Forgeworld Newsletter #137

excellent small Imperial shuttlecraft…

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Welcome to the latest Forge World newsletter. We have got quite a lot of new models to show you today, all of which have just been made available to pre-order on the Forge World online store. We’ll be taking a good close look at each of these new releases and we’ve a couple sets of experimental rules that go along with some of the models too.
Thx,

Ewen Little,
Forge World.

Cadian Infantry Squad with Respirators Upgrade Pack
Nooooo! I want to start a Cadian army now. This comprehensive upgrade pack is just lovely and just needs some plastic Cadian infantry to complete. In here you get a sprue of beautifully sculpted heads, mostly helmeted but one wearing an officer’s/squad leader’s cap and another just wearing the respirator which really shows off the straps holding it to his face. Popping back to the ‘normal’ helmeted heads for a second, there are actually eight different designs, some of which have small pieces of equipment or decoration. With all these facemasks, this pack is absolutely perfect for people who don’t like to paint faces or eyes! I think my favourite component is the officer/sergeant torso pulling a pistol from his holster and then the slung lasgun. Of course there are absolutely masses of little component parts like ammo clips, pouches, knives and the like to super-detail your squad with. We’ve got a plasma pistol, a really nice sword and an arm carrying a box of las-rifle clips to name but a few more.

Cadian Infantry Squad Upgrade Pack
This Cadian upgrade pack is very similar to the one we have just taken a look at with the main difference being the heads. In this pack you get all the same exquisite little parts to add to your infantry models, but all ten heads are individually detailed with different expressions! With this upgrade pack you can make your infantry into highly detailed individiuals, perhaps going as far as naming them and their unit, even coming up with a back-story for them too. If that isn’t your sort of thing you’ll still have some of the most enviable Imperial Guard models available.

Cadian Hardened Veterans Upgrade Pack
With their hard-won experience, Hardened Veterans can often sneak into advantageous positions before a battle begins and can out-shoot regular line infantry once they are there. In addition, the wider selection of weaponry available to these elite troops makes them even more useful to Imperial Commanders. In this release, we have armed the Cadian Hardened Veterans with pump-action combat shotguns, useful for showering the enemy with a veritable hail of fire before charging in to mop up the bloody remnants in a good old fashioned close assault. (But of course everyone knows that shotguns just look cool!) What we have done is try to portray that special something that makes a unit of Hardened Veterans what they are. We started by making five different heads so that you can identify each guy in the squad as an individual, not just yet another Cadian trooper. We made two different complete torso-arm-gun combinations which give a more integrated look to the completed model which is sometimes difficult to achieve with models with more component parts. Finally, we made lots of different small pieces of equipment that are used to uniquely alter the load-out of each Veteran. These parts include field-packs, grenades, shotgun belts, combat knives and helmets complete with liners. Now, if I’m going to get one of those Arvus Lighters (see below) it would make sense to get some troops wouldn’t it? Just a couple of packs so I can drop in a few special weapons…

Tyranid Floating Spore Sacks
Tyranid Floating Spore Sacks trail long, groping tentacle sensors underneath them and are full of bio-acid, toxins and smaller spore mines. They are larger and more deadly versions of the common spore mine clusters. Unlike ‘lesser’ spore mines, Floating Spore Sacks can drift high into the sky, forming drifting minefields perfectly capable of destroying enemy aircraft. A Spore Sack drifting high will actively seek out enemy aircraft, being drawn towards a target before exploding in a huge shower of bio-acid, toxins and chitinous shrapnel. Floating Spore Sacks carry other spore mines inside them and when the Sack detonates many of these mines are destroyed – adding to the force of the explosion, but some will be flung clear and continue drifting to find new targets. These are great! I really like the size and shape of these ugly so-and-sos; they just fit my idea of what this sort of critter should look like. Well done Daniel!Warwick’s rules look fun too, though I must admit I don’t really want to be on the receiving end of them!

Imperial Navy Arvus Lighter
A couple of weeks ago we showed a picture of Daren Parrwood working on the fuselage of a small ‘shuttlecraft’. Today we are able to share the finished product with you; the Imperial Navy Arvus Lighter. The Imperial Navy commonly employs a wide variety of smaller craft aboard its vessels, from brigs, dories and pinnaces to couriers and the Arvus Lighter. The Arvus is a small utility cargo shuttle used by the ships of the Imperial Navy for transferring cargos of supplies or small units of personnel from ship-to-ship or ship to planet. The Arvus is commonly seen on the launch decks of large Imperial ships or making repeat runs from surface to ship, transporting supplies and men. Arvus Lighters are also used as utility transport craft on Imperial worlds, ferrying supplies and manpower between installations. Squat and durable, with powerful engines for carrying heavy loads, most are not armed as the Arvus is not a combat vehicle. At need the Arvus can also be employed as an assault boat and although it is not designed for this role it can transport a squad of infantry, (but not in any comfort). I am a big fan of how the Arvus Lighter looks and love the idea that not all the vehicles in the Imperium are armed. Despite my slowly growing 40K Eldar force I can see an Arvus appearing on my painting table before too long…

Imperial Navy Arvus Lighter

Experimental Rules
Like I mentioned above, Warwick has given us a set of experimental rules for the Tyranid Floating Spore Sacks. They can be downloaded as a .pdf file from the link below. If you have any feedback then please feel free to email your comments to us at imperialarmour@games-workshop.co.uk We do read all the emails we receive but unfortunately are just not able to reply to every question.

Tallarn Sentinel
The Sentinel is used extensively by the Tallarns for reconnaissance, patrolling and hit-and-run attacks, often working some distance away from the main body of the Tallarn force. Over the many years that Tallarn Imperial Guard regiments have served the Imperium, their Techpriests have developed numerous field modifications for their vehicles and equipment. Without these modifications it is possible that the Tallarns would not be able to fight the enemies of Humanity in desert environments to their best of their ability and so are quite commonplace in Tallarn regiments. This version of Tallarn Sentinel has been upgraded with a large air filter on the rear of the power-plant to try to improve its reliability when operating in excessively dusty environments. It has also been equipped with larger feet to better spread the vehicle’s weight over soft, shifting surfaces and maintain the mobility that is key to the effective use of Sentinels. Finally, this example has also had the cockpit covered in an attempt to offer the pilot some respite from the sometimes harmful rays from alien suns and shelter from blowing dust and sand when caught in poor weather. I like the simple but realistic ideas that Mark Bedford has put into this kit and the new resin Tallarn pilot he sculpted is just great.

Forge World
Games Workshop
Willow Road, Lenton
Nottingham, NG7 2WS

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I really like the small Imperial Flyer, seriously thinking about getting one for my Daemon Hunters force.

Forgeworld Imperial City Walls

This is the Forgeworld Imperial City Walls from the Forgeworld Display at GamesDay 2005.

You can see this is a huge piece of scenery, those are long barreled autocannons on the walls.

The entrance is certainly imposing and an Imperial BaneBlade can fit through those doors.

I do like this, but is it worth £625? Well from what I have heard they have been flying off the *shelves* at Forgeworld. This model took something like twelve days to make and paint.

I want two!

Forgeworld Tyranids

These are some wonderful Tyranid models from the Forgeworld Display cabinets at GamesDay 2005. The big model in the middle is the Harridan, the Tyranid flyer.

Scythed Hierodule
Scythed Hierodule

This is the Barbed Hierodule.

Tyranid Barbed Hierodule

This is the Scythed Hierodule.

Scythed Hierodule
Scythed Hierodule

I am tempted to get a Tyranid army, however only tempted

Forgeworld Newsletter #136

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Earlier this week I saw the very first examples of our latest etched brass sheets that had just been delivered, more on that a little later. Photographer and web-guy Paul has also snapped off a few photos of some work-in-progress projects that we can share with you as well as a list of some more models and kits you can expect to see next year. Have a good look and enjoy!
Thx,

Ewen Little,
Forge World.

