IHMN Hartinger's Expedition

Hartinger's Expedition is formed by the wealthy Lady Hartinger who likes to remain in the forefront of the scientific community as she did with the clockwork knitter. Upon hearing that Britain was mounting an expedition into the heart of Africa, she felt as though the name of Hartinger should not be left out of this expedition. With her close scientific friend Maxwell Zwigler, a scientist which expanded the work of Nikolai Tesla and the Egyptian military to protect the expedition. Lady Hartinger and her scientific endeavors seek out the heart of Africa.

Lady Victoria Hartinger
          Pluck 3+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +1
          Archeology +3
          Talents: leadership +2
          Equipment: arc pistol, Faraday Corset
Scientist Maxwell Zwigler
          Pluck 3+
          FV +1
          SV +2
          Speed +1
          Archeology +2
          Equipment: Electrostatic burst generator, short shotgun
Riflemen (6x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +3
          SV +2
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Talents: Bayonet Drill
          Equipment: military rifle & bayonet
Riflemen (4x)
          Pluck 5+
          FV +2
          SV +3
          Speed +0
          Archeology +1
          Equipment: carbine
Bearer
          Pluck 6+
          Archeology +3
          Talents: Medic

IHMN Queen's Rifles

The Queen's Rifles are a privately funded company which reports only to her majesty. When the Queen wants reliable, first hand information, the Queen's Rifles are her first choice.

Clay Arkwright
        Pluck 2+
        FV +3
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, lightning draw (fighting)
        Equipment: machete (count as fighting knife), pistol, brigandine.
Sir Rolland Masterson
        Pluck 3+
        FV +1
        SV +3
        Speed +0
        Archeology +1
        Talents: berserker
        Equipment: Steam rifle (treat as arc), chain shirt.
Riflemen (x6)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: tough
         Equipment: carbine, brigandine
Thomas Upton
         Pluck 4+
         FV +3
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Marksman (pistol), Leadership +1
         Equipment: pistol, brigandine.
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic

IHMN British Expeditionary Force

The British Expeditionary Force are the first boots on the ground in the time of an emergency. Although in the current case, they are recently engaging in the exploration of darkest Africa to bring to the British empire, fame and riches.

Dexter Small
        Pluck 2+
        FV +4
        SV +3
        Speed +1
        Archeology +3
        Talents: leadership +2, duelist pistol
        Equipment: pistol, brigandine, knife.
Captain Robert
        Pluck 3+
        FV +4
        SV +4
        Speed +1
        Archeology +1
        Talents: inspirational, leadership +1
        Equipment: Steam pistol (treat as arc), brigandine.
Riflemen (x5)
         Pluck 5+
         FV +2
         SV +2
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: marksman
         Equipment: Military rifle, brigandine
Randy Dawes
         Pluck 4+
         FV +4
         SV +3
         Speed +0
         Archeology +1
         Talents: Stealthy, tough
         Equipment: brigandine, steam rifle (treat as arc)
Bearer
         Pluck 6+
         Speed 0+
         Archeology +3
         Talents: Medic

Remember Pearl Harbor

          72 years ago on this day America was attacked, plunging us into the depths of World War 2. It is a day that ought to be well remembered. An important part of our heritage as Americans. The attack showed how unprepared for the attack we really were. But then after that day it served as a rallying point, a moment in time that we as a country could look back upon and rally to as we faced the reality of war ahead. It was a day that will live in infamy. God bless the veterans and all who served our country during World War 2.
         
           In the miniatures game that I play "Check Your Six!" I'm painting up the axis. Right now in particular the Japanese. These are some pictures of my completed A6M2 Zeros, D3A1 Vals, and B5N2 Kates. The decals are from Scale Specialties (http://www.ss-sms.com/) who make wonderful sets of Japanese decals for 1st carrier division (Akagi, Kaga) 2nd carrier division (Soryu, Hiryu) and 5th carrier division (Shokaku, Zuikaku)

Mitsubishi A6M2 "Zero"

D3A1 "Val" Dive Bombers

B5N2 "Kate" Torpedo Bombers

Mitsuo Fuchida's Kate Bomber which lead the first wave on Pearl Harbor

HMGS-PSW October War Convention 2013

I had an opportunity yesterday to attend the HMGS Convention. The convention is put on by the Historical Miniatures Gaming Society, of which I am a member. (Here is a link to their site http://www.hmgspsw.com/ ) They put on a good show. Miniatures from all eras of history are on display, as players take on the role of generals and captains, trying to either recreate history or change history. I had a great time playing the miniatures game Check Your Six! which is a World War II simulation of air combat. We played an engagement set in the late war pacific theater, where Japanese fighters and US fighters tangled in the skies. All of the players had an enjoyable time sending their opponents planes down in flames.
The second miniatures game that I attended yesterday was from the Check Your Six! Jet Rules. This was my first time playing the Jet version and I wasn't exactly sure what I was in for. The version played similar, but there were a lot of new rules with missiles, radar, and afterburners. I learned however that tactics which work well in the WWII version, don't exactly translate to the Jet version. As the jets move much quicker, and take longer to turn, that made it harder to set up good shots. It was a very enjoyable game, and I'm looking forward to learning the Jet rule set and painting up some jets of my own.

Until next time, Cheers!
Kevin

Periodic Hopscotch

The beginning of another week. This past month I've sent out some more of my writing to various magazines in hopes of maybe getting one piece in. I was rewarded thus far by a response from the Curator magazine, they'll be publishing a piece of mine entitled "Periodic Hopscotch." So far no other hits on pieces sent out, but this is a silver lining in the dark cloud of rejections. It gives me fuel and gumption to send out more pieces to other magazines. And hopefully one day I'll be able to sell some of my short stories to publications. This has been harder than I originally thought, although in a way it energizes me. It is exciting to discover new publications and then try and find pieces of work which will fit. I'll continue to plunk away at the keyboard in hopes of another hit.

http://www.curatormagazine.com/kevin-meeks/periodic-hopscotch/

CY6!

Check your 6! (CY6!) is a miniatures game published by Skirmish Campaigns. It is a table-top simulation used with aircraft miniatures for air combat. I'm currently working on painting up a bunch of Japanese planes as well as a few Finnish planes. Pictures are forthcoming once I get a plane up to completion. This is more just an update of the nature that I want to take my blog for awhile. Thanks. Enjoy!

An Update

This won't be too long of an update, basically letting you know that I am still blogging. I'll try to get this down to a semi-regular basis for interesting thoughts and the like. The handmade book is on indefinite hiatus until I can find some suitable glue for adhering suede to thick cardboard. I'll be using this item as a prop for a Steampunk costume which is currently in creation at the moment. I need to find some suitable goggles to modify in order to finish off the costume. I've modified, what no self-respecting steam-punker should be without ... my trusty Nerf Maverick (photos to come in a later post). The goal of the costume is to have fun creating it, and then to find a convention to attend (or something of the like) with a miniatures group that I'm involved with in Anaheim. That's probably long enough of an update. Take care.

Handmade book (Part 2)

Here is another update into my bookbinding endeavor. After finishing with the sewing of the spine of the book, I then proceeded to glue on what is known as mull cloth (I used cheese cloth). This cloth helps bind the covers of the book to the spine of the book, and in essence, hold the entire book together.

 (Bound and glued)

The next step will be creating the cover for it (which I am currently doing out of brown and black suede) It will be accentuated by brass and nickel eyelets. I'll hopefully make some kind of wrap-around tie to keep the book shut. More on that when it comes.