Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship

Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship

The Vulture is a gunship of the Imperial Navy’s Aeronautica Imperialis that is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL). It is used to provide heavy air support for Astra Militarum ground units and the Valkyrie transport. The Vulture is very similar in appearance to the Valkyrie, but with a drastically different role on the battlefield. The Vulture is capable of carrying a large variety of weapons and is able to engage both infantry and armoured units, and is also able to effectively attack fortified enemy structures and bunkers. The Vulture is an attack gunship, and its main role is the support of Valkyrie assault carriers while in flight and while their Imperial Guard troops are disembarking. The Vulture will often stay at the drop zone after the Valkyries have left in order to provide heavy air support to the infantry on the ground. Regiments of the Imperial Guard like the Elysian Drop Troops make heavy use of Vultures as they are often deployed into hostile territory without heavy armour or artillery support. Like all Imperial aircraft, the Vulture is crewed and operated by members of the Imperial Navy’s Aeronautica Imperialis, though it is always used in support of Astra Militarum ground forces.

Valkyrie Sky Talon

Valkyrie Sky Talon
Valkyrie Sky Talon

The Valkyrie Sky Talon is a variant of the Valkyrie Airborne Assault Carrier, and is used as a support aircraft intended to provide combat airlifts of light vehicles and cargo for the Astra Militarum. The Valkyrie Sky Talon, also known simply as the Sky Talon, is used for the transportation of light armoured vehicles, whereas the standard Valkyrie transports the air mobile infantry of the Imperial Guard into battle.

Red Scorpions

This Forge World Red Scorpions Razorback was on display at Warhammer World.

Red Scorpions Razorback

This Forge World Red Scorpions Land Raider  was on display at Warhammer World.

Red Scorpions Land Raider

The Red Scorpions came from Forge World. They could play around with the chapter, without it impacting on the mainstream chapters.

Burlok Damminson on pre-order next week

This week we found out that this lovely dwarf miniature  goes on pre-order on the 18th January.

Burlok Damminson was an old dwarf in the era of Karl Franz, but we see him here as a young and impetuous inventor who’s really getting on the nerves of the Engineers’ Guild… He’s armed with several proprietary experimental weapons, and substantially improves nearby ranged units by his very presence.

The model is made of Forge World resin.

Very tempting.

 

Thunderbolt Fighter

Thunderbolt Fighter

The Thunderbolt heavy fighter is one of the two main fighter aircraft patterns used by the Imperial Navy, the other of which is the Lightning air superiority fighter. The Thunderbolt is the mainstay weapon system of Imperial Navy fighter wings and is a rugged, well-armed and armoured heavy fighter with all-around capabilities, a good maximum speed and above-average maneuverability, powerful nose-mounted weapons and hard points located on the wings for missile or bomb load-outs.

Mark Bedford’s excellent Thunderbolt diorama.

It is an aircraft that is well-liked by those who fly and service it and it has served the cause of the Emperor for many centuries.

Thunderbolt Fighter

The Thunderbolt’s primary combat role is as an air superiority fighter. It seeks out and engages enemy aircraft in dogfights or hunts enemy bombers to establish air superiority. The Thunderbolt’s greatest strength is its versatility, since it has good performance as a high-altitude escort fighter while it is also serviceable in the roles of a low-altitude fighter-bomber, night fighter or even as a reconnaissance aircraft when necessary.

Marauder Bomber at Warhammer World

Marauder Bomber

The Marauder Bomber is the workhorse of the Imperial Navy.

Marauder Bomber

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.

Marauder Bomber

Such tactical bombing missions are often launched prior to, and in support of, Imperial Guard offensives.

Blood Angels Legion Sicaran Battle Tanks

The Sicaran battle tank is one of the most advanced armoured units in the arsenal of the Legiones Astartes, with a number of variants that spread quickly throughout the Legions.

These Forge World variants were on display at Warhammer World. I was totally impressed with the painting of these models and the intricate insignia across both vehicles.

The Sicaran Omega Tank Destroyer is a formidable tank hunter, utilising the speed provided by the Sicaran’s engines to apply overwhelming short range firepower.

Sicaran Omega Tank Destroyer
Sicaran Omega Tank Destroyer

It races forwards to ambush and obliterate the lumbering siege tanks of enemy columns, unleashing the brutal energies of its oversized plasma array – a crude, retrofitted imitation of the Mechanicum’s plasma technology that is nevertheless entirely capable of reducing hostile vehicles to smouldering wrecks.

Xiphon Pattern Interceptor

This Xiphon Pattern Interceptor flown by the Ultramarines was on display at Warhammer World.

With unparalleled speed and manoeuvrability, the Xiphon pattern Interceptor saw increasing service in the Legiones Astartes during the dark days of the Horus Heresy.  Based on ancient designs, the void and atmospheric craft carried heavy armaments into battle, allowing it to destroy both air and ground targets with apparent ease. Its pair of twin-linked lascannon and Xiphon rotary missile launcher combined with the Interceptor’s speed and agility to make it a deadly opponent from which the enemies of Mankind could not hide.

This was a Red Scorpions Xiphon Pattern Interceptor.

Xiphon Pattern Interceptor in the Miniatures Gallery

Macharius Omega

The Macharius Heavy Tank is used by the Imperial Guard. As with many Imperial armoured vehicles, there are various variants of the Macharius. The Macharius Omega is one such variant, it is armed with the Omega Pattern Plasma Blastgun.

Macharius Omega
Macharius Omega

The Omega Pattern Plasma Blastgun is a derivative of the Ryza Pattern Blastgun, optimised for reduced weight and size. This is achieved through the implementation of a compact generator and a smaller force crucible, allowing for integration into lighter platforms such as the Macharius.

Macharius Omega
Macharius Omega

The Ryza Pattern Blastgun is commonly deployed on the Stormblade super-heavy tank. 

More photographs of the Macharius Omega.