Felix, Author at Felix's Gaming Pages

So now what’s next for Aeronautica Imperialis?

Back in July 2020 I wrote a speculative piece about future releases for Aeronautica Imperialis and some personal preferences for models. I had written the post after finishing painting my Valkyrie Assault Carriers which had been released alongside there Skies of Fire boxed set which contained miniatures for the Tau and the Astra Militarum.

I started to think about which models I would get next, and that got me thinking what we have seen that still needs to be released and also what could be released in the future and what I would like to see in the future as well.

Since that article was published we have had some new releases for Aeronautica Imperialis from GW and resin models from Forge World.

Forge World released the Vulture Gunship and the Arvus Lighter in August 2020.

Continue reading “So now what’s next for Aeronautica Imperialis?”

Nice new flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis

Well as part of Warhammer Fest Online we saw the announcement of a new boxed set for Aeronautica Imperialis.

There is a new Aeronautica Imperialis boxed set – Wrath of Angels. After Wings of Vengeance, featuring Orks and the Imperial Navy, and Skies of Fire, which introduced the T’au Air Caste, this set is all about Aeldari Craftworlds versus Space Marines.

So in the boxed set you get three Xiphon Interceptors, two chunky Storm Eagles for the Space Marines, whilst for the Eldar, sorry Aeldari, you get three Nightwings and three Phoenix Bombers.

Quite like the chunky Storm Eagles which look the part.

I am not a real fan of the Xiphon Interceptors. but these are nice models, they seem to work better in the smaller size.

Available separately will be a lovely looking plastic Space Marine Thunderhawk.

Lots of great detail and does make you think could GW move into recreating Epic sized vehicles and infantry for Adeptus Titanicus?

I do like all the Space Marine models and think these will make for interesting games of Aeronautica Imperialis. I also quite like the Aeldari models so I think I might get the boxed set.

Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy

This Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was on display at RAF Cosford having been flown there on its last flight in May 1975.

The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy was a British post-war transport/cargo aircraft; it was the final aircraft to be designed and produced by aviation company Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft.

Although given different internal design numbers, the AW.650 civil and AW.660 military models were, for most practical purposes, the same design, while both models also shared the “Argosy” name.

Adeptus Titanicus Reaver Battle Titan

As part of the boxed set of the Precept Maniple Battleforce as well as the Warlord, the Nemesis and the Warhounds you also get one of my favourite titans, the Reaver Battle Titan.

The Reaver Titan forms the mainstay of most Titan Legions, and is a key component of many Adeptus Titanicus maniples. Swifter than its Warlord cousins and more durable than the smaller Warhounds, with a wide range of devastating weaponry, the Reaver Titan is the perfect addition to any battlegroup.

A gargantuan war machine, the Reaver Titan is one of the most common and destructive classes of Battle Titan. Armed with devastating weapons and able to crush enemies under its tread by the score, the ground shakes as the Reaver advances and the enemy is left with a choice: flee or die. Reavers are the heart of the Titan Legions, holding the line or leading the charge as their Princeps demand.

Always useful to see how others have painted their models and there were some good examples at Warhammer World.

Adeptus Titanicus Reaver Battle Titan at Warhammer World

Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1

This Scottish Aviation Bulldog T1 was on display at RAF Cosford.

The Scottish Aviation Bulldog is a British two-seat side-by-side (with optional third seat) training aircraft designed by Beagle Aircraft as the B.125 Bulldog.

The largest customer was the Royal Air Force, which placed an order for 130 Bulldogs in 1972, entering service as the Bulldog T.1 in 1975. It was used by the Royal Air Force as a basic trainer, in particular as the standard aircraft of the University Air Squadrons and, later, Air Experience Flights, providing flying training.

Adeptus Titanicus Warhound Scout Titans

I now have my boxed set of the Precept Maniple Battleforce and the set includes two Warhound Scout Titans.

The bestial appearance of the Warhound Scout Titan reveals its purpose to the enemy – a savage hunter in the vanguard of the Titan Legions. Despite its size – still towering over tanks and Knights – the Warhound carries an astounding array of formidable weaponry, proving more than enough to bring down most foes it might face; when fielded as a maniple, combining their firepower in a devastating salvo, Warhounds can be trusted to change the face of a battle in seconds.

As with any modelling and painting I like to see how others have painted their Warhound Scout Titans and there were some excellent examples at Warhammer World.

Adeptus Titanicus Warhound Scout Titan at Warhammer World

So what scheme will I use?

Avro 683 Lancaster Mk X

The Avro Lancaster is a British Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to the same specification, as well as the Short Stirling, all three aircraft being four-engined heavy bombers adopted by the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the same wartime era.

Built by Victory Aircraft Ltd. Ontario. 18 Dec 1944, arrived 45 Group for departure to UK. Commissioned in early 1945. Arrived in England 5 January 1945 and was allocated to 20MU at Aston Down. 8 April 1945, assigned to 428 Squadron R.C.A.F. at Middleton St. George, County Durham. Squadron attached to No. 6 Bomb Group. 3 May 1945, damaged on training flight, repaired by AV Roe before returning to 428 Squadron service 4 June 1945 returned to Canada and put into storage 7 November 1951 went to DeHavilland and extensively modified for Maritime Reconnaissance and Rescue duties. Served in this role until March 1959 when it was again put in storage. Sold to a private individual it was shipped to the UK in 1986, it was then sold to the IWM.

Hawker Siddeley Andover E3A

The Andover was developed from the Avro 748 airliner to meet the requirement for Short Take-off & Landing (STOL) transport aircraft to operate in the trooping, paratrooping, airdropping, freighting and casevac roles.

The modified aircraft incorporates a hydraulic kneeling arrangement in the main undercarriage to allow the rear loading door to adjust to any truckbed height.

The aircraft is powered by two Rolls-Royce Dart engines. It has an operational range of 602km (374miles) with a maximum payload of 6691kg (14750lbs) of freight.

It has a maximum speed of 512kph (320mph) at 4572m (15000ft).

The aircraft displayed was one of seven modified from the basic CMkI aircraft for use in navaid calibration.

The first Andover flew in July 1965 and a total of 31 were built.

Adeptus Titanicus Warbringer Nemesis Titan

I now have my boxed set of the Precept Maniple Battleforce and though I think I will be constructing the Warlord Titan first, I will also be making the other models including the Warbringer Nemesis Titan. This is the GW version which looks very inspiring.

The Warbringer Nemesis Titan serves the Collegia Titanica in the role of heavy fire support. It mounts a single Warlord-scale weapon on its upper carapace and Reaver-scale weapons on its arms – sacrificing the speed, armour and manoeuvrability of a conventional Battle Titan in favour of firepower far in excess of its size. Though rare and specialised, the Warbringer Nemesis is a sight to inspire dread in all but the most battle-hardened enemy princeps.

Before I for the boxed set and saw the instructions I had been thinking about construction and painting, do I partially assemble the model and then paint it before finishing off the construction? Well the instructions recommend painting the core structure first before adding the armour plates.

I am also thinking about the colour scheme. I am thinking blue as the predominant colour.

As with most of my painting and modelling I do like to see what others have done and when I visited Warhammer World in January 2020 there were many models on display that were inspiring to see. Though I didn’t take any photographs of the Adeptus Titanicus scale Warbringer Nemesis Titan I did take some of the Forge World 40k scale titan.