The order was simple: your planes are ours. The Navy wasn't happy with it but the order came from Terra itself. The Imperium was very keen to keep Snakefish in the fold and anything the AF(R) wanted, and could prove it needed, it got. 12 Thunderbolt planes along with crew and pilots, spares and support equipment were delivered to an airfield set up on the steppes under Biakal and Van Xur's complete, exclusive control.
Often they were sent to patrol enemy territory, attacking targets of opportunity just for the baddness of it, while other times they directly supported operations.
this is an epic scale resin model... and close up with my awesome camera it looks rough as hell. but from a distance i think it looks ok. iv not put any squadron markings on yet, and i have an identical one still to paint.