Felix's Gaming Pages

Soviet T-34-85

The T-34-85 was a Soviet WW2 medium tank, crew of 5, powered by 12-cylinder diesel engine, armed with 85mm gun and two machine guns. It went on to be used well beyond the second world war in major conflicts across the world, and is still in service today.

This T-34-85 was on display at Tankfest 26 at The Tank Museum.

The T-34, a Soviet medium tank, 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. Its 76.2 mm (3 in) high-velocity tank gun provided a substantial increase in firepower over any of its contemporaries while its well-sloped armour was difficult to penetrate by most contemporary anti-tank weapons. A project to develop a new tank following the introduction of improved German Panzer IVs with the high-velocity 75 mm gun, was started by the Soviet Union. The T-43 was designed to have improved armour, better suspension and a bigger gun. However it was decided that manufacturing a new tank would cause a significant slow-down in production so it was cancelled. However the T-43 turret was then modified to fit the T-34 and was armed with a new 85mm gun. The T-34-85 was a compromise between those in the Soviet Union who wanted to build as many 76mm armed T34s and those who wanted to build the new T-43 tank.

The T-34-85 gave the Red Army a tank with better armour and mobility than the German Panzer IV tank and StuG III assault gun. While it could not match the armour or weapons of the heavier Panther and Tiger tanks, its improved firepower made it much more effective than earlier models.

The development of the T-34-85 led directly to the T-54 and T-55 series of tanks, which in turn evolved into the later T-62, T-72, and T-90 that form the armoured core of many modern armies.

Reading the Hot War books from Harry Turtledove inspired me to think about gaming some scenarios from the books. British Comets and Centurions versus T34-85 and T54 Soviet tanks, along with American M26 Pershing and M48 Patton tanks. In the book there are also Sherman tanks manned by (West) German forces.

Alongside this idea I have been working on some tanks from the Operational Unthinkable game.

Imperial Guard Basilisk

The Basilisk is the standard self-propelled artillery piece of the Astra Militarum in the 41st Millennium.

It is the most common artillery piece used by the Imperial armed forces across the galaxy.

The Basilisk is produced in vast numbers on all of the known Forge Worlds in the Imperium, and almost every Astra Militarum regiment maintains several in their arsenal.

Snotling Pump Wagon

The original Snotling Pump Wagon released back in the day is probably my favourite Citadel model of all time.

What I liked about it most was the humour behind the model, you got the idea that the designer was down the pub when the idea came up.

The Snotling Pump Wagon is a terrifyingly erratic contraption, consisting of little more than a ramshackle wooden hut precariously balanced on crude wheels. This rickety war engine is propelled forward solely by the frantic, sweat-drenched pumping of dozens of hyperactive Snotlings hidden within its frame. Careening wildly across the battlefield with zero steering and infinite momentum, it acts as a crude rolling fortress, crushing, flattening, and piercing any unfortunate foes who fail to scramble out of the way of its spiked rollers and wooden chassis.

I did originally consider the new model a “monstrosity” but when making a recent order, I added one to my basket.

This is a metal model.

I wonder, what with the made to order goodies that we see, if we will see a re-release of the original version.

Mowag Piranha 8×8

The Mowag Piranha 8×8 stands as one of the most successful and influential families of armoured fighting vehicles ever designed. This Mowag was on display at Tankfest 26.

Developed by the Swiss company Mowag (now part of General Dynamics European Land Systems), this highly adaptable eight-wheeled platform has served as the baseline design for numerous major military vehicles globally, including the US Army’s Stryker and the US Marine Corps’ Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV). Engineered for maximum versatility, its modular design allows it to be configured for a vast range of roles—from standard infantry trundling and command posts to specialised ambulance, mortar carrier, and heavy direct-fire reconnaissance variants. Driven by an independent suspension system and an all-wheel-drive configuration, the Piranha combines excellent off-road mobility and high road speeds with robust protection against small arms fire, shrapnel, and mines, making it a cornerstone of modern mechanised infantry units worldwide.

Cathay Grand Cannon

The Grand Cannons of Grand Cathay are striking war engines sculpted in the likeness of roaring dragons. Far from mere decoration, these ornate barrels are built to unleash devastation, capable of belching torrents of raw flame or spitting massive, incandescent cannonballs that tear through enemy ranks.

Grand Cannons serve as a core artillery piece for Grand Cathay, distinctively shaped like roaring dragons. On the battlefield, they offer versatile anti-infantry and anti-armour capabilities, shifting seamlessly between short-range gouts of fire and long-range flaming solid shot.

Imperial Fists Mastodon Super-Heavy Assault Transport

The Mastodon was one of the heaviest assault transports in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes during the Great Crusade, and is still found in the armouries of the Space Marine Chapters of the 41st Millenium.

