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The SEPECAT Jaguar is an Anglo-French jet attack aircraft originally used by the British Royal Air Force and the French Air Force in the close air support and nuclear strike role.
A single Jaguar was converted into the Jaguar Active Control Technology (ACT) with fly-by-wire controls and aerodynamic alterations to the airframe; the aerodynamic instability improved manoeuvrability and the test data was used in the development of the Eurofighter. That plane is now on show at RAF Cosford.
The British Aerospace EAP (standing for Experimental Aircraft Programme) was a British technology demonstrator aircraft developed by aviation company British Aerospace (BAe) as a private venture.
It was designed to research technologies to be used for a future European combat aircraft, and eventually formed the basis for the multinational Eurofighter Typhoon.
It is now on display at RAF Cosford.
One of my Christmas presents, was the Necromunda Zone Mortalis: Floor Tile Set.
These highly detailed pieces of terrain allow you to build your very own dark and gritty corner of the Necromundan Underhive. They can be used to make a variety of board sizes, from narrow corridors and abandoned dwellings, to sprawling industrial complexes.
I had been thinking for some time in getting this set, for small games of Warhammer 40000, but also for games of Star Wars: Legion. So was pleased to get a box for Christmas
You get a set of four identical 12″ square plastic floor tiles.
I gave them a light white undercoat.
This was then followed by a spray of Mechanicus Standard Grey Spray.
The next step will be further painting, washes and weathering. I have decided not go down the hazard warning stripe road that you see on the box.
I have to say, I do like the Battlezone Fronteris Terrain which was announced on the Warhammer Community site.
This battlezone is designed to give you a range of new terrain for your battles on frontier worlds or to add a little bit more militaristic utility to your existing gaming tables. It includes STC Hab-Bunkers, a Landing Pad, Vox-Antenna, Auspex Shrine, plus a selection of stockades, and will soon be available as a complete battlezone and in a variety of smaller kits.
The new scenery looks very SF but much more functional than the gothic type terrain we have seen in previous releases.
This is something I would put on my shopping list.
I really like Talisman, I have been playing it since the first edition came out in 1983. The game was very much set in a fantasy world.
One thing I have seen recently are themed versions of Talisman: Harry Potter, Star Wars and Batman.
I do like the Talisman mechanics, so not having to learn new rules upfront, certainly makes this game an attractive proposition. This game is a no-brainer if you like Batman and Talisman.
Having landscaped and undercoated my Titan bases, I used Basilicanum Grey contrast paint as a basecoat.
This is the Warlord base.
This is the Reaver base.
Quite pleased with the effect of the contrast paint.
I got a box of the Warhammer 40K Munitorum Armoured Containers for Christmas. You get three identical sprues which allows you to construct three containers, nine oil barrels and twelve (ammo) crates.
I gave the containers and other parts a white undercoat using a Corax White spray. I then started thinking about what colour I would paint them. The box cover art shows one red, one green and one black. Using the colours on my workbench, so I painted two of the containers with Army Green Spray from the Army Painter range.
The third I used Mechanicus Standard Grey Spray.
I also photographed them upside down.
Here are the three containers.
As for the barrels I did them in Zandri Dust. I also did some of the crates with the spray as well.
The barrels were rather challenging, as the spray would literally blow them over, as they were so light. I now think I should have added some weight to them.
As for the other crates I used the Army Green Spray from the Army Painter range.
I have been meaning for sometime to buy a lightbox (or Photo Cube or Light Tent) to photograph my workbench models and my finished models as well. So was pleased to get a lightbox for Christmas.
Mine is a 12” cube, which folds flat for storage and comes with various backgrounds and a diffuser.
Before I would usually use some white paper, my work lamp to take photographs. The problem with this setup was that I would get harsh shadows. Also it was always a bit of a faff to set it up.
A lightbox allows indirect lighting so you lose most of the shadow.
In my photographic guide I showed a photograph of the professional setup that Games Workshop used for Games Day over ten years ago.
I said in that guide:
Longer term I would like to get a light box, this would make taking photographs even easier and should result in even better photographs.
When I got the lightbox I did some experiments to work out the settings I would need on my camera.
Initially my results were too dark, so I made some adjustments to the white balance settings on my camera and got better results.
These are some Star Wars Legion Rebel Troopers which have been undercoated and then given a base coat of Astra Militarium green contrast paint.
This is a Z-47 speeder bike with an Imperial Scout Trooper.
Compared to this photograph I took (same camera) but using my old setup of white card and my work lamp. There are a lot more shadows.
Tried out some painted miniatures.
These are 10mm Warmaster Lizardmen Skink flyers.
There are some old (1996) Warhammer Fantasy Battle drunken dwarves.
Overall I have been pleased with the results. It is also much easier to setup than my previous ad hoc approach.
It has also meant that I can take photographs more easily, faster and importantly consistently. I don’t have to worry about shadows either.
I have decided to cut down my photographic terrain so it fits into the lightbox as well for future photography.
You can get the lightbox I got from Amazon.
Was really only yesterday that we had the announcement about new Necron flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis. Today was have another Forge World Aeronautica Imperialis released announced, this time for the Asuryani.
We will be getting the Vampire Raider and the Vampire Hunter.
The Vampire Raider is a large Asuryani atmospheric craft, but its speed and agility belie its size.
Armed with twin-linked shuriken cannons and a nose-mounted scatter laser as standard, it can put out an impressive 17 shots at close range, all while carrying its load of jump troops to their drop site.
I love the mention of jump troops, part of me with my wishful thinking, is we will see those jump troops in a expansion of ground forces for Adeptus Titanicus (a future Epic or Space Marine game). The rational realist in me says, no, won’t happen.
The Vampire Hunter is a similar craft, it though replaces the Raider’s troop compartment with phoenix missile launchers, meaning it’s the ideal heavy ground attack bomber.
It’s also armed with a twin-linked pulsar instead of the shuriken cannon, making it absolutely deadly at long range.
Suspect that like the Necron flyers, this will be a single kit with the option to build either version.
Unlike the Necrons I may actually order these models to go with the Eldar, sorry Asuryani, flyers I already have on my workbench.
When I reflected on possible forces for Operation Sea Lion games I was looking around to see what is available. One unit which caught my attention was the Warlord Games Bolt Action Royal Navy section. So I bought a box.
Having based and undercoated the Bolt Action Royal Navy Section I started painting their uniforms using Citadel Macragge Blue base paint.
I will then add highlights and potentially a wash.