Fire Prism Grav Tank

Unlike the lumpen and unlovely battle tanks of other races, the Fire Prism is graceful and swift. Despite its aesthetic qualities, the Fire Prism sacrifices none of the killing power associated with heavy armour, and its prism cannon is the bane of the heavy battle tanks of the crude races.

Fire Prism Grav Tank
Fire Prism Grav Tank at Warhammer World

The main armament of the Fire Prism is an extremely unusual device that uses a two-stage firing process. A medium-magnitude laser is discharged into a massive crystal prism that greatly amplifies the potency of the shot in a fraction of a second. This energy can be discharged in a focused beam capable of blasting through the thickest armour. Or, it can be dispersed to slay entire squads of enemy infantry. Most unusual of all, sophisticated tracking arrays allow this technological wonder to channel its firepower through the prismatic lens of another prism cannon, forming one all-powerful laser blast that can obliterate any target.

More photographs of Eldar.

Eldar Falcon Grav Tank

With its potent armament and ability to carry a small squad of fighters, the Falcon is designed to take the fight to the enemy, or to extricate the warriors should resistance prove too fierce.

The Falcon is the primary battle tank of the Eldar army, its curved silhouette a familiar but much-dreaded sight to their enemies. The Falcon has a twin role upon the field of battle. It has a passenger compartment enabling it to carry a small squad of fighters to the battle front or rescue a beleaguered unit when resistance proves too fierce. It also carries a lethal assortment of heavy weaponry, and advanced targeters that allow it to fire devastating salvos while on the move.

From the displays at Warhammer World.

Eldar Falcon

Harlequin Flyers

Harlequins are the Eldar followers of Cegorach, the Laughing God. They are the performers and entertainers of the Eldar, the self-appointed protectors of the Eldar’s pre-Fall history, which they perform in extremely elaborate plays involving not only elaborate costumes, scenery, acrobatics, and a troupe of dedicated actors, but further elaboration of the drama through psykana and psychedelic drugs.

These beautifully painted Harlequin flyers were on display at Warhammer World.

This is a Harlequins Starweaver. I think one of the reasons I would not paint up a Harlequin army is the necessity to paint large amounts of checked areas.

Starweavers streak across the battlefield as a storm of shattered light, relying upon a mixture of velocity and misdirection to confound the enemy’s aim. These swift attack vehicles have a transport platform at their rear capable of bearing a Harlequin Troupe into battle.

The more heavily armed Voidweaver is shown here.

Boasting a veritable arsenal of heavy weaponry, Voidweavers leave flaming devastation in their wake. Their every salvo sees enemies punched off their feet as storms of shuriken scream through the air, and enemy tanks are vaporised by the deadly prismatic cannon.

This is a Skyweaver.

Heavily armed and incredibly fast, squads of Skyweavers outmanoeuvre their foes before cutting them to pieces with concentrated firepower. Their ripping streams of shuriken fire and crackling bolts of electromagnetic energy slaughter foot troops and reduce enemy tanks to sparking wrecks with equal ease.

Valedor – Eldar defending against Tyranid Hive Fleet Kraken

On the dying world of Duriel, once the glittering capital of the Valedor system, the forces of the Eldar Craftworld Iyandem attempt to halt the advance of the Tyranid Hive Fleet Kraken.

This massive display was at Warhammer World and includes over a thousand models. There are twenty-six Carnifexes as well as multiple Eldar titans.

Valedor

Wraithknights are colossal Eldar Wraithbone constructs. Looming ghost warriors many times larger than even the mighty Wraithlords, the war machines known as Wraithknights are still dextrous enough to run through the ruin of a shattered city, leaping from pillar to spar as their arcane weapons bring oblivion to the enemies of the Aeldari.

A Wraithknight prepares to attack along with an Eldar Falcon tank and Wave Serpent troop carrier.

Wider shot of the battlefield, showing the land literally breaking apart as the forces fight for dominance.

Tyranid Hierophant Bio-Titan treading carefully. The Hierophant is amongst the largest and most formidable of the Tyranid Bio creatures faced by ground forces.

Eldar Wave Serpent bringing troops into the heart of battle. The Wave Serpent is the main troop carrier of a Craftworld’s army. Protected inside its sleek hull, strike forces of Aspect Warriors and Guardians can be transported in safety to any part of the battlefield. The Wave Serpent’s energy field projectors generate a rippling bow wave of force at the front of the craft that disrupts incoming fire. Its powerful anti-grav engines give it speed enough to hurtle across a battlefield in seconds.

This overview of the diorama shows the size of it, though there is some reflection on the glass from the lights.

