Bristol Sycamore

The Bristol Type 171 Sycamore was an early helicopter developed and built by the helicopter division of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It has the distinction of being the first British helicopter to receive a certificate of airworthiness, as well as being the first British-designed helicopter to be introduced by and to serve with the Royal Air Force (RAF). It also served with the Belgian Airforce.

Sharpe’s Storm

The year is 1813. France is a battlefield, and winter shows no mercy. Amidst brutal conditions, Major Richard Sharpe finds himself saddled with an unexpected burden: Rear-Admiral Sir Joel Chase, dispatched by the Admiralty with sealed orders, unshakable confidence, and a frankly terrifying enthusiasm for combat.

Sharpe’s mission from Wellington is clear, yet anything but simple: keep Sir Joel alive.

Sir Joel could hold the key to defeating Napoleon once and for all. But to pull off his audacious plan, he needs someone who knows how to fight dirty, think fast, and survive the impossible.

He needs Sharpe …

Get Sharpe’s Storm.

Painting the the Ruined Steele Residence

I purchased two 3D printed ruins from QP3D Wargames. One of these was the Ruined Steele Residence. They are 3D printed models. I bought the 15mm versions to use with Flames of War, but you can buy bigger versions for other gaming systems.

The first stage was to prime the model with a white undercoat.

I wanted to add some darkness to the model, so I sprayed the underside of the model with a black spray.

Undercoating the Grey Knights Jetbike

When the Dark Angels were released I really liked the Master of the Ravenwing on the “last” remaining Imperial Jetbike, so much so I knew I had to get one for my Grey Knights army, possibly maybe more than one!

Having unearthed the jet bike from storage I got around to finishing the construction of the model.

I then gave the model a white undercoat. Of course when I photographed the model I noticed that the sword was bent…

That part of the hand and sword is glued to the model (and had already fallen off once when sticking it to the arm). So, with care I bent the sword back, so it was straight.

Now to paint it.

Still thinking I will go down the Grey Knights plan.

Orc Boyz in metal

Over on the Warhammer Community site we have news that some Made to Order Classic Orc and Goblin Tribes will be available to order from next weekend.

One set of models caught my eye, and that was the Orc Boyz.

Made to Order Classic Orc and Goblin Tribes

They are not the ones I had in the 1980s, but were probably released in the 1990s.

I am really liking how Games Workshop are going back into their archive and releasing these older models. I like that they are in metal as well.

Painting the the Ruined Waller Residence

I purchased two 3D printed ruins from QP3D Wargames. One of these was the Ruined Waller Residence. They are 3D printed models. I bought the 15mm versions to use with Flames of War, but you can buy bigger versions for other gaming systems.

The first stage was to prime the model with a white undercoat. I wanted to add some darkness to the model, so I sprayed the underside of the model with a black spray.

TOG I Tank Platoon on the workbench

I pre-ordered the TOG I Tank Platoon for Flames of War.

In the box are three models.

These are resin castings, each model consists of a pair of resin tracks, resin hull, and a resin turret. Also in the box are metal weapons and plastic crew.

The next stage will be to wash the resin parts.

The TOG 1 was designed in the expectation that battlefields of the war might end up like those of the Great War. Its specifications required it to be able to cross any sort of churned-up countryside and trenches. Armed with a 2-pdr gun and machine-guns.

I already have a pair of TOG 2 tanks on the workbench, which I really should finish one day…

Mark IV Tank

The British Mark IV Tank was introduced in 1917. It significant improvements over the Mark I Tank, and was the next step in tank development and deployment (the intervening designs being small batches used for training).

The “Male” tanks were armed with three machine guns and two 6-pdrs. Whilst the “Female” tanks had Five .303 Lewis machine guns. Additionally there was an unarmed version used to carry supplies.

The Mark IV was first used in mid 1917 at the Battle of Messines Ridge. It remained in British service until the end of the war, and a small number served briefly with other combatants afterwards.

I have been working on a metal 15mm Mark IV Tank for use with the Home Guard. Though I do really like the Flames of War Great War models, which have a lot more detail.

I also have a Bolt Action 28mm Mark IV Tank on the workbench.

I also have a gallery of Mark IV tanks from a wonderful 28mm demonstration game at GamesDay 2007.

Finishing the construction of the Grey Knights Jetbike

When the Dark Angels were released I really liked the Master of the Ravenwing on the “last” remaining Imperial Jetbike, so much so I knew I had to get one for my Grey Knights army, possibly maybe more than one!

Having unearthed the jet bike from storage I got around to finishing the construction of the model.

I did have a few issues, but that was more down to the superglue I was using, which took a while to set. It was quite a fiddly model and I am hoping that it will stay together as it is painted.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.