Aeronef World Map Project

Tying very neatly into my post yesterday on the "Invasion of 1910" book, Zophiel has started a project to map the world as it stands in 1910 in the Nef universe background. I'm sure you'll agree it has a great feel of authenticity.

You can see the full version and thread on the Brigade Model forums here:
http://www.brigademodels.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=419
He would love to hear your feedback and input

Festive Wishes and The Invasion of 1910

Merry Christmas Chaps! Very best wishes to you all

Well Santa brought this Officer a rare treat - an original 1906 edition of William Le Queux's "The Invasion of 1910: With a Full Account of the Siege of London".

Its not often you get a century old book, and a classic VSF piece at that! And most charmingly this one is labelled "For Distribution only in India and the British Colonies"

(Note that 1906 is also the year that Professor Percival Lowell published his second influential non-fiction book "Mars and its Canals" filled with his theories of Martian civilization that built the "canals")

Here is a description of the book:http://www.silentsf.com/essay/invasionof1910.html and you can read about William Le Queux more here: http://www.bookrags.com/William_Le_Queux

BTW The First Royal Christmas Message was given by King George V in 1932

The Invasion of Cardiff

I discovered today a site called 'RhysyNet: A fairly pointless and badly-designed website dedicated to the art of Rhysy". In it, amongst some other rather impressive CGI projects, is the Invasion of Cardiff:

"After seeing Steven Spielberg's rare but extreme foolishness, I was inspired to create my own version of the War of the Worlds. Set in modern-day Cardiff with Jeff-Wayne inspired tripods, handling and flying machines, and lots and lots of explosions. Not an animation but a QuickTime panorama – view the destruction of inner-city Cardiff as if you were there ! Heavily inspired by those wonderful illustrations in the Jeff Wayne album. Not set in Victorian London, since Jeff Wayne is making that anyway. "

"Bows and arrows against the lightning. They haven't seen the heat ray yet."

Awesome stuff! UUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAA

http://rhysy.plexersoft.com/Martians%20Gallery/

Martellos Moved!

In my entry of June 13, I mentioned some Martello tower models available on the web. They do look frightfully drafty and damp though - hope my regiment doesn't get to pull some darn fool sentry duties in them!

Anyhow, the site has now moved and the Paper Shipwright can now be found here: http://www.papershipwright.co.uk/catalogue_buildingmodels.htm

Guest Spot - How to do the Dip

It is a pleasure to serve as a guest commentator on what has to be the best named blog around, “Yours in a White Wine Sauce.” While Tas was at sea, Maksim asked me for a contribution. We had some issues getting it posted, but the guys have been kind enough to add me to the blog. It is not 2mm, but it is VSF, I hope you enjoy it.

When I started my VSF project at the beginning of the year, I was a bit daunted about doing it in 28mm, I tend to be a slow painter. But, I stumbled across the infamous Dip method on The Miniatures Page and decide to give it a try. It does give the figures someting of a "toy" look, but I like that for VSF and it does cover a multitude of painting sins. I have been happy with the results, here how I do it.

Step 1: Paint Figures

Currently I am working on finishing up my Russian force. The infantry consists of figures from Old Glory’s Boxer Rebellion range and I picked up the Romanov Holiday set from West Wind’s Gothic horror range to use as a force commander and the Tsarina and kids as objectives.

As you can see, I have done a very basic paint job, nothing fancy, no dry brushing or shading, just the basic colors.

Step 2: Prepare the materials

To do the dip, you’ll need a one step wood stain / sealer, such as Olympic One Step. Chose a dark color, I use a dark walnut. You will also need some rubber gloves and sponge brushes. I got all of these at my local Lowe’s home store.

Most importantly you will need a work area that can get messy, do NOT do this on your wife’s antique dining room table.

Step 3: Do the Dip

Stir the stain, put your gloves on, and grab a figure. Grit your teeth, and dip the figure into the stain. This is really difficult the first time you do it, but it gets easier.

Pull the figure out and let the excess drain off.

Use the foam brush to dab (not brush) the excess off. If you do not, then it can pool. The objective is to let it settle into the cracks and bring out the relief in the figure.

Here are the results…

Stoic Russian riflemen ready to serve the Tsar on Earth, Mars, or Venus.

The Tsar and family prepare for a trip to the red planet.

Here are some dipped figures next to more traditionally dry brushed figures for comparison.

I hope you enjoyed this, glad to have you back, Tas.

Nautilis Surfaces!

Nick AKA 'malamute' from 'Displaced Miniatures' posted these cracking pics of Capt Nemo and crew to TMP a little while ago while I myself was at sea hunting these aquanef deamons!

He says "I have just posted some photos of my Nautilus with crew. The model was made by PMC Games and I don't think it is still available. The crew are by Redoubt Enterprises and came with the ship. I have just got some of Redoubt's ACW sailors with pistols and cutlasses to use as my shore party."

You must admit he has done a stirling job, and that metallic effect is simply smashing! Bravo old Bean!
http://www.displacedminiatures.com/Malamute/images.html?galleryId=1774&from=Nautilus

Steampunk Republik

Krzysztof Janicz of Poland, has put together an excellent Steampunk resource site with many many themed links.

There is some great art on the site too and an Aeronef style cartoon strip which looks awesome but, unfortunately, is only in Polish.

Great work though, with weeks of link trawling potential here. http://steampunk.republika.pl/

UUULLLLAAAAA

These rather awe inspiring pictographic images show the dimensions of the tripod machines that caused so much havoc during the invasion. It seems amazing to me now that we have forgotton so much from that summer of crashing cylinders, black smoke, heat rays and Martians.



These pics are from the Lone Star site, and shows Steve Miller’s awesome "War of the Worlds – 25mm -Hussars and Tripods – 1879" game at their con "Skirmish 06".

http://www.lshm.net/?m=200610

When Dreadnaughts Rule the Sky!

