Female Patrol Officer - IMP07 free miniature for March 2014

"So we know there are ladies in the Retained and that the Muster Patrol is on the up...do they have female officers?  Yeah, sure they do.  Lets make that the free miniature for March then.  March will be a big month for the Muster what with the Skylark coming out too."

On Christmas Eve 2013 we released IAF022 Muster 1st Patrol and we followed up on it this week with IAF028 Khamel Tracked Bike set for the Muster too.  In fact we have a command set for Muster Patrol soon too so it made perfect sense to give this month to the Muster.  After all with a Skylark or three in your collection you will want this lady too and you would get her free to boot.  With a Moth Type 6 Rifle slung across her waist she is shouting orders and has her hand held up signalling a halt to the patrol.

The Female Muster Patrol Officer is the white metal 15mm miniature in the above image and until 1st April 2013 she is FREE in each and every order placed with us at the rate of one per order placed. After that date she will be retired and replaced by the next free miniature and of course you earn reward points on all orders too.  We realise that some of you may wish to purchase the current free miniature to get multiples of it without placing a lot of orders so you can do just that.  Visit this page on the website for the miniature at a fair price.  Yours for the next thirty days....

There is a growing page on the Ion Age website where the current and all former IMP series free miniatures are shown so that you can see what came before.  Enjoy and go HERE.

GBS

Skylark Patrol Flyer - Preview Part 2

Welcome to part two of the Skylark preview posts.  If you missed the first part, well it showed you the Skylark Patrol Flyer itself and you can read it here on the blog.  But now we are moving on to the next item that will be a part of the next Early Support Offer bundles on 3rd March 2014...a Skylark that can no longer fly.  IAF033 Crashed Skylark!

The Crashed Skylark is a sad reminder that even the mighty can be laid low by well some well aimed shots or a bit of luck.  Embedded in the rocky terrain of Camarthen Prime or any other world of the Prydian Precinct the broken hull of the 'lark is now nothing more than well machined scrap.  Or is it?  Its a large one piece casting some seven centimetres long and the same across with a lot of fine detail from the rocks and ground to the shattered engine mounts and exposed cables along with peppered impacts from low calibre rounds.  Its a great piece of battlefield terrain to add character or as a mission objective.  It adds to the strength of the Skylark as a vehicle by presenting it downed for use in your wargames if your flying one is destroyed in play.

Quite often wargame companies will overlook the depth of their settings but that is not the way that The Ion Age intends to operate.  You might have seen that our Havelock Battlesuit and our Duxis Battlesuit both have 'fallen' versions which can be used as mission objectives or battlefield terrain.  These add to the depth of the battlesuits for players and this crashed skylark does the same.   As well as this the Crashed Skylark fills the void often left by games that are purely points driven.  Narrative matters.  Tense scenarios can be had with terrain that can be made interactive.  Battlefield terrain can make your gaming table look even better than it otherwise ever would. 

But where did the Skylark come from as an idea and as a model?  Well it has great space opera pedigree behind it.  Back at the start of this year when the design stage of the Skylark was underway everyone involved named one item of classic wargaming from our own lines that would be an influence on the design. The original 15mm scale Ion Age white metal vehicles like HOF18 (now retired and to be re-introduced upgraded in resin as the Adder Combat Car later this year) gave shape to the core hull of the Skylark.  It would match up with those models on the table as part of the Muster.  But it was to be a flying vehicle and there was nothing like that in the existing Ion Age, but Laserburn provided inspiration there.  The jet engine mount on the V106 Law Officer Air Raft (see image below) is 80's perfection so we multiplied it by four and added its influence to the Skylark for motive power.  Lastly the reaction to the Hab Dome and its top mounts including the IAF015A Sentry Gun gave the 'lark its belly gun and the missile pod from the Havelock went on the turret ring. So from the classic and old school ideas came a combined design that took them all in and came up with something new and retro at the same time.  The Skylark is a unique flyer; just look at it.

V106 from 15mm.co.uk

So that's it for part two of the preview and that means one part left.  In the third part I will show you the last part of the Skylark ESO's and outline the bundles for March 3rd.  I hope you are enjoying these short articles about our process and ideas.  Feedback is most welcome.

