Dwarf Germans

[The_Beast]

Yet again, I'm resurrecting a project from a dark past...

Quite some time ago, I acquired a copy of the Death in the Dark and the 12" Cubix Kolossal toy, and decided I wanted to combine the dwarfs from the box with the toy to make a walker unit. As I've a Brit dwarf unit in red already to battle, seemed perfect.

For those unfamiliar with DitD stunties:
http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=RAF&Category_Code=DW

Kolossal(first piccie, on the left):
http://15mmvsf.bagofmice.com/vsf/prev_robot.htm

Originally, they were to be Prussians, but the thought of Bavarian anything, with my love of Bavarian Illuminati mythos, changed my mind to Bayrisher blue.

On an old mail list I frequented, there was a grognard with a love of harpoons, so I decided the DitD Dwarf Boomers would have grapple harpoons to steady the Kolossal. The crossbows will be de-prod-ed to make riflemen. I will try to keep to picklehaube and stalhelms(though converted to picklehaube), though conversions of the rest are not impossible.

Stop here and play with the visions, see if you've random thoughts, and then come back...

Okay, one thing that came to mind is the 'Dwarf Sargent' looks more like an officer, perhaps even a general. The eagle, I'm finding, was only on two cavalry guard units, and am wondering if I can treat this walker unit as cavalry, or should I convert the helmet. Spike? Plume?

Ideas for adapting the Kolossal include slicing open the top of the head for the driver, shoulders for 'boomer' grapples, and using the arm, not seen in this piccie, that fires a fist as a mortar.

Definitely getting more Flammjager, in spite of assuming this will be in mountainous forests, but not sure about the Speigleshrek. Electro-canon?

Other ideas and other resources most welcome! Just don't say how much you are looking forward to progress. Dangerous game, that...

Doug

[Chairface]

Interesting! I'm really looking forward to your progress on this! 


 

[The_Beast]

Interesting! I'm really looking forward to your progress on this! 


 

You're doomed, DOOMED, I say! 

Doug

[rob_the_robgoblin]

Check out Wessex Games 'Panzerfauste' range.

Alternative Armies also sell some Flintloque Dwarves in more mid-late 1800's uniform rather than the usual 'Napoleonique'.

http://www.alternative-armies.com/52502_Krautian_Guard.htm

I love the RAFM minis, and have been meaning to get some for quite a while now...

[The_Beast]

Thanks, Rob!

I thought Wessex was a 'rules only' company; I gather that the Panzerfaust would be used only, as I'm not seeing any figs mentioned on the site.

They would require some converting to my tastes, but a worthy suggestion, indeed!

I have to admit Flintloque would never have come to mind. I've more than a few figs, but no Krautean of which I'm aware. Still most are sitting in a tub in the storage shed. To The Batcave!

I must say the Flammjager is my favorite, and as he made it to the main box, I gather I wasn't the only one. Weirdly, what brought this all to mind was seeing some for sale on eBay, and wondering if RAFM didn't still have some. Well, not under Death in the Dark...  

Thanks again; I love it when the enthusiasm is contagious!

Doug

E*D*I*T: About a month later, and I FINALLY found the Panzerfaust; some of the figs have possibilities, though conversion of not-Squats to Victorian era is a bit daunting..

The Krautian, being in the other, Nappy, direction of the time line, are also a bit daunting, though I'm starting to fancy the camp followers, especially the fellow with the walking stick. Oh, and the ladies. ;->=

[gi6ers]

http://www.tobsen77.de/index.php?lan=en&show=gallery&id=25

any use?

[answer_is_42]

I'm sorry to rain on the proceedings, but is this Victorian Science Fiction? Sounds like Fantasy to me, or perhaps my arch nemesis; Steampunk.
Again, sorry.

[The_Beast]

I'm sorry to rain on the proceedings, but is this Victorian Science Fiction? Sounds like Fantasy to me, or perhaps my arch nemesis; Steampunk.
Again, sorry.

Nothing to be sorry about, I tend to mix and match.

Actually, I've got dwarf redcoats, ergo wanting Bavarian dwarves as well. The Kolossos walker is intended to be all steam. He'll even have a little trailer with wooden water barrel.And, of course, plenty of rivets!

As I said, the crossbow folk will become rifle infantry. Suggestions on how to convert the weapons cheerfully accepted, though my plans were merely snip the prods and add wire/plastic rod barrels.

The dwarf characteristics should match some, though not all, the fantasy style. Stout, comfortable underground, wicked engineers, etc...

Fondness for brews optional.

In the final analysis, if you can give suggestions on VSF dwarves (I love using Brit spelling), I'm all ears.

And, isn't that a sight?

Doug

[Red Orc]

I'd be interested in seeing how these work out - I've got some Old Glory 'British' Dwarves and I've been considering the RAFM Germanic Dwarves to go with my small 'Ruritanian' (ie unhistorical German) force. I was thinking that they could live in Alpine tunnels or something...

[The_Beast]

I'd be interested in seeing how these work out - I've got some Old Glory 'British' Dwarves and I've been considering the RAFM Germanic Dwarves to go with my small 'Ruritanian' (ie unhistorical German) force. I was thinking that they could live in Alpine tunnels or something...

I suspect we are very close in thought on this; I keep having visions of scenes from Prisoner of Zenda and the pie fight from The Great Race flash though my mind. 

Okay, mostly the dense mountain forests...

Doug

[The_Beast]

Okay, as is oft the case, the only progress is cogitation and noodling in M$ Paint,  but I can give you that...



Officer
Walker, Driver/Commander, Crew - Red
Infantry support with squad leader(s) - Green
Special OPS - Purple

The right 'arm' has a projectile fist, which I will remove, but the remaining lower section looks to me like a bombard, so the cunning Ruritanian dwarves have used the twist in the torso and various grapple cables attached  to internal winches take the offside gun shock, keeping the walker from being knocked back.

Please note, that the grapple-harpooners are also working constantly while the walker is on the move, especially when attempting moving on a grade.

The strange mix of other things have to do with how many and how I can order figs, which often drives my imagination. "I've got this, and what the heck am I going to do with/ I better use up every damn thing in the order"mentality, don't you know.

The two piccies in the upper right show the mis-matched legs; as I've more than one Kolossal, I'll be evening that out.

As my general rule set is Battles by GASLIGHT (rather, my long suffering game master's rule set), the infantry squad will be ten with sarge and second, but I'm ambivalent about the fellow in green and purple boxes. As I will end up with several, I'll need to think further on them, whether said second, scouts, other special ops, etc.

The last two on the lower right are very up in the air, and not on top of the walker, either. As the locale I envision is heavily wooded, a flame thrower starts to sound like a terror weapon, and fire fighter, perhaps with a large fire retardant foam caster for support, is rattling around in my noggin'.

Colors, uniform details, psuedo-Prussian/Bayernische names and terms in suggestions most welcome!

Again, don't feel lied to if this never actually sees the light of day. You've been warned!  

Doug