Having constructed the Asuryani Flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis I gave them a white undercoat.
This is one of the three Phoenix Bombers I have built.
This is one of the Nightwing fighters.
Next step will be the basecoat.
Category: aeronautica imperialis
Asuryani Flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis
These are the Asuryani Flyers (though I think of them as Eldar Flyers) that came with the Wrath of Angels boxed game.
You get three Nightwing fighters.
The primary aircraft employed by the enigmatic xenos known as Craftworld Aeldari, Nightwing fighters possesses a level of speed and manoeuvrability that appears preternatural. In battle, squadrons of Nightwings weave around enemy aircraft, tearing their foe apart with bursts of fire from shuriken cannons and bright lances. The Asuryani air fleet is full of intensely fast, hard-hitting yet fragile aircraft. Nightwings are all of these, with the speed and maneuverability to stay out of the line of fire and set up an ideal tailing position before unleashing devastating firepower.
There are three of these in the Wrath of Angels boxed set. These are the painted versions on the GW website.
There are three models on the single sprue you get in the Wrath of Angels boxed set.
These were simple models to construct, though the swing wings were a little fiddly.
They do move, but I kind of expect them get “stuck” once undercoated and painting.
Next step will be a white undercoat.
In the Wrath of Angels boxed game, you also get three Phoenix Bombers. Continue reading “Asuryani Flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis”
Sokar pattern Stormbird for Aeronautica Imperialis
I have in previous blog posts discussed what possible future aircraft we coud see for Aeronautica Imperialis. In the first of the discussion pieces I went through prospective models, and I followed this with an updated version back in May when the Wrath of Angles boxed set was announced.
One model I mentioned was the Stormbird. Having recently constructed the Aeronautica Imperialis Thunderhawk Gunship I was reminded of the Stormbird and did start to think about if we would see an Aeronautica Imperialis model.
Stormbird is a catch-all term that refers to a series of various super-heavy dedicated attack landers that were once used by the Legiones Astartes as their primary means of deploying forces into combat. Stormbirds also served in air support and general planetary transport roles during the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy eras in the late 30th and early 31st Millennia.
Forge World have released a 40K scale model of the Sokar Pattern Stormbird, which is a huge (expensive) resin kit. I have seen the model at Warhammer World and it is one big model
The Sokar Pattern Stormbird was one of the later patterns of Stormbird developed during the Great Crusade and was used as the design precursor to the smaller, more widely produced Thunderhawk gunship.
The Sokar pattern Stormbird is a dedicated attack lander. It has served as a high-durability orbital assault craft, a mobile bastion and firebase which could land a Space Marine strike force and withstand heavy ground fire while its cargo or troops and war machines disembarked to press the attack.
I could see Forge World making and releasing a Sokar Pattern Stormbird in resin for use in Aeronautica Imperialis, though such a large model may be problematic from a rules perspective. The Thunderhawk Gunship is not as big as the Sokar Pattern Stormbird and even that looks like it might be problematic from a gaming perspective, as it might be too big for the board.
This then got me thinking about other large flyers and that they would have similar issues.
In the olden days I am sure Forge World would have just gone ahead and produced a model, as they did with the Epic scale Thunderhawk Transporter they did for the original release of Aeronautica Imperialis which was shown off at GamesDay 2006.
They (appeared) to be more independent back then, now they seem part of the planned release cycles.
So will be see a Sokar pattern Stormbird for Aeronautica Imperialis from Forge World, I actually don’t think we will.
See the Sokar Pattern Stormbird 40K scale Gallery.
Space Marine Thunderhawk (in plastic)
Well of course I am talking about the new Adeptus Astartes Thunderhawk Gunship for Aeronautica Imperialis. Of course one day we may see a 40K scale version, but not today. I did manage to get a box of the Aeronautica Imperialis Thunderhawk when it was released.
The box comes with two sprues with the parts divided between them.
Construction was actually quite simple and I found the model came together quite easily. It was an interesting build and it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.
You can model the landing gear deployed or stowed. I decided that I would have it deployed, maybe I could use the model as scenery (or an objective) in future games of Adeptus Titanicus.
What I was less sure about was the “attack wings” that can be constructed in a manner so they can move, but mine don’t stay in place and just flop down. I think I might keep them loose (for painting) and then take a view.
The model is very large compared to the other Aeronautica Imperialis models I have, the kit comes with an extra part to extend the flying base, so the Thunderhawk can fly higher than the other models.
The next step will be a white undercoat.
Storming Eagles
After constructing the Storm Eagles I gave the models a white undercoat.
The Storm Eagle is an orbital assault craft employed by the Space Marines, equipped with a formidable weight of firepower.
The next step will be a basecoat.
There are two of these in the Wrath of Angels boxed set.
Undercoating and basecoating the Grot Bommers
I did say in a post last year that these would be my next purchase for Aeronautica Imperialis would be some Grot Bommerz.
The obvious answer for me is a pair of Grot Bommerz. I do like the concept of these, though I am not a big fan of the actual models, but Orks is Orks, so they are next on my shopping list.