GBS

IAF028 Khamel Tracked Bike Set Released!

“Those Maligs can be a real nuisance.  Keep on sniping at you and throwing the odd grenade from places you thought were clear.  Like at Paradvar Hill when the rear elements of the 76th Regiment were about to climb to the summit the little sods appeared.  They had hid in dug outs while the bulk of the troops marched past.  They had sense enough to keep their heads down with Skylarks in the air and two super heavy Taranis tanks in support they would have been smeared soon as they popped up.  Even Khanate Warlords don't mess with Taranis, least not head on.   So there we were, three platoons of us, about to walk up Paradvar Hill when they appeared and laid it on thick with laser and apollo fire.

No chance of support, the regiment was engaged all up front with the Minotaur Legion for Paradvar Central about ten miles off; so we were pinned.  Too steep to climb under fire and the Maligs had set up remote mines.  Not big ones but they would take your foot off.  Maligs are cruel like that.  We lost four troopers initially and then we hunkered down and had a ponder.  I scanned the local net and found out that a a couple of fire-teams worth of Khamels were coming up on us.  They must have been patrolling the rear; lots of rocky and rough ground about here.  I pinged them and got an affirmative.  Their Emeritas had been dealing with other Malig Tesserans left behind to slow us up.  He said to sit it out and let them run up the hill.  Sure, I said.  No problem.  Better to watch than to catch a beam in the bonce.

Took about ten minutes for the bikes to arrive.  We all heard them coming.   The Khamel ain't the biggest bike in the army but it is real loud and its got presence that the Retained just don't get with their grav-bikes.  Being from the Patrol these guys just saluted as they passed us and went straight up the slope.  We gave them supporting fire but it was a sight to see I tell you.   Mines went off continually under the Khamels but they just rolled on up the hill.  Maligs shot at the bikes and the rounds just did nothing.  I had expected the riders to dismount when they reached the dug outs but then I remembered the tracks on the Khamel and I kinda lost my appetite.  They just rolled on, onto and into the dugouts.  It ended quick then but when we climbed up the Paradvar Hill I had to clean my boots on the way down again.” 

Emeritas Gill Manning, 76th Prydian Regiment , Camarthen Prime, 4331IC

IAF028 Khamel Tracked Bike Pack

We are super happy to release the second bike code for the Ion Age 15mm Range.  Following on from the Canthus Monocycle (IAF007) we have code IAF028 Khamel Tracked Bike pack!  A tracked beast that can really scare the enemy.  This code contains three white metal miniatures which are the Khamel Bike with Muster Rider, Khamel Bike with no rider and Muster bike rider on foot.  This means you can field your Khamel with great flexibility and three different modes.  The Khamel comes with a choice of two separate weapons (Moth Type 12 and Ron 32mm) which can be left off or mounted on the front of the bike.   

As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Due to wargamers feedback we are also offering a 'buy three and save 10%' option on the riderless bike too. Go HERE.  Price 5.00GBP per pack.  You can read about the origins of the Khamel in this concept posting.

IAF003 Muster 1st Squad

Your core troops for a 15mm Muster force in the Ion Age is IAF003.  This code contains ten different white metal miniatures composed of troopers with Moth Rifle, lesser officer with Moth Rifle and troopers with Anvil 888 launchers as well as an ammo carrier trooper and a trooper with Moth Rifle and Hobbe's Bomb too.  A whole Muster Squad. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE.  Price 5.00GBP per pack.

Information Burst!

Time is about up to get the IMP06 Zin Envoy!  On the 1st March the miniature will be retired and replaced with the next free monthly miniature and while the Zin will appear later in 2014 this miniature will not.  Any order placed with us gets one of this miniature free and if you wish to buy more of the Zin Envoy you can until the 1st on our website. By placing an order with us you will sign up for an account with the website and that means you get Reward Points in all purchases.  These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders.  We have begun the run up to our next Early Supporter Offers too with the first preview of the Skylark Patrol Vessel our first full resin vehicle.  Its space opera awesome and will be with you all on 3rd March 2014.  Have a look at the Ion Age blog for the posts starting here and then after this posting.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Skylark Patrol Flyer - Preview Part 1

Those who follow this blog will have noted back a couple of weeks ago in the Landing Pad concept post that the fiction intro spoke of a flying vehicle for the Muster called the 'Skylark'...well it's more than fiction it now exists!

Back in February this year when we were designing this 15mm resin vehicle kit we wanted to come up with something modern but also totally space opera and pretty unique too.  I think we have.  Its a mantra of mine that what makes sci-fi wargaming, especially in 15mm scale, one of the most fun places to be as a wargamer is its originality.  The Ion Age is doing and will continue to do things to make the scale more diverse.  Its the core of our March releases and its a four engined wonder.  The Skylark is brand new and its old school too; best of both.

Above you can see a picture of the super new (this is the first one!) IAF029 Skylark which will be one third of the March 2014 Early Support Offer (ESO) bundles which will begin on the 3rd of March 2014.  But what is the Skylark?

The Skylark is a flying patrol vehicle used by the Muster and its our first full vehicle release in the 15mm range.  While all Muster make use of the Skylark it is the Patrol that are famous for using it.  Most Muster use the ground travelling variants of the Adder vehicle.  Carrying a pilot and gunner along with a four man fire-team which can deploy from hatches in its armoured hull.  It carries an underslung mounted rotary cannon and can have an optional centre hatch or missile pod on a top mount. Propelled by four jet engines it is very speedy and excellent for recon and getting in and out fast.  The rear engine pods can be rotated for landing and take off.  Deployed all across the Prydian Precinct its a child of the civil war and is now being put into use against the Shia Khan too.  It can sit on its own props or be mounted on a white metal flight stand that will come out later as a release (not pictured).

There are two more posts coming about the Skylark which will show the other items which go with this vehicle and will be parts of the ESO's as well.  Stay tuned!

Comments most welcome.

GBS

Ellen and Ripley get green by Eric Leidberg

Skilled miniature painter and 15mm fan Eric Leidberg has put up some photos of his own painted vision of Ellen and Ripley our female character Retained Knights in the Ion Age.  As you can see he used some great green shades and they look very different to the red and white of the Prydian Army.  I have taken these images from his google plus feed.  You can visit him here if you are on that system.

IAF017 has had a great response from IonFans and its fantastic to be able to feature another wargamer and figure painter's vision of them.  Click on the link if you want to see our own painted versions.

Well done Eric!

GBS

IAF030 Duxis Battlesuit, IAF031 Drone and Pilot and IAF032 Fallen Duxis released!

Thank you all for your support during the two weeks of the Duxis Battlesuit early support offers (ESO's) more than four hundred suits and associated fallen Battlesuits and pilots with drone are now winging their way across the world to you all.  We would also like to thank Noble Knight Games for stocking the Duxis ESO's.  Every order placed is now dispatched.  The codes that made up the ESO's are now released as normal codes and their details are below.  Another ESO will be coming your way soon enough. Please read on!

IAF030A The Bladesman variant

IAF030H Warlord Killer variant

IAF030 Duxis Battlesuit

Duxis 'the royal gift' is a ballet dancer made to combat Warlords, the giant infantry of the Shia Khan Empire.  Made to give a knight the size and power to take on a Warlord in one to one combat. The Duxis is a modular miniature in 15mm scale cast in white metal.  Featuring a two part body, separate head and separate hands it has a high degree of flexibility in posing.  Assembled it stands about 30mm tall and you can just imagine the pilot nestled within it.  Great for the Ion Age but also for all 15mm sci-fi systems that use Battlesuits or their like.   

All Ranged variants of Duxis come with separate Heraldic Shield

There are SEVEN variants of the Duxis split into two main categories, close combat and ranged combat.  Armed with Sword or Spear, Fists or five different weapons you can choose the one you want by looking at the pages and viewing all the images (Variants A-H) and as with all our products you can choose to buy three and save 10% off list price.  Go HERE for all close combat or HERE for all ranged combat Duxis Battlesuits.  All are priced at 5.00GBP.  You can also look at this previous blog posts for more information HERE.

