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!

Astronef!

This entry is dedicated to Ogrefencer, who I know will be frothing at the mouth in anticipation of the next VSF installment: Astronef!

I found this beauty online today, a model of the spacecraft from the classic 1902 movie "Le Voyage dans la lune" ("A Trip to the Moon")

SCALE: 1/32

MEDIUM: Resin

ABOUT THE DESIGN

In 1902, French magician/filmmaker Georges Melies stunned the world with the world's first major science-fiction film, "La Voyage dans la Lune" ("A Trip to the Moon"). Based on Jules Vernes' classic 1865 novel "From the Earth to the Moon," the fanciful film featured as its centerpiece a manned shell (named "Columbia" in the original Vernes novel) that was literally fired at the moon from a giant cannon (based in Paris in the movie instead of the novel's original Florida launch site.) The shell/spacecraft striking the "Man in the Moon" in the eye is one of the cinema's most famous images.

ABOUT THE KIT

This Herb Deeks all-resin kit consisted of just two pieces: the solid resin "Columbia" shell and the textured "moon base." Both the kit and the nameplate incorrectly date the source film as 1903 instead of 1902. (The box also calls this a "Moon Rocket" although, having no independent means of propulsion, there's nothing "rocket"-like about it.) This model was built from an original issue.

More info here:

http://www.fantastic-plastic.com/ATripToTheMoonPage.htm
(All images of the astronef were sourced from this webpage)

Dr Phineas Waldolf Steel

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Previous visitors may recall information posted here about evil geniuses and how to develop the necessary skills in one's spare time:
http://pauljamesog.blogspot.com/2006/05/evil-scientists-subscribe-here_03.html

Here is a man who may have read this article and taken it a little too much to heart - the website of Dr Phineas Waldolf Steel widely proclaims both his insanity and his unashamed desire to become World Emperor:

Hello, my name is Dr. Phineas Waldolf Steel and I'm crazy. At least that's what they tell me. It's a real load off of my mind too. I mean you can get away with pretty much anything if you're bonkers. It really relieves a lot of pressure and responsibility for me.

What I've noticed about being insane is the fact that most people really don't want to acknowledge insanity. You can walk down the street talking to yourself (or little dancing bears that no one else sees) and people violently avoid eye contact. "Keep walking, don't look at the crazy guy. Act like you don't see him." You become invisible because people just don't want to deal with what they don't understand. Life is too busy to try and stop someone from having a conversation with a fire hydrant. And being crazy isn't illegal. You won't even be placed into an insane asylum unless you try to hurt yourself or others (note: that also includes trying to burn down your ex-employers toy company).

There are a lot of things I like about being crazy, but one of my favorites things has to be the fact that I don't have to be anything that the world expects me to be. If I feel like crawling around on the floor and barking during a business meeting, so be it. I'm nuts. If I feel like spouting off conspiracy theories involving the Alien Illuminati or that I will one day become World Emperor, then that's just to be expected. After all, I'm complete wacko. and it's rather convenient.

But really, we shouldn't be too critical of this character. Its wackos like him who construct vast armadas of armoured aero-mobiles crewed by brainwashed morons, which naturally provides heroic adventurers like ourselves opportunities for glory, excitement, medals and seducing beautiful women. So do your career a favour and like the good doctor's website suggests:

Support Dr. Steel's plans for world domination today!

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

New Turkish Nef sighted!

Maltese intelligence operatives, in the pay of Mssr Betts (naturally), have detected a new threat to the Knights in their Maltese bastion. This latest terror of Johnny Turk Esq comes not from his usual Germanic allies, however, and is sourced from the self proclaimed land of Liberty.


Mssr Betts says: "Perfectly simple explanation. After the kidnapping of Mrs. Pericardis /Sheikh Rajzuli incident in North Africa which led to the US Marines landing in Tripoli, Sheikh Rajzuli , who turned out to be a hero and a Scotsman, was appointed War Minister to the Ottoman Emperor, and promptly went about using Mrs. Pericardis' (by now Mrs. Rajzuli) influence with her cousin, Josiah Woodward Rockfeller, to get a modern American Aeronef donated to the Ottoman Navy in a bid to outdo the Germans, who were in the meantime harangued by the German knights into withholding military aid for the Ottomans. All very clear, see, and I didn't even have to mention Sheikh Rajzuli's booming tartan fez industry."

Well, thats as clear as I think it will get for the next little while anyway...!

Deeper delving into the intracies of the Turkish Admiralty indicate that this new Nef is to be commissioned as the Hasan Osman, after an Ottoman Captain of an Anatolian galleass of the left wing at the Battle of Lepanto.


You certainly are very industrious lately V, I'm envious :-P