Author: Felix

Bristol Type 188

A Bristol Type 188 at RAF Cosford.

Built mainly of stainless steel, this aircraft was designed to investigate the effects of heat on aircraft structures at very high speeds. To protect the pilot against heat build-up a special cockpit refrigeration system was installed. Nicknamed ‘Flaming Pencil’, only two Bristol 188s ever flew, a third being used for ground tests.

Data collected during test-flying could be transmitted directly to a ground station for immediate evaluation. The data provided was essential for the development of the proposed Avro 730 high-speed, high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. The prototype 188, XF923, made its maiden flight on 14 April 1962 and its public debut at Farnborough in September of that year.

Both Bristol 188s were powered by de Havilland Gyron Junior engines; the first British engine designed for sustained running at supersonic speeds. Experience gained with this engine was later applied to the Olympus engines which power Concorde.

Although a maximum speed of Mach 1.88 was reached this fell short of the required Mach 2 performance. This, combined with fuel leaks, an endurance of only 25 minutes and the cancellation of the Avro 730, led to the cancellation of the Bristol 188 project in 1964.

Forge World Imperial Guard Bombard

A Forge World Imperial Guard Bombard in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

The Bombard is a powerful Imperial mobile artillery piece that mounts a Heavy Siege Mortar on a Leman Russ tank chassis. It is amongst the most powerful and largest artillery pieces in use by the heavy artillery and siege artillery companies of the Imperial Guard.

More photographs of the Imperial Guard Bombard.

Forge World Imperial Navy Avenger Strike Fighter

A Forge World Imperial Navy Avenger Strike Fighter in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

The Avenger is a dedicated strike fighter, intended to conduct high-speed, low-level attacks on ground targets, with armoured vehicle formations and high-value strategic assets such as munitions dumps forming its principal prey. The Avenger Strike Fighter boasts firepower that exceeds most other Imperial aircraft of its size, and its particular reputation as a tank-killer is due to the Avenger bolt cannon it carries.

The Avenger is an ancient design, believed to originate on Ancient Terra sometime during the Age of Strife. It was adopted by forces loyal to the Divine Saint Sebastian Thor during the bloody wars of faith and schism now called the Age of Apostasy. Its effectiveness is such that it is now a staple of any Imperial Navy air support mission, holding a glamour of holy import in the wider Imperium. The Avenger is often specifically requested by the Adeptus Sororitas should they require close support in their purgations.

Death Korps of Krieg Malcador Assault Tank

Death Korps of Krieg Malcador Assault Tank at Warhammer World

The Malcador Assault Tank, also known as the Malcador Heavy Tank is a venerable pattern of armoured vehicle that predates the Leman Russ tank in the Imperium of Man’s service. It is not widely used by Imperial armed forces at the present time and is in fact little known even within the Imperial military.

In many regions of the Imperium, the Malcador passed out of common service many millennia ago. The few Malcadors that remain in the Emperor of Mankind’s service have been relegated to the Departmento Munitorum’s strategic reserve, to the arsenals of second-line Planetary Defence Forces or are maintained in active service only by a few units of the Imperial Guard due to ancient tradition.

In front of the tank is a Death Korps of Krieg mounted officer.

These photographs are of the Marching to the Front diorama by Mark Bedford and was in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

More photographs of the Malcador Heavy Tank
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Grey Knights Land Raider Redeemer

Grey Knights Land Raider Redeemer on display at Warhammer World.

The Land Raider Redeemer is a variant of the Land Raider Crusader, which itself is a variant of the standard Land Raider used by the many Chapters of the Adeptus Astartes to provide short-range, anti-infantry assault support during urban offensives.

The Land Raider Redeemer replaces the Land Raider Crusader’s weapons with the dreaded sponson-mounted Flamestorm Cannons. These massive flame-based weapons send burning sheets of promethium into the thick of the foe, purging even well-defended bunker complexes in solar seconds. This enables the Redeemer to be highly effective against infantry during grueling and dangerous urban combat.

Blood Red Skies Digital Edition

Today, Warlord Games announced Blood Red Skies Digital Edition, a WW2 action-packed aerial combat strategy title for PC based on the tabletop game by Andy Chambers of Warhammer 40k / Battlefleet Gothic fame.

The game is being developed under licence by games industry veterans Diecast Digital. “We are tremendously excited to bring the exceptional Blood Red Skies gaming experience to digital platforms in collaboration with Warlord Games and the supremely talented Andy Chambers. The team has ambitious plans for the title and we can’t wait to get it into the hands of players”, said Ash Colclough, Diecast Digital’s Co-Founder and Managing Director.

“In Diecast Digital we have found a partner who shares our passion for this game and the ability to produce a gaming experience that will excite and delight existing Blood Red Skies miniature game players as well as introducing the brand to fans of WWII digital gaming”: added John Stallard, CEO and Owner of Warlord Games.

For more information about the Blood Red Skies Digital Edition see www.diecastdigital.com.

Fairey Delta 2

The Fairey Delta 2  was a British supersonic research aircraft produced by the Fairey Aviation Company in response to a specification from the Ministry of Supply for a specialised aircraft for conducting investigations into flight and control at transonic and supersonic speeds. Features included a delta wing and a drooped nose. On 6 October 1954, the Delta 2 made its maiden flight, flown by Fairey test pilot Peter Twiss; two aircraft would be produced. The Delta 2 was the final aircraft to be produced by Fairey as an independent manufacturer.

Fairey Delta 2

The Fairey Delta 2 was the first jet aircraft to exceed 1000 mph in level flight. On 10 March 1956, it set a new world speed record of 1,132 mph. The Delta 2 held the absolute World Air Speed Record for over a year. It continued to be used for flight testing, and was allocated to the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE) in 1958.