workbench – Page 2 – Felix's Gaming Pages

Constructing the Jade Lancers

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta. I also saw a posting on the Warhammer Community site about where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors.

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion.

I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon and the Jade Lancers.

The Jade Lancers represent the elite heavy cavalry of Grand Cathay’s armies, formidable shock troops drawn from the very best of the disciplined Jade Warriors. Clad in ornate, heavy cataphract armour that gleams like polished jade and mounted on barded warhorses, they are a sight to behold on the battlefield. Wielding long Cathayan lances, they are trained not only for devastating charges across open plains but also for intricate manoeuvres through the narrower confines of city streets and fortified breaches, making them exceptionally versatile. Their thunderous arrival shatters enemy lines, embodying the implacable might of the Celestial Dragon Emperor’s domain.

I do think the construction of the Jade Lancers is quite complicated, the horses are made up of quite a few components. Most of the horses have only one hoof on the ground, something that you couldn’t do with metal models, but can with plastic.

Still a fair few to construct.

Terracotta Cathayan Grand Cannons

I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon.

Cast in the likeness of roaring dragons, the Grand Cannons of Cathay unleash torrents of flame and iron upon the foe. Whether saturating a wide front or concentrating their explosive power into a single, devastating projectile for sieges, they remain a cornerstone of Cathayan might.

First models to be made were the crew. I constructed two of the crew first. The third crew member was built, as was the Ogre loader.

I have been thinking about how I will paint the Grand Cannon. The human crew will be terracotta like the Jade Warriors. I think I will also need to reflect on how to paint the Ogre Loaders, who are mercenaries. First thoughts are to paint them as terracotta too. As for the cannon itself, that I think will be more brass than clay. I think a cannon made out of terracotta would explode upon firing.

I think I will landscape the base before affixing the cannon.

I have also gone down the cannon route rather than the Fire Rain Rocket Battery option.

Terracotta Cathayan Grand Cannons

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion.

I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon.

First models to be made were the crew.

These were a lot easier to construct than the warriors.

Next step will be to make some more models.

Empire of Man Witch Hunter

I was placing an order with Games Workshop and looking for something to add to ensure I could get free delivery. I found the online only Empire of Man Witch Hunter which I thought for £9 was cheap for Games Workshop.

This kit contains 3 metal components. I have to say I wasn’t clear if the two weapons had to be attached to the model, or if it was a choice. Looking over the web page on the Warhammer site, that didn’t really help. Searching Google also didn’t bring much to the situation. In the end I decided it was a choice and I went with the smaller sword and pistol rather than the great sword.

The next stage will be adding some scenic sand to the base and then undercoating the model.

Empire of Man Witch Hunter on the workbench

Witch Hunters are ever vigilant for outbreaks of rebellion and myriad evil threats. These religious warriors roam the land in the service of all the great churches and temples, intent upon casting out that which their patron considers most evil.

This kit contains 3 metal components.

It took a while to arrive, as I ordered with a made to order model.

Ammo Runts have arrived

Back in February I placed an order for a Made to Order special, some Ammo Runts from Games Workshop. These models were originally sculptured back in 2008. They are from different models, and at one point were quite rare.

As these are Made to Order specials they take a while to arrive, in theory anything up to 180 days from when you place the order, mine arrived in about 80 days.

These were originally part of a Kaptin Baddrukk and Ammo Runts boxed set which was released for a very short time. Some of these were resin (finecast) models, but with the made to order release they are all metal castings.

These are in some instances multi-part kits and will need cleaning and glueing before they can be undercoated.

Terracotta Jade Warriors

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion.

I started constructing the Jade Warriors.

There are quite a few parts for each model. You can construct the Jade Warriors either holding swords or armed with halberds.

I noticed that after making them, that they were facing in the wrong direction, so I removed them from their bases and stuck them, now facing the right direction.

Next step will be to make some more models.

Painting the base coat of the Tallarn Deathstrike

On a recent visit to Warhammer World I picked up a Deathstrike kit. This is an online only model.

This Deathstrike is based on the Chimera APC hull and can either be built as a Deathstrike platform or as a Manticore multiple rocket platform. This was originally released back in 2010 and unlike many other vehicles that were based on Epic models, a version was never released by Forge World. The Epic version does have a much bigger missile, however that always looked like a strategic missile, rather than a battlefield tactical missile.

My plan is to paint this as a Tallarn Deathstrike to go with my Tallarn infantry.

Having constructed the model the next step was the primer and then the base coat.

I gave the model a light spray of Citadel Wraithbone spray before then giving it a proper base coat of Army Painter Desert Yellow Spray.

I would have used a Zandri Dust spray, but I didn’t have a can. A tricky model to paint as there are quite a few overhangs and other areas where the spray could miss.

The next stage will be to give the model a wash to add shadow, so will be shading the model using Seraphim Sepia Shade.

The rocket itself I gave that a spray of Citadel Leadbelcher.

I left the tracks off the models and will paint them separately. With the tracks I will use a similar method to how I painted the tracks of my Land Raider models, first will be a spray of Mechanicus Standard Grey. Then the tracks will get a heavy drybrush of Gorthor Brown. The tracks, once dry, will have a wash of Agrax Earthshade Shade. After painting and shading them, they will be drybrushed them lightly, first with Leadbelcher and then a very light drybrush with Terminatus Stone.

Deathstrike Hatch

On a recent visit to Warhammer World I picked up a Deathstrike kit. This is an online only model. My plan is to paint this as a Tallarn Deathstrike to go with my Tallarn infantry.

The kit went together very easily. Though looking at the photographs I took recently realised I left off the front hatch. So I fixed that.

Next step is priming and base coating.

Constructing the Tallarn Deathstrike

On a recent visit to Warhammer World I picked up a Deathstrike kit. This is an online only model.

My plan is to paint this as a Tallarn Deathstrike to go with my Tallarn infantry.

The kit comes with two sprues, one for the hull and one with the specific components to convert the base Chimera chassis for the Deathstrike and the Deathstrike missile as well. As this kit can be built as a Manticore, there are additional components for that version as well.

The kit went together very easily. Though looking at the photographs I realised I left off the front hatch.

I left off the tracks to paint them separately, the same went for the missile. In theory the firing platform can be raised, but I am not sure if that will survive the painting process.