, this dapper gentleman replied:

My dear Tas,

I would be delighted to appear in your blog.

* White Wine Sauce (WWS): What first led you to suspect your own insanity and embrace it as an ideal?

It began long ago with my daily commute to and from a small office while tolerating bumper to bumper traffic. Anyone who accepts such daily punishment certainly has psychological issues. I didn't notice this at the time, of course, and it wasn't until I was officially labeled insane by the medical directors of a psychiatric hospital that I became aware of my mental state.

Many insane people are unaware of their insanity, fortunately I was shown a graph charting my madness so it's all very clear to me now. I have embraced this fact and now utilize my own insanity to forge a new road in my life. Since one's reality is only as real as one perceives it to be, I have decided to become World Emperor.

* What will be the first ten things you do as World Emperor?

First of all I will do a monkey-like dance. Shortly thereafter I shall assemble an elite and talented crew of technicians from across the globe to begin realizing the transformation of this world; something I like to call a world "make-over".

I will then focus my attention on restructuring the educational system, followed by setting up the Neurological Android Research Facility to advance technologies in the department of artificial intelligence. Having tea with Ray Kurzwiel and Zecharia Sitchin would certainly prove to bring upon some interesting ideas, and then I shall oversee the refurbishing of the White House into a delightful, and educational, miniature golf course.

My attention will then be directed towards alternate forms of far more efficient transportation and cleaner food manufacturing. All the while, I shall be constructing giant robots to utilize as defense against the inevitable battle with The Alien Illuminati who will be rather displeased with such advancements. Lastly I would like to present a special puppet show about chinchillas.

* WWS:What is your position on extraterrestrial life and the search for it?

My opinion of extraterrestrial life is one that points to the idea that we, as humans, are the extraterrestrials to begin with. An alien presence has always been here for as long as we have been hitting two rocks together, and their intervening with the hominids on this planet resulted in the mish-mashed society in which we live. I am completely supportive of those who look for extraterrestrial life, though much of what is shown to us through the mass media is only a smokescreen in an attempt to convince us that if anything other than ourselves exists in the universe, that it is only a small microbe and very far away. When in fact, the very powers who control such information are those who came to this planet thousands upon thousands of years ago.

To find the truth, as is in many cases, we must look within...as well as underground.


* WWS: What do you think was God's biggest mistake?

Oh goodness, where to start? Humans have too many design flaws to even begin to list. Though in order to answer this question properly, we must first define "God". It seems to me that God is an idea, perhaps a feeling that there is something bigger than us in the universe. Something which plans and controls all things forever and always. To me, this sounds like a source of life, or energy, rather than a fellow with a white beard and a mean temper. Rather than God making mistakes, it seems that our general perception of God is a mistake in and of itself. As wee humans, our perception of things grander than us has always brought upon awe. As a result our "truth" hungry minds have devised a wide variety of ways to justify all things. As technology appears to be magic to those who do not understand it, humans have also etched tales of immortal gods in the stone of yesterday. Our assumed perception of the gods of antiquity are in fact the distant memories of flawed and power-hungry beings who have little to no respect for the occupants of planet Earth. To this end, many of our control oriented belief systems were established to keep "the monkeys" under control and quiet.

I feel that the idea of God is a good one in that we must maintain a perspective of there being a creative force of energy permeating reality. To become aware of this and to utilize such power is, in my opinion, the only thing really worth doing...

...aside from a monkey-like dance which is pretty fun too.


Sincerely,
~Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel

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I would like to thank the good Doctor for donating his valuable time away from his music and world domination plans to answer these questions for Yours in a White Wine Sauce! I would also like to thank him for the use of the publicity photographs used in this article.

Coming soon: Dr Steel Interview, Part 2
or not, depending on how he feels and if the progress of his Toy Army permits

In the meantime, you too can enlist in the Toy Army here:

http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/donate.htm

or you may financially contribute to the good Doctor's campaign for world dominance here:

http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/about/donate.htm

New Nefs and the Balance of Power

Well its the first day of Spring here in the colonies, so as part of my Spring cleaning, I got all my lovely nefs out and catalogued them. That was a rather scary experience as you can see from this pile of lead!

