Imperial jetbikes were sleek craft utilizing anti-grav technology, and were commonly used by the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade. After the Horus Heresy however, the ability to produce them was eventually lost and now only one Imperial jetbike is known to exist outside of the Adeptus Custodes.
Pre-Heresy
Imperial jetbikes were common among the Space Marine Legions during the Great Crusade and the Heresy, typically operated by Sky Hunter Squadrons.[4]
Post-Heresy
The last known version was the Mk14 'Bullock' jet-cycle, equipped with integrated auto-drive, and additionally, some were equipped with bio-scanners, energy-scanners, communicators, and auto-aim devices linked to the vehicle's weapons. Standard weapons were twin forward-firing bolters and could seat a single rider. The jet-cycle was capable of both flight and hover modes, and could be used in aerial-drop separation tactics (dropping out of drop ships before the ships land).[5]
Modern Imperium
The technology used in the production of military-grade jetbikes has been lost to the Imperium as of M41. The venerable Mk14 having been lost "many centuries ago", ending a tradition of jet-bike units stretching perhaps up to 9000 years. The only astartes jetbike known to survive into the 41st Millennium is Corvex, used by the Grand Master of the Ravenwing company of the Dark Angels chapter, currently Sammael.[2] Jetbikes and their technology are now distrusted by the imperium as being alien and inhuman, particularly in the examples of the Eldar and T'au. Sammael's jetbike was built to the highest standards, mounting a plasma cannon and twin-linked storm bolters. It is possible that some Second Founding chapters of the Dark Angels maintain other examples of jetbikes in their armouries or vaults.[2]
The Adeptus Custodes still operate Jetbike formations, notably the Vertus Praetors who ride atop Dawneagle Pattern Bikes.[6] Civilian grade jet-bikes are known to be present on highly developed worlds, likely for wealthy nobles and the elites.[1][12] Some Gangs of the Underhive are known to craft jurry-rigged jet-bikes by combining anti-grav tech with large turbines.[13]
Known Patterns
- Space Marine Legions
- Scimitar Jetbike - the main pattern used by the Legions during the Heresy-era[4]
- Shamshir Jetbike - a rare variant of the Scimitar, favored by the White Scars.[8b][8d]
- Sojutsu Pattern Voidbike - Used by Jaghatai Khan[8c]
- Hornet Pattern - Used by the White Scars during the Horus Heresy[9]
- Taiga Pattern - Used by the White Scars during the Horus Heresy[9]
- Bullock Pattern - Used by the White Scars during the Horus Heresy[9]
- Estoc Pattern Jetbike - Heresy-era[10]
- Scimitar Jetbike - the main pattern used by the Legions during the Heresy-era[4]
- Talons of the Emperor
- Gyrfalcon Pattern - Used in the Agamatus Jetbike Squadron - Heresy-era
- Dawneagle Pattern - Used by the Adeptus Custodes. Relic of the Great Crusade. More durable and can deliver near supersonic turn of speed[7]
- Erinyes Pattern - Used by the Silent Sisterhood[8a]
- Modern Era
- Air-Bikes - An unspecified pattern simply referred locally as "Air-Bikes" on the planet Gudrun, with several examples seen driven by civilians in the sky during a parade and celebrations. Gregor Eisenhorn and Midas Betancore were experienced in riding these flying bikes.[12]
- Escher Cutter - Used by House Escher on Necromunda
Images
Mk14 Bullock Jet-Cycle (1st Edition)
Sammael riding the Corvex (4th Edition)
A Scimitar Pattern Jetbike[4]
A Gyrfalcon Pattern Jetbike
A Dawneagle Pattern Jetbike
Custodian Guards on an unidentified jetbike pattern
Sources
- 1: Warhammer 40,000 Compendium, pg.111
- 2: Codex: Dark Angels (4th Edition), pg. 45
- 3: Brotherhood of the Storm page at Black Library (last accessed September 7, 2012)
- 4: SCIMITAR PATTERN SPACE MARINE LEGION JETBIKE at Forge World(site accessed 20/09/2012)
- 5: White Dwarf 96 (UK) (1987), pgs. 51-55 — Chapter Approved
- 6: Warhammer Community
- 7: Codex: Adeptus Custodes (8th Edition), pg. 41
- 8: The Horus Heresy Book Eight - Malevolence:
- 9: Saturnine (Novel), Part 1, Chapter 4
- 10: The Horus Heresy Book Nine - Crusade, pg. 195
- 11: White Dwarf 135 (UK), pg. 52
- 12: Xenos (Novel), pg. 110
- 13: Warhammer Community: Take a Spin on the Escher Cutter – A Lightning Fast Jetbike For When the Floor Really is Lava (Posted on 15/08/2022) (Last accessed on 21 August 2024)
