Category: warhammer the horus heresy

Reflecting on the construction of the Arvus Lighter

One of the reveals at the World Championships Preview back in November was a plastic Arvus Lighter for The Horus Heresy. I ordered one from my FLGS.

The Arvus Lighter is a small, general purpose cargo shuttle that is widely used by the Imperium of Man for many tasks, both in space and on the surface of planets. The Arvus is commonly used by both Imperial Navy warships and Imperial merchant vessels, including Rogue Traders. The Arvus is just one of many types of small, void-capable shuttles used by the Imperium. The Arvus is piloted by a single pilot, and is not equipped with any weapon systems, in fact, the Arvus possesses only the most basic navigation equipment, external sensors, and proximity alarms. The Arvus has a powerful engine that allows it to carry heavy cargo to and from a planet’s surface

I like this model, though released for The Horus Heresy, I suspect it would make a great model for, not just Warhammer 40K, but also Necromunda. One of the additions to the plastic version of the Arvus Lighter model is a rear ramp gunner.

With most of my models I constructed them fully and then paint them. This is okay for many of my models, but I have with a few undertaken some part-assembly, then painting before putting the whole model together. One example of this on my workbench is the Typhon Heavy Siege Tank where I painted the tracks, sponsons and main weapon separately before putting them together.

Having reflected a bit more on the Arvus Lighter model, I have decided I will model the interior and have the ramp gunner as well.

I realised as I looked at the sprues and the instructions that I would need to paint some of the interior just for the pilot, and if I was going down that road I might as well do all the interior. As painting the cockpit and the canopy would mean having sub-assemblies anyhow. 

I also want to add detail to the inside of the Arvus Lighter, which already has some details in terms of seating. I will add additional equipment, straps and personal equipment to enhance the model.

So I will do some partial assemblies and then put the model together at the end.

There will be the sides, the base of the flyer with the cockpit, and the top superstructure with the wings and the engines.

I will model the Arvus Lighter with the undercarriage down, so that as well as using the flying stand, I can also use the Arvus Lighter in a landed mode. Though in this instance I might need to model the ramp gunner so that he can be removed. As he is shooting downwards, and this would look out of place when the Arvus Lighter is landed.

I am also going to go with the camouflage scheme I used with my Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie transports.

Arvus Lighter at Warhammer World

The Arvus Lighter is a small, general purpose cargo shuttle that is widely used by the Imperium of Man for many tasks, both in space and on the surface of planets. The Arvus is commonly used by both Imperial Navy warships and Imperial merchant vessels, including Rogue Traders. The Arvus is just one of many types of small, void-capable shuttles used by the Imperium. The Arvus is piloted by a single pilot, and is not equipped with any weapon systems, in fact, the Arvus possesses only the most basic navigation equipment, external sensors, and proximity alarms. The Arvus has a powerful engine that allows it to carry heavy cargo to and from a planet’s surface

There were quite a few Arvus Lighter models on display at Warhammer World.

Some of these are the original resin Forge World models, but there was also some examples using the new plastic kit that was released for The Horus Heresy. The main differences between the resin and plastic models are in the engine cowling and around the cockpit. Otherwise these are very similar models.

I have the new Horus Heresy plastic Arvus Lighter on my workbench.

Plastic Arvus Lighter on display at Warhammer World

On my previous visit to Warhammer World I took various photographs of the resin Forge World model which was on display. On my most recent visit in June 2025 I was able to take a photograph of the new(ish) plastic Arvus Lighter in the display cabinets.

Arvus Lighter plastic kit
Arvus Lighter plastic kit

Comparing the plastic version to the resin version there are some subtle differences.

Resin Forge World Arvus Lighter

The main areas are in the engine cowling and around the cockpit. Otherwise these are very similar models.

The Arvus Lighter is a small, general purpose cargo shuttle that is widely used by the Imperium of Man for many tasks, both in space and on the surface of planets. The Arvus is commonly used by both Imperial Navy warships and Imperial merchant vessels, including Rogue Traders. The Arvus is just one of many types of small, void-capable shuttles used by the Imperium. The Arvus is piloted by a single pilot, and is not equipped with any weapon systems, in fact, the Arvus possesses only the most basic navigation equipment, external sensors, and proximity alarms. The Arvus has a powerful engine that allows it to carry heavy cargo to and from a planet’s surface

I have the new Horus Heresy plastic Arvus Lighter on my workbench.

New photographs of The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12

I made a visit to Warhammer World in June 2025. One of the displays at Warhammer World was this Horus Heresy battle, entitled, The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12.

Traitor forces breach the Imperial Fist’s last defensive lines at Outpost Sigma-12 on Cthonia. Undermined by the Sons of Horus’ subterranean onslaught, the Loyalists are determined to fight to the last in the name of the Emperor. They ultimately reap such a toll of Traitor lives that any victory won was a hollow one. This battle would be one of the last fought during the Horus Heresy, for shortly after its bloody conclusion Horus launched his assault on the Emperor’s Palace on distant Terra.

