The Ion Age Blog

Friday, 31 January 2014

January 2014 for The Ion Age

Muster Patrol and Havelock vs Legion Pioneers

So the month is over and we are well into 2014 now. Goodbye IMP05 Winter Musterman and upon the morrow hello to our new free miniature for February...IMP06 Zin Envoy. Want to know more? Then check back tomorrow.

Its been a rather odd month for us here with many projects beginning and progressing and the main focal point of the month shifting to February. By this I mean the involvement of Noble Knight Games with the Duxis Battlesuit ESO's. This will be soon but it was originally going to be finishing its two week run round about now. But it will be worth the wait!

We released three important groups of codes this month and they are outlined below. Click on each to go to the blog post for them with more details.

IMP05 Winter Musterman
IAF025 15mm Retained Conversion Pack (10 Bits)
IAF026 15mm Muster Conversion Pack (10 Bits)
IAF027 15mm Khanate Legion Conversion Pack (10 Bits)
IAF015D Tower Module (for IA015 Hab Dome)
IAF019 Legion 2nd Tesseran (8 White Metal Miniatures)

We also had a concepting post on the Duxis and a white metal masters post on the Duxis too along with concepting on the Tower Module. I joined up with the 15mm Sci-fi Wargame Google Community run by Robin Fitton and the reception to this has been great. Dropship Horizon blog launched its Titanium Painting competition and both The Ion Age and 15mm.co.uk pledged prizes. Its been a fun month for 15mm sci-fi wargaming in general.

Thanks for Reading.

GBS

PLEASE READ THIS
May 2019 and The Ion Age has been taken back into Alternative Armies. It continues with new releases into the future! Go to Alternative Armies for Ion Age pages of the 15mm Range the 15mm Terrain Range the 28mm Range the Publications range and the Free Downloads collection too for the latest. All links to the ion age site are now defunct sorry! If you wish to see something or ask a question email me on sales@alternative-armies.com. GBS

Thursday, 30 January 2014

IAF019 Legion 2nd Tesseran

“Legion are bad enough. Let me beat on Maligs all year along instead of Legion. But those Pioneers they are way worse. They might not have those rigs the Nox have but those plates can still deflect a burst of Moth Rifle fire with no problems. I remember one time with the 658^th a few months back. We were in this place, must have been a zero ball stadium or something, big and oval shaped with stripped out seats. They even had a burned out Happy Burger shack. Shame that, I used to enjoyed that gloop. Anyway there we were all set up nice and ready. No Anvils, Bodkins or Rons with us but command figured we had the Moth Type 12's with those 40mm grenades and our rifle rounds would be plenty. After all we had seen the six Tesserans coming down the bust up Rubbacrete strip towards us and we were just waiting. Fixed on the entry tunnel levelled barrels.

In they came. I saw the green suits, Medusa Legion, just for a moment before the comms signal to fire came. We opened up with everything and I watched the entry tunnel turn to powder and flame. Three seconds and we ceased. I expected green mist and nothing twitching but that ain't what happened, not at all. Turns out those alien scum bags had put in two Tesserans of Pioneers first and they had just sat down wrapped in those damn armour plates when we rained on them. Sure we dropped a couple of them but at that range and without AP it wasn't enough. As we reloaded they stood up and gave us a kiss back with a dozen Flora pattern grenaders. I lost some mates that day.

As I said Legion are bad enough but the Pioneers....screw that...that's a job for those shiny Retained lads!”

Majoris Killian Jones, Camarthen Prime, 4331IC

IAF019 Legion 2nd Pioneers

IAF019 Rear View

IAF019 Legion 2^nd Pioneers

The Shia Khan Empire expands again this week with the second code of 15mm Legion Pioneers in their distinctive Segmentum armour plates. We present IAF019 Legion 2^nd Pioneers a Tesseran which contains eight new white metal poses composed of an Ordo (officer) in cloak armed with a Cupid 0.5Kw Pistol fist raised and seven different Discens (privates) armed with the Flora Grenade Gun. Fire Support for close in work! The suit worn by Pioneers lacks the reactive glimmer of Legionaries but has the same auto-aid ability and breather function plus the protection of the Segmentum armour plates. 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.

IAF012 Legion 1st Pioneers

IAF012 Legion 1^st Pioneers

The first pack of the feared Legion Pioneers! Pioneers are experienced Legionaries who don un-powered upper body armour and take on all of the toughest jobs needing done. Pioneers tend not to mix with Legionaries and are viewed by them with jealousy. Able to take far more of a beating than normal Legion the Pioneers go toe to toe with Retained Knights. This Tesseran of eight new white metal poses is composed of seven Discens (privates) armed with Maia 9.6mm Mpi and an Ordo (officer) in cloak armed with Cupid 0.5kw Pistol. The suit worn by Pioneers lacks the reactive glimmer of Legionaries but has the same auto-aid ability and breather function plus the protection of the Segmentum armour plates. 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.

