Someone took a bundle of X-Wing scenes from the Star Wars films, and then edited them into a sequence using the theme from Top Gun.
Year: 2020
Militarum Tempestus Valkyrie
The Militarum Tempestus, also known as the Ordo Tempestus, is amongst the most rigidly codified of all Imperial organisations, for its troops form the elite backbone of the Astra Militarum, serving as its special operations units. Though the Ordo is technically a sub-faction governed by the Adeptus Administratum, it enjoys a far greater amount of autonomy than the Imperial Guard regiments that often fight alongside it.
Alongside the Taurox Prime vehicles the Militarum Tempestus also use the Valkyrie Transport. The Valkyrie Airborne Assault Carrier is a heavily armed Imperial Aircraft with VTOL (Vertical Takeoff Or Landing) capabilities, used to ferry troops, such as the Tempestus Scions, to and from combat zones.
This Militarum Tempestus Valkyrie was on display at Warhammer World.
Taurox Prime
The Taurox is a robust infantry assault vehicle. It is heavily armoured with thick plates and is equipped with an array of heavy weapons to support the Astra Militarum on the battlefield.
This Militarum Tempestus Taurox Prime at Warhammer World is armed with a missile launcher.
This version in Warhammer World is painted as a Taurox Prime in the Militarum Tempestus.
When the Taurox was released back in 2014, I said back then.
The Taurox Prime is a new model from Games Workshop, and I really don’t like it. I think it’s too tall and the tracked “wheels” fail to work for me.
I wasn’t alone in that though as the comments show in that post.
The Taurox can be armed with twin-linked autocannons mounted on the sides of the hull or upon the turret. Both the Taurox and the Taurox Prime can be equipped with a pintle mounted Storm Bolter, bull bars and a gunner who can be positioned at 3 different heights.
Basecoating the Mark IX Beast
Probably my favourite Indiana Jones film is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The combination of archaeology, mythology, nazi soldiers and lots of wonderful pulp action. Though we know the tank wasn’t real, and there was no actual historical version of it; I am sure most of us who have thought about recreating the Indiana Jones films on the table have wanted to use that tank.
I wrote back in 2012 about finding a 28mm model of the tank, since then I found it was available from Empress Miniatures, I was able to order it and go through the resin pieces and constructing the Mark IX Beast.
Following the application of the white undercoat, I started the base coat of Vallejo 70912 Tan Yellow.
Having given the model another look, I think this colour is too dark, especially as I am anticipating giving it a dark wash over the base coat.
What colour I use is dependent on what I have in my box, challenging to buy paints easily at this time. I have a Flames of War German Camo Beige 821 which looks like it might work.
I also thought looking at the film footage whether I should re-arrange the stowage and baggage.
I did follow the example on the Empress Miniatures website as my guide. So most of the stowage is on the back of the tank.
However looking at the film footage, they didn’t do this on their tank. Most of the stowage is on the sides. There is none on the sponsons, nor on the turret.
Though this side of the tank looks more like the one in the film, from a stowage perspective.
See the full workbench feature on the Mark IX Beast tank.
Captain Pike is back…
The USS Enterprise is back, under the command of Captain Pike in a new Star Trek series based on their appearance in Star Trek Discovery. The new series is called Strange New Worlds, which is of course a phrase from the original opening of the original series.
“Fans fell in love with Anson Mount, Rebecca Romijn, and Ethan Peck’s portrayals of these iconic characters when they were first introduced on Star Trek: Discovery last season,” said Julie McNamara, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming of CBS All Access in a press release. “This new series will be a perfect complement to the franchise, bringing a whole new perspective and series of adventures to Star Trek.”
In an announcement from the case, the new series was talked about by the actors playing Captain Pike, Spock and Number One.
I really enjoyed the second series of Discovery and when earlier there were calls for a new series featuring Pike and co, I thought, that will be nice, but this probably won’t go anywhere. So glad to be proved wrong.
This sounds like the reboot of Star Trek that we have been waiting for. All the essence of the classic series, combined with the filming and SFX technology of today with the support of that legacy of Star Trek content from over the last fifty odd years.
It will be interesting to see how they will run with this, will it be episodic like the original series, or will they do a story arc as they do with Discovery and Picard?
M5 Combat Vehicle Stuart Gun Tractor
This M5 Combat Vehicle Stuart Gun Tractor was on display at Duxford.
This was a second world war artillery tractor used mainly by US forces, but this one was used by British forces. It derived its tracks and its vertical volute spring suspension from the Stuart tank.
Undercoating the Mark IX Beast
Probably my favourite Indiana Jones film is Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. The combination of archaeology, mythology, nazi soldiers and lots of wonderful pulp action. Though we know the tank wasn’t real, and there was no actual historical version of it; I am sure most of us who have thought about recreating the Indiana Jones films on the table have wanted to use that tank.
Having constructed the model I gave the tank a white undercoat.
I did the underneath first followed by the top.
The turret was undercoated separately.
See the full workbench feature on the Mark IX Beast tank.
Dwarf Anvil of Doom
Dwarf Anvil of Doom on display at Warhammer World.
The Anvils of Doom are ancient devices forged with great skill by the Runesmiths of old in the bowels of the Thunder Mountain. Using the energy of the volcano’s heart, Kurgaz, the most skilled of the old ones, melted gromril to forge the anvils. As they cooled, Kurgaz beat the Rune of Sorcery onto each gleaming anvil.
Another view from Games Day 2005. (includes the forge).
See more pictures of Dwarfs. See more photographs from GamesDay 2005.
Citroen Civilian 4,500kg Truck with Canopy
In addition to the Bolt Action Citroen Civilian 1000kg Dropside Truck I also bought a slightly bigger truck, the Citroen Civilian 4,500kg Truck with Canopy. Citroen made many of these trucks in the 1930s and 1940s.
Having constructed the model and given it a white undercoat, I gave the rear canopy a basecoat of Vallejo 70912 Tan Yellow.
See the full workbench feature on the Bolt Action Citroen Civilian 4,500kg Truck with Canopy.
Old School Chaos Dwarfs
These Chaos Dwarfs were on display at Warhammer World.
I think these were the kinds of figures that really put me off Warhammer at the time they were released. Those tall hats and flat end guns.
Throw in weird centaurs and those beards….
I have never been a fan of Chaos, but these miniatures didn’t for me work. I did however like the original Chaos Dwarf concept. I did get some of these models. This one with a fantasy bazooka is from my collection.
This concept was more about “normal” dwarfs who had been corrupted by Chaos and more often than not looked like short Chaos Warriors.