American Expedition to Venus

[Thunderchicken]

Coming along nicely Ray, what figures will you be using for the Prussians?

[Malamute]

Bloody Marvellous Ray. A really beautiful collection you are building, very inspirational.We must get you over for the next Venus game

[Ray Rivers]

Wow...

Thanks for the comments guys... it feeds the flames of my painting mojo!   

As for the questions...

Will there be some United States Ether Navy sailors in your expedition to Venus, Ray?

Yep.  I have two options.  Either use the Pulp US Navy Sailor Shore Party I already have painted, or paint up some Copplestone Sailors (who could be used as either Brits or Yanks).  What say you all about the Pulp sailors... do they fit or are they a bit too modern?

Any chance of getting a pic of the completed army so far?

Soon mate.  When I finish the next infantry unit, the basic army will be, for the most part, finished and I will do a group shot.

what figures will you be using for the Prussians?

I'll be using a mix of Brigade, Copplestone and Foundry minis.  The "cunning plan" at this point is to use my German Africian Colonial troops which I have already painted (4 units) for the basic army and add a couple Prussian regular units with spiky helmets.  I have two Prussian steam tanks in the painting queue and they should be appearing as soon as I finish off the last of the Americans.

Oh, and Nick, I'd love to pop over for the next Venus game... we'll see what I can do.

Once again, cheers all, for your interest and kind remarks.

[warrenpeace]

Pulp USN sailors might be too modern, have to consult some uniform guide that covers the late 1800's.  But not sure there is any alternative.  Obviously the naval officers looked very different in the late 1800's.

[Mancha]

Wow, when Doc invited you to "pimp" your Euzkadi, you took him literally.   

[Ray Rivers]

Here is a link to US Navy uniforms:

http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/uniform_history.htm#en5

Appears around 1866 the white hat was introduced and in 1869 the white undress uniform was established for sailors.  For officers, white shoes were authorized in 1866 and in 1877 the single breasted, tight fitting jacket with shoulder boards.

So it would appear, that given my force is representative of the US military between the years 1881 and 1900, the Pulp sailors should be able to participate... though I believe I would use a different officer, one with a sunhat instead.

Have to think about this a bit more...

[argsilverson]

you may also use OG US sailors from their pershing and pancho villa range:

http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/products.asp?cat=253&pg=2

[Chairface]

you may also use OG US sailors from their pershing and pancho villa range:

http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/products.asp?cat=253&pg=2

Quite like them! good suggestion!

[Alfrik]

Hmmm just thinking that the navy might issue a different style hat to their sailors heading into the Ether to distinguish them from those of the wet navy?? Just a thought along the lines of timelines differing from purely historic setting.

[Ray Rivers]

you may also use OG US sailors from their pershing and pancho villa range:

http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/products.asp?cat=253&pg=2

Yes, indeed, a very nice option.

[Bullshott]

Hmmm just thinking that the navy might issue a different style hat to their sailors heading into the Ether to distinguish them from those of the wet navy?? Just a thought along the lines of timelines differing from purely historic setting.

The simple solution to this is to do what I did with my French sailors - just greenstuff goggles on some of them.

I'm still toying with whether to use Redoubt, Pulp or OG sailors for to go with the US marines. I'm leaning towards the later Pulp/OG uniforms as they would fit in better with my marines in shirtsleeve order. Also they would provide some 'norrmal' riflemen to balance my crack quality marine units.

EDIT- I forgot to mention ... From experience of the Venus game we played earlier this year I would recommend adding the following to your force:

• Some form of armoured troop transport (proof against raptors and parrotman hounds)
• A vehicle-mounted weapon capable of taking-out large armoured dinos (preferably a weapon capable of multiple hits with good armout penetration e.g. heavy flamethrower or Tesla gun

[Ray Rivers]

I forgot to mention ... From experience of the Venus game we played earlier this year I would recommend adding the following to your force:

• Some form of armoured troop transport (proof against raptors and parrotman hounds)
• A vehicle-mounted weapon capable of taking-out large armoured dinos (preferably a weapon capable of multiple hits with good armout penetration e.g. heavy flamethrower or Tesla gun

The direction that I am heading in is to use the hazardous indigenous population and wildlife in a kind of random events sort of way.

In the back of my head I realize the real threat they pose but until I get my basic armies sorted have not put a lot of thought in this direction.

Thanks for reminding me just how vulnerable mankind is on this most inhospitable planet... 

[Ray Rivers]

The Boston Guard:



Which shows the Brits weren't the only ones to wear funny hats!   

And a group shot, showing my entire army up to this point:



I still have a gatling gun to do and it is in progress right now.  Then I will probably be doing some adversary steam tanks after that.

Ah... and Felices Reyes!

[Svennn]

Another fine batch of red blue coats. Its one hell of a set up you are putting together.

[Prof.Witchheimer]

impressive show, Ray!