Civil War

This spring sees the release of the new Alex Garland film, Civil War.

Set in an America which is breaking apart, the film is about a group of journalists travelling across the United States in an ever escalating conflict which is engulfing the entire country.

The war is between the US government and “Western Forces” which includes California and Texas. The trailer mentions nineteen states seceding from the union. It also talks about a three term President. According to the constitution American presidents can only serve two terms, could this be the reason behind the secession?

The background to the film raises a lot of ideas for gaming scenarios. As well as regular US armed forces, there is the National Guard for each state, and the film also brings in partisan extremist militias into the fight as well. The conflict allows opportunistic forces to take advantage of the chaos.

There are lots of miniatures available to game these scenarios. I am looking forward to seeing the film.

M10 Achilles Tank Destroyer

This M10 was on display at Bovington.

The M10 tank destroyer was an American tank destroyer of World War II. The prototype of the M10 was conceived in early 1942, being delivered in April of that year.

After appropriate changes to the hull and turret were made, the modified version was selected for production in June 1942 as the 3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10. It mounted a 3-inch (76.2 mm) Gun M7 in a rotating turret on a modified M4A2 Sherman tank chassis.

On a previous visit the  M10 Tank Destroyer was painted in winter camouflage.

M10 Tank Destroyer

I have a few 15mm Flames of War Self Propelled, Achilles, of the British variant of the American M10 Tank destroyer armed with the powerful British Ordnance QF 17 pounder anti-tank gun in place of the standard 3″ (76.2 mm) Gun M7.

Legions Imperialis Support Weapons

Two packs of Legion Imperialis support weapons will be going on pre-order this Saturday. One pack for the Solar Auxilia, and one for the Legion Astartes.

The Solar Auxilia pack includes Rapier batteries, Tarantula platforms w and the Cyclops remote-controlled bomb.

Solar Auxilia Support Weapons

While the Solar Auxilia are famed for the quality of their infantry and tanks, their fire support companies are invaluable when confronting tougher targets. The Solar Auxilia Support set includes a total of 40 weapons platforms and auxiliary assets loaded with firepower, including Rapier batteries mounting quad launchers, laser destroyers, and mole mortar arrays, Tarantula platforms with lascannons and Hyperios missile launchers, and the dreaded Cyclops remote-controlled bomb.

The Legion Astartes pack also has Rapier batteries, Dreadnoughts, and Tarantula platforms.

The Space Marines of the Horus Heresy also adopted the Rapier platform for their own support firepower, and deployed talons of dreadnoughts for long-range fire and close combat. The Legiones Astartes Support kit contains 24 miniatures, including Leviathan Dreadnoughts with storm cannons and cyclonic melta lances, Deredeo Dreadnoughts with Anvilus autocannon batteries and Hellfire plasma cannonades, Rapier batteries with quad launchers and laser destroyers, and Tarantula platforms with lascannons and Hyperios missile launchers.

I like the Legion Astartes pack.

The Burning of Prospero

One of the displays at Warhammer World was The Burning of Prospero.

The Burning of Prospero, is the name of the full-scale invasion and planetary devastation of Prospero, homeworld of the Thousand Sons, by Imperial forces that mainly included the Space Wolves Legion, the Adeptus Custodes and the Sisters of Silence.

This Space Wolves Legion Vindicator Siege Tank was part of the display.

Space Wolves Legion Vindicator

Legio Custodes Caladius Grav-Tank.

Caladius Grav-Tank

Legio Custodes Orion Assault Dropship.

Another view of the display.

 

Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3

This Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR3 was on display at RAF Cosford.

Famous throughout the world as the first jet fighter capable of vertical take off and landing, the Harrier was utilised by the Royal Air Force as a ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft in the Close Air Support role.

The Harrier GR3 was a development of the Harrier GR1, being fitted with improved attack sensors, electronic countermeasures and a more powerful engine over the GR1.

The simplicity and flexibility inherent in the Harrier design proved their worth in service in Germany. In time of war the Harrier was to be deployed away from established airfields, which were vulnerable to attack. Instead it was to be operated from short, rough strips of ground and hidden in camouflaged ‘hides’, from which it would attack the enemy’s approaching armoured formations.

These qualities came into their own during the Falklands War. RAF Harriers were deployed to the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, as part of the Task Force sent to recapture the Falklands Islands. The Harrier GR3 performed attack sorties from the aircraft carrier, and later from basic landing strips on the islands, often in conditions that would have grounded conventional aircraft.