IAF031 Duxis Drone and Pilot

IAF031 Duxis Drone and Pilot

Inside the Duxis Battlesuit is the Pilot who directs its actions and takes it to battle.  These highly skilled knights are a breed apart and while it is rare to see them outside of their battlesuit there are times when they are on foot.  This pack contains two white metal 15mm miniatures, the Duxis Pilot armed with a pistol and holding the 'braincase' of his battlesuit in his hands and the Duxis Drone on its integral fight stand.  The Field Drone is capable of limited repair work and restocking tasks while at the same time avoiding incoming enemy fire. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.  Go HERE.  Price 1.50GBP per pack.

IAF032 Fallen Duxis with IAF031 for scale purposes

IAF032 Fallen Duxis Battlesuit

You might be nimble and you might be quick but sometimes you just aren't quick enough and for those occasions we present IAF032 Fallen Duxis.  Cast in high quality grey tone resin this one piece model is highly detailed and depicts a Duxis Battlesuit destroyed in combat. This one lost a fight against a Khanate Warlord and now lays upon its back, arm torn off and back broken against an unforgiving pile of rock. Useful as a casualty marker in play or a scenic objective in its own right this great model is about 35mm across at its widest point. Suitable for use in any science fiction setting as well as The Ion Age. As always this code can be bought as a pack or select three packs and save 10% option on the page.  Go HERE.  Price 5.00GBP per pack.

Information Burst

We have been super busy this week with the Duxis Battlesuit ESO getting all the orders ready and that has taken up a lot of our time but we have given an advance look at an upcoming code on the blog.  The Khamel Tracked Bike pack will be out soon and features a vehicle inspired by actual history, something that might have been used in some alternate history. Have a look.  The public feedback was mixed about last week's 28mm Female Muster pack with some very rude comments online (but hey free speech is very important and we are all entitled to opinions) and also some very kind ones too.  At any rate our first new 28mm pack in many years saw some good sales and more will be coming this year in 28mm Ion Age.   Its a shame that some people objectify not only women but also their role in future military's. We are at the mid month point for the current 15mm IMP06 Zin Envoy free miniature (one free in every order placed automatically) at the end of the month this miniature vanishes to be replaced with the next free miniature for March.  The Zin have caused quite a bit of stir among the 15mm science fiction community (and on Deviant Art too) and I can confirm we are going to do pack releases for them later on in 2014. By placing an order with us you will sign up for an account with the website and that means you get Reward Points in all purchases.  These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Muster Khamel Tracked Bike Set - Concepting

Months ago when the playtest draft of the Patrol Angis rules were being drawn up I wanted a special looking war bike for the Muster to use (normally the Retained and especially the Starvaulters get all the cool kit) and we settled on 'The Khamel'.  Why this name?  Well once we had the design down I thought that anyone riding the thing would certainly get 'the hump' from it!  Seriously its a adaptation of a middle english word (as Havelock is) that suits a war bike very well.  Track on to the next paragraph!

The IAF028 Muster Khamel Tracked Warbike pack will be released on 27th February 2014 along with all the normal images and options for buy a pack, buy three packs with a discount and buy the single miniatures from the pack too.  I am thinking with this pack of making the Khamel Bike only a 'buy three save 10%' option too as its a unique model on its own too.  If you are keen on this then let me know.  The image in this post gives you the scale next to the 15mm Muster driver.

Most of the time the awesome comes from the minds of myself and Sam Croes for The Ion Age but this time we cannot take any credit for it.  Below you will see an image taken in the late 1930's of a vehicle that became an evolutionary dead end for technology in our world.  Designed by French inventer J.Lehaitre and shown in print.  We wanted to make this beast a space opera reality in 15mm scale so we did!  Our one has a Muster feel and an optional weapon mount but its essentially the same vehicle.

February 1938: Caterpillar Track Motorcycle

“Named the “tractor-cycle” by the inventor, J. Lehaitre, the vehicle is said to be superior to an ordinary motorcycle in its ability to climb steep and rough grades, although its speed on level ground is limited to about 25 m.p.h. Fitted with a machine gun, the cycle could be used by dispatch riders or entire military units to travel over shell-torn terrain.” - Modern Mechanix

So soon, for the first time in 15mm scale, you will be able to get your own tracked bike for our and any other setting.

Thanks for Reading!

GBS