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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Bullshott on July 09, 2017, 11:27:30 PM

Title: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 09, 2017, 11:27:30 PM
Ok VSF hive mind, may be you can come up with ideas to help me.

I'm reworking my VSF French force. It will comprise two main elaements. Firstly flyers plus sailors/marines for boarding/landing duties. Secondly the Legion Extraterrestrialle  (basically Foreign Legion operating away from Earth). Both elements will have appropriate support weapons (artillery and/or MGs). However, they will also need something else to provide heavy support and give them a chance against Martian hordes or other Earth nations' troops equipped with steamtech, yet be diffeent to what other nations are fielding. I've therefore decided that the heavy support for my French should be large semi-intelligent automatons.

The automatons would need to big enough to carry armour, an appropriate support weapon, a power plant (possibly an oil fired steam engine) and an advanced Babbage engine (the automaton's 'brain', using stolen and improved British technology). So what do I use for the automatons? They need to be at least small vehicle size and I'm not restricting myself to humanoid walkers.

I've already looked at Warmachine warjacks and GW Eldar wraithguard. However, to miy mind, these wouldn't meet the above size constraints (an advanced babbage engine would be a fair size, even if using improved manufacturing technology to miniaturise it). So please let me have your ideas (which must, of course, look more VSF than pulp).

Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Captain Darling on July 10, 2017, 01:06:10 AM
Hey Bullshott!

Ironclad miniatures have some nice walkers hanging out for some customisation...

My favourite would be some of the stuff from Tobsen77 he has a few interesting items including that could be used, Maximillian 45mm tall...
(https://shop.tobsen77.com/image/cache/catalog/maximilian1-800x800.jpg)
And the One Man Army, 50mm tall with no driver...
(https://shop.tobsen77.com/image/cache/catalog/onemanarmy1-800x800.jpg)
There's a cool monowheel I've been meaning to get to add a steam funnel and an armoured cabin too as well...

Note I have no connections with either of the above companies but I have bought items from both, Ironclad were better casting but Tobsen is out there :)...
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 10, 2017, 08:25:15 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. I had looked at the Tobsen Maxamillian, but was looking at other options to see if there was anything better (and possibly a bit larger). I have a couple of the monowheels - they are very nice.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Romark on July 10, 2017, 10:59:51 AM
Hi,this is not my period so this suggestion could've a bit of a time waster for you   :? But how about WH40 k Ork killer cans,three plastic kits for £28 so some easy conversions/adaptations possible,worth a look perhaps  ???
Cheers
Keith
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: mysteriousbill on July 10, 2017, 05:54:38 PM
Try some Iron Giant toys.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 10, 2017, 06:54:59 PM
Hi,this is not my period so this suggestion could've a bit of a time waster for you   :? But how about WH40 k Ork killer cans,three plastic kits for £28 so some easy conversions/adaptations possible,worth a look perhaps  ???
Cheers
Keith

Not a fan of Killer Kans (look too 'thrown together' rather then engineered), but the concept might be used of I have to build my own.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 10, 2017, 06:57:03 PM
Try some Iron Giant toys.

Probably a bit too pulpy. I think something a bit more bulky rather then long-limbed constructs like this
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: OSHIROmodels on July 10, 2017, 09:35:36 PM
Whatever you use, it's not going to help you  >:D
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 10, 2017, 09:44:50 PM
Whatever you use, it's not going to help you  >:D

But it will give my army STYLE!
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Mason on July 10, 2017, 10:54:24 PM
Whatever you use, it's not going to help you  >:D

You should know.
 :D

Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Malamute on July 10, 2017, 11:17:48 PM
But it will give my army STYLE!


 lol

Touché.!  lol
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: The_Beast on July 10, 2017, 11:58:30 PM
I'm going to guess my idea from long ago was TOO big... and German...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/3088_26_09_10_4_35_54.JPG)

Note: Badly done concept pics using M$ Paint. ::)

