2017 Cavalcade of Whimsey - the one true thread

[Techno]

They look cracking !

Cheers - Phil.

[d_Guy]

The unbearable limpness of pikes

During a discussion of pikemen cast with and without pikes about this time last year,
Bobgnar (on the TMP Renaissance Forum) suggested a liquid product that polymerizes to hardness with UV light (RapidFix):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QSA77NE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I finally got around to trying it and rather like the result.



Very simple procedure. Paint the clear fluid on the pike shaft then hit it with the UV light for 15 or 20 seconds::



The result is much less bendable pikes. I will note that the pikes shafts will now be somewhat glossy (in the first picture the pikes have already been treated and hardened so you can judge the glossiness). If this is disturbing, a matte finish could be applied. At some point I'll try this on a primed figure and see how well the polymer takes a coat of paint.


My blog post with additional info is here:
https://inredcoatragsattired.com/2017/03/14/messing-with-pikes/

[FierceKitty]

My God, those pikes! Strong with the Force my Landsknechts are!

[d_Guy]

 
Imagine a battle played in black light!

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Brilliant

[Leman]

No McTavish, I am your father.

[Westmarcher]

I suppose a night attack is out of the question, now, Sir?

[d_Guy]

Greetings all,
I finished the first two books of Scott Washburn's The Great Martian War and wanted a fighting machine in 10mm (more or less). I have ordered some tripods from Pendraken but made this out of wood bits and armature wire.

It attacks a couple batteries of Ulster Scot frame guns:


It turns to destroy two brigades of Irish Confederation Foot trying to flank it:

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Okay! 
Good work fella!

[Ithoriel]

Ulla!

[Westmarcher]

I suppose a night attack is out of the question, now, Sir?

I wish I knew what I was on when I posted that.

[btw, d_guy, Martians in the 17th Century? Can't wait for 'Thunderchild' in galley form!  ]

[Techno]

Looks great, Bill !

Cheers - Phll

[Ithoriel]

I'm sure this has been posted here before but worth another go for those who might have missed it

[sunjester]

That little Martian walker looks great! I'm not sure what damage a frame gun is likely to cause, even with a lucky shot.

[d_Guy]

Ulla indeed! Thanks gentlemen!
As to the 17th century, the well know phrase, "if the only tool you own is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". Seems to apply. 
I am setting up the Battle of Benburb so it was available to show scale.

I have seen some of "The Great Martian War" on YouTube but have not watched it in any systematic way.

Yup, the frame guns would be useless (in the unlikely event of a hit the ball would simply bounce off). Other than snares and pitfalls (or some insane forlorn hope affixing a petard), not sure how the lads with deal with such a thing!  Although, Westie, the 100 gun Sovereign of the Seas might give it a decent go (assuming they outrange the heat ray!) 

I have WW1 stuff coming from Pendraken (an Boer cavalry which I hope to proxie for US Cavalry).

This is going to end up as HOTT, but got both Future War Commander and All Quiet on the Martian Front rules to look at so may try one or both (at the moment like FWC better).