Felix's Gaming Pages

Valentine Archer

The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer was a British tank destroyer of the Second World War based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis fitted with an Ordnance QF 17 pounder gun. Designed and manufactured by Vickers-Armstrongs, 655 were produced between March 1943 and May 1945. It was used in north-west Europe and Italy during the war; post-war, it served with the Egyptian Army.

This Valentine Archer was on display at Bovington.

This vehicle was unusual in that its gun faced the rear of the chassis instead of the front.

The Valentine chassis was soon chosen, as it was in production but obsolescent for British use and was also one of the few chassis that could accommodate the size of the Ordnance QF 17 pounder.

The Archer served with some units of the Royal Armoured Corps in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in the early 1950s. This makes them a possible unit for scenarios based in the world of Turtledove’s Hot War alternate history. Reading the Hot War books from Harry Turtledove has inspired me to think about gaming some scenarios from the books. British Comets and Centurions versus Russians T34-85 and T54 Soviet tanks with American M26 Pershing and M48 Patton tanks. In the book there are also Sherman manned by (West) German forces.

Lord of the Rings: Rohan Stronghold

Under the orders of Saruman, the forces of Isengard have begun their assault on the Kingdom of Rohan. Bands of ruthless Uruk-hai and vengeful Dunlendings have not just come to raid villages and destroy farms, but also to eliminate the people of Rohan. With the Westfold in flames, the Legion of the White Hand turn their attentions to the strongholds of Rohan. Yet these strongholds are well defended and the Rohirrim inside are ready to face overwhelming odds and defend their walls against the onslaught of Uruk-hai and Evil Men that now bear down upon them.

War has come to Rohan…

From the display at Warhammer World.

Created in 2019.

Dark Angels Gladiator Lancer

This Dark Angels Gladiator Lancer was on display at Warhammer World.

With pinpoint accuracy, the Gladiator Lancer picks off the heaviest enemy armour, the laser destroyer punching smouldering holes in their hulls. Such is the range of its heavy cannon that it can eliminate threats to the Space Marines before they encounter them, storming past burning wrecks to claim their objectives.

Like the Predator is to a Rhino, the design of the Gladiator is based upon that of an Impulsor’s chassis, and has been designed to serve as a front line battle tank rather than a transport vehicle.

May the 4th be with you….

Today of course is Star Wars Day, it’s 4th May, as in May the Fourth be with you….

You can now buy the complete Star Wars Saga in UHD 4K as well as Blu-Ray and DVD.

I have a few sections and pages on the website for those who are interested in Star Wars.

We have a section on Star Wars: X-Wing.

X-Wing is a miniatures game from Fantasy Flight games that recreates the dogfights in the Star Wars universe between X-Wing fighters of the Rebel Alliance and the Imperial TIE Fighters.

Here are some blog posts about X-Wing.

Rebel Scum

Red Leader, Red Leader, Cheaper Leader

Red Leader, Red Leader, Still Cheaper Leader

Transports away…

I also have a section on Star Wars: Legion.

Star Wars: Legion invites you to join the unsung battles of the Galactic Civil War as the commander of a unique army filled with troopers, powerful ground or repulsor vehicles, and iconic characters like Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker. While innovative mechanics simulate the fog of war and the chaos of battle, the unpainted, easily assembled miniatures give you a canvas to create the Star Wars army you’ve always wanted to lead into battle—whether you fight for the monolithic, oppressive Galactic Empire or the ragtag Rebel Alliance.

The boxed set contains thirty-three sculpted, easily assembled figures (including Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Rebel Troopers, Stormtroopers, an AT-RT, and 74-Z Speeder Bikes).

Star Wars Legion Workbench

First game of Star Wars: Legion

Battle of Scarif

M24 Chaffee

This M24 Chaffee was on display at The Tank Museum.

The Light Tank M24 was an American light tank used during World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War and with the French in the First Indochina War and war in Algeria.

In British service it was given the service name Chaffee, after the United States Army General Adna R. Chaffee, Jr., who helped develop the use of tanks in the United States armed forces.

The Battle of Osgiliath

This amazing diorama was on display at Warhammer World.

The Battle of Osgiliath in the War of the Ring occurred at the ruined city of Osgiliath, shortly before the Siege of Gondor.

The Orcs in East Osgiliath had been secretly constructing massive numbers of boats and rafts, and swelled with reinforcements from Harad they swarmed across the River Anduin to Gondor’s positions on the other bank.

After heavy fighting, the garrison under Faramir and his troops were forced to flee, first to the Rammas Echor, which held out for a day and then to Minas Tirith itself.

LVT-4 Buffalo Amtrac

This LVT-4 Buffalo Amtrac was at the Tank Museum at Bovington.

The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) is an amphibious warfare vehicle and amphibious landing craft, introduced by the United States Navy. The Marine Corps and Army used several LVT models during World War II. Five hundred were provided to the British Army.

Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles.

I have a Bolt Action LVT-4 Buffalo Amtrac on the workbench.

Trolls are back

I only mentioned recently how I was tempted by the re-release of the Ork Dreadnought, then I saw that for Warhammer: The Old World that the Trolls were going to be re-released.

I mentioned in my post about the Green Tide that I am also tempted to get some Trolls, models I never got when I originally built my army.

These are nice models.

My shopping list is getting longer…

Space Wolves Whirlwind

This Space Wolves Whirlwind was on display at Warhammer World.

The Whirlwind is an adaptation of the Rhino design, a lightly armoured tank chassis armed with a multiple rocket launcher system capable of raining precision fire down upon enemy positions. Thanks to its target acquisition system, the Whirlwind is able to bombard hidden or entrenched targets with incredible accuracy, often from behind the safety of cover.

Interestingly this model is about twenty years old.

Tempting

Ork Meks love building Dreadnoughts, crude but effective war machines made from scraps of armour, and loaded up with all manner of shooty bits, burnas, missiles, snipping blades, and buzzsaws. While they look ramshackle, their armour is thick and the sheer amount of firepower they put out is intimidating to face. When they get close enough to bring them to bear, the manic energy of their pilots makes up for the clumsy mechanisms bringing their melee weapons to bear, creating a shockingly effective whirlwind of claws and blades.

You can order this old Ork Dreadnought as a special made-to-order item.

This multipart metal kit builds a classic Ork Dreadnought, a vintage design for a crudely articulated can of heavy armour and brutal weapons. This stompy combat walker comes armed with two Dread klaws – one a snippy pincer, the other a razor-toothed buzzsaw – and can choose between a big shoota, rokkit launcher, and skorcha for its two secondary weapons.

Now I actually thought I had one of these in my collection (or languishing on the workbench) however I don’t. I do have older metal Ork Killa Kans in my Ork army, however I never purchased this kit for my Orcs.

So I am now quite tempted to buy one, especially as it is a metal kit. I have until the 6th May 2024 to make up my mind…