Ultramarines Etched Brass Icons – Available NOW!
I really do have to say that these etched brass sheets that we have been releasing over the past month or two are downright marvellous and the latest addition to the range is no exception! The sheet has lots and lots of individual badges that can be used on almost any Ultramarines model, from a squad of Space Marines, Dreadnoughts through to tanks, bikes and even buildings. The icons really are finely detailed and can easily be used without any paint whatsoever as you can see from the pictures on the attached link. Paul, our resident Ultramarines collector, ‘liberated’ one of the two sheets we received and promptly used it. ‘Just to test they worked okay!’ was his defence. A phone call this morning confirmed that a big box of Ultramarines Etched Brass Icons has been completed and will be with us first thing on Monday morning. Armed with this information, I am pleased to say that sheets of Ultramarines Etched Brass Icons are available to order over the phone and at the Forge World online store right now for release next week!

Even now it is still not too late; Forge World can still deliver in time for Christmas!
If you want to place a mail order with Forge World for delivery before Christmas then we can still deliver in time, to anywhere at all in the world! For delivery to any country except the UK you have to choose our ‘UPS Express Delivery’ option as the final order dates for airmail have long since passed. We need to receive the last orders by Friday December 16th at the latest please. If we are to deliver orders to addresses in the UK by First Class post then we need to receive them by Monday December 12th at the latest. After that the only sure way is to upgrade the delivery to our ‘Royal Mail Special Delivery’ option for which the deadline is Monday December 19th. Please note that these dates are not recommended order dates. These are the absolute latest you can place an order to receive it one or two days before Christmas. If you want to place a mail order with Forge World for a Christmas present, PLEASE get it to us as soon as you can! If you have any questions on ordering for Christmas that I have not covered here please give us a call or send us an email so we can help you out.

More Sneak Previews – Work in progress
Take a look at the link just below where, for your perusal and gratification, we have a couple of photos of work-in-progress projects. Firstly we have a in-complete conversion kit for the Eldar Falcon that changes the design of the turret and the rear of the hull to give a more flowing shape reminiscent of the Forge World Scorpion II. I like the way that this kit is looking so far and I think I can see a Falcon or two appearing in my new Eldar army before too long… Next up is an un-finished Thunderhawk Transporter cargo pod. We see this being used by Space Marines for deploying smaller units of Bikes, Landspeeders, ammunition and supplies and the like directly to where they are needed. I can see lots of uses for this, so I really am looking forward to seeing what we do with the cargo pod. And to finish off today we have a few more new projects to add to the list we gave you in the last newsletter. We will continue to release more etched brass sheets next year and we are currently working on one for the Black Templars and another for the Red Scorpions. You’ll be hearing a lot more about the Red Scorpions over the coming months as they are the Marine Chapter that fought alongside Imperial Guard regiments during the Anphelion Project, the subject of Imperial Armour Volume 4. Following on, we will be releasing Red Scorpions conversion kits for both Terminators and power-armoured Space Marines too.

Just back in stock! The Ruined Watchtower of Amon Sûl on Weathertop hill
We have just this afternoon received a very few Ruined Watchtower of Amon Sûl on the hill of Weathertop, scene of the encounter between Strider and the Hobbits verses the evil Ringwraiths from The Fellowship of the Ring. This magnificent scenery piece measures over 400mm/16 inches across and would make a tremendous focal point in any themed Lord of the Rings table. This lovely piece of terrain will only be available while stocks last, so if you want to be sure of owning a ‘Weathertop’ please don’t wait, because when they are gone we probably won’t get any more for quite some time!

Forge World
Games Workshop
Willow Road, Lenton
Nottingham, NG7 2WS

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Forgeworld Imperial Desert Tallarn Entrances

This is one of the Forgeworld Imperial Desert Tallarn Entrance from their display cabinet at GamesDay 2005.

This picture of the same entrance from a different angle was taken and has a little too much flash!

I an not sure about these, I think as entrances to buildings they would be great, but as entrances to underground bunkers in the desert I don’t they work. The concept seems flawed to me.