The concept of a high performance fighter aircraft being able to take off and land vertically was almost unbelievable until the Harrier was developed. The scientific, technological and engineering challenges which were overcome in order to achieve the remarkable performance enjoyed by this aircraft marks it out as one of the most special machines.

Legions Imperialis Malcador Infernus and Valdor Tank Destroyers

The Legion Imperialis Malcador Infernus and Valdor Tank Destroyers for the Solar Auxilia will be going on pre-order this Saturday.

Legions Imperialis Malcador Infernus and Valdor Tank Destroyers

Unleash fiery destruction and annihilate enemy vehicles with the combined power of the Malcador Infernus and Valdor Tank Destroyer heavy tanks, which use the venerable Malcador chassis to mount enormous weapons far larger than a Leman Russ could carry. Each multi-part plastic kit contains two Malcador Infernus tanks and two Valdor Tank Destroyers for Solar Auxilia armies.

I do like the Malcador Infernus, it is a “crocodile” style variant of the Malcador. The Valdor is also a nice looking model.

 

T17E1 Staghound

The T17E1 Armoured Car was an American armored car manufactured during the Second World War. It saw service with British and other Commonwealth forces during the war under the name Staghound, but was never used on the front line by US forces.

Staghound

A number of other countries used the Staghound after the war; some vehicles continued to serve until the 1980s.

Legion Imperialis Spartan Assault Tanks

The Legion Imperialis Spartan Assault Tanks will be going on pre-order this Saturday.

Spartan Assault tanks are massive armoured conveyors built to carry infantry across treacherous battlefields, and they join Legions Imperialis as the first Transport Detachment that can carry Terminator squads. This plastic kit contains four Spartans with options for sponson-mounted quad lascannons or laser destroyer arrays.

These are nice looking models.

The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12 at Warhammer World

One of the newer displays at Warhammer World was this Horus Heresy battle, entitled, The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12. I have already posted some photographs of the display.

There were lots of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy models on display within the diorama.

This was a Sons of Horus Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport disgorging Space Marines into the battle.

The Mastodon was one of the heaviest assault transports in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade. Its cavernous assault bay, capable of housing almost half a Company, is protected both by thick layers of ceramite armour as well as crackling void shields. It also mounts a fearsome siege melta array, allowing it to breach even the most formidable defences with ease, as well as an array of secondary weaponry intended to defend the vehicle as it approaches its target.

A wider view of the Sons of Horus assault on the Imperial Fists. In the background is a loyalist titan.

Storm Eagle gunship flying over the battlefield.

A formidable gunship, the Storm Eagle mounts fearsome firepower for a vehicle of its size and is capable of transporting twenty Space Marines directly into the thick of an assault.

Sons of Horus Sicaran Battle Tank.

Sicaran is one of the most advanced armoured units in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes, a fast-moving destroyer tank designed to outflank enemy formations before unleashing an overwhelming onslaught of mid-range firepower. Though its chassis supports a number of variants fielded throughout the Legions, the core Sicaran battle tank remains a versatile favourite. Armed with Herakles-pattern accelerator autocannons, it provides high-volume, high-velocity fire support that can rip through infantry and vehicles alike – its sophisticated sensors tracking swift-moving targets and pinpointing vulnerabilities in enemy armour.

Sons of Horus Kratos Heavy Assault Tank

The Kratos Heavy Assault Tank is based on an Ancient Terran pattern fielded during the Unification of Old Earth, redesigned after the Emperor’s treaty with the Lords of Mars to serve as the spearhead of the Great Crusade, a line-breaker and foe hammer. This grinding battle tank is all but impervious to enemy fire, and its steady, inexorable advance provides an indomitable core to any assault by the Legiones Astartes, enforced by a barrage of overwhelming firepower.

Arquitor Bombard with Morbus Heavy Bombard.

The Legion Arquitor is a heavy artillery platform designed to operate at the forefront of a Legiones Astartes advance. Equipped with a reinforced chassis and brutal short range firepower, it is called upon to break the most stubborn of fortifications or to annihilate massed enemy infantry and armour. The morbus bombard launches shells loaded with deadly phosphex, a toxic and corrosive incendiary compound that eats through flesh and metal alike, tainting the very ground and air with alchemical fire.

Sons of Horus Sicaran Battle Tank.

Sons of Horus Sicaran Battle Tank.

Another view of the Sons of Horus Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport.