HISTORY: Happy Halloween, Ozzie Light Horse! (31 October 2007)

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TOP: An Australian Slouch Hat as worn...

...by the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917.

Hi All,

Today is a special day to me... for alot of reasons. For one, it's my birthday and this post signifies that I've survived another year on this Earth of ours. A second is that this day is the holiday of Halloween, a benign holiday with it's roots in Druidic tradition, but used today as a day of good cheer and the sharing of sweets around much of the world. On Halloween, we celebrate the macabre: ghosts, spooks, skeletons, vampires, and the whole lot of elements that make for a good scary story... LOL ;o) And I'm ALL about that!

But, a third more profound reason is that today is the day that far back in 1917, the Australian Light Horse overcame the Turkish guns at Beersheba in an act that opened up the Holy Land from Oriental despotism to the many joys and Freedoms of the West that so often get taken for granted except by those forced to go without: little things like the freedom to travel, gather, protest, speak (media), build a home, have as many children as one wants, etc.. Without those brave Ozzies, perhaps the Ottoman Empire and its brutal oppression of people throughout the Middle East might still persist today. And maybe the reach of the Ottoman Empire that always thirsted for Europe and beyond would have expanded? Instead those brave Australian Horsemen sealed the fate of the "sick old man of Europe."

Much of the Middle East still suffers under the cruel yoke of tyranny, but there is hope and the example of Israel stands LARGE to those around the Middle East who suffer. They can watch as little Israel succeeds against all odds, stays decent under cruel, inhuman pressures, and how her people cherish & enjoy the many freedoms of that little decidedly imperfect & democratic bastion of light.

But enough of my hyperbole, if you've ever met an Ozzie, you know that one of their most annoying and outstanding traits is a little something called Larrikinism. That's a fancy word for the very healthy lack of respect that Ozzies have for authority. The word also captures the very consistent sense of self-deprecating humor that so many Ozzies exhibit. It's one of the things I love best about the Ozzie comedy-band Tripod, whose videos I seem to feature more and more often here at my blog. That is a quite distinct sense of humor that Australians and Jews seem to share. And Australian Jews... seem to have it in droves. Here's a snippet of what Wiki has to say about it:

Larrikinism is the name given to the Australian folk tradition of irreverence, mockery of authority and disregard for rigid norms of propriety. Larrikinism can also be associated with self-deprecating humour.

And here's a link to the full Wiki entry on Larrikinism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larrikinism

I only wish I had a better facility with words to properly frame the truly magnificent accomplishment of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba in 1917, but while I don't, my friend Treppenwitz does. Here is a passage from a book called '800 Horsemen' by Col. Stringer which Treppenwitz quoted in a great post about the subject:

"The key to the battle were the Gaza-Beersheba fortifications. Beersheba, meaning "well of the oath", so named by Abraham in the book of Genesis... Any army approaching its life-giving wells has to march for days through the waterless desert. All the Turks had to do was hold off an attack for one day and the merciless desert sun would do the rest. Despite constant assaults by the combined forces of the British and Australian armies, the place could not be taken. Then came the fateful day of October 31 1917. The generals were desperate, 50,000 British infantry with tank support had been driven back into the desert. With the sun about to set and with no water for many miles, disaster stared them squarely in the face. The Australian Light Horse Commander [General] Chauvel's orders were to storm Beersheba, it had to be won before nightfall at all costs. The situation was becoming grave as they were in urgent need of 400,000 gallons of water for men and horses.

Chauvel concocted a crazy plan. Why not let his 800 horsemen charge the Turkish artillery? A cavalry charge across 6000 yards of open terrain straight into the face of the massed Turkish guns. It sounded like a recipe for disaster. No wonder the German Officer commanding the Turkish defences described the Aussie Light Horsemen as "madmen!" For a start the Light Horse were not cavalry, they were mounted infantry. They had no swords or lancers but were equipped with rifles and bayonets designed for infantry warfare. But left with virtually no
alternative the desperate General gave the order for the last great cavalry charge in history! The 800 young men mounted their magnificent Walers (horses) and lined up to face the Turkish guns, their young faces bronzed and tanned from the desert sun, their emu plumes swaying in the breeze from their famous slouch hats, rifles swung across their backs and bayonets in hand. History was about to be written. These 800 young men were about to open the doorway to the liberation of Jerusalem!

The Light Horsemen charged magnificently across the dusty plains, so fast that the Turkish artillery could not keep pace with them and the "mad" horsemen were able to slip under their guns. As they leapt the trenches laced with machine gun bullets, a magnificent cheer went up from the British ranks, even some of the Turks stood and applauded, such was the magnificence of the feat. Although hopelessly outnumbered and outgunned they charged on. Beersheba - the gateway to Jerusalem, fell that day, not to the Crusaders, not to the British, German or US Armies - but to the Australian Light Horsemen!

Let me quote from the book "True Australian War Tales" by Alec Hepburn. "...the British swept towards Gaza. They stormed the city on 26 March but were thrown back by determined enemy resistance. A second attempt on 17 April also ended in failure. The Turks, with German and Austrians of the crack Asia Corps, stood firm along a fortified line from Gaza on the coast, to Beersheba, near the Judean Hills. The key to victory was Beersheba. Many nations claim to have mounted the last cavalry charge in history, but most of these actions were minor skirmishes of no real significance towards the outcome of the war in which they fought. The Australian Light Horse attack on Beersheba was the last important cavalry charge in history and the last to win a resounding victory that altered the course of a war." (And the course of a nation - Israel)."

