So now what’s next for Aeronautica Imperialis?

Back in July 2020 I wrote a speculative piece about future releases for Aeronautica Imperialis and some personal preferences for models. I had written the post after finishing painting my Valkyrie Assault Carriers which had been released alongside there Skies of Fire boxed set which contained miniatures for the Tau and the Astra Militarum.

I started to think about which models I would get next, and that got me thinking what we have seen that still needs to be released and also what could be released in the future and what I would like to see in the future as well.

Since that article was published we have had some new releases for Aeronautica Imperialis from GW and resin models from Forge World.

Forge World released the Vulture Gunship and the Arvus Lighter in August 2020.

Continue reading “So now what’s next for Aeronautica Imperialis?”

Forge World Aeronautica Imperialis Pre-Orders

We’ve known about them for a while now, but the Arvus Lighter and Vulture Gunship are now on pre-order from the Forge World website.

These are the first releases for (the new) Aeronautica Imperialis boxed game from Forge World and hopefully will be the first of many new releases for Aeronautica Imperialis in the future. I recently posted a blog post about my thinking of what’s next for Aeronautica Imperialis.

So what of the new models?

First there is the Arvus Lighter, an Imperial transport.

Arvus Lighter

The Arvus Lighter is a workhorse of the Imperium. Transporting both vital cargo and critical personnel, even from orbit, they’re small and fast enough to slip through war zones that would prove too difficult for larger, more cumbersome craft. While armoured, they are completely unarmed, relying on support from escort aircraft in active battles. Affectionately called “the hog” or “little pig”, this scout-class ship is a common sight on battlefields across the galaxy.

Completely unarmed, maybe not the best option for a game of Aeronautica Imperialis, however as an objective for a scenario, it could prove useful.

This small model comprised of nine parts looks very much the part.

The other release is the Vulture Gunship.

Vulture Gunship

Squadrons of Valkyrie Assault Carriers are often supported by these heavily armed dedicated gunships. The Vulture sacrifices troop-carrying capacity in favour of a massive engine and souped-up power plant, delivering serious firepower via underslung hard points. When armed with a Punisher Cannon, they can unleash devastating fusillades to annihilate targets at medium range.

I did think that these are lovely little miniatures, but was a little surprised by the price, well why would I be surprised by the price, it’s Forge World! Having said that £26 gets you four Valkyrie Assault Carriers, whilst the Vulture costs £30 for just two.

Having said that, I do like both models and am seriously thinking about getting some.

What next for Aeronautica Imperialis?

Aeronautica Imperialis Logo

I’ve enjoyed painting my Aeronautica Imperialis models and even I am impressed that I have managed to build, undercoat and paint them in a relatively short timeframe. I did my Valkyrie Assault Carrier in a week! I would usually take a few years to paint them (if at all….).

I started to think about which models I would get next, and that got me thinking what we have seen that still needs to be released and also what could be released in the future and what I would like to see in the future as well.

Some of these are obviously core Games Workshop releases, some could be plastic kits and I think others might be Forge World models or upgrades to plastic kits.

Forge World have released some kits for Adeptus Titanicus, such as weapon upgrades, new titans and scenery. I would like to think that they would do something similar for Aeronautica Imperialis.

What I might get next?

So, there are now quite a few released models for Aeronautica Imperialis, Ork, Imperial and now T’au aircraft. I bought Wings of Vengeance, so I already have Ork Dakkajets, Fighta Bommerz as well as Imperial Thunderbolts and Marauders. I also bought a box of Valkyrie Assault Carriers.  I was lucky enough to find a box of Ground Assets recently, so I have those as well.

The obvious answer for me is a pair of Grot Bommerz. I do like the concept of these, though I am not a big fan of the actual models, but Orks is Orks, so they are next on my shopping list.

Aeronautica Imperialis Ork flyers from Warhammer World

If I get those then I might get the Heavy Ork Bommerz as well. Continue reading “What next for Aeronautica Imperialis?”

The Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie Assault Carriers have arrived

Out of all the new imminent releases for the next phase of Aeronautica Imperialis releases for Skies of Fire the one that I liked the most was the Valkyrie. So much so that I did something I rarely do, and pre-ordered the boxed set of the Aeronautica Imperialis Valkyrie Assault Carriers from Alchemists Workshop and they’ve now arrived… with a few extras.

I had not used Alchemists Workshops before, so was impressed with both their prices (good discounts), customer service and fast delivery (the parcel actually arrived yesterday).

As well as the Valkyrie Flyers I also got the new Aircraft and Aces Astra Militarum and Imperial Navy Cards and I also decided to get the Aircraft and Aces Imperial Navy Cards as well. I already have the Aircraft and Aces Ork Air Waaagh! Cards.

In the Aircraft and Aces Astra Militarum and Imperial Navy Cards you do get cards for the released Valkyrie and Lightning Fighter, but there are also cards for the Imperial Arvus Lighter, the Avenger Strike Fighters and the Vulture Gunship. We have seen pictures of all three aircraft, but t they haven’t yet been released.

Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship

Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship from the Forge World displays at GamesDay 2007.

Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship

I do wonder if we would ever see a plastic Vulture, but though I thought we would never see a plastic Valkyrie, I do think it unlikely that we will see a plastic Vulture.

The current Forge World kit, which use to be 100% resin, now combines resin parts with sprues from the plastic Valkyrie kit.

See more photographs of the Imperial Navy Vulture Gunship.

Vultures at the Forge World Open Day

Next month sees the release of the plastic Valkyrie from Games Workshop.

At the recent Forge World Open Day we saw some conversion kits for the plastic Valkyrie including a Vulture and a Vendetta.

With the release of the plastic Valkyrie, Forge World at their Forge World Open Day 2009 showed off a new Vulture conversion kit.
With the release of the plastic Valkyrie, Forge World at their Forge World Open Day 2009 showed off a new Vulture conversion kit

The Vulture makes use of some of the plastic components, whilst the Vendetta conversion turns the Valkyrie into a heavily armed gunship.

Vultures at the Forge World Open Day

Alas I didn’t manage to get any photographs of the Vendetta (I thought I had, but I hadn’t).

Forge World will also be making some new weapon packs as well.

Vultures at the Forge World Open Day

Really nice kits.

Update: you can now see all my photographs from the Forge World Open Day 2009 in this gallery.

Imperial Navy Valkyrie and Vulture

Imperial Navy Valkyrie

Valkyrie which is part of Owen Rees' Imperial Guard - The 374th Tahnelian Airborne, in the White Dwarf display cabinets at GamesDay 2006.
Valkyrie which is part of Owen Rees’ Imperial Guard – The 374th Tahnelian Airborne, in the White Dwarf display cabinets at GamesDay 2006.

Imperial Navy Vulture

Vulture Gunship which is part of Owen Rees' Imperial Guard - The 374th Tahnelian Airborne, in the White Dwarf display cabinets at GamesDay 2006.
Vulture Gunship which is part of Owen Rees’ Imperial Guard – The 374th Tahnelian Airborne, in the White Dwarf display cabinets at GamesDay 2006

Part of Owen Rees’ Imperial Guard – The 374th Tahnelian Airborne, in the White Dwarf display cabinets at GamesDay 2006.