Felix, Author at Felix's Gaming Pages

Republic F-84F Thunderstreak

These Republic F-84F Thunderstreak fighters were on display in the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

The Republic F-84F Thunderstreak was a cornerstone of the Belgian Air Force during the early years of the Cold War. Arriving in the mid-1950s as a successor to the straight-winged F-84G Thunderjet, the Thunderstreak was a crucial part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP), which provided modern American military equipment to NATO allies. Belgium became a significant operator of the F-84F, with an order of 197 aircraft. These jets were delivered to the 2nd and 10th Wings, which were based at Florennes and Kleine Brogel airbases, respectively. The Thunderstreak was the first swept-wing aircraft and the fastest in Belgian service at the time, even capable of breaking the sound barrier in a steep dive, a feat that made national headlines.

Designed primarily as a fighter-bomber, the F-84F’s main role within the Belgian Air Force was ground attack and close air support. It was a rugged and durable platform, capable of carrying a heavy payload of bombs, rockets, and its six .50 caliber machine guns. In a wider NATO context, the F-84F was also certified to carry the Mark 7 nuclear bomb, making it a critical part of the alliance’s nuclear deterrent strategy. This dual-role capability underscored its importance in the face of the perceived Soviet threat in Europe.

The Belgian F-84F fleet served for nearly two decades, undergoing various paint schemes from natural metal to NATO camouflage. Despite its robust nature, the aircraft experienced a high attrition rate due to accidents and maintenance issues, which led to its gradual replacement. The F-84F was eventually phased out of front-line service in the late 1960s and early 1970s, making way for more advanced supersonic jets like the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter and the Dassault Mirage 5. However, many retired F-84Fs found a second life as decoy aircraft, modified to resemble the new Mirages to mislead potential adversaries. This final, creative use cemented the F-84F’s long and impactful history in the Belgian Air Force.

Orcs and Goblins

These Old World Orcs and Goblins were on display at Warhammer World.

Building another IS-3 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. There are three IS-3 tanks included in the boxed set.

The IS-3 is a Soviet heavy tank developed in late 1944. Its semi-hemispherical cast turret (resembling that of an upturned soup bowl) became the hallmark of post-war Soviet tanks.

I had already constructed one of the IS-3 tanks, so it was a relatively easy process of constructing another one.

Dassault Mirage 5

This Dassault Mirage 5 was on display in the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

The Dassault Mirage 5 holds a unique place in the history of the Belgian Air Force, serving as its primary fighter-bomber for over two decades. In the late 1960s, Belgium sought to replace its aging Republic F-84F Thunderstreaks and RF-84F Thunderflashes. After considering various options, including the F-5A, A-4E, and Draken, the Mirage 5 was selected, largely due to its cost-effectiveness and Dassault’s willingness to allow license production by SABCA in Belgium. This led to Belgium becoming the largest operator of the Mirage 5, with an initial order of 106 aircraft.

The Belgian Air Force retired its Mirage 5 fleet in the mid-1990s, replacing them with the more advanced F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Tomb Kings of Khemri of the Old World

The Tomb Kings of Khemri army in Warhammer: The Old World is a truly unique and visually striking force, embodying the ancient, desiccated might of a once-proud civilisation. Unlike the shambling, reanimated dead of the Vampire Counts, the Tomb Kings are not mindless zombies but rather the resurrected rulers and warriors of ancient Nehekhara, driven by the unwavering will of their mummified monarchs and the potent incantations of their Liche Priests. Their armies are a terrifying spectacle of bleached bone, rusted bronze, and an alien, ancient grandeur.

Skeleton Cavalry

Necropolis Knights

Khemrian Warsphinx

At the heart of every Tomb Kings army is the absolute authority of a Tomb King or Tomb Prince. These mummified rulers, often awakening with a renewed thirst for conquest, command their legions with a silent but absolute will. Their presence is vital, as the very cohesion and movement of the skeletal forces are tied to their magic. Alongside them stand the Liche Priests, the architects of the Tomb Kings’ unlife. These sorcerers of the Mortuary Cult wield the unique Lore of Nehekhara, which not only allows them to blast enemies with powerful curses and destructive magic but also to mend shattered bone and even re-animate fallen skeletons, ensuring the relentless advance of their army.

The rank and file of a Tomb Kings army consist of Skeleton Warriors and Skeleton Archers, seemingly endless hordes of reanimated soldiers from millennia past. While individually weak, their strength lies in their numbers and their terrifying resilience. Being undead, they are immune to psychology and cannot be broken by fear or casualties, simply crumbling away if too much damage is inflicted upon them. This allows them to form unyielding battle lines, holding back even the most ferocious charges through sheer weight of numbers. Supporting these infantry masses are the swift Skeleton Horsemen and Skeleton Horse Archers, providing mobile flanking forces or harassing fire. The thundering charges of Skeleton Chariots, crewed by skeletal warriors or even the elite Tomb Guard, deliver powerful impact hits and sow chaos in enemy ranks.