The late afternoon sunlight flashing from their bayonets, Australian troopers of the 4th Light Horse Brigade made a proud sight as they spread in a khaki flood over the stony Palestine plain. The thundering hoof beats of their mounts rolled over the arid land ahead like some macabre overture . ...Wearing their distinctive feather-plumed slouch hats at a variety of jaunty angles the troopers seemed nonchalant in the face of death.... Topping the last rise Beersheba suddenly came into sight, the graceful minaret on its Mosque pointing the way to glory, in what was to be the last important cavalry charge in history. Almost as one the big, brown warhorses surged forward in a mad gallop, their hoofs striking thunder from the hard sun-baked earth."

"Then from somewhere within the barbed-wire-encircled town, heavy artillery began firing. The first shells roared overhead, exploding in fiery geysers amid the charging ranks. Yelling men and bellowing horses went down in tangled heaps, their screams filling the choking smoke clouds that swirled everywhere, But not even shrapnel could halt their fierce onslaught. Leaping their mounts over fallen comrades, the horsemen swept towards the Turkish line. Soon the shells were falling harmlessly behind the advancing ranks. With the first gauntlet behind them the Australian horsemen raced into the next. From the flanks Turkish machine-guns took over the defence. Many more men and horses went down, but still they came on. The tough Turkish infantry had been unnerved by the seemingly invincible horde bearing down on them. Wild with fear, for they knew their foe by reputation, the Turks put up a formidable rifle barrage in a frantic effort to stop the mounted madmen. Troopers pitched from the saddle; others had their mounts shot from under them: and yet the suicidal charge swept on. As the Light Horse galloped nearer the excited Turks forgot to lower their sights and found themselves firing high. With bullets now buzzing harmlessly overhead the leading squadrons thundered in line across the last kilometre then jumped their mighty Walers over the trenches."

The rest is history. "Beersheba - well of the oath, was in Australian hands by the time the last rays of fading daylight had gone from the desert sky. This deed would live on as the proudest achievement in the colourful story of the legendary Light Horse, the force that was probably the most uniquely Australian fighting unit ever raised. The Light Horseman was the best mounted soldier in history, finer even than the Cossack or the American Plains Indian."

In fact the British General Allenby rated the Cavalry charge as one of, if not the most magnificent in history. Eight hundred Aussie Light horsemen had achieved what 50,000 British troops with tanks could not do, what even the Crusaders or Napoleon could not do! They had opened the doorway to Jerusalem against seemingly insurmountable odds.

I am in no way attempting to glorify war, it is terrible. But I believe we need "to give honour where honour is due." Many of the Light Horsemen were visibly moved when they realised they had opened the gateway to the Holy Land, a doorway which had been firmly shut for centuries. One writer put it this way "Without the ANZAC involvement the modern state of Israel would not have come into existence!" On December 11th 1917 the Australian Light Horsemen rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, so far from their homes, their emu feathers proudly fluttering in the breeze, to be greeted with a hysterical welcome by Jews and Christians. A far cry from the scenario when Godfrey of Bouillon and his bloodthirsty Crusaders had entered the city in 1099. Centuries of Moslem rule was over. As the triumphant British General Allenby entered the city through the Jaffa gate, his honour guard was made up of slouch hatted Aussies. Opposite him as he stood on the steps of the Citadel of David he was encircled by another honour guard of proud ANZAC Light Horsemen! Their magnificent effort was being honoured by the world!"

Here's a link here to Treppenwitz's full post:
http://bogieworks.blogs.com/treppenwitz/2007/10/the-return-of-t.html

I can't recommend his blog enough. He is not only a great guy, but his blog makes for a fine read.

Have a great Wednesday!

And Happy Halloween!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Temple of Boom!" (30 October 2007)

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TOP: Prop replicas from the Indiana Jones movies...

...are found throughout this home theater.

Hi All,

Some folks really go all out when building a home theatre:

You may have to shield your eyes from the ark, but this theater won’t melt your face—at least not in a bad way.

About two years ago, Larry and Colleen Halliday were looking to add a little excitement to their home theater. They made a deal with installer Doug Charrois, who then called in the doctor—Dr. Indiana Jones.

To many in the audiophile crowd, the Halliday’s equipment list wouldn’t be as coveted as the ark itself. The couple is more than satisfied though. It’s got much better acoustics than the Well of Souls, and hey—it’s all about the ambience.

“Larry saw the torches in a store and came up with the idea it would be cool to have a theme of Indiana Jones in the theater they were going to build in their up-and-coming new home,” says Charrois, who was up for the design challenge.

And challenge it was. Much like Indiana, Charrois worked solo at the time of the installation, going by the company name Jade Security. “I found them,” he says. “Working on my own, I would have to drum up my own business driving around new construction areas. Once I found a good size home going up, then it would be my sparkling personality that would take over.”

Charrois may not be as suave as Indiana, but in six short weeks he did all of the design and construction that would bring this theme theater to life.

Continued...

You've not a real geek until you can pretend you're an imaginary someone cooler than you REALLY are...

Link here:
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/the_temple_of_boom/C91/D1/

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Pendraken 10mm Sci-fi Teaser Shots" (29 October 2007)

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TOP: Pendraken's 10mm Sci-fi line:

SF-23 Medium Warrior Creatures

Hi All,

One of the shortcomings of most miniatures sites is that many of them fail to provide photos of their product, not just good or clear photos, but ANY photos at all! It's one of those quirks of the miniatures industry that so few companies advertise or provide photos of their product. To a large degree, fans have been forced to slowly provide product photos for themselves since only a few of the most responsive companies have been remedying this quirk of the industry. I am pleased to report that many if not most of the newer miniatures companies are avoiding this shortcoming. Many of the old dogs however, have yet to learn this new trick.

