IAF039 Khanate Warlords Set Released!

“Make your rounds count.  Auto-Targeters off, I want manual sighting and aim for the upper chest and heads.  We have one chance before they make haste for our demise.”

The ten Retained Knights, all that was left of the 6th Lance, were ready in a single line and the final reminder over comm link into their helms was not necessary.  All had their weapons ready and aimed at the chipped rubbacrete entrance to the abandoned building.  Once it had held children who had gone about their daily learning without knowledge that they would soon die and all that would remain would be faded pictures on grimy walls.  The Retained knew that three Warlords were about to come through the entrance.  Warlords, the toughest of the slave races used by the Khanate each with the might of five men and carrying guns that were the envy of portable weapon teams.  Prydian remote drones had picked up the trio who were evidently not expecting to find enemies in the building.  Even so Warlords were very hard to kill even with 12.5mm AP rounds from an Angis Rifle.

“Here they come.  Take the lead one first.'”

Stooping to get in the first Warlord entered the long dusty room its ten foot tall frame filling the whole entrance and the lowered barrel of its Maia Scatter Cannon noisily scrapping the floor.  As it straightened up the next Warlord came in behind and as it did so the first alien saw the knights and immediately started to raise its weapon.  Without a command the ten Retained opened fire.  The air was filled with over a hundred Angis bullets which tore great holes in the Warlord's lorican armour and then into its body.  The 12.5mm rounds detonated with a bang and then the Warlord's head simply exploded and it pitched forward into the floor with a wet crash.  Behind the fallen foe the next Warlord had its Mars 20mm Chain Cannon almost to the right level to open fire and its multiple barrels were spinning.  A number of the Angis round struck it and giant paused.  The pause was fatal as the two Retained, one either end of the line, each armed with an Anvil 888 launcher let fly their own projectiles.  They had waited until the first enemy had dropped and the two TX9 Hollow Charges essentially just really big 60mm bullets hammered into the second Warlord just as its finger activated the chain cannon.  Its left arm was thrown away and its right leg blown off at the knee which caused the 20mm shells of the chain cannon to rip into the wall and ceiling of the room missing the knights.

“Reload.  Free Fire!'

There was blood as mist in the air and it would take the Retained a number of seconds to eject the spent magazines from their rifles and load more.  They had brought down two of the monsters but now the third was in the room and its Helios 80kw Atomic Destabliser went off with a scream of super heated vapour.  In the blinding flash of loosed energy six of the knights were obliterated, their powered armour no protection at the destabilising of bonds at the atomic level.  The remaining four Retained on the right of the now gone line fell sideways as the red and white peeled and blistered from their armour.  But their hands were slamming magazines in all the same.   It would take the Helios time to charge again and perhaps the Humans would get lucky....perhaps.

Gullyville Edu Fact, Taranga District, Camarthen Prime 4330IC

The ground trembles with the step of the latest addition to the ranks of the 15mm scale Ion Age forces for the Shia Khan Empire....The Warlords!  Continuing our ambition of carrying across the entire 28mm Ion Age range into the smaller 15mm scale these Warlords are modular white metal models that allow up to seventy five different assembly options.  Read on to learn more about this brand new set of miniatures that will give your Legionaries some added muscle against the Prydian Precinct.

IAF039 Khanate Warlords

IAF039 Rear View

IAF039 Khanate Warlords Set

Hulking brutes that carry weapons capable of destroying battlesuits and vehicles Warlords are giant Humanoid aliens that give most Khanate formations the back up needed against the Retained Knights of Prydia.  This set contains the following white metal modular pieces in 15mm scale.   Five different Warlord bodies in five poses, five random Warlord heads taken from three different designs and five different weapons.  The weapons are a Jupiter 46mm Plasma Treble Rifle, the Mars 20mm Chain Cannon, the Maia 12.7mm Scatter Cannon, the Helios 80kw Atomic Destabliser and the Juno 18kw Laser Cannon.  These pieces allow seventy five different combinations of assembly for everything from Warlord veterans to legion, pioneer roles and bare headed .  An assembled Warlord stands about 30mm tall on average.  Warlords wear dense unpowered armour called Lorican shell that has an ablative layer and a Chameleon Circuit like those used by the Retained.