Beyond the basic skeletal legions, the Tomb Kings boast a terrifying array of monstrous constructs and elite animated guardians. The heavily armoured Tomb Guard, the sworn protectors of the kings in life and death, wield great weapons or halberds, forming unyielding elite infantry blocks. Towering Ushabti stalk the battlefield, colossal animated statues often armed with massive bows or great blades, capable of cleaving through entire units. More exotic horrors include the serpentine Sepulchral Stalkers that emerge from the sands to strike down foes, and the swift Necropolis Knights, fearsome riders atop giant, coiling constructs. For truly devastating blows, the Tomb Kings can field immense Necrolith Colossi or the terrifying Necrosphinxes, gargantuan constructs that embody the wrath of the ancient gods. Finally, the Screaming Skull Catapult hurls enchanted, flaming skulls that ignite the very air, spreading fear and destruction. The Tomb Kings army is a stark reminder of a glorious past, a relentless, unfeeling force that seeks to reclaim its ancient glory and sweep away the living empires that now stand upon the sands of their ancestral lands.

McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II

The McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II was an all weather tactical reconnaissance aircraft from the United States. The first flight of the Phantom was in May 1958. This McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II is on a long term loan from the USAF museum. It was 1991 when the aircraft arrived at the Musée royal de l’armée et de l’histoire militaire or Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels.

The McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II was the unarmed tactical reconnaissance variant of the venerable F-4 Phantom II fighter-bomber, playing a crucial, though often less heralded, role in the Cold War and various conflicts. Unlike its more famous brethren, the RF-4C was designed to gather intelligence, not to engage in dogfights or drop bombs. Its distinctive elongated nose, lacking the radar of fighter versions, housed a sophisticated array of cameras, infrared sensors, and later, even side-looking airborne radar (SLAR) systems.

Despite its lack of offensive weaponry, the RF-4C was often at the forefront of reconnaissance efforts, providing critical information to commanders. Its adaptability allowed for upgrades throughout its service life, incorporating more advanced sensors and data links. The RF-4C’s contribution to intelligence gathering, though not as visible as air-to-air combat or bombing raids, was indispensable, highlighting the vital role of reconnaissance in modern warfare.

Constructing one more King Tiger

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.

Having had a few issues with magnets recently, for this model I decided not to use magnets on this model.

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

Bretonnians of the Old World

These miniatures from the Bretonnia army in Warhammer: The Old World were on display at Warhammer World.

The Kingdom of Bretonnia army in Warhammer: The Old World is a vibrant and iconic force, deeply rooted in the chivalric ideals of Arthurian legend and medieval France. Unlike many other factions, the Bretonnian military philosophy is almost entirely dictated by their unwavering faith in the Lady of the Lake and the rigid Code Chivalric. This results in an army that is highly specialised, emphasising powerful cavalry charges and the spiritual purity of its knights, supported by the common folk who make up the vast majority of the kingdom’s population.

At the core of any Bretonnian army are its Knights. These aren’t just mere soldiers; they are noble warriors, each striving to uphold their vows and ultimately achieve the ultimate quest: to drink from the Grail and become a Grail Knight. This pursuit of virtue is reflected in their distinct unit types. From the impetuous, glory-seeking Knights Errant who are yet to prove themselves, to the disciplined and unwavering Knights of the Realm who have taken their first vows, and finally the truly legendary Questing Knights and the near-mythical Grail Knights, each tier of cavalry represents a deeper commitment to the Lady and a greater martial prowess. Their signature tactic, the thunderous Lance Formation, allows them to deliver devastating charges, often shattering enemy lines in a single, glorious assault.

While the knights are the shining spearhead, the backbone of a Bretonnian army is undoubtedly its peasantry. Comprising the vast majority of the kingdom’s population, these humble folk serve out of duty and fear, led by their knightly lords. Men-at-Arms form the infantry blocks, wielding spears or halberds, and are often tasked with holding the line or protecting the flanks against enemies that the knights cannot outmanoeuvre. Peasant Bowmen, armed with longbows, provide ranged support, their arrows often tipped with prayers to the Lady for divine guidance. Though seemingly disparate, the peasants and knights form a cohesive, albeit socially stratified, fighting force. The Grail Reliquae, borne by devout Battle Pilgrims, serves as a powerful symbol of faith, inspiring courage in nearby peasant units and representing the very essence of Bretonnian piety on the battlefield.

