Westland Wessex HC.2

This Westland Wessex HC.2 was on display at RAF Cosford.

This Westland Wessex HC.2 was on display at RAF Cosford. The HC.2 was a RAF Troop carrier for up to 16 troops, the prototype was converted from an HAS1 and an additional 73 were built.

I always had this idea of Westland Wessex helicopters flying about for games set in my world of the Second English Civil War or Team Yankee. For 20mm games there are plenty of choices, both kits and diecast models.

More photographs of the Westland Wessex HC.2.

Legions Imperialis Solar Auxilia Arvus Lighter

The Legions Imperialis Solar Auxilia Arvus Lighter was previewed this week and will be available next week for pre-order.

Affectionately known as the “little pig” among Solar Auxilia aircrews, the Arvus Lighter is a reliable armoured shuttle used for ferrying Lasrifle Sections across the battlefield.

This plastic kit contains eight Arvus Lighter models.

M9A1 Armoured Half-track

This M9A1 armoured half-track was on display at Bovington.

The M9 half-track was a half-track produced by International Harvester in the United States during World War II for lend-lease supply to the Allies. It was designed to provide a similar vehicle to the M2 half-track car.

It had the same body and chassis as the M5 half-track but had the same stowage and radio fit as the M2 half-track. 3500 were produced by the end of World War II.

The M9A1 variant of the M9 matched the improvements made to the M2, M3, and M5, changing to ring mount machine gun mount and three pintle machine gun mounts.

Imperial Fists Kratos Heavy Assault Tank

This Imperial Fists Kratos Heavy Assault Tank was on display at Warhammer World.

Imperial Fists Kratos Heavy Assault Tank
Imperial Fists Kratos Heavy Assault Tank at Warhammer World

The Kratos Heavy Assault Tank is based on an Ancient Terran pattern fielded during the Unification of Old Earth, redesigned after the Emperor’s treaty with the Lords of Mars to serve as the spearhead of the Great Crusade, a line-breaker and foe hammer. This grinding battle tank is all but impervious to enemy fire, and its steady, inexorable advance provides an indomitable core to any assault by the Legiones Astartes, enforced by a barrage of overwhelming firepower.

Imperial Fists Land Raider Spartan Assault Tank

The Spartan Assault Tank also known as the Land Raider Spartan, this armoured carrier was designed to punch through the most overwhelming enemy defences and deliver a knock-out blow of massed Astartes infantry. It became a common assault vehicle during the Great Crusade, where its nigh-impervious chassis could shrug off regular anti-tank weapons as it ferried up to 26 Legionaries – or 13 Terminators – into the fray, with a surprising turn of speed for its size.

This Spartan Assault Tanks was on display at Warhammer World.

Land Raider Spartan Assault Tank Miniatures Gallery.

Morris Light Reconnaissance Car

Morris Light Reconnaissance Car

Morris Light Reconnaissance Car (LRC) was a British light armoured car for reconnaissance use produced by Morris Motors Limited and used by the British during the Second World War.

This Morris Light Reconnaissance Car was on display at Bovington Tank Museum.

Morris Light Reconnaissance Car

The vehicle was used in the North African, Italian and in North-West Europe campaigns. Some served with the RAF Regiment, others were given to Polish units.

Over two thousand were built.

Bravo November

Bravo November is the original identification code painted on a British Royal Air Force Boeing Chinook HC6A military serial number ZA718. It was one of the original 30 aircraft ordered by the RAF in 1978 and was in service up to 2022. It has been upgraded several times in its history, now being designated as an HC6A airframe. 

It has seen action in every major operation involving the RAF in the helicopter’s 39-year service life. Since 1982 it has served in the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, Germany, Northern Ireland, Kurdistan, Iraq and Afghanistan. The aircraft has seen four of its pilots awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions whilst in command of Bravo November.

It first came to the attention of the general public for its survival of the Falklands War. In April 1982 Bravo November was loaded, along with three other Chinooks, aboard the container ship MV Atlantic Conveyor bound for the Falkland Islands on Operation Corporate. Atlantic Conveyor was hit by an Exocet missile, destroying the vessel along with its cargo. Bravo November was on an airborne task at the time and managed to land on HMS Hermes, gaining the nickname The Survivor. It was the only serviceable heavy lift helicopter available to British forces involved in the hostilities.

The helicopter was retired from service in March 2022, as part of a project to replace the RAF’s nine oldest Chinooks with more modern CH-47F variants.

In April 2022 the aircraft was transported to RAF Museum Cosford, and is now on display to the public in the museum’s new Falklands War display.

West Midlands Military Show 2024

I went up to Aldersley Leisure Village in Wolverhampton to visit the Alumwell Wargames Society West Midlands Military Show 2024.

There was some excellent looking games there. I was impressed with the quality of the scenery and the painting of the models.

I liked the Warhammer 40K Last Stand at Glazer’s Creek, which was based on part of the huge Massacre at Big Toof River game that was shown at UK Games Day  back in 1997. They had lots of Praetorian Guard defending against a mob of Orks.

I didn’t buy anything, despite being tempted by a few things.