The parts of IAF039

Here are some pictures of the Khanate Warlords in action!

Will this Khamel Biker get away in time?

Warlords give Pioneers some fire support!

Muster Patrol up against the big boys!

Duxis Battlesuits aid one of their own fallen in battle.

This set is priced at 15.00GBP and as always this code can be bought as a three packs and save 10% option too.  We are also offering a simple way to boost your Warlords to try them out.  On the page for IAF039 in the drop down menu of purchase options you will find options to purchase one random Warlord composed of a body, a head and a weapon for 3.00GBP.  Go HERE.

IAF018 Legionary 3rd Tesseran

IAF018 Legionary 3rd Tesseran

There are many more Shia Khan Empire troops!  For example the excellent IAF018 Legionary 3rd Tesseran from late last year.  This pack contains eight white metal poses of Legion infantry, one Ordo officer with Cupid Pistol and seven different Discens (privates) armed with Maia 9.6mm Mpi.  Legion are dressed in reactive glimmer suits and self contained breather systems with auto aid ability.   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 4.00GBP per pack.

Other Khanate Legion Codes which go excellent with this pack are IAF006 Legionary 1st Tesseran, IAF007 Canthus Monocycle, IAF011 Legionary 2nd Tesseran, IAF012 Legion 1st Pioneers and IAF019 Legion 2nd Pioneers.  Counting the new Warlords as only five poses  there are now forty eight different Khanate 15mm miniatures...with no duplicate poses!  See them all on the website HERE.

Information Burst!

Since we first mentioned the Khanate Warlords in a February sneak peek we have had dozens of emails asking about them and now they are here.  They are our last release before the Salute 2014 wargame show on April 12th 2014.  You can get 15% off all orders and choose to collect your order from us on the day at the trade stand; go HERE for full information and the code to use.  We will have our full 15mm range with us.  Remember the current free miniature in all orders IMP07 Female Muster Patrol Officer is retired at the end of March and will be replaced on April 1st.   So if you want it now is the time, it will be put in free but if you want to buy it as well its here.  We offer some of the best value in the miniature wargaming industry and we have been told so too.  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 (plus a free miniature and you can use the current salute code).  These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders. 

Thanks for your Time.

GBS

The Ion Age at Salute 2014 - 15% off code, new releases and collect on the day!

Look for the Banner!

Alternative Armies presents The Ion Age 15mm and 28mm at Salute 2014, April 12th at Excel in London.  This means that space opera fun will be there in force with our entire 15mm Science Fiction range for the first time ever.  We will have brand new releases on the day (see later on in this posting), we will have special offers on the day, we will have the guys who design and create the Ion Age that you can chat to and we will be giving away miniatures with every purchase.  Plus from now until the day we have a code to use on our website to get 15% off your orders and the option to collect your package from us on the day to save the shipping (you still get Reward Points and the Free Miniature too!).  Read on for all the details before your brain melts with the space opera awesome of it all!

The Ion Age Salute Offer 15% Off!

The Code is: salute01

We are offering a code to get 15% off any and all online orders with us valid until Monday 14th April 2014.  This offer is open to all customers across the world. If you are not attending then use it! If you are attending then use it!  We have the option to 'collect at salute' if you are attending which will save you the postage charge too.  If you choose to collect in person then, regardless if its from Alternative Armies or 15mm.co.uk or The Ion Age your package will be waiting for you with your name on it at Stand TF07, ask for it by name.  Look for the huge banner as above!

Use the code 'salute01' as it appears here during the checkout process on page two of the process (that is after you enter your payment details) on same page page as your postage choice in the  DISCOUNT box and your product total will automatically reduce 15% on screen.  Choose Collect at Salute if you are coming on the day and save the postage too.   Attending or Not Attending use The Code!

If you are an existing Ion Age customer than you will have an Account and this offer will build that account even more as all purchases will get Reward Points as normal (though you may only use one code per order) and you will get the current March or when its time April IMP free miniature too.  This is superb value for money and actually works out at more like 25% off or more if you take the 'buy three save 10% options' on products.

