Original Space Marine Whirlwind

This Space Marine Whirlwind was on display at Warhammer World.

Space Marine Whirlwind

The Whirlwind is an adaptation of the Rhino design, a lightly armoured tank chassis armed with a multiple rocket launcher system capable of raining precision fire down upon enemy positions. Thanks to its target acquisition system, the Whirlwind is able to bombard hidden or entrenched targets with incredible accuracy, often from behind the safety of cover.

This is the kit version of the original Whirlwind artillery vehicle, based on the original Rhino kit. It was on display at Warhammer World. It comprised a plastic Rhino kit and metal components.

See the Space Marines Whirlwind Miniatures Gallery.

Arvus Lighter at Warhammer World

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

There were quite a few Arvus Lighter models on display at Warhammer World.

Some of these are the original resin Forge World models, but there was also some examples using the new plastic kit that was released for The Horus Heresy. The main differences between the resin and plastic models are in the engine cowling and around the cockpit. Otherwise these are very similar models.

I have the new Horus Heresy plastic Arvus Lighter on my workbench.

Early Imperial Fists Predator

This Imperial Fists Predator was on display at Warhammer World.

Imperial Fists Predator
Imperial Fists Predator

It makes use of the first plastic Rhino kit. The additional parts are metal, including the sponsons and the turret.

Here is another view from an earlier visit to Warhammer World.

Imperial Fists Predator

Photographs of my Imperial Fists Deimos Pattern Predator.

Eldar Harlequins

Harlequins are the Eldar followers of Cegorach, the Laughing God. They are the performers and entertainers of the Eldar, the self-appointed protectors of the Eldar’s pre-Fall history, which they perform in extremely elaborate plays involving not only elaborate costumes, scenery, acrobatics, and a troupe of dedicated actors, but further elaboration of the drama through psykana and psychedelic drugs.

Photographs from GamesDay and Warhammer World.

Ork Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy

Born from the greasy ingenuity of Snakebite Orks with a canny eye for battlefield economics, the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy wasn’t initially conceived as a weapon of war, but rather a mobile snack bar for the speed-addicted Speed Freeks. Imagine ramshackle, rattling pens on wheels, teeming with edible squigs, keeping pace with the thunderous advance of Warbikers, buggies, and Trukks. Above the din of engines, the Squigbuggy crews, all toothy grins and booming voices, would hawk their squirming wares.

For a hefty bag of teef exchanged mid-chase, a lucky (or perhaps unlucky) customer would have a choice squig launched directly into their waiting hands – or even their cavernous maw – courtesy of the vehicle’s ingenious Squig Launchas. However, legend, thick with the pungent aroma of squig and Orkoid mishap, whispers of a pivotal moment. It was when a particularly ferocious Attack Squig, mistaking the launcha for a new burrow, was accidentally fired into the face of an unsuspecting Ork. In that instant of unexpected carnage, the true, brutal potential of this mobile menagerie of mayhem was violently unleashed.

Now, the rumble of a Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy signals more than just lunchtime. These ruggedly built vehicles, instantly recognizable by their bellowing engines and the chaotic mass of squigs and Orks clinging to every surface, now muscle their way to the forefront of any Speed Freek advance. They unleash volleys of their living, close-range artillery, turning enemy ranks into a squirming, panicked mess. The Squigbuggy, once a purveyor of battlefield snacks, has evolved into a fearsome engine of destruction, proving that even the humblest beginnings can lead to gloriously violent ends.

Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy on my workbench.

Next steps for the Kil Bursta Tank

I have been thinking what I could do with the model to make it look better and in some way a little more like an Ork vehicle. I think I need to review some other Ork vehicles to find out what I can do.

I have had my Kill Bursta hanging around on the workbench for a while now, so it was s nice to make some significant progress on the model.

I was looking at the work I had done with the Ork Kill Bursta Tank. I liked the effect I had achieved on the engine.

There is still a fair bit of work to do on the model, but I am pleased with my progress so far.

Looking at the Forge World model, there is a lot of rust on this model, but I can see they also painted some of the cabling and there is of course the Ork iconography.

I think I might add some more weathering and paint the teeth of the dozer blade in a similar fashion to the Forge World model.

 

Kill Team Ratlings

I missed out on getting the Kill Team box Kill Team: Brutal and Cunning, which sold out more quickly that I anticipated. However the individual teams from that box set have been released and one I am thinking about getting is the Ratlings.

Ratlings are snipers and spotters without peer in the Astra Militarum – these abhumans are small in stature, and unusually sneaky. They often operate behind enemy lines, reporting on targets of interest and neutralising choice targets with extreme prejudice.

I did get the Provisionally Prepared limited edition box, which features two halflings, sorry abhuman Ratlings, hiding behind some ruins. One is a sniper and preparing to shoot, the other is preparing lunch.

The boxed set of Ratlings builds 10 Ratlings, a Ratling Battlemutt, an Ammo Cache marker, and two Tripwire markers. 

All great looking models.

Sisters of Battle Repressor

The Repressor is an Imperial armoured personnel carrier (APC) based on the standard Rhino chassis.

Inquisitorial Stormtroopers Repressor Transport
Inquisitorial Stormtroopers Repressor Transport

The Repressor is used by both the Adeptus Arbites as a riot control and crowd suppression vehicle, and by the Adepta Sororitas as an infantry transport during intense urban battles.

Sisters of Battle Repressor

The Repressor uses an extensively converted Rhino chassis; the transport compartment has been greatly expanded upon, a raised roof featuring firing slits for the passenger’s weapons has been added, a large dozer blade used to plow through debris and rioting mobs is attached to the front of the vehicle, and the vehicle possesses a small forward cupola-mounted turret. The Adeptus Arbites variant of the Repressor is armed with non-lethal weaponry such as water cannons and grenade launchers that fire stun and gas grenades at angry mobs. When the Adepta Sororitas started to use Repressors near the end of the 40th Millennium they replaced the non-lethal weapons with Storm Bolters and Heavy Flamers.

My workbench feature on the Forge World Inquisitorial Stormtroopers Repressor Transport.

The model is no longer available from Forge World, and there is no new variant, or a replacement.

Renegade Armoured Medusa Armageddon Pattern

The Medusa Siege Tank is an aging Imperial Guard siege platform used when attacking the thick walls of an enemy-held city or fortress. Built on the Chimera chassis, the Medusa suffers from a number of disadvantages compared to other artillery pieces like the Basilisk or Griffon, but its immense firepower ensures its continued use in the siege warfare depressingly common to the 41st Millennium.

Renegade forces of Chaos would also utilise the Medusa Siege Tank.

Renegade Armoured Medusa Armageddon Pattern
Renegade Armoured Medusa Armageddon Pattern

This Forge World model is now no longer available.

Cadian Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons Squad

This Cadian Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons Squad was on display at Warhammer World.

Cadian Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons
Cadian Imperial Guard Heavy Weapons

While massed infantry can overwhelm the foe, it often falls to Heavy Weapons Squads to deliver the killing blow. These teams of gun crews swiftly set up their mobile heavy weapons as their comrades advance, providing the firepower to bolster battle lines. With access to an arsenal of portable armaments, they can offer close fire support with adaptable loadouts of precise – or indiscriminate – firepower.

Across the three teams are a lascannon, heavy bolter, and an autocannon.