IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tanks built!

There is a detailed article concerning all of the pieces of each of the five variants of the forthcoming IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tank, including many images and scale shots and you can view it HERE. This short post has but one goal and that is to show you the five variants assembled from their parts! Excellent and these are the first production mold castings which will feature in October 2015 in our Early Supporter Offers on this great tank designed by Bob Naismith. 

IAF100A Taranis Main Battle Tank

IAF100A Rear View

IAF100B Taranis Command Tank

IAF100B Rear View

IAF100C Taranis Tank Energy Weapon

IAF100C Rear View

IAF100D Taranis Siege Tank

IAF100D Rear View

IAF100E Taranis APC

IAF100E Rear View

Taranis is about 90mm long and about 60mm wide typically and most variants have only a half dozen pieces that are very simple to assemble. Heck, I assembled the ones in the pictures and I am well known for being all thumbs when it comes to modelling and converting miniatures. For full details of the variants go to our more detailed article HERE. 

Thanks for Reading. 

GBS

IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tank variants and parts

Welcome to the variants and parts article for the IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tank. While another article will tell you about the mighty Taranis in the universe of The Ion Age this time around we are all about the physical 15mm scale models themselves.  All of the pieces with scale and then all of the pieces together that show what you get with each variant when you receive a Taranis kit.  A super cool vehicle designed by Bob Naismith and now in the finest resin!

There are five different variants (A,B,C,D and E) of IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tank so please read on for each of them:

IAF100A Taranis Tracked MBT Cannon Turret

This is the core type of tracked Taranis the main battle tank with projectile turret.  It is composed of seven resin and white metal pieces which are the upper hull, the lower hull, right and left tracks sections, projectile cannon turret as well as the main gun and the sponson gun.  You can see them here with a scale of 1cm squares under laying the pieces.  It is easy to assemble and is designed to be used for wargaming and thus it is durable.  Assembled this vehicle is just over 90mm long and 60mm wide.

IAF100B Taranis Tracked MBT Command Turret

This is the platoon command type of tracked Taranis with projectile turret with additional rotary weapon and comms suite.  It is composed of seven resin and white metal pieces which are the upper hull, the lower hull, right and left tracks sections, projectile cannon command turret as well as the main gun and the sponson gun.  You can see them here with a scale of 1cm squares under laying the pieces.  It is easy to assemble and is designed to be used for wargaming and thus it is durable.  Assembled this vehicle is just over 90mm long and 60mm wide.

IAF100C Taranis Tracked MBT Energy Turret

This is a Taranis main battle tank with an energy weapon turret featuring a small cabin for a crewman.  It is composed of six resin and white metal pieces which are the upper hull, the lower hull, right and left tracks sections, energy weapon turret as well as the sponson gun.  You can see them here with a scale of 1cm squares under laying the pieces.  It is easy to assemble and is designed to be used for wargaming and thus it is durable.  Assembled this vehicle is just over 90mm long and 60mm wide.

IAF100D Taranis Tracked MBT Siege Turret

This is a Taranis main battle tank with a double weapon turret for close in destruction.  It is composed of six resin and white metal pieces which are the upper hull, the lower hull, right and left tracks sections, siege double turret as well as the sponson gun.  You can see them here with a scale of 1cm squares under laying the pieces.  It is easy to assemble and is designed to be used for wargaming and thus it is durable.  Assembled this vehicle is just over 90mm long and 60mm wide.

IAF100E Taranis Tracked APC

This is a Taranis tank with a re-purposed function as a super heavy Armoured Personnel Carrier capable of carrying a squad or more into battle. It is composed of five resin and white metal pieces which are the lower hull, the APC upper hull, left and right track sections and the sponson gun. You can see them here with a scale of 1cm squares under laying the pieces.  It is easy to assemble and is designed to be used for wargaming and thus it is durable.  Assembled this vehicle is just over 90mm long and 60mm wide.

Here are pictures of all the IAF100 parts  as single items with under laying scale in 1cm squares for you to look at.  

Taranis lower hull

Taranis Upper Hull for Turrets

Taranis upper hull APC

Taranis track pieces left and right

Taranis Siege Turret and Sponson Gun

Taranis Projectile Turret and Sponson Gun

Taranis Energy Weapon Turret

Taranis Command Turret and Sponson Gun

In our next update on Taranis models we will show you not only the assembled variants of the tracked Taranis but then when ready the first photos of a painted tank and details of the forthcoming Early Supporter Offer. Getting near now!

