3rd Salopian Airborne Rangers - Part 2

First up on the list of things to do is to work out what I want and more importantly, what I need. As this is going to be a more themed list than my usual lists I may not always be selecting the most competitive of choices but I'm sure you'll forgive me, right?

Now my idea of flak armour has always been that it is a cloth based armour - the second edition wargear book lists is as "different layers of ablative and impact absorbent materials" which always gave me the impression that it was a cloth like material similiar to kevlar. The Cadian models however have "large rigid plates" of "ceramite molded to fit parts of the body" which is the description of carapace armour from the same book. Although I've removed the shoulder pads from the models I've left the chest piece and intend to claim that this is carapace armour over flak armour fatigues (no in game effect though).

Now the very first selection we need to make is the HQ, a Company Command Squad is the ideal option, lots of special weapons, the option to take advisers, the ability to issue orders, and completely expendable, er i mean "leads from the front".

We'll take one, max out on the special weapons with 4 melta guns and take an astropath for the reserve/ outflank bonuses. This unit comes in at 120 points.

Next up we need troops. When your troops are T3 5+sv models you're going to need a lot of troops, but we also need to balance this with our limited transport options.

We'll start by taking 5 squads of veterans, each has (the almost obligatary) 3 melta guns, and nothing else. 100 points each, brings the total to 620 points

Next we need the actual airborne part of the list. We currently have 6 squads so we'll take 6 Vendettas (and lose all our friends no doubt) in 3 squadrons of 2. Upgrading the Vendetta to carry 2 heavy bolters for 10 points is a steal and adds much needed anti-infantry fire to the list. Coming in at 140 points each, 6 takes the total to 1460 points

290 points to spend to shore up our weaknesses. The one major weakness I see is long range anti-vehicle fire, only 3 units can fire past 12 inches and they aren't all that survivable. We need some autocannons - enter the hydra, now we are 10 points short of taking 2 squadrons of two of these so we'll go back to the company command squad and remove 2 meltaguns and replace them with 2 flamers for some moping up capability against any dismounted infantry.

Now while the Hydra doesn't seem to fit with the rest of the list it can be represented as a light armoured vehicle with anti-air capabilities (and I already have a conversion in mind ;-))

Our list therefore is

Company Command Squad (110)
- 2x Melta gun, 2x Flamer, Astropath

Veteran Squad (100)
- 3x Melta gun

Veteran Squad (100)
- 3x Melta gun

Veteran Squad (100)
- 3x Melta gun

Veteran Squad (100)
- 3x Melta gun

Veteran Squad (100)
- 3x Melta gun

Vendetta Squadron (280)
- 2x Vendetta with Heavy Bolters

Vendetta Squadron (280)
- 2x Vendetta with Heavy Bolters

Vendetta Squadron (280)
- 2x Vendetta with Heavy Bolters

Hydra Squadron (150)
- 2x Hydra

Hydra Squadron (150)
- 2x Hydra

I'll start playtesting it soon and it may receive a few tweaks before its finished.

Comments and Criticism is welcome as always