Pendraken, while being a company with a reputation for good service, hasn't always been great with providing product photos, although they are working on it as Germy and I have chatted about before. Germy works quite a bit with Pendraken and probably still runs their web site.

Here are the product photos for selections from Pendraken's 10mm sci-fi line:

TOP: SF-5 Egg Cluster

TOP: SF-11 Queen Creature

TOP: SF-12 Medium Creature: Pose #1

TOP: SF-13 Small Creature: Pose #1
TOP: SF-18 Medium Creature: Pose #2
TOP: SF-19 Medium Creature: Pose #3

TOP: SF-22 Face Hugs Only
TOP: SF-29 Large Flamer Bug
TOP: SF-30 Large Jawed Attack Bugs

TOP: SF-31 Small Runner Bugs

And many thanks to Mark Cougar Jensen who not only took these fine photos, but volunteered to share them. All I have to say is that I owe him a big vote of thanks and I'm severely tempted to take a trip to Denmark just to meet and game with all the great gamers I've met from there.

Some cool stand-alone shots of Pendraken's 10mm sci-fi line. Link here:

http://www.twins4ever.dk/cougarscorner/index.php?showforum=77

Comparison shots of Pendraken's 10mm sci-fi line versus various 15mm sci-fi lines. Link here:

http://www.twins4ever.dk/cougarscorner/index.php?showforum=78

A link to my gallery featuring other selections from Pendraken's 10mm sci-fi line. Link here:

http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/Maksim-Smelchak/10mm%20Sci-fi%20Minis/10mm%20Pendraken%20Sci-fi/

A link to Pendraken's web site:

http://www.pendraken.co.uk/

Germy's web site:

http://www.germy.co.uk/

A link back to the TMP thread where these photos were first shared:

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=123864

Have a great Monday!

Shalom,

Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "6mm Sci-fi QT Minis?" (27 October 2007)

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Hi All,

This is a slightly different post than I usually write because it's primarily a call to help identify some figures rather than my usual rants, jokes, and exposes. So, reader, without further ado:

Can you identify the below miniatures?

Do you know the stock numbers or identifying names for these pieces?

Do you have a QT miniatures catalogue...
...with their OOP 6mm sci-fi or starfighter lines?

Can you send me a copy either electronically / digitally or by snail mail?

Are these even QT miniatures?

Inquiring minds WANT to know!

I want to extend many thanks to Steve C. and Andrew Parkin, who have been corresponding with me about these minis. Andrew is also the President of The Wakefield & Ossett Wargamers, who are the hosts of The Recon Gaming Show / Convention.

The Wakefield & Ossett Wargamers Club (UK) maintain a web page here:
http://uk.geocities.com/a_parkin_w_o_w/wowhome.htm

And more information about their Recon Gaming Show / Convention can be found here:
http://uk.geocities.com/a_parkin_w_o_w/wowrecon.htm

TOP: Photo #1

Two tracked vehicles and four wheeled ones.

No visible armament.

TOP: Photo #2
Four APCs that might be tracked, GEV, or grav.

Two of them have mortars mounted in the back of the vehicle.

Otherwise, no visible armament.

TOP: Photo #3
Four APCs, all hovercraft or GEV.

No visible armament.

TOP: Photo #4
Two GEV APCs, two GEV MBTs, and a tracked or GEV arty vehicle.

The MBTs and arty vehicles may be converted, hard to tell.

The MBT turrets look like modern 20th century vehicles.

And here are a few more links for the 6mm sci-fi nut:

QT Miniatures, a UK company, has apparently sold off part of their old lines, do not manufacture much of the rest, and do not maintain a web site. They have a manufacturer's entry at TMP here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/man/qt/

Snapdragon Studios, a UK company, used to make a wide variety of 6mm sci-fi terrain, but no longer produce any of these pieces that were prominently features in the Dirtside II rule book. They now concentrate on producing 25 to 28mm scenery with a smattering of pieces for other scales including some 1/300 fantasy pieces. Their site can be found here:
http://www.moondragons.com/

Force 21 is a small, not well known American company that produces a variety of resin-cast sci-fi goodies including 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, starships, rules and more. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.iowatelecom.net/~colsten/index.html

Irregular Miniatures, a UK company, is one of the largest and oldest companies in the business. They make EVERYTHING! Their web site can be found here:
http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

Scotia / Grendel Productions, a UK company, is also a very large and successful company that makes a fine line of 6mm sci-fi miniatures. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/index.html

And last, but not least:

Monday Knight Productions (MKP) is an American company that bought out the old 6mm sci-fi MAATAC line from Superior and makes a wide variety of other miniatures goodies. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.mondayknight.com/mkpindex.htm

Have a great Saturday!

And a Gut Shabbos to my Jewish readers!

Update (4 November 2007 at roughly 7:00am):
My buddy Covert Walrus wrote in with QT catalogue information: Thanks, CW!