Well in the end I got a box as a present, so the decision was made for me.
The diminutive Gretchin have long been enthusiastic supporters of Ork aviation, whether gleefully pushing bombs out of open bays, crawling into tight spots to fix engines, or acting as spotters and even gunners on ork planes. It doesn’t take long before they become obsessed with flying just like their bigger kin, begging for their own turn on the control stick. Some enterprising Ork meks decided this arrangement could be mutually beneficial, and created guided missiles that could be flown like a tiny, gretchin-sized airplane. Fitted with a short-burn rocket engine and stuffed with unstable explosives, some rabid grots are happy to climb aboard just for the (short-lived) thrill of speed and freedom. They’re loaded into the wings of specially-fitted Grot Bommers, and launched in support of the Air Waaagh!
Having constructed the models I gave them a white undercoat.
Having built and painted the models I have actually grown to like them. I like the amount of detail and they certainly are big models compared to the other (tiny) planes I have now in my collection.
This is one of the models.
Here is the other one.
The next stage was a basecoat.
I used the Blood Angels Red contrast paint.
As is usual with my painting there are still some white patches…
Next stage will be adding the detailing before washing the model.
Constructing the Xiphon Interceptors for Aeronautica Imperialis
I have the models from the Wrath of Angels and have been spending some time putting the models together.
So having constructed the Storm Eagles, I then put the Xiphon Interceptors together. There are three of these in the Wrath of Angels boxed set.
These were simple and very easy to put together.
I am thinking about getting some more. Though from a value perspective I am tempted to just get another Wrath of Angles boxed set rather than buy an individual box of models. I don’t think I need more than six.
Here is another view of the model.
The next stage will be a white undercoat.
I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but now thinking about painting them up as Grey Knights.
See the Xiphon Pattern Interceptors Miniatures Gallery.
Picked up a Thunderhawk
So I kind of dithered slightly, but this morning I changed my mind and picked up an Aeronautica Imperialis Adeptus Astartes Thunderhawk Gunship from my local FLGS.
Designed to operate in both planetary atmosphere and the cold void of space, the Thunderhawk Gunship combines the roles of orbital troop lander, heavy gunship, and bomber into a single, brutally effective aircraft. Sturdy and well-armoured, Thunderhawks deliver their Adeptus Astartes passengers into the very heart of raging battle, and provide fire support with a truly fearsome array of weapons afterwards. These iconic vessels have come to be feared as the harbinger of doom by the enemies of the Imperium of Mankind.
The box contains two sprues to make up the model. There are a fair few parts as one would imagine for a kit of this size (even if it is a tiny plane). The model is very well detailed. It does make me think that would GW ever decide to re-issue Space Marine or Epic40000 (as in WH40K ground combat) but in the new Adeptus Titanicus scale? Part of me thinks they won’t, it could possibly cannibalise sales of (proper sized) Warhammer 40000.
Another thing is that the pricing of the models would be quite extorinate compared to previous versions of Epic. The original metal 1997 Epic40000 Thunderhawk was £7.00, whereas this plastic kit has a list price of £26 nearly four times as expensive. Yes it has been over twenty years, but even so this means we would be paying £5 for an Ork vehicle and £10 for a Land Raider if GW ever did go down a path of making vehicles and infantry for Adeptus Titanicus.
I will be painting my Adeptus Astartes Thunderhawk Gunship as a Grey Knights Thunderhawk as discussed in this earlier post.
Constructing the Storm Eagle Squadron for Aeronautica Imperialis
I have the models from the Wrath of Angels and have been spending some time putting the models together.
The first ones I finished were the Storm Eagle Squadron.
These were a little complicated to put together, but I got there in the end.
I like these models.
The Storm Eagle is an orbital assault craft employed by the Space Marines, equipped with a formidable weight of firepower.
There are two of these in the Wrath of Angels boxed set.
The next stage will be a white undercoat.
I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but now thinking about painting them up as Grey Knights.
Grey Knights for Aeronautica Imperialis
I have been thinking about is what colour to paint my Adeptus Astartes models for Aeronautica Imperialis.
I have the models from the Wrath of Angels and am seriously considering getting a Thunderhawk as well.
I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but now thinking about painting them up as Grey Knights.
Forge World had a display of a Grey Knights Thunderhawk at a GamesDay event.
I think this could work, however they used a grey colour scheme. A lot of Grey Knight vehicles were also painted in this scheme.
When I started thinking about painting my Aeronautica Imperialis models I was thinking painting them the same colour as Grey Knights.
Giving the models a base coat of Leadbelcher and then washes and detailing.
Now reflecting on the excellent Forge World models I am now thinking of following that scheme on the Aeronautica Imperialis models.
It also got me thinking that I could add some Inquisitorial Storm Troopers Valkyrie Transports to the force as well.
Add another boxed set of those to the shopping list.
I will also need to think about rules, either using the vanilla rules, or doing some tweaking.