The Thunderhawk Gunship was developed during the later stages of the Great Crusade, designed for versatile operations in both atmospheric and void space. Combining the roles of an orbital troop lander, heavy gunship, and medium bomber, it proved to be a highly successful addition to the fleets of the Legiones Astartes. The Thunderhawk’s heavy weaponry scours landing zones before deploying Space Marine infantry onto the battlefield, making it an iconic symbol of Astartes air power.
This multipart resin kit builds one Legion Thunderhawk Gunship, an iconic aircraft known for its versatility and firepower. The Thunderhawk’s detailed fuselage and wings feature intakes, exhausts, retrothrusters, and air brakes, along with a cockpit that reveals two Space Marine pilots.
Certain components, such as the front transport ramp, air brake, and attack wings with mounted heavy bolters, can be assembled without glue, allowing you to adjust their positioning or showcase the gunship’s detailed internals.
The Thunderhawk is armed with four heavy bolters, two lascannons, six wing-mounted hellstrike missiles, and a dorsal Thunderhawk cannon, providing formidable firepower. This model has no Legion markings, giving Warhammer hobbyists the freedom to paint it in their chosen colors.
To fully utilize this model in games of Warhammer: The Horus Heresy, you will need a copy of the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness Rulebook, along with either the Liber Astartes: Loyalist Legiones Astartes Army Book or the Liber Hereticus: Traitor Legiones Astartes Army Book.
The model is also fully usable in Warhammer 40k.
Legion Thunderhawk Gunship Box Contents
- x112 resin components that make one Legion Thunderhawk Gunship model.
The History of the Legion Thunderhawk Gunship
In the vast armory of Space Marine Chapters, few vehicles become legends. Among icons like the Rhino and Land Raider, the Thunderhawk Gunship stands tall, a versatile marvel that dominates both air and ground combat.
Birth of a Legend
The Thunderhawk Gunship’s story begins over 10,000 years ago, in the twilight of the Great Crusade. As Space Marine Legions spread across the galaxy, there was a need for a lighter, more agile replacement for the massive Stormbird. Enter the Thunderhawk—a sleek, powerful craft designed to transport troops and unleash devastating firepower.
At first, its lighter construction drew skepticism. But this doubt quickly turned to awe when the Thunderhawk’s Turbo-laser Destructor showed its might. By the 41st Millennium, it had become the backbone of Space Marine air support, evolving through various metal and resin designs until, in 2021, the long-awaited plastic version arrived.
Ruling the Skies
The Thunderhawk’s dominance wasn’t just confined to the lore. In the game Aeronautica Imperialis, it quickly became a favorite, known for its ability to both take and dish out serious damage. And in Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Legions Imperialis, it continued to prove its worth, its turbo-laser making a significant impact on 31st Millennium battlefields.
Real-World Evolution
The real-world history of the Thunderhawk is just as fascinating. It first appeared as a diminutive dropship for Epic Space Marine, but it wasn’t until 1995 that its iconic shape truly emerged. Initially thought too large for Warhammer 40,000, a series of metal Thunderhawks debuted at Games Days in the mid-’90s.
In 1997, a full metal Thunderhawk was released to the public. This beast, weighing over 10kg and packaged in a luxurious wooden box, was a challenge even for seasoned hobbyists. Despite this, the 500-unit run quickly sold out. Forge World responded with a refined resin version, complete with rules for Warhammer 40,000, making the Thunderhawk more accessible to fans.
A Modern Classic
In 2017, the classic resin model was replaced with a new sleeker design, available on the Forge World webstore. The Thunderhawk’s influence is evident in other Space Marine vehicles, such as the Stormraven and Fire Raptor, which feature its distinctive, robust design.
From its humble beginnings to its current legendary status, the Thunderhawk Gunship has captivated hobbyists and gamers alike, cementing its place as a true icon of the Warhammer universe.
Every Version of the Legion Thunderhawk Gunship
