Felix, Author at Felix's Gaming Pages

Forge World Thatched Cottage

This Forge World Cottage was in the display cabinets at GamesDay 2005.

There was another nice version at GamesDay 2004.

I do have this model, but have only got as far as giving the model a white undercoat! One day I will probably get round to finishing it.

I do like this model and did like most of the models in the range. It’s apparent now though that they didn’t sell as well as other models in the Forge World ranges. I wonder if that would be different now with all the new Warhammer Forge models that are available. Hopefully we may see either the return of the models in the range or nice new exciting ones.

Flames of War Plastic Shermans (possibly)

Saw and heard two things this week that have made me think that Battlefront will be releasing plastic Sherman tanks for Flames of War.
Already there are quite a few plastic 15mm models now available from other manufacturers and it’s not as though Battlefront have no experience of working in plastic, they have been using plastic for tracks and bases for a while now.

So what’s the evidence?

Firstly a conversation over the phone that was leaked to me, indicated that Battlefront said they were putting together a plastic Sherman kit.

That on its own, is maybe not proof enough.

However the second piece of evidence is not only direct from Battlefront, it’s also on their own website.

This photograph of tanks for the forthcoming Blood, Guts, & Glory supplement.

These really do look like plastic models, more so than resin. The tracks we know are already plastic, but look at the sharpness of the hull and turret detail.

It won’t be too much of a surprise if Battlefront head down the plastic model route, the key will be quality, price and what models they put out in plastic.

Flames of War Street Barricades

Within the Flames of War Street Barricades box you get two identical street sections, one overturned Opel Blitz and one pile of barricade, both designed to fill the gaps in the street sections. All are made from resin.

The first thing I did after washing the resin models to remove any remaining mould lubribicant was give the model a white undercoat.

These are the two different “fillers” for the gaps in the street barricades.

They could be used on their own as barricades or scenery without needing to use the full barricades.

Lots of nice detail in the models.

I think the truck works well.

Good underside detail too.

Barricade with the truck in situ.

There are a couple of painting guides also available.

See the workbench feature on the Street Barricades.

Dwarf City under attack

Probably my favourite display game at GamesDay 2008 was the Dwarf City that was under attack by a sea borne Orc and Goblin army. The scenery was beautifully constructed, some amazing Venetian inspired buildings and bridges.

There were some nice little touches such as this splattered goblin doom diver who obviously missed their target.

Lots of nice architectural details on the buildings such as the dwarven “gargoyles”, even the smoke from the chimneys.

Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39

Despite having been designed from 1933 as a rather slow but well-armoured light infantry support tank, the type was initially rejected by the French Infantry because it proved difficult to steer while driving cross-country, instead being adopted in 1936 by the French Cavalry. From 1938 an improved version was produced with a stronger engine, the Char léger modèle 1935 H modifié 39, that from 1940 was also fitted with a longer, more powerful 37 mm gun.

In order to fix the tracks to the hulls, I scored the hull sides and the tracks.

The tracks were then glued to the sides of the hull.

As you might guess from the page title, I have decided to make these up as the H-39 model. Battlefront are very good in marking the rear decks with H35 and H39 so you know which is which. They fit very easily onto the resin hulls. Here are the three hulls.

See the workbench feature on the Flames of War French Hotchkiss H-39.

Bretonnian Chapel

The Forge World Bretonnian Chapel on display at GamesDay 2005.

Not one of my favourite models in the range.

Flames of War Jagdpanther

The Jagdpanther was a tank destroyer built by Nazi Germany during World War II based on the chassis of the Panther tank. It entered service late in the war and saw service on the Eastern and Western fronts. Many military historians consider the Jagdpanther to be one of the best tank destroyers of the war due to the combination of the very powerful 8.8 cm KwK 43 cannon and the characteristically excellent armor and suspension of the Panther chassis.

Managed to get one cheap in a Hobbycraft sale.

The kit consists of the resin building, a resin hull and metal components such as tracks and track guards.

The main part of the model is the resin hull, which is well detailed.

See the workbench feature on the Jagdpanther.

The kit also contains a resin ruined building.

You can see how I am painting the ruined building on this page.

Flintloque Elven Voltigeurs

A couple of Elven Voltigeurs from Simon’s collection.

Really nice painting.

Forged in Battle 15mm French Mortar Team

I was recommended these Forged in Battle miniatures at a gaming shop in Birmingham. They look well casted and a similar size to Flames of War infantry.

The mortar crew were given a basecoat of Green Brown (879) whilst the mortar itself was given a basecoat of Gunship Green (895).

See the workbench feature on the Forged in Battle 15mm French Mortar Team.

Company of Heroes for Mac

Though Company of Heroes was released for the PC back in 2006, it is now available for the Mac from the App Store. Also a version available on the iPad.

Company of Heroes redefines real time strategy gaming by bringing the sacrifice of heroic soldiers, war-ravaged environments, and dynamic battlefields to life. Beginning with the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, players lead squads of Allied soldiers into battle against the German war machine through some of the most pivotal battles of WWII. Through a rich single player campaign, players experience the cinematic intensity and bravery of ordinary soldiers thrust into extraordinary events.

Company of Heroes Complete: Campaign Edition for the Mac includes the fully-featured single player campaign from the original Company of Heroes as well as the additional campaigns and content from the expansions Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts and Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, delivering hours upon hours of tactical and strategic gameplay.

I will say I am not really a great fan of computer games, much prefer playing a game with miniatures (such as Flames of War) however doesn’t mean I don’t like the look of this game. It looks really stunning and if you like video games and like Flames of War, then you’ll probably like this.

Update: No longer available on the Mac App Store.

Download Company of Heroes for iPad.