victorian science fiction Archives - Page 9 of 14

Prussian Empire Arminius Class Frigates

The Dystopian Wars is a miniatures games from Spartan Games. The Prussian Frigate is a simple ship with a single turret and aft Tesla weapons. Squadrons of Frigates are often used to screen larger ships, combine their fire against enemy ships, and sometimes chase down vessels that have submerged below the ocean waves.

There are six models in all, and they come in a blister pack. The first stage was washing the resin models and giving them a white undercoat and gluing them to wooden sticks (for easier painting).

I then gave them a basecoat of slightly thinned Tamiya Grey.

The next stage was to give the models a wash of Citadel Shade: Nuln Oil. This was to both darken the model and add shade and shadows.

Check out the Dystopian Wars Workbench.

Painting the Olympic Class Troop Transport

The Olympic Liner is one of the largest passenger ships ever created, these impressive vessels have carried people over the seas in style since 1861.
Having washed the resin model I affixed the metal masts. This was quite challenging as they need to be leaning in a particular direction and the “hole” is quite small.

After giving the models a white undercoat, I painted the superstructure with Vallejo Ivory (918). Not sure at this point about how to paint the windows.

The hull was given a basecoat of Citadel Chaos Black, I wasn’t very neat!

Painting the decks

Painting the decks of my Prussian Blucher Class Dreadnought for the Dystopian Wars reminded me why I never liked making Airfix ship models as a kid and why I don’t usually play naval wargames in the first place! Painting ships is really fiddly, especially the decks!

I painted the decks with Vallejo Tan Yellow (912).

The next stage was to give the decks a wash of Citadel Shade: Agrax Earthshade.

I did wonder if I ought to add any metallic, as in copper or bronze parts to the model. The stats for the model include the Tesla Coils and there is the prow of the ship too. Or do I keep it more traditional naval, in both colour and appearance? If you look at the marketing picture for the model, it is quite “normal” in appearance with minimal shiny bits!

Drybrushing the Tracks

Having given my Steam Tank model a basecoat, I drybrushed the tracks with Boltgun Metal.

Once I have finished painting the model I will add some weathering to the tracks. Simon did point out that he felt the tracks on the tank were a little “flat” and I have to agree with him. You really need proper linked tracks with this kind of model, and especially one at this scale. The tracks on the Tunneller are much better for example. Maybe a potential conversion project for later (or on another model of the Steam Tank).

Dystopian Wars Airfield Set

This set contains three medium-sized hangers, two zeppelin towers and one communications building.

This was very much one of those impulse buys, saw it, decided to get a blister, rather than buy something else, or something useful. I was inspired recently by those Dystopian Wars pictures that I posted to the blog.

You get two very nice looking airship towers. These are stone and steel towers that can be used to moor your airships, so perfect for the Prussians.

You also get a radar tower.

Not sure if they would have radar, even in a technologically advanced Victorian society, as we find in the Dystopian Wars, but then again, there is this model.

In the blister are also three aircraft hangars, big enough for fighters, but too small for the big bombers you can get.

As with virtually all Dystopian Wars castings these are very clean and no flash.

Prussian Empire Arminius Class Frigates

There are six models and they come in a single blister pack. The first stage will be washing the resin models and giving them a white undercoat.

These are very small models, but are very well detailed.

Check out the Dystopian Wars Workbench.

Basecoat for the Victorian Science Fiction Steam Tank

Having finished off the tracks on the Ironclad Miniatures Victorian Science Fiction Steam Tank with Citadel Chaos Black, I gave the hull and turret a basecoat of Vallejo Middlestone.

As this is going to be a steam tank used in an Old West setting I decided to go with a desert theme, rather than the standard grey you often see with Victorian Science Fiction steam vehicles. Dry assembling the model it is starting to look the part.

Still, as you compare it with a 25mm Old West figure from Foundry it is quite big.

I want to ensure that there is a gap between the tracks and the hull, this I did think initially I would use some plasticard, but I couldn’t find anything suitable so I think I am going to have to use four five pence pieces

Victorian SF Tunnelling Machine

After realising I had not thought about the rear of the VSF Tunnelling Machine, I decided to paint it with a basecoat of Boltgun Metal.

When I first looked at the model I did initially think that the rear of the model was some kind of boiler so I was going to do it very dark. However upon reflection I think it is actually just the rear of the vehicle, what I thought was the firebox is in fact the rear access hatch.

I do like this model and think it certainly looks the part.

So, just how big are they…

I am in the process of painting my Ironclad Miniatures’ Victorian Science Fiction Steam Tank and Tunnelling Machine. In case you were wondering, they are 25-28mm scale models. Here they are next to a Foundry gunfighter.