Felix, Author at Felix's Gaming Pages

F16 Fighting Falcon

The Belgian Air Component’s use of the F-16 Fighting Falcon began in the late 1970s as a replacement for its aging F-104G Starfighters. As one of the original European partners in the F-16 program, Belgium played a key role in the aircraft’s development and production, with its own SABCA factory assembling many of the F-16s for the Belgian and other air forces. The F-16 quickly became the backbone of the Belgian Air Force, providing a versatile multirole platform for a variety of missions, from air-to-air combat to ground attack. The fleet has undergone continuous modernisation, most notably with the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program, which has kept the aircraft combat-relevant for decades, allowing them to participate in numerous international operations, including NATO’s air policing missions.

While the F-16 has been the stalwart of the Belgian Air Component for over four decades, its service is now drawing to a close. In 2018, Belgium officially selected the F-35 Lightning II to replace its F-16 fleet. The transition is a gradual process, with the F-35s being delivered and pilots being trained, while the F-16s continue to carry out their duties. As the F-35s become operational, the retiring F-16s are being phased out.

How to paint the Horus Heresy Imperial Fists Deimos Pattern Rhino

A nice painting guide on how to paint an Imperial Fists Deimos Pattern Rhino.

The Deimos Pattern Vindicator is a heavily armored siege tank widely used by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy. A variant of the Deimos Pattern Rhino chassis, it sacrifices its transport capacity for a powerful, hull-mounted main weapon. The Vindicator is particularly effective in urban combat, where its primary armament—typically a demolisher cannon—can be used to destroy fortifications, breach obstacles, and clear out dense infantry formations. For the Imperial Fists, the Vindicator is a fitting choice, as their legion specializes in siege warfare and tearing down enemy defenses. In addition to the demolisher cannon, the Deimos Pattern Vindicator can also be equipped with a magna laser destroyer, turning it into a formidable anti-tank vehicle capable of taking on super-heavy tanks and even Titans. Both loadouts are highly effective and are complemented by the tank’s iconic dozer blade, which allows it to push through rubble and barricades with ease.

How I painted my Imperial Fists Deimos Pattern Rhino.

Painting the T30 Heavy Tank

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.

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks.

The T30 was designed at the same time as the T29 Heavy Tank. The T29 Heavy Tank was an American heavy tank project started in March 1944. The Heavy Tank T30 was developed to counter new German tanks, such as Tiger I, Tiger II, and tank destroyers, such as the Jagdtiger, or Soviet heavy tanks, such as IS-2 or IS-3.

Having constructed the tank, the next step was a white undercoat.

I then sprayed the underneath of the model with Army Painter Colour Primer: Angel Green. This is to add shade to the model before applying the basecoat. It looked a bit like this similar T29 model.

Then the models were sprayed with Army Painter Army Green Spray.

Next stage will be painting the tracks.

Imperial Fists Arquitor Bombard with Spicula Rocket System

Seen at Warhammer World, this Imperial Fists Arquitor Bombard is a prime example of the formidable heavy artillery used by the Legiones Astartes.

The Legion Arquitor is built to spearhead an assault, its reinforced chassis allowing it to operate on the front lines. This mobile fortress brings immense, short-range firepower to bear, making it the perfect tool for cracking enemy strongholds or obliterating dense concentrations of infantry and armoured vehicles.

This particular model is equipped with the Spicula Rocket System, a devastating weapon that unleashes a storm of unguided missiles. These rockets rain down in massive salvos, creating cumulative explosions that can decimate entire enemy formations in a single, cataclysmic volley.

Painting the T28

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 both the Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the British and German tanks and the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks. In that box there are two T28 Super Heavy Tanks.

The T28 super-heavy tank was an American super-heavy tank/assault gun designed for the United States Army during World War II. It was originally designed to break through German defences of the Siegfried Line and was later considered as a possible participant in the planned invasion of the Japanese mainland.

After constructing the two models, I gave the two tanks a white undercoat.

Then the models were sprayed with Army Painter Army Green Spray.

Next stage will painting the tracks.

Land Raider Proteus

The Land Raider is widely considered the best armoured fighting vehicle of its kind in the Imperium, serving as the main battle tank for the Space Marine Legions. It’s an incredibly powerful machine, with multi-layered composite armour and a reinforced hull that are nearly immune to even heavy weapons. This sealed vehicle can resist attacks from any direction and operate in almost any environment, from acid swamps to rad-deserts, without any performance issues. It can even function in the vacuum of space, meaning there is no battlefield where its armoured fury can’t be unleashed.

The Land Raider Proteus is a venerable and ancient pattern of battle tank dating back to the Dark Age of Technology, making it one of the most archaic yet revered vehicles in the arsenal of the Space Marine Legions during the Horus Heresy. Unlike its more modern Phobos and Crusader counterparts, the Proteus lacks the forward assault ramp, instead featuring a distinct, boxy hull and two separate variants: the Carrier and the Explorator. The Carrier is designed for close-quarters assaults, delivering its payload of a dozen Space Marines directly into the heart of the enemy, while the Explorator variant is equipped with a sophisticated augury web and dozer blade, allowing it to navigate treacherous terrain and act as a mobile command and scouting platform. Its powerful machine spirit is a hallmark of its vintage, granting it an uncanny durability and the ability to fire its weapons at different targets with a single command.

Fans who have been playing Warhammer 40,000 since its debut will recognise this model. It’s a new take on the original Land Raider, which was released in 1987 with the first edition of the game, Rogue Trader. Forge World previously released a resin version, but a new plastic kits was made available as part of The Horus Heresy product line.

Painting the T-55

I have the Operation Unthinkable boxed set containing the American and Soviet tanks. The GF9 Operation Unthinkable boxed set, the American versus Soviet, contains 21 tanks. Six of these are the T-54-1.

What I didn’t realise was that the T-54-1 model can also be made up as a T-44 or a T-55 as the different turrets are included. This gives even more flexibility over just using them as T54-1 tanks. I decided to make two of the models as the T-44 and the other four as T-55 models.

The T-55 is a series of Soviet-era medium tanks that were introduced shortly after World War II. It is one of the most widely produced tanks in history, with over 100,000 units built in the Soviet Union and under license in Poland and Czechoslovakia. The T-55, along with its predecessor the T-54, became the backbone of armoured forces for the Warsaw Pact and many other nations. The tank featured a low-slung, compact design with a cast, dome-shaped turret and was armed with a 100mm rifled gun. While it was considered advanced for its time, its design was later outmatched by more modern tanks. However, its simple, rugged, and reliable nature has allowed it to remain in service with various armed forces worldwide, often with significant upgrades.

Having made progress on the T-55 models the next stage was a dark green base coat with Army Painter Colour Primer: Angel Green.

Having thought this was too dark, I have been using Army Painter Army Green Spray on the two T-44 tanks.

Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport

Imperial Fists Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport on display at Warhammer World.

The Mastodon was one of the heaviest assault transports in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade, and is still found in the armouries of the Space Marine Chapters of the 41st Millenium. Its cavernous assault bay, capable of housing almost half a Company, is protected both by thick layers of ceramite armour as well as crackling void shields. It also mounts a fearsome siege melta array, allowing it to breach even the most formidable defences with ease, as well as an array of secondary weaponry intended to defend the vehicle as it approaches its target. Unleashed only against the most fearsome of enemy redoubts, there are few obstacles that can stay the wrath of this relic of the Imperium’s bloody birth.

The Mastodon is heavily armed and armoured, carrying 40 Space Marines, and even Dreadnoughts, safely to the heart of battle. Whilst embarked, the warriors within will defend their immense transport, turning the sponson weapons on any enemy brave or foolish enough to come close. It’s Siege melta array can easily destroy fortifications, and makes short work of armoured vehicles, whilst its Skyreaper Battery will tear through any airborne threat with ease.

Painting the T29

I decided I would add to the game by ordering the other Operation Unthinkable set, which contains American and Soviet tanks. Three of these are the T29 or T30 Heavy Tank.

The T29 Heavy Tank was an American heavy tank project that was started in March 1944 to counter the German Tiger II heavy tank. Although it was not completed in time for use in World War II, the T29 served as a valuable testbed for post-war engineers to apply new concepts to artillery and automotive components. The tank featured a powerful 105 mm T5E1 gun and a massive, heavily armored turret. With a weight of approximately 64 tons, a crew of six, and an upgraded V12 engine, the T29 was a formidable and innovative design for its time.

Having constructed and undercoated the model, the next stage was adding a shadow.

I then sprayed the underneath of the model with Army Painter Colour Primer: Angel Green. This is to add shade to the model before applying the basecoat.

Then the models were sprayed with Army Painter Army Green Spray.

Next stage will be painting the tracks.

The Professor and Time Machine

I went to Colours 2025 at the Newbury Racecourse and there were a fair few traders there. I passed the Great Escape Games stand and a boxed set stood out for me, The Professor and Time Machine.

Great Scott…

Yes this wasn’t any old professor (and any old time machine). Though with those names you might expect to see the Doctor and the TARDIS. However this was the old west, so this professor and old time machine was a facsimile of Doc Brown and a covered DeLorean.

In the box you get a metal Doc Brown figure and a resin casting of the DeLorean covered with a tarpaulin. You also get a card and two scenarios for Dead Man’s Hand.

After cleaning the castings, and washing the resin model, I also based the professor on a coin and added some Citadel Sand to the base. I gave both models a white undercoat.

The DeLorean bode shell is made from stainless steel, so I decided I would use a Citadel Leadbelcher spray. As I happens, I am not sure what had gone wrong with the spray, but it certainly wasn’t working as normal.