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Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Nemo and the Nautilus


 Another random army to add to the completed projects list. Nemo and the Nautilus and his soldiers.

Inspired by the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen's depiction of Nemo I decided to add Nemo and his force to my VSF collection.

As detailed in my post on the "Anti-Colonial Camel Corp or Sudan Dervish Army" I received a double delivery of a Pendraken order that Leon of Pendraken kindly suggested I keep. This doubled my Nemo inspired army, which is a good thing I thought but maybe not on reflection.

Here is the inspiration for the army.

Nemo and crew

Nautilus and equipment

 I have created the following army from my purchase.

Five line infantry units supported by five skirmisher units. All based as my other VSF armies.
Four armoured cars, two command units and the Nautilus.

Nemo command unit

Skirmisher support unit

Out of focus line units - not much better in focus I am afraid.
Armoured cars and slightly better shot of the line units





Nautilus - protected cruiser

Close up with Nemo on the bridge


Well, not particularly interesting. I used contrast paints for the army and the deck of the Nautilus.

I have to admit that my purchase of these was not well considered. The army is quite boring only having three elements as I did not buy any artillery or cavalry. A defect partially corrected by the armoured cars. I think it will be playable  but I really have to think more carefully in future about my purchases. Having retired I do have more time to plan my army purchases and hopefully I will not make the same error again. Although I am still considering the wisdom of the Chinese VSF army I purchased earlier this year and thinking I need some troops more recognizably Chinese than the 1905 Japanese army I purchased as proxies. 

I am also annoyed with my purchase of the ship. I have to stop buying these types of models as they are rarely, if ever, used, and cost me money and time assembling and then painting them.

Figures from Pendraken.

237 figures or vehicles painted

1 Large model completed. This is actually a Protected Cruiser built by the Chinese after the first Sino-Japanese war. It is 1/144th scale so perfect for 10mm figures and a lot cheaper than the Nautilus submarine that is available in the same scale. Also probably slightly more useful.

A good reduction in the unpainted lead mountain but a somewhat unsatisfying result. I do hope I get some use out of them.

Next up, I am not sure. I may return to posting once every two weeks.


9 comments:

  1. I think the ship looks great! Whether or not it is useful is another matter entirely.

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    1. Thanks Jonathan. It will look good on the table if it ever gets there.

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  2. Yes, there are a few 'centrepiece' models and terrain bits I have.....which are unlikely to hit the table much (ever). They are SO COOL THOUGH!

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    1. Dave that is always the problem isn't it. You buy them because they look great and then they languish in a box . 😂

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  3. yeah, that's the problem with show pieces like the ship. They're really visually interesting and maybe more so when compared to the smaller infantry scale, but put you in spot where you feel like you have to use them every time or it's wasted. Capt. Nemo is condemned to storming up a beach forever because you need water for the ship...

    It's like after I painted some Viking Longboats. Now i'll find ANY excuse to put them on the table. I could use anther one actually...

    Posting every two weeks or twice a month works for me. It seems to match the rate that I actually finish something enough to post about it.

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    1. You are so right about poor Captain Nemo, always on the beach!

      Do you think the Quar have Vikings? 😂 Maybe they could use them.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. An interesting looking VSF army and the ship looks splendid. While there is the cost vs. usage question, the ship will be the highlight of the tabletop.

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    1. Thank you Peter. The ship will look good on the table, hopefully it gets there!

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