Felix's Gaming Pages

Snotling Pump Wagon on the workbench

The original Snotling Pump Wagon released back in the day is probably my favourite Citadel model of all time. What I liked about it most was the humour behind the model, you got the idea that the designer was down the pub when the idea came up.

I did originally consider the new model a “monstrosity” but when making a recent order, I added one to my basket.

The Snotling Pump Wagon is a terrifyingly erratic contraption, consisting of little more than a ramshackle wooden hut precariously balanced on crude wheels. This rickety war engine is propelled forward solely by the frantic, sweat-drenched pumping of dozens of hyperactive Snotlings hidden within its frame. Careening wildly across the battlefield with zero steering and infinite momentum, it acts as a crude rolling fortress, crushing, flattening, and piercing any unfortunate foes who fail to scramble out of the way of its spiked rollers and wooden chassis.

This is a metal model and in the box are numerous metal parts, a base, and instructions.

The first stage will be to clean the metal castings. I am going to fully construct the pump wagon, but the crew will be painted separately before adding them to the wagon.

The Battle of Osgiliath

This Battle of Osgiliath diorama was on display at Warhammer World.

Shadows fell upon the ancient, ruined capital of Osgiliath, a city now a shell of its former glory, yet its strategic importance was greater than ever. It was the last river crossing before the gates of Minas Tirith, and the fate of Gondor hinged on its defense. Under the command of Faramir, a weary garrison of men fought desperately to hold the line, but they were no match for the cunning of Sauron. In a brutal, surprise attack under the cover of night, a vast horde of Orcs and men from the East and South crossed the Anduin on secret barges. The fight was a desperate and doomed struggle, and under the terrifying shadow of the Nazgûl, Faramir and his men were forced into a chaotic retreat. The fall of Osgiliath was a devastating defeat, opening the path for the full force of Mordor to lay siege to the White City.

More photographs of The Battle of Osgiliath.

Fury at Tankfest 26

This Sherman tank is the star of the film Fury and was one of the stars of the Tank Museum’s Talkfest 26.

A M4A3E8 Sherman was used by the film makers and Bovington have kept the Sherman tank as it was in the film, complete with weathering, props and the name Fury painted on the barrel of the main weapon. TheM4A3E8 Sherman has much wider tracks than other Shermans and this makes the tank look much taller and bigger than other Sherman tanks.

Most of the film was shot in Oxfordshire (and not Germany). The German town used in the film was built completely from scratch, which isn’t too surprising considering what happens there.

I really enjoyed the film and thought a powerful interpretation of the last few months of the war and the defiant last stand by the Germans despite knowing they faced eventual defeat, with the Americans wanting to finish quickly so they can go home. It has to be said that the end of the film leaves something to be desired, but remember this is Hollywood.

Get Fury on 4K Blu Ray from Amazon.

Cathay Fire Rain Rocket Battery

Cathayan armies deploy the devastating Fire Rain Rocket Batteries.

While notoriously inaccurate, these war machines compensate with overwhelming volume, hurling clusters of explosives over immense distances to saturate entire grid zones in a lethal storm of fire and shrapnel. Alternatively, they possess the flexibility to deliver a single, massive high-explosive rocket designed to crack open fortifications or neutralise high-threat monsters.

Soviet T-34-85

The T-34-85 was a Soviet WW2 medium tank, crew of 5, powered by 12-cylinder diesel engine, armed with 85mm gun and two machine guns. It went on to be used well beyond the second world war in major conflicts across the world, and is still in service today.

This T-34-85 was on display at Tankfest 26 at The Tank Museum.

The T-34, a Soviet medium tank, had a profound and lasting effect on the field of tank design. At its introduction in 1940, the T-34 possessed an unprecedented combination of firepower, mobility, protection and ruggedness. Its 76.2 mm (3 in) high-velocity tank gun provided a substantial increase in firepower over any of its contemporaries while its well-sloped armour was difficult to penetrate by most contemporary anti-tank weapons. A project to develop a new tank following the introduction of improved German Panzer IVs with the high-velocity 75 mm gun, was started by the Soviet Union. The T-43 was designed to have improved armour, better suspension and a bigger gun. However it was decided that manufacturing a new tank would cause a significant slow-down in production so it was cancelled. However the T-43 turret was then modified to fit the T-34 and was armed with a new 85mm gun. The T-34-85 was a compromise between those in the Soviet Union who wanted to build as many 76mm armed T34s and those who wanted to build the new T-43 tank.

