New Release: Warhammer 40K Adeptus Mechanicus Onager Dunecrawler from Games Workshop

Haven't been big on the newer Warhammer 40K models, but the Onager Dunecrawler for the new Adeptus Mechanicus is pretty nice. The model will run you 66.00 USD individually or get a squadron of three for 198.00 which is a whopping savings of ..... nothing. Available for pre-order from Games Workshop, will ship April 18 2015.

Owing its origin to the lost knowledge of millennia, the Onager Dunecrawler is based on the Mars Universal Land Engine; itself inspired by the bad-tempered beasts of burden that transported their masters across Holy Terra in ancient times.

The Onager Dunecrawler, rather than being a mere people-carrier, is absolutely brimming with advanced, powerful weaponry capable of reducing worlds to wastelands.

On the subject of weaponry, included in the box are four variants: an eradication beamer, twin phosphor blasters with sensors, a neutron laser featuring a coaxial cognis heavy stubber or an Icarus array - an awesome anti-air assault package comprising twin autocannons, a gatling flak launcher, an armour-piercing missile launcher and a radar dish.

The Onager Dunecrawler, a light walking tank, features four crab-like legs with optional armour plating.

The armoured cabin and reactor are complemented by a huge variety of modelling options, with searchlights, smoke launchers, cognis manipulators and mindscanner probes; and the cupola can be modelled closed or open, featuring a Princeps wielding a heavy stubber.

You get a massive amount of configuration and customisation available even before applying weaponry.

Included with this 119-component multi-part plastic kit, making one Onager Dunecrawler, is a small Adeptus Mechanicus transfer sheet and a 130mm round base.

Have a Great Battle
The Old Crow

New Release: T34/76 Medium Tank Platoon From Warlord Games

Reinforcements are here and the fascist invaders will be pushed from our glorious Soviet soil! This New Release of the plastic T34/76 Medium Tank Platoon is in conjunction with the new Ostfront rules supplement to Bolt Action.

Now available in the Warlord webstore – the T34/76 Medium Tank Platoon – containing three plastic T34/76 kits – each of which has three different turret options – AND an Soviet Infantry sprue included to create Tank Riders!

The T-34 tank design is arguably, the most important and innovative tank of all time – not only was it the most produced tank of WWII with over 84,000 made, it was also one the longest serving – still being in active service in the 90s during the Yugoslavian War.

The T-34/76 first saw action in late 1941, and was a significant leap forward in tank design – a rugged, no-nonsense anatomy and wide tracks enabled it to cope with the mud and snow of the Eastern Front. It married the perfect combination of thick, sloped armour and an efficient gun, along with extreme sturdiness, reliability, ease of manufacturing and maintenance.

The simplicity of its design meant that it could be manufactured across Russia in vast numbers – and even ‘on the move’ – as the battle-lines shifted, the Soviets moved their tank factories around to ensure a constant supply of equipment to the frontline troops.

The key to their success was sheer weight of numbers – there are tales of T-34s being cast in great roadside ditches, tanks rolling directly out of the factory and into battle without paint, or even without tracks!

German tanks struggled in the cold conditions of the Eastern Front – the rubber peeling away from the road wheels, engines being slow to start and needing to be slowly warmed-up, machine guns jamming constantly, and the narrow tracks of the Panzer III and IV causing them to sink into the snow and mud. The T-34s ran circles around the struggling German hardware – especially as the Luftwaffe was more often than not grounded due to the bad weather, so couldn't harry the Soviets.

This kit allows you the option of assembling the tank as either the 1941, 1942, or 1943 pattern T-34/76 – each with their distinctive turrets.

The 1941 pattern (shown above) has what is probably the most recognisable T-34 turret with its heavily sloped sides and large forward opening tank commanders hatch. It is this variant of the T-34/76 that caused such consternation amongst the Germans as its sloped armour meant many anti-tank projectiles bounced off or failed to penetrate the thicker armour.

The 1942 pattern replaced the large single hatch with two smaller hatches which were nicknamed “Mickey Mouse” hatches due to the appearance they gave when both were open.

Soviet crews nicknamed the cramped T-34/76 the ‘stuffed bun’ and this variant turret saw the welcome addition of an all-round commander’s vision cupola.

The later production 1943 version (seen below) of the T-34/76 came with a large welded turret.

By 1943 the various factories in the Soviet Union were churning out around 1,300 T-34/76s per month despite the factories by now being manned by women, children and the elderly – regular workers having by then being sent to fight on the front lines…

Box contains 3 plastic tanks, 8 infantry to make tank riders, 1 x leaflet and 3 x decal sheets.

As usual, this product is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue and paints not included.

Have A Great Battle!
The Old Crow

New Release: Japanese Samurai Buildings From Sarissa Precision

Always on the lookout for new models and terrain and Sarissa Precision fits the bill with their new Japanese Samurai Terrain. The buildings are made of laser cut 2mm MDF with laser etched details. This Samurai house is a marvelous centerpiece for any gaming table.

These models can cover gaming periods ranging from the Pike & Shotte era through World War II. This Shop/Townhouse is another great building. The Samurai House will run you 72.00 US dollars and the Townhouse 28.00.

If you are looking to use the Warlod Games Pike & Shotte rules, Tim Greene, who is a keen historical gamer and prolific rules writer, has penned a new army list for the Pike & Shotte rules allowing you to field Japanese Samurai armies. You can get the PDF here.

While the Temple/Shrine above costs 32.00 and this Village House would only cost 20.00.

There is also a Wall Gate, wall sections and wall corners available. These would let you create an entire compound or estate.

You can check the Warlord Games site for all the models and costs.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

New Release: Rune Lord Adventurers From Crusader Miniatures

Mark Sims of Crusader Miniatures has added 4 new Adventurers to his Fantasy range. The four figures, Rune Lords, come in a single pack with the Adventurers III title.

You can get them directly from Crusader or from a supplier. These figures would fit the bill for any fantasy adventuring party.

Mark has created a great range of historical figures as well as a few fantasy and other genres.

Crusader Miniatures are 28mm-sized, made of metal and supplied unpainted. The miniatures shown here were all painted by Paul Cubbin.

Have A Great Battle,
The Old Crow

What Have We Been Doing: Steampunk Gameroom

Way back in November we showed a wargame table restoration and mentioned needing a room to put it in. So here it is, our Steampunk Gameroom! This is one of the reasons we haven't had any posts the last few months. Took a bit of time to get this done.

Lot's of places for wargaming accents...

Plenty of space to add lots of reference books about armies....

And the best thing of all is the wargaming table! If you want to see the step by step renovation, check out the post on the Hendersonworks blog

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

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