Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Weird Wars => Topic started by: ShortscaleDave on March 07, 2017, 12:23:40 AM
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I've decided to use my bag of 80 old warzone plastics to knock up a kind of WWW1 project and I would love some inspiration. I'd love to know any mini ranges (including fantasy and alien races) or random figures that would work in that setting, any images from any source that fit, and any models, kits, toys and so on that might make good conversion fodder. I am especially interested in any super cheap ways of making things :) and most of all I'd love to see YOUR WWW1 projects (photos or links).
I am essentially trying to pitch the look between VSF/steampunk and WWW2, without being obviously either - generally this will mean VSF/steampunk looking tech with WW1 aesthetics. I don't want to use WWW2 tech, such as the widley available mechs and walkers UNLESS they look a bit more primitive and basic. Nothing too "sci fi future".
As to fluff, I am thinking that this was the war that never ended, so it actually went on in this timeline. Basic super soldier tech was developed to explain the size of the warzone dudes, sort of this univerese's "space marines". Therefore normal WW1 minis can be used as normal humans and so on. Because the war became truly global, never ended, and made resources less available, the impact has effectively frozen the technology around a steampunk/diesalpunk/Tesla world. Perhaps the only tech really advancing is biological (mutations, super soldiers, chemical weapons and so on). This fluff is just brainstorming right now.
For my own references I created a Pinterest board where I am pinning anything that might inspire an idea for this project which can be found here:
http://pin.it/-a9DzlH (http://pin.it/-a9DzlH)
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I think that the GW Ad Mech range could supply quite a few useful bits - this walker/tank in particular could easily be given a Weird WWI treatment.
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Definitely! Thanks for the tip :). Will have a look on evilbay see what else is in that range....
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For other ideas, you could check out "The Great Undead War" series by Joseph Nasisse, there's two books and a short story out there but it's got a Weird War I premise....
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You definitely need to check out CP models.
They have some great weird WWI figures.
They are under 28mm Sci Fi. Then click on Trench warfare.
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Hmn, ever played that old game Iron Storm? ...It wasn't very good. ;)
Oddly enough, when searching for the name of that game I cam across these, which may be workable: https://www.ragingheroes.com/products/ie-iron-storm-command
(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0034/6452/products/IE-H-CG-tr06.jpg?v=1452894423)
Plenty of companies make third party heads and bits for Games workshop kits. Due to the aesthetic those may be useful. Ah, though just who's making what these days isn't something which I've kept up on. Maxi-Mini, Kromlech, Puppets War come to mind.
Oh, and if we're bringing fiction into it. There's the Baltimore comic series, which is kind of tangential to this - in that its set is a post-apocalyptic WWI, where the undead took over (I didn't manage to read it all, but there was some nice art, though that may not be what you're going for here).
And there's also the Tannhauser game:
(http://wk.frothersunite.com/sc/pulp/imagwww/TH1.jpg)
Depending on your platicard skills, you may want to check out Tank Encyclopedia's pages on WWI. Many countries had prototype tanks in the works, but cancelled the projects with the war's end (IIRC the British had planned on churning out as many tanks as they could, then steam rolling their way through the enemy lines in one massive push, but the war ended a year before that came about). Of course if you're going for the weird side of things realistic designs might not be great, but well, they're a basis (and its not too difficult to buy a 1/48-1/43rd tank and tat it up to look how you want it to).
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/
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Thank you Wyrmalla, I hadn't come across these things, especially the Baltimore comic! I see someone has some raging heros in the ads sexrion... Much tempted!! Going to have a google around the things you mention for inspiration, and that tank site is a great resource! I was chuffed to find Macrocosm are carrying on with the hasslefree WW1 halflings so I will find a way to work them into my fluff just for the hell of it.
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Scarab miniatures do a WWW1 Terror in the Alps mini
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_72&products_id=398
Heresy miniatures do an Angel, that can be used for the Angel of Mons
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I always had the idea of a WWWI American task force led by an ageing Wyatt Earp, maybe a "dirty dozen" with characters like Frank Nitti and John Dillinger (playing with the timeline a little).