If you are new to The Ion Age then you will need to create an account when placing an order.  This is very simple and rewarding as outlined above.  Reward Points mean extra value when you want it in the future.   Go HERE to visit the website.

Placing Orders for Shipping and Collection on the Day

As outlined you have the choice of using our discount code and having your order shipped as normal for our great flat rate of 5.00GBP worldwide (or for free if you spend 75.00GBP or more in one order) OR if you are attending Salute 2014 you can choose that option in the shipping table.   This means no postage charge and you are assured of getting exactly what you want on the day as stock will be limited at the stand. Choosing collect in person means your order will be at our stand on the day for you to collect.  Ready packed.  Ask for it by name.

Releases on the Day -  Malig Madness!

We will have another release next week and that is our excellent pack of modular 15mm Khanate Warlords code IAF039 but then that will be it until the day of Salute 2014.  The name of the game on the day is 'Malig Madness' and we will be releasing not one or two but FIVE new pack codes of 15mm Space Goblins; our Maligs.  Totalling 33 Infantry and a Vehicle kit.  Not only will this give us the biggest range in the world but those at Salute will get the first chance to buy them.  They will be released on the website the week commencing after the show (including the bundle offer...we are fair guys!).  Expect details of the codes in a week or so and then pictures only a few days before the show.

Come to the Stand and Meet Us!

Lastly if you have been watching The Ion Age grow since last summer and you wondered who was doing all this awesome work well you can find out at Salute.  Its the only wargame convention we are doing this year in person.  I will be there as will lead designer Sam Croes and we will be happy to talk Ion Age with you.  Just introduce yourself.  See you there!

We will have further information and images for Salute nearer to the time but for now we look forward to hearing from you.  Thanks for reading!

Gavin Syme (GBS)

Skylark Patrol Flyer codes IAF029,IAF033,IAF034 Released!

Since before the outbreak of the Prydian Civil War the various marks of the Type 41 Skylark Patrol Flyers have been part of the Muster regiments of the Precinct. Based on a designed from the era of the Ban of Prejudice the Type 41 was put into renewed mass production on seven worlds before the Battle of Fenway Prime. While the Adder Combat Car fulfils the needed role of a multi propulsion ground transport for Muster Platoons there was a need for an armed transport that could move in three dimensions. The Skylark fulfils this role well with the objective of moving troops from a staging area to the combat zone with no intervening stages. Capable of dramatic bursts of speed with its four jet engines the howl of an incoming Skylark is common to the ears of friend and foe alike. The Type 41 was given the name Skylark during its testing on New Glastonbury with a hint of humour. That species of ancient Terran bird was brought to New Glastonbury during its long ago original colonisation and its swooping grace is very much at odds with a vehicle that puts ascetics well behind protecting itself and its occupants.

There are five common marks of the Type 41 which are broadly as follows. The Type 41A Skylark Patroller is the most common of the flyers and is used as an armoured transport capable of carrying two crew and a fire-team of four Muster usually of the Patrol. Its armament is composed of a belly mounted rotary Moth 88 cannon and a top mounted Anda 60mm Missile Pod. Less common but often seen is the Type 41B Skylark Battle Bus which retains the belly mount but has an upper hull modification adding more internal space and an upper exit hatch which means it can carry two fire-teams into the fray at the cost of some protection and fire power. Speed is the aim of the Type 41C called the Skylark Screamer where the upper turret mount and internal space is given over to an additional jet engine mounted on the top of the hull. The Type 41C is used for rapid response and to give ground fire support in open terrain. Rarer is the Type 41D Skylark Big Lift which is unarmed but is fitted with a low slung rig for lifting cargo pods and pallets. But rarest of all is the Type 41E Skylark Eye which is a command and control flyer which features extensive top and belly slung sensor packages; this mark usual belongs to a general or other top ranking officer. All Skylarks have a titanium composite hull and are rated to extreme altitude though without extensive drive modifications it is not capable of reaching low orbit.

Enter the next sequence to access basic flight training for all marks of the Type 41. Proceed now...

