Quote: (The_Real_Chris @ 23 Jul. 2008, 08:37 )
There used to be a link to a green designed back in 1st ed days.
I think 'Stormbirds' themselves were a creation of the Horus Heresy novels, not sure they actually existed in the background before then, although there were other Space Marine landing craft.
As for appearance, there are various details that can be determined from the HH novels but no pictures so far:
- They are larger and more 'sleek' than Thunderhawks, but still described as 'fat bodied' and 'heavy-duty'. They have a more streamlined and conical nose compared to the blocky nose of the Thunderhawk.
- They are often described as looking somewhat similar to birds of prey, so judging by this I would have thought their wings are much larger in proportion rather than the relatively small wings on a Thunderhawk. The wings are described as folding inwards while landing as well.
- They have heavy engines mounted under the wings, along with racks of missiles.
- There are several different variants in service (the Luna Wolves, for example, use the 'Warhawk VI' pattern).
- They have 'underwing cannons', as well as cannons mounted underneath the cockpit, and 'rotary cannons in forward pintle mounts'.
- They are able to carry at least 50 marines, probably more given the fact they are substantially larger than the Thunderhawk.