Project: Manta

Manta escorted by two Remoras

On September 4th in 2006 Forge World sent out their newsletter introducing the biggest model ever made by Games Workshop:

The Tau Manta





Since it has beed released I was impressed by this huge flier. I accepted that I would never own it because it was (and still is) so expensive.
A few years later Forge World released Aeronautica Imperialis and with it a smaller version of the Manta, so I thought it's OK to buy that one to meet my demands. For whatever reason I have never bought it though...

Now,years later, around April last year to be accurate, I have chatted with a good friend of mine about usual Warhammer 40k stuff. Eventually our topic hit the Tau Empire and somehow we ended up talking about the Manta and that I really need it a nonserious manner. 

I ended up making a Manta-Money-Savings-Pot and put 30€ in it to send a picture of it to my friend.

Yes, that's an old hookah tobacco box!

We both had a good laugh about it, but then it was settled. We both agreed that I have to keep this going to get a Manta.
And I did. Everytime I had some spare money or got money gifts, etc. I put i aside and in my box. Since I have used an old hookah tobacco box all my bills smell like lemons now!

OK, now that you have read this far you are probably asking yourself: "Why the hell is he writing this?!"
Well, that is easy. Since I have started this project a lot friends in my gaming club got inspired and were also saving for a bigger kit they always wanted. From large models, like a Reaver Titan, to smaller ones like a Fire Raptor.
If you want something, seve save your money. If you won't regret spending your money on a Warhammer kit, why not? Maybe one of you got inspired and is also starting! Hereby it isn't important what amount you want to reach, but buying a model with money you have saved for a long time gives you a good feeling and you appreciate it much more.

I will put another 10€ in my box now!

Have you ever saved for a "Big Kit"? Share your story with us in the comments below!


In conclusion the description from Forge World:

The Manta is by far the largest model that Games Workshop has ever produced, and by a long way too! The Manta measures 630mm/25 inches long and has a wingspan of 860mm/34 inches! Weighing in at 12.5 kilos/28 pounds, it weighs six times as much as a Thunderhawk Gunship, and that is before we put all the tanks and Battlesuits inside.
The Manta has been designed to have a fully working and detailed interior and has two decks: the upper deck is where you will find forty-eight seated resin Fire Warriors and six Gun Drones, overseen by a seated Tau Ethereal. They exit through doors that retract into the walls and then down to the landing zone via the hidden extendable ramp. On the lower deck are eight Tau Battlesuits, two Devilfish troop carriers and two Hammerhead battle-tanks. This whole deck drops down so the vehicles and Battlesuits can disembark and deploy rapidly. Further forward, towards the nose, four Air-Caste systems operators and two pilots control the prodigious amount of firepower that the Manta can bring to bear on the enemy: sixteen Long-Barrelled Burst Cannon, six Long-Barrelled Ion Cannon, two Heavy Rail Guns, Missile Pods and battery of Seeker Missiles as well as a Networked Markerlight turret. The kit includes two Devilfish, two Hammerheads, eight Battlesuits and six Gun Drones.