Churchill AVRE

The Churchill AVRE was armed with a 230 mm petard spigot mortar.

The Churchill AVRE was one of the so-called ‘funnies’ designed by Percy Hobart specifically for use on the D-Day beaches to break through the German fortified defences.

The AVRE was the most successful ‘funny’ type and AVRE vehicles remain in service with the British Army today.

This Churchill AVRE was on display at the Tank Museum at Bovington.

There was also a Churchill AVRE at Duxford.

Land Raider Proteus

There were various Land Raider Proteus models on display at Warhammer World.

Land Raider Proteus

Mechanicus tech-savants believe that the Land Raider Proteus is a precursor to the Phobos pattern vehicle now found amongst the armouriums of the Adeptus Astartes. Bulkier and faster than the Phobos, ancient and forgotten data-looms describe the Proteus as a forward assault vehicle, commonly fielded in Explorator missions during the dawning days of Mankind’s fledgling galactic empire.

Land Raider Proteus

Those of us who have been playing Warhammer 40K since it was first released will recognise this model. It is of course a new version of the original Land Raider that was released back in 1987 following the release of the 1st edition of Warhammer 40,000, Rogue Trader. Forge World did release a resin version over ten years ago and this is the model on display above.

There was also this variant Proteus with armoured hull mounted dual lascannons on display made from the new plastic kit.

Land Raider Proteus

This variant can be made from the Horus Heresy plastic kit.

It is similar to the armoured Proteus which was announced back at Games Day 2011. However it is missing the sponsons.

Land Raider Proteus Miniatures Gallery

Handley Page Victor XH672

The Handley Page Victor is a British jet-powered strategic bomber which was developed and produced by Handley Page, and which served during the Cold War. It was the third and final V bomber to be operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), the other two being the Avro Vulcan and the Vickers Valiant. The Victor had been developed as part of the United Kingdom’s airborne nuclear deterrent. It was retired from the nuclear mission in 1968, following the discovery of fatigue cracks which had been exacerbated by the RAF’s adoption of a low-altitude flight profile to avoid interception.

Handley Page Victor XH672 is on display at RAF Cosford.

Another photograph of the Handley Page Victor XH672.

Handley Page Victor XH648 is being restored at Duxford.

Finally, it’s coming…

Legion Imperialis Logo

We finally got the announcement that Legion Imperalis is on its way.

Next week there will be a two week pre-order window for Legion Imperalis.

It also looks like there will be a wealth of releases. As well as the boxed set there appears there will be a range of models, accessories, scenery and other stuff all released at the same time.

A quick Google search shows that the boxed set will have a RRP of £120. The pack of ten Rhino APCs will be £30.

Don’t quite know what I will pre-order at this point.

Legions Imperialis Solar Auxilia

Over on the Warhammer Community site they have showcased Legions Imperialis miniatures painted by community painters.

One force caught my eye, and it was a Solar Auxilia force painted by Gadge.

Legions Imperialis models are incredibly detailed despite being in epic scale, so it’s really important not to lose this detail with overly thick paint or too many layers. Drybrushing and Contrast paints are the key to this ‘sand and spinach’ scheme that will look good on both desert and temperate battlefields. I started off with a base coat of Zandri Dust Spray undercoat, which was drybrushed up with Flayed One Flesh, where the tonal difference helps pick out every hatch and rivet. To avoid swamping the model with excessive paint, I used Creed Camo Contrast paint to apply the camouflage bands and blotches, as the translucent quality of Contrast paint allows the existing highlights on the base coat to surface. Other parts were painted variously with Black Legion, Blue Horror, and Evil Sunz Scarlet, before being outlined lightly with Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I applied weathering by giving the tracks a light drybrush with Terminatus Stone, before dipping a brush in Ratling Grime, wiping most of it off, and dabbing it all over any areas where I felt the tanks would be either well-oiled or getting in contact with a lot of grime – the vents, grills, gun barrels, and wheels.

I did like the scheme and it reminded me of the Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie Assault Carriers that I painted.

I think I might use the same scheme and process on any Legions Imperialis Solar Auxilia I get.

See the Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie Assault Carriers workbench.