As promised, from a catalog circa 1977/78

Starforce 300

SF1 GNAT one man fighter 2 for 45p*
SF2 DRAGONFLY two man fighter 45p*
SF3 MANTA Three Man Fighter 45p*
SF4 MANTA armed tug 45p*
SF5 SCARAB one man fighter 2 for 45p*
SF6 DOVE Courier ship 2 for 45p*
SF7 DOLPHIN Freighter 1.70*
SF8 PYTHON deep space tug 45p*
SF8A PYTHON with Laser/drive unit 1.60*
SF8B PYTHON with warp shields 1.60*
SF8C PYTHON as 8B & tractor beam 1.60*
SF9 Laser Unit 60p
SF10 Star Drive 60p
SF11 DELTA command ship 1.60*
SF10A Warp Drive and turret 1.15
SF12 MANTA warp shields/scanner 1.60*
SF13 STARFIRE armed space yacht 1.70*
SF14 MOCCASIN Raider 2 for 45p
SF15 6 assorted turrets 25p
SF16 MOCCASIN APC 2 for 45p
SF17 MOCCASIN Hover Tank 2 for 45p
SF18 Combi Carrier with howitzer 60p
SF19 MOCCASIN Command centre 2 for 45p
SF20 INFANTRY in power armer 45p
SF21 Combi carrier/Drone launcher 70p
SF22 FALCON two man fighter 45p*
SF23 TROOPERS on JET CYCLES 4 for 45p
SF24 LASER CUTTER with crew 45p
SF25 COMPRAN riding lizard 2 for 40p
SF25A COMPRAN Infantry 45p
SF26 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF27 COMPRAN riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF28 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF29 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF30 HVY Hover tank 2 for 60p
SF30A Hvy Hover Mortar carrier 2 for 60p
SF31 ECM Hovercraft 2 for 50p
SF32 Location Hovercraft 2 for 50p
SF33 Armoured Command Centre 2 for 60p
SF34 Hvy tank [RAMORIAN] 2 for 60p
SF35 Armoured scout car [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF36 Droid Carrier [RAM] 70p
SF37 Armoured APC [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF38 Armoured Mortar carrier[RAM]2 for 45p
SF39 Howitzer carrier[RAM] 70p
SF40 EDV Carrier [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF41 Solar Lance [RAM] 70p
SF42 RAMORIAN troopers 45p
SF43 MOCCASIN Hover Truck 2 for 50p
SF44 Half Track Truck [RAM] 2 for 50p
SF45 Drones for SF21 2 for 45p*
SF46 Track pack 25p
SF47 Droids for SF36 45p
SF48 Not Available
SF49 POLARIANS super fast infantry 45p
SF50 MOLE subsurface tank 60p
SF51 MOLE subsurface APC 60p
SF52 MOLE subsurface mortar 60p
SF53 Waspcopter 45p*
SF54 Lt. Hover tank [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF55 Lt. SP gun [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF56 Lt.APC [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF57 SOL MARINE Lander 3.75

* denotes wire and clear plastic flight stand.
Spelling as per original document.

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FUN VIDEOS: "Zombie PSA" (26 October 2007)

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Hi All,

Ever wondered what to do if Zombies attack?

Do you have a low reading comprehension rate?

Do Zombies confuse you?

Ever seen a really bad B-grade zombie flick?

If you answered yes to first three of the above questions (...and no to the last one), the chances are that this Public Service Announcement (PSA) about the imminent threat of zombies was made just for YOU!

ENJOY!

Many thanks to J-Gawne over at TMP who posted here about this cool little video:
http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=123595

And the link he posted came from here:
http://oedb.org/blogs/ilibrarian/2007/librarians-guide-to-zombie-survival/

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HUMOUR: "Nice Jugs, Want Some Beer?" (25 October 2007)

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TOP: "Nice Jugs, want some Beer?"
"Now that's what I call a few Jugs of Beer!"

Hi All,

Now there's talent and then there's TALENT! This must be about Reason #23 to make sure that you attend a local Renaissance Faire at least once... Of course, Oktoberfest often provides the same fare... Either way, a site to see is a sight to see.

If you'd like to see more photos like this one, this is the place:
http://www.humorpix.com/images/2423-Nice-jugs.html

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.

Happy birthday to my friend Thomas F. from Flagship Games!

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "10mm Sci-fi Hoversled Cavalry: Charge!" (24 October 2007)

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TOP: A 10mm sci-fi GFI Minifigs Hoverled Cavalry MICV charges on the attack!

Hi All,

Some of the new 10mm sci-fi Near Future range from GFI Minifigs are less futuristic looking while others have a definite high-tech look. The Hoversled Cavalry vehicle look has a "Back To the Future" look about that makes me want to say "McFly!" Tom Dye sent me a few teaser pics to share on the blog with a note that his friend Ted has been behind this project.

TOP: A Hoverled Cavalry MICV slowing down to deploy Shock Troops.

The lack of a ground effect vehicle hoverskirt ought to make the critics of that kind of vehicle happy (Hear me, Matthew?) and the vehicle's traditional lines should appeal to an existing generation of gearheads as well as the guys who miss Renegade Legion: Centurion. Tom or Ted, for that matter, didn't explain how this hoversled works, but I would imagine that the "wheel-looking thingies" (technical term, of course) on the side of the vehicle's hull are really hover jets of some sort... at least that's how it worked for "McFly." I like it, at any rate.

If you're interested in 10mm sci-fi, I always recommend this excellent discussion group:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/10mm_SFWG/

And the site for GFI Minifigs can be found here:
http://www.minifigs.com/

The GFI Minifigs line includes classic 25mm fantasy, 15mm, and 10mm of every genre from ancients to moderns with just about everything inbetween.

Have a great Wednesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Even More 10mm Sci-fi!" (23 October 2007)

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TOP: The twenty-first century M-2163 "Stiletto" MICV!

