French Renault FT-17

The Renault FT or Automitrailleuse à chenilles Renault FT modèle 1917, inexactly known as the FT-17 or FT17, was a French light tank; it is among the most revolutionary and influential tank designs in history.

The FT was the first operational tank with an armament in a fully rotating turret, and its configuration with the turret on top, engine in the back and the driver in front became the conventional one, repeated in most tanks until today; at the time it was a revolutionary innovation.

Copies and derivative designs were manufactured in the United States (M1917 light tank), in Italy (Fiat 3000), and in the Soviet Union (T-18 tank).

France still had several thousand First World War Renault FT tanks in 1940. Over 500 of them were still in service in independent bataillons de chars de combat (BCC) tank battalions in the front lines. Although adequate for infantry support, they were totally outclassed by German tanks in a mobile battle.

The tank appears to have been part of the Imperial War Museum collection after the First World War and arrived at the Tank Museum as part of an exchange of exhibits in 1965. The tail skid turned up about 20 years later, having been discovered in a store at IWM Duxford.

It is one of my favourite tanks, I have always had a fondness for this little tank, probably as a result of making that Matchbox plastic kit of the Renault and the Char B1 when I was young.

As I am creating an Early War French army I got some of these little tanks for Flames of War.

Converted Ork Battlefortress at Warhammer World

This Ork Battlefortress was part of the diorama showing an Imperial assault on an Ork Shanty Town to rescue a downed Valkyrie of the Militarum Tempestus.

Converted Ork Battlefortress at Warhammer World

This is a conversion of the Forge World resin model which was available for many years before being retired. 

I do wonder if we will ever see a new version of this Ork heavy tank?

Photographs of Ork Battlefortresses.

Larger then a Battlewagon, Battlefortresses are used by richer and more powerful Ork Warbosses as super-heavy assault vehicles and mobile command centers. These enormous heavily-armed vehicles bristle with heavy cannons, energy weapons, and explosive launchers. As a rule any Ork vehicle of sufficient size will be called a Battlefortress by the Orks themselves and like most Ork vehicles there is very little standardization and they are highly customized, though several variants exist such as the “Dethrolla” and “Skullhamma”. Nonetheless, these vehicles are a match for any enemy counterpart on the battlefield short of a Titan. Ork Mek Boyz consider the construction of a Battlefortress to be one of their greatest achievements.

More photographs of the diorama over the years, it started off as an Ork diorama at GamesDay 2009.

Catachan Ogryn Minders

The other day I wrote about the new Necromunda Ogryn Minders and how I was thinking about a possible Tallarn paint scheme for them. I got Gemini to create an AI version of the models in desert camouflage, which I thought came out quite well.

It got me thinking that as well as working with a desert theme, that a jungle theme might also work, so went back to try it out.

These look like they would fit in very well with a Catachan Jungle Fighters regiment.

I am not usually a fan of AI generated art, but I think here it has an use for creating possible painting options for models to work from.

Ork Battlefortress at Warhammer World

This Ork Battlefortress was part of the diorama showing an Imperial assault on an Ork Shanty Town to rescue a downed Valkyrie of the Militarum Tempestus.

Ork Battlefortress

Though I have taken photographs of this huge Ork tank (or battlefortress) over the years in the Ork diorama, it’s only when you start looking at it closely you realise that this isn’t something that was ever released, and is a mix of different models. The main frontal cannon appears to be from the Kill Bursta model. I initially thought it might be a Kill Krusha conversion, but comparing the two you realise that it isn’t, however the top turret certainly is from that model. The tracks though appear to be Imperial in style and look like they are from the BaneBlade super heavy tank. Certainly this is an interesting conversion.

I do wonder if we will ever see a new version of this Ork heavy tank?

Photographs of Ork Battlefortresses.

Larger then a Battlewagon, Battlefortresses are used by richer and more powerful Ork Warbosses as super-heavy assault vehicles and mobile command centres. These enormous heavily-armed vehicles bristle with heavy cannons, energy weapons, and explosive launchers. As a rule any Ork vehicle of sufficient size will be called a Battlefortress by the Orks themselves and like most Ork vehicles there is very little standardisation and they are highly customised, though several variants exist such as the “Dethrolla” and “Skullhamma”. Nonetheless, these vehicles are a match for any enemy counterpart on the battlefield short of a Titan. Ork Mek Boyz consider the construction of a Battlefortress to be one of their greatest achievements.

More photographs of the diorama over the years, it started off as an Ork diorama at GamesDay 2009.

Ogryn Minders

Over on the Warhammer Community site there is an article about some new Orklock models for Necromunda.

I always like to take a look as I think sometimes there are models that I can use.  
This time I saw and really like the new Ogryn Minders.

Ogryn Minders

Speaking of muscle, the violent and physical nature of convoy protection makes it an ideal vocation for listless Ogryns, who Orlock gangs are only too happy to hire for their natural head-breaking talents and tendency to follow orders without question.

I do think these models would be ideal for my Tallarn forces, and I much prefer these models over the existing Imperial Guard Ogryns that are available. I think they also fit in with the slightly anarchic look I am going for with the Tallarns.

Decided to use Gemini to try an idea out.

I think that works.

Leopard I Main Battle Tank

Leopard I Main Battle Tank

The Leopard 1 is a main battle tank designed and produced by Porsche in West Germany that first entered service in 1965. Developed in an era when HEAT warheads were thought to make conventional heavy armour of limited value, the Leopard focused on firepower in the form of the German-built version of the British L7 105-mm gun, and improved cross-country performance that was unmatched by other designs of the era.

Ork Deffkilla Wartrike

The Deffkilla Wartrike is one of the many different types of attack vehicles used by Orks across the known galaxy.

Ork Deffkilla Wartrike
Ork Deffkilla Wartrike

What is lacks in armour, it makes up for in speed. Deadly scythes on the wheels can cause massive damage to all those who fail to get out of the way of this mean trike. Though the rokkit engine afterburner on the back means that they won’t have enough time to avoid the beast of a trike. The riders aren’t protected, but why worry, when you can just charge into the enemy forces.

Made to Order Classic Deff Dread

Up on the Warhammer site you can order some classic ork miniatures. You can get the classic Ghazghkull Thraka, a model I already have in my collection.

There are a few miniatures they are making available which I am thinking of ordering, one is the pack of Goff Rockers, which I never bought the first time around. The other is one I thought I already had, which is the classic Deff Dread.

Checking my collection I realise I have three of the smaller metal Killa Kan models from the same era, but I never got the larger Deff Dread. Well that went straight into the basket.