Products by
LINE
|
Alphacast
(Kept in Memory of Spyros Koumousis)
|
Products by
TYPE
FEATURES
E-mail
the General
|
|
SHIP AND BOAT MODELS FOR BOOTLEGGER WARS AT SEA
And Pulp Fiction, Gangster, & Horror Skirmish/Role Playing Games of All Kinds |
|
TVAG proudly welcomes the ship models of Mr. Bob First to our family of service and product providers!
Specializing in over-sized 25mm pieces, particularly Pre-Dreadnought Cruisers and Battleships, Bob has produced a collection of models designed for RPG's amd 28mm war games.
Being models of smaller vessels, types commonly pressed into service by the bootleggers, these are quite manageable for the table top, and considerably less expensive than some others. These original models are each
"one-of-a-kind" and come as shown in their accompanying photos, ready for immediate play.
Bootleggers ashore used small private craft to run out into International Waters where the freighters, schooners, and other working ships hung out on Rum Row where they bought whatever they wanted, loaded up, and
dashed back to shore. These small and increasingly fast "Contact Boats" (or "Blacks" in naval parlance) were the prey of the US Coast Guard, local police, and Prohibition Agents who in the early days relied on converted WW I Sub-Chasers for the hunt.
As time passed, simple speedboats gave way to tricked out vessels, purpose built with aircraft engines, and even armor plating! This cat-and-mouse game off America's East and Gulf Coasts ran for 14 years in an ever escalating war of wits and firepower.
Ready for delivery now, the models below--and more by demand--will be joined by a set of eponymous rules now under development. In the meantime, gamers may use any rules of their choice for actions between rival
gangs, police, Coast Guard, and more. Besides your own Gangster and Police figures, don't forget the excellent US Navy/Coast Guard figures offered by Bob Murch's 28mm "Pulp Figures" as
"American Adventurers Abroad ," and the Tramp Steamer Crews/Sea Going Bootleggers as part of his "Savage Seas" range.
Similarly, Brigade Games Miniatures offer several packs of 28mm Merchant Marine Crews and extra weapons who also make formidable
Rum Runners!
PLEASE NOTE:
All models are made of solid pine, fully painted, and detailed with full color printed textures. Unless otherwise described, holds do not open, superstructures are solid, and roofs/decks are not removable.
Some come with light weaponry, as indicated in their descriptions. When shipped, masts, funnels, ventilators, etc, are first removed and packed with the model to avoid breakage, and may easily be replaced when received.
Models will be shipped by the buyer's choice of USPS Priority or First Class Mail, thus postage added to the purchase price when using the site's
Shopping Cart might be sufficient, or more may be required. Buyers will be contacted by E-mail and informed of the expense of both choices. Any Postage due may be paid directly to TVAG@att.net via PayPal, or by invoice to you by the same service,
as you prefer. All models will be insured via USPS when possible, the cost of which will be added to that of postage.
A new addition to "Rum Runners!" will be 28mm models of small Freighters that can be used for any sort of smuggling or other adventures with whichever Pulp Fiction or other RPG rules that... float your boat.
Two models of "Tramps" will be made available in what may be described as "kit" form. That is, for a bargain price, either "Tramp 1" or the slightly larger "Tramp 2" may be bought as a complete hull and painted in your choice
of either all black, all dark gray, or "Cunard" style (black hull, white upper works, with a red funnel). Full color printed graphics of plank decking, portholes, etc, will also be applied as part of the offer. Further, a full set of white metal ship
fittings from Houston's 25mm Naval Guns and Fittings particular to that design will come with the model. Masts will be provided with holes already drilled in the deck, for mounting permanently or left removable as preferred. Finally, your choice of the
vessel's name and port of registry placed on either side of the bow and across the stern will also be appear, along with the national flag/merchant ensign you may specify. Thus, each model will be uniquely your own for whatever purpose you may
wish to put her to!
Prototype Tramp #1
Prototype Tramp #2
|
Currently Available Civilian Vessels
|
Large Freighter #6
|
This vessel has an enclosed bridge with wheel, binnacle, & telegraph included, plus a removable top deck for access with searchlight, brass railings, navigation lights, and life rings. The rotatable masts are removable, with
power winches at their bases. Her cargo fits into twin open holds with removable covers, while the twin life boats
are wired onto their davits. (Identical waterline models of these are available
here . The real wooden deck has a pair of heavy bollards along both gunwales for mooring, a hatch to go below, ventilator abaft the funnel which mounts a three tone ship's whistle.
(Masts, funnel, etc, are sent unattached. )
Length" 19.5", Beam: 3.5", Height to Funnel:
6"
Freighter #6
$150.00 (plus postage)
|
Small Freighter #5
|
A coastal freighter with a single hold and removable hatch cover and rotating loading boom. The fo'c'sle has a power winch for the boom, twin bollards for mooring, deck hatch with short ladders to the main deck, and jack
staff. The superstructure is solid with cabin doors on each side, topped by an open bridge with wheel, binnacle, telegraph, and life rings and navigation lamps on either side. A firefighting station is located at the base of the superstructure.
Top deck is natural wood with braced funnel and twin lifeboats
wired onto their davits. ((Identical waterline models of these are available here .) Abaft the funnel is a ventilator and
sunlight for below, while the stern gallery has a brass rail, another bollard, and flagstaff. (Masts, funnel, etc, are sent unattached.)
Length:16", Beam :3.5", Height (to Funnel top):
6"
Freighter #6
$125.00 (plus postage)
|
Small Freighter #6
|
Virtually identical to Small Freighter #5, above, with all the same details save for the skylight on the top deck. The short ladders from the main deck have brass rails.