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I had run a Weird War I game at several of the HMGS conventions in the US. I had a number of different weird tanks, aircraft, etc. It was called "Goodbye to Guns: All Quiet on the Ruritanian Front."
Here's some links to my blog about it:
http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2012/01/good-bye-to-guns-pulp-wwi-game.html
http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2012/05/tumbleweed-tank.html
http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2012/05/royal-navy-anti-submersible-aerostat.html
http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2012/03/some-pulp-games-at-cold-wars-2012.html
http://bogdanwaz.blogspot.com/2012/07/historicon-2012.html
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Anvil Industries have Stahlheim (open face or with death or gas mask).
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm (http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm)
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm-deathmask (http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm-deathmask)
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm-gasmask (http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/Infantry-Heads-Helmets/stahlhelm-gasmask)
And bodies to suit.
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I'm new to this forum, but am an avid HOTT gamer. I use the HOTT rules for my Weird World War games and armies. I game in 15 MM, but often use 10 MM scale for vehicles so they fit the bases, and 6 MM models for the Strongholds.
I am just finishing an German WWI army to oppose my Weird WWI American army. Both armies are taken from the books "By the Blood of Heroes -The Great Undead War" by Joseph Nassise.
You can see my American army here
http://fanaticus.boards.net/thread/635/american-weird-wwi-army
I have only finished the A7V (Behemoth in the HOTT rules) and you can see it here
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,15820.0.html
My Germans are about 75% done and when finished I'll share pictures of them too.
Terry
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Bogdanwaz, your vehicles are gloriously weird indeed !
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Anvil Industries have their Trench fighters range in Regiments.
http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/regiments-full-squads/connaught-trench-raiders (http://anvilindustry.co.uk/Regiments/regiments-full-squads/connaught-trench-raiders)
They also do Stahlheim helmets and individual parts.
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Take a look at this company re vehicles:
https://shop.tobsen77.com
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These are from Brigade Games' Italian Front figures. Arditi and "Company of Death" in armor (real, but looks Weird War !)
http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/WWI--Italian-Front_c_208-2.html
http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/WWI--Italian-Front_c_208-2.html
They also make some fine mortars that look a bit "different" from the usual Stokes model:
http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/Italian-240mm-Trench-Mortar-3-Crew_p_755.html
http://brigadegames.3dcartstores.com/Austrian-915-cm-Trench-Mortar-and-3-Crew_p_743.html
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Can't help much (at all) but responding to remind myself in the future to look over this stuff.
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Eurkea has some rather silly VSF Prussians
https://eurekaminusa.com/collections/pax-limpopo-28mm-hartliebe-kriegshosen
https://eurekaminusa.com/collections/pax-limpopo-28mm-enemies-of-the-empire
Ironclad Miniatures has some interesting vehicles in their VSF range:
http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/cat_302101-Steam-Tanks.html
http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/cat_302101-Steam-Tanks-cc-pg_2.html
These "steam automatons" with pickelhaubes could make good German robotic troops or armored troops http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1063584-ODD01.html
British naval landing parties in armor (martini-henrys though) : http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/prod_3337297-BR12.htm
http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1020498-BR06.html
Prussian storm troops in armor, pickelhaubes and "aether rifles"
http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1063595-PR06.html http://www.ironcladminiatures.co.uk/ourshop/prod_1063596-PR07.html Images here: https://www.google.com/search?q=ironclad+miniatures+prussians&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwirpKSFlfDUAhVszoMKHXr1BFUQsAQILg&biw=1920&bih=974#imgrc=tNDNBWKRYHJ6NM:
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And this line of miniatures called Over the Wire, England Invaded has been around for some time (below are to individual figures, they also have squad packs available):
http://www.warrioronline.demon.co.uk/OTWGames/miniatures.htm
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These guys have picked up the Blackcat line. They need to release the goblins too.
http://www.macrocosm.co.uk/product-category/dwarves-at-arms-kickstarter-manager/ww1-dwarves-and-halflings/
Then there are the Quar.
