Eurofighter Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon is a European multinational twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter.

The aircraft’s development effectively began in 1983 with the Future European Fighter Aircraft programme, a multinational collaboration among the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain. France later pulled out.

A technology demonstration aircraft, the British Aerospace EAP, first flew on 6 August 1986.

A Eurofighter prototype made its maiden flight on 27 March 1994. 

The aircraft’s name, Typhoon, was adopted in September 1998 and the first production contracts were also signed that year.

It was initially employed in an air-to-air fighter role as the Typhoon F2 and RAF deliveries began in 2003.

The upgraded Typhoon FGR4 is an extremely agile multi-role combat aircraft. Although the Typhoon’s primary role is for air defence, it has been deployed in a wide range of air operations, including air policing and peace support. It has also been used against Dash targets in Syria and Iraq.

This example on display at RAF London is the second prototype Typhoon and first flew in 1994. 

The Typhoon will remain in service until 2040. I think this is quite incredible that the plane will fly for so long.

Painting the Rolls Royce Armoured Car

The Rolls-Royce armoured car was a British armoured car developed in 1914 and used in World War I and in the early part of World War II. At the outbreak of World War II, 76 vehicles were in service. They were used in operations in the Western Desert, in Iraq, and in Syria. By the end of 1941, they were withdrawn from the frontline service as modern armoured car designs became available.

This mode, which I bought about twenty five years ago now, was originally designed and manufactured by the Honourable Lead Boiler Suit Company (HLBSCo) they were then small and relatively new. 

A version of the model is still available today and the other HLBSCo models are available from Empress Miniatures. The newer version consists of more resin and less white metal.

I bought the model for Tally Ho! but also intend to use it with my Bolt Action Home Guard forces.

I gave the model a base coat of Cruiser Tank Green (700), which I am not sure is the right colour for a 1940s Rolls Royce Armoured Car.

I think though looking at other models, that it’s probably okay, and  fine.

I wasn’t too happy with it, so after a while I decided to give the model another basecoat of Army Green Spray from the Army Painter range.

Once dry I masked the model with blu-tak. 

I then used a Humbrol Tank Grey 67 spray for the dark colour.

The next stage will be painting the tyres and detailing.

Plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino

I was pleased to see that one of the new Horus Heresy releases announced at Warhammer Fest today was the Plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino.

Hot on the heels of the RTB01-esque Mark VI Space Marines comes the classic look of the Deimos Pattern Rhino. It will be easier than ever before to roll out a fully mechanised army for Warhammer: The Horus Heresy.

I like the kit and retro yet modern look they have achieved with the kit. Well Forge World did do that ten years ago… This is of course a plastic version of that Forge World resin kit.

This release of the new plastic kit really feels like Games Workshop going full circle. The Plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino is of course a homage to the original plastic Rhino from the 1980s, which was Games Workshop’s first tank kit for Warhammer 40000 Rogue Trader. This will be a different kind of kit though.

Of course that kit when released the fluff allowed the Rhino to be used by the Imperial Guard. You can see this in this camouflage schemes for the then plastic Rhino kit, which was published to help people paint their new models.

So wonder how many people will buy the plastic Deimos Pattern Rhino for their Imperial Guard armies?

Some more variations. I do like the way that (back then) Space Marine chapters used camouflage on their vehicles.

So will we see a plastic Land Raider Proteus as some point in the future? Well it wouldn’t surprise me if we did.

Bravo November

This USAF Boeing Chinook front fuselage was on display at RAF London and painted to represent Bravo November.

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 has been in service ever since. 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.

Full history of Bravo November.

The actual Bravo November Chinook is now on display at RAF Cosford. 

Squat Prospectors

Announced today are some really nice Squat Prospectors.

Squat Prospectors

 These are the Ironhead Squat Prospectors – tough and resourceful miners out in the ash wastes who are more than capable of defending themselves from anyone that tries to take the treasures they dig up.

Squat Prospectors

Though designed for Necromunda, I do like these models. They really remind me of the original Squats.

Squat Prospectors

Thinking I might get a squad.