Ends on 1st February 2014

Information Burst!

Its the last few days of the month and that means that the current free miniature IMP05 Winter Musterman will vanish on the morning of 1^st February to be replaced by the next free miniature. You get one IMP05 free with any and all orders and you can purchase the current IMP miniature as well if you want more of them. 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.

Noble Knight Games

Our North American Agent carries all of our products in all scales along with a lot of products from our sisters 15mm.co.uk and Alternative Armies. This includes this week's and recent releases (IAF019 Legion 2^nd Pioneers, IAF015D Tower Module and the 15mm Conversion Packs) and our entire 28mm and 15mm lines. So if you already use this great company or you want to since you are in the USA or Canada you can get your Ion Age products there. Browse from the main page link to all of our products on NKG. Go HERE.

Thanks for your Time.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

15mm SCI-FI Google Community

Canlastrian Retained bring down a Havelock Battlesuit

I am often so busy working that I do not spend the time on the web that many other hobby followers and other companies do. In fact when I was emailed this morning by a fan of The Ion Age and 15mm.co.uk asking about a release notice we had put on the 15mm SCI-FI Google Community I had to sit back and say...what is that?

Well I had a look and its HERE. Lots a good material about releases, painting, hobby posts and more and in fact thanks to Mark Burgess and others we are already on there. So from this point I have added it to the favourites on the right hand side of the blog roll and I will give it a gander several times a week. I might even post on it about interesting things.

Have a look!

GBS

Thursday, 23 January 2014

IAF015D Tower Module released!

The civil war has been good for business for The Seorc Compono Guild (SCG) and its Habitation Dome Riser System (HDRS). A system of pre-fabricated structures that aid in colonisation and development across the Prydian Precinct for everyone's benefit before being gradually replaced as time passed. SCG maintains that it provides a service only and while it does trade with anyone who has funds to pay its first loyalty is to New Glastonbury and the Council. Indeed SCG has proved this by fabricating some ninety percent of its rubbacrete in the Glastonbury star system and virtually all of its golglass in the core systems keeping many millions in employment.

While the merits of the Habitation or 'Hab' Dome are well known after several decades of construction and allocation across the Precinct there was initially some resistance to the riser element of the HDRS. While settlers and more primitive cultures were happy, after a while, to adapt to dome living they were not so keen on multiple level living. Seorc did not appreciate this predicament and sent out representatives to demonstrate tower living. After a few years in all but a few places the issue was resolved. Towers of two or three or even four levels offered a lot more space to larger families and the chance to charge a fee for sighting a specialised mount on the top of the tower.

Indeed with the destruction of dwellings across the Precinct in the ongoing civil war, despite the best efforts of some to prevent it, SCG has advanced its planned fabrication of larger calibre weapon mounts. With the success of the sentry gun and the smallest functioning Hurwent Generator yet possible the HDRS has proved its versatility and in 4319IC it unveiled further larger mounts. Aside from the MkII Skylarker Landing Pad which must be taken as a marvel on its own there is the twin rotary cannons of an anti-aircraft mount and the twin pods of the licensed Anda missile system as well.

The HDRS will continue to roll out across all space and SCG are committed to fabricating Prydia one dome at a time.

Quincy Portent, SGC New Glastonbury, 4330IC

IAF015D Tower Module front view (on Hab Dome)

IAF015D Tower Module rear view (on Hab Dome)

Back in October 2013 we released the core item in our 15mm Ion Age terrain range the IAF015 Hab Dome. It was so popular that we had to make a lot more molds than we intended to but it was just the start. I am proud to announce that today we release the IAF015D Tower Module which turns your Hab Dome into a multiple level structure. Its another piece of the whole planned settlement which is suitable for any 15mm scale science fiction setting. We are raising the stakes as it were and appreciate your support in our bringing these great miniatures and models to your gaming tables.

Scale shot with IAF014 Retained Knight

Mocked up Tower with IAF015C Hurwent Generator

Dome and Tower during Patrol Angis playtesting

IAF015D Tower Module

This code contains two high quality grey tone resin pieces with a lot of external detailing. The Tower Module itself which is 50mm wide and 30mm tall and the Connector Plate which is used (if you wish to) as the linkage piece between either the top of a Hab Dome or the top of another Tower Module. The pieces go together tightly and allow the creation of multiple level structures. The top of the Tower Module will fit any of the top mounts (IAF015A,B,C etc) meant for the Hab Dome. You do need an IAF015 Hab Dome to make full use of this code. Price is 6.00GBP or you can purchase three and save 10%. We also have a great offer of a Tower Module supplied with a Hab Dome priced at 11.70GBP saving 10% off the bundle total.

