Author: Felix

M29C Weasel

The M29 Weasel is a World War II tracked vehicle designed for operation in snow. Built by Studebaker, Weasels were also used in sandy, muddy, and desert terrains, including towing loads over terrain wheeled vehicles could not negotiate as in the U.S. Marine invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Amphibious M29 Weasels of 4th Special Service Brigade were used by British commando troops in the Walcheren operation, supplementing LVT Buffalos. The 79th Armoured Division used also non-amphibious variant of the Weasel, modified for clearing anti-personnel devices. The Lovat Scouts used the amphibious Weasel during their time in Jasper, Alberta, where they were being trained in advanced winter and mountain warfare tactics, having already carried out the basic winter and mountain combat training in the Scottish Highlands and North Wales.

Necropolis Knights

Necropolis Knights

Necropolis Knights are elite warriors who ride to battle atop snake-shaped constructs called Necroserpents – ominous statues created to guard the entranceways of the Mortuary Cult’s temples. These knights goad their mounts across the battlefield, their bladed tails and poison-tipped fangs lashing out in all directions, before striking out with a heavy spear that carves through mortal flesh. Few can stand against the charge of a Necropolis Knight, much less destroy their unliving steed, and they leave a trail of death and woe in their wake.

Death Korps Diorama at Warhammer World

In this Death Korps Diorama at Warhammer World were various heavy tanks and infantry.

Across the diorama was infantry and a fair bit of snow.

This Malcador Infernus was part of that diorama.

The Malcador Infernus is a variant of the venerable Malcador Assault Tank design. It is not widely used by Imperial armed forces at the present time and is in fact little known even within the Imperial military.

Centaur Dozer

The Royal Engineers and their Canadian counterparts had used armoured bulldozers, ordinary commercial machines covered in armour plate, since D-Day. These did a satisfactory job but were too slow and vulnerable to work with tanks. Thus it was agreed to convert some redundant Centaur Cruiser tanks into armoured bulldozers since they would be able to keep up with tanks during an advance.

The Centaur was an alternative to the Cromwell with similar characteristics but a different engine – a Nuffield Liberty V12 instead of a Rolls-Royce Meteor. The conversion was carried out by the MG Car Company of Abingdon. It involved removing the turret, installing a winch in the fighting compartment, and plating over the turret aperture. An armoured lookout was created for the tank commander, alongside the driver and the bulldozer blade was fitted to a frame attached to the sides of the tank. The blade was raised and lowered by the winch via a small tripod jib.

Centaur Dozers entered service in the last months of the war. They were operated by 87th Assault Dozer Squadron in 6th Assault Regiment, Royal Engineers as part of 79th Armoured Division. They were employed to clear paths for tanks through the rubble of bombed German cities. They were later used by British forces during the Korean War and the Suez Crisis of 1956.

This Dozer at the Tank Museum was converted from a Mark IV, one of 80 Centaurs fitted with the 95mm Close Support Howitzer. It served with the Army until 7th August 1963.

Settra the Imperishable

This is Settra the Imperishable on display at Warhammer World.

Feared by all in both life and death, Settra the Imperishable is the lord of Khemri, a ruthless tyrant whose appetite for conquest cannot be satisfied, no matter how many lands he invades or people he subjugates. Settra now busies himself with reconquering the lands that were once his – lands that, in his long absence, have fallen into the hands of upstart lords and bickering emperors. In time, all will bend the knee before the supreme ruler of Nehekhara once more.

Tomb Kings of Khemri Skeleton Chariots

These Tomb Kings of Khemri Skeleton Chariots were on display at Warhammer World.

Skeleton Chariots are the pride of the Tomb Kings, gilded and lethal machines crewed even in death by Nehekhara’s finest warriors. Often fielded en masse, their rattling advance is heralded by clouds of dust, thrown high into the air as they thunder across the sands. Crashing into the enemy with bone-shattering force, these vehicles crush living bodies beneath their heavy wheels as their undead crew lay about the disorientated foe.

T34-85

The T-34, was a Soviet medium tank, which had a profound and lasting effect on the field of tank design. At its introduction in 1940, the T-34 possessed an unprecedented combination of firepower, mobility, protection and ruggedness.

After an unsuccessful attempt to develop a new, better armoured and armed tank, the T-43, Soviet command made the decision to retool the factories to produce an improved version of the T-34.

Its turret ring was enlarged allowing a larger turret to be fitted and thus the larger 85 mm gun. This tank was called the T-34-85.

This T-34-85 was on display at The Tank Museum at Bovington.

Space Wolves Primaris Invictor Tactical Warsuit

Space Wolves Primaris Invictor Tactical Warsuit

The Invictor Tactical Warsuit is a stripped-back variant on the Redemptor Dreadnought frame. Instead of a revenant hero in a sarcophagus, this combat walker is piloted by a live Primaris Space Marine. They are deployed in every capacity, from armoured escort duties to close-range siege breaking and urban monster-hunts. Still the most iconic role for these walkers is as the armoured support for Vanguard Space Marines. Their combination of mid- to close-range firepower, armoured resilience and the selfless mindset of the pilot combine to provide exceptional support.

The Battle of Matorea

This diorama is one of the newest displays at Warhammer World. This is a Warhammer Old World diorama and shows The Battle of Matorea. A massive conflict between the undead Tomb Kings of Khemri and the valiant Kingdom of Bretonnia. One half of the battlefield you have a Bretonnian castle being defended with Bretonnian knights sallying forth from the battlements.  Opposing them are the hordes of undead skeletons, chariots, and monstrous constructs. Flying across the battlefield are the bone dragons of the Tomb Kings of Khemri and Pegasus Rights of the Kingdom of Bretonnia.

 

This was a very impressive diorama and really showed off both Old World forces.

Settra the Imperishable lays siege to the coastal city of Matorea with a massive undead host as Cecil Gastonne, the Wyrm Slayer rallies its hopelessly outnumbered defenders. Just as the city’s defences begin to fail, the trumpeting of silver clarions sounds in the east, heralding the arrival of Duke Gastille. Have the duke and his knights arrived in time to lift the siege, or will they join the doomed defenders in a heroic death?

The castle was scratch built. 

The Warhammer World Studio embraced classic modelling techniques to design and craft the landscape and buildings, with minimal use of plastic terrain kits. Built from scratch, the castle’s walls use extruded polystyrene sheets with the brickwork patterns hand carved and textured. The repeated features, such as the battlements, were hand sculpted, then moulds were made from the original so that multiple resin pieces could be cast from them. There are a number of conversions to spot. For instance, the flying Bone Dragons were cut down to individual bones and repositioned.

Bedford 15 CWT General Service Tender Model MWC

The Bedford MW was a general service truck used by the British Armed Forces during the Second World War.

This RAF water tank truck MWC was on display at RAF Cosford.

Despite lacking four wheel drive and so being unsuited for off-road use, the MW’s powerful engine, short wheel base, low centre of gravity and relatively light weight gave it excellent acceleration and almost sports car like handling.