Planetary Militia Vehicles released!

The running fight through Pelcan City on Camarthan Prime during the Khanate break out from the Belkan expanse was a superb example of the heroism of Planetary Defence Forces when put under extreme pressure by an alien foe. Audio and visual records of the event tell us that few of the defenders had any hope of victory. After all the professional soldiers and indeed Retained Knights present during the activation had already given their lives trying to contain the Shia Khan. As a mass of many thousands of Maligs entered the suburbs of the city they were followed by Legionaries of the Styx and the Medusa Legions. Though the aliens were still far from at full strength they already outnumbered the defenders. Using their patrol cars and carriers the defence forces were able to meet each advance and check it at least for a while. Towed portable weapons gave additional support to the hail of Moth and Bodkin fire that met the verminous Maligs head on. As the outer suburbs of the city were lost to the sheer weight of the attackers Colabretas were vital in pulling back from lost positions before being over run. In the trade district of the city proper the rubbacrete barricades held amid the towering buildings for nearly ten hours until the arrival of the Nox and Warlords forced their fall. The progress of the Khanate was remorseless and in strict hierarchical order from the lowest to the mighiest. Eventually the whole city was taken and while it burned the exodus of the civilian population continued unabated. Nearly a million people streaming away from Pelcan City whose lives were owed in great part to the men and women who now lay dead in lost streets and parks.  

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 59, New Glastonbury, 4334IC 

Now is the time people! I know, I know. The wait is over and now The Ion Age has released three vehicles to go with last week's Planetary Militia squads and command and of course the platoon pack with the unique miniature. If you missed this then you can see it on our BLOG and see pictures of all of the miniatures which was a total of twenty six new poses. So what do the troopers of the PM drive into battle? Read on for details of the excellent new Hazelwurm Patrol Car, the Colobreta Patrol Carrier and the Colobreta Patrol Command Carrier. These are our last releases of the month and the last before the build up to Patrol Angis and the awesome month that will be March 2015! 

IAF054 Hazelwurm MkII Patrol Car – Planetary Militia 

The defence forces of the worlds in the Prydian Precinct do a lot of their work not only in rural areas but also in built up cities and as a result they need a small vehicle that can respond quickly to incidents. The Patrol Car is that vehicle. Moving at high speed it can carry four in its lightly armoured cabin. This code comprises a highly detailed 15mm scale resin vehicle supplied in one piece (note the tow hook shown in pictures is not supplied with this code) with no assembly required. Measurements are 50mm in length, 30mm in width and 25mm in height. Suitable for use in many different settings the Hazelwurm is an excellent patrol level vehicle. As always this code can be bought as a pack or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 4.00GBP. 

IAF061A Colabreta Patrol Carrier MkI – Planetary Militia 

The 'battle bus' used by the defence forces of Precinct worlds is a hardy beast indeed. The Colabreta can carry five to ten troopers depending on their gear and can be relied upon to deliver not only those troopers but also to aid them in combat by virtue of its twin turret mounted 12.5mm AP guns. This code comprises a highly detailed 15mm scale resin vehicle supplied in two pieces those being the hull with wheels and then the turret. Small amount of assembly required. Measurements are 60mm in length, 35mm in width and 35mm in height. Suitable for use in many different settings. As always this code can be bought as a pack or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 6.00GBP. 

IAF061B Colabreta Command Carrier MkIII – Planetary Militia 

Defence forces always need to co-ordinate their patrols and battles so as a result the MkIII Colabreta was designated command and control roles. It carries a staff of four or five with the rest of the space in the vehicle given over to a suite of screens and computers linked into a top mounted dish. This code comprises a highly detailed 15mm scale resin vehicle supplied in two pieces those being the hull with wheels and then a white metal dish. Small amount of assembly required. Measurements are 60mm in length, 35mm in width and 35mm in height. Suitable for use in many different settings. As always this code can be bought as a pack or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 6.00GBP. 

Infantry to go with your Planetary Militia Vehicles...we got that covered! 

