2020 - Page 10 of 44 - Felix's Gaming Pages

Ork speedy vehicles

In the Ork displays at Warhammer World there were some nicely painted Ork Vehicles.

This is a Megatrakk Scrapjet.

A favourite amongst Speed Freeks and grounded Flyboyz alike, Megatrakk Scrapjets provide rocket-propelled acceleration, impressive firepower and the hilarity of ramming into enemy lines at the helm of what is effectively a gigantic, thrust-driven drill. These vehicles allow former Ork pilots to revel in the dimly-remembered joy of mowing down enemies at point-blank range – a joy which, of course, often caused the Flyboy to crash in the first place. Explosions blossom amidst the enemy as rokkits and missiles collide with their targets, while Grot tail-gunners blaze away with chattering big shootas – the array of weaponry welded, bolted, riveted and lashed onto a Megatrakk Scrapjet is fearsome.

Megatrakk Scrapjet on my workbench

The Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy is a type of Ork attack vehicle. The first Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies were invented by enterprising Snakebites in order to feed Speed Freeks on the move. Mobile pens full of edible squigs, the vehicles kept pace with the warband’s Warbikers, buggies and Trukks while their grinning crews hawked their wares at the tops of their lungs.

Once a suitable bag of teef was slung across to them by a hungry driver or passenger, choice Squigs were loaded into the Rukkatrukk’s Squig Launchas and fired into the hands — or even waiting gobs — of the hungry customers. Legend has it that it was only after a rabid Attack Squig was accidentally stuffed into the launcha and fired into a luckless Ork’s face that the true potential of this mobile murder-menagerie was realised.

Nowadays, Rukkatrukk Squigbuggies are often seen muscling their way through their fellow Speed Freeks as they roar towards the front lines. Easily identified by their rugged construction, the throaty roar of their engines, and the anarchic masses of Squigs and Orks riding aboard them, these vehicles employ their close-range living artillery to wreak havoc amongst the enemy ranks.

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy on my workbench

This is the Shokkjump Dragsta.

The Shokkjump Dragsta combines two of the foremost triumphs of the Mekaniak’s art – recklessly fast speedsters and deranged weaponry. It is perhaps unsurprising that it has become one of the most popular forms of transport amongst the Mekboyz of the Kult of Speed.

Armed to the grille with guns, blades and greenskins, the Kustom Boosta-blasta is one of the deadliest Ork vehicles around. Ferociously fast, absurdly heavily armed, and boasting the capacity to set things on fire by simply overtaking them, it exemplifies everything the Speed Freeks look for in a vehicle.

Speed Freeks Miniatures Gallery.

Fieseler Fi 156 Storch

This Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was at RAF Cosford.

The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was a small German liaison aircraft built by Fieseler before and during World War II. It remains famous for its excellent STOL performance and low stall speed of 31 mph.

Windscreening

So this model started off with an old Hot Wheels New Beetle that I “found” in a box in the garage…

I wanted to try out some painting techniques, weathering powders and transfers, before I started painting not only my other Gaslands cars, but also my Forge World Ork models.

Having added some transfers and done some weathering I started thinking about enhancing the model, so decided to paint the windscreen.

This went through a range of techniques, but I’m not too happy about the end result. I wanted a dark blue look to the windscreen with lighter highlights. I also used some contrast and inks to make it look like glass. I don’ think it worked, but that’s the point of this model it’s a testbed for techniques.

Aeronautica Imperialis Tiny Planes at Warhammer World

Aeronautica Imperialis is a game of aerial combat set in the Warhammer 40,00 universe. While ground troops push forward to secure tactical objectives, winged squadrons push forward in the skies to decimate enemy positions and intercept enemy fighters.

At Warhammer World there are some lovely Aeronautica Imperialis models on display.

The Marauder Bomber is the workhorse of the Imperial Navy. Capable of both atmospheric and void operations, it is used as an attack craft in fleet actions as well as fulfilling a tactical role, supporting ground offensives by bombing enemy troop concentrations and support positions. Such tactical bombing missions are often launched prior to, and in support of, Imperial Guard offensives.

Sacrificing a portion of its bomb payload in favour of nose-mounted autocannon and an increased complement of Hellstrike Missiles, the Marauder Destroyer specialises in low-level assaults on ground targets.

