So here it is, the namesake of this blog, Citadel's C22 Nippon Rocket Crew.  Why the Nippon Rocket Crew?  Well, in the late 80's/early 90's it was one of the first, if not the first, Warhammer Nippon blister packs I saw and purchased at a hobby store - so basically pure nostalgia.  These were not just any ordinary foot troops either, but a full-fledged war machine to boot, which was one of my main attractions to Games Workshop miniatures in the first place and one of the distinctive traits that made them different from rival 25mm/28mm miniature manufacturers of the time. In the December 1987 issue of White Dwarf number 96, Citadel put out this full-color ad for the C22 Nippon Rocket Crew designed by Aly Morrison and Mark Copplestone. Warhammer Fantasy Battle provided the rules for both the basic Skyrocket and the upgrade of Rocket Kamikazes.  With a potential range of up to 42", 2D6 Strength 5 hits for D4 damage at -2 save each, and speculative fire, the Skyro...

  The elusive Samurai on Temple Dog.  Here is my painted leader of the Nippon Mercenary Contingent with a pug-themed Temple Dog and Shirokiya banner. Here is the unassembled Samurai on Temple Dog in all metal components other than the plastic elf lance which is original to the model.  The temple dog was also available with a Dark Elf or Hobgoblin rider.  The Dark Elves, Hobgoblins, and Nippon shared a common eastern heritage in Warhammer Armies, 3rd edition as the Nippon Mercenary Contingent was only available as mercenaries to the Dark Elf army while the Hobgoblins shared both the Temple Dog and Rocket Launcher models with the Nippon army. The bestiary profile for the Temple Dog from Warhammer Armies, 3rd edition.  With an elemental-like 10 Strength on a charge, all magical attacks, and a 5 Weapon Skill, the Temple Dog is quite a mighty mount indeed.    The Temple Dog was available to the Samurai Lord Mercenary Commander from the Nippon Mercenary Cont...