Voss Pattern Lightning Strike Fighter

This Voss Pattern Lightning Strike Fighter was on display at Warhammer World.

Following the Saint-Saen Crusade’s liberation of twelve worlds in the Segmentum Obscurus, STC patterns were recovered for an air superiority fighter, smaller and more agile than the iconic Thunderbolt. The Lightning has since been disseminated to other worlds with strong ties to the Imperial Navy, notably Bakka and Hydraphur, and production has recently begun within the Segmentum Solar, resulting in the Voss Pattern Lightning Strike Fighter.

The ‘Strike’ variant of the Lightning is equipped with a potent armament of six Hellstrike missiles as well as its twin-linked lascannon, fulfilling a dedicated ground attack role.

Deimos Vindicator Laser Destroyer

This Legiones Astartes Ultramarines Deimos Vindicator Laser Destroyer was on display in the cabinets at Warhammer World.

The Vindicator laser destroyer array is a devastating weapon, capable of unleashing a torrent of laser energy that can tear through the armor of even the heaviest enemy vehicles. It was first fitted to the heavily armored Deimos pattern Vindicator chassis during the dark days of the Horus Heresy, when several Legions fielded this variant as a mainline battle tank. The Vindicator laser destroyer proved itself to be an able tank hunter, time and again destroying enemy tanks and other armored vehicles with ease.

After the Horus Heresy, the Vindicator laser destroyer array remained in service with Space Marine Chapters. It is still used today, and remains one of the most feared anti-tank weapons in the Imperium’s arsenal. Vindicator laser destroyer arrays are often deployed to support infantry units, providing them with the firepower they need to break through enemy armor and fortifications.

General Aircraft Hamilcar and Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch

This General Aircraft Limited Hamilcar and Light Tank Tetrarch combination were on display at the Tank Museum. Though only a section of the Hamilcar fuselage remains and was on display.

General Aircraft Limited Hamilcar and Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch

The Tetrarch light tank was a British tank produced in the late 1930s and used during World War II. It was the latest in a line of light tanks built by Vickers-Armstrongs for the British Army and featured a 2-pounder gun, an improvement over its predecessor, the Light Tank Mk VIC.

The Tetrarch was a relatively small and lightweight tank, making it ideal for airborne operations. In June 1942, the Tetrarch was attached to the 1st Airborne Division as an air-portable light tank to support British airborne forces. The tanks were transported and landed in General Aircraft Hamilcar gliders, which were specially designed for the task.

The Tetrarch played an important role in several airborne operations during World War II. In June 1944, approximately twenty Tetrarchs were used during Operation Tonga, the British airborne landings in Normandy. The Tetrarchs provided valuable fire support to the British paratroopers as they landed and fought their way inland.

General Aircraft Limited Hamilcar and Light Tank Mk VII Tetrarch

The General Aircraft Limited Hamilcar was a large British military glider produced during World War II to carry heavy cargo, such as the Tetrarch or M22 Locust light tank. It was used only three times, all in support of British airborne forces.

The Hamilcar first saw action in June 1944, when approximately thirty were used to carry Ordnance QF 17 pounder anti-tank guns, transport vehicles, and Tetrarch light tanks into Normandy during Operation Tonga. In September 1944, a similar number of Hamilcars were used to transport anti-tank guns, transport vehicles, and supplies for airborne troops during Operation Market Garden. They were used a third and final time in March 1945 during Operation Varsity when they transported M22 Locust light tanks and other supplies.

The Hamilcar was successful in all three operations, although its slow speed and large size made it an easy target for anti-aircraft fire, resulting in a number of gliders being damaged or destroyed.

Legion Imperialis Land Raiders

We have seen a preview of the forthcoming Legion Imperialis Land Raiders.

Legion Imperialis Land Raiders
These look really nice and looking forward to getting some to paint.

I actually thought we had seen these already. I suspect that might be more down to the fact that when Space Marine and Epic 40000 were released the Land Raider was in those initial releases. Looking back at the (delayed) forthcoming Legions Imperialis boxed set, I see and realise now, that Land Raiders are not part of that set.

So will we see a Typhon Heavy Siege Tank as well now?