"18th century Siphons or flame throwers - Imagi-Nation" Topic

Gentlemen,

I just posted my latest addition to the Melnibonéan arsenal; Siphon teams.

18thcenturysojourn.blogspot.com

The finished product should be done by the weekend, but this will give you an idea.

Cheers,
Robert

Saw a show on the idiot box (History (sic) Channel or Military Channel) on a guy that build a version of the Chinese "flame thrower".

It was essentially a box, containing the flammable mixture, with the siphon on top. The siphon was designed to project flame on the draw and the push. Very effective.

The scarey part was the top of the box, to which the siphon was attached, was not fastened to the box itself. Several times during the pull cycle the top would open exposing the mixture to the flame. I kept expecting the thing to explode.

Tim

I think this would convey a less hazardous image, unfortunately it is not very 18th century.

link

Cheers,

If you are using the WRG rules, where might i find a copy of your ammendments?

Thanks in advance,

michael

Flame throwers and lace cuffs?! Not a good combination…

Hello Michael,

If you send me a quick note to timurilank (at sign) aol dot com I can send you my notes. As the figures are done, I test them with my game buddies to bring balance to the "fantasy" elements.

Give me a day or two and I can add the Siphon teams and frenzy/lethargy for Beastlings and flyers.

Cheers,
Robert

@ adster,

It requires great care and dexterity, much like peeling an orange with a knife and fork.

Cheers,

@ adster: Don't wear *cotton* (and even less guncotton!); wool is not that flammable and can be treated (vinegar? salt?) to become practically nonflammable.

@ timurilank: The possible uses you mention only refer to the ability of the device to start fires -on many points the part alloted to a flamethrower team is similar to that of an engineer figure in the WRG 1685-1835 set. Nevertheless, like 'Real World ™' flamethrowers they would inflict casualties? In the old WRG Ancient sets the siphons received the same weapon factor as artillery -howitzer for the 18th C. to get 'F' (fire) results.
And I suspect the effect on the target's morale / reaction / steadiness would be quite *tremendous*. Not to speak of the panic of horses -or any beast.

Being 'independent' elements, will they be treated in the same way as engineers, or provisionally attached to storming infantry battalions a little like battalion guns?

Perfectly fitting with your 'vision' of Lace Wars Melnibone, and very well done.

I built a unit of French Engineers, armed with one in my Napoleon in Egypt and the Holy Land game.

From my rules; Demi-Brigades in the Desert link

l. Le feu grec (Greek Fire): There are reports of the French army using a flame-thrower type of weapon during the campaign, with devastating effects. It was specifically used to help put down the Muslim uprising in Cairo in June of 1799.

If used it will act as a Siege Artillery type unit. All other + or – will be used when firing the weapon. It moves as Artillery, Its Range is two inches (2"). It will hit on a 1-6 with 1d6; and will inflict three (3) LM's on a hit. If it is used on a building the building will burn for four (4) turns two (2) hours, and any unit in the building will take two (2) LM's. It will have a total of four (4) ignitions per day.

Robert Henry
link
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@ abdul666lw, the Siphon teams are not attached to infantry units as battalion artillery would be, but certainly operate as the Engineers, an independent specialist unit.

Pretty kool ! Did something like that with my VSF brits. married WF plastic brits up with some GW flame and rocket equipment.