The Thunderbolt is the mainstay weapon system of Imperial Navy fighter wings and is a rugged, well-armed and armoured heavy fighter with all-around capabilities, a good maximum speed and above-average maneuverability, powerful nose-mounted weapons and hard points located on the wings for missile or bomb load-outs. The Thunderbolt’s primary combat role is as an air superiority fighter. It seeks out and engages enemy aircraft in dogfights or hunts enemy bombers to establish air superiority.

As well as the Imperial Navy there were some great looking Air Waagh! Ork flyers as well.

Among the smallest and most numerous of Ork aircraft, the Dakkajet is built for speed and firepower, capable of unleashing devastating hails of buffets from its arsenal of quad big shootas.

The diminutive Gretchin have long been enthusiastic supporters of Ork aviation, whether gleefully pushing bombs out of open bays, crawling into tight spots to fix engines, or acting as spotters and even gunners on ork planes. It doesn’t take long before they become obsessed with flying just like their bigger kin, begging for their own turn on the control stick.

Some enterprising Ork meks decided this arrangement could be mutually beneficial, and created guided missiles that could be flown like a tiny, gretchin-sized airplane. Fitted with a short-burn rocket engine and stuffed with unstable explosives, some rabid grots are happy to climb aboard just for the (short-lived) thrill of speed and freedom. They’re loaded into the wings of specially-fitted Grot Bommers, and launched in support of the Air Waaagh!

Aeronautica Imperialis Miniatures Gallery

Aeronautica Imperialis Workbench

Washing the Grot Tank and finding the Krew

I picked up the Grot Mega Tank at GamesDay 2010. It was available in limited numbers, but I was lucky enough to pick one up, before they sold out. I really do like this model alongside the Grot Tanks.

Hammered together out of junk, spare Mekboy know-wotz and unbridled Grot enthusiasm, the Grot Mega Tank adds even more firepower to the battlefield madness that has come to be known as a Grotzkrieg, terrifying Imperial Tacticians, Eldar Farseers and Chaos Warlords alike.

The model is very ship like with battleship style turrets and a prow shaped bow. It is a very ramshackle vehicle and looks like (as it should) if the grots have just thrown it together from parts lying around the battlefield and stuff stolen from a Mek workshop.

So after letting this model languish too long in a box, I got it out again to see if I could finish painting it. Having re-undercoated the model I finished off the basecoat.

The next stage was a bit of a challenge in using various Citadel shades, though mainly Seraphim Sepia to add shadow to the model. I did use a large 1/2 Round Mop brush which helped. I then used some other shades, Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade on specific parts of the model.

Towards the rear of the Grot Mega Tank I used more Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade shades, especially on the engine compartment.

I started to prepare a Krew member. I cleaned the casting and secured him to a slottabase for painting.

I then gave him a white undercoat using a Corax White spray.

See the Grot Mega Tank Workbench.

The Great War at GamesDay 2007

Thirteen years ago today the 23rd September , it was GamesDay 2007 and I saw one of the best display games ever at the show, well one of my favourites.

It was Dave Andrews’ Warhammer Historical Great War game. The game was full of wonderful details and well painted miniatures and excellent scenery. I spent ages looking at it.

Mk IV Tank Male slowly trundles forward crushing the barbed wire obstacles in its path.

It's a well painted tank, excellent weathering. — It’s a well painted tank, excellent weathering.

The remains of a previous battle litter the area, this tank will fight no more.

British Infantry advance through the ruins of a French village.

It’s the eye for detail which makes the scenery do well done, here the interior has not just been modelled, but ruined in a realistic manner as well. Continue reading “The Great War at GamesDay 2007”

Forge World Brass Scorpion

The Brass Scorpion is a Daemon manifesting as a machine, these formidable daemon engines of the Blood God Khorne wreak havoc upon the battlefield.

The superb Forge World version of the Brass Scorpion on display at Warhammer World.

This is one of my all time favourite models from Forge World. I seem to be in the minority as I really quite like this model, and if you read this blog I am not a fan of Chaos one bit!

The Brass Scorpion is a terrifying daemonic engine of destruction dedicated to the Chaos God Khorne, Lord of Slaughter. This nightmarish construct, as much hell-spawned beast as war machine, it storms across the battlefield like a monstrous predator hunting and killing. Its huge claws are capable of shredding armour with ease and its firepower laying waste to swathes of enemy infantry. Even in destruction the foes of Chaos have learned to fear this unholy war machine, as its infernally-charged reactor erupts to scorch the battlefield with the fury of its death-throws.

