Great minds think alike.
I have been thinking along the same lines
I am just getting into VSF, not got very far yet.
I have started a British VSF army
I am building carrier type Aeronef which I hope to finish one day.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=9842.msg113012#msg113012It is going to carry my BRAS.
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=11075.msg126981#msg126981And maybe my MAMMARIES
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=11904.msg136657#msg136657I have been buying Perry British naval troops to man the Aeronef.
I have also been buying some other Perry Sudan stuff for the ground forces.
I don’t have an opponent so I was thinking about creating an enemy army myself. I was looking at Prussian but a lot of people have already done that so I was thinking about doing something different
So I have also been thinking about a VSF Chinese force, after reading a League of Extraordinary Gentleman graphic novel where the Chinese were the enemy.
Like you I have been thinking about using Pulp Figures for the troops, with a Dr Fu Man Chu figure as the leader.
http://www.pulpfigures.com/catcode.php?range=Yangzee%20Gangs&code=PYG&number=4&custID=2172052101141249286820For more formal imperial troops I have been looking at foundry musket men which I think would really suit the time period.
But I really like the Copplestone back and beyond Chinese so I may go with them.
A bit more modern and may need some converting to suit the image I have.
I have also been collecting some ideas for Chinese Aeronef.
Another Idea I have are Do or Die Kite men and have been looking at Shiltrum miniatures figures but I seen them in the flesh at the weekend and did not like them, so I am intending to make my own converted from more pulp figures.
Some other ideas were things like a rocket battery of some kind and a large steam tank/ Ironclad based on this design.
Really like you project to date and I hope some of the images are useful to you for future ideas.
I will be looking forward to you future posts