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 12, New Glastonbury, 4326IC

Thanks to all of you for your orders on the Early Supporter for the Skylark models. All orders are in the mail now! Now released are the three codes making up the excellent space opera flyer The Skylark. The IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer and the IAF033 Crashed Skylark and lastly the IAF034 Skylark Cradle. Here are the details of each code:

 

IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer

The Skylark Patrol Flyer Mark 41A is a 15mm scale vehicle in the form of a multiple part high grade grey tone resin kit. Composed of six pieces which require assembly and can be fitted with a flight stand (not supplied). It is approx 65mm long and 60mm wide when assembled. The multiple pieces are gun mounts and engine mounts allowing a good degree of posing for 'in flight' and 'landing'. The Skylark is the main air support vehicle of the Muster Patrol and among its variants it typically carries one fire-team plus crew and provides gun runs too upon request. Space Opera wargaming at its finest! Price is 7.00GBP per kit and as with all our releases if you purchase three you can get 10% off the normal price. Go HERE.

IAF033 Crashed Skylark

Fast engines and titanium alloy armour are not always enough to keep you up in the air and clear of danger. This Skylark Patrol Flyer has been shot down after a really rough exchange of fire with the enemy. Crashed into the rocky terrain of a world in the Prydian Precinct it lays with smashed engine housings and a battered hull. Lots of details and an excellent narrative piece for your games or simply as battlefield terrain. The Crashed Skylark Patrol Flyer Mark 41A is a 15mm scale vehicle in one high grade grey tone resin piece with is about 70mm across at its widest point. Price is 7.00GBP per kit and as with all our releases if you purchase three you can get 10% off the normal price. Go HERE.

IAF034 Skylark Cradle

This one piece high grade grey tone resin structure fits right in not only with the IAF029 Skylark its designed to cradle for repair and reloads but also with the rest of the Ion Age 15mm terrain range such as the IAF015 Hab Dome and the IAF024 Fabricator Spire as a building in its own right. The Cradle is an industrial building with a high degree of detail. It is approx 70mm long and 60mm wide. Price is 7.00GBP per kit and as with all our releases if you purchase three you can get 10% off the normal price. Go HERE.

There were a number of blog posts done during the lead up to this time about these codes. They are a great read so please go and have a look at Part One, Part Two and Part Three which all have other pictures in them.

The Skylark and its supporting codes along with all of the 15mm white metal Muster miniatures are all working towards the release of Patrol Angis our 15mm skirmish science fiction rules system. In the game the Skylark will perform many duties including strafing runs, rapid insertions, pick ups under fire and the delivery of vital supplies while in combat.

Skylark sitting on the IAF15E Landing pad!

Thank you for your support of all of us here at The Ion Age in allowing us to pursue our dream of a space opera future that is wholly its own and for buying a vehicle that is not just the usual we see so often.

Information Burst

Our first Salute season offer begins upon the morrow! Get 15% off any and all orders online with us AND you still get reward points and a free miniature too. You can also choose to either get your order mailed to you as normal or collect it on the day at the trade stand (we will be hosted on Alternative Armies stand) and save the postage too. All orders will get the discount if the code is used and will get Reward Points to your account and will get the IMP free miniature too...so you really win with this convention season offer from The Ion Age. Details on Friday!

 GBS

IAF021 Muster 1st Patrol Command Released!

“You sure you want this promotion Patrol Superior Trooper Hanson? Going up to Emeritas will change things for you.”

Trooper Hanson dropped back from the crisp salute he had given Sarj Lyatt Jones and into a more easy pose. He has anticipated this question and indeed he wanted it asked. He had survived the vaccing of his home moon Rikergast and then enforced closure of the outlawed droid works on Farnborough VII where had a gotten two scars from the experience. As it that was not enough he had been with the 903^rd on Hakke in the initial war against the thinking robots of the M.O.R. How he hated machines. He had survived all of that and gotten into the prized ranks of the Patrol. Now here on Canaveral II in the ongoing war with the League of Yordan for the system he had proven himself again in a number of firefights. The promotion was more than earned. Things would change, but didn't they always. That was the sick joke that passed for life these days.