Glue the Connector to the Underside of the Module to 'snap fit' levels

Canlastrian Retained advance upon two Hab Domes

IAF015 Hab Dome

Our first 15mm resin building and structure of The Ion Age. Fabricated by the Seorc Guild Hab Domes have many uses and can be found all across Prydian space. The Hab Dome is the starting point for a whole series of resin structure system for The Ion Age in 15mm scale. The Hab Dome is the basic unit for stackable and adaptable units. It can be used on its own or with other IAF codes. It is a high quality grey tone resin one piece casting which is 65mm wide and 30mm tall with a high degree of external detailing. Suitable for use in any science fiction setting as well as The Ion Age. Decorate your wargame table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as a single or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page.

Information Burst!

We are going up in the world with more terrain but at the same time its nearing the end of the first month of 2014; yes already. The planned IAF030 Duxis Battlesuit ESO (Early Supporter Offer) bundles have been put back until early February to allow the direct involvement of Noble Knight Games (our North American Agent). They will be offering the bundles directly on their own website! We will give you full details at the right time. Moving on keep in mind that the current free miniature (one given in every order placed automatically) IMP05 Winter Musterman is only around until 1^st February when it will be replaced so get your order in now if you want this special figure free. 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 more than a couple of hundred happy point using customers now and we look forward to welcoming you too.

Ion Age Blog

We have several concepting and previous posts about the Seorc Compono Guild (SCG) and their HDRS (Habitation Dome Riser System) series of structures. For your use here are links to each of them so that if you are interested you can track back and see what has come before for 15mm Ion Age terrain up to today. Here we go!

The Hab Dome

Top Mounts for Hab Dome

Hab Dome by Huggable

Fabricator Spire

Hab Dome Original Model

Tower Module Concept

Thanks for Reading!

Tuesday, 21 January 2014

Concepting - Hab Dome Tower Module

Concept Sketch on the IAF015D Tower Module

With Noble Knight Games (our North American Agent) coming onboard for the IAF030 Duxis Battlesuit ESO's (Early Support Offers) we have moved that grand event forward. So that means this Thursday this week sees the release of an item scheduled for later on. The awaited expansion to the IAF015 Hab Dome, the IAF015D Tower Module!

As you can see above from the concept art this piece integrates seamlessly with your IAF015 Hab Domes using a connector plate that comes with the module. Adding a second level to the structure. Featuring the same top assembly as the Hab Dome this means you can build towers of two, three or four levels and add top mounts (such as the IAF015A Sentry Gun, IAF015B Comms Spire, IAF015C Huwent Generator) both to the top of the tower or just on top of a single tower module. As we promised last year The Ion Age is creating brilliant 15mm science fiction scenics that all work together.

The Tower Module is the about the same size as the Hab Dome so those of you who already have the Hab Dome in your collect can see how big it is. For the rest of us it is approx 30mm tall and 55mm wide.

So roll on Thursday 23rd January when this sweet piece will be released with our usual purchase one, purchase three and save 10% or get one with a Hab Dome and save too! Plus of course you will get the current IMP05 Winter Musterman miniature free automatically before it vanishes on 1st February.

Noble Knight Games will be in on the Duxis Battlesuit ESO!

The Ion Age has agreed with its North American Agent, Noble Knight Games (NKG), that noble knight will take part in the next early support offer that we are going to make. This will be two bundle codes for the IAF030 Duxis Battlesuit featuring a saving off list and free bonus items.

We are putting the launch of these ESO's back to allow Noble Knight time to get prepared. On launch day you will be able to get your bundles both from us and on a page of NKG website. Full details nearer the time. Noble Knight Games carried the full range of Ion Age products in its inventory and offers superb customer service to thousands all across the USA and beyond.

So don't be sad we have a big release this Thursday instead (more on this in the next posting) and to give you some eye candy here are some photos of the recently painted up IAF030A Duxis Battlesuit 'Bladesman' variant. This will feature as part of the first ESO Bundle and its multi-part white metal and stands just over 30mm tall to the head.

IAF030A Duxis 'Bladesman' front view

IAF030A Duxis 'Bladesman' rear view

IAF030A Duxis 'Bladesman' left view

IAF030A Duxis 'Bladesman' right view

Thanks for Reading!

GBS

Friday, 17 January 2014

Titanium 15mm Sci-Fi Painting Contest now on Dropship Horizon Blog

Its painting competition time over on the great Dropship Horizon blog, focal point of all 15mm science fiction wargamers. Open to all comers there is a list of suggested entries and there will be prizes too for the winners. This is an excellent idea to keep away the blues of the deep freeze period of the year.

Check it Out!

The painting competition runs from 15th January 2014 to 15th February 2014. You can enter a squad or a single vehicle or a piece of terrain or structure. Full details on the post.

Single Vehicle, Infantry or Scenic item

As an aside I would be mighty happy if a wargamer won by entering something that we make and to that end although we are offering an offical prize along with many other companies I will be happy to mail out an additional wee surprise to any winner who used our products. On top of this since I am a great guy I am happy to digitally edit any pictures you want to send to DSH blog to make them shine; just email me or comment below. If any of our codes win I will personally make sure your loyalty is rewarded!

Pages