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.

ANZAC Day 2026

 

Ode to the Fallen 

They went with songs to the battle, they were young, 

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow, 

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, 

They fell with their faces to the foe. 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: 

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning 

We will remember them.

Russian Fleet reinforcements

A small Cruiser squadron to reinforce my growing Russian Dystopian Wars fleet.  

Disclaimer: I have used AI to generate a more contextural background.
The models themselves are unchanged and are my own work.

Like the rest of my fleet these are an Ebay rescue, and as a bonus they came with nicely magnetised turrets. I've painted them up in more grungy wartime colours to contrast with the rest of my Fleet. I used historical paint schemes again, this time from the Russo-Japanese war. I think of these ships as offensive night patrollers - going out to screen the main force against marauding torpedo boats

This looks good

But this looks better!

The search for more models from the old Spartan Games era continues...

Dystopian Wars Russian Fleet!

I've been planning a Dystopian Wars renaissance and while the new rules by War Cradle Studios are much improved, I much prefer the older Spartan games era ships in their highly detailed resin. These are quite bit smaller in scale to the newer plastic ones and don't mix well so I'm staying with resin, though they are getting harder to find.

Yes the background is AI generated but how cool is it!

A few years ago I bought a painted Prussian Fleet at CANCON Bring & Buy, and James has a few others of his own, namely Brittanic, Covenant of Antarctica and American. New chum David also has some VERY NICE Brittanic plus Italian States fleets too! Surely this would be enough?

So with this post I start another fleet: Russians! Obvious really....

These are an ebay rescue - a modest fleet for a small battle, and I'm naturally planning expansions. All painted in colours of the (real world) Russian Imperial Navy Pacific Fleet of the pre-dreadnought period.

Moskva Class Dreadnought looks like a floating citadel more than a ship! This is large enough to fit in the Admiral's voluminous drink cabinet and dining set.

Borodino class Battleship -the manufacturer proudly states that "this industrial nightmare will forever haunt the ambitions of anyone who dares cross the path of the Russian Coalition". 

3 Suvorov Cruisers - "the harsh, unbending anvil against which foes are crushed" - characteristically subtle

9 Novgorod frigates "operate in a radically different fashion to the majority of frigates around the world, boasting a curious circular hull that affords it unmatched manoeuvrability." These guys provide AA and close range support for the bigger ships.

Luckily, its only 14 years since I first spied this release to actually getting some painted and ready...

https://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2012/06/russian-coalition-sighted.html

Painting Notes

Undercoated in White, and washed in thinned Nuln oil (GW)

Contrast for the decks and then planks re painted with Zandri dust (GW)

Hulls worked back to the Celestra White (GW) using a makeup sponge. 

Funnel stacks are Averland Sunset washed in Reikland Fleshshade (both GW)

The Defence of Melbourne, Redux?

Great to catch with a gaming mate recently (lets call him Dave, mostly because thats his name). Of course was showing him my recently completed Crimean Russians, to which he said "put those against my Maori Wars British and we can play the Defence of Melbourne". Mind. Blown. 

Of course we could- we should! We Must!

Real life constraints (such as living in different countries and indeed hemispheres) make this a slower burn project for 18 months or so) but regardless the neurons have been enthusiastically fired, so I'm in research mode now and revisiting this long enjoyed topic topic but with alt-history in mind instead of VSF flavour (at least for now anyway!)

Since I last considered this topic (admittedly a decade or more ago) a local historian has done some fabulous research and self published the outcomes, particularly in these two volumes:

This is interesting to me as I used to live in Hobson's bay and walk past this battery frequently

A review of this latter title here:

https://www.mhhv.org.au/lines-in-the-sand-hobsons-bay-defences-of-williamstown-sandridge-1854-1871-by-keith-quinton/

Both are available from here - unfortunately like many print on demand/low print count the costs for hardcopies are...considerable. However, the author Keith Quinton has kindly made pdf versions available at cup of coffee prices, which I am enjoying now.

https://au.blurb.com/user/keithquinton

Of course I did suggest to Dave that perhaps an assault on the colonial fortification of Fort Scratchley in Newcastle might be a good initial fight. But like me, he grew up in Melbourne and wants to do the big one!

In the meantime, I'll get cracking on the next Russian battalion!

The ‘Right Battery’ at Williamstown, Fort Gellibrand. 

(Image from the Military History and Heritage Victoria website)

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!

Ace McGuire and the Robot Legion!

Its been all quiet on the Space 1889 front, with nothing looming on the horizon. So I thought I'd share something different but related from a great day catching up with my mate Rich in Fairfax County. Today he hosted me at his place for some classic SciFi pulp gaming using Wiley Game's Galactic Heroes.

Overall I found the game system intuitive, quick playing and fun! It flowed well and was all about cinematic action. Rich's great figure and terrain collection really made it immersive too, as you can see...

Yes, I may have used AI to make this but isn't it COOL!

The Mechanical Minions of the Robot Legion had seized Planet Thomas—and with it, the proud Galacteer Starbase! Now its shining towers were draped in steel tentacles of tyranny, its halls echoing with the clank of mechanical boots! Worst of all—beloved Galacteer heroine Jane Hunter was a prisoner of the fiendish machines, her fate dangling by a wire!