  
“Yes Sarj. I am. You know I earned it. You know I want it. I also know that you got sent here for a reason you are keeping quiet about.”
Sarj Jones bridled at this but his face remained impassive. He had enrolled Hanson into the Patrol from the regular Muster two years previously back at a cosy recruiting office on New Glastonbury. He was pushing sixty year old now and if had not been for money owed he would have retired. Damn his son, damn him and his gambling. Danger pay was good on active duty for the Patrol. It ought to be, you had to earn it. Jones needed the money and he was right in the thick of it now.

“Fair enough Hanson. Come with me and we'll go and see the Captain. See if you can fill Merther's boots.”

The Sergeant turned on his heels and began to march towards the command post some hundred meters away. Troop Hanson smiled and then marched behind him. There was nothing of home left for him, no family or possessions. The Prydian Army was his life and he had set his aims at joining the ranks of the Retained as a Varlet. This was the only way a man like him could make it. He had to rise, to rise and survive.

“Don't want his boots Sarj. They got snuffed just like he did. Nothing left after the impact. But it will mean that you will be calling me sir....”

Hanson saw the Sarj's shoulders tense if only for a moment. Whatever had happened to make Jones leave New Glastonbury must have been bad. He was too old for this game now.

“If you get the promot' Trooper, if you get it. But then I known you long enough ain't I. Seen what you can do. Wouldn't surprise me if you made it all the way to Varlet.”

Sarj Layatt Jones. 874^th Regiment, Patrol, Canaveral II . 4328IC 
(this is the second part of this story, you can read the first part HERE)

IAF021 Muster 1st Patrol Command

IAF021 Muster 1^st Patrol Command
Got to have leadership for your lads eh! This week we present the Muster Patrol Command pack. This command set has five poses of brand new white metal 15mm miniatures suitable to lead The Patrol. Composed of a middle ranking officer with Tumbler SMG, a Patrol Trooper with Comms Gear and a Moth Rifle, a Patrol Medic, a Standard Bearer and lastly an unfortunate Patrol Trooper who has died in combat. Wearing Aketon Armour and Patrol helmets this is a great command pack for any Muster Patrol force such as IAF022 up to and beyond the Platoon level. 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 2.50GBP per pack.

IAF021 Rear View

This is our second Muster Patrol new release and we are planning more. For example to get to a full platoon of unique poses we will need a Support Patrol Squad with heavier weapons but should we also have a special command pack (like IAF005 Balthazar and Jerome for the Retained) and a squad of female Patrol Troopers? If you have suggestions then drop us a line we would love to hear from you.

IAF022 Muster 1st Patrol

IAF022 Muster 1^st Patrol 
The first release into the most glamorous and dangerous arm of the Muster; The Patrol. The Patrol is a vast number of regiments of troopers who all have time served combat experience and act as a front time aid to Retained Knights and also in their own right. This squad of ten white metal 15mm poses is composed of a low ranking officer with Moth Pistol, several poses of trooper with Moth Rifle, with Tumbler SMG and a couple of with heavier weapons the Anvil 888 and Charlatan 22mm Launcher. Wearing Aketon armour and Patrol helmets this is a central squad for a patrol platoon. 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.

IMP07 Female Muster Patrol Officer

Information Burst! 
We are into the final week of the Skylark Patrol Flyer early supporter offers. These now end on the 20^th March 2014 (extended three days by customer request). So if you want to take advantage of a 25% saving and free items on a bundle at the same time as getting the brand new Patrol Command pack then now is the time! Remember you also automatically get this month's free miniature IMP07 Female Muster Patrol Officer (appropriate!) which you can also purchase if you want more castings of it. Come 1^st April the current IMP miniature vanishes. 

We will be having our first special convention offer to tie in with our appearance on Alternative Armies trade stand at Salute 2014 in London more on that once the Skylark promotion is over. 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 your Time.

GBS

House of Kroy at Wargaming Pastor's Blog

Knight Commander of the House of Kroy

There is an excellent blog post just up by the Wargaming Paster.  He is a big fan of what I do in The Ion Age and the background story in Firefight 2.0 inspired him to get back into our miniatures in 28mm scale.

The House of Kroy is assembled to stand against the invasion of the Khanate Empire both in the Prydian Civil War and perhaps a thousand years earlier during the Ban of Prejudice before the activation of the Aldan Cruicible.  There is more on this in the posting.

