New Dig Squadron takes to the Skies!

The long rumoured formation of the Luftschiffewaffe's 7th Zeppelin Flotilla was confirmed this week when they conducted their first series of aerial manoeuvres over Hamburg this week (click for bigger pics)

Several of the smaller dirigibles that comprise the 7th Flotilla are fresh from the builder's yards, while others have been reassigned. The Flotilla's veteran flagship, the mammoth Dig-battleship Frederick der Grosse, is one such example, having been withdrawn from the Baltic Reserve for refitting last year.

She is supported in the main battle line by the Zeppellin Cruisers Munchen, of the Royal of Bavarian Aero-Korps, and the Trident, recently reassigned from the Nacht Vitch (Night Witch) Raider Squadron and has yet to be repainted in more traditional colours.

In keeping with Luftschiffewaffe escort doctrine, the Flotilla is well supported by light elements. Amongst the lighter Zeppelin Squadrons are a pair of Dirigible-Destroyers, the Adler and the Falke (from the Kingdom of Württemberg)

A Light Zeppelin Squadron is assigned, though it is is still short a unit for a total of 5 Zeppelin-Frigates.

Two flights of the new winged Dig gunboats have also been assigned to the 7th to provide it with a precision bombing capability in support of the land army. The success of these new methods has still yet to be validated against an enemy field army.

The Luftschiffewaffe High Command has announced that the 7th Flotilla will undergo further field training and working-up exercises before being declared operational and assigned to Strategic Reserve later this Summer

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Modeling Notes: All miniatures produced and supplied by Brigade Models, and painted by me. WW1 German decals by Skytrex. 2mm terrain features by Irregular Miniatures, home made hills, ground mat by GW

Lest We Forget

Today, 25th April, is ANZAC Day
For those who Serve, those who have Served, and those still on Patrol:

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:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.



http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/anzac/

Leviathan Photos Hit the Newstand!

Hi Everyone,

Ace reporter, Maksim-Smelchak, reporting from the Commonwealth of Australia...

A recent military exhibition has had photos released for public consumption.

Find them here:

http://homepage.mac.com/sfinlay/Conventions_06/PhotoAlbum111.html

Signing out...

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Smashing Tattoo!

I was fortunate to receive an invitation to the ANZAC tattoo last night and had a smashing time.
Features included the Grenadier Guards Band, the Band of the Royal Marines, the Royal New Zealand Army Band, Tonga Army Band plus Zulu War dancers, precision drill teams, highland bands and Gaelic dancers!


Needless to say, there were feathery hats, bearskins, pith helmets, gold lacing, hungarian knots and tassles aplenty!

And the lads did indeed look splendid and did their countries proud!

Long Live the Queen!

Leviathan Gaming "Centennial" Comes to Oz!

Hello Everyone,

Ace reporter Maksim-Smelchak on the scene again in the land down under...

Recently events from the nefarious TMP Agency have indicated that the Leviathan Gaming "Centennial" will be coming to the Australian Commonwealth.

Inquiring minds would like to know whether this is a "Real" visit or some sort of fiendish plot by a dastardly organization... possibly to rule or even destroy the world?

Company head, Lord William, known colloquially as Bill, the "Editor!," declined to comment. Oh, forsooth...

More information may be found at the TMP Press boards here:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=72688

And more information about gaming in the Australian Commonwealth here:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/topics.mv?id=105

Also, check out the Anzac Military Tattoo tonight:

http://www.anzacinternationalmilitarytattoo.com.au/

Ace reporter Maksim-Smelchak signing out...

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Argentinian Squadron goodwill visit

The Argentinian 'Independencia Squadron' has conducted a highly sucessful goodwill visit to Port Jackson in the new South Wales Colony. The obligatory cocktail parties, polo and cricket matches ensured the tourists enjoyed their stay, as well as some mock battles and training exercises over the city.

Commodore Francisco, the Task Group Commander, paid Official calls on the Governor, and the Port Admiral (in addition, it is rumoured, to some seedy backstreet establishments popular with sailors). He was glowing in his praise for the sucess of his visit and he expressed his hope that a second Argentinian fleet, the 'Escuadron Libertad' would be able to repeat the visit later this year.
These lovely Nefs are the product of Francisco's workbench. Incredibly, though he is a long time wargamer he has only just begun to paint and he has been swinging a brush for less than a year. Makes it even more impressive eh? You can see the rest of his Fleet arrayed here:
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=9577807&uid=3161743

Thanks Francisco - help yourself to a snifter!

