Birth Month for The Ion Age

Normally, I'd have a bunch to say in a post like this, but this is best explained in Gavin's own words...

What is Coming in August 2014 Sneak Peek – 

• The Corbal Deployable Hardpoint Kit

• SEORC Geo Shelters Early Supporter Offers

• From Birth to Now a Round Up of Our First Year

• Corbal Deployable Hardpoint Released

• 'Get your Ass to Mars' Sam Croes paints up the SEORC Geo-Shelters

• SEORC Geo-Shelters Released

• Castella Havelock Battlesuit Prototype and Offer!

• Vehicle Conversion Pack Released

• MadMechaMen and his Skylark Patrol Flyer

 Freebies in your Order

Now you know that during the whole month you will automatically get IMP12 Starvaulter Instructor in your package but that is not all.  We have been (since 30th July) and will until the end of the month put an extra great free bonus in as well.  What is that freebie?  Well its a surprise packet and it will be bigger the larger your order is but its our choice and it will be roughly ten percent of order value before postage.  It will be great though so leave it to us.

 I have put a lot of effort as has everyone else into making this month totally awesome so we all hope you enjoy it.

Thanks for all the hard work to Gavin and the crew at The Ion Age

Fantastic Horizons

A New Feature
By Eli

Hello all,

Today we are happy to announce our plans to add a new semi-regular (as news comes up) feature to this blog - Fantastic Horizon. 

While Dropship Horizon has run as a nearly exclusive 15mm science fiction site for the entirety of its life, it has occasionally touched on other genres as they related to the theme of 15mm science fiction. What's more, we felt that there was a growing movement in 15mm fantasy miniatures that could use some extra face time, the same way that Dropship Horizon did for the growing 15mm science fiction miniatures market. 

We considered creating a new blog for it, but felt that adding it as a feature would better cater to players and collectors who are often multi-genre fans. It also keeps from adding another blog to the rest of the blogosphere that requires checking separately.

We hope to begin posting news items, hobby stories, and sharing blog posts from others who are exciting about this cousin genre to our beloved 15mm science fiction.

To start with, I would like to look at three of the bigger sources of new fantasy miniatures in 15mm scale. Mind you, this is not to say these are the only ones coming out with new stuff in fantasy or the only ones doing good fantasy miniatures out there, but they do represent a big push in 15mm fantasy. I speak of Splintered Light Miniatures, Copplestone Castings and Khurasan miniatures.

Splintered Light Miniatures
SLM has released an absolute avalanche of miniatures for fantasy gaming in 15mm. It is safe to say that they are on the forefront of new creations for the genre. With 17 (not including their fantasy dungeon crawl range) ranges covering everything from ratmen, to elves, orcs, fantasy Egyptians and a ton of others, it would be hard not to find what you are looking for in their extensive catalog.

While there is a lot of the familiar in SLM's products, they also have some nice unique takes on some of the usual subjects as well as offering some things not usually covered such as an army of hyena or lion men and the aforementioned fantasy Egyptians.

Wood Elf Medium Cavalry on Elk

Hill Giants

The Adventurers

Dark Elves

Khurasan Miniatures

A relatively new contributor to the fantasy genre, KM has struck out with some very strong offerings. Specialising in products that are central to the genre, they manage to bring a nice take on the subjects they cover. Most notable in their fantasy ranges is their Great Enemy range of Tolkien-esque orcs and supporting models such as trolls, wraiths and other foes from popular literature. dd to this a healthy range of lizardmen and several smaller ranges and one-offs and you get a good cross section of the familiar and the new.

Orc Melee Troops

Armored Trolls

Lizardmen

It should be noted that KM is poised to make a healthy new push into the 15mm fantasy market with several upcoming new ranges based on popular old school RPG monsters (pictured below).

Upcoming Old School RPG Style Lizardmen

Upcoming Hobgoblins

Copplestone Castings

Copplestone has quite the pedigree in fantasy having done a ton of it back in the day, but his 15mm offerings are much more recent and stunning. Focusing on a world of barbarians and dark age warriors, Mark Copplestone is creating a range that draws from the likes of Frazetta, Howard and other Sword and Sorcery styling. Muscular barbarians, stout dwarves and some monsters are just the beginning of a world that he promises will incorporate empires and tribes of all sorts.

