[For the musical cue for this article, play this in the background: https://youtu.be/Jv1ZN8c4_Gs]

So Bummer Bowl 7 is approaching, which for those who don’t know is my gaming circle’s annual miniature gaming tournament where the loser of each round advances, and the overall loser of the event wins the highly-non-coveted Bummer Belt–which is covered in the plastic spoons that were used as prizes in the early days of the Bummer Bowl (the original was fished out of a trash bin for that express purpose).

This year, like last year, we’ve selected Aeronautica Imperialis as our game of choice for the Bummer Bowl event (we’ve also done Warmachine/Hordes and Blood Bowl in the past). It’s a fun system with goofy and really swing-y luck-based results that none of us play enough to be particularly great at. While last year I ran my Genestealer Cult-infected Imperial Navy force, this year I’ve been working on an Ork Air Waaagh. And I’ve gotten a bunch of models all painted up for the event!

It’s the same color scheme as my Ork force, and I’m really pleased with it. Above are (L-R) a Dakkajet, a Fighta-Bommer, and a Grot Bommer (plus two little autonomous gretchin-piloted grot bombs that move around the board as markers).

This set above (L-R) is two more Dakkajets, plus the the big beastie, the Mega Bommer. It’s such an absurd thing, I simply loved the model. It’s like a bumblebee: that stubby lumpy thing should not be able to fly.

For the event, the squadron will have no upgrades whatsoever (most of those pretty bombs and missiles will remain in the launch bays). I’m really looking forward to it, as it was a lot of fun to paint them up, and I really do enjoy the randomness of the game and the way it plays. We use the optional rules for damage type, where planes can be trailing smoke or lit on fire–or spin around in a sudden tailspin–and they’re a complete blast for making the game extra silly and random.

Painting Challenge 2022 Progress

Warhammer 40k Orks Power Level Painted: 94

Aeronautica Imperialis Orks Air Waaagh Points Painted: 197

• Aeronautica Imperialis