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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.
The Macharius Heavy Tank stands as a testament to the ingenuity and desperation of the Imperium of Man. Born from a necessity to field potent armored firepower when the legendary Baneblade super-heavy tank is unavailable, the Macharius represents a “second-generation” approach to heavy tank design.
Larger than the ubiquitous Leman Russ Battle Tank but significantly smaller than the Baneblade it seeks to emulate, the Macharius is a product of necessity. Forge Worlds, eager to secure lucrative military contracts, often lack the Standard Template Constructs (STCs) – ancient blueprints for advanced technology – required to manufacture the truly colossal Baneblade or its equally formidable kin, the Shadowsword.
Deprived of these sacred designs, Forge Worlds are left to their own devices, leading to a diverse array of Macharius variants. Some emphasize heavy firepower with powerful cannons, while others prioritize mobility and armor. This diversity reflects the decentralised nature of Imperial production and the inherent limitations imposed by the absence of standardised designs.
The Macharius, despite its limitations, serves a vital role in the defense of the Imperium. It provides a potent armored fist for the Imperial Guard, capable of punching through enemy lines and supporting infantry assaults. However, its reliance on local Forge World ingenuity and the lack of standardized production inevitably results in a less consistent and less predictable performance compared to the meticulously engineered Baneblade.
Sadly the Macharius Heavy Tank and its many variants have been removed from the Games Workshop range. If the Macharius Omega had been in stock when I visited Warhammer World in September I would very likely have picked one up. The second hand market prices have gone up considerably as a result.
The Imperial Guard field a range of human-portable weapons. Crewed by ordnance teams they provide a range of choices for the Astra Militarum in supporting combined arms assault with infantry and tanks. They use bombast field guns, malleus rocket launchers and heavy lascannons.
On the cover of a recent Miniature Wargames magazine was a free sprue of SneakFeet from Wargames Atlantic. Of course in any other place these would be space hobbits or halflings. Another place calls them Ratlings.
I borrowed some spare round bases I had and constructed the four models.
They were a little challenging to put together for me. You certainly get a wide choice of arms and heads, I wasn’t always sure about the best arms to use. However quite pleased with the end result.
When the Militarum Tempestu need to transport their soldiers into the heart of battle, they use the Taurox Prime. It is a well armed and armoured infantry assault vehicle. It is usually armed with an array of heavy weapons. It is the ideal support vehicle for the Militarum Tempestus on the battlefield.
The Forge World Ork Shanty Town diorama was changed to have the Militarum Tempestu driving in to the town in their Taurox Prime armoured vehicles to rescue a downed Valkyrie flyer.
More photographs of the Shanty Town.
When the Taurox was released back in 2014, I said back then.
The Taurox Prime is a new model from Games Workshop, and I really don’t like it. I think it’s too tall and the tracked “wheels” fail to work for me.
I wasn’t alone in that though as the comments show in that post.
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.
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.
The Ryza Pattern Blastgun is commonly deployed on the Stormblade super-heavy tank.
On the cover of Miniature Wargames this month was a free sprue of SneakFeet from Wargames Atlantic. Of course in any other place these would be space hobbits or halflings. Another place calls them Ratlings.
I recently ordered the Provisionally Prepared miniature from Games Workshop, which is a great model. I did then think about getting the new Kill Team supplement, Brutal and Cunning, this contains a Halfling Ratlings squad. However I have seen it has sold out online, everywhere it seems. I will probably have to wait now until the Ratlings are released separately.
Having said that the free SneakFeet sprue gives me a chance to make up and paint some space hobbits, oh and a frying pan with eggs in it, second breakfast and all that.
The Imperial Guard Chimera is an Infantry Fighting Vehicle, an infantry transport designed to transport men to where they need to be, then provide support fire and cover behind its armour.
One variant of the Chimera is the Hellhound flame tank.
See more photographs of Chimera transports.
I’ve always liked the Tallarn Imperial Guard and have over the years bought some of the models. I have even painted some.
These Tallarn Imperial Guard were on display in the cabinets at Warhammer World.
The Tallarn Desert Raiders are a regiment of the Imperial Guard raised from the Desert World of Tallarn. The soldiers of the regiment are highly skilled at desert and mobile armoured warfare.
These models of the Imperial Guard Baneblade super heavy tank were on display at Warhammer World.
The Baneblade super heavy tank is the standard super heavy for the Imperial Guard. It’s huge and the design is one of the oldest in service with the armed forces of the Imperium. It is one of the Standard Template Construct (STC) designs that ensures that Forge Worlds across the galaxy are able to easily manufacture the tanks to a consistent design. The size means a large crew, ten in all. They are often used as command vehicles by Imperial Guard commanders.
With a range of armaments, a Baneblade is less of a tank and more of a tracked fortress. An unmistakable icon of the Imperium’s armoured supremacy, a single one of these super-heavy war engines can serve as the mailed fist of an Imperial Guard offensive, or as the unassailable lynchpin of even the most desperate of defences.
The Baneblade was originally an Epic design, but was then available as a modelling project in White Dwarf. Forge World produced a resin version for many years. In 2007 a plastic version of the tank was made available. We shouldn’t forget the 1/6th scale version that Forge World showcased at Games Day 2006.
Initially I wasn’t a fan, I thought it was too big, but over the years I have come to like the concept.