Unearthing the motherlode, this hasnt been out of the box since moving house in Jan

[BTW I made a deliberate point of not working out what the total cost would be to buy them, please dont work it out and tell me either OK?)


Apart from reams of information on numbers and classes etc, I calculated the force structures, which actually became rather interesting. ( I have also just spent a few weeks studying naval armament conferences such as the Washington Treaty so that put me in the right frame of mind).


Using traditional categories of ship types (Capital Ships : Cruiser Force : Escorts), I determined I have the following distribution of aero-naval strength amongst the great powers:

• Great Britain 4 : 1 : 11 Note: 1 Capital Ship is a Carrier
• France 2 : 5 : 5 Note: both Capital Ships are Carriers
• Russia 0 : 4(+1) : 12 Note: not including Aerial forts
• Germany 1 : 2: 10 Note: all dirigibles
• Austro-Hungary 1 : 1 : 8
• Turkey 2 : 2 : 15 Note: not including War Balloons
• Japan 0 : 0 : 6
• Pirate/Anarchist 0 : 1 : 3
• Minor Powers (combined) 0 : 4 : 2

So based on this distribution, Great Britain is in trouble and needs more cruisers and the assistance of her Japanese Allies, the Russians need more battleships, a Franco-German Alliance would do well and Turkey should rule the Air! (those Turkish 'Nefs are so nice, obviously I cant help myself).


Maybe some redistribution is required....or maybe some more purchases!


Coincidentally, I also received today some 'nefs in the mail as part of a trade (thanks Jon!) - an British Audacious Class Battlecruiser and Argus Class Carrier (not shown), and a small Russian Squadron with 3 Destroyers and a Seaplane tender. Its always nice to have them show up ready for action...just have to get the rest of the fleets to the same stage!




Here they are here, click as usual for bigger pics. The Fleets continue to grow....

Cavorite Spheres!

Oh yes, its time for more Astronef goodness!

Cavorite Sphere by Larson designs
Medium: Resin
Diameter: 3.5"

"Based on the H.G. Wells' classic 1901 novel, 1964's movie "First Men in the Moon" told the story of British inventor Dr. Joseph Cavor who, along with his handsome young neighbor and his comely girlfriend, flew to the moon in 1899 aboard a metal sphere coated with an anti-gravity paste dubbed "Cavorite."
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[Note that in the movie the 1890s expedition claim the Moon for Queen Victoria, Huzzah! - Tas]
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As depicted in the film, the "sphere" was a multi-sided bathosphere-like contraption studded with rail car bumpers that allowed it to make a "hard" landing on the moon and roll safely to a stop. It was "steered" by opening the closing strategically placed Cavorite-coated panels like Venetian blinds, thus "repelling" the craft from either the Earth or its closest satellite.
The sphere's heavy geometry and rivet-covered surface beautifully evoked the simple functionality of Victorian-era technology.

The kit consists of upper and lower body halves, plus individual rail car bumper and eight portholes."
http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/Cavorite_Sphere_Page.htm


There are some nice pics of a very similar model on this french site here: http://modelbox.free.fr/analyses/MS2002_10AP/XPLUS_Moon/index.html


or this Union Class dropship for Battletech (by IronWind Metals) would make a great Cavorite Sphere too! (thanks to master converter Vanvlak for the suggestion)
http://ironwindmetals.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=4025


BTW the font of all knowledge (Wikipedia) defines Cavorite as:

"Cavorite is impervious to gravity and can shield other materials from its effects. It is used to shield a craft from Earth's pull, allowing easy flight. It was named after its discoverer, Dr Cavor, who used its levitational properties to travel to the Moon.

It also coats Martian flying machines, although, it is referred to as a "gravity- blocking substance", and not Cavorite."

New Nef stats charts from Brigade Models

That stirling chap Tony from Brigade Models has posted stat cards for the latest Russian Aeronef releases.

You can fnd the Strashchini DD here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-512.gif

the Raevski Aerial Redoubt here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-510.gif

and the Shevardino Aerial Battery here (20 guns...ouch!): http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Gaming/VAN/VAN-511.gif

IronStars vessel unveiled

I recently realized that Vanvlak completed as Astronef in 2005, but it hadnt been posted here before. Its from the VSF space game IronStars (game by Majestic 12 Games, Model by Brigade Models). Here she is (in his words at the time):

"After a long delay, I completed the first ship from my Russian Ironstars squadron - the Morozko class Uragan, a rocket-armed ships.