A Note on Re-posted Content

By Eli

Hey folks,

I just wanted to chime in real quick and address something that may not be a problem, but I certainly would hate to become one.

As announced earlier, Dropship Horizon will now be hosting posts taken from other blogs. We are doing this by the good graces and cooperation of the original posting bloggers and I'd like to make sure they get credit where it is due. To make sure this happens, please note the by line following the title of these posts. The crew and I started doing this with our own posts a bit ago, but with these shared posts it becomes even more particular because the posts will show as "authored" by DSH crewmen, even though they were taken from other blogs.

So, just make sure that, when you are giving props to the content of these shared posts, you are throwing it at the right person. 

I sure as heck didn't write all these cool posts :)

Thanks,

-Eli

Call to Arms

Looking for Hobby Content

By Eli

For some time here, we here in the cockpit have been discussing how to increase the amount of hobby content found here. Dropship Horizon has always been a source of hobby news but it has also been a place for interesting projects, AARs and other hobby related posts. Much of this has diminished over time due to a number of reasons but the net result is that the blog has become, admittedly, a bit stagnate.

To remedy this, we are looking for folks who would like to submit their own articles relevant to the 15mm Sci-fi hobby or who would give us permission to pull content from their blogs, websites and other posts to share on DSH. Any such content would be given a by line and would have links to all included content as well as associated web content (company sites, referenced materials, etc). 

In the end, the goal will be to make this blog as much of a one-stop spot for what's up in the 15mm Sci-fi hobby as possible. It may mean there will be some repetition of content between this and other blogs. This should be fine as for many this is THE blog they visit (or have visited) for this sort of content and would expose them to other content they might normally see. It would also allow this blog to work as a sort of aggregator and focal point to raise overall awareness and interest in the hobby.

So, if you feel you have something everyone should see or would like to volunteer your site as a source of material for this blog, then please comment here and provide a link to your site and any special concerns, requests, or considerations for your inclusion.

Thank you,

-Eli 

Ion Age - New Top Mounts For Hab Domes

 By Eli

This week the guys at Ion Age have hit us with a double whammy. Following up on their amazing Hab Domes, they are already releasing three cool tops for the structures that transform them from simple dwelling to military installations. Read more below...

IAF015 Top Mounts for Hab Domes!

IAF015A Sentry Gun Turret

Put a Rotary Cannon turret on your Hab Dome and strike out at your enemies on the battlefield. Fitting to the universal circle on the top of the IAF015 Hab Dome this top mount can also be used as a separate scenic item too. As always you can purchase one or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP.

IAF015B Comms Spire Mount

Call in the troops or signal to space with the comms spire for your dome. Fitting to the universal circle on the top of the IAF015 Hab Dome this top mount can also be used as a separate scenic item too. As always you can purchase one or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP.

IAF015C Hurwent Shield Generator

Just like the cities of the Prydian Precinct you can fit your dome with a protective shield generator. Fitting to the universal circle on the top of the IAF015 Hab Dome this top mount can also be used as a separate scenic item too. As always you can purchase one or select the three packs and save 10% option on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP.

IAF015 Hab Dome

Our first 15mm resin building and it gives form to the structures 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 future stackable and adaptable units. It can be used on its own or with other IAF15 series releases. 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. 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. Go HERE. Price 7.00GBP.

Information Burst!

It's the last week of October 2013 and you have only TODAY to get your IMP02 Retained Knight Bionic Fist free in any order before its retired permanently. What a month its been for The Ion Age. We hope that you enjoyed both the release of the Hab Dome and also these brand new top mounts for it. We meant what we said, the Hab Dome is the bottom of the mountain for our scenics range. There will be much more for it and beyond. Personally I am going to use my own IAF15C Hurwent Generator mount on its own as a part of my playtesting of Patrol Angis. Here's to the end of a big month for The Ion Age! Remember when you place an order with us you will be promoted to join the loyalty scheme which will earn you Reward Points on all purchases which can, once accumulated, be redeemed for discounts and special miniatures.

Now, as if the hab domes and their tops weren't enough, Ion Age let out a glimpse of the upcoming Havelock Type 57 Battlesuit.