 

Painting the Morris CS9 Armoured Car

The Morris CS9/Light Armoured Car was a British armoured car used by the British Army in the World War II. The vehicle was based on a Morris Commercial C9 4×2 15-cwt truck chassis. On this chassis a rivetted hull was mounted with an open-topped two-man turret. The armament consisted of either Boys anti-tank rifle and Bren light machine gun or Vickers machine gun. 

I have the Bolt Action Morris CS9 Armoured Car resin kit. Having constructed the model and given it a white undercoat. I then gave the model a base coat of Cruiser Tank Green (700).

Another view.

I wasn’t too happy with it, so after a while I decided to give the model another basecoat of Army Green Spray from the Army Painter range.

The green is very similar. Then spray gave the model a smoother finish.

Once dry I masked the model with blu-tak. 

I tried to copy the camouflage pattern as shown in the 1940 photograph.

Morris CS9/Light Armoured Car

I then used a Humbrol Tank Grey 67 spray for the dark colour.

The other side.

The next stage will be painting the tyres and detailing.

British Aerospace Harrier GR9A

The Harrier II resulted from a collaborative partnership between McDonnell Douglas and British Aerospace to produce a second-generation Harrier based on the McDonnell Douglas AV-8B.

The project that eventually led to the AV-8B’s creation started in the early 1970s as a cooperative effort between the United States and United Kingdom, aimed at addressing the operational inadequacies of the first-generation Hawker Siddeley Harrier. 

Because of budgetary constraints, the UK abandoned the project in 1975. Following the UK’s withdrawal, McDonnell Douglas extensively redesigned the earlier AV-8A Harrier to create the AV-8B. While retaining the general layout of its predecessor, the aircraft incorporates a new, larger composite wing with an additional hardpoint on each side, an elevated cockpit, a redesigned fuselage and other structural and aerodynamic refinements. The aircraft is powered by an upgraded version of the Pegasus.

The UK, through British Aerospace, re-joined the improved Harrier project as a partner in 1981, giving it a significant work-share in the project. 

The Harrier II was derived from the AV-8B and incorporated an advanced wing design, improved avionics and increased bomb and missile-carrying capacity.

RAF variants started as the Harrier GR5, and were later upgraded as the GR7 and GR9. 

This Harrier GR9A was on display at RAF London.

Under the Joint Force Harrier organisation, both the RAF and RN operated the Harrier II under the RAF’s Air Command, including deployments on board the navy’s Invincible-class aircraft carriers. 

The Harrier II participated in numerous conflicts, making significant contributions in combat theatres such as Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The type’s main function was as a platform for air interdiction and close air support missions; the Harrier II was also used for power projection and reconnaissance duties. The Harrier II served alongside the Sea Harrier in Joint Force Harrier.

The RAF used them for attack and close air support duties in conflicts such as Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

There is also a BAe Harrier GR9A on display at RAF Cosford.

There is a BAe Harrier GR9A at the Imperial War Museum in London.

Revisiting the Ork Desert Fort

One of the things I liked about Cities of Death was the large Ork “town” which was there alongside the ruined Imperial Cities. I know I will never have the time, space or resources to make something similar, but I did like the concept and thought it would be nice to have some buildings for my Orks.

Many years ago I made an Ork Fort using a DVD-R spindle tub (remember those).

I used wooden sticks, plasticard, spare parts to add detail to the fort. For many years it was painted a rusty red colour, but I had never got round to finishing it off.

Getting it out I gave the model a spray of Citadel Zandri Dust.

The next stage will be to use a shade on the model.

See the workbench feature on the Ork Desert Fort.

C-130 Hercules

This C-130 Hercules cockpit was on display at RAF London.

First flown as a prototype for the United States Air Force in August 1954, the C-130 Hercules, as a troop transport, disaster relief and aerial tanker aircraft has been a mainstay of the RAF transport fleet since the late 1960s (along with those of many other air forces); it has seen extensive operational use including the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.

I’ve always liked the concept of gaming scenarios which include the C-130 Hercules, probably down to the Raid on Entebbe, which of course has been the subject of many films.

There are plenty of 1/72 model kits of the Hercules, but for 15mm or 28mm games there is less or no choice.

There is a Hercules C-130K Mk3 on display at RAF Cosford.