I really like the uniform of the Kroy Retained and Muster.  Using the red and white colours that feature in the standard Prydian Army uniforms there is more emphasis on the red for Kroy with white being used to pick out raised areas.  See more pictures in the posting.

An excellent post and I look forward to seeing the House of Kroy in battle!

You can find all of the Retained and Muster in 28mm on our website.

GBS

Digital Downloads both free and paid on the blog

We have a page on the Ion Age blog which holds all of our downloads.  That is files you can either get free or you can pay for.  The free files are support documents for our game systems what give you rosters, examples, scenarios and more to aid in your wargaming.  The paid files are purpose planned digital versions of our print rulebooks for those who prefer to have electronic rather than paper books.

If you are interested in any of these files then visit the Digital Downloads page of the blog and have a browse about.   Thanks for Reading.

GBS

IAF015E Landing Pad and New Top Mounts Released!

The Anda turret rotated smoothly and then paused before making a correction to its facing.  Two 60mm guided missiles streaked away from its housings into the pale green sky.  With a roar the missiles streaked off towards a blood red Skylark hovering in the distance.  The patrol flyer belonged to the Vangelias Condot Company and the hired troops had been threatening the small settlement of Drovers Edge since the day before.  Prydian Army formations on planet were stretched thin against three Condot company's and the normal ranks of the Yordan League.  It only took seconds for the projectiles to cover the distance from the platform mounted turret to the  Skylark and through the 'lark threw out countermeasures and gunned its four engines wildly to evade they had come too close in their eagerness.  

Captain Frederick Wildermann of the 104th Prydian Regiment had his head out of the landing pad's access hatch and a viewer held up to his eyes.  He smiled as one of the 60mm missiles detonated against the hull of the enemy Skylark.  The other missile had missed and flew on into the distance.  With smoke pouring from its smashed hull the flyer wobbled and then turned tail and limped away.  Pieces of its titanium body were falling to the dry grass below and fluids fell like rain.  In his ear the captain heard the tower's commander asked for permission to loose again.  He ordered a cease fire knowing that the Vangelias 'lark would be lucky to make it back to base and besides he had only eight missiles left and little chance of more coming in a re-supply.  He would keep his armour cracking fists intact for the moment.

Wildermann stepped down the ladder and pulled the hatch closed.  There wasn't much room inside the landing platform's body but he preferred it to the rigid tents that his troops were encamped in around the three towers and several domes of Drovers Edge.  There was a narrow bunk and an impressive comms suite along with the hydraulics that cushioned the impact of landing vehicles stopping them harming the towers structure.  He wiggled into the bunk and lay down intent on a quick nap but the captain knew the lay of the land and kept the key coded channels of his helm open.  The condots would be back soon enough.

Captain Frederick Wildermann, 104th Prydian Regiment , Leicester IV , 4327IC

IAF015E Landing Platform

Our largest resin item designed thus far for The Ion Age supplied in two pieces of grey tone resin.  The lower portion of the platform which acts as a support for the upper platform and features a universal ring mount to attach to IAF015 Hab Dome or Tower Module.  The upper portion is a highly detailed area for light air vehicles to land and features a blank mounting for a top mount turret.  Total width 75mm and depth 20mm. You can also leave the lower portion separate if you wish to use the platform upper on its own at ground level or use the lower portion as a blank top for your Hab Dome in a use of your own creation.  This is a superb resin model.  Have a look at the concept blog post we did on it a month ago.

There are three choices for purchase and those are IAF015E Landing Pad kit only, IAF015E1 Landing Pad kit with Flak Cannon and IAF015E2 Landing Pad with Missile Pod.  You can also choose on these options to 'buy three save 10%' as normal.  Prices range from 7.00GBP to 9.00GBP depending on your choice.  Go HERE. 

IAF015F Flak Cannon

A twin barrelled rotary cannon anti-air weapon made of grey tone resin and white metal. Supplied in four pieces including a separate turret ring for fitting to the Landing Platform or larger mounts or without for use on IAF015 Hab Dome or Tower Module.  You can choose to buy three and save 10%.  The Price is 3.00GBP. Go HERE.  This new top mount works well with IAF015A,B,C as well as they have the same fittings.

