My collection of automatons

[Jakar Nilson]

I've been collecting (and making) VSF for over a decade, and decided that I should photograph all my various automatons!

A 28mm French Marsouin officer serves as a scale marker.


First off, the Clockwork Sikhs. Inspired by Parroom Station's Clockwork Soldier, these ones have a distinctive British flair to them.


Second, Clockwork Sailors. Simple conversion of Syntha Andromechs from the old VOID line.


These old resin Grenadier figs could be (and have been) used as powered armour.


A variety of singular automatons. They are all conversions from non-miniature toys (a lot of Kinder Surprise bits in there). From left to right, an aristocratic/Prussian steamman, a steam lumberjack, the famous Boilerplate, and Frank Reade's Clockwork Man (or was it the Electric Man, I forget...)


A trio of steam-powered suits, made from a large collecting of miscellaneous items.


A Steam Colossus, converted from a Butt Ugly Martians toy (it was a CGI cartoon in the early years of the Millennium)


And one of every kind brought together in a group picture.

[Froggy the Great]

I love the use of the contact-lens holders!  I have some of these!  I must convert them!

Which game system do you use with these?

[Thunderchicken]

Great collection you've got there. I've always got time for conversions and I like these. Any pic of them in action?

[VSF Gamer]

Well done and a nice collection indeed!

[Jakar Nilson]

Which game system do you use with these?

The Sword and The Flame, although I do have G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T. as well. I wrote up my own VSF supplement, Landships of Mogdonazia (inspired by the Major General's unpublished "Landships of Ouargistan" and a colonial campaign that was running when I joined my gaming club).

To answer Thunderchicken, I don't have any pictures of them in action. I ran a number of games at a local convention (CanGames) for a number of years, but kept having low turnouts (for the games, not the convention). And unfortunately, neither I nor anyone else took pictures of the latter games which did in fact feature some of the various automatons.

You can see the few pictures I do have, from a 2004 game:
http://www.dminis.com/jakarnilson/image/309/26398/
http://www.dminis.com/jakarnilson/image/309/26397/
http://www.dminis.com/jakarnilson/image/309/26396/

[Chairface]

They look great. Thanks for sharing.

[The_Beast]

I had to do some re-looking, but found the contact lens cases. Excellent.

Also, I believe that's the first automaton with bow tie I've ever seen. Charmed.

Low turn out = don't know what their missing!

Having been drug dragged kicking and screaming to what turned out to be a fairly successful VSF career, I speak from experience.

Doug