Hi All,

While writing someone about new and upcoming sci-fi releases, Tom Dye of GFI / Minifigs contacted me about his new and upcoming line, which looks pretty cool. Tom Dye has also written about some other new releases that may soon be available for his line and I hope to feature new photos as they become available. However, enough of my blathering, check out the good stuff below:

GFI/Minifigs New “Near Future” Range

The year is 2050 and technology has far outstripped the world's economy. Even the superpowers can no longer afford to design new weapons systems from the ground up. Yet, nation's leaders strive to find ways to best utilize the new technologies by updating old and existing weapons systems.

This is the vision behind GFI/Minifigs new range of "Near Future," N scale, wargaming line. We have been kit bashing at the shop for our own Near Future factions. This world allows fellow gamers the flexibility to also kit bash and create their own vehicles to meet their mind's eye images of what warfare might look like in 2050, the Near Future!

Using modern vehicles and equipment as a foundation is not without historical basis. The US steel pot soldiered on for nearly 45 years; the M-60 for over 30; the T-55 is still soldering on in many third world countries for over 50 years! 2050 is only 43 short years away!

As we all know, a new M1A1 Abrams goes for over a million dollars a copy! As new technology in regards to main weapons systems, proportion systems, electronics and personal protection occur, the price tag goes up. What has become obsolete in major armies becomes a vast improvement for third world nations! With "new" and improved capabilities to wage war with, the burning desire to use this new equipment will be a compulsion for many!

TOP: Shock Troops with advanced body armor and full infantry support rigs.

Our initial releases will consist of Shock Infantry. These soldiers have a laptop (The M-21) on the back of their exosuit. This system can receive communications and program "smart rounds" by simply having the soldier center the pipper on his heads-up display and pressing a button on the grip of his weapon. In nanoseconds, a target solution is transmitted to the next round in the weapon's chamber and is ready for the soldier to squeeze it off!

The platoon leader remains in his command vehicle and directs the assault or defense based upon real-time camera feedback from each of his men, coupled with the latest in aerial and satellite technology.

The exosuit protects the soldier from his environment. It will protect from heat, cold, rain, snow and hot chemical/biological threats. There is even talk of a "chameleon" version that will change the color of the man to exactly match that of his surrounding environment, all by itself thanks to the M-21 micro computer on his back!

With all this enhanced capability, War Planners feel that just a platoon of 36 of these new Shock Infantry would be the equivalent of a Battalion of "leg" infantry! This helps with War Planning since a huge savings in equipment and personnel can be realized over the deployment of a traditional battalion.

TOP: The M-2163 "Stiletto" deploying Shock Troops.

The M-2163 "Stiletto" is an upgraded British Warrior with a Lav-25 turret. The tracks have been replaced by six sets of run flat dual tires with self-sensing shocks. This configuration has proved to be faster and quieter than the previously tracked variant. Room for up to six Shock Infantry troopers is provided. The Stiletto relies upon its speed and quiet running to dart into enemy operating areas and conduct special ops missions, nearly unnoticed by the enemy! Variants are expected to be revealed, soon.

There is also the rumor of the M-1B-6. The classic Abrams of the early years of 2000 that has been retrofitted with a rail gun, capable of destroying up to 12 inches of homogeneous armor at 5 miles, with a single hyper-velocity plastic jacketed plutonium sabot round. The gun is capable of firing faster than it can acquire targets! (This is reported to be the fastest known to date!)

We, at GFI / Minifigs, hope you enjoy this vision of gaming conflicts of the Near Future, in N scale. We have a LOT more to come!

Best,
Tom DyeGFI/Minifigs.

Looks good! Tom later wrote me with this information:

Hi Maksim,

Attached, please find a word document with pictures embedded. It is what will appear on our site later today. I thank you very much, Maksim! We are also working on the ability to show others work; hold competitions and vote on best conversions on the site, with prizes! More as we can make it happen!

Right now, all we have ready are the Shock Infantry (besides our regular range of moderns).

Product #1250-0001 Shock Infantry
x36 assorted (...about 16 different poses)
...for only $6.95 USD a pack.

...SAME as our historical N scale offerings!

Thanks, again!

Best,
Tom Dye of GFI / Minifigs.

And I can't wait to see how the figures look in person. And you're very welcome, Tom!

If you're interested in 10mm sci-fi, I always recommend this excellent discussion group:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/10mm_SFWG/

And the site for GFI Minifigs can be found here:
http://www.minifigs.com/

The GFI Minifigs line includes classic 25mm fantasy, 15mm, and 10mm of every genre from ancients to moderns with just about everything inbetween.

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Slave Girls Rock! Part 1" (22 October 2007)

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TOP: Leia #1 - She can BE my princess / slave girl!

Hi All,

OK. I admit it: Star Wars must have had a formative effect on me growing up. How do I know? ...because the simple site of a woman in a Return of the Jedi brass lingerie outfit still turns a smile on my face! I've always known that I was a "Geek-child" growing up. Who else builds castles out of graph paper, worships Flash Gordon, and had faith that Superman was the runt child from Krypton... because I was obviously the missing Kryptonian super-link, as I kept waiting for my superpowers to come out. The superpowers never developed further than an odd ability to catch thrown M&Ms in my mouth, but I did develop of love of fantasy & science fiction that's stuck with me ever since. At least I got something out of that deal.

And key among those acquired tastes was a deep and abiding appreciation for everything Princess Leia. You see... I was a runt kid growing up; I didn't get my heft and height until much later and being the low man on the totem pole, when we played Star Wars out on the playground, I always got stuck with the most undesirable roles, which were usually Princess Leia or R2D2. Even C3PO was too popular a role for likes of a wretch like I was. And you know what they say: If you're on the bottom, you might as well get to like it. So I did. Still, it felt a heck of a lot better when I finally outgrew the playground pack leaders and could claim a really fun role like Chewbacca. Every now and then, I still make that distinctive Chewie roar in fond memory of that day.