Review - a very nice and clean model, with very little by way of mould lines. It comes in 5 parts - hull + 4 sails, as well as the black base. I stuck the sails in an incorrect manner - they should form a diagonal, rather than a vertical-horizontal X, but I liked them this way, and consider this my very first conversion for this game - as well as my very first model for Ironstars. The solar sails are a bit fiddly to fit (at least, in my configuration), but otherwise the model offered no problems, and is a very nice, quite well detailed and unusual little beastie. Anyone not interested in the game but playing BFG would find these - and other models from the range - useful too."

Well, we are looking forward to seeing the rest of your Russan Ether Squadron Vanvlak! BTW are those Solar Sails or Aether sails? :-D

You can find the Morozko class sloops at Brigade Models' website here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/IS/Items/IS-505.html

This picture of Russian Ironstars vessels comes from the Brigade Models Page. I think they look cracking!




Here is a description of the Ironstars game from the Majestic 12 Games website:

"Iron Stars is a game of space combat in an age of steam and steel. Set in a fictional universe based loosely on the writings of H. G. Wells and other fantasists, it provides a back story and ship designs from an alternate history in which the Martian Invasion actually happened, the ether is all-pervasive, and Cavorite is a reality. But, as with Starmada and other Majestic Twelve Games products, the focus is on players' imaginations; a clear and concise ship construction system is provided so you can pit your own space dreadnoughts against the likes of the Royal Navy Ether Squadron or the German Äthermarine."

http://www.mj12games.com/ironstars/

The Airship Destroyer

I heard out about this movie and did some online digging. Sadly though I havent been able to find a copy...yet!

The Airship Destroyer
(sometimes called Battle in the Clouds or The Aerial Torpedo),


Less than 10 minutes long and produced in 1909 by Charles Urban, an American pioneer of cinematic special effects working in Britain. It’s pretty prophetic stuff: airships bombing cities and railways, fighters intercepting them, radio-guided SAMs, even an armoured car thrown in for good measure. I would guess it was inspired in part by the phantom airship scare which took place earlier that year.

The following synopsis is taken from the Moving Picture World magazine:

Section 1. - preparation.
The Aero camp -Loading supplies - Start of the airships - The inventor of the airship destroyer - His love story - The parting - The alarm - The aero fleet in full flight - The aerial torpedo and its inventor.

Section 2. Attack.

In the clouds - Dropping like shells from the firing deck of an airship - the chase - High angle firing from a gun on an armored motor car - Total destruction of the car - Railway wrecked by the aerial fleet - Shelling the signal box - The heroic operator meets death at this post - The fight in the air - Airship versus aeroplane - Wreck of the aeroplane - The burning of a town by the aerial fleet - Thrilling rescue of his sweetheart by the inventor.

Section 3. Defense.

The inventor with the assistance of his sweetheart sends his airship destroyer on its mission of vengeance. The torpedo, steered through the air by wireless telegraphy - One flash and the airship is doomed - It falls, a mass of scorching fire, into the waters of a lake.

Sounds good eh?

There are also two sequels called: "The Aerial Anarchists" and "Pirates of 1920", both made in 1911, and I havent been able to find either of them. Let me know if you do!

Royal Greenwich Observatory photographs total Lunar Eclipse

Astronomy was a popular and important part of Victorian science, and British astronomers carried telescopes and spectroscopes to remote areas of India, the Great Plains of North America, and islands in the Caribbean and Pacific to watch the sun eclipsed by the moon. Of course escorting these puffed up windbags was an onerous task of any Officer, but it did at least provide an excuse to fish about for a bit of exotic skirt eh?!

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Take this chap for instance, a Frog named Jules Janssen. Professor of Science at the University of Paris, and an enthusiastic observer of eclipses. Between his lecturers and his in-depth research in the field of chronophotography, he could be a bit dry.

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Fortunately, Lunar Eclipses are far more convenient and extensive travel is not necessary. Thus we didnt get stuck with the likes of cranky old Janssen today.

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Indeed this very evening this image was taken from one's own front yard whilst sipping a fine cognac. Appropriate give this week's focus on Astronefs and "Le Voyage dans la Lune"

I looked carefully, but didnt see any Green flashes....

