Queen Victoria's Robot Wars: the Not Salute Report

A Robot Royal in Peril!


Empress V, Queen Victoria's personal automaton envoy has been shot down by the Nefarious Baron Bomburust and his Cytherian (the Victorian word for Venusian) hordes.  Can the Royal Robot Brigades rescue her in time?

Empress V and her robo Corgi

the lady from every angle! Yay Woodens! 

As there was no Salute this year (along with so many other things in the world) I wanted to show off some of the "actors" that would have featured in the game I was going to run this year. The main focus of the game was a rescue of the Empress crashed in the center of the 10 x 12 foot floor top game table, and using my Wooden Wars rules- which of course means bouncing real rubber balls into your opponent's troops to knock them over. (See my Wooden Wars links to the right for more).

Captain Schilling, formerly of the Rapa-nui Regulars, rescues the Empress

The Baddies

Baron Bomburst's troops consist of his own robotic inventions, and a horde of the indiginous Cytherian hordes- giants all!

V.O.G.'s or Venusian Otherworldly Gentlemen lead the robots

The Heroes! 

And lastly, some of the Queen's own troops. Stalwart lads all with proper regulation mustachios.

Summing Up! 

Although I am bummed that I've not had the chance to run a a game of Wooden Wars for you all at Salute this year,there are much more important things to worry about and be thankful for, like my currently healthy friends and family.   I'll get to to run this next year, which gives me time to make it even shinier- and hope to see you all there!

Cheers! Stay safe and be well.

Fort McHenry Project: Naval officers

US Naval officers, ready to repell and other nautical words!

Naval Officers

I'm getting close to finishing up the Fort McHenry commission project (yay). The rangers have been more than patient with me, as I realized that this was a much bigger project than I thought it would be.

US uniforms, aft view

 These US and British naval officers are the last troops needed; now I have 9 civilians to do up, then focus on the ships, which are already half done. I am excited to see this all in the hands of the fort, and put to work.

British officers- all prim and proper

British stern costume

Cool Yule!

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all for showing up at my blog from time to time, and especially to those who have commented. This year I've had over 20 new followers and over 250K views!  Next year we are going to hit 500K views, and I'll  have a cool giveaway...somehow.

Again, thanks for you joining in and making this hobby special!   And if you haven't you should take a look at some of the folks that I follow (on the side board)- I am continually inspired and awed by the work they do and great tips they have.

Cheers and have a cool Yule- see you in 2019!

I remain, your most obd't toy maker
Thomas

Fort McHenry Project: US Volunteers

US Volunteers 1812: Baltimore boys

Finished up 24 of these bright and bold lads for the Fort McHenry Project. Overall super happy how they came out. Even better, weather permitting I'll be taking photos of all the troops I've done so far and then packing them up to send off to the Fort. 

Ready for Review

What commanders usually see

These Woodens take about 2 hours each to paint. Most colors are three layers, especially all the Non Mettallic metallic bits, like buttons, gun barrels, etc. 

The over all look gives them a "printed page" effect similar to the period. I'm super happy as to how these guys turned out. 

On the march- Regulars and Volunteer troops side by side

What's next?

I have a few naval officers to paint up, and then 3 sets of 3 civilians do design and cut (and paint), including Mr. Francis Scott Key himself. Then I move on to finishing up the ships for the project. The Hulls are all done, but I am still noodling with the best way to make the masts and sails so that the park rangers can use the models in exhibits and teaching moments without them being too fiddly and fragile. 

Thanks for following along on this adventure! 

Fort McHenry Project: Mounted US officers

 

These last two weeks I've been hot in closing in on finishing all the soldiers for the Fort McHenry Project. I still have to photograph all the ones I've painted up, but here's the US mounted officers

A bit too big for the studio shot

 I only need 3 for the project. The other is a Christmas present. Here's some single shots.

 And lastly the Dramatic shot

Thanks for stopping by and checking them out! 

Fort McHenry Project: US infantry officers

US Infantry Officers: 1812

More exciting work on the Fort McHenry project. I really enjoyed doing the research and painting up these officers!

I have the mounted versions made up and ready to cut. In the mean time I'm finishing up 24 volunteer troops.  After that I have some civilians, then back to the ships- Very exciting to see this coming to completion- even though I am a few months behind schedule as to where I'd like to be.

The fellow on the left is the Volunteer uniform.

Cheers!

Fort McHenry Project: British Officers

British Officers on foot, 1812

I'm gaining ground on the Fort McHenry commission project! This week I finished up the dismounted and mounted British officers, designed the US volunteer units and have the US regulars mostly painted. Here's some pics of the British.

British officers, mounted 1812

That's all for now- back to the painting table!
Cheers!

Fort McHenry Project: US artillery batteries

US Artillery

I'm a bit behind on my Fort McHenry commissions- especially cataloguing all the stuff I've already done. Was able to be home with daylight this weekend so got some shots of these artillery batteries.

the uniform is a pretty straight up blue jacket, single row of buttons, with yellow trim. The belgic style shako with a slightly broader top than the British can also be seen.

I had a great time researching these uniforms, with the ever patient help of the Park Rangers at Fort McHenry.

Next up British Officers, Ship hulls, and US volunteer/ irregular troops!