I recently blogged about the Sons of Horus miniatures in that display. On my most recent visit to Warhammer World, I took some more photographs of the display.

The Sons of Horus at the Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12

One of the displays at Warhammer World was this Horus Heresy battle, entitled, The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12.

Traitor forces breach the Imperial Fist’s last defensive lines at Outpost Sigma-12 on Cthonia. Undermined by the Sons of Horus’ subterranean onslaught, the Loyalists are determined to fight to the last in the name of the Emperor.

They ultimately reap such a toll of Traitor lives that any victory won was a hollow one. This battle would be one of the last fought during the Horus Heresy, for shortly after its bloody conclusion Horus launched his assault on the Emperor’s Palace on distant Terra.

This Sons of Horus Spartan Assault Tank was on display at Warhammer World.
Sons of Horus Mastodon Heavy Assault Transport disgorging Space Marines into the battle.
This Sons of Horus Spartan Assault Tank was on display at Warhammer World.
Sons of Horus Fellblade Super Heavy Tank
Sons of Horus Spartan Assault Tank
Sons of Horus Spartan Assault Tank
Sons of Horus Spartan Assault Tank
The Fall Of Outpost Sigma-12

Sicaran Venator

A variant of the Sicaran battle tank introduced towards the end of the Great Crusade, the Sicaran Venator is a purpose-built tank destroyer.

Sicaran Venator

It mounts the fearsome neutron laser system and the atomantic arc-reactors required to power it. The neutron laser is a formidable anti-armour weapon, and is capable of penetrating any known armour.

Sicaran Venator

The combination of mobility, protection and firepower being highly valued by the Space Marine Legions.

Sons of Horus Land Raider Proteus

The Land Raider is regarded by many as the finest armoured fighting vehicle of its class in the Imperium’s arsenal, and is the mainstay battle tank of the Space Marine Legions. It is a phenomenally powerful war machine, its multi-layered composite armour and reinforced hull all but impervious to even heavy weapons, being a sealed unit designed to resist enemy attack from any approach. Intended to serve in almost any environment as both war machine and exploration vehicle, it can operate freely in war zones ranging from acid swamps to rad-deserts without any noticeable impediment to its performance, and can even operate in hard vacuum, ensuring there is no open battlefield on which its armoured wrath cannot be unleashed.

This (resin) Sons of Horus Land Raider Proteus was on display at Warhammer World.

Land Raider Proteus
Land Raider Proteus

Those of us who have been playing Warhammer 40K since it was first released will recognise this model. It is of course a new version of the original Land Raider that was released back in 1987 following the release of the 1st edition of Warhammer 40,000, Rogue Trader. Forge World released a resin version a fair few years ago, and since then, a plastic version of the kit has been released as part of The Horus Heresy range.

I have been thinking about getting one for my workbench.

Land Raider Proteus Miniatures Gallery

Arvus Lighter on the workbench

I have the new Horus Heresy plastic Arvus Lighter on my workbench.

The Arvus Lighter is a small, general purpose cargo shuttle that is widely used by the Imperium of Man for many tasks, both in space and on the surface of planets. The Arvus is commonly used by both Imperial Navy warships and Imperial merchant vessels, including Rogue Traders. The Arvus is just one of many types of small, void-capable shuttles used by the Imperium. The Arvus is piloted by a single pilot, and is not equipped with any weapon systems, in fact, the Arvus possesses only the most basic navigation equipment, external sensors, and proximity alarms. The Arvus has a powerful engine that allows it to carry heavy cargo to and from a planet’s surface

There are three sprues in the box along with a flying base and clear plastic parts for the canopy.

I have been thinking about how I will construct and paint the model. One of the additions to the plastic version of the Arvus Lighter model is a rear ramp gunner. I like the idea of this, but it will add to the time to paint the model. As well as painting the gunner, the inside of the craft will also have to be painted.

With most of my models I constructed them fully and then paint them. This is okay for many of my models, but I have with a few undertaken some part-assembly, then painting before putting the whole model together. One example of this on my workbench is the Typhon Heavy Siege Tank where I painted the tracks, sponsons and main weapon separately before putting them together.

I think with the Arvus Lighter I will do some partial assemblies and then put the model together at the end.

You can model the Arvus Lighter with the undercarriage down or up. I am thinking down.

I am still thinking about the paint scheme, I am not sure if I will go with a grey scheme, or go with the camouflage scheme I used with my Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie transports.

Leviathan Siege Dreadnought

Leviathan Siege Dreadnought
Leviathan Siege Dreadnought

Heavily-armed and impressively armoured, the Leviathan Siege Dreadnought is an alternative development of the highly successful Contemptor design. These rare and mighty engines are prized by Astartes commanders, recognised as savagely powerful siege and hunter-killer units that can crush any opposition with an unstoppable wrecking charge.