IAF015G Missile Pod

A two block missile pod for anti-ground or anti-air use. Supplied in two pieces of grey tone resin including a separate turret ring for fitting to the Landing Plaform or larger mounts or without for use on IAF015 Hab Dome or Tower Module. You can choose to buy three and save 10%.  The Price is 3.00GBP. Go HERE. This new top mount works well with IAF015A,B,C as well as they have the same fittings.

Information Burst!

We are now into the Skylark Patrol Flyer bundle offers period which lasts until 20th March 2014.  We would like to thank everyone who has taken advantage of the 25% saving on the bundles thus far and we hope that more of you will get in on the action.  Every bundle and every order placed gets this month's free miniature IMP07 Female Muster Patrol Officer (odd that eh!) which you can also purchase if you want more castings of it.  Come 1st April the current IMP miniature vanishes.  The release of the Landing Pad and new Turrets means a lot more options for your Ion Age terrain collection and we look forward to seeing your painted versions so send in your pictures.  

We will be having our first special convention offer to tie in with our appearance on Alternative Armies trade stand at Salute 2014 in London more on that once the Skylark promotion is over.  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

IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer - Early Supporter Offers!

Since before the outbreak of the Prydian Civil War the various marks of the Type 41 Skylark Patrol Flyers have been part of the Muster regiments of the Precinct. Based on a designed from the era of the Ban of Prejudice the Type 41 was put into renewed mass production on seven worlds before the Battle of Fenway Prime. While the Adder Combat Car fulfils the needed role of a multi propulsion ground transport for Muster Platoons there was a need for an armed transport that could move in three dimensions. The Skylark fulfils this role well with the objective of moving troops from a staging area to the combat zone with no intervening stages. Capable of dramatic bursts of speed with its four jet engines the howl of an incoming Skylark is common to the ears of friend and foe alike. The Type 41 was given the name Skylark during its testing on New Glastonbury with a hint of humour. That species of ancient Terran bird was brought to New Glastonbury during its long ago original colonisation and its swooping grace is very much at odds with a vehicle that puts ascetics well behind protecting itself and its occupants.

There are five common marks of the Type 41 which are broadly as follows. The Type 41A Skylark Patroller is the most common of the flyers and is used as an armoured transport capable of carrying two crew and a fire-team of four Muster usually of the Patrol. Its armament is composed of a belly mounted rotary Moth 88 cannon and a top mounted Anda 60mm Missile Pod. Less common but often seen is the Type 41B Skylark Battle Bus which retains the belly mount but has an upper hull modification adding more internal space and an upper exit hatch which means it can carry two fire-teams into the fray at the cost of some protection and fire power. Speed is the aim of the Type 41C called the Skylark Screamer where the upper turret mount and internal space is given over to an additional jet engine mounted on the top of the hull. The Type 41C is used for rapid response and to give ground fire support in open terrain. Rarer is the Type 41D Skylark Big Lift which is unarmed but is fitted with a low slung rig for lifting cargo pods and pallets. But rarest of all is the Type 41E Skylark Eye which is a command and control flyer which features extensive top and belly slung sensor packages; this mark usual belongs to a general or other top ranking officer. All Skylarks have a titanium composite hull and are rated to extreme altitude though without extensive drive modifications it is not capable of reaching low orbit.

Enter the next sequence to access basic flight training for all marks of the Type 41. Proceed now...

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 12, New Glastonbury, 4326IC

After a week of previews and anticipation (notice not months or promises) we present the Skylark ESO Bundle Offers!

The Skylark series of codes comprises three different codes all of which are featured in these Early Supporter Offers. You can find a lot more information on each of them in three previous postings on the Ion Age blog. The IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer and the IAF033 CrashedSkylark and lastly the IAF034 Skylark Cradle. Have a look and then please come back here. Read them all, enjoyed them and the pictures...good! Here are the details of the three different excellent value bundles which are on our website from the 3^rd to the 17^th of March 2014.

