Citadel C22 Nippon Rocket Crew (aka Skyrocket and Rocket Kamikazes)

 

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 Skyrocket could hit targets from afar and inflict considerable carnage on a direct hit.  The base Skyrocket Launcher with 2 crew costed 50 points, but for another 25 points, the Skyrocket could be upgraded with a one-time use Rocket Kamikaze who could vastly improve the accuracy of Skyrocket within a 2D6 inches of corrected range.

Although not specifically noted anywhere, I have always thought that the extra Samurai with headband was the ideal Rocket Kamikaze with his own rocket ready to launch him into oblivion.  With only 2 crew needed to operate this "Portable" Engine of War, the C22 Nippon Rocket Crew miniatures included 2  extra crew.

The unassembled C22 Nippon Rocket Crew with 3-piece Skyrocket Launcher and 4 crew.

Here are two of my C22 Nippon Rocket Crew in their original Oriental Heroes blister packs at late 80s/early 90s prices!