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Taranis Running Drones by Bob Naismith

The Taranis main battle tank is the king of an Ion Age battlefield.  Its fire power and super dense armour make it a tough nut to crack however it is an expensive machine and when resources are tight no Knight Commander wants to lose a Taranis if he can avoid it.  Every Taranis carries four crew with one of them devoted to communications and drone control.  Drones are assigned to a Taranis tank typically in a small herd of five which are deployed ahead or to the enemy facing side of the tank.  The drones have different functions but all these functions are dedicated to enhancing the fighting ability of the Taranis and to protect it from enemy fire.

Bob Naismith designed the Taranis tank which is coming in October 2015 from The Ion Age and its a beauty (look out for a preview article soon on IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle Tank and all its sub-variants) and while it was 3D printed with elements of traditional sculpting he also created the Taranis Running Drones. These are hand sculpted by this legendary designer and fit in excellently with the tank.

We have the greens on site and are molding them up right now in time for the coming release.  Above you can see two of the types, the Technical Drone and the Missile Drone.  Below you can see the concept pencil sketches drawn by Bob.  There are five different drone variants all mounted atop the runner legs.  The Technical Drone, the Missile Pod Drone, the Gun Drone, the Jammer Drone and the Interference Drone.  Some drones are offensive and attack the enemy while others are defensive to distract enemy attacks.  Ultimately a drone will place itself in harms way and sacrifice itself to protect its tank from damage.

The drones will be released as a pack code with sub-choices as normal within the pack.  Rumour has it that the drones might actually be free in the upcoming Early Supporter Offer (ESO) for IAF100....

There will be a full preview of IAF100 Taranis Tracked Main Battle tank soon.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Patrol Angis: Desteria Knights take on the Nox!

Even though we are quiet this month...Taranis tanks take up a lot of space and time...I have been working away on a scenario for Patrol Angis for future free publication on this blog.  The scenario is for two players or solo and uses the Patrol Angis book and the free Khanate Empire stats booklet PDF as well.  A working title of 'Big Fist Blues' sees a full lance of Desteria Knights defending a small outpost against power armoured Nox troopers trying to hold on until a Bantam Repulsar Raft can arrive to bring in back up for the knights.

These three pictures are from the early testing of the scenario.  I have only penned a half dozen scenarios for this rule system so far and this one has by far the most 'points cost' as it features the super heavy warriors of the Prydian Precinct against the same for the Khanate.  Lots of support grade weapons and tough nuts to crack.  Desteria are worth about two and a half Retained or four to five Muster on average and to have fifteen of them in three demi's gives a lot of punch.

The added feature for the scenario is the shallow stream which moves at a fast pace.  I have scenario unique rules for this suggesting the chance of a miniature being tripped, fallen, washed away while wading across.  I also have scenario unique rules for determining when the Bantam will arrive as well.  Great fun as it makes the Nox player press in fast and lethal.

If you are keen on seeing the final scenario in October comment here or email me on info@theionage.com.  You can see the Desteria Lance here in this months release IAFP03 Desteria Lance (Platoon Pack) which has a unique extra free miniature in it.  Nox are on the Khanate Empire page.

Thanks for reading.

GBS

IAFP03 Desteria Lance with Unique extra free miniature released!

“MkII Noblesse Powered Armour. Stopping short of actually building armour that must be piloted rather than worn the awesome Noblesse pattern is worn by Desteria Knights into the thick of battle. Fully sealed titanium alloy with an average of 27mm thickness across the body Noblesse makes use of the Chameleon Circuit and also uses the Celo 9 ultra thin layer of insta-nate ablative shell designed to shatter when impacted by enemy fire. This additional layer of protection along with paldrons of re-enforced titanium makes Noblesse three times more protective than MkV Alwite. Some Desteria fit the large Delver X jump jets to their armour while others opt for the cabled generator cells for on board energy based weapons such as the Valerin laser. All Noblesse armour features the flexible manipulator Impact Fist which can perform delicate tasks as well as smashing up to one foot of rubbacrete. Noblesse carries a built in primary weapon on one arm with large sealed ammunition reserves.”

Academy Auto-Trainer Series 21, New Glastonbury, 4321IC

We have two new 15mm scale releases this month and both of them are released today.  What do we have? Well its a brand new command set for the super heavy Desteria Knights of The Ion Age and also a full platoon pack for the Desteria that includes an extra free unique miniature as well.  So this month we are all about the most mighty infantry of the Prydian Army and the Marcher Barons of the Precinct.  Desteria are included in Patrol Angis and short of a Duxis Battlesuit they are the toughest hombres on two legs.  Read on for details.