TOP: Leia #2 & #3 - Sometimes you need a little more than the Force...

...to keep you warm on those long hyperspace journeys.

As an adult (...and I sort of lay claim to that title), I've come to enjoy attending the occasional comic book convention, anime convention, sci-fi convention, gaming convention, Renn Faire, etc. And one of my favorite things about such conventions is to bask in the light of pretty ladies dressing up as Princess Leia. And they pop up EVERYWHERE! For the women of my generation and maybe the one after it, they must have all learned & yearned to secretly be the princess / slave girl. And as these photos attest, a few of them are a whole lot less secret about those desires to be the princess / slave girl. And all I can say about them is this:

God bless them!

My life is certainly a little bit richer with a few more Princess Leia's in it!

Have a great Monday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

P.S.
I'm not sure where these photos came from as they were sent to me by E-mail from a fan so... if they're yours, please drop me a line so I can credit you or remove them as is your wish!

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HUMOUR: "Most Embarrassing First Date WINNER!"

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TOP: You'd be smiling too if someone told you this story.

Hi All,

I have no idea if this is a real joke or an urban myth, but I enjoyed it either way. If it is true, it's one HECK of a story!

The Most Embarrassing First Date EVAH!

If you didn't see this on the Tonight show, I hope you're sitting down when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first date or not!!! We have all had bad dates but this takes the cake.

Jay Leno went into the audience to find the most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to why her tale took the prize!

She said it was midwinter... Snowing and quite cold... and the guy had taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and truly had never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a while.

Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go beside the road or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and started.

In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation. Upon finishing however, she soon became aware of another sensation.

As she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand new problem due to the extreme cold.

Horrified by her plight and yet aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about 'what is taking so long' with a reply that indeed, she was 'freezing her butt off' and in need of some assistance!

He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma.

Obviously, as hysterical as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was only one way to get her free.

So, as she looked the other way, her first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the fender. As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize, hands down. Or perhaps that should be 'pants down.' And you thought your first date was embarrassing.

Jay Leno's comment...'This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed off.'
(Oops, I think it was 'peed on', lol.)

Oh, and how did the first date turn out?

He became her husband and was sitting next to her on the Leno show.

Thanks to my friend Valerie for sending me this gem.

Have a great Saturday!
And a Gut Shabbos to my Jewish readers!

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

FUN VIDEOS: "Maksimok Takes On The Argonauts" (19 October 2007)

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Hi All,

The above clip is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite films of all time: "Jason and the Argonauts" made by one of the all-time great film directors of all time, Ray Harryhausen. "Jason" is a retelling of the classic Greek myth by the same name, a tale of adventure, heroes & monsters with what were at the time, the best special effects ever made. Ray Harryhausen, an amazing special effects guru, made stop-motion model animation famous. Here's a little bit about the technique:

Stop motion (or frame-by-frame) animation is a general term for an animation technique which makes a physically manipulated object appear to move. The object is moved by very small amounts between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. Clay figures are often used in stop motion animations, known as claymation, for their ease of repositioning. Software applications such as Stop Motion Pro, istopmotion and monkeyjam have made the technique popular among young filmmakers.

And if you've never seen a Harryhausen film before, by all means, go out and rent one, or better yet, buy one of the Harryhausen DVD collections now available. From "Jason and the Argonauts," "The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad," to "Clash of the Titans," there are some real film gems out there for someone never exposed to the wonders of Harryhausen.

And, by the way, my RPG / Miniatures game alter-ego, Master Necromancer Maksimok, would have done things the same as the necromancer in the above film clip, EXCEPT... Maksimok's skeleton underlings have a real thing for guys who wear skirts, from Greeks to Scots. I can't imagine the heroes doing so well against Maksimok's skeleton hordes. Booyah!

And a few links as is my wont:

Everything you ever wanted to know about the great Ray Harryhausen:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harryhausen

Lots about "Jason and the Argonauts":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_and_the_Argonauts_%28film%29

More about the classic Greek myth of the Argonauts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argonauts

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

HUMOUR: "Leather - Oohlala!" (18 October 2007)

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TOP: Hmmm... new truck or leather?

What would Homer Simpson think?

Hi All,

Some days get elaborate posts and other days need much less... I received the above graphic at work the other day ago and had to take drastic measures to avoid drenching my keyboard with the water from my water bottle. I never had a particular thing for new trucks, but I DO enjoy a good joke. What's even better is that my friend, an older woman who has a definite twinkle in her eye, sent me this... It's good to have friends, the type you can be real with and not have to toe the politically correct line at work with.

Thanks, Miranda!

For those of you who can't read the caption accompanying the gratuitous babe in tight leather, it reads:

A Woman in Leather.

When a woman wears leather clothing,
A man's heart beats quicker,
...his throat gets dry,
He goes weak in the knees,
...and he begins to think irrationally,

Ever wonder why?

.
.
.
.
.
She smells like a new truck!

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Necrovores: A Blast from the Past!" (17 October 2007)

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TOP: Cyborg Trucker's (CT) "Necrovores" shamble across a bridge.

