Aerodynamics

In the design of any new model or miniature, one of the key things designers have to come to grips with is keeping the "theme" of the army intact with continuity of design. That is, each new miniature must fit, style-wise, with the rest of the army.


Imperial vehicles are blocky and inelegant. Ork vehicles are downright brutish and ramshackle. Eldar and tau vehicles are both curvilinear and elegant, but with different elements that clearly distinguish them.  While some of the vehicles shown below can fly in space, they are all supposed to be able to fly in an atmosphere too.  Right.

But the one thing in common is that none of these "aircraft" are aerodynamic. Some are clearly more aerodynamic than others, but even the ones that "look" aerodynamic have some serious shortcomings. Take the Eldar Nightwing:

Yes, it has wings, and vertical and horizontal stabilizers, and jet intakes...  but take a look at the leading edge of the wings!  Not curved at all, which is essential for a wing.  The Nightwing might look nice, but it has all the aerodynamics of a brick.

This is what the cross section of a wing should look like.  Now it might be argued that it's too difficult to design wings like this for GW's plastic models.  Hogwash.  The technology is there.  Maybe it's too expensive, and would add cost to already expensive models.  Maybe I'll buy that...


I know...I need to get over it.