So many thanks to Ken and everyone who has d/led this product- hope you enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
http://thisweekinwargaming.com/
Thanks TWIW
February 5th, 2010 Tas Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
A big thanks to Ken at "This Week in Wargaming" podcast for his plug for Aeronef over the Aegean: Wrath of the Syren in the latest episode (AT-6). The project has now raised over USD$100 for the relief effort in Haiti.
So many thanks to Ken and everyone who has d/led this product- hope you enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
http://thisweekinwargaming.com/
So many thanks to Ken and everyone who has d/led this product- hope you enjoy playing it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
http://thisweekinwargaming.com/
Aeronef over the Aegean
January 30th, 2010 Tony Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
Earlier this week I downloaded the 17 page Aeronef Scenario/Campaign Aeronef over the Aegean by Paul O'Grady and David Crook. I am not going to review the game Aeronef by Steve Blease as there are more than enough great reviews and comments on this Victorian Science Fiction (VSF) aerial combat game, however this new PDF booklet and Mini Campaign has only just been released.
Before I start, please note that you will need the the original rule book - Aeronef by Matthew Hartley and Steve Blease to run this campaign, for more details see;
The campaign booklet follows the revenge attacks of Baron Lantoz and his battle cruiser the Syren in a series of three linked scenarios, with battle damage being cumulative across the scenarios. In addition there is a very strong and intriguing 'back-story' which helps to give the campaign some 'gritty' realism, something that I felt worked very well.I am yet to play any of the three scenarios, but enjoyed reading the story and notes on each of the scenarios. I will not give to much away, but will say that the writing and and quality of the scenarios allow the reader to fully sympathize with the hero (or the opposing forces). Very well done.
The booklet also contains some rules amendments, not all of which I agree with, but as I have said earlier - I am yet to play the games, so I will reserve judgement until I have tested them. Further sections give ship profiles of the main protagonists (plus, optional reinforcements) and details of the Brigade Models Aeronef miniatures that are available for this campaign, see;
The whole booklet is further enhanced with some quite stunning terrain and model photography, courtesy of Steve Blease. All in all a hearty recommendation - ten out of ten.
Tony
PS.
The cost of this PDF - $1.00 is being donated to the Doctors Without Borders - Haiti Earthquake Response appeal. $1.00 very well spent.
Aeronef Over The Aegean
January 28th, 2010 Tas Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
Huzzah and Hurrah - Aeronef Over The Aegean (formerly over the Carpathians) has now been released in PDF format!
Brigade Models also have minaitures pack vailable to play all the campaign games;
Chuffed and proud authors have wet the baby's head with Gin and French bubbly! Well this one has anyway...
Its available at Wargame Vault for a nominal $1, with all Wessex Games' royalties will be donated to charity. The first charity will be the Doctors Without Borders Haiti Emergency Fund.
Brigade Models also have minaitures pack vailable to play all the campaign games;
Chuffed and proud authors have wet the baby's head with Gin and French bubbly! Well this one has anyway...
January update
January 27th, 2010 Tony Posted in Aeronef, General Interest, personal Comments Off
The Flintloque Building Set is now with Dave at Grand Manner and I would hope to see the finished resin castings within a week - to ten days. My next commission is a 28mm European Windmill and this is now 50% finished and once again should be fully finished within the week. Other modelling projects continue alongside these, but at a slower rate.
Earlier today I received an e-mail giving details of the second edition of this book; Model Design & Blueprinting Handbook volume 1. I bought the original book some time ago as a present for my son, who was at the time at university studying Computer and Web Page Design. However, on his return home he allowed me to have the book for my modelling projects.
In shorthand, the book is full of technical design articles about how to produce plans (blueprints) for models from photos or illustrations and hints and tips on reproducing models from these drawings. It has been very helpful when producing models from photos.
This book covers a very specialized subject and as such I would recommend it to scratch-build modellers or modellers who are looking to produce their own designs and drawings only.
For more details see;
On a separate note Steve Blease of Wessex Games has launched an Aeronef supplement called Aeronef over the Aegean, a mini campaign based on the revenge attacks of Baron Lantoz and his flagship the Syren.The book is being offered at a nominal fee of $1.00 with all proceeds going to Doctors Without Borders - Haiti Earthquake Response. For further details see;
http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?products_id=78217
2010 has started well with new modelling commissions and projects being delivered on time. I am aware that The Miniatures Page (TMP) will be running a couple of Workbench Articles very soon and Alternative Armies are planning on releasing a magazine that features an article or two of mine. I am sure that there will be loads more to fill the pages of this Blog in the next couple of months. I hope you enjoy them.