Hi All,

Robots have been one of the staples of science fiction since "scientific romances" came into vogue around the early 1900's. And one of the earliest themes to be explored has been the relationship between man and robot, and particularly the theme of what happens when man and robot are mixed. In the early days of science fiction, these man-robot mixes were still called robots, but sometime in the 1960s, the term "cyborg" came into usage after two scientists, Manfred Clynes and Nathan Kline, used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. And the term has stuck ever since, becoming a part of several science fiction genres, and most notably, the cyberpunk novel.

Here are a few of the better know appearances of cyborgs in popular culture:
- Terminator movies
- The Borg from Star Trek
- The Cylons from Battlestar Galactica
- The Necrons from GW40k
- a variety of cyberware enhanced humans from the Cyberpunk sci-fi genre
- Darth Vader from Star Wars
- etc.

A link about the history of cyborgs here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyborg

A link about the cyberpunk sci-fi genre here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberpunk

TOP: CT's Necrovores wander an urban wasteland.

Now, one of my favorite fellow gamers is Cyborg Trucker (CT) USA! And the reason I wrote this post is to congratulate him on his article recently published on The Miniatures Page (TMP). Mazel Tov and congratulations, CT! CT has been putting out some of the most imaginative content on the web for some time, from goofy brains encased in robot walkers, to creepy mutated things, to Gamma Marauders turtle-bots, and much, much more. The guy's imagination must be brewing with fun sci-fi themes all day, and I imagine being a truck driver, that's a good thing to have in the back of your head when you're hauling cross-country. CT is also a great guy to chat with over the 'Net, a very enthusiastic person always happy to share ideas.

Mazel Tov, Cyborg Trucker!

A link to Cyborg Trucker's TMP work bench article here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/workbench/595567/

A link to Cyborg Trucker's blog here:
http://cyborgtrucker.blogspot.com/

A link Cyborg Trucker's Photobucket album of miniatures images here:
http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u48/CyborgTrucker/

And Bill from TMP writes this about the Necrovore figures from CT's article:

Bill: The Necrovore figures were produced by Ral Partha as part of the Space Knights license from Steve Jackson Games. The license has since expired, and the figures are no longer available.

TOP: A Necrovore with an "energy sword."

TOP: Necrovore troops armed with energy weapons of arcane design.

Have a great Wednesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

WEIRD NEWS: "Pink guns: Yeah, right? Right?" (16 October 2007)

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TOP: This image is a Photoshop mock-up...

Of an actual Asian military firearms competition.

Hi All,

I've seen alot of things in my time... the end of the Cold War, men landing on the Moon, Dan Rather getting hoisted on his own poetically just petard, etc. BUT... I never thought I'd see the day that pink guns acquired a share of the firearms market. But, they're here! There have always been options to have the metal parts of firearms anodized with various colors, but now a number of manufacturers see pink firearms as a way of attracting more women to the self defense and hunting firearm markets.

Who would have thought?

"Colorful firearms pop up to attract women hunters"
Link here:
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=666096

"Pink guns for girls"
Link here:
http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2524635.html?menu=news.quirkies

"2nd Amendment Sexy or Candy Coated Killas?"
Link here:
http://greensleeves.typepad.com/berkshires/2007/09/2nd-amendment-s.html

TOP: This is a REAL M-16! Technicolor polka dots and all!

TOP: Pink Glock, anyone?

Update (16 October 2007 at roughly 11:00am):
Mark AKA Old Digger, my friend, gives new meaning to the initials "HK" and firearms. Thanks, Mark!

TOP: Normally, I think of Hechler & Koch when I see the initials HK...
Now, I know that Hello Kitty's (HK) firearm of choice is an AK!

Have a great Tuesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "10mm Sci-fi Mini Pics From BSG!"

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TOP: The awesome Black Skull Games demo table from Gen Con 2007!

Blue human Terror Troopers appear to be staging a raid...

Against a Martian complex from a tunneler!

Hi All,

As a 10mm sci-fi miniatures game fan, I'm always interested in the appearance of new product lines and the new sci-fi game "Universal War" from Black Skull Games (BSG) certainly caught my interest. Like many others, I quickly checked out the BSG web site and was disappointed to find no actual photographs of the minis. The only photos I found were taken of the booth from a distance, hardly close enough to get a good look at a 10mm sci-fi mini. I was disappointed, but more to the point, curious as to what the little beasties actually looked like.

So, I thought I'd check out the customer service of BSG and shot them off a few E-mails asking questions about the game and requesting some photographs. And, sure as serendipity, BSG responded within a day or so and was kind enough to give me permission to post the photographs they shared... much more impressive! And the minis are good, clean sculpts too!

So, enough of my blathering and out with the photos:

TOP: Martian Invaders are green & the human defenders are blue.

TOP: Martian Invader Miniatures (left) & a Mutant Giant (right).

The scale is good for 10mm... few SCALE PURISTS could complain.

TOP: Martian Invaders are the elite shock troops of the militant Martian race and...

They stand at the forefront of all planetary invasions.

The Martian Invaders stand half a foot taller than the average human and...

Are superior to them in strength and agility.

They adorn themselves in advanced Techno-Armor and...

Carry powerful energy rifles.

TOP: Left - Human Terror Trooper Defender.

Center - Martian Mutant Giant.

Right - Martian Invader Trooper.

You can check out the Black Skull Games web site here:

http://www.blackskullgames.com/

Here's the game teaser that BSG has up at their web site about their new game "Universal War":

Universal War

"The Universe is locked in eternal war. Amidst the uncounted galaxies of space, a million races struggle to survive a conflict that has raged since the dawn of creation. The young race of man, recently ascended from the primordial ooze of Earth, is just the latest to learn of his impeding doom.”

