Aotrs Shipyards is a webstore on Shapeways.com, a 3D print house which had production and shipping facilities located in the USA and the Netherlands.
This month, in the "actual" February release, we have the first two releases for the Xyriat Hegemony the carriers and fighters.
This time, we start with the big one – the CVH!
CVH01 Gostrodax Heavy Carrier
link
The Gostrodax Heavy Carrier is the primary fighter carrier for the Xyriat navy. While the Golulot Medium Carriers are more numerous, the majority of the fighter-craft (as opposed to drones) care carried aboard Gostrodaxes.
The Gostrodax, like the other modern Xyriat carriers has powerful engines and defences to allow it to keep up with the rest of the fleet and provided additional support. The Gostrodax is armed with numerous point-defence particle beam turrets, several light torpedo turrets and two tractor beam arrays. It can carry up to three squadrons of fighters.
However, this comes at a cost – the Gostrodax has no long-range weapons at all and must rely almost entirely on other vessels or its fighters to protect it from capital ships which would otherwise out-manoeuvre it and destroy it from a safe distance.
G/F03E Galdra Superiority Fighter
link
The Galdra is the Hegemonic Navy's staple interceptor. Unlike a lot of interceptors, the Galdra is not a small fighter, but it in fact only barely smaller than the Wravax Medium Fighter.
Like many Xyriat smallcraft, the Galdra uses twin GVD emission disks rather than a single central one. The position of the disks – sunk into the hull either side of the cockpit – give the impression of the air-intakes used by old combustion engine aircraft. This illusion is heightened as the Galdra is streamlining for atmospheric flight. (Indeed, one of the reasons for a dual emission disk system is the reduction of drag it atmospheric operations.)
Unlike the older Hyat Light Fighter, the Galdra utilises light torpedoes as its primary weapons, with only a couple of light particle beam cannons on the wingtips. The two tubes are mounted in the nose, and plentifully supplied with warheads. The Galdra uses the additional range that Xyriat technology affords to attack fighters for a safer difference.
The Galdra has solid shields and high manoeuvrability, making it a capable dogfighter.
W/F04E Wravax Medium Fighter
link
The Wravax Medium Fighter is a fairly standard middle-of-the-road multirole fighter. It is capable of engaging any targets, but is master at none. Despite the numerous upgrades over the years, the Wravax has had an unremarkable service history.
Better shielded, but slower and less agile than the Galdra, the Wravax carries four particle beam cannons in a double mount at the end of its wings. Like the Galdra, the Wravax boasts a dual-GVD emission disk system and is streamlining for atmospheric combat.
The Wravax carries a single light torpedo tube in the nose, typically outfitted with less, but more powerful warheads than the Galdra's two tubes, better optimised for attacking capital ships or heavier smallcraft.
V/F05D Vednir Heavy Fighter
link
Considerably bigger than the Galdra or Wravax, the Vednir Heavy Fighter is the largest fighter the Hegemonic Navy has produced. The Vednir pushes the boundary between "fighter" and "smallcraft" and it is only a technically a fighter in that it only has two crew.
The Vednir's primary role is anti-capital ship operations. This is centred around the capital-ship missile rack mounted on the vessel's rear. This is often split between anti-capital ship and point-defence missiles, provided the Vednir its own protection while it makes its attacks. It further carries three point-defence particle beam turrets for its own defence and close-in work. The Vednir's armaments are rounded off by a twin light torpedo tubes in the nose. These are typically equipped with heavier anti-ship warheads.
The Vednir is very well protected – its shields are twice as strong as the Galdra's and the same strength as the Vayox Antiship Drone – though it agility is only that of an average bomber.
Vednir squadrons are usually deployed as a group of six, rather than twelve, due to their size compared to the Xyriat's standard hangar bays.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Photo of the Gostrodax is of the Rep 2 prototype, the fighters are all in WSF!
Next month, we will see the second wave, including the Xyriat's Antiship Drones! After that, there will probably be a 144 release, and then hopefully a couple of odds and ends for both the Xyriat and Wodef. My aim for this year is to try and get one, if not two more elenthnar fleets out: the Xygritt Matriarchy and the Physstulons (a literal translation would be "the brother/sisterhood of Physs," and no, they don't find their name remotely funny!)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Accelerate & Attack: Aeons of War is also out now (a generic build-your-own ships system suitable for any set of models) is also now available of Wargames Vault here:
link
There is also a free Web Enhancement Pack; this contains the markers and the QR sheet the latter of which is an indicator of the level of the game if you want to have a quick nosey.
link
And, of course, I'm always happy to answer questions about it (though your best bet is to contact me through the Wargame Vault or Shapeways PM, since that PM system here isn't open to everyone and these days, putting your email address on a forum is a no-no!)
finishes his first squad of Chaos Space Marines.
