Infernal Machine-Ajax

The infernal machine, Ajax instills fear into the hearts of Her Majesties foes.

The HMS Ajax is a land-cruiser of the light scouting class. Armed with two maxim machine guns and armoured with bullet proof steel, she is a welcome addition to any British expeditionary force.

Ajax is a scratch built model for use in VSF games. She has seen action vs Martians, Prussians, French and Japanese mostly on the dry plains of Her Majesties Imperial Colonies on Mars. The Scot Highlander is a 28mm Pulp Figures miniature and gives an idea of the size of HMS Ajax. She was built in the late 1980's for use with 25mm figures.

Sweeping Fire from the HMG Section

A full section of Vickers HMG's lays down a sweeping wall of bullets into the advancing Germans in August 1914.



Taking advantage of whatever cover is available, the machine gun teams give valuable assistance to the outnumbered BEF.






The water-cooled .303 caliber Vickers could fire 500 rounds a minute. Using traversing fire a section of HMG's could cut down advancing infantry with ease.

A Leader of Warriors

This Idrian Chieftain is the leader of a unit of Menoth Skirmishers. His faith in his mission is evident in the set of his face and aggressive spirit.

Vickers HMG-The Great Equalizer

From the earliest days of the 20th century through two world wars and countless colonial battles the Vickers HMG was the great equalizer.

This crew is fighting to hold back the German advance in Northern France during the "Guns of August" 1914.

These are some of the 28mm Renegade figures I picked up while in England in April.

Queen Victoria's Royal Artillery

The Royal Artillery of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, was a key component of the British Armies that expanded the Empire in the 19th Century. Many a native army was smashed by the accurate long range fire power of RA field batteries.

These are original Britain's toy lead soldiers made in the early 20th Century from my personal collection.

Zulu Attack

A doomed patrol of British soldiers is about to be overun by a Zulu Impi. The British would have stood a better chance of survival had they been able to form a devensive work with their wagons and thorn bushes.

These are Britians figures in the Guards Museum in London.

Pikemen, Masters of Battle

The Spanish Tortise, or block of pikemen, was copied by all the European armies of the 15th and 16th centuries. The pike armed infantry were the masters of the battlefield and the battle was won or lost with the "push of the pike" until technology (more effective flintlock muskets)passed them by. As a side note, the Confederate Army actually produced several thousand pikes during the American Civil War for use in pike blocks when the amount of available caplock muskets was in doubt. Luckily for the Southern soldiers the pikes were never used in battle.

These are more of my figures I painted in the 1970's. They are metal miniatures from Minifig.

One Good Pinch Deserves Another

Ahh Brotherly Love is always so tender. Richard has a playful moment with Michelle at Tom's graduation from bootcamp 9-11-10.

Follow Me Or Die

Koldun Lord Ivon Blakhart leads his men into another brutal battle for the glory of Khador! Ivan has only one rule "Conquer or Die."

Ivon is a metal miniature from Privateer Press and is one of my growing Army of Khador infantry figures.

Now That's What I Call A Fanatic

A truly crazed Menoth fanatic takes on a giant Khador Warmachine one on one. Mano a Mano was never supposed to be like this!

These are metal figures from Privateer Press.

Winter Command

In countless engagements it was the commander in the field that held the immediate responsibility for the action. Here the regimental colonel and his guard, in cold weather gear, await developments from the battle line. His next decisions could spell victory or defeat, life or death for hundreds of men under his command.


These are 28mm metal Renegade figures.

The Old Contemptibles

Northern France, August, 1914, and the BEF meets the German Jurgernaught head on. Men of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers, 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division stand ready to take on the Hun.

During the early days of the war, the outnumbered professional soldiers of the King earned title the Old Contemptibles of which they were justifiably proud. At the cost of most of the original force, the Old Contemptibles of the BEF and their French Allies were able to stop the German advance outside of Paris.


Their blood and sacrifice had won the first round, unfortunately four more blood soaked years were ahead before the guns were silenced at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11 month of 1918.



These are 28mm metal early WWI figures from Renegade.

A Hunting I Will Go

Sir Magnus McWarner is ready for a hunting party on one of his many estates. Armed with his trusty double barrel shotgun he is ready for anything that crosses his path.

This is a 28mm metal miniature from Pulp Figures.

Graduation Day

Tom and his sister Michelle on his graduation day from Boot Camp 9-11-09. Lance Corporal Wall is currently with the 26th MEU serving with the 5th Fleet, assisting in giving aid to the flood victims in Pakistan.

Lancers

Warfare in the Renaissance Era was in transition. Gunpowder was reducing the power of the knights so a new form of heavy calvary was created. The heavly armoured lancer. Encased in 3/4 suits of metal and armed with a heavy lance, sword and brace of pistols, these expensive and well trained professionals were a must have for any large army.

These figures are some of my oldest, I painted them in the 1970's. They are metal and approximately 15mm scale from Minifigs.

The Dragon Lady

The dreaded Dragon Lady controls much of the underworld crime and vice in pre-war China.

She is a work in progress, metal 28mm figure.

Imperial Powers Warships of the Air Battle

Units of the German Imperial Air Flotillalmeet in battle a force of Her Imperial Majesties Royal Navy.

The German force consisted of the Heavy Cruiser SMS Odin, the light cruisers SMS Medusa, Amazone & Nymphe all escorting the Dirigible Heavy Crusier SMS Furst Bismark.

Tasked with halting the German advance were the three Heavy Cruisers of Patrol Squadron Five: HMS Black Prince, HMS Hawke, and HMS Tiger.

The battle was short but very brutal. Smoke can be seen pouring from the damaged ships. Several times ships used the high clouds to hide from the guns of their enemies.

German shooting was quite effective and all the British ships were repeatedly hit. The British, for the most part, concentrated their fire on the Odin and Furst Bismark.

In the final stages of the battle the Furst Bismark is destroyed and the remainder of the German force is in disaway with several ships damaged. In attaining their goal of halting the Furst Bismark the Britiah suffered serious losses, HMS Hawke was destroyed with all hands, HMS Black Prince was reduced to near ruin and the HMS Tiger was heavily damaged. A marginal victory for the forces of Britannia, God Save the Queen!

This battle was between Richard and myself using metal Aeroneff miniatures. The senario was a bombing mission for the Germans, with the Furst Bismark being the heavy bomber of the force. The British squadron had to prevent the bombing so loses were less important than stopping the Furst Bismark. As we were learning the rules we also replayed the end game to a German victory.

SMS stood for Sublime Majesties Ship and HMS stands for Her (or His if need be) Majesties Ship.