IAF075 Desteria Lance Command Alpha

Perfect to lead your Desteria Knights into the fray we present lance command for the super heavy knights of the Ion Age.  This code contains five different white metal 15mm scale poses all wearing MkII Noblesse powered armour.  From left to right these are an officer with Valerin Laser Rifle and Pelleas powered Mace, communications specialist, medic with equipment, banner bearer with staff and Valerin Laser Rifle and lastly a casualty of a Desteria Knight laying face up.  Each miniature is very detailed and features a crest upon its head. Desteria stand approx 24mm tall from sole of foot to top of crest.  Go HERE.  This code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or three packs saving 10% off list. Chose your option from the drop down menu on the page. Price per pack is 5.00GBP

IAFP03 Desteria Lance

This platoon pack gives you a full Lance (a platoon or force in Patrol Angis) of the heaviest power armoured knights the Desteria as well as a unique miniature only found in this code.  Fifteen different poses of miniature which are taken from these pack codes:  IAF009 Desteria Demi Alpha, IAF010 Desteria Demi Beta and IAF075 Desteria Lance Command Alpha.  On top of this you get the unique miniature which is a Desteria Knight Errant armed with an Octa Powered Sword and a Hermit Plasma Rifle.  This miniature is found only in this platoon pack and what is more its totally free as part of the pack.  Excellent!   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 15.00GBP per pack.

Interested in the Desteria?  Space Opera Knights of our far future...course you are!

You can see all of the codes for them HERE.

Information Burst!

Salutations from our only week of releases this month.  The Desteria are some of my favourite models in the 15mm range.  Retained Knights get the glory but its the stomping heavies that get the tough tasks clearing out stubborn resistance and wading into the hail of lead.  If you have to hold the line at any cost then these are the lads for you.  On other fronts the reception to the approach of Taranis continues to be very positive (despite a couple of nasty emails but hey you cannot please everyone all the time and I am always polite in replies no matter what is said) and we will be releasing the Taranis Model 40 Tracked Main Battle Tank with all of its variants in October.  There will be an article showing all the pieces and giving information as well as scale shots later this month.  This month IMP25 Muster 'Cutter' Trooper is free in all orders. Additionally if you have not already signed up for our Mailchimp mailing list you should (its the top right box on our blog home page and its free) as loyal IonFans who are on the list now have access to a ruddy good monthly deal only seen there).  Thanks for your custom and for the kind words about our products we do appreciate it. 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 too.  

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

Taranis Tanks by Bob Naismith first parts and render

Last time we announced the existence of Project Taranis in a blog post telling everyone we were working with industry legend Bob Naismith on designs for a brilliant main battle tank in 15mm scale for The Ion Age. I am happy to be able to tell you that all the pieces for the Taranis project are now sculpted and printed and origination molding is well underway. Sam Croes is now heading up the project and we now want to show you some of the 3D printed parts as well as physical sculpting work by Bob Naismith on the tank pieces and then to outline what you can expect in the coming month or so. 

Above you can see a line drawing of the final version of the Taranis Model 40 Tracked Type 83 Command Turret vehicle. The dimensions of this variant of Taranis will be approximately 90mm long, 76mm wide and 35mm tall making it a mighty combat vehicle indeed. Armed with a Bodkin AP Mk52 130mm Cannon and a Angis Mk9 22mm Automatic Rifle its titanium alloy hull weighs in at over eighty five tons and it is crewed by four men or women of the Retained or Muster. Its extra wide tracks give the Model 40 superb mobility over almost all terrain including exotic alien landscapes. 

While it is not possible to show you all of the parts of Taranis Model 40 at this time we do have four images each with a 15mm scale Retained Knight (16mm tall) for scale for you to view. The first image shows the main hull piece of the tank and you can see all of the detail and the ring for the turret to be mounted upon. This piece is 90mm long and 50mm wide and will sit atop a lower hull section to which the tracked pod pieces will be side mounted. Despite its size and vigour it was always our aim that Taranis would be easy to assemble and supplied in a dozen or so parts giving a main battle tank that is impressive and very durable for use on the tabletop. 

The Taranis Model 40 will have a wide choice of upper pieces such as turrets. Above you can see the 3D printed piece the twin barrelled attack turret mounting two Ron 145mm Hi-Ex Launchers for urban and close in warfare. You can see its size next to the 16mm tall Retained Knight miniature. 

