The Ogre Mark III

The Ogre Mark III cyber tank was the first Combine tank built in an articulated fashion. The rear module was for holding and servicing the two Ogre missiles as well as carrying additional detection and jamming gear.

The Mark III was purpose built for long range fire and could not deal with with close up fighting: only the blazing speed of the computer brain coupled with well built machinery could the Ogre be quick enough to identify and destroy threats before they got close. 

 

When Irish Eyes are Smiling

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Everyone should grow up with an Irish Grandmother. Happy St. Patrick's Day and here are some of my Irish troops:

 Manus O'Cahan's Regiment of Foot - English Civil War (28mm Warlord)

Colonel Alexander MacDonnell's Regiment of Foot - English Civil War (28mm Warlord)

Army of the Potomac Irish Brigade - American Civil War (15mm Old Glory)

164th New York Volunteer Infantry - American Civil War (15mm Essex Miniatures)

1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers - WW II (15mm Battlefront)

Dillon's Regiment of Foot in French Service - War of Spanish Succession (15mm Dixon) 
 

FitzJames Regiment Regiment of Horse in French Service - War of Spanish Succession                  (15 mm Dixon Miniatures) 
 

 88th Regiment of Foot (Connaught Rangers) - Napoleonic Wars (28mm Wargames Foundry and Front Rank)

Team Chase (AKA the Quest Family)

Bob Murch from Pulp Figures has done it again with a set of heroes from my youth. Team Chase is a great representation of the main characters from the classic, prime time cartoon “Jonny Quest.” I know the theme music is going through your mind right now!

“These robotic spiders are everywhere!”

Charlie Chase aka Jonny Quest: Jonathan “Jonny” Quest is a Tom Swift like 11 year old American boy who lost his mother at an early age. Although unenthusiastic in his schooling, he is intelligent, brave, adventurous, and generally athletic. Additionally he is proficient in judo, scuba diving and handling firearms. He is responsible, honest, and treats adults with respect.

Sidhu aka Hadji Singh: Hadji Singh is a streetwise 11 year old Kolkata orphan who becomes the adopted son of Dr. Benton Quest as well as Jonny’s best friend and brother. He is rarely seen without his bejeweled turban and Johdpuri. He is the seventh son of a seventh son and seems to possess mystical powers including snake-charming, levitation and hypnotism. As well he is proficient in judo which he learned from an American Marine. The Quest family met Hadji when Dr. Quest was lecturing in Calcutta University; he joins the Quest team after saving Dr. Quest’s life. Although more cautious than Jonny, he is often talked into going on adventures.

Professor Chase aka Dr. Benton C. Quest: Dr. Quest is Jonny’s father and a scientific genius who works for the U.S. Government. He is considered “one of the top three scientists in the world”, with interests and technical know how spanning many fields. The U.S. government thinks that Jonny’s mother may have been killed by foreign agents which is why a special agent (see below) was assigned to protect Jonny. As a result, Dr. Benton has raised Jonny and Hadji as a single father, and is willing to take decisive action when necessary for survival or defense. Dr. Quest and the government feel that Jonny fell into the hands of enemy agents, his (Dr. Quest) value to science would be seriously impaired. Jonny and Hadji must be protected.

Mike Mason aka as Special Agent Roger “Race” T. Bannon: A special agent from Intelligence One assigned to safeguard Jonny 24/7. He is also Jonny and Hadji’s tutor, companion and all around watchdog. He is an expert in judo (are we seeing a pattern?), having a third degree black belt and the ability to defeat notorious experts in various sporting techniques including sumo wrestlers. An expert with weapons he is also an excellent pilot. Rumor has it that there is a mysterious woman in his past . . .

Raider aka Bandit: Bandit is Jonny’s pet dog named because he is white with black markings which resemble a black domino mask around his eyes. He is seemingly capable of understanding speech and is a valuable member of the team. 

The Quest Family has a home compound the Florida Keys located on the island of Palm Key - but, their adventures take them around the world as they travel the globe studying scientific mysteries which generally end up being the work of various adversaries. These adversaries range from espionage robots and electric monsters to Egyptian mummies and prehistoric pterosaurs.

Adventure awaits!

Ogre: Ground Effect Vehicle

In the year 2085, armored warfare is faster and deadlier than ever. Hovercraft, tanks, and infantry slug it out with tactical nukes. But, the most feared weapon of all needs no human guidance. It's a giant cybernetic tank bristling with guns and missiles.

It's the Ogre.

Ogre has always been one of my favorite games and one of the first games I purchased myself as a young 12 year old. The updated board game version is fantastic and Honorable Son #3 (The Chemical Engineer Aviator) has plastic miniatures to play on the new board game. He asked me if I would paint them (it didn't take long to twist my arm) so I thought I would use just five GW Contrast paints to paint the armored hovercrafts (known as Ground Effect Vehicles or (GEVs) out quickly.

For the basic color of the vehicle I used Contrast Ultramarine and for the cushions Contrast Basilicum Grey. The guns are Contrast Black Templer. For unit identification (not needed but it looks cool) I used Contrast Blood Angel Red and Contrast Nazdreg Yellow. The windshield is Vallejo Sky Blue.

The GEVs are the armored cavalry of the game. They can move, shoot, and move again. As an experienced Mechanized Task Force Commander (I guess those 24 years in the Army paid off) I love to drive my opponents, especially Ogres with hit and run tactics. They can also successfully screen (but take losses) for your heavy tanks and armored infantry.

The 1st Battalion, 3rd Ghurka (Rifle) Regiment

 

When I did a British force for the Indian Mutiny I had to include a Ghurka unit with Rifle Green uniform and the variety it gives to the force. When I decided to do the Northwest Frontier, I knew I had to get some Ghurkas from Perry Miniatures for my British force.

One of the main reasons I choose the 1/3 Ghurkas is that they were unique amongst Infantry unit in having black puttees instead of the khaki worn by other infantry units. As a rifle unit they also were black leather and carry bugles. As usual, they are mounted for use with The Men Who Would be Kings.

The 3rd Gurkhas took part in numerous campaigns in the Northwest Frontier, including the 1st Battalion’s participation in the storming of the Dargai Heights on 20 October 1897 during the Torah Campaign. The battalion was part of the Torah Field Force intended to put down a large tribal revolt by the Pashtun tribes in the area.

A special bond exists between Ghurka and Highlander Regiments.

Fine looking men. Quite.