Warhammer 40k Ork Air Force Courtesy of The Marden Empire

If you are looking to make your Warhammer 40k Ork Army fly into combat faster than truks can get them, the Marden Empire has a solution for you! The Ork Air Force.

Quite a while ago on the blog we praised the virtues of Martin's Titans and Tanks. This time we'd like to share his Ork Airpower.

These are just a sampling of the wonderful creations created in the Marden Empire workshop. Any Ork Warboss would be thrilled to have some of these babies!

You can follow him on Facebook or his YouTube Channel for the latest updates.








Have a Great Battle
The Old Crow

Wargames Table Restoration and Refinishing

 Found a fantastic old worn out table that had been used for a work bench and was heading for the scrap yard. I suddenly had grand visions of a gaming table with drawers large enough to hold the armies needed to go on it. So I set upon it with a vengeance! Here is the result, now the process...

At 3' x 5' it is a perfect size for wargames of all varieties. So off came the legs. There was a ton of wear on the whole surface. Sorry no photos of the whole thing before we started.

The drawer facings had also been abused.

Inside wasn't much better. The legs are on the right already being sanded down.

Here's a drawer facing sanded and the other one in the mix.

Wanting to make it a little distinct, it was decided to go with a cherry finish on the legs and frame then accent the top and drawers with a red mahogany.

We carefully removed and then replaced the tag from one of the legs. Originally thought it was brass or bronze but discovered it to be a leather tag. Need to research the origin.

And yes, the foam trays with wargame armies fits perfectly with plenty of extra room for books and dice. Theses SAGA Viking Hirdmen and Warhammer Dogs of War figures will have a nice new home!

A coat of satin polyurethane was added to the top and drawers where the action will occur. We'll have to post the inaugural game once time permits. Now to build a room to go with the table.

Have a Great Battle
The Old Crow

New Release: Pike & Shotte Baggage Wagon from Warlord Games

This superb new resin-and-metal baggage wagon is now available to order from Warlord Games in their Pike & Shotte line.

If you like objective based scenarios in other genre of games like Warhammer Fantasy, a couple of these would make for a sweet nights gaming. Attacking or defending, a baggage train was always key to defeating or sustaining an army.

Baggage Wagons were essential for every army on campaign. They would be used to carry the portable equipment and supplies of an army, with hundreds of baggage wagons forming an army's supply train.

These were multi-purpose vehicles, but were particularly used to transport hay and forage for horses, and food and supplies for the soldiers. However, as well as food, ammunition, animal fodder, and loot, the baggage wagon would carry the servants of the officers; tradesmen, such as armorers, farriers and blacksmiths; and the wives and families of the troops.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Battleground Hobbies Terrain Factory

Fired up the Battleground Hobbies Terrain Factory.

Hope to have the first batch on Ebay this weekend! As always if you are interested in something custom made don't hesitate to contact us.

These were designed specifically for the Warhammer and Warhammer 40k worlds where there is constant war.

The land itself being broken under constant battle.

But these terrain pieces will work with any Fantasy or Sci-Fi genre game.

Have a Great Battle!
The Old Crow

How To: Warhammer Terrain

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make some easy terrain for Warhammer, Warhammer 40k, or any other Fantasy, futuristic or historical genre of table top gaming. Here is our terrain piece with some Warhammer 40k figures to show scale.

We started with a leftover piece of polystyrene from a large disassembled project and some hardboard cut to the same approximate shape.

Overlap the hardboard past the edges of your foam.

Here is a smaller version...

adding old stone ruins to the top.

Apply hobby or craft glue to the bottom and press the polystyrene firmly on to the hardboard.

We then used coarse drywall screws to hold everything together. If you decide to use this step. carve a bit of the hardboard away so the screw head sets in the board. You wouldn't want to scratch your playing surface.

Our screws were long enough to go through the base and up into the ruin to help secure it on top.

Next we applied liberal amounts of craft glue along the base edges were foam meets base...

and poured coarse ballast onto the glue. Press it in to get maximum coverage.

Using any paint for a base coat, mix in some ballast...

and apply with a larger brush.

The mixed in ballast will give you a nice texture.

We sprayed the whole thing with a black base coat.

Now the real painting begins. We started with a Raw Umber and Charcoal Gray. Use a smaller brush, this is a half inch flat brush which is great for dry-brushing techniques.

On the flat bare surfaces and along the outer edges we applied Chocolate and Burnt Sienna.

The ruins got a coat of Pewter Gray...

and then a dry brush of Slate Gray.

A final light dry-brush of Granite was added to bring out any highlights and add a final contrast to the darker base colors.

Then we stippled on some Olive Green where we plan on adding foliage.

For our dry leaves and grass we use a mixture of herbs and spices mixed with Coarse Turf from Woodland Scenics.

Add in the crevices where blown leaves and old plants would gather.

Here is another example of filling a crevice in the rock.

Don't forget about along the edges of the base.

And there you have it! Ready for the gaming table. You could use lighter and greener colors with more traditional green flocking, These pieces were more cut to facilitate a rocky terrain area.

As we mentioned these can be used for almost any game system and scale. For Fantasy and Dark Age games like Saga add a cairn or load stone to the  base.

For World War II or Napoleonic era games like Bolt Action or Black Powder add barricades or sandbags.

Until next time,
Have a Great Battle!
The Old Crow