The SteamPunk Bible (an update)

The SteamPunk Bible covers many different topics associated with the SteamPunk genre. As the publishers have defined their text” it is “An illustrated guide to the world of imaginary airships, corsets, and goggles, mad scientists, and strange literature”. It is well written and has many colorful illustrations throughout the text. I purchased my copy through Amazon for under $20.00. The book is hard bound and includes over 200 pages of text, and loads of images and illustrations.

What I like especially about the text is that it has introduced me to ideas, concepts, and resources that I didn’t know existed. I have been having a great time tracking down the sources mentioned in the text. I will be sharing these with you shortly.

10 Ways the World Will End

How Stuff Works ”10 Ways the World Will End” page features ten short videos that describe ten ways the earth “will” end. The site is interesting, but more recreational than educational (there is a mix of fact and fiction), but is still worth the visit, especially for those dooms day-ers out there. Pick your own poison; which way do you envision the earth ending.

Additional Fantasy Ships Found

I have found another source of fantasy-paper-crafted ships. The Ralf Schemmann's Man O'War Fleets page offers downloadable templates for six fantasy fleets. The fleets were created to play the "Man O' War Game” in the Warhammer World and include the following fleets:

• Bretonnia
• Empire
• Dwarfs
• Elves
• Dark Elves
• Orcs (in progress)

Freak Angels

FreakAngles is an online comic created by Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield. The story is set in post- apocalyptic England and has been running for several episodes. The following three lines from the first scene and episode is as follows:

“23 years ago, twelve strange children were born in England at exactly the same moment. “

“6 years ago the, world ended”

“This is the story of what happened next”

The comic’s graphics are first rate; the plot is dystopian and compelling.

Two Old Geezers

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have add two old men to my collection of miniatures. They both are additions to my small collection of fantasy miniatures. The one, the slight fellow with the lantern can be seen leading new disciples to their sage. The other miniature the bulky and rotund gent could pass for Charles Dickens-The Ghost of Christmas Past.

The Serving Wench-I am Enamored by Plastic

From the first time I saw the wench, I knew that I would have to add her to my collection. The “Serving Wench” is one of Replicants 1/32 plastic miniatures and was accompanied by the Tavern Keeper. These two miniatures are part of my period pieces collection.
These two miniatures were my first attempts at painting miniatures. The wench seems to have her eyes closed so I didn’t get to paint her eyes.

New Pulp Figures Added to My Pulp Collection

I received four new 28mm pulp figures in the mail a few days ago. I mentioned them in my “Two New Miniature Categories", post about a week ago. The three figures with rifles are from Artizan Designs’ Thrilling Tales collection. This set three of their Sky Pirates.

Artizan’s Thrilling Tales figures are no related to the game or the interactive online pulp magazine with the same name. According to the people at Artizan the Thrilling Tales collection was named to “convey the spirit of the range”.

The forth miniature is from Brigade. I added this figures as the command element; he is Capt. John Starr, Fighter Squadron Alpha.

I have already given these figures a grey base coat and am waiting delivery of the necessary paints to be delivered.

Haunting Abandoned Relics

I have always been fascinated with abandoned structures. I have toured several in my life. Abandoned structures usually provide a very rewarding photo-shoot. Just be careful. Some of these structures are anything but safe. The Haunting Beauty of Abandoned Relics site offers fourteen slides of some very striking images of abandoned vehicles and structures.

The Catalog of Nautilus Designs

Throughout the years since Jules Verne wrote 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, men have tried to envision what Verne’s Nautilus may have looked like. Many have gone to the drawing board and have made sketches for the Nautilus. Here are a few designs of the Nautilus that have become known throughout the years.

Make sure to visit some of the links on this page for other images and detailed views of these designs.

I am rather partial to Disney’s version of the Nautilus. What version, if any, are you partial?

A Chicken Coop in 1/48

I started my 1/87 chicken coop a couple of months ago. It sits unfinished on my workbench, with so many other projects in various stages of completion. I found this unique chicken coop complete. From the picture, you can see that the model was created using a real prototype as a guide.

Another Fantasy Ship

This time the fantasy ship is in the form of wallpaper for your desktop. Nice.

Sorry, I have kind of got into this vain. Do you know of any other "fantasy ships" sites?

A Fun Weekend Project

I recently downloaded Fantasy ships & Monsters, a JPG file that includes several fantasy ships and a couple of sea monsters. It seems like a nice weekend project when nothing else is going on. The site features several paper-craft paper navies that can be downloaded. Just download, print, and cut them out with a pair of detail scissors, and have your first sea skirmish in miniature.

Abandoned Stars War Sets

Yahoo news is featuring some very cool images of abandoned Star Wars sets that are now rotting out in the desert. Can you pick any of the scenes out? Very Cool!

My Miniatures Collection (An Update)

My current collection includes pieces in the following sizes and scales: 25mm, 28mm, 30mm, 40mm, 1/32 (54mm).
Category	Pieces
Period pieces	7
Wild West	5
French and Indian War	4
Fantasy	7
Pulp	12
SCI FI	4
Whimsical Nautical Creatures	11
Scenery pieces	1
	== 51

I have added several new pieces to my collection so far this year. Most of what I have added were added to my collection of pulp miniatures. I have also added two miniatures to my collection of fantasy miniatures.