Felix, Author at Felix's Gaming Pages

Belgian Airforce Bristol Sycamore

The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore was an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It has the distinction of being the first British helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness, as well as being the first British-designed helicopter to be introduced by and to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF).

This Belgian Airforce Bristol Sycamore was on display at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

Bristol Sycamore was on display at RAF London.

RAF Bristol Sycamore at RAF Cosford.

Constructing the 15mm Comet (A34)

The Comet (A34) was a British cruiser tank that first saw use near the end of World War II. It was designed to provide greater anti-tank capability to Cromwell tank squadrons. It was armed with a 77mm HV, a derivative of the 17 pounder, with the result it was one of the few British tanks with the firepower to challenge late war German designs.

I have the Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. The GF9 Operation Unthinkable boxed set, the British versus German, contains 17 tanks, three of which are the A34 Comet Cruiser Tank.

This is the GF9 finished model.

This the sprue.

With three models I decided I would vary construction. One would be as indicated in the instructions.

For the other two I decided I would add some commanders (which are included in the Operation Unthinkable boxed set). I also used the stowage from the American tanks I got in the other box.

For one model I did add significant amounts of stowage.

The other less so.

Here are the three constructed Comet tanks.

I decided to use magnets with the turrets, and I kind of wish I hadn’t. I had trouble getting them to both fit and when glueing them into position I eventually got it sorted.

The next step will be a white undercoat.

I do have four more plastic Comet Flames of War kits on the workbench as well.

Chaos Space Marine Predator

This Chaos Space Marine Predator was on display at Warhammer World.

The Chaos Space Marine Predator is a formidable battle tank, a twisted reflection of its Loyalist counterpart, infused with the malevolent power of the Ruinous Powers. These ancient war machines, many dating back to the Horus Heresy, stalk the battlefield like predatory beasts, their armoured hulls often adorned with dark icons and daemonic maws snarling from every barrel. Versatile and destructive, the Chaos Predator can be outfitted with a massive autocannon for shredding heavy infantry (Predator Destructor), or twin lascannons for obliterating enemy armour (Predator Annihilator). Further customisation with side sponsons wielding heavy bolters or additional lascannons, along with havoc launchers and combi-weapons, allows the Chaos Predator to unleash devastating firepower against any foe unfortunate enough to cross its path, embodying the relentless aggression of the Traitor Legions.

This model was released around the year 2000 and comprises the plastic rhino kit, extra plastic parts and metal components.

Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire

Earlier this year I went to the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels. The aircraft section is quite large and contains numerous aircraft, helicopters, as well as other interesting exhibits.

Constructing another King Tiger

One of the Clash of Steel Starter Sets have been on my wants list ever since I found out about them at the beginning of the year. I ordered Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks. It contains 17 tanks, two of which are the King Tiger tank.

The Tiger II (or as was informally known to the Germans who fought in it, Königstiger), was a 70 tonne heavy tank.

Having constructed one of the King Tiger models, I started making the second one.

As with the other Operation Unthinkable models, it is quite simple to construct. Once finished,the next stage will be a white undercoat.

Rynn’s World

The Rynn’s World diorama was on display at Warhammer World. Inspired by the artwork from the original Warhammer 40000 Rogue Trader rulebook, this diorama shows the Crimson Fists making a heroic last stand against hordes of Orks.

Crimson Fists Space Marines make a final stand.

Ork Trukk moves up to the fight.

Ork Mega-Dread enters the fray. A smoke-belching, hydraulic monster able to tear apart enemy tanks and smash a side lesser war machines with contemptuous ease.

Another Ork Mega-Dread prepares for battle.

More photographs of the Rynn’s World diorama.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN

Earlier this year I went to the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

This Egyptian Air Force MiG-23, painted in Soviet Air Force camouflage and markings was on display at the museum.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23, known by its NATO reporting name “Flogger,” was a significant third-generation Soviet fighter aircraft that emerged in the early 1970s as a successor to the highly produced MiG-21. Its most distinctive feature was its variable-geometry (swing-wing) design, allowing pilots to adjust the wing sweep in flight for optimal performance across various speeds and altitudes, from short takeoffs and landings to supersonic dashes.

While primarily conceived as an interceptor with advanced radar and beyond-visual-range missile capabilities, it also proved adaptable for ground attack, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare roles in later variants. Despite its innovative design and widespread export to numerous countries during the Cold War, the MiG-23 faced operational challenges, including complex handling characteristics and maintenance issues, and its combat record was mixed compared to more advanced Western counterparts like the F-15 and F-16. Nevertheless, with over 5,000 units built, it remains the most produced variable-sweep wing aircraft in history and a notable symbol of Soviet air power.

Another Tortoise Heavy Assault Tank

There are 17 tanks, two of which are the Tortoise heavy assault tank. One I had already constructed, decided to put together the second one as well.

The Tortoise heavy assault tank (A39) was a British heavy assault gun design developed during the Second World War, but never put into mass production. It was developed for the task of clearing heavily fortified areas such as the Siegfried Line and as a result favoured armour protection over mobility.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

Imperial Thunderbolt 1995 Golden Demon Open Competition Winner

This diorama shows a flight crew preparing an Imperial Navy Thunderbolt fighter for battle.

The amazing Dave Andrews made this fantastic diorama for the 1995 Open category Golden Demon and it won Gold. This was before the time of the Forge World Thunderbolt and even before Forge World!

More photographs of the diorama.

Original Space Marine Whirlwind

This Space Marine Whirlwind was on display at Warhammer World.

The Whirlwind is an adaptation of the Rhino design, a lightly armoured tank chassis armed with a multiple rocket launcher system capable of raining precision fire down upon enemy positions. Thanks to its target acquisition system, the Whirlwind is able to bombard hidden or entrenched targets with incredible accuracy, often from behind the safety of cover.

This is the kit version of the original Whirlwind artillery vehicle, based on the original Rhino kit. It was on display at Warhammer World. It comprised a plastic Rhino kit and metal components.

See the Space Marines Whirlwind Miniatures Gallery.