Beyond these core elements, the Bretonnian army can include powerful figures like Dukes and Barons who lead their hosts, often mounted on majestic Hippogryphs or Royal Pegasi, soaring above the battlefield to strike decisive blows. Damsels and Prophetesses, handmaidens of the Lady, wield the divine magic of the Lore of the Lady, bolstering their allies and unleashing holy wrath upon their foes. For siege warfare or breaking heavily armoured foes, the Field Trebuchet provides powerful, albeit often inaccurate, artillery support. The overall impression of a Bretonnian army is one of glorious, disciplined charges, a blend of martial prowess and fervent faith, where every battle is fought not just for land or glory, but for the honour of the Lady and the chivalric ideal.

Belgian Air Force Westland Sea King

This Belgian Air Force Westland Sea King 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.

The Belgian Air Force operated the iconic Westland Sea King Mk.48 helicopter for over four decades, primarily in a crucial search and rescue (SAR) role. Five of these British-built helicopters, a licensed version of the American Sikorsky S-61, were acquired in April 1975 to replace their aging Sikorsky HSS1/S58 fleet. After initial crew training at RNAS Culdrose in the UK, the Sea Kings were delivered to Koksijde Air Base in Belgium in November 1976 and officially assigned to No. 40 Squadron, receiving tail numbers RS-01 to RS-05. RS-01 is on display in the museum.

Throughout their extensive service, the Belgian Sea Kings proved to be invaluable assets for maritime SAR operations in the North Sea and beyond. They were responsible for saving 1,757 lives across 3,309 emergency calls, accumulating an impressive 60,000 flying hours. A notable intervention was their swift response to the “Herald of Free Enterprise” disaster off Zeebrugge in March 1987, where three Sea Kings rescued 30 passengers from the capsized ferry.

Interestingly, their distinctive green and sand camouflage scheme originated from a cancelled order by the Egyptian Air Force, meaning the airframes were already painted before being repurposed for Belgium.

The Belgian Air Force began phasing out its Sea King fleet in the late 2000s, they were gradually replaced by the more modern NHIndustries NH90 “Caiman” helicopters. While some of the retired airframes are now preserved in museums or for technical training, two, RS-02 and RS-04, were acquired by Historic Helicopters in the UK and are maintained in airworthy condition, allowing their legacy to continue.

Reflecting on the construction of the Arvus Lighter

One of the reveals at the World Championships Preview back in November was a plastic Arvus Lighter for The Horus Heresy. I ordered one from my FLGS.

The Arvus Lighter is a small, general purpose cargo shuttle that is widely used by the Imperium of Man for many tasks, both in space and on the surface of planets. The Arvus is commonly used by both Imperial Navy warships and Imperial merchant vessels, including Rogue Traders. The Arvus is just one of many types of small, void-capable shuttles used by the Imperium. The Arvus is piloted by a single pilot, and is not equipped with any weapon systems, in fact, the Arvus possesses only the most basic navigation equipment, external sensors, and proximity alarms. The Arvus has a powerful engine that allows it to carry heavy cargo to and from a planet’s surface

I like this model, though released for The Horus Heresy, I suspect it would make a great model for, not just Warhammer 40K, but also Necromunda. One of the additions to the plastic version of the Arvus Lighter model is a rear ramp gunner.

With most of my models I constructed them fully and then paint them. This is okay for many of my models, but I have with a few undertaken some part-assembly, then painting before putting the whole model together. One example of this on my workbench is the Typhon Heavy Siege Tank where I painted the tracks, sponsons and main weapon separately before putting them together.

Having reflected a bit more on the Arvus Lighter model, I have decided I will model the interior and have the ramp gunner as well.

I realised as I looked at the sprues and the instructions that I would need to paint some of the interior just for the pilot, and if I was going down that road I might as well do all the interior. As painting the cockpit and the canopy would mean having sub-assemblies anyhow.

I also want to add detail to the inside of the Arvus Lighter, which already has some details in terms of seating. I will add additional equipment, straps and personal equipment to enhance the model.

So I will do some partial assemblies and then put the model together at the end.

There will be the sides, the base of the flyer with the cockpit, and the top superstructure with the wings and the engines.

I will model the Arvus Lighter with the undercarriage down, so that as well as using the flying stand, I can also use the Arvus Lighter in a landed mode. Though in this instance I might need to model the ramp gunner so that he can be removed. As he is shooting downwards, and this would look out of place when the Arvus Lighter is landed.

I am also going to go with the camouflage scheme I used with my Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie transports.