While all of the pieces for Taranis were 3D printed Bob Naismith did further fine work on some of the parts before passing them on for origination molding with us. Above is the body (minus the gun barrel) of the Type 83 Command Turret which is assigned to Taranis tank platoons and features the main gun as well as a rotary Moth cannon and a combined range and comms suit module. Additional fine work was done to the print and you can see the results on the right. 

We have had designed a total of seven different top pieces and turrets for the Taranis Model 40 main battle tank thus far. Most of these are variant turrets giving this tracked tank assigned roles such as a battle tank, command tank, assault tank as well as exotic turrets like the super heavy Fretan SPB9 Sequence Particle Beamer. There is also an artillery support variant with Anda 115mm Missiles and lastly above the special piece hand crafted by Bob Naismith for the Taranis Model 40 Armoured Personnel Carrier which can comfortably transport a dozen Retained Knights in full armour. 

We hope you have enjoyed this update. In the next update we will show you all of the pieces in resin and white metal that make up the Taranis Model 40 Tracked main battle Tank as well as the types of turrets and other items to make all of the variants of that tank. We will also outline our plan for release and what you can expect in terms of offers on the mighty Taranis Model 40. Comments and questions are most welcome to info@theionage.com and I really enjoyed talking to wargamers last time on the email about this project and what is going to give them on the battlefield of the space opera future. 

Thanks for Reading. 

GBS

IMP25 Muster 'Cutter' Trooper free miniature for September 2015!

“While the variant Purple Adder acts as a sapper vehicle in low intensity theatres and the rarer Taranis Type 103 'Big Blade' which does the same work in high intensity war zones there are many clearing tasks which must be given to infantry due to urban environment or logistical shortages for instance.  In these instances special allocation 'Cutter' troopers are deployed.  Muster Special Clearance or SC Troopers are nicknamed 'Cutter' due to the use of the exotic Valerin 11Kw Cutting Laser rig.  This weighty device limits personal mobility and can be used as an offensive weapon but its primary use is in the clearing of debris, walls and natural flora such as trees.  Unlike other Valerin laser weapons that deliver a very short lived pulse of lethal long ranged energy as a beam the Cutting Rig operates over a very short distance with sustained beams that are swept back and forth in front of the wearer.  This beam can slice through and burn down anything from wood through to re-enforced Rubbacrete allowing the wearer to cut themselves a precision path wide enough for two or three people to walk abreast along through almost anything given time.  The Cutting Rig is also used to prepare areas for building and for fortification as well as carving out landing grounds in thick jungle for instance.  There are recorded reports of 'Cutters' in desperation taking on Havelock Battlesuits and even larger targets at little more than arms length.”

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

Its the start of the new campaign season for the year and as we approach autumn once more I want to welcome you to September 2015 at The Ion Age.  We present to you the first of the third year of our operation free monthly miniatures IMP25 Muster Cutter Trooper.  For the whole of September this 15mm miniature is automatically put into every order at the rate of one per order regardless of order value.  It can also be bought in any amount on the monthly IMP page of the website for this month only too before being withdrawn on the first of next month.  

There are diverse branches of service in the Muster from The Infantry who make up the bulk of troopers to Artillery who man the big guns and Patrol who do the recon as well as Fleet and Fortress who are in space and responsible for the vehicles of the regiments of both the Prydian Army and the Marcher Barons.  A trooper who is designated a 'Cutter' can belong to any branch of service but they are most common in Infantry and Fortress as these two branches often need to get to places that are tough to reach.  Dressed in standard uniform and carrying the heavy industrial clearing Valerin 11kw Cutter this trooper is in one piece and stands approx 15mm tall.  A great miniature for your Platoons and collection with an exotic weapon / tool.

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. 

We look back at what was going out free this time last year and now also in our first year too.  In September 2014 it was IMP13 Alouten Veteran and in September 2013 it was IMP01 Retained Knight Kneeling.  You can get them in the Year Collections of formally free on our website HERE but if you click on the links over the codes you can see the blog post from that month and year and see what else we were up to.

August was a hot and sunny month that saw us releasing the hot rod of light vehicles the IAF080 SuperBlue Adder and the all female IAF076 Retained Lance Command Charlie both of which surprised us with the anticipation that IonFan's had for them.  The other big news of the last month was the announcement that we are working with the legendary Bob Naismith on our main battle tanks range called Taranis.  This month will see more on that announcement with blog posts showing the fantastic progress made on Taranis as well as two releases mid month that will bring not only command but a platoon pack with unique miniature to the super heavy knights of The Ion Age....

Thanks for reading.

GBS