xiphon pattern interceptor Archives

Ultramarines 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.

Xiphon Pattern Interceptor in the Miniatures Gallery

Going grey with the Adeptus Astartes Flyers

As with my Asuryani Flyers the next stage after giving the Adeptus Astartes models for Aeronautica Imperialis a white undercoat was to think about the colour scheme. I have the models from the Wrath of Angels and I now have a Thunderhawk as well. I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but in the end decided on painting them up as Grey Knights. Forge World had a display of a Grey Knights Thunderhawk at a GamesDay event which is what inspired me.

I think this could work, however they used a grey colour scheme rather than the metallic finish of the Grey Knights themselves.

So I gave the Storm Eagles a basecoat of Basilicanum Grey contrast paint.

I did the same with the Xiphon Interceptors.

The next stage will be that heavy dry brush and then a lighter dry brush to draw out the highlights and make the models look more like the Forge World Grey Knights.

After that it will be detailing the hull (with red), the engines and weapons.

Undercoating the Xiphon Interceptors for Aeronautica Imperialis

Having constructed the Xiphon Interceptors for Aeronautica Imperialis I gave them a white undercoat.

The next stage will be the basecoat.

I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but now thinking about painting them up as Grey Knights.

Constructing the Xiphon Interceptors for Aeronautica Imperialis

I have the models from the Wrath of Angels and have been spending some time putting the models together.

So having constructed the Storm Eagles, I then put the Xiphon Interceptors together. There are three of these in the Wrath of Angels boxed set.

These were simple and very easy to put together.

I am thinking about getting some more. Though from a value perspective I am tempted to just get another Wrath of Angles boxed set rather than buy an individual box of models. I don’t think I need more than six.

Here is another view of the model.

The next stage will be a white undercoat.

I did think about Ultramarines blue, then Salamanders green, but now thinking about painting them up as Grey Knights.

See the Xiphon Pattern Interceptors Miniatures Gallery.

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?”

Nice new flyers for Aeronautica Imperialis

Well as part of Warhammer Fest Online we saw the announcement of a new boxed set for Aeronautica Imperialis.

There is a new Aeronautica Imperialis boxed set – Wrath of Angels. After Wings of Vengeance, featuring Orks and the Imperial Navy, and Skies of Fire, which introduced the T’au Air Caste, this set is all about Aeldari Craftworlds versus Space Marines.

So in the boxed set you get three Xiphon Interceptors, two chunky Storm Eagles for the Space Marines, whilst for the Eldar, sorry Aeldari, you get three Nightwings and three Phoenix Bombers.

Quite like the chunky Storm Eagles which look the part.

I am not a real fan of the Xiphon Interceptors. but these are nice models, they seem to work better in the smaller size.

Available separately will be a lovely looking plastic Space Marine Thunderhawk.

Lots of great detail and does make you think could GW move into recreating Epic sized vehicles and infantry for Adeptus Titanicus?

I do like all the Space Marine models and think these will make for interesting games of Aeronautica Imperialis. I also quite like the Aeldari models so I think I might get the boxed set.

What next for Aeronautica Imperialis?

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….).

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.

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

Xiphon Pattern Interceptor

This Xiphon Pattern Interceptor 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.

Space Marine Xiphon Pattern Interceptor

Though it reminds me of many of the Imperial Navy aircraft, I actually think this is a good thing, as a result this Space Marine aircraft looks much better than many of the Space Marine flying craft we have seen before.

I did think when I first saw the photograph that it was an Imperial Navy craft, then I noticed it was blue and had the Ultramarines’ iconography on it.

Quite like it.

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