https://www.zombiesmith.com/pages/quarfactions
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If you are going to go that route (WW 1 dwarfs, goblins, etc.) there is also the the RAFM line of WW 1-ish Dwarfs (and one ogre) :
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF04511&Category_Code=DW
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF04513&Category_Code=DW
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF04518&Category_Code=DW
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF04512&Category_Code=DW
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=RAF&Product_Code=RAF04517&Category_Code=DW
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Scarab also makes in their Projekt X range an interesting British Zombie (2 figures) which could be drafted into a Weird War 1 environment. They both have gas masks, Brodie helmets (tin pot) and some interesting armor - one has a pickaxe and revolver, and the other carries looks like a large gauge rifle and a severed head (!). The one downside is the footwear, as neither is wearing puttees:
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_45&products_id=357
Also from Scarab's Projekt X range is Loyal Wilhelm, wearing Stahlhelm and the steel breastplate, carrying a Mauser pistol and a flag staff with Prussian Eagle finial
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_43&products_id=243
Also in the Projekt X range is the Skull Guard Standard bearer (in greatcoat, Stahlhelm, gasmask and carrying a flagpole with eagle finial. Probably meant to be Nazi, but there is no Swastika so probably could work. http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=223
And this Projekt X Skull Guard "Specialist" bearing an experimental sniper rifle.
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_42&products_id=221
And there is this Wehrwolf (!) in trousers, boots, and carrying a Luger ! http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_44&products_id=332
There are the numerous offerings of Dystopian Legions - but the infantry are even larger than Warzone. You may be able to find on remainder the various robots/walkers and vehicles (high price point). The Dystopian Wars walkers probably would work as man-sized walkers, as they are meant to be in scale with the ship models (and therefore are huge in that scale, but would probably work in 28mm for man-sized or a little larger).
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For inspiration, there is this short Youtube video Strangest Weapons and Gear of World War 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFwLxUceWpU
This longer video of Advanced Weapons of World War 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_j7c1mxVDOE&t=886
You may find this archive interesting, weird weapons of World War 1 (need to have your ad blocker turned off to view it)
http://thechive.com/2012/07/26/friday-firepower-strangest-weapons-of-wwi-43-photos/
And there are some really strange prototype tanks here (including some good shots of a working prototype of Best's Track Machine Model 75 being tried out by the American Army , which ordered 50 of them in 1917 ! And see the Treffas-Wagen machines) http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2012/05/strangest-tanks-in-history-part-2-first.html
A true Weird War 1 development, the Austro-Hungarian army was working on a helicopter. Lieutenant Stefan von Petroczy of the Austrian Army Balloon Corps initiated a project to develop a tethered, armed aerial observation craft. and in 1918 they built a working prototype.
https://www.google.com/search?q=austrian+world+war+1+helicopter&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0_q2n7vrUAhXs7IMKHecED4kQ_AUICigB&biw=1920&bih=974#imgrc=bdvzBpkBMAo21M:
The Hungarian modeling firm RODEN produced a 1:72nd scale plastic model (apparently available for $11)
https://nofineline.com/pkz-2-wwi-austro-hungarian-helicopter-roden-172/
http://mfpilot.com/pkz-2-wwi-austro-hungarian-helicopter-1-72-roden-kit.html
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Oh wow, THANK YOU for all the replies. Been so busy I haven't checked back as regularly as I should. Fantastic to see so many great comments and links. Well, my sunday is going to be cool! I need to host some images and then can show you some potential walkers .....
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The old Disney Atlantis cartoon had a bunch of toys that work well in Weird War 1 9and have been used in VSF for years). Check out the concept art here:
http://blooming-concepts.tumblr.com/post/94998347876/atlantis-the-lost-empire-concept-art-by-jim
The toys themselves often show up on Ebay at far. The tank and armored car are particularly useful:
http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/atlantis.htm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DISNEY-ATLANTIS-THE-LOST-EMPIRE-THE-SPANNER-ACTION-SET-BATTLE-BUILDERS-New-/162569987700
And here's a fellow who is using a variety of different toys as the basis for his circa 1880 1914 weird war in Africa. Hits a sweet spot that is either VSF or Weird War 1.