IAFP07 Planetary Militia Platoon 

This pack gives you a full platoon of Planetary Militia as well as a unique miniature only found in this code. If you want to field a full force suitable for skirmishing then this is the code for you. Twenty five different miniatures which are IAF067 Planetary Militia 1st Squad, IAF068 Planetary Militia 2nd Squad and IAF069 Planetary Militia 1st Platoon Command. On top of this you get the unique miniature which is a PM Sniper with a modified Moth Type 6 Rifle in cloak which is found only in this pack and what's more its free within the pack. Excellent! 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 12.50GBP per pack. 

Information Burst 

February is rapidly going towards the past with only a week plus left before we reach March. March is going to be a lot of fun here at The Ion Age but that is for the next update. For now I want to tell you that this is our last set of releases until next month so now is the time to place your order if you are keen not only on Planetary Militia vehicles but also infantry too. You also have until the end of the month to get the free miniature which is currently IMP18 Female Youxia and if you like the idea of science fiction 15mm Chinese then you will want to have this miniature when we arrive at the release of the first Xin Trade Fleet codes later this spring. Thanks for your custom and for the kind words about our products we do appreciate it. We work hard and we want you all to have fun with your wargaming in our space opera setting. Finally remember that 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 and the free monthly miniature too. These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders. 

Thanks for Reading. 

GBS

Planetary Militia packs and Platoon released!

The activation of the long buried Matter Gateway on Camarthan Prime saw the return of the Shia Khan Empire to the Precinct and initially the Prydian Army was caught off guard.  This was to be expected and despite the heroic efforts of the small garrison of the planet the Khanate forces soon overran them and spread out across the continent.  Fortune was on our side though as the aliens lacked air transport and mercifully space transport as well though they did seize several shuttles and cargo haulers which they boosted off world.  To this end the government of Camarthen Prime put in to effect a mass levy of its adult population and in the weeks before it was neutralised by enemy action and the situation became beyond tenable one of the rapidly formed planetary defence forces in recent times was assembled.  The quick fabrication of Aketon MkIII armour along with Moth Type 6 and Bodkin AP Rifles allowed for deployments though the lack of training, sometimes no more than a day or two, did mean appalling rates of casualty.  The PM Troopers were able to hold their own again rampaging Maligs and at a ratio of two or three to one a line could be held again Legionaries though against Nox and Psychoborgs resistance was futile.  As the Khanate brought more and more troops through the Matter Gateway and eventually whole Legions the situation became hopeless and only the intervention of a fleet dispatched from New Glastonbury kept the aliens contained to the Camarthan system.

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 59, New Glastonbury, 4334IC

Was it only last week that we gave you all the Planetary Militia Sneak Peek posting where we explained what this new part of The Ion Age would look like and what its ethos was and what to expect?  Well it was and the last seven days have just flown by.  So now its time and we are proud to release three new pack codes and a platoon pack with a unique miniature in it all sculpted by Sam Croes the lead designer for The Ion Age.  Read on for details and if you have not already read the sneak peek post then its well worth a few minutes of your time.

IAF067 Planetary Militia 1st Squad

Our first code of brand new 15mm defence force miniatures!  Code IAF067 is a Rifle Squad, its the core pack for your PM forces.  This pack contains ten different 15mm scale white metal miniatures including seven varied poses armed with a Moth Type 6 Rifle, a lesser officer with a Moth Type 8 Pistol as well as a trooper with a Ron 32mm Hi-Ex Launcher and a Moth Type 12 Multi-Launcher.  These are 15mm versions of our 28mm range which have been requested right since our start and here they are!  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.

IAF068 Planetary Militia 2nd Squad

This is a Support Squad and it expands your core pack for your PM forces.  This pack contains ten different 15mm scale white metal miniatures several are armed with the Charlatan 22mm Launcher Rifle which is a common defence force weapon and others armed with Moth Type 6 Rifles who can act as loaders during battle.  There is a lesser officer armed with a Tumbler Mpi and two troopers with the shoulder held anti-armour Bodkin AP Rifle for dealing with enemy Battlesuits or Desteria Knights. 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.