Got to love concept art.  Really got to love it.  Like the concept art above.  Have a click on it and adore the heavy hitter that is the 15mm scale Havelock Battlesuit for the Prydian Army. 

Digitally drawn by our lead designer Sam Croes the Havelock Type 57 is a mobile gun platform for the Muster not only of the Prydian Army but the Marcher Barons too.  Six different weapon systems and a massive Impact Fist.  Piloted by a single Muster trooper. 

So do you like it?  We really do.  Should I tell you that you will have to wait months for this concept to become something solid, something for your gaming table?  I could do that, I could tease you with it....but no. 

I will tell you instead that come first few days of November 2013 we will be doing an Early Support Offer set on this white metal kit miniature which right now, right now...actually exists and will be going into production this week!

Great stuff coming out from Ion Age!

New Deals From GZG

Jon informed me this morning of these new force deals now available through GZG. In addition, he's running a two day introductory offer on these deals.

Here's the skinny...

GZG EXTRA NEWS UPDATE Saturday 15th September:

NOW AVAILABLE ON THE STORE - we've put together three different 15mm INFANTRY STARTER PACK DEALS, for the NAC (New Anglian), NI (New

Israeli) and "CRUSTIES" forces - each special deal pack gives you a good force of infantry and light support weapons, at a significant discount compared with the regular list prices of the separate packs.

Each starter deal will give you enough troops to form the core of a Company-level force, to which you can then add any vehicles or other items of your choice if you wish. You can find these special packs through the links in the LATEST PRODUCTS box on the store front page, or on the store pages devoted to each particular force.

SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: buy any of these new starter deal packs THIS WEEKEND (actually up until Midnight - UK time - on Monday 17th

Sept.) and we will include some EXTRA FREE PACKS of relevant items (to our choice) with your order!

....................

Details of the 3 available deals:

.................

NEW ANGLIAN CONFEDERATION (NAC) INFANTRY 15mm STARTER DEAL:

Pack contents: 2 packs SG15-A07 Riflemen, 2 packs SG15-A08 Riflemen,

1 pack SG15-A09 SAW gunners, 1 pack SG15-A10 Command, 1 pack SG15-A11 Snipers and GMS, 1 pack SG15-A12 support weapons, 1 pack SG15-A14 Mortar teams, 1 pack SG15-A16 Grenade Launcher teams, 2 packs V15-75A Scout Trikes, 1 x V15-65A Gun Mule.

Total of 64 infantry, 4 teams of heavy weapons and crew, 4 scout trikes and riders, 1 six-wheel Mini-Mule with driver and gunner.

Total value at individual list prices = £43.50 - special pack price just £36.00 inc. VAT (£30.00 ex-VAT for non-EU customers).

................

NEW ISRAELI (NI) INFANTRY 15mm STARTER DEAL:

Pack contents: 2 packs SG15-Z06 Riflemen, 2 packs SG15-Z07 Riflemen,

1 pack SG15-Z08 SAW gunners, 1 pack SG15-Z09 Command, 1 pack SG15-Z10 Snipers and GMS, 1 pack SG15-Z12 support weapons, 1 pack SG15-Z11 Gauss MG teams, 1 pack SG15-Z14 Mortar teams, 1 pack SG15-Z13 Plasma Gun teams, 2 packs V15-78A Grav Bikes.

Total of 64 infantry, 6 teams of heavy weapons and crew, 4 grav bikes and riders.

Total value at individual list prices = £42.00 - special pack price just £36.00 inc. VAT (£30.00 ex-VAT for non-EU customers).

..................

"CRUSTIES" 15mm STARTER DEAL:

Pack contents: 2 packs SG15-X09 Crusties with rifles, 2 packs

SG15-X10 Crusties with rifles, 1 pack SG15-X11 Support Weapons, 1 pack SG15-X12 Mortar teams, 1 pack SG15-X13 Heavy Arc Gun teams, 2 packs SG15-X14 Heavy (armoured) infantry, 1 pack SG15-X15 Heavy infantry support, 2 packs V15-91A Crusty Combat Walkers.

Total of 40 light infantry, 18 heavy (armoured) infantry, 4 teams of heavy weapons and crew, 4 Combat Walkers.

