Warlord Games are now taking pre-orders for three new Ace Pilots for their World War II aerial combat game, Blood Red Skies. Alongside them, you'll also be able to get three new Squadrons covering the Italians, Japanese and British.

Italian Ace Pilot - Furio Niclot Doglio // Blood Red Skies

The fabulously named Furio Niclot Doglio flew during the Battle Of Britain before being transferred to North Africa where he gained his first victory before moving on to fight over Malta. He was renowned for his daring flying and head-on attacks that helped him claim six Spitfires. He eventually met his match when he was taken down in 1942 by Canadian Ace, George Beurling.

As you'll have noted above, Doglio flew in the Macchi C.202 Folgore and so you're also able to get a Squadron of them to match this Italian Ace.

Macchi C.202 Folgore Squadron // Blood Red Skies

These planes became one of the best dogfighters available to the Italian Regia Aeronautica. They were flown in various theatres of war like the Mediterranean, North Africa and also on the Eastern Front.

A Blood Red Skies Japanese Ace

If you want to move your fighting to the Pacific then you can also pick up the Japanese Ace called Yukiyoshi Wakamatsu.

Japanese Ace Pilot - Yukiyoshi Wakamatsu // Blood Red Skies

Wakamatsu first served in China and was reasonably unremarkable as a pilot until he was able to take down two Curtiss P-40 Warhawks and later, eleven more Allied aircraft. He was made a Chutaicho and was known as an inspirational leader as well as an ace. He met his end in December 1944 but his final tally ended up being eighteen victories with half of them being the USAAF P-51 Mustangs.

Much like with the Italians, you can pick up planes matching the one Wakamatsu flew with the Nakajima Ki-84 'Frank' Squadron.

Nakajima Ki-84 'Frank' Squadron // Blood Red Skies

These were the fastest fighter aircraft available to the Japanese and they could easily keep pace with the Allies. They were armed with cannon and machine guns and proved to me quite the workhorse amongst the Japanese airforce. A solid option for someone looking to build up their collection.

A Blood Red Skies British Ace!

Last but not least, we have a British Ace for you to use in your games with John Baldwin.

British Ace Pilot - John Baldwin // Blood Red Skies

Baldwin first served as ground crew and then bomb disposal but then volunteered for air crew in 1941. He flew the Hawker Typhoon and managed to bag three planes for his tally in just one encounter. He eventually ended up commanding his own squadron and survived the end of World War II. He was then drawn into the Korean War and was listed as missing in action in 1952.

One thing that I'm noticing about the Aces that we see from Warlord Games for Blood Red Skies is that so many of them were daring and brave, masterful pilots, but tended to burn bright and fast. Not many of them got to see out their careers and retire from conflict back home. It certainly goes to show the ferocity and the deadliness of air combat and how even some of the best pilots could be scuppered by bad luck.

If you like John Baldwin's plane then you'll be happy to know you can get a full Squadron of the Hawker Typhoon.

Hawker Typhoon Squadron // Blood Red Skies

These planes were rushed into service and had critical flaws in their systems until they were finally tweaked after a series of deaths. Don't let that dissuade you from using these though as it soon became a very handy fighter bomber with a quad 20mm cannon and underwing bombs or rockets. Warlord have made this set so that you can arm them with either bombs or rockets when you're building them.

Some more amazing miniatures for Blood Red Skies I think you'll agree!