New Lithography

Had one of those decorator Chaps come in to spruce up the mess a bit after that llast campaign and all tht uncivilised dust. I really like the lithography he hung up at the top of this Blog - it gives one something to contemplate while drinking a soothing Pink Gin!


Thanks very much to Zophiel, who whipped up this great graphic for me.
Cheers!

Dig construction park located...

Spies have reported that deep within the southern forests of Bavaria, theose crafty Germans have built a new construction facility. Luckily for the rest of the free world, this facility seems focused on lower capability Dirigibles, presumably due to a lack of sufficient R-Matter for higher performance Aeronefs.


No doubt the products of this factorium will soom be roaming the skies. Let us hope that the Kaiser will use them wisely rather than to further his evident Imperial ambitions...

But can a man with facial hair such as this be trusted?
Only time will tell!

New Dig bombers in Easter Offensive!

Reports from the Eastern front confirm the use of new winged Dirigible bombers by the Prussian II Corps in supressing rebel positions in the recent uprising in Bohemia.

The Germans have allegedly put such forces under direct control of the Army Commander. While this may leave these units more vulnerable to marauding enemy aero-fleets, it improves targeting and reduces response times.



Dig modes by Brigade (VAN-302 Seydlitz Class Winged Dig Gunboat), decals by Skytrex, and painted by me - which break a 1 month spell of no new VSF figs (for lots of good reasons) - Huzzah! Time for a large Brandy indeed.

Aero-Fleets Clash!

Reports have just been recieved of a battle between long time rivals Turkey and Russia. Unexpectedly in this instance though, the Argentinians were allied with the Russians, but failed to halt the tide of the Turkish Heavy Squadrons.


You can read more in the London Gazette (obviously) and here: http://www.lshm.net/?p=276
(No - I wasnt involved but as you can see, there are some lovely pics there well worth checking out!)

New Nef Manufactorium Goes Up Near Those Damned Rebel States!

Hi Everyone,

This is international correspondent Maksim-Smelchak reporting on location from the United States...

Just recently, a new Nef Manufactorium is beleived to have been erected somewhere in the United States. US Government Officials still haven't divulged the exact geographical location of the manufactorium, but it is beleived to be located somewhere on the Northeastern seaboard... probably not too far from where that overgrown primate, King Kong, eighth wonder of the world, recently rampaged.

http://www.aeronef.info/default.asp

It is not known at this time how this new Nef manufacturing capability will affect the balance of arms in Europe and Pacifica. Look for more news on that later from Sir Tas...

This is ace international reporter Maksim-Smelchak signing out...

Chag Sameach and Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Reference: http://theminiaturespage.com/news/89201/

P.S. Happy Easter Sunday to our Christian friends!

Aerial Fortress!

I met an interesting chap in the mess (called Bernard) who invited me to accompany him on an inspection of the aerial forts currently deployed around Spithead and the Fleet anchorage. Marvellous contraptions those! Certainly enough to give Jerry or the Frogs a bit of 'what for' should they ever poke their weasley snouts accross the Channel!


Mateen posted this fantastic CGI over at the Brigade Forums (click for a larger image) and kindly allowed me to post the image here. You can see more of his fantastic Steampunk CGIs here: http://mateengreenway.com/steampunk/streampunk.htm

The cgi model he made is based on the Aeronef Aerial Battery model Brigade is developing in a series of aerial forts and redoubts - I cant wait to see them in production. You can see them in the design pages here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/New/Items/VAN-509.html
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/Frames/New/Items/VAN-510.html

Photos from Lieutenant Blease

Lieutenant Steve Blease, of the famed Wessex Regiment, has sent me marvellous pics from his recent adventures! First up some Frenchies - Orne Aeronefs fly over a Blockhaus Roulant squadron while on manoeuvres:


Next up, some of Her Majesty's stout lads in action and on the parade ground!

Thanks for the stills Mr Blease!

Steve has used Irregular figs for the troops, the Ornes are made by Wessex

Nefs over Malta!

Here is a top-hole picture of the Fleet anchorage by that smashing chap John Vanmullikan when his Regiment passed through Valetta last year (click for a larger version)

And he is as handy with a Brandy balloon as he is with a drawing pallet!
Chin-chin!

Why I play VSF Games:

http://www.larryleadhead.org/c07.html

Thanks to Larry Leadhead!
If you havent met him, you are really missing out!