Total value at individual list prices = £45.00 - special pack price 

Top Gun Tanks Are Back

You may have heard that these awesome tanks are back on the block. We here at Dropship Horizon thought that these beautiful rigs were worth showing off, but here's what their creator had to say about it...

I just wanted to let you know that our Topgun 15mm Grav Armor range is available for sale again.

All vehicles are available for sale individually, and the most popular ones are as well in discounted Platoon (4 vehicles) and Company Packs (12 – 16 vehicles).

We currently have 13 different vehicles for sale (26, if you consider both the models with the smooth hulls, and the ones with the circular surface detailing on them), and we plan to release others soon.

Type 7 Scout/Recon Grav Vehicle                                     

Type 8 AA Pt. Defense/Light Mortar Vehicle                           

Type 9 Light Grav Tank                                                     

Type 10 Medium Grav Tank Hunter – beam/cannon armed   

Type 11 Medium Grav Tank                                            

Type 12 Grav Tank Hunter – Missile Armed Vehicle - Available Soon

Type 13 Heavy Grav Tank – long, plasma cannon                

Type 13 MkII Hvy Grav Tank – short-barreled gun - New Model, Avail. Now

Type 14 Heavy Tank Hunter                                                  

Type 16 Urban Assault/Fire Support Vehicle - short, hvy wpn

Type 21 Grav APC                                                    

Type 22 Grav Infantry Fighting Vehicle                           

Type 23 Grav Ambulance/Ammo Carrier/HQ Vehicle      

Type 24 Heavy Grav Mortar Vehicle

As mentioned, we offer two hull/turret variants (as applicable), for all of the above vehicles – smooth hulled, and AADS models.

Those with the round surface detailing on their hulls are our AADS models, which is an acronym for the Active Armor Defense System Ó installed in them, providing maximum protection against all enemy anti-armor threats, while also offering a standoff offensive capability against many targets, especially enemy infantry.

Our smooth-hulled models have sleek, clean lines, as you can see in some of our photos.  The hulls and turrets of these are cast out of titanium, in the vacuum of space, so they have no panel lines, or seams to weaken their armored structures.  The rotomolded construction process is similar to that used by 20th and 21st Century plastic kayak manufacturers, on Earth, and developed centuries ago.  However, it is considerably stronger, since the molten titanium is then quickly cooled in the vacuum of space, and repeatedly reheated and cooled many times, until an almost impervious, titanium-crystalline structure is created, similar to how samurai swords were tempered.

For a MS Word catalog of our products, which provide photos of most of our vehicles, pricing info, suggested TO&Es for your Grav Armored units, etc., just send an e-mail inquiry to the following address:

topgungrav@yahoo.com

I will be happy to provide copies of our catalog, answer any questions people may have about our products, or to assist with processing orders.

Sincerely,

   Rob

Hammer's Slammer Boot Camp Event

Another lovely write-in for an event that sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

The first Hammer's Slammers Boot Camp will be held on Saturday 3 September in Dulwich, south London.  There, gamers will be able to meet the authors of the Hammer's Slammers: The Crucible rules and been guided through practice games using the South London Warlords' award-winning armies and terrain. Also Old Crow Models, Ground Zero Games & Pireme Publishing will be there with exclusive discounts on Hammer's Slammers products.

For further information and to book, head over to
http://www.wargamesfever.com/

Many thanks,
Andrew Hubback
Pireme Publishing

We Read You Loud And Clear

Hello all you DH fans!

First of all, let me extend my personal thanks to all of you for the support and well wishes you've shown the new crew and for Mark as he retires the Dropship to our unworthy hands.

In the interest of opening Dropship Horizon to the community at large and to better help the new crew keep the old bucket running to the best of her ability, I've added an email link to the side bard (graced by the lovely Ripley).The purpose of this contact link is to let you, the readers and fans, share your thoughts on the site. If you've got a comment, idea, even a submission or request, drop us a communication and we'll check it out.

I cannot guarantee that every email will be answered or that we can fulfill every request, but like many a popular letters column from the days of old, we'll do our best to give our readers a friendly and interested ear. Who knows, maybe you've had a great idea we haven't thought of. Perhaps you have some nifty news that we can help you share. Whatever it is, our lovely communications officer is standing by.

Take care all,

-Eli