2010 has started well with new modelling commissions and projects being delivered on time. I am aware that The Miniatures Page (TMP) will be running a couple of Workbench Articles very soon and Alternative Armies are planning on releasing a magazine that features an article or two of mine. I am sure that there will be loads more to fill the pages of this Blog in the next couple of months. I hope you enjoy them.Tony
SMLS Syren
December 20th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
Mssr Blease of Wessex fame has conconcoted a lovely replica of the Baron's hard hitting and extensively modified SMLS (Seiner Majestät LuftSchiff) Syren.
While you have to wait just a little longer to read about the Baron's adventures (worth the wait I hope!), enjoy Steve's modelling here:
http://bleaseworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/wrath-of-syren.html
While you have to wait just a little longer to read about the Baron's adventures (worth the wait I hope!), enjoy Steve's modelling here:
http://bleaseworld.blogspot.com/2009/12/wrath-of-syren.html
Aeronef over the Aegean!
December 13th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, News Comments Off
More news from Wessex Games:
Having finished the typesetting of Aeronef Over Carpathia it has been
renamed Aeronef Over The Aegean as the battles take place there not
over Carpathia!! :-)
Hope to have it out the week commencing the 21st, Brigade are doing a
campaign pack for you to buy with all the models you need to play the
campaign.
Steve
Sweet!
Having finished the typesetting of Aeronef Over Carpathia it has been
renamed Aeronef Over The Aegean as the battles take place there not
over Carpathia!! :-)
Hope to have it out the week commencing the 21st, Brigade are doing a
campaign pack for you to buy with all the models you need to play the
campaign.
Steve
Sweet!
Aeronef over Carpathia
December 2nd, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, News Comments Off
From Wessex Games:
Apparently there is a rumour on TMP that Wessex Games are "intending to go out of business", not true, we've just been over taken by real life pressures that occasionally impact us.
As proof that we are still around we are going to release a nice little Christmas present for Aeronef gamers in the form of Aeronef Over Carpthia (Wrath of the Syren) - and the really good news is that it'll be free!
Written by Paul O'Grady, this is a three scenario mini-campaign centred around the actions of Hungarian noble Baron Lantoz in 1890's Eastern Europe against the might of the Ottoman Empire.
Typesetting is underway and we should have Aeronef Over Carpathia available as a free PDF download at Wargame Vault in time for some festive 'neffiness.
http://wessexbertie.blogspot.com/2009/11/aeronef-over-carpathia.html
Sounds awesome (and well written to boot!). OK, I can now confess this secret project which I have been working on over the last few months. Kudos and much thanks to Ogrefencer for his significant written input, and to Zophiel for his excellent artwork.
Apparently there is a rumour on TMP that Wessex Games are "intending to go out of business", not true, we've just been over taken by real life pressures that occasionally impact us.
As proof that we are still around we are going to release a nice little Christmas present for Aeronef gamers in the form of Aeronef Over Carpthia (Wrath of the Syren) - and the really good news is that it'll be free!
Written by Paul O'Grady, this is a three scenario mini-campaign centred around the actions of Hungarian noble Baron Lantoz in 1890's Eastern Europe against the might of the Ottoman Empire.
Typesetting is underway and we should have Aeronef Over Carpathia available as a free PDF download at Wargame Vault in time for some festive 'neffiness.
http://wessexbertie.blogspot.com/2009/11/aeronef-over-carpathia.html
Sounds awesome (and well written to boot!). OK, I can now confess this secret project which I have been working on over the last few months. Kudos and much thanks to Ogrefencer for his significant written input, and to Zophiel for his excellent artwork.
Old School Balkan Dirigibles
October 20th, 2009 Ogrefencer Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
Gentlemen,
A Turkish cruiser squadron on patrol, no doubt searching the Greeks or Bulgarians.
Finally the Bulgarians - the large model in the centre has some outrigger launching rails for fixed wing aircraft although sadly I never got around to adding them.
