The Artillery Fires

Everyone fires their gun at the monster.

The artillery commander takes careful observations.

Militiamen move up around the Addams house.

 A clear shot!

Bang, bang, bang.  Three rounds in three seconds!  The creature falls on it's back.

Three quick hits!

The men blow their bugle and wave their helmets in celebration, the monster is defeated.
 

Troops Open Fire

Even the chief of police has arrived and takes a shot at the beastie with his revolver.

 A few blasts of 12 gauge buck speak authoritatively from the muzzle of a shotgun.

He seems to notice that!

What will he do?  Will he charge?

Just now the State Militia opens fire with their high powered rifles!

The range it not far and most of the rounds fired find a home.

Now the monster has moved forward and is within the arc of fire of the cannon!
 

Halloween 1898

The monster is not yet in a good position  to fire the artillery at yet!

The story so far, a giant lizard is approaching the city.  The city police have responded, an automobile from the Army and a battery of artillery from the City Militia is set up and ready.

The local town militia have started arriving and move between the buildings to get the monster in a cross fire.

The police are holding the line.

Men from the State Militia have also shown up!

A small group of people from the neighborhood have refused to evacuate and are watching the goings on.

Some men with rifles take on the monster!
 

Part Two SS Dollar Tree

Strelets WWII US Navy sailors man the SS Dollar Tree.

Here I have made some improvements to the ship.  I used my Dremel tool to buzz off most of the chian.

I added a bumper, anchor, ladder, box of cargo, a pump for a hard hat diver, and various antennas and lights.

View without the crew.

The air compressor pump is removable so I can have the live bait tank or pump in place as the scenario demands.

I am also making the rear window into a split window with a doorway on the starboard side of the ship.
 

Blob Counterattack

A giant amorphous blob is found in the countryside.

After attacking cattle, farmers, and several motor vehicles the local sheriff called for the National Guard.

The local infantry company was able to activate a platoon in the course of a couple hours, get them organized, armed and marching into the forest to find the creature.

The troops were stunned to see that the thing was real, and that it was so huge!

The troops charge forward and immediately attack it with gun butt, bayonet, and boot!

One soldier applies cold steel bayonet to the giant eye.
 

Two Gun Battery

Nice officer figure, pointing and with a cane.

African with water pails and shoeless.

Moving the shells.

Adjusting the position.

Observing the enemy and point of impact.

Ready....

I'm ready.

Two gun battery.
 

Field Howitzer

Field Artillery for the Boer War by Strelets 1/72nd scale.  14 men and two guns.

I think this gun is the 7.5cm Krupp: Schnellfeuer-Feldkanone L/24 and limber as it appeared in a Krupp factory photograph that I found on line.

They were used in the Boer War in 1899, so perfect fit for my War of the Worlds project for 1898.

These were widely exported and certainly a well heeled American militia could have purchased a battery of them and had them on hand in time for the invasion.

The figures look just fine for Americans from the 1890s and even to today in many areas.

The set gives two well done guns and a nice set of crewmen.

Rifled bore and one piece shells, but the barrel still needs to be cleaned.

Here ZZ Top explains the nature of the breech.
 

Boer Infantry

Mens fashions don't change much and in 1/72nd scale it's even harder to see what's different.

My plan is to use these figures as American Militia for my War of the Worlds project for the entire time span of the project, 1898 to the present.

I live in rural Kentucky, USA and I see guys who look just like this at the supermarket, often with guns.

Of course, today they would have a greater mix of guns but for 1898 to about 1958 these guys and these long bolt action guns are just fine.

Baggy clothing, floppy hats, beards, and a bolt action rifle are common for men who work outside in areas were there are dangerous wild animals, or where hunting is common.

I may do a few head swaps, perhaps some baseball caps, or cowboy hats to Americanise these guys a little.

But considering they are from the Boer War they are pretty good.

Another great set from Strelets in 1/72nd scale plastic.