Digs, Nefs and News

I recently met and have enjoyed correspondance with a wonderful chap named Yuri over at the brassgoggles steampunk forum.

Like me, he is a bit of a vintage airship fanatic and has kindly sent me a stack of wonderful old photos, such as these.

Thanks very much Yuri, most appreciated!

In other news, today it is two weeks since I added the sitemeter counter, and have continued to be astonished with the number of hits I have received.

In that time have been honoured with 1,200 hits, so thank goos Sirs and Madames, for your continued patronage!

Zeppelin vs Pterodactyls

It started with this concept poster art, but sadly (...and despite the vast potential this wonderful vision has) it didn't come to fruition. Until now that is....

A brilliant amateur filmaker has concocted this wonderous story of zeppelins, powered air-fighting craft, brave heroes and pterodactyls.

Watch and be amazed!

The tales of Jasper Morello

Back from Astro'neffing in Aether-space, I have discovered this wonderful Steampunk movie made in Australia!:

The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello

The First Voyage - Jasper Morello and the Lost Airship

This Being the First Voyage of Jasper Morello, Aeronaut of the 3rd Royal Cartographers, and his Journal Recording of the Mysterous Predicament Involving the Lost Airship, Hieronymous. Set in a world of iron dirigibles and steam powered computers, this gothic horror mystery tells the story of Jasper Morello, a disgraced aerial navigator who flees his Plague-ridden home on a desperate voyage to redeem himself. The chance discovery of an abandoned dirigible leads Jasper through unchartered waters to an island on which lives a terrifying creature that may be the cure for the Plague. The journey back to civilization is filled with horrors but in a shocking climax, Jasper discovers that the greatest horror of all lies within man himself.

Who is Mr. Jasper Morello?
(from the official website)

Navigator, 3rd Royal Cartographers, Difference Engine Operator 2nd Class. Morello’s career was in some doubt after the collision at Weather Station 2C41 in the Lawrencian quarter, and the subsequent loss of a crew member. Re-instated to the Resolution, after pressure was applied by his wife, Mrs. Amelia Morello [surviving daughter of Rear Admiral Balthazar Fortinbras of the Royal Navy] and her society connections. Protest by Captain Griswald has been duly noted.

Read more about Jasper here:
http://www.jaspermorello.com/gazette/

You can order an official copy of movie and support the IP of the movie team here:
http://www.madman.com.au/actions/catalogue.do?releaseId=6023&method=view

Or watch it on YouTube here:

A Honeymoon in Space

To continue this week's Astronef theme, I thought I would bring to your attention a wonderful story of adventure of a newly wed couple as they explore th solar system in the first man-made extraplanetary vehicle. Volcanoes, monsters and thrills await you in this classic story by George Griffith, whom you may recall wrote the fantastic 'Angel of the Revolution'. Also with some very fine illustrations, a few of which I can included here.



A Honeymoon in Space
by George Griffith

Published 1901.
Approx 300 pages









Enjoy an online version here:
http://gutenberg.com/eBooks/BlackMask_Online/honeymoonspace.htm

Or if you prefer a hardcopy:
http://astore.amazon.com/spacearchaeology-20/detail/0966892631/

Around the World in 80 days?

Unlike Fineas Fogg (who took 80 days), it seems that people have enjoyed visiting the old White Wine Sauce from around the globe in the last 2 weeks.

To that end I have added a CustrMap which records the origin of visitors and makes for intriguing perusal. You can find it at the bottom of the left hand frame, but here is another direct link to it. It gets updated every so often depending on the rate of visitors here.

http://www3.clustrmaps.com/counter/maps.php?url=http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/

Anyway, have a look and compare the map to the other places in the furthest flung corners of the Empire you may have visited, accompanied by a glass of the regionally brewed heart starter and a local lovely!

Le Voyage dans la Lune

For those who saw yesterday's entry, but have never seen the 1902 movie "Le Voyage dans la Lune", here is a version on Youtube which has an English voice over.

Incidentally, its been rated as one of the 101 movies you should see before you die.
(Not that I'm trying to help you on your way of course...)

And moving pictures is a White Wine 1st also - ahhh the marvels of modern science!

Enjoy!