My VSF Project...Now with Aero Pirates!

[mattblackgod]

My VSF Project!!! (I tried to get the Pigs in Space voice effect but failed!)  

I have decided to give my post apocalyptic collections a rest and move into VSF. I have finally got some pictures together of my VSF project. Due to cash restraints this will be a budget project using spare or unused miniatures from my collection. I may replace them at a later date with figures from proper lines. But half the fun of any project is the converting and messing about.  

I already have a handful of minis from various lines that took my fancy over the years and so have a decent collection of figures for the period. It is helped by some of the LAM and Ramshackle stuff having a VSF/Steampunk feel to them. However they will do for adventures, explorers and other characters. What I need is some Rank and file for my forces.

First Up...the Prussian Aether Korps.


The rank and file armed with clockwork self loading carbines. These are Plastic WZ Bauhaus (as are all the figures in this force at the time of writing). This little lot once served in my PA setting (until a faulty pre end missile satellite nuked the bunker city off the planet). The SMGs had the magazines, laser red spot site and hand grips removed. In my games these can fire 90 rounds a minute (a rate that even the new fangled bolt action rifles cannot achieve) but suffer from jams and short range.


The officer armed with a large calibre revolver. That should be able to deal with anything unpleasant out in the Aether. The head is from a PLastic WZ trencher officer. The pistol was shaven back and a revolver drum added.


The fire support - a (experimental) Steam Driven Maxim Rotary Machine Gun. The fire rate is similar but the barrels last much longer than a Maxim. The weapon is lighter as it has no water cooling jacket and a Maxim but the steam pack makes it a monster to haul. It should really be vehicle mounted but the Aether Korps are the toughest of the tough the Prussian empire has to offer. This guy can only move at half rate and cannot run when lugging the weapon about. He has no option but to turn and face whatever horror may have just appeared from the Martian sands or Venusian Jungle. Still at least his weapon should be enough to deal with any problems they may encounter. Or at least the Prussian high command hopes.  


The steam pack! The pack is a bit from a old toy with a smoke stack added. I would like to rebuild this one day.

On the red sands of Mars....


Martians!!


The Leader is an unknown figure I have had in my lead pile since 1990. The rest of the Martians are old Metal (OOP) GW Metal Wood Elf Wardancers.




The red skin tones came out well. I like the blues but I think they are a little too out of place for Mars. Maybe Venus. I may repaint these guys.

More to follow soon...Prussian Steam Armour, British Troops and a British Steam Walker. Oh and more Martians...

 

[Ray Rivers]

 

Very nice. Looking forward to more!

That Steam Driven Maxim Rotary Machine Gun mini is bloody awesome!

[XCIV]

Good start. Look forward to seeing more.

And I echo the sentiments about the steampowered gatling. Nice job there.

[mattblackgod]

Here we see members of the 24th Queen's Rifles. This regiment sees action on Britain's Martian Colonies. As the latest Lee Metfords have not arrived the troops have been issued with Webley Martini Double Action Revolver Rifles (or just Revolver Rifles) that the company had supplied to trade with the Colonials. This gives them some ability against the Martian Hordes or the Prussian's equipped with their Clockwork Carbines. Troops will be arriving from Earth with the latest kit kit soon.





These are Zulu wars era British. I dont know the manufacturer as I got them from ebay painted in green. They where cleaned and had goggles and revolver barrels added with green stuff.

[Jonas]

Nice.. I recognice some of the sculpts as Foundry, so I think all of the bunch is probably from there

[mattblackgod]

Thanks Jonas. 

There is a Steam Walker in the pipeline for the British at the moment too. There is also some Prussian Steam Armour suits in the pile. I am thinking about some Martian Rifle men and Prussian small land ships too. Now all I need is the time! 

[Bullshott]

Very nice start to your project. I particularly like the conversion work you have done on your British to take them just outside their 'historical' setting 

[Chairface]

Very nice start to your project. I particularly like the conversion work you have done on your British to take them just outside their 'historical' setting 

Indeed! The greenstuff was well applied

[Traveler Man]

Nice work, sir! The center and right-hand figures in the bottom photo of British troops are Essex Miniatures.

[Pappa Midnight]

Lovely! 
I can't help but think that the British "PBI" ( Poor Bloody Infantry) look a little outgunned by those Prussians! 
I would love to see the British colonel's face when he forms his firing line and looks down the muzzle(s) of that steam Gatling!!!
Hopefully the British steam-walker will save the day.
Btw nice use of the elves for Martians.
Look forward to seeing more.
Regards
PM

[mattblackgod]

Finally some more pictures of the finished British steam walker...


Her Majasties Steam Walker - Iron Lady. Armed with twin Vickers-Metford Machine guns.









Hopefully that will give those Prussians a run for their money!

Made from the legs of a Robogear model, a plastic pill bottle, a copper pipe fitting, a tank gun, a Ramshackle hatch and other odds n ends.

[The_Beast]

First thought was that it looked a triffle unbalanced to the fore. Not a unique thing, but a bit more noticeable. However, I immediately thought 'ah, it's shifting forward in preparation for the first step'. ;->=

A grim stalwart beast to challenge the Hun, indeed!

However, it's still a bit unnerving that the 'thin red line of 'eros ' is missing the gas masks too obvious on their opponents...

Devil's in the details!

Doug

[aggro84]

Nice walker mattblackgod. 

Looks appropriately clunky and rivety. 

[Ray Rivers]

Love that style of walker! 

One day I'll have to do one for my collection.

[mattblackgod]

Thanks for the comments. The walker is a little unbalanced. I am temped to base it.

The gas masks aren't needed on Mars so they gave them goggles. 

The Prussians are better equipped. My setting has Germany falling apart when the various states decide that they don't really want to be part of a new nation that is spoiling for war. Prussia goes off and sulks.

The Prussians equip their armies with Steam Gatlings, clock work carbines and armoured steam carriages. They then invade the German states forcing them under the boot of Greater Prussia.

The Brits are more into Aeronefs, Landships and other Steam contrivances.