http://www.rudi-geudens.be/html/afriboria_vehicles.htm
http://www.rudi-geudens.be/html/afriboria_air.htm
http://www.rudi-geudens.be/html/afriboria_ships.htm
Most Warhammer 40k looks too "space opera" modernish (or, like the Cadians, too near future wars) to have a Weird War 1 vibe. A possible exception is the Death Korps of Krieg:
https://www.pinterest.com/NerdCaveMan/death-korps-of-krieg/
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Death_Korps_of_Krieg
http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Death_Korps_Engineer
http://wh40k-de.lexicanum.com/wiki/Todeskorps_von_Krieg
https://www.frontlinegaming.org/2015/03/25/the-death-korps-of-kreig-siege-regiment-review-part-1-overview/
https://www.planetminecraft.com/skin/death-korps-of-krieg-guardsmen-3117489/
Another possible exception are the 40K Orc cannons and tanks (NOT the orcs themselves):
http://gravengames.co.uk/orc-field-cannon-howitzer-goblin-artillery-crew-review/
http://www.belloflostsouls.net/2011/01/model-review-maxmini-siege-gun-ig-medusa.html
https://www.games-workshop.com/en-IE/Ork-Big-Gun-Lobba
http://miniset.net/sets/forge-world/warhammer-40k/all/artillery-and-support
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And I would be remiss not to mention Bob Murch's Pulp Figures range, particularly for his Imperial Germany range, which includes "Zeppelin Troopen" - so you can have Fallschirmjaeger type troops a good two decades early (while retaining a Weird War 1 vibe - with and without gasmaks)!
http://archive.backofbeyond.de/gallery_german_zeppelin_troopers.html
https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/130
https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/131
https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/132
https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/133
https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/129
And the Americans have the Rocket Corps (think The Rocketeer movie) https://pulpfigures.com/products/view/100
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Scarab also makes in their Projekt X range an interesting British Zombie (2 figures) which could be drafted into a Weird War 1 environment. They both have gas masks, Brodie helmets (tin pot) and some interesting armor - one has a pickaxe and revolver, and the other carries looks like a large gauge rifle and a severed head (!). The one downside is the footwear, as neither is wearing puttees:
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_45&products_id=357
Also from Scarab's Projekt X range is Loyal Wilhelm, wearing Stahlhelm and the steel breastplate, carrying a Mauser pistol and a flag staff with Prussian Eagle finial
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_43&products_id=243
Also in the Projekt X range is the Skull Guard Standard bearer (in greatcoat, Stahlhelm, gasmask and carrying a flagpole with eagle finial. Probably meant to be Nazi, but there is no Swastika so probably could work. http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=223
And this Projekt X Skull Guard "Specialist" bearing an experimental sniper rifle.
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_42&products_id=221
And there is this Wehrwolf (!) in trousers, boots, and carrying a Luger ! http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_44&products_id=332
With the exception of the WW1 project X figure, all the others are 1/48th so 36-40mm tall. They might work for monstrous experiments, but not regular human sized folks
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If you haven't seen it yet, below is an excellent pinterest set of images on WW 1. Some good inspiration there.
https://www.pinterest.com/riauction/world-war-i/
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I would like to apologize for having posted that pinterest link. I later saw that it had numerous pictures of the faces of mutilated soldiers (I had posted it hurriedly and hadn't scrolled down far enough to see how many there were), and it certainly was not my intent to do so for any frivolous purpose or as "war porn." Appropriately used, images of those faces are a reminder of the tragic consequences of war - particularly modern war - when human flesh is exposed to high explosives and rapidly moving, jagged steel. There are many interesting pinterest links appropriate for this forum, and I intended more like the below:
https://www.pinterest.com/radekstrojecki/ww1-german-and-austro-hungarian/
https://www.pinterest.com/davidmcneill0/early-armoured-cars/
http://www.landships.info/landships/car_articles.html?load=car_articles/romfell_info.html
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This is a great resource for information and images of tanks and armored cars (has separate sections by nation - the Italians and Russians have some interesting designs)
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww1
And this is the equivalent for armored cars
http://armoredcars-ww-one.blogspot.com