forge world Archives - Felix's Gaming Pages

Marauder Bomber

The Marauder Bomber is the workhorse of the Imperial Navy. Capable of both atmospheric and void operations, it is used as an attack craft in fleet actions as well as fulfilling a tactical role, supporting ground offensives by bombing enemy troop concentrations and support positions. Such tactical bombing missions are often launched prior to, and in support of, Imperial Guard offensives.

This lovely Forge World Marauder Bomber was on display at Warhammer World.

Imperial Navy Marauder Bomber at Warhammer World

The Marauder Destroyer varient was developed during the second war for Armageddon after heavy losses in the Naval airforces. Orkish dominance of the skies over certain areas of Armageddon forced the few remaining Marauders to be refitted to operate at night, flying at extremely low level where they could evade detection. Their new heavier weapon payload made anything which got in the way seriously regret it!

The 40K version of this model is huge, but on my most recent visit to Warhammer World I was able to see the Aeronatica Imperialis version in the flesh (well the plastic) and I think I might get some of those at some point.

Red Scorpions Thunderhawk

The front of a Red Scorpions Space Marine Thunderhawk flyer from the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

Forge World Retro Land Speeder

One of the models I did like at Warhammer World was the Forge World Retro Land Speeder.

This is of course based on the classic metal Rogue Trader era Land Speeder model (which was metal, whilst this one is resin). I did have that metal model which came in a boxed set with a Mole Mortar and a Tarantula. My memory of that model was that it was a real pain to put together, I think though as I was using an epoxy glue, that took ages to dry and didn’t really stick. Whereas today I would probably use superglue!

Malcador Heavy Tank

The Malcador Assault Tank, also known as the Malcador Heavy Tank is a venerable pattern of armoured vehicle that predates the Leman Russ tank in the Imperium of Man’s service. It is not widely used by Imperial armed forces at the present time and is in fact little known even within the Imperial military.

This Malcador Heavy Tank was in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

In many regions of the Imperium, the Malcador passed out of common service many millennia ago. The few Malcadors that remain in the Emperor of Mankind’s service have been relegated to the Departmento Munitorum’s strategic reserve, to the arsenals of second-line Planetary Defence Forces or are maintained in active service only by a few units of the Imperial Guard due to ancient tradition.

I have to say I’ve always liked this tank, the Great War feel certainly adds to the overall look to the model.

Thunderhawk Transport

The Thunderhawk Transporter is a logistical variant of the standard Thunderhawk gunship used by the Adeptus Astartes to carry Space Marine vehicles into combat zones. The Thunderhawk Transporter, while lacking the firepower of the standard Thunderhawk, is no less important to an Astartes Chapter. The Thunderhawk Transporter can quickly load up to two Rhino sized vehicles of any type, or as seen here (hiding underneath), a single Land Raider sized vehicle.

This Thunderhawk Transport was part of a airbase diorama at Warhammer World where there were all the different kinds of Space Marine Flyers, complete with marching squads of Space Marines and Space Marine armoured vehicles.

There were some nice touches such as armed guards surround the flyers and ammo supply vehicles getting in close to rearm the transports.

See more photographs of the Thunderhawk Transport.

Sokar Pattern Stormbird

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. One of the later patterns developed, the Sokar was the design precursor to the smaller Thunderhawk Gunship.

The Stormbird’s standard armament is four turret-mounted twin linked lascannon, three twin-linked heavy bolters, and a complement of six dreadstrike missiles. It is also equipped with particularly dense composite armour plating, and is further protected by a series of void shield generators which it can extend to protect disembarking troops and war machines.

Its cavernous transport bays can hold 50 fully armed Space Marines. Alternatively it can carry up to 5 Dreadnoughts, including the mighty Leviathan; Jump-pack equipped infantry; Rapier batteries; bikes; jetbikes; a Rhino armoured transport; or a mixed force of all of the above.

In the photographs you can see a Contemptor Dreadnought coming out from the side door.

A huge model that would make for an ideal objective for a game, though of course there are rules for using the flyer in games, but I think you would need a really large table…

This Sokar Pattern Stormbird was part of a airbase diorama at Warhammer World where there were all the different kinds of Space Marine Flyers.

We never did see this…

I have been updating the blog and website (bringing pages over and updating images) when I was reminded of this Forge World Ork model concept that I discussed in a blog post about Games Day 2009. A battlewagon with a huge missile on the back.

We never did see anything like this from Forge World, which is kind of understandable, as from a gaming perspective, having a huge missile doesn’t really work on the tabletop, as it is more of a strategic weapon rather than a tactical weapon, however it would have made a nice model.

With the imminent release of new Ork stuff from Games Workshop, I wonder if we will see any new Forge World Ork models? What do you think and what would you like to see?

Thunderhawk Gunship

The Thunderhawk gunship is used by the Adeptus Astartes as their primary means of deploying forces for ground combat as well as their primary source of air support. The Thunderhawk gunship is often considered the lynchpin of any Space Marine Chapter, as it is able to fulfill many combat roles. The Thunderhawk is fully capable of functioning as an orbital drop ship, a heavy ground attack gunship, or as a bomber. The aircraft is able to quickly carry Space Marine forces from orbiting starships down into the midst of a battle, while at the same time providing supporting fire against enemy ground or air targets.

This model is one of the Forgeworld Display models. When you see it for “real” you realise how large the model is. I am not a great fan of the model, however I do quite like the Thunderhawk Transporter.

This Thunderhawk was part of a airbase diorama at Warhammer World where there were all the different kinds of Space Marine Flyers.

There were lots of nice touches in this diorama, such as the above Thunderhawk getting rearmed for its next mission, whilst Space Marines guard the landing pad. Around the airbase, there were squads of Space Marines marching , as well as vehicles moving around and into position.

Land Raider Proteus

Those of us who have been playing Warhammer 40K since it was first released will recognise this model from Forge World. It is of course a resin version of the original original Land Raider that was released back in 1987 following the release of the 1st edition of Warhammer 40,000, Rogue Trader.

Mechanicus tech-savants believe that the Land Raider Proteus is a precursor to the Phobos pattern vehicle now found amongst the armouriums of the Adeptus Astartes. Bulkier and faster than the Phobos, ancient and forgotten data-looms describe the Proteus as a forward assault vehicle, commonly fielded in Explorator missions during the dawning days of Mankind’s fledgling galactic empire.

Typhon Heavy Siege Tank

Named for the ‘Great Beast’ of Ancient Terran myth, the immense Typhon Heavy Siege Tank was developed by the Mechanicum alongside the Spartan, with which it shares a basic chassis design.

The Typhon’s primary armament is the massive Dreadhammer cannon, and was created in response to a request from the Primarch Peturabo, master of the Iron Warriors. He demanded a Legiones Astartes war engine that could rival the great batteries of the Imperial Crusade Army in firepower, but manoeuvre and deploy at the speed of a Space Marine force.