![]()
Below are a selection of the scratch built Dirigibles I made for the Balkan Air Fleets some 4 years ago - certainly the Turks pre date Brigades models. They are now residing in the collection of Steve Blease and are rumoured to be appearing in the 2nd edition of Aeronef when it is published. These wee very simple to build - consisting of spare aircraft bombs and drop tanks with various pieces of scrap plastic and sprue added to taste. The Turkish Carrier started life as the Revell Hindenburg kit with much chopping about. I really must get around to making some more of these as the basic technique I used has improved with practise and the fact that Brigade produce a load of usable bits to add to the resultant model.
The Turkish carrier Messudieh - note the wing turret type rails for launching fixed wing fliers.
A Turkish cruiser squadron on patrol, no doubt searching the Greeks or Bulgarians.
The Greek Coastal defence Dirigibles Psara, Hydra and Spetsai.
A Greek escort squadron of small destroyer sized dirigibles.
Finally the Bulgarians - the large model in the centre has some outrigger launching rails for fixed wing aircraft although sadly I never got around to adding them.
It was great fun making these and I am sure the next lot will be even better.
I hope you enjoy this piece of Aeronef history as much as I did digging them out!
Zeppelin to America
October 15th, 2009 Consul Scipio Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
From Our Correspondent: Lakehurst, New Jersey, 15th October 1924
Zeppelin Missing!
"Hopes are fading for a successful conclusion to the fantastic exercise of a trans-Atlantic crossing from Friedrichshafen, Germany, to here in New Jersey today. In one of the most incredible adventures yet seen in the world of aviation, the German Zeppelin, LZ-126, no longer the monstrous terror-bomber of the late European War, was to have been flown by its co-creator, Dr Hugo Eckener across the stormy waters of the North Atlantic to take her place amongst the burgeoning ranks of our own glorious Air Corps.
As our readers will know, this terrible symbol of Prussian aggression was to have been offered to our government as part of War Reparations, and would have been converted to civilian use.
The Hydrogen-filled monster was last seen crossing the Irish coast in cloudy weather, escorted by fighters that appeared as mere moths against her giant bulk; (See photograph above) her expert crew confident that they would make landfall on American shores with two days.
President Calvin Coolidge's Office has denied reports that her disappearance may have some connection to the recent activity of Air Pirates in the vicinity of the Newfoundland Coast, and have stated that all efforts are being made to trace the gaseous leviathan......"
An interesting anniversary today, the fifteenth of October, which saw the successful conclusion of a transatlantic flight some three years before the exploits of Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis, which have somewhat claimed the limelight ever since. Dr Hugo Eckener, co-developer of Germany's dirigible airships, convinced the Allies post WWWI that it would be better to support the fledgling aviation industry by allowing the construction of civilian airships, rather than seeing them dismantled. Although controversial, this decision saw the transfer of LZ-126 from Germany to the U.S. Air Force to become the ZR3, later the Los Angeles.
Once her Hydrogen had been replaced by Helium, she served on as a training ship, and had the distinction of being the only U.S. Airship not to be destroyed in an accident, making over three hundred flights in an eight year period.
Excellent information on this unusual footnote in history, and other early dirigibles can be found here:
Plenty of stuff to inspire scenarios, I think; was the LZ-126 intercepted by Air Pirates, or did Dr Eckener have more sinister motives for taking charge of the Zeppelin on her maiden voyage?....
(Photo shows Revell Minikit Hindenburg accompanied by flight of Irregular Miniatures 2mm IKGW6, generic biplane)
Aeronef Eye-Candy
October 1st, 2009 Tony Posted in Aeronef, Space 1889/Aeronef, Victorian Science Fiction - VSF Comments Off
I came across this illustration over on Lead Adventure - see; http://www.lead-adventure.de/index.php?topic=13480.0 The illustrations are just fantastic, a whole host of inspirational ideas for my next set of scratch-built models. For more information, check out; http://sephodwyrm.deviantart.com/gallery/
The illustrations are by Maxim-Ivan. Very well done Sir.Tony
Aeronef - The Papal States
September 27th, 2009 Tony Posted in Aeronef Comments Off
In earlier posts I have detailed how my latest Aeronef project is developing. An Aeronef alternative background where the Knights of St John and the Holy Roman Empire battle for control of the Mediterranean against the Ottoman Empire. Details of the Knights and one Ottoman Cruiser have already been posted. This post gives details of the latest set of models to be finished a group of four Papal States Aeronefs.