Have you ever watched a science fiction movie thick with dramatic battle scenes and wished that you could step in and control the action? Wished you could command your own termination machines, armored storm troopers, or slime-covered aliens. If so, then behold, for the means to do so is here before you now, within the pages of this book.

Welcome to Universal War, a 10MM-1/180th scale, mass-combat, science fiction, miniatures war game. It allows players to lead fantastical armies amidst the unlimited planetary war zones of the far future and compete with one another for supreme control over all the fictional worlds ever made popular by novels, comic books, toys, television, and the cinema. Universal War allows its players to build and battle any army they can dream up. There are no limitations and no forbidden ideas, so summon your chosen legions and let the battles begin.

The game looks promising, a sort of minimalist GURPS-like universal miniatures rules system. The game appears to be played on a standard one-inch square grid, which should greatly simplify game movement. When I get a chance to do an in-depth review of the rules, I'll be sure to share it here.

If you're interested in 10mm sci-fi, please check out this excellent discussion group:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/10mm_SFWG/

Have a great Sunday!

Shalom,

Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Eject, Luke, Eject! Part 2"

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Hi All,

*** LANGUAGE ALERT *** on the video... if your ears are delicate, please pass on the above video.

Someone caught the unedited footage from the Rebellion why the recent X-wing rocket launch REALLY didn't work. Witness the "truth" for yourself.

Previous post here:
http://6mm-minis.blogspot.com/2007/10/cool-stuff-eject-luke-eject-or-was-that.html

Have a great Saturday!

And a Gut Shabbos to my Jewish readers!

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "Spaceman Spiff & 10mm Sci-fi Resources!" (12 October 2007)

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TOP: Spaceman Spiff's beautiful 10mm MWDA Marauder mod.

Hi All,

If you know me and are a miniatures gamer, you probably associate my name with the 6mm scale... it's the one I go most crazy over... don't ask my why! I just like little pieces. However, I've never limited myself to just 6mm and about a year or two ago I decided that my hobby project for the year would be to build a Star Wars Battle of Hoth army set... I had wanted to do it in 6mm, but I simply couldn't find the pieces I needed on I kept on searching. And eventually I found all of the pieces I needed ...only in 10mm scale! And that's what got me into 10mm sci-fi!
If you'd like to see some photos of my 10mm Star Wars Battle of Hoth army set, you can find some of them here:
http://6mm-minis.blogspot.com/search/label/10mm%20Sci-fi

And 10mm sci-fi is a very up and coming scale. While 10mm is the stated scale, everything from 8mm to 12mm including 1/144 and N scale RR trains are often included as acceptable variations within the greater "scale creep" realm of 10mm.

And one of my favorite sources of inspiration for 10mm is a gamer named Spaceman Spiff who is not only incredibly productive, constantly posting new photos of his minis, but he's also incredibly creative - modifying model kits, scratch-building pieces, and coming up with some breathtaking models. This post is a salute to him, more or less! Huzzah, Spaceman Spiff!

TOP: A Battletech Slayer aerospace fighter by Spaceman Spiff!

Please check out all of Spaceman Spiff's images here:
http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f12/4370spaceman-spiff/?mediafilter=all

Spaceman Spiff also keeps many images here at Lords Of the Battlefield (LOTB):
http://www.lordsofthebattlefield.com/news/weblog.php

TOP: Spaceman Spiff's scratch-built parts for a 10mm Urbanmech!

TOP: The Urbanmech begins to come together!

I wouldn't be writing a Maksim-Smelchak post if I didn't share a few links either so here are a few of my favorite links that I think of when 10mm sci-fi comes to mind. The first link I wanted to share was one to the Yahoo E-group I created to support 10mm sci-fi gaming and the second is for one of my favorite sci-fi games.

Alien Squadleader (ASQL) is a wonderful sci-fi game, with similarities to DBA, DBM, HOTT, Command Horizon and other games with more streamlined, fast-moving rule sets. The author, Alex Self, is a real mensch and runs his own Yahoo E-group for the game, where the on-line community is very helpful and Alex often personally helps out ASQL newbies ...like myself! While Alex and most of the gamers use 15mm sci-fi themed figures, I've chosen to use 10mm sci-fi figures, partially because another local gamer, Aron Clark, already has several armies made of recycled MWDA figures that are already 10mm scale. Add those to my Hoth set and throw in some of the other armies I have on the project queue and I'm set as a 10mm sci-fi ASQL player! Huzzah! There are also a couple of other local players building ASQL armies plus an established league in San Jose so I might actually get a few games out of this project!

And one the best resources for an interested 10mm sci-fi player is the 10mm Sci-fi Yahoo E-group I put together... it's a growing resource:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/10mm_SFWG/

And one of my favorite sci-fi games is Alien Squadleader (ASQL):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aliensquadleader/

Have a great Friday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

COOL STUFF: "Eject, Luke, Eject! ...or was that Porkins?"

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Hi All,

Star Wars... still giving geeks reasons to be stupid after thirty years! Got a spare five grand? Let's build an X-wing rocket replica complete with a swiveling R2D2 head! Awesome, dude! I mean... like, what could go wrong?

And the below video is a short thirty-second fast and slow version of the launch... I love the Chipmunk-like voices when they speed up the video.

And it wouldn't be a Maksim-Smelchak post if I didn't share a few links...

Article link:
http://slashdot.org/articles/07/10/07/159251.shtml

Article link:

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/boom/x+wing-rocket-launches-disintegrates-mid+air-307945.php

Article link:
http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/34230/113/

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).