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This Sherman M4A3-105 mm with 105 mm howitzer was at the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium.
3060930, nicknamed “Blockbuster”, this tank belonged to Combat Command B (CCB) of the 6th Tank Battalion of the 10th Armoured Division of the US Army, a unit that fought in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944-1945.
I don’t remember the first time I watched the mercenary film, The Wild Geese. It is quite an old film, released in 1978, however I know I didn’t go to the cinema to see it. I have seen a fair few times since though.
The story revolves around a group of seasoned mercenaries who are recruited by a wealthy businessman to rescue a deposed African president from the clutches of a ruthless dictator. The (rather old) mercenaries, led by Colonel Allen Faulkner, embark on a dangerous mission into the heart of Africa, facing numerous obstacles and deadly encounters along the way.
There is an ensemble cast including Richard Burton, Roger Moore, Richard Harris, and Hardy Krüger.
It was quite controversial at the time as it was filmed in apartheid South Africa. Despite the political issues, it is a film which I have always enjoyed. There are some interesting scenes that would make for interesting skirmish games for the tabletop. These scenarios would be in the main infantry versus infantry. You could add air attacks as was seen in the film as well. The air transports would make for good background scenery, these included a Hercules and a DC3-Dakota.
Miniatures for these kinds of games are readily available as are vehicles. In the film it was Land Rovers and Bedford trucks.
There were quite a few Imperial Guard Rogal Dorn Battle Tank models on display at Warhammer World. As well as the display cabinets, some have been added to various existing displays, notably the Imperial Guard parade.
The Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is larger than the standard Leman Russ battle tank. A huge tank that provides support for the infantry of the Imperial Guard.
This Rogal Dorn Battle Tank is armed with a twin battle cannon that provides a a high volume fire.
This variant has an oppressor cannon with a co-axial autocannon mounted on its side.
I quite like the model, which certainly has an Imperial Guard feel to it and fits in well with other Imperial Guard armoured vehicles. We’ve not seen any variants for it at this time, well in the heyday of Forge World we would have seen alternate turrets, or the hull used as the basis for different kinds of armoured vehicles. Thinking it might be a good platform for a real large missile.
The model did cause some negative feedback from modellers, who didn’t like the fact that the model did not have an underside.
When it came out I did wonder about it in this blog post back in October 2022.
I do wonder why they decided to design a completely new tank. I suspect it might be that attempting to recreate an existing resin model in plastic was challenging, and to ensure that the sprues would fit in the box they needed to start from scratch.
Well since then Games Workshop have released a plastic version of the Malcador. I am now wondering if we will see a plastic Macharius tank?
The Imperial Guard have a range of artillery, one of the most common variants is the self-propelled Basilisk.
It is used extensively by the Imperial Guard and is produced in vast numbers.
This is a Catachan Basilisk on display at Warhammer World.
In the 1980s Citadel released a range of limited edition models. These were quirky models that did not always fit the archetype fantasy model. These were often the earliest examples of 40K models. In addition many of the models were juvenile, the dwarf on the toilet comes to mind.
This Space Orc (note Orc not Ork) was on display at Warhammer World.
Interesting that they have based it on a cavalry base.
I have one of these in in my collection, I also have one of the Space Skeletons that was on display at Warhammer World.
There never was an Undead army for 40K, in the same way that orcs became orks, elves became eldar. The closest equivalent was the Necrons. This model though reminds me of the Vashta Nerada from Doctor Who, who were in the episode Silence in the Library.
This was the Zoat. It was first mentioned in the Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay rulebook.
I have one of these, which I had painted purple.
These were fun models, some were excellent, others were not.
This Salamanders Land Raider Spartan Assault Tank was on display at Warhammer World.
The Spartan Assault Tank is a formidable armoured vehicle designed to breach the most impenetrable enemy defences and deliver devastating blows with its payload of Legion Astartes infantry. Its nigh-impervious hull, capable of shrugging off even the most potent anti-tank weaponry, makes it a truly formidable war machine. Its combination of speed, firepower, and protection makes it a truly versatile and devastating weapon, capable of turning the tide of battle in favour of the Legion Astartes forces using it.
The Gladewyrm – a summoned beast that crushes your foes and heals Sylvaneth units.
This Catachan Valkyrie was on display at Warhammer World.
The Valkyrie are troop carrying gunships used by the Imperial Guard. They are used to take soldiers into the heart of the battle. Flying through the enemy gunfire, landing in the hotzone and dropping off their payload before flying up in support.
Sometimes the troops are jumping, using grave chutes, from high above the battlefield.
The Valkyrie is armed with lascannons or a multi-laser, and under the wings are missiles or rocket pods.
The Valkyrie, like most of the Imperium’s aircraft, is piloted and operated by the Imperial Navy, with a pilot, co-pilot and two door gunners.
There were some Tempestus Scions Valkyries on display as well.
The Tempestus Scions are elite special forces of the Imperial Guard. They have the best equipment and weapons.
Though not a helicopter, the Valkyrie is used in a similar way.
I do have one of these, but it currently remains unbuilt in its box. I did though paint some for Aeronautica Imperialis.
Gallery of Valkyrie models.
Outside the Bovington Tank Museum is an Alvis Saracen.
The FV603 Saracen is a six-wheeled armoured personnel carrier built by Alvis and used by the British Army.
It became a recognisable vehicle as a result of its part in the policing of Northern Ireland as well as for its role in enforcing apartheid in South Africa.
As part of the Second English Civil War, you can imagine the use of the FV603 Saracen to patrol urban areas and to suppress armed resistance.
These classic Warhammer Fantasy Ogres were on display at Warhammer World.
I always liked the ogre in the middle, with the hat with the crest and holding the sword with one hand from the top. I never did buy him though.
These are from the 1980s and are reminiscent of the miniatures I was buying back then for my Warhammer (Fantasy) armies. I never bought these, as I was buying Orcs and Dwarfs back then.
These were released way before the Ogre Kingdoms.