IAF069 Planetary Militia 1st Platoon Command

This is the Command Element for your PM forces.  This pack contains five different specialised poses which are as follows.  A platoon level officer armed with a Tumbler SMG, a Medic carrying his helmet under his arm, a Comms Trooper with Moth Type 6 Rifle slung, a Banner Bearer in beret with Moth Type 6 Rifle and finally a Trooper who has had a bad day and is now a face down casualty.  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.

IAFP07 Planetary Militia Platoon

This pack gives you a full platoon of Planetary Militia as well as a unique miniature only found in this code.  If you want to field a full force suitable for skirmishing then this is the code for you.  Twenty five different miniatures which are IAF067 Planetary Militia 1st Squad, IAF068 Planetary Militia 2nd Squad and IAF069 Planetary Militia 1st Platoon Command. 

On top of this you get the unique miniature which is a PM Sniper with a modified Moth Type 6 Rifle in cloak which is found only in this pack and what's more its free within the pack.  Excellent!  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 12.50GBP per pack.

Information Burst

We are at the middle point of February 2015 and this year is going in fast.  While there will be more excitement which might overload your never endings there will be details of this nearer the time but I will say that you will be seeing not only news on Patrol Angis but also a page from the book and a look at the unique miniature it will be packaged with in the skirmish game set for the rules.

That and more information about the Xin Trade Fleet.  Remember that the free miniature in all orders this month is the IMP18 Female Youxia a lovely and special looking miniature which will get you started with the Xin in fine form. We have two weeks of releases this month and that is today and next week on the 18th February so its your choice when to order.  Next week we are releasing the Hazelwurm MkII Patrol Car, the Colabreta Patrol Carrier MkI and the Colabreta Patrol Command MkIII vehicles which go with the Planetary Militia infantry codes. There is a lot going on. If you have any questions or comments we always welcome them and are happy to help so say hello.   Finally remember that 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 and the free monthly miniature too.  These points can be used any time to get free products and discounts on orders. 

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Mullo Armoured Fighting Vehicle gets Colourful

The Prydian Civil War saw the production of the Type 36 Mullo Armoured Fighting Vehicle increase six fold. Though Retained regiments had made use of them since the Battle of Fenway Prime the design of the Mullo was entirely new unlike those of the Skylark and Adder which dated from before the Ban of Prejudice. Its original fabrication pattern was laid down on New Glastonbury to fill a need for a ground vehicle that could provide fire power in excess of that offered by battlesuits such as the Havelock but not that needed by a battle tank like the Taranis series. Restricted to the ranks of the Retained the Type 36 was made to accommodate powered armour knights with larger hatches and linked controls along with internal space suited to knights. As it stood Adders were cheaper and faster to make and could pack a punch but their size meant they were really the domain of the Muster and some lucky Planetary Militia. The Type 36 was given its name by the Council of Aeddans who with a node to the mighty Taranis took another ancient Terrain deity of celtic origins and knowing it would be a work horse of a vehicle gave it a name thus. All marks of Mullo AFV's have a titanium composite hull making them rugged and durable and can be driven with a minimum of complex training. There has been a call for additional anti-personnel ball mounted micro turrets for Mullo's in action in urban warfare and these upgrades have been rolled out where possible. 

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 18, New Glastonbury, 4329IC 

The Mullo is the medium size of vehicle in our range in 15mm scale which is ideal for Retained Knights and virtually any other space opera force. Bigger than the Adder series of Combat Cars this is the wheeled variant of the model to which others will follow in coming months. A Mullo is an Armoured Fighting Vehicle meaning that it fills a variety of roles from gunnery support to troop transport and strong point defence; tasks it is well suited to. There are three variants currently of the IAF042 Mullo AFV. You can see them HERE. 