Good grief!
A chap spends a few months away in the service of the Queen, only to find that upon his return some chap has gone and made a whole new set of rules for fighting dirigibles! Whats a stout fellow to do?

Anyhow, here is the cover of "When Dreadnaughts Ruled the Sky" by Dave Bennett at Lone Star Historical Miniatures. I'm looking forward to giving them a solid drubbing, over a gin or two naturally.


You'll find them here avalable for free download:
http://www.lshm.net/?cat=8

The Book Meme Strikes the Master of 2mm VSF!

Hi Everyone,

Recently I, Maksim-Smelchak, tagged Tas for the book meme from my blog... umm I mean Gentleman's Gazette:

( http://6mm-minis.blogspot.com/ )

...and he's trustily responded from his posting with the Australian Navy at sea (...through the miracle of Aethersphere satellites and the tried and trusty carrier pigeon)... the navy keeps a man busy, it does.

G'day Maks,

1. Name one book that changed your life:

"The Hunt for Red October" by Tom Clancy.

(I was in high school when it was released and got me seriously interested in joining the Navy.)

2. One book you've read more than once:

Sun Tsu's "The Art of War".

3. One book that made you laugh:

"He Died With a Felafel In His Hand" by John Birminham.

http://tinyurl.com/fuyfz

4. One book that made you cry:

"Biography of Hoess, Commandant of Auschwitz" by Constantine Fitzgibbon and Rudolph Hoess with an introduction by Primo Levi.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudolf_Hoess

5. One book you're currently reading:

"Moby Dick" by Herman Melville.

6. One book you wish you'd written:

David Weber's "Honour Harrington" series.

7. One book you wish had never been written:

"Das Kapital" by Karl Marx.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Kapital

8. One book you'd want on a desert island:

"The SAS Survivor's Handbook"

9. One book you've been meaning to read:

"The Military Maxims of Napoleon" by Dr. David G. Chandler.

http://www.military-info.com/freebies/maximsn.htm

10. Tag another person:

Ralph AKA L-4, Retired Member of the US Army, Romantic Advice Columnist and Fitness Guru.

Have a great Saturday!

And don't forget your Gin and Tonic!

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Talk Like a Pirate Day!

.
Ahoy Mateys,

Avast me hearties... Ye best be rememberin that 19 September is thee annual Talk Like a Pirate Day! So's wherever ye are--at port, or out ta sea, or in the dungeon, don't ferget ta use yer best pirate voice at all times, or ye may end up tied to the yard arm, or in Davie Jone's locker at the bottum of da briney sea.

Aaarrrrr...ye scurvy dogs, ye best folla da Pirates code, or suffer yer fate.

Avast scum!!! Here be the link to the Talk Like a Pirate Web Site:

http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

Aaargh...Remember, those that go there during ye work time will have to waaaalk the plaaaank!!!

Yo ho ho...

Shalom,
Cap'n Maksim "Peg-leg" Smelchak.

P.S.
A hearty greet'ins to me mate, the right honurable Commander Paul James "Tas" O'Grady out at sea with da Ozzie Navy!

P.S.S.
Da wench below be fer all ye lecherus uns! Aaargh! Needs a meal, that wun does...

Raid on the Isle of Dr Loveless

The London Illustrated Times reports a massive clash has taken place in the mist shrouded islands belonging to the mad scientist Dr Loveless....

While the raiders managed to penetrate the screen, including a home designed aero-carrier, and get their bombers overhead, damage was minimal and who knows how the madman will retailiate?

For full details see the full article here: http://www.lshm.net/?p=474

Meanwhile, the Turks under "Pasha Dave da Turk", have been rapidly expanding their fleet with foreign purchases!

Great stuff Dave!

A new Invasion from Mars?

The Royal Observatory reports a close encounter with Mars will soon be upon us!

Watch out for the green flash in the sky!

--------------
This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. Due to the way Jupiter's gravity tugs on Mars and perturbs its orbit, astronomers can only be certain that Mars has not come this close to Earth in the Last 5,000 years, but it may be as long as 60,000 years before it happens again.

The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. It will attain a magnitude of -2.9 and will appear 25.11 arc seconds wide. At a modest75-power magnification Mars will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. Mars will be easy to spot. At the beginning of August it will rise in the east at 10p.m. and reach its azimuth at about 3 a.m.

By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. That's pretty convenient to see something that no human being has seen in recorded history.

So, mark your calendar at the beginning of August to see Mars grow progressivelybrighter and brighter throughout the month. Share this with your children and grandchildren. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN!

Venetian LandIronclad unveiled!

Through the Royal carrier pigeon service, John has sent me a pic of his latest discovery - the Ventian LandIronclad "Rialto".

The first of what will undoubtedly be a squadron of hissing steam and clattering steel beasts to defend the offshore city-state, the defences of Venice are being stringly uphraded in light of te increasing Turkish threat.


One can only hope that this Venetian buildup isnt too late....
(modelling and painting by John of "Vanmullikan" fame)

Czar's New Steam Tank Revealed at Muscovy Exposition!

Hello Everyone,

Ace reporter, Maksim-Smelchak, reporting from the recent Muscovy Arms Exposition and Yarmgorod Agricultural Faire...

Many wonders of the "modern age" were revealed including the Czar's very own twelve foot beets and turnips from top secret superscience farms in Little Russia (Imagine the delecious Borscht from those puppies!), but the showstopper came from...

Smyrl Ironworks, who revealed their new steam tank to much acclaim.

Please check out the following news bureau for more photographs and information:

http://briefurl.com/Czars-Steam-Tank

http://pshobbyshed.blogspot.com/

Ace reporter, Maksim-Smelchak signing out...

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.