One of the things we see in so much Steampunk, is the desire to travel and explore. These gentlemen adventurers discovered lost tribes, hidden ancient islands (with dinosaurs), went to the bottom of the sea – and all the way to the moon and beyond! But in this day and age, our exploration options are a little different – the world has been mapped and the chances of finding dinosaurs or lost tribes is a little slimmer than we’d like.

Still, I would like to have the chance to see a bit more of this amazing planet – and if I can do it in a style more elegant and Victorian-inspired, then all the better. So here’s the best option I’ve found so far – Voyage Jules Verne. While some of the holidays don’t strike me as too interesting, they have special interest tours led by a scientist who’ll go into the geology, biology and more of an area (sounds interesting to me – like journeying with your very own professor), and trips on the Orient-Express. Journeys down the spice routes on trains, and trips along the Nile on a restored steam paddle boat (above).

There’s lots more, but I’m not here to write them an advertisement. It pleases me that there are still holidays that are, well, a bit more old-fashioned. All they need to do now is talk to that German company that does airship tours, and they’ll be on to a winner…

To post, or not to post – that was my question. Is a raygun Steampunk? Dr. Grordborts Infallible Aether Oscillators certainly talk the talk – they mention Aether, they talk of taking out charging elephants (well, dissolving 7/9ths of them per elephant) and there’s a testimonial from the no doubt formidable Major Alfred Beardlington but aren’t guns of anything other than solid projectiles a little too… well… Jetsons era?

I’ve decided to err on the side of Steampunk in this instance – because of the beautiful workmanship of the cases as well as the guns, because of the language on the webpage that talks of such devices as “centerpiece for a lady’s powder room or chiffonier” – but most of all, because of the wonderful Major Beardlington.

“When I received my ManMelter for use on my trip to the rain forests of Vasplurgia, I blew my left leg off at the hip. Marvelous invention!” -Major. Alfred Beardlington

Marvelous indeed, Major Beardlington. Good luck on your next jaunt to the darkest corners of Vasplurgia.

Cute little animated gif I found over at b3ta.com. Apparently they were running a ‘failed transformers’ challenge, and this was one of the entries. Based off the Welsh cartoon steamtrain, Ivor the Engine, I thought this was very lovely, steambased and a definitely Steampunk, if only in a quiet and modest way. “Come on, Transformivor…”

Made by b3ta user, Mutated Monty.

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Do you have 11 and a half minutes for one of the most famous, influential films of all time? How about one with a collection of old astronomers who decide it would be a marvelous idea to shoot a rocket into the eye of the moon to visit? (Yes, that scene – really that scene). Georges Melies, groundbreaking french film-maker and ex-illusionist made over 500 films, was the first person to use stop motion as a frequent source of special effects – and most importantly for us, pioneered film as a medium for entertainment and escapism, instead of the documentary-like life snapshots it had been used for previously.

So here – a video of a film now more than 100 years old – a rip roaring yarn of scientists exploring strange lands, marvelous travelling mechanisms and very Steampunk trappings. Adventure! Danger! And pretty ladies. chuckles

So the last week or so I’ve been doing some 3d modelling, and made (of course) a Steampunk airship.  The idea I had in my head was for a small crew steampowered airship with propellers, and in the same style as the Serenity or Millenium Falcon, they love their ship very much, despite the fact that it’s falling apart and they sometimes have to take on less than legal jobs to make ends meet.

The model has a large balloon with “The Slipstream Pioneer” written on it, and two gondola compartments connected around the outside by ropebridge style walkways.  There’s the bridge, with a table for dining at (and playing cards, reading, etc) and a large map on the back wall.  Beneath there is the crew quarters, with fold up bunks for 6 crew.  In the rear compartment is the engine room with steam boiler and flywheel, with a built in cooking range next to the furnace.  Beneath that is a hold for cargo and fuel.

The model is 8998 polygons, and has 8 512*512 textures.  Download the .X format model, and .png textures here.  Free for all use – but please let me know if you’re going to use it in something, I’d just like to be kept informed   Please note – I’ve heard some people have trouble with the textures being reversed, if this is the case, I can upload a different type of .X, but it may have absolute paths – why are these things never simple?)

I just read over at Make blog about the Skyacht – they’re building personal, hot air blimps!

Apparently, their aim is to create a personal blimp powered by an electric engine that will allow almost silent flight. Personally, the idea of being in a blimp of my own is very exciting – despite the fact that they’re still currently working off a deisel engine right now.

They cite the example that no other vehicle at the moment would let you pick the topmost leaf from a tree – helicopters would thrash the branches around, and helium airships can’t hover (I didn’t know that) but their hot air, propeller driven airship could do so. There’s a lot more details on the site, but as shallow as it sounds – I just hope they make some more ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’ or yes, downright Steampunk looking variants of them. The one on the site looks far too much like a modern hot air balloon.

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Well now, this looks very nice indeed. By the same people who made (and sharing several actors with) Batman Begins, this film (of the book) is set at turn of the century, about the rivalry of two brilliant stage magicians, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale). But, of course, it all goes horribly wrong.

It looks wonderful, dark and period, and the Steampunk quality is there, if not emphasised. David Bowie features as Nikola Tesla, and there’s some curious electrical devices visible. So yes – I shall be looking forward to this.