This little blog post is all about showing you three different approaches to the Mullo in your 15mm science fiction collection. While you have all seen our official photos of the vehicle we featured Lasers and Broadswords blog's striking blue versions and now we have just seen and had to tell you all about Beighton's Shipyard's red version too. The pictures here show just how different the Mullo looks depending on how you decide to paint it up for use on the table. 

In Red and White at Beightons Shipyard

Converted IMP02 Retained Driver.  Nice!

Lasers and Broadswords trio in Blue and White!

Our own Brown scheme alongside Retained Knights in the snow

Click on the links to visit the original posts on the other blogs. 

I think they all look great and certainly it proves the Mullo is adaptable to a lot of paint schemes. I have said before that this is one of our planned medium vehicles with the Adder Combat Car and Combat Lifter being small vehicles and this year the release of the larger vehicles to come. Mark, over on the Shipyard blog, begins his posting with 'Whats That Coming over the Hill is it a Monster?'.  Leaving the pop tune aside its interesting as many people have said to me that our Mullo is a big vehicle that might well be classed as heavy. But I disagree and here is why. We worked out the real world dimensions of a vehicle which would carry between four and ten power armoured men and women and the result was the hull of the Mullo. It actually would hold them in scale. With the wheel pods mounted outside of the hull and a low ground clearance this makes the Mullo wider and it also makes it space opera superb! Future variants will have a different means of propulsion. As for the coming large vehicles...just you wait. 

If you want to see other vehicles that are releasing in February 2015 then check out our Sneak Peek at the Planetary Militia. 

Good Job Mark and to you too Alexander!

Thanks for Reading, 

GBS

Sneak Peek at Planetary Militia for February 2015

Across the entire Prydian Precinct there are Planetary Militias otherwise known as Planetary Defence Forces. Each of these forces its own local designation and name but every one of them is known to the precinct as a whole by their home planet and numerical designation in the case that the star system has more than one inhabited world. Their primary role and in most cases only role is to defend their world against invasion and occupation. This they must sometimes do alone or more often with the bolstering aid of Muster and or Retained Knights from the controlling interest of that world; a Marcher Baron or the Prydian Army. Planetary forces owe their loyalty to the Marcher Baron who controls that world. In terms of numerical size the largest Planetary Militias number in the hundreds of millions on worlds such as Yordan Prime down to the smallest which number only in the dozens on foundling colonies. There is an emphasis among intra atmosphere defence forces on armour and equipment that has the smallest amount of maintenance and requires minimal training. As a result they make up for in numbers what they lack in skill against superior forces. Ease of use wins out over higher effectiveness. Often armaments are purchased or fabricated on mass by the Prydian Army or the local Marcher Baron and are based on the widely used Moth and Anvil families of weapons with additional simpler systems. Mark III Aketon non powered armour (a lower cost version of Muster Aketon MkIV armour) is the typical protection for defence forces with adaptations to local environmental conditions. These range from the closed helm and breather systems of the massive Bosworth ark cities to the bare headed and thin plates of an agri-world for standard Aketon to Cold Climes that are deployed in frozen conditions and Hot Climes in desert conditions. There are also localised space equipped troopers who protect off world outposts and moon bases. See other training series for information on Planetary Militia platoon structure, Steornede Battlesuits, Amber Portable Weapon Platforms, Amber Quad Bikes, Grima Robot Troopers and Magog GNATS. Training series searches for Colabreta and Hazelwurm along with Verticopters will provide vehicle information. All banner command level soldiers and knights must have operation knowledge of local system Planetary Militias.  

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 26, New Glastonbury, 4326IC 

Welcome to our first sneak peek article for 2015! Its an information one on our planned expansion and final piece of the initial ranges for the Humans of the Prydian Precinct the Planetary Militia. As the auto-trainer has informed you already these are the planet bound local defenders who make up the bulk of soldiers in any conflict inside an atmosphere. Not fantastic like Starvaulters, not super armoured and life long fighters like Retained Knights and Desteria Knights and not as well trained as the Muster they are the part time or the local army of a world. This expansion to our 15mm range dove tails into The Ion Age but it can also be used for near future or post apocalypse wargaming as its technology level is nearer to our own and not as space opera as the rest of the Prydian Army. We see the 'Planetary Defence Forces' as they would call themselves as the soldiers that best represent the imagined equivalent of our own modern and near future armies on Earth in the real world. Seldom do they consider events beyond their own world and not often do they venture outside of its atmosphere. Instead they fight insurgents or invaders both Human and not as they made themselves known on that world. They could be in any colours of uniform and have back stories that suit their varied planets. 

