WWII in Living Color

Typically many of the pictures we see from the past are in grays and sepias, making it hard for our brains to relate these pictures to real life.  Instead they feel like some abstracted past that even though our parents’ and grandparents’ memories can remember them in all their glory, there’s less and less that lets post-baby boomers see the world for how it was.  Sure plenty of pictures from the time have gotten colorized to have them approach more realistic tones, but there’s nothing compared to the original.

Iron Sky

Keeping The Flying Fortress afloat, I came across this alternative world pic of the Nazi’s technology that got them to the moon.  It’s tied to a teaser from a couple years ago that’s still struggling to get itself made.

Honestly, this is the kind of stuff that gets me excited about dieselpunk.  A simple idea that seems to have incredible potential in style and philosophy.  Any thoughts on a fascist moon?

http://www.ironsky.net/site/support/how-to-support/

WWII Magazine infographics

WWII Magazine has a great set of infographics by Max Gadney on their website. They cover various weapons, equipment, and vehicles, as well as comparison charts like the one above. These are great for adding that extra touch of realism or finding that extra bit of inspiration for your dieselpunk story.

The Original Fly Girls

Yet another good article about the better half and their aviary adventures in World War II.  These Women’s Airforce Service Pilots are also being awarded posthumously for their brave, and many times dangerous part in assuring a vigorous air force for the War.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123773525

Dieselpunk WWII Short Film

Writer/Director Ryan Nagata recently posted a self-funded short film set in an alternate 1945.

In the film, Germany, teetering on the brink of defeat, desperately unleashes exotic superweapons in an attempt to turn back the tide.

Daybreakers: Diesel Bloodsuckers

While not the most revolutionary movie, Daybreakers spins the vampire craze on its head and creates a world where not only do vampires populate and rule almost the whole world, but it also brings a bona fide diesel feel to its world.

Dark Void.

Dark Void has arrived. After having played it, I have to admit – I found the game very much lacking – and, from the looks of it, most of the video game playing world agrees.

Still, if you are like me – you didn’t necessarily pick up the game initially because the flying, shooting, or adventure elements sported the tightest controls, best enemy AI, or the most fluid elements. At least as far as I was concerned, Dark Void gave me the long-awaited opportunity to play a video game as one of my favorite Pulp heroes – the Rocketeer.

Fighter plane motorcycle sidecar

Some guy bolted part of a fighter plane fuselage to a WWII-era or -replica motorcycle. It is awesome. That is all.

The Red Star

Now that this semester’s educative perils are relieved, let us re-visit our diesel roots in The Red Star.  This comic is likely one of the strongest examples of where dieselpunk can take the imagination.

Cornebuse et Compagnie

I’ve stumbled across a great Flickr set showing a children’s book from 1945 about two brothers who were born in a sort of society centered around aviation. The text is in French, but the illustrations are the real draw, here. Quick warning: the depiction of some natives on one of the pages is not what I would call “culturally sensitive,” so don’t let the grass skirts, totem, and spears catch you unawares.