Doug
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 11, 2017, 08:30:11 AM
Doug, one of the options I'm looking at is along those lines, only a bit smaller!
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Captain Darling on July 11, 2017, 10:36:32 PM
Those are too small...you could always get an FT 17 typically Ftench & comes fully riveted...just add a steam funnel at the back and up arm it to buggery... :)
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 11, 2017, 10:48:36 PM
Those are too small...you could always get an FT 17 typically Ftench & comes fully riveted...just add a steam funnel at the back and up arm it to buggery... :)

To be honest, I was trying to avoid tracked automatons, as tracks just weren't used in the 19th century.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: The_Beast on July 12, 2017, 02:35:19 AM
Not too many flyers, either.  ;)

However, though there were near things designed and built in limited numbers, and Hornsby's work was at least as early as 1908, and this IS scientific romance, I'd defend to the death your worthy sensibilities.

Just, you won't be TOO disappointed to know that German walker I was designing was intended to face British landships made from old GI Joe I.M.P.s, I hope.  lol

Doug
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Captain Darling on July 12, 2017, 06:44:19 AM
I must admit I try to avoid tracks too for my VSF stuff...well Ironclad have got some wheeled vehicles, including a six wheeled steam carriage thingee you could build onto...or maybe build something from scratch  :)...
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: The_Beast on July 13, 2017, 03:02:43 AM
Doug, one of the options I'm looking at is along those lines, only a bit smaller!

Have you looked at Iron Man toys? I've a Mk I that's about half as tall as that Kolossus I put up. I'm sure there some even smaller if that's still too large. I've some (I HOPE no one asks me to find them) of the Kolossus that were 'kid's meal' sized, as well, but no room for riders.

Doug

Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: tnjrp on July 13, 2017, 07:07:50 AM
Scotia Grendel* War Automatons from Leviathan might fit the bill, unless they are too ornate.
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=221_222_45&sort=20a&page=2

Size comp:
(http://marbles.frothersunite.com/imag/vsfvehicles/Grendel3.jpg)

---
*) NB: some virus scanners warn about the page but I don't think there's actually anything harmful on it
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 14, 2017, 11:29:40 PM
Thanks for all the feedback. I've decided that I'm looking for something that scales in between 10' and 12', that is humanoid with a bulky body (large enough to house an engine and a scaled-down difference engine). Possibly something like this (but with a smokestack):

(http://theminiaturespage.com/news/pics/2010/feb/399986a.jpg)

With Smart Max now being defunct, this would be a scratchbuild. However, it's the Devizes show this weekend, so I'll see what is up for grabs on the bring and buy - there may just be somethong that fits my size and shape requirement for sale ...

Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 14, 2017, 11:46:41 PM
there is an entire line of those in 10 to12" for sale. It's just the pop culture series those people ripped off

Link?
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: The_Beast on July 16, 2017, 02:38:56 PM
*facepalm* Never thought of Sakura Wars toys.

Doug
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Bullshott on July 16, 2017, 04:03:30 PM
Got one already, but it has been converted to a manned vehicle for my VSF Japanese.

I didn't see anything with potential at the Devizes show, so I'll probably scratch build now.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Metternich on July 16, 2017, 08:36:01 PM
Another alternative to tracks is spider legs.  Many VSF automatons have been built from the Wild Wild West toys.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: FramFramson on July 17, 2017, 07:49:07 PM
(https://scontent.fmel5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19989312_598411203880601_878287603014518079_n.jpg?oh=371e4dbf9492e32ab96b17cbd2caadd4&oe=5A0C9A1B)

(https://scontent.fmel5-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19989215_598411217213933_910586132242365586_n.jpg?oh=e14dbabc7e0326958a65a167d7d7fff3&oe=59FD0E24)

Holy shit, that is some hardcore VSF/WWWI. Amazing bit of kit.
Title: Re: Large Automatons
Post by: Captain Darling on July 22, 2017, 07:57:01 AM
Not quite as big as you want but what about the tripod kit from Vanguard Miniatures there's a thread been started on it here...legs look a bit Gustave Eiffel like..a fleet of those would look pretty cool...

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=102507.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=102507.0)