Above is an image of one of the original 28mm scale Planetary Militia miniatures from our ranges. It is from this template of style that we have created the new 15mm Planetary Militia miniatures. They stand next to each other separated by scale and by nearly two decades of real world time. A familiar but at the same time rather unique look don't you think? Scaled down to perfection. 

During February we will be releasing the following codes as a phase one of the packs you can expect across this year. So that you can plan your purchase we have given you their contents and prices. These will be released as usual on a Thursday and before the end of the month: 

IAF067 Planetary Militia 1st Squad (10) (Rifle Squad) 5.00GBP 

IAF068 Planetary Militia 2nd Squad (10) (Support Squad) 5.00GBP 

IAF069 Planetary Militia Platoon Command (5) (Special Poses) 2.50GBP 

IAFP02 Planetary Militia Platoon (25+1) 12.00GBP

(Contains IAF067, IAF068, IAF069 as well as a free unique miniature only in this platoon pack)

IAF054 Hazelwurm MkII Patrol Car (1) (Light Vehicle) 4.00GBP 

IAF061A Colabreta Patrol Carrier MkI (1) (APC Light Vehicle) 6.00GBP 

IAF061B Colabreta Patrol Command MkIII (1) (Control Light Vehicle) 6.00GBP 

The next phase follows in March but it means you can get your whole infantry platoon and light vehicles before we bring out the support options. Details on that end of this month but releases begin in one week on the 12th February 2014 right here at The Ion Age. 

Thanks for Reading. 

GBS

IMP18 Female Youxia free miniature for February 2015

“Youxia. These are a special kind of Xin warriors. Ever wandering in search of adventure, Youxia serve no specific master, but instead follow a philosophy and code of honour not that different from the Code Galant. Their prime mission wherever they go is to put right what is wrong. Most of these adventurers are highly experienced, and have mastered unique fighting skills. Aside from wearing personalized Xin powered armour they tend to choose the more exotic of energy blades; sabers, spears and hook swords amongst the most commonly seen. They will often offer their skills and services to Xin Trade Fleet expeditions so as to travel along to unknown worlds where more adventure awaits."

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 60, New Glastonbury, 4335IC

The IMP18 Female Youxia is February 2015's free miniature for the month which is automatically put into every order at the rate of one per order regardless of order value until March 1st.  It can also be bought in any amount on the Monthly IMP Page of the website.  A female wandering warrior that travels across the stars with Xin forces putting right the wrongs of both Human and Alien societies.  In a dynamic pose in Xin powered armour and holding twin energy swords she is a great character miniature for any 15mm science fiction setting and a great lead into what we are doing later this season in The Ion Age. It stands 16mm tall and is in one piece white metal. 

Here are some views of the miniature from different angles:

Of course you earn reward points on all orders too through your account.  We realise that some of you may wish to purchase the currently 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 for a special miniature.  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. 

As it is our second year we look back at this time last year and see what the free miniature was at that time.  In February 2015 the free miniature was IMP06 Xin Envoy. It was our sixth miniature to be given out free.  You can find this miniature in the Year One Collection if you are lacking it.

This is our second Xin miniature and there will be many more in the future.  But now in February 2015 we are looking to this releases for this month and they will take the form of infantry squads, command set, vehicles and more for the last part of our 28mm into 15mm Ion Age integration.  That's right its now the time for the Planetary Militia to come into the wargaming world!  So look for this beginning with an information blog post soon followed by the first releases this month.

Thanks for reading.

GBS