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2020/05/06 19:58:46
Subject: Kestral's Odds and Ends - Currently a Dakkajet!
Ask and you shall receive! And not just pictures, but fluff! And a theme song!
I present.... Night Bomber Regiment number 588!
Regiment 588 is a typical PDF air unit of the Argo Cluster, operating mostly less capable indigenous designs instead of the preferred STC models. Despite the name the Air regiment is not entirely restricted to night bombing, but includes air superiority, air defense, commando, search and rescue units.
For air superiority the 588th operates the XT-5 "Pogo" fighter, an entirely novel Valarian design. Like many such designs its engine power is low and thus it is more streamlined than STC types. The Pogo is unique in that it is landed by descending using its propeller like a helicopter blade before settling onto its tail. Although requiring a skilled pilot, this allows it to operate from a small concrete pad or vehicle. It also means the pilot needs a ladder to reach the cockpit. In addition to the prop, the Pogo has a liquid fuel booster, giving it an unusual set of flight characteristics. Armament consists of a nose mounted rocket pod and two heavy stubbers in wing pods. Hardpoints are rarely used. Pilots enjoy the good visibility and well designed HUD system, though it is poor match for imperial Lightnings and Thunderbotls, and it is challenging to fly effectively or even safely.
For utility purposes, insertions behind enemy lines, VIP transport, and search and rescue the 588th is fortunate to possess a flight of Valkyires. Heavy bolter door guns are not used, given that the valks are usually too valuable for hot LZ operations.
The workhorse of the 588th is however the Ram-Sparrow, a hinterland design based on a partial STC. The Ram-Sparrow is nimble and well armored, with excellent auspex defeating characteristics augmented by the jamming system mounted behind the pilot. Its major drawback is its small size and consequently weak armament. The Ram Sparrow is fitted with a single centerline hardpoint, normally carrying a bunker busting bomb, though gun pods for ground attack and air to air combat are sometimes used. The Ram-Sparrow's principle role is low level, precision night bombing attacks against high value targets.
Due to the tiny cockpit Ram-Sparrows are normally flown by women, giving them the nickname.... ....night witches! The Castelleon sisters are said to have come up in Ram Sparrows during the Mynoth Incursion, which might explain their talent for high speed, low altitude smuggling runs.
Song!
Automatically Appended Next Post: I'm going to do an airfield photoshoot eventually.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2020/05/08 01:52:08
2020/05/08 05:18:47
Subject: Kestral's Odds and Ends - Currently a Dakkajet!
Why thanks! Oddly, I loathed metal as a youngster, but now as a old crumugeon I'm starting to warm up to it. When I can understand the words at least a little
Knocked out a unit of gretchen - the current GW plastic set. A few observations:
These are nice enough models, but they have arms a Catachan wouldn't snear at. Apparently, grots are ripped these days. One of them was so massive I decided not to include him.
I started out using just the GW recommended contrast treatment of Plaguebearer Flesh, but found them too be too yellow, particularly since my base is kind of yellowish. So I have them a diluted green ink wash, and that seemed good.
The slaver is a nice fig with some cool options, though I went with stock. For his skin I did a coating of green ink over white, then plaguebearer, then a bit more plague bearer. That is certainly a method I'll use again, I thought the result was quite good. I then mucked around with some greenish bluish scars and highlights, but those didn't seem that great.
Quite pleased with the squig too. For a while I was doing all my squigs green, but I think I'll change that up.
2020/05/12 17:01:36
Subject: Kestral's Odds and Ends - Currently a Dakkajet!
Finished Forge World Elysian Army 
Finished Tau Sept Cadre 
Finished Ork Waaagh | 
Alaitoc Eldar Warhost 
Finished Order of Our Martyred Lady - Sisters of Battle 
Finished Necromundian Imperial Guard Regiment 