Only one man dared answer the call—Captain “Ace” McGuire! Dashing, daring, and just reckless enough to challenge the cold claws of the Robot Legion! Whispers across the fleet hinted that his zeal was more than duty—after all, wasn’t Jane Hunter his secret flame?

Ace wasn’t alone! By his side thundered Rocky Rizzo, trigger-happy sharpshooter with a Heavy Laser that could vaporize a tank-bot in a single blast! Dr. Zahn, cool-headed science officer and battlefield surgeon, carried his trusty med-kit, ready to patch up heroes on the run. And leading the Astro-Angels, a laser-rifle squad of daring dames, was none other than Sergeant Stacey, as bold as brass and eager to save her mentor!

Into the Jungle of Peril!

The rocketship set down beyond the reach of the Robot Legion’s scanner towers. The steaming jungles of Planet Thomas swallowed the Galacteers as they pushed forward, sweat gleaming on their brows. Suddenly—movement in the underbrush!

“Clankers at twelve o’clock!” barked Rocky. Without waiting for orders, he cut loose! KRA-KOOM! His Heavy Laser roared like thunder, blasting a hover-sentry into flaming wreckage!

Ace and Dr. Zahn dove aside as a gleaming Robot Centurion marched forward, flanked by two clattering sentinels, eyes glowing with cruel red light!

“Blast ‘em to bits, boys!” Ace shouted, drawing his laser pistol with a flourish. ZZZAP! A hover-bot exploded in sparks as he twirled his weapon back into its holster with a grin.

“Onward, men!” Ace cried, striking a pose that could have graced a recruitment poster.

The Angels Strike!

Sergeant Stacey surged ahead, her Astro-Angels fanning out with deadly grace.
“Go get Jane, Captain—we’ll scrap these scrapheaps!” she barked. 

The jungle blazed with fire as laser rifles chattered and a grenade launcher belched WHOOMPH! A chorus of zap! zap! zap! rang out like a symphony of destruction.

The Centurion staggered, showering sparks. But just as the tide seemed to turn, the ground shook. The trees trembled. Something monstrous was coming- fast!

From the shadows thundered a titanic Warbot, its steel fists the size of meteors, its glowing eye crackling with deadly energy!

“SEEK! FIND! DESTROY!” it boomed, shaking the very air with its metallic bellow!

The Warbot of Doom!

“Back off, Ace! This one’s mine!” roared Rocky, bracing his Heavy Laser. 

KRA-KOOM! The blast staggered the towering titan, but it charged forward, its laser-eye firing a sizzling beam that seared through Rocky’s jumpsuit and scorched his arm!

“Gotta keep moving—Jane’s inside!” Ace shouted, grabbing Rocky by the shoulder. Together they ignited their jetpacks, rocketing toward the sealed blast-door of the starbase.

“Our turn now - take it down, Angels!” Sergeant Stacey commanded, her squad unleashing a hurricane of laser fire. 

One shot—no one could tell whose—smashed through the Warbot’s glowing eye! With a hideous metallic groan, the giant staggered, sparks flew, and it toppled into the jungle with a crash that shook the heavens!

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall!” Stacey grinned, rallying her squad.

Into the Steel Fortress!

At the starbase door, Ace’s fingers flew across the controls. Sparks danced as he hotwired the lock. The door hissed open—revealing two steel sentries waiting inside, weapons raised!

Rocky didn’t hesitate. His Heavy Laser swept the corridor with BRRZZZZAP!—one robot collapsed in a smoking heap. Ace vaulted through the door, blasting the other into scrap with his trusty sidearm.

Dr. Zahn caught up and started binding Rocky’s scorched arm.
“I ain’t got time to bleed,” Rocky growled.
“Not on my watch you don't!” Zahn snapped, tightening the bandage with brisk precision.

Behind them, Sergeant Stacey and her Angels cleared the jungle of the last robot stragglers. The path to the heart of the base was open.

The Heart of the Base!

“Forward, Galacteers!” Ace cried, leading the charge down a gleaming steel corridor. But suddenly—ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! A squad of Robot Blasters ambushed them from the shadows!

The corridor became a storm of energy fire. Ace took a sizzling burn across the shoulder and stood stoically with a grimace. Rocky, for once, was forced to duck behind cover. But the Galacteers pressed forward with courage! One by one, the Robot Blasters fell, clattering to the floor in showers of sparks and scrap metal.

At last, the smoke cleared. Dr. Zahn slapped the panel on the final blast-door. It slid open with a hiss—revealing none other than Jane Hunter herself, looking resplendent in her tight green space suit with hair and make-up somehow intact.

“Jane!” Ace cried.

She rushed past the doctor with a quick “Thank you!” and flung herself into Ace’s arms, confirming every rumour whispered in the fleet!

To Be Continued…

The Galacteers had saved their heroine—but danger still loomed! For who commanded the Robot Legion? What fiendish master directed their steel claws? And what sinister plan threatened not just Planet Thomas, but the galaxy itself?!

Find out next time in… “Ace McGuire and the Shadow Over the Stars!”

---------

Great pulpy fun that was really enhanced by the themed cards produced by Wiley games. You can use any card deck of course, but it was way better using these ones!

Thanks again Rich, for a day of gaming that was out of this world!

See you next time Space Cadets!