The T-34-85 gave the Red Army a tank with better armour and mobility than the German Panzer IV tank and StuG III assault gun. While it could not match the armour or weapons of the heavier Panther and Tiger tanks, its improved firepower made it much more effective than earlier models.

The development of the T-34-85 led directly to the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured core of many modern armies.

Reading the Hot War books from Harry Turtledove inspired me to think about gaming some scenarios from the books. British Comets and Centurions versus T34-85 and T54 Soviet tanks, along with American M26 Pershing and M48 Patton tanks. In the book there are also Sherman tanks manned by (West) German forces.

Alongside this idea I have been working on some tanks from the Operational Unthinkable game.

Imperial Guard Basilisk

The Basilisk is the standard self-propelled artillery piece of the Astra Militarum in the 41st Millennium.

It is the most common artillery piece used by the Imperial armed forces across the galaxy.

The Basilisk is produced in vast numbers on all of the known Forge Worlds in the Imperium, and almost every Astra Militarum regiment maintains several in their arsenal.

Snotling Pump Wagon

The original Snotling Pump Wagon released back in the day is probably my favourite Citadel model of all time.

What I liked about it most was the humour behind the model, you got the idea that the designer was down the pub when the idea came up.

I did originally consider the new model a “monstrosity” but when making a recent order, I added one to my basket.

This is a metal model.

I wonder, what with the made to order goodies that we see, if we will see a re-release of the original version.

Mowag Piranha 8×8

The Mowag Piranha 8×8 stands as one of the most successful and influential families of armoured fighting vehicles ever designed. This Mowag was on display at Tankfest 26.

Developed by the Swiss company Mowag (now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems), this highly adaptable eight-wheeled platform has served as the baseline design for numerous major military vehicles globally, including the US Army’s Stryker and the US Marine Corps’ Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV). Engineered for maximum versatility, its modular design allows it to be configured for a vast range of roles—from standard infantry trundling and command posts to specialised ambulance, mortar carrier, and heavy direct-fire reconnaissance variants. Driven by an independent suspension system and an all-wheel-drive configuration, the Piranha combines excellent off-road mobility and high road speeds with robust protection against small arms fire, shrapnel, and mines, making it a cornerstone of modern mechanised infantry units worldwide.

Cathay Grand Cannon

The Grand Cannons of Grand Cathay are striking war engines sculpted in the likeness of roaring dragons. Far from mere decoration, these ornate barrels are built to unleash devastation, capable of belching torrents of raw flame or spitting massive, incandescent cannonballs that tear through enemy ranks.

Grand Cannons serve as a core artillery piece for Grand Cathay, distinctively shaped like roaring dragons. On the battlefield, they offer versatile anti-infantry and anti-armour capabilities, shifting seamlessly between short-range gouts of fire and long-range flaming solid shot.

Imperial Fists Mastodon Super-Heavy Assault Transport

The Mastodon was one of the heaviest assault transports in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade, and is still found in the armouries of the Space Marine Chapters of the 41st Millenium.

Its cavernous assault bay, capable of housing almost half a Company, is protected both by thick layers of ceramite armour as well as crackling void shields. It also mounts a fearsome siege melta array, allowing it to breach even the most formidable defences with ease, as well as an array of secondary weaponry intended to defend the vehicle as it approaches its target. Unleashed only against the most fearsome of enemy redoubts, there are few obstacles that can stay the wrath of this relic of the Imperium’s bloody birth.

The Mastodon is heavily armed and armoured, carrying 40 Space Marines, and even Dreadnoughts, safely to the heart of battle. Whilst embarked, the warriors within will defend their immense transport, turning the sponson weapons on any enemy brave or foolish enough to come close. Its Siege melta array can easily destroy fortifications, and makes short work of armoured vehicles, whilst its Skyreaper Battery will tear through any airborne threat with ease.