It was a wonderfully put together display and the combination of swarms of Tyranids assaulting the mighty Eldar was a sight to behold. The scenery was amazing as well, the glowing lava pits looked really hot. The only thing missing was steam and smoke.

What next for Aeronautica Imperialis?

Aeronautica Imperialis Logo

I’ve enjoyed painting my Aeronautica Imperialis models and even I am impressed that I have managed to build, undercoat and paint them in a relatively short timeframe. I did my Valkyrie Assault Carrier in a week! I would usually take a few years to paint them (if at all….).

I started to think about which models I would get next, and that got me thinking what we have seen that still needs to be released and also what could be released in the future and what I would like to see in the future as well.

Some of these are obviously core Games Workshop releases, some could be plastic kits and I think others might be Forge World models or upgrades to plastic kits.

Forge World have released some kits for Adeptus Titanicus, such as weapon upgrades, new titans and scenery. I would like to think that they would do something similar for Aeronautica Imperialis.

What I might get next?

So, there are now quite a few released models for Aeronautica Imperialis, Ork, Imperial and now T’au aircraft. I bought Wings of Vengeance, so I already have Ork Dakkajets, Fighta Bommerz as well as Imperial Thunderbolts and Marauders. I also bought a box of Valkyrie Assault Carriers.  I was lucky enough to find a box of Ground Assets recently, so I have those as well.

The obvious answer for me is a pair of Grot Bommerz. I do like the concept of these, though I am not a big fan of the actual models, but Orks is Orks, so they are next on my shopping list.

Aeronautica Imperialis Ork flyers from Warhammer World

If I get those then I might get the Heavy Ork Bommerz as well. Continue reading “What next for Aeronautica Imperialis?”

Duels

This lovely St George’esque Bretonnian Knight was one of many duel dioramas which were on display at Warhammer World. The knight is facing down a lovely red dragon (which I didn’t photograph).

I really like the scenic base, which is nice and rocky.

This is one half of an Elven duel, this was the High Elf, his opponent was a Dark Elf on a Cold One.

This is a Warhammer 40000 duel between a Space Marine Chaplin and an Exodite Eldar. The Chaplin is riding a bike.

The Exodite Eldar is on a lizard.

Exodite Eldar

The Exodites were a concept that had Eldar using giant lizards as mounts and large mounts for weapons (in a similar way to Elephants or Squiggoths). It was never taken further by Citadel, though some Epic concepts were sculptured and cast, but never went on sale. The concept proved popular with some and as a result there is an unofficial codex out on the tubes and some lovely models such as this one.

This was a Golden Demon winning Duel which I photographed on my most recent visit to Warhammer World in January 2020.

I first photographed the duel on a visit to Warhammer World back in 2007.

pace Marine Chaplin on a bike fighting an Eldar Exodite on a giant lizard

 

Eldar Wraithknight and Fire Prism

In the display cabinets are various models from Warhammer 40k including these splendid .

Eldar Wraithknight

Eldar Titan

Looming ghost warriors many times larger than even the mighty Wraithlords, the war machines known as Wraithknights are still dextrous enough to run through the ruin of a shattered city, leaping from pillar to spar as their arcane weapons bring oblivion to the enemies of the Aeldari.

In the same shot is the Eldar Fire Prism which I didn’t know has been released as a plastic kit.

Eldar Falcon Grav Tank

Armed with a formidable prism cannon that can blast smoking holes into enemy vehicles or vaporise infantry, the Fire Prism is a versatile and deadly addition to any Aeldari army.

Digital Codex: Eldar

How to Paint Citadel Miniatures: Eldar

There is also the useful guide on painting your new Eldar.

The deadly skimmers, skilled Aspect Warriors and valiant Guardians of the Eldar craftworlds fight a constant battle for the survival of their very species. In this Army Workshop, the talented Studio army painters demonstrate how to paint a varied selection of Eldar miniatures using the Citadel paint range. Example miniatures featured in this extensive painting guide include the Wraithknight, a Storm Guardian, and the mighty Prince Yriel of Craftworld Iyanden.

Get How to Paint Citadel Miniatures: Eldar in the iBookstore.

Codex Eldar

Following the release of the new Eldar miniatures there are now some very nice digital Eldar books for your iPad.

Codex: Eldar is your comprehensive guide to wielding the deadly warhosts of the Craftworld Eldar upon the battlefields of the 41st Millennium. This volume details the craftworlds of the Eldar, and the different types of army they field. The Eldar embody excellence in the arts of war, from their psychic might to their deadly aircraft, and their ranks contain specialists in dealing every kind of death. This digital codex includes lavish full colour artwork, an interactive miniatures gallery, handy quick-links for special rules and weapons, and will always be up to date with the latest FAQs.

Update: Get the new version Codex: Craftworlds Enhanced Edition