Photo One - shows the completed group of three Galleys and one Galleas.
Photo Two through Five - the finished fleet, yet to be named, each showing a separate tail badge, noting the state that commissioned and manned the vessel.
Photo Six and Seven show the completed models before being painted. The hulls are modelled from marker pen barrels and the superstructure is made from plastic card, knitting needles and cocktail sticks. The models are between 95mm - 110mm long.
Photo Eight - shows the models undercoated with grey spray paint.
It's been quite a while since I up-dated this project, but am pleased to see the fleets growing. I must get around to modelling and painting some more Ottoman/Turkish Nefs soon.Tony
Strategic targets
September 13th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, Modelling Hints Comments Off
I just found these while rummaging around in my bits cupboard and thought I'd share an idea I had.
Last year I visited London (and enjoyed a few ales eh DC?) and grabbed a few of these resin buildings from a cheezy souvenir vendor for about 1 pound each. Lovely detail and pre-painted.
So, Buckingham Palace or French chateau? Tower of London or enemy fortified building? St Paul's Cathedral or enemy parliament house? A lick of paint round the edging, neglected so far I must admit, and some nice buildings are had very cheap for minimal effort!
Now if only I could find those Revell Hindenburgs (which DC put me onto) that I was looking for in the first place....![]()
Last year I visited London (and enjoyed a few ales eh DC?) and grabbed a few of these resin buildings from a cheezy souvenir vendor for about 1 pound each. Lovely detail and pre-painted.
So, Buckingham Palace or French chateau? Tower of London or enemy fortified building? St Paul's Cathedral or enemy parliament house? A lick of paint round the edging, neglected so far I must admit, and some nice buildings are had very cheap for minimal effort!
Now if only I could find those Revell Hindenburgs (which DC put me onto) that I was looking for in the first place....
Maquis Fleet
September 12th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, France Comments Off
Lertia has posted pic of her French Maquis fleet to the Brigade Models forums.
She has used some unique colours in a crisps style for a uniue 'parade style' appearance - good stuff!
Ragnarok 55 out and about
September 10th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, News Comments Off
The latest SFSFW magazine has been released and the mail packet delivered some to the colonies yesterday. Two particular VSF treats in this edition:
Firstly, an Aeronef scenario set in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871 which pits a combined Franco-Swiss force against some aggressive Germanic types. Nice!
And secondly, the back cover sports a pic of Wessex's (infamous) Battle of the Pyramids which was taken by me at Salute back in 2001 (when I met Mssr Blease). OK, its not a major drawcard but I was chuffed to see it there!
You can get Rag 55 from SFSFW:
http://sfsfw.blogspot.com/2009/08/ragnarok-55-pdf-available-at-wargame.html![]()
Firstly, an Aeronef scenario set in the Franco-Prussian War of 1871 which pits a combined Franco-Swiss force against some aggressive Germanic types. Nice!
And secondly, the back cover sports a pic of Wessex's (infamous) Battle of the Pyramids which was taken by me at Salute back in 2001 (when I met Mssr Blease). OK, its not a major drawcard but I was chuffed to see it there!
You can get Rag 55 from SFSFW:
http://sfsfw.blogspot.com/2009/08/ragnarok-55-pdf-available-at-wargame.html
More Brits
September 7th, 2009 Tas Posted in Aeronef, Britain Comments Off
Here are some closeups of Nuno's British Nefs, which I showcased here last week.
He informs me that his painting technique was:
- white undercoat which was left showing in the sides of the superstructures and the masts as well as the tail of the nefs
- GW chaos black hull side
- GW Sepia wash on the decking
- GW foundation astronomican grey in the turrets
- GW foundation adeptus battlegrey in the cannons and the center of the large turrets
- GW foundation tausept ochre on the chimneys
I've updated the entry on his Greman nefs to detail the paint scheme too.
![]()
He informs me that his painting technique was:
- white undercoat which was left showing in the sides of the superstructures and the masts as well as the tail of the nefs
- GW chaos black hull side
- GW Sepia wash on the decking
- GW foundation astronomican grey in the turrets
- GW foundation adeptus battlegrey in the cannons and the center of the large turrets
- GW foundation tausept ochre on the chimneys
I've updated the entry on his Greman nefs to detail the paint scheme too.
Thanks for sharing mate, I thin they've come out beautifully. Well done old Boy!