Robot Roundup
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Automata
Machines which imitate the actions of living things, a mechanism that can move automatically.
To explore some of the possibilities, a good place to start is Boilerplate.
Large Automaton Infantry
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I got the from Hobby Link Japan. It was make by Bandai as part of
"BAN905106 Drill Team Set Machine Robo Rescue Series", but see also Police Team. It came with several Transformer type
soft vinyl robots, but this fellow is quick impressive. Here I give you a size comparison to both 25mm and 15mm.
And yes he came pre painted. This seems like a common practice with items from Japan. I am sorry but this item is not longer
available from Hobby Link Japan, you might want to try Ebay. (an update:
you might want to try Big Bad Toy Store.
They are listed as:
NAME: Machine Robo - Drill Canister Figure
SERIES: Machine Robo Rescue
MANUFACTURER: Bandai
And for a better price then I paid.
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The United Kingdom
In my allohistory , the United Kingdom does not fair as well as it did in
real history. The "Pax Britannia" is never established as the loss of the majority of the fleet
is lost to a combined Egyptian Ottoman Turk fleet as a result of a miscalculation at the
Navarino results in a period of isolationism. The empire is
considerably reduces and England has fallen behind both militarily and technologically.
Troop Transport Landship
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This landship shows the continuation of sea going traditions in English design. This model was made of card
from a breakfast cereal box some bottle caps and a drinking straw. This ship like structure seems
very popular for landships, see: the Major General's page
I quick coat of gesso to help seal and prepare the surface for painting. I have not had the time I would like to
put into this project. I think lots of rivets would be the right way to go, but that just leaving it plain,
as is, is the easy way out to get a model on the table.
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The Italians
I plan on Italy as being one of my primary imperialist powers.
The engineers of Italy have specialized in walking machines.
Fast Infantry Automatonic Transport (F.I.A.T.)
As colonial conflict becomes predominant, the Italian Bersaglieri (Fast Infantry) become a major
arm within the Italian military system. As mechanized warfare becomes the norm, the Italian's developed
Automata to provide their troops with the added mobility and firepower to remain competitive in the
quest for empire. The Fast Infantry Automatonic Transport (F.I.A.T.) is a vehicle especially design
to fill the needs of the Bersaglieri. Being nimble, able to move over rough terrain at speed
and light to ship to remote locals, the F.I.A.T. was very well suited to the Fast Infantries traditions.
The FIAT is very basic transport without added weapons.
A three legged strider, it is able to pass over rough and broken terrain. But limited on soft ground.
The model is the lower part of a Star Wars robot from episode 1.
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F.I.A.T. Command Platform
The Bersaglieri soon found that the troopers could quickly out run their command and support elements.
To provide these elements with the required speed, light weight four legged automata were developed.
These platforms provided more room for a multiple man crew. Used to transport a commander and an
aid or two, the platforms were also adapted to carry light support weapons
This model is a simple convention from another Star Wars droid, one from a salvage yard in
episode 1. I will try and provide more details on the source materials in the full work up.
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Infantry Command Platform
With the development of the F.I.A.T. Command Platform for the Bersaglieri, the regular infantry
saw the virtues of the autonomic transport. And requested that automata be developed for their needs.
This automata was given four legs for greater stability. The larger platform area and resulting
increased weight of the vehicle required greater strength in the legs. The mass and stability of
the vehicle lent itself well to acting as a platform for field guns and other support weapons.
This model is a flying platform for Yoda from again Star Wars episode 1. The legs from a
Zoids model kit. See below for more detail on that.
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The Leonardo Combat Vehicle
With the success of the Infantry Command Platform, the Italian engineers adapted its basic mechanized
to a more robust combat vehicle.
Fully enclosed and armored the Leonardo features a turret mounted gun.
This model takes its main form from a Zoid crab. I have reduced the legs from eight to four. The
remaining legs going to the Infantry Command Platform. The turret is the central portion of the
toy which went to form the F.I.A.T. Command Platform vehicle.
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The Chinese
In my back story the Chinese have a thriving colony inside the hollow Earth, a land called
Symzonia.
The Chinese engineers of Symzonia have specialized in bronze casting and machines powered by
internal explosion engines fueled by gun powder.
The Silkworm Combat Vehicle
Again in my imaginary world, the Chinese find inspiration from some of the local animals.
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This is the Symzonian silkworm, a good source for strong rigging lines. In fact, this is a nice
toy version of the Mothra larva form from the movie "Godzilla vs. Mothra"
which came out in 1964. It is a wonder of the modern world that such toys can be found in an American
store in this year. (somewhere a have a large rubber Godzilla that would be nearly the same scale).
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I thought this silkworm would make a nice surprise for the Europeans to encounter while trying to
expand their empires into the heart of Symzonia.
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Here we see the vehicle inspired by the Symzonian silkworm, the Chinese Silkworm combat vehicle.
At this point this is a stock built Hasbro Zoids "Molga".
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I am sure the similarity between the Molga and the Mothra is purely coincidental!
I have not yet planned out the modification of the Zoids model kit, so please check back to see how it turns out.
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Models and Toys, Test Shots
Some times I pick up toys or models for conversion into VSF contraptions.
Often the approch to making the item work with my 15mm figures is not completely clear.
To get a handle on how to use the raw matterial of the model or toy I often take some quick photos to see how they might work.
This Page is a quick colletion of some of these quick photos.
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To start VSF over go to The Victorian Science Fiction Page.
To see where this inspiration leads go to How To Page.
For more models go to Model Gallery Page.
To get all the way home go to Bryan's Home Page.
I hope to be able to add more later.
Thank you for looking:
DyeHard
You can write me at:
dyehardb@netscape.net
or bryanb@uidaho.edu