The Brass Scorpion of Khorne is a fantastically impressive resin model designed by Daren Parrwood and this model was painted by Mark Bedford. I love the paint job on this model, the combination of glossy red and brass details really makes this model both impressive and threatening.

Brass Scorpion Miniatures Gallery

Battlegroup Afghanistan

The men of the Royal Armoured Corps have been involved in some of the fiercest fighting since World War Two. Now they tell their story. Explore a recreated Forward Operating Base, experience the living conditions of the modern soldier. See a range of new vehicles used in Afghanistan.

Battlegroup Afghanistan was a exhibition at the Tank Museum at Bovington.

Scimitar Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle under cover.

This is a BvS 10 (known as the Viking All-Terrain Vehicle) was developed by Hagglunds Vehicle (now BAE Systems Hagglunds) for the UK Royal Marines.

Currenly on loan from the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group (ASG), the Tank Museum’s Viking exhibit is the second of the two original pre-production BvS 10 which were extensively trialled by the Royal Marines for 12 months from mid-2001. As well as fitting the bar armour, wire cutter and a Mark II Platt Mount protected weapons station (kindly supplied by the Royal Marines ASG), Tank Museum Workshop staff have modified aerials, added IR lights, stowage etc. and repainted and extensively upgraded the original pre-production BvS 10 to look like a Royal Marine ASG Viking Mk I in contemporary service in Afghanistan.

This Panther Command and Liaison Vehicle (CLV) is shown with the damage it incurred from an IED.

A total of 401 Panthers were delivered to the British armed forces by summer 2009. Panther CLVs were built during 2006-09 and replaced a range of vehicles that were reaching the end of their operational lives.

The Battle For Angelus Prime

The primary action of the War for Sanctoria campaign was fought in Sanctoria’s capital city of Angelus Prime. The entire might of the Ultramarines Chapter and their allies among the Grey Knights, the Knights of House Terryn and the Titans of the Legio Astorum stood against the bloodthirsty hordes of the Blood God Khorne.

Much blood was spilled, as the Ultramarines made their last stand against the followers of Khorne on the holy ground of Angelus Prime’s cathedral dedicated to the Ultramarines Primarch. Yet in the end, the Ultramarines prevailed once more, and Chapter Master Marneus Calgar personally banished An’ggrath to the Warp.

One of the huge displays at Warhammer World is The Battle For Angelus Prime.

The Battle For Angelus Prime is the largest display board Games Workshop has ever created. It fills the entire room and there is even a mezzanine to view the display from above.

See more photographs of The Battle For Angelus Prime.

V1 and Launcher Ramp

The V-1 was the first of the so-called “Vengeance weapons” series deployed for the terror bombing of London. It was developed at Peenemünde Army Research Center in 1939 by the Luftwaffe. Because of its limited range, the thousands of V-1 missiles launched into England were fired from launch facilities along the French (Pas-de-Calais) and Dutch coasts. The Wehrmacht first launched the V-1s against London on 13 June 1944, one week after (and prompted by) the successful Allied landings in France.

This V1 flying bomb and ramp was on display at The Imperial War Museum at Duxford.

The V1 flying bomb was powered by an Argus 109-014 pulse-jet engine, carried a warhead of approximately 850kg, and was guided to its target by an autopilot. The maximum range was typically 149 miles, with a maximum speed of 400mph.

Although some V1s were air-launched, most were catapulted from specially constructed ramps.

I’ve always thought that either a Dutch or French Resistance or UK Commando raid on a V1 base to stop them launching would make for an interesting game. Why send in ground troops when a bombing raid would work just as well? Then I was thinking about adding in the complication of a chemical or biological armed V1 that would need to be taken care of on the ground. There were some real raids on V1 bases as part of Operation Crossbow., which was the code name in World War II for Anglo-American operations against the German long range reprisal weapons (V-weapons) programme. In 1965 a film Operation Crossbow, based on these raids, was released.

Battlefront released a 15mm version in their Hit the Beach Boxed set.

For 20mm gamers there is a 1/72nd model kit of the V1 and launch ramp available.

If you are playing Bolt Action, then Charlie Foxtrot Models do a MDF kit of the ramp for 28mm gamers, but you probably need to buy the Tamiya 1/48th scale plastic kit for the V1 itself. That kit does come with a trolley as well.

There was a V1 at the Imperial War Museum in London.