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B'hoys! Tournament at Fall In!, 2004
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the General
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Since before your Sun burned hot in
Space, Richard Houston, has been playing with--and making--war games figures and models.
For over twenty years, he produced miniatures of weapons, vehicles, and especially artillery. Many
of these lines are now being sold by a variety of companies since Richard's retirement.
However, like the Sorcerer's Apprentice, once he gets started on something, he just won't stop!
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Houston's
Ships
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Hand-built, fully finished ship models for gaming and collecting.
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Boilers
And
Breechloaders
Riverine and coastal naval warfare rules to accompany these Gunboat and other models, is now available from TVAG in its Print Edition, and as PDF's
for self-printing. War gamers now have a definitive game system for rating and using any Gunboat models in their Colonial era games. Further,
these rules are perfectly compatible with the classic The Sword And The Flame 20th Anniversary Edition , and the Colonial Campaign rules,
The Sun Never Sets , also available on TVAG's "Rules" Page.
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Richard has produced many Gunboats
specifically designed for war gaming over the years, but finally went into full scale
production almost 10 years ago,
having sold any number of his creations to collectors and gamers who sought him out and are now
proud to have an original "Houston" on their mantles or in their collection of game accessories.
All Houston's Gunboats are waterline models built on thick pine hulls. Superstructures are basswood
and foam core board, with metal fittings, sometimes printed card stock textures,
and fully painted. Most ships come with weapons, and some with complete crews. These are heavily built and with reasonable
care will last a lifetime of gaming. Indeed, upon "retirement" each could proudly move to the display case or mantle.
The models are "one of a kind," built with gaming in mind, having removable decks, roofs and
other details for easy access to interior play-spaces.
Below are listings of the currently available models.
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Houston's Custom Shipyard
Richard will build virtually any model seen here and in his GALLERY on commission, and for
the same basic price. Much of his best work has been to meet the needs of gamers and collectors with specific needs. Price is determined by the proposed
size of the model, the amount of detail, weaponry (if any), and any special features.
As a general rule, the basic hull size is 18" and could start at about $150.00. For each additional inch of length, figure approximately another $10.00
added to the price. Hulls wider than 4" or 5" will further increase the cost. While a few museum quality models have been made and sold for up to $500.00,
the majority have been half that and less (indeed, under $100.00 in some cases).
If you know what you want--or just have a notion you want to develop--contact TVAG and your ideas
will go to Richard. The more info you can provide (especially photos, drawings, etc), the better you can communicate what you want made. Commonly, he will
take your specifications and work up a design on paper and send it for approval or modification. Once the particulars are settled, we'll quote you a price
and you can go from there. No money is ever required up front.
Depending on what other commissions may be ahead of you, it usually takes Richard from two to three weeks to complete a model, after which photos will
be taken and E-mailed for approval. If all is as you expected, payment will then be requested. If it's not, there is no obligation to buy--we know we can
sell it to someone else!
A recent commission customer wrote friends upon receiving his model, "With amazing speed, The (Virtual) Armchair General and Houston's Ships
has my gunboat finished. Interesting, classic design, lovely, utilitarian for games and fun. What in 2-3 weeks? Holy cow! I did not realize Richard Houston
would make custom models at such a reasonable price through TVAG. Patrick Wilson has always given me prompt A+ service plus cheerful/positive extra conversation."
So, Gunboat, Dhow, Junk, Submarine, Q-Ship, Freighter,
Destroyer, Torpedo Boat, or whatever, quit thinking you can't afford one of Houston's Ships for your very own! You can
have one, sooner and more easily than you may ever have imagined!
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The Models Currently Available
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HS-134
USS McDonough
Since January of 2011, Richard Houston hasn't let his keel become foul from resting at anchor! He has cranked out
7 new models to date, of which two sold, and four are here now and another Imperial German Gunboat is now added.
The first four are early 20th Century American Navy Destroyers you can deploy to to any sea or river that needs some Yankee policing.
All are post 1898, but pre-WW I, and perfect for Boilers And Breechloaders set-to's with any foreign challengers.
The first measures 19" in length by 3" on the beam, and fairly bristles with 3 12-pdr BLR, 4 3-pdr Pom-Poms, and two Torpedo Tubes. Unlike most of
Richard's previous models, this one comes with figures for the Captain and 10 Crew, as shown. The Wheelhouse Roof/Bridge Deck is removable, revealing interior
details.