(Masts, funnel, etc, are sent unattached.)
Length:16", Beam :3.5", Height (to Funnel top):
6"
Small Freighter #6
$125.00 (plus postage)
|
Lady Agatha
|
The perfect accessory for your Victorian Era games. Travel the world in style to the farthest corners on your adventures.
Designed for use with 28mm figures, she can be armed or have additional Fittings from the Houston Collection.
24" long, 3.5" wide, and 5" to top of funnel, with exposed bridge, she has brass railings, two removable masts, white metal companionway and deck hatches, life boat davits,
ship's wheel, binnacle, telegraph, and ventilator. Masts, funnel, etc, are sent unattached.
Lady Agatha
$150.00 (plus postage)
(Reduced Price!)
|
The Warlord's Junk
|
From the depths of Hollywood, a 28mm "Chinese" War Junk fit for games in the 19th and early 20th Century. Armed with a pair or swivels, her five main are guns of uncertain throw weight, but definitely HEAVY,
she's ready to be crewed by pirate figures of your choosing. Note that her Bow Gun is the "100-pdr Dog's Head" of yore whose bite is at least as bad as its bark!
15" long, 5" wide, with rudder bar and real rudder chains, stern castle decorations, short ladders, and hold cover. Her masts are removable (and are sent unattached)
complete with ready to mount paper sails.
The Warlord's Junk
$125.00 (plus postage)
SOLD! 8/31/24
| |
|
|
 All Models currently Sold Out, but more are on the way!
Trawler/Smuggler #4 ("Wizard")
 |
Small commercial craft that can serve as Fishing Boat, but also as a Smuggler or a decoy to land your Commandos or Saboteurs on an enemy coast. The wheelhouse is solid wood, with a searchlight
on the roof, brass hand rails, old oil fired navigation lamps, and life rings on either side. The foredeck has a ventilator, brass rails, power winch at the base of the fixed mast, and bollard on each side. The main deck has a long (but solid) hold
mounting a life boat atop the gratings. At the stern, there's a bollard, large ventilator, deck hatch, and brass rails on the short ladders to the elevated deck abaft the wheelhouse. (Masts, funnel, etc, are sent unattached.)
Length: 18", Beam:
3", Height to Funnel Top: 5"
Trawler/Smuggler #4
Sold! 10/9/24
|
|
US Coast Guard Sub-Chasers/Patrol Boats
|
|
Sub-Chaser #3
 |
A fast, twin funnel vessel for patrolling coasts and harbors. Armaments include a bow mounted 6-pdr, a trainable Whitehead Torpedo Tube, a Vickers-Maxim MG and depth charge rack mounted aft.
Her open Bridge has the wheel, binnacle, and telegraph, life rings and electric navigation lights are on either side, and a single railed ladder descends to the deck. Ventilators are located behind each funnel with a life raft and boat on either side.
Mooring bollards are on both sides on the fo'c'sle and rear deck along with brass rails amidships. This could be the "Bad Guy" to threaten your Heroes aboard their Trawler or Freighter about their mission, or the sea-going Cavalry racing to the rescue
of your "Good Guys" from other dangers. (Masts and funnels, are sent unattached.)
Length: 22", Beam:
2.5", Height to Funnel Top: 4.5"
Sub-Chaser #3
Price: $100.00 (plus postage)
|
|
Sub-Chaser #4
 |
A somewhat lighter/faster version of Subchaser #3, above, this single funnel, twin stack, warship carries similar armament: A 6-pdr on her fo'c'sle, a trainable Whitehead Torpedo Tube,
with a 1-pdr pom-pom aft. The Bridge here has the necessary wheel, binnacle, telegraph, life rings and electric navigation lamps on each side, single railed ladder down to the deck, but also a powerful searchlight. A ventilator and deck hatch
are abaft the funnel, mooring bollards are along both sides, and brass rails are also amidships. Again, as friend or foe, this warship will be a beautiful and versatile accessory to any 28mm wargame or RPG. (Masts and funnels, are sent unattached.)
Length: 21", Beam:
2.5", Height to Funnel Top: 4.5"
Sub-chaser #4
Price: $75.00 (plus postage)
|
|
Submarine #3
 |
Now here's a useful item indeed for wargames and RPG's: A unique submarine design that can bring your Heroes in and out of their mission, be it infiltration of an enemy's shores, or your trip to
Atlantis in your finest Pulp fashion. With a little imagination, she could be painted with ID's or symbols displaying her association with a navy, an institution, the Super Villain's master plan, or your League of Heroes. Add your own weaponry
if want to beef her up for possible surface actions, be they against an enemy Subchaser, or those pesky Mosasaurs around the Land That Time Forgot.
Length: 15.5", Beam:
1.75", Height to Conning Tower: 2.5"
Submarine #3
Price: $50.00 (plus postage)
|
ADDITIONAL WEAPONS, SHIP FITTINGS, & MORE ARE RIGHT HERE!
... And at the best prices on the Web from Houstons's Naval Guns & Fittings.
Hop over to see how easily you can now build your own ship models with weapons and fittings of the highest quality and the lowest prices anywhere.
|
Fall Back To The Virtual Armchair General's HOMEPAGE
|
|
All text, photos, and artwork are COPYRIGHT©2003 by Patrick Wilson.
They may not be used without written permission.
Contact The Virtual Armchair General
Names of individual product lines are trademarks (TM) of the manufacturers.
|
|