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. Unleashed only against the most fearsome of enemy redoubts, there are few obstacles that can stay the wrath of this relic of the Imperium’s bloody birth.

The Mastodon is heavily armed and armoured, carrying 40 Space Marines, and even Dreadnoughts, safely to the heart of battle. Whilst embarked, the warriors within will defend their immense transport, turning the sponson weapons on any enemy brave or foolish enough to come close. Its Siege melta array can easily destroy fortifications, and makes short work of armoured vehicles, whilst its Skyreaper Battery will tear through any airborne threat with ease.

FV432

This FV432 was at the entrance to Tankfest 26.

The FV432 is the armoured personnel carrier variant in the British Army’s FV430 series of armoured fighting vehicles. Since its introduction in the 1960s, it has been the most common variant, being used for transporting infantry on the battlefield. At its peak in the 1980s, almost 2,500 vehicles were in use. This British tracked armoured personnel carrier has a crew of 2 with capacity for 10 personnel, powered by Rolls-Royce 6-cylinder multi-fuel engine, armed with one machine gun.

Dwarf Anvil of Doom

In times of greatest peril, the Runesmiths bring forth the Anvil of Doom, a relic of unparalleled antiquity and the most sacred of Dwarfen heirlooms. It is upon these ancient surfaces that the legendary rune weapons of myth were originally shaped. Imbued with the primordial magic of the earth, the anvil is a weapon in its own right; by striking its face with meticulous precision, a patient Runelord can awaken the dormant power bound within, channeling a devastating chorus of ancient runes to smite their enemies and bolster their kin.

Tallarn Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle

Games Workshop have just released the Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle (for pre-order).

The Astra Militarum Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle serves as a vital asset for commanders needing to rapidly deploy infantry across hazardous warzones. Engineered for speed and efficiency, this rugged transport ferries squads to the front lines with a degree of protection that outclasses standard unarmored options. Its design prioritizes tactical flexibility, featuring an open-topped configuration that allows embarked Guardsmen to unleash a hail of las-fire while still protected by the vehicle’s sturdy hull, ensuring they arrive at the objective ready to fight rather than pinned down by suppressive fire.

This armoured half-track for the Imperial Guard has echoes of the World War Two M3 had track.

I do like the Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle I am thinking about getting one to create a Long Range Desert Group inspired raiding force for my Tallarn forces.

The Long Range Desert Group (or LRDG) was a reconnaissance and raiding unit of the British Army during the Second World War.

One inspiration for me as to be the Matchbox kit of the Long Range Desert Group released back in 1976 which included a Chevrolet 30cwt patrol truck and a Willys Jeep, both stripped down and heavily modified for desert warfare.

When the Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle was originally announced as a pre-order I wrote about this.

I am not sure how easy it will be to strip down the Centaur Rapid Strike Vehicle, but in order to give it that Long Range Desert Group look I will be adding stowage, extra fuel cans, canvas sand mats, sand channels, and other equipment. The actual Chevrolet 30cwt patrol trucks of the LRDG often had their doors, windscreens and roofs removed. I will have to see how the model is constructed before deciding how to strip it down.

Now the model is available to pre-order the Warhammer site has pictures of the sprues.

It is clear to me from the sprues that it should be possible to strip down the model to make it look more like something inspired by the Long Range Desert Group.

Constructing the Jade Lancers

When I made a trip to Warhammer World in June 2025 I was pleased to see the then new models for the Army of Grand Cathay for Warhammer Old World on display. I really liked the Cathayan Sentinel especially the paint job which made it look like it was terracotta. I also saw a posting on the Warhammer Community site about where Lewis from the Warhammer Studio had painted some Jade Warriors as terracotta warriors.

I started thinking about creating and painting a whole army in this style, so I bought a Cathayan Sentinel and the Grand Cathay Battalion.

I started constructing the Jade Warriors. After finishing some of those models I started on the Grand Cannon and the Jade Lancers.

The Jade Lancers represent the elite heavy cavalry of Grand Cathay’s armies, formidable shock troops drawn from the very best of the disciplined Jade Warriors. Clad in ornate, heavy cataphract armour that gleams like polished jade and mounted on barded warhorses, they are a sight to behold on the battlefield. Wielding long Cathayan lances, they are trained not only for devastating charges across open plains but also for intricate manoeuvres through the narrower confines of city streets and fortified breaches, making them exceptionally versatile. Their thunderous arrival shatters enemy lines, embodying the implacable might of the Celestial Dragon Emperor’s domain.

I do think the construction of the Jade Lancers is quite complicated, the horses are made up of quite a few components. Most of the horses have only one hoof on the ground, something that you couldn’t do with metal models, but can with plastic.

Still a fair few to construct.