Skylark ESO Bundle One – The Cradle. Three IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits plus a IAF034 Skylark Cradle structure free. Total Bundle Value 28.00GBP price is 21.00GBP save 25% off release price! Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

Skylark ESO Bundle Two – The Crashed. Three IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits plus a IAF033 Crashed Skylark model free. Total Bundle Value 28.00GBP price is 21.00GBP save 25% off release price! Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

Skylark ESO Bundle Three – The Air Fleet. Ten IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits with a massive saving off release price. Get your whole air arm for the Muster in one go. Total Bundle Value 70.00GBP price is 50.00GBP save actually over 25% off release price! Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

GO HERE for the web page with the offers which are valid for two weeks from today. All orders placed with bundles in them will ship on the 17th March worldwide.

The Skylark and its supporting codes along with all of the 15mm white metal Muster miniatures are all working towards the release of Patrol Angis our 15mm skirmish science fiction rules system. In the game the Skylark will perform many duties including strafing runs, rapid insertions, pick ups under fire and the delivery of vital supplies while in combat.

Here are some images of the models in use in play with captions (we had some fun with this!).

Skylark with deployed Muster Patrol Fire-Team

The coming soon Muster Patrol Command claim a crashed 'lark

A Skylark landed on a tower with the coming soon Landing Pad

We think that the Skylark is a fantastic and original model and we hope that you do too. Thank you for your support of all of us here at The Ion Age in allowing us to pursue our dream of a space opera future that is wholly its own.

Thanks for your Time.

GBS

Skylark Patrol Flyer - Preview Part 3

So here we are part three of the Skylark preview and you know what they say its from the Cradle to the...well you know the rest.   As this is the final part of the preview series I would like to thank the near thousand of you who have viewed each of the posts and thank you for the comments and emails all of which have been positive.  This time we look at the IAF034 Skylark Cradle along with its role on your table and the original concept sketch that kicked all this off.  Lastly a wee look at the bundles that are nearly upon us.

In the last posting I spoke about the importance of adding depth to a miniature range and the role of battlefield terrain.  The Skylark Cradle carries this on from the Crashed Skylark.  Purpose designed, as you can see from the image above, to hold the Skylark for repair and or restock during the campaign.  This allows you to integrate the Cradle into the actual game as part of the mission how cool is that!  

The Cradle can be used in your wargame collection in many ways starting with as I outlined an actual part of the game being played.  You can then use it as an objective and moving on it is a stream lined and same themed piece of structural terrain as with the rest of the Ion Age terrain.  This model sits ideally next to IAF015 Hab Dome and the Fabricator Spire plus the other terrain still to come this season like the Landing Pad.  Its finely detailed with a high level of appearing functionality layered onto its surface.  Even without the Skylark the Cradle is useful for any 15mm science fiction setting you would put it to.  Rural and City terrain both, civilian and military.

Rounding off the three codes in the Skylark package the Cradle means that you can use the flyer in play, you can show it destroyed and you can land it mid game.  A super bundle of codes that bring the 15mm space opera fun to your tabletop.

Sam Croes original digital sketch for the Skylark

Above you can see the original concept sketch that we did during the meeting to decide just what that Skylark would be.  The final model changed only about 5% during the design process.

With the articles about the concept, ideas and theory of the Skylark now at an end (I hope you enjoyed it and if you would like the next ESO to be done this way please tell me) I would like to tell you what the bundles will be on March 3rd 2014.  There will be a full post with glorious painted pictures and slides on the day but for now here is what you can expect to see:

Skylark ESO Bundle One – The Cradle.  Three IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits plus a IAF034 Skylark Cradle structure free.  Total Bundle Value 28.00GBP price is 21.00GBP save 25% off release price!  Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

Skylark ESO Bundle Two – The Crashed.  Three IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits plus a IAF033 Crashed Skylark model free.  Total Bundle Value 28.00GBP price is 21.00GBP save 25% off release price! Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

Skylark ESO Bundle Three – The Air Fleet.  Ten IAF029 Skylark Patrol Flyer vehicle kits with a massive saving off release price.  Get your whole air arm for the Muster in one go.  Total Bundle Value 70.00GBP price is 50.00GBP save over 25% off release price! Every order placed automatically gets the IMP07 Female Patrol Officer (worth 0.60GBP) included free automatically!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS