Warlord Games expand their options for those diving into Blood Red Skies with some brand new pre-orders available for the Regia Aeronautica. A new expansion pack is on the way alongside a bunch of Ace Pilots from World War II.

Regia Aeronautica Expansion Pack // Blood Red Skies

This set features all of the cards that you'll need for playing games of Blood Red Skies as the Italians. You get fifteen Trait Cards, seven Theatre Cards, six Doctrine Cards and three New Equipment Cards. This allows you to use different aircraft like the Fiat Cr.42 Falco, Fiat G.50 Freccia, Reggiane Re.2001 Falco II, Macchi C.205 Veltro, Breda Ba.65 and Fiat Br.20 Cicogna.

The set features the neat artwork that you've come to expect from Blood Red Skies which gives it that authentic World War II look and feel.

New Italian Squadrons

As well as the new expansion pack which comes with a bunch of cards for Blood Red Skies, you can also buy a selection of Squadrons which you are going to be able to bring to the tabletop soon.

Macchi C.200 Saetta Squadron // Blood Red Skies

For example, you can roll with the Macchi C.200 Saetta, one of the hardest-working fighters of the lot. They were considered a big step forward for the Italians and their airforce but production problems led to them not being as numerous as they would have liked!

There are a further two Squadrons for you to pick from when it comes to the Italians. You could also choose the Reggiane Re 2002 Ariete!

Reggiane Re 2002 Ariete Squadron // Blood Red Skies

This particular plane was a darn good fighter bomber during the Sicily landings. These planes were flown by both the Italian Co-Belligerent Air Force for the Allies and they were also used by the Germans. Unfortunately, much like with the first plane, production issues meant that there weren't many in service.

The last of the planes for us to look at come as part of the SM 79 Sparviero Squadron.

SM 79 Sparviero Squadron // Blood Red Skies

Fast and reliable, these were well-armed and could be used in a variety of different roles. They could be bombers, transports, reconnaissance aircraft or even torpedo bombers if the need arose. A fair few of them were made and because of their adaptability, they were very handy to the Italians.

Italian Ace Pilots

As well as the regular Squadrons, this is also your chance to get your hands on some new Ace Pilots for telling some tall tales of heroism during World War II. Leading the way is Leonardo Ferrulli.

Italian Ace Pilot - Leonardo Ferrulli // Blood Red Skies

Ferrulli flew everything from biplanes to monoplanes, fought during the Spanish Civil War and scored his first victory there when he shot down a Republican bomber. During World War II, he fought in North Africa, Yugoslavia and above Malta. He was eventually taken down by Spitfire escorts but not before he took down a B-17 Flying Fortress and a P-38 Lightning.

You could also take to the skies as Giuseppe Cenni.

Italian Ace Pilot - Giuseppe Cenni // Blood Red Skies

Another pilot who fought during the Spanish Civil War and then during World War II trained to fly the Ju-87 Stuka! He had great success and also took to flying the Re.2002 Fighter-Bombers as well. He was another unfortunate fellow who died leading his men against the Allied attack on Sicily just five days before the armistice announcement.

Last but not least we have Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia.

Italian Ace Pilot - Carlo Emanuele Buscaglia // Blood Red Skies

Buscaglia flew his first combat mission in 1940 and then quickly joined the Reparto Speciale Aerosiluranti (Special Torpedo-Bomber Detachment). He was promoted in 1942 for his successful skills in the air but was unfortunately shot down shortly after. He survived and was taken prisoner and after the armistice was called, he joined the Allies’ Co-belligerent Air Force. He then, unfortunately, lost his life when attempting to fly an aircraft he was unfamiliar with.

Maybe you can change the fates of these particular individuals and see if they fare better under your command when you dive into Blood Red Skies.

Drop your thoughts below on playing as the Italians!