Price: $160.00
(Special packing, Postage, & Insurance: Domestic, $30.00, Overseas, $50.00. Actual costs may be less due to model sizes and weight, so feel free
to inquire.)
USS McDonough Port View
USS McDonough Port Quarter Forward
USS McDonough Stern View
USS McDonough Stern Guns
USS McDonough Midships View
USS McDonough Bridge Gun
USS McDonough Bridge
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HS-135
USS John Paul Jones
The next American Navy Destroyer in hand. She measures 19.5" in length
by 3" on the beam, mounting 2 12-pdr BLR, 4 3-pdr Pom-Poms, and two Torpedo Tubes. This one also comes with figures for the Captain and 10 Crew, as shown,
and the bridge deck is removable.
Price: $160.00
(Special packing, Postage, & Insurance: Domestic, $30.00, Overseas, $50.00. Actual costs may be less due to model sizes and weight, so feel free
to inquire.)
USS John Paul Jones Port Bow
USS John Paul Jones Port Quarter
USS John Paul Jones Wheelhouse Interior
USS John Paul Jones Stern Gun Tub
USS John Paul Jones Midships
USS John Paul Jones Forward 3-pdrs
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HS-136
USS Hull
A third US Navy Destroyer from earlier in the pre-WW 1 period.
This one measures 19.5" in length by 3" on the beam, carries a pair of everything: 2 12-pdr BLR, 2 3-pdr Pom-Poms, and 2 Torpedo Tubes, plus figures for
the Captain and 8 Crew and accessible Wheelhouse.
Price: $160.00
(Special packing, Postage, & Insurance: Domestic, $30.00, Overseas, $50.00. Actual costs may be less due to model sizes and weight, so feel free
to inquire.)
USS Hull Port Quarter
USS Hull Wheelhouse Interior
USS Hull Stern Gun Tub
USS Hull Fore Gun
USS Hull Bridge
USS Hull Midships
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HS-141
French Destroyer, 1917
Great War period design. She measures 19.5" in length by 3" on the beam,
with 3 12-pdr BLR, 4 3-pdr Pom-Poms, and two TWIN Torpedo Tubes--4 fish to make the Huns dance! She also has a Captain and 11 Crew figures in proper French
uniforms. As ever, the Wheelhouse can be accessed and Helmsman positioned.
Price: $160.00
(Special packing, Postage, & Insurance: Domestic, $30.00, Overseas, $50.00. Actual costs may be less due to model sizes and weight, so feel free
to inquire.)
French DD Port Quarter Forward
French DD Port Quarter Aft
French DD Stern Torpedo Tubes
French DD Wheelhouse View
French DD Midships View
French DD Bridge View
French DD Bow Gun
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HS-150
Imperial German River Gunboat
The third--and last!--incarnation of this general purpose Gunboat which would
feel as much at home showing the flag in German East as some Chinese River, or other hotspot. Richard has just said "Nein!" to building all those arched
windows in the superstructure, so while there will be other German Gunboats, they won't look like this one!
She measures 19" in length by 5" on the beam, and mounts a pair of 4" BLR for convincing the locals of Germany's "Good Intentions." Included are an
attitudinal Hun Captain, and 8 painted Crew figures. The Bridge Deck removes to allow access below, as does the second Deck, providing access to the
rather palatial space for VIP passengers, additional crew and/or troops for landing parties.
Price: $200.00,
Plus Postage, Packing, & Insurance: $20.00
German Gunboat Bow View
German Gunboat Stern View
German Gunboat Bridge & Captain
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The Guarantee
Richard Houston personally guarantees to
refund the purchase price (minus postage) if anyone is not satisfied with his product and returns
it in saleable condition.
About That Postage Thing...
Since my Shopping Cart system can only charge postage on
a fixed rate of increase, it is possible that when you click the Button you will not be charged all that is due, especially for
our Friends outside the US.
If this happens, TVAG will invoice you for the difference via PayPal shortly after your payment has been recorded.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but if you are somehow overcharged for postage, that difference will be refunded
as well.
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So, now why not go into Houston's Gallery
and see some of his models
you've missed (but he might make again for you!)
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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. |
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