 

Forgeworld Newsletter #135

previews of infantry upgrades and plans for 2006…

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In today’s issue of the Forge World Newsletter we have a few photos of some figures from our soon to be released Cadian upgrade packs to show you. We have up to date information on ordering from Forge World for Christmas and we will also be running through a list of some of our up and coming projects, keeping you up to date with what Forge World is doing and to get you excited too.
Thx,

Ewen Little.
Forge World.

Sneak Preview – Cadian Infantry Upgrades
Here are some photos of some of the first conversion kits that we have been working on for detailing and personalising plastic Cadian Imperial Guard models. We’re only going to show you a few pictures to whet your appetites, and also see what you think. Initially we plan to release a conversion pack for Cadian Veterans equipped with shotguns, a much requested option. The uppermost picture shows one completed model from the Cadian Veteran Shotgun pack showing off one of the really nice new one piece torso-arms-shotgun sections and one of the five different finely detailed heads included in the set. At least two other Cadian upgrade packs are planned for release early in 2006 and you can see three other models we have assembled in the other pictures. These other two packs will each have ten individually different heads, one set with respirator/gas-masks and the other set without. All three of these Cadian upgrade packs also contain lots and lots of beautifully detailed parts including backpacks, knives, grenades, demolition charges, slung weapons and the like. As soon as we have everything in place to make these great kits we’ll show you each pack in all their glory and start taking pre-orders.

We can still deliver in time for Christmas! Read on…
If you want to place a mail order with Forge World for delivery before Christmas then we can still deliver in time, to anywhere at all in the world! For delivery to the USA, Australia or anywhere else outside of Europe you will have to choose our ‘UPS Express Delivery’ option as the final order date for airmail has passed. Orders being placed for delivery in Europe for normal airmail delivery need to with us by Monday December 5th at the latest. After Monday you’ll have to choose our ‘UPS Express Delivery’ option too. If we are to deliver orders to addresses in the UK by First Class post then we need to receive them by Monday December 12th at the latest. After that the only sure way is to upgrade the delivery to our ‘Royal Mail Special Delivery’ option. Please note that these dates are not recommended order dates. These are the absolute latest you can place an order to receive it one or two days before Christmas. If you want to place a mail order with Forge World for a Christmas present, PLEASE get it to us as soon as you can! None of us here like telling people they aren’t going to get their Christmas presents, so please do order as early as possible. If you have any questions on ordering for Christmas that I have not covered here please give us a call or send us an email so we can help you out.

Onwards to 2006. What are FW making?
Lots of new Tyranid models is the first answer. The next big Imperial Armour book, ‘The Anphelion Project’, features Tyranids heavily and over the coming months you will see models such as Hive Nest Entrances, a Malanthrope and Floating Spore Sacks. I’ve already mentioned some of the forthcoming Imperial Guard projects that are being finished off but you will also be able to look forward to a Tallarn Sentinel and Veteran Elysian Drop Troops. We have also been working on a small utility shuttle as used at many Imperial facilities for the transportation of small amounts of cargo or personnel between installations and up to low-orbiting spacecraft. I really like the look of this model so far and can hardly wait to see it completed. Think of this being more like a military Land Rover when compared to a Valkyrie as an APC. The link shows a few of our designers working at their desks. Look carefully and you might spot some of the above mentioned models amidst the clutter!

The Anphelion Project
Imperial Armour Volume 4 is progressing according to plan and looking REALLY interesting. One of the things I have just seen is a first draft of some rules for fighting inside the corridors and rooms of our Phaeton pattern buildings or other similar structures. We have an experimental set of rules that you can download to try them out and let us know what you think. Please send your observations and comments to imperialarmour@games-workshop.co.uk but bear in mind we will not be able to reply to all your comments. We also have an updated set of rules for the Tyranid Trygon that can be downloaded. I have been told that this set makes the Trygon a whole lot nastier!

Forge World
Games Workshop
Willow Road, Lenton
Nottingham, NG7 2WS

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Alas there seems to be very few plans for Epic and Orks which is a pity, the Imperial-centric nature of Forgeworld releases is a bit of a disappointment.