New Centurion Title

[Son of Carnelian]

Thanks to Forge World, we now have all of these lovely titles that a centurion can hold based on their combat specialty. Moritat, Primus Medicae, Vigilator, etc. But what would we call a ranking flight officer (and/or the best pilot in the legion)? 

 

We know that in the 31st Millennium, the Space Marines fly all of their own vehicles. So if you have a squadron of Thunderhawks, who coordinates them during the drop? Who rallies the Storm Eagles over a fire zone? And what would his title be? I don't know if this position exists in the background. I have thought of Wing Master and Flight Captain, but those both seem too plain for a decorated servant of the Imperium. 

 

Thanks in advance for any responses. 

[Atia]

 

 

We know that in the 31st Millennium, the Space Marines fly all of their own vehicles.

This is not true afaik. F.e. Night Lords have human flyer crews too

[BrotherCaptainArkhan]

I'd imagine it would vary between Legions. I do like Wing Master, would suit any of the more esoteric Legions (RG, NL etc).

 

There's also more than a slight likelihood that the title would not be the 'main' one the bearer held - I seem to remember in both First Heretic and the Night Lords Omnibus that the pilots were always characters who held other ranks in combat too (referring to First Claw in the latter instance during the Heresy and the first battle on Tsagualsa - not referring to Septimus).

[Mechanicus Tech-Support]

Wing Commander perhaps?

[TheCelticRaven]

Master of the Decent?

[IronDrake28]

Master of the Decent?

Thank god he's not Master of the Indecent... *Ahem*

[Son of Carnelian]

Are there any Romanesque terms we can throw in there? Google translate isn't coming up with anything cool.

[Brother Aiwass]

Praefectus Alae would be the latin for Wing Commander, however, the title of Praefectus was a very high rank in the ancient Rome. In fact the Praefectus Praetorius was the highest rank (supreme commander) of the Pretorian Guard (equivalent to an HH Praetor if you ask me).

As you ask for a Consul title (who is in rank below a Praetor) I will suggest Decurion (Decurions were commanders of cavalry wings called turmae but not as high ranked as a Praefectus -in fact, in origins, the Decurions were a rank like Sergeant, as they were in charge of a unit of 10 men called Decuria; later they were in charge of a cavalry unit called turmae (30 riders) and even later units of 120 riders).

 

Cavalry is not the same as an Air Force and you could use it for bikers aswell but can be a rough equivalent and if you ask me, Decurion is a nice title.

 

If you want to go to the Navy route, you can also use Dux which was the title of the supreme magistrate of the maritime republics of Venice and Geneva. 

 

Other one you can use is Ypatus or Hypatus, which also mean Consul. Hope it helps.

[Son of Carnelian]

Those are actually all awesome and super helpful. Thank you, brother!

[Brother Aiwass]

My pleasure mate, always happy to help

[Soldier of Dorn]

I think Master of the Descent is a good title, seeing as it has precedent in fluff as one of Alvarex Maun's titles. Wing Commander is definitely a good one too though.

[Reyner]

The Dark Angels terminator is a Decurion in book 6 isn't he?

[IronDrake28]

The squad leader of Fulmentarus is a Decurion too :(

[Brother Aiwass]

I think Master of the Descent is a good title, seeing as it has precedent in fluff as one of Alvarex Maun's titles. Wing Commander is definitely a good one too though.

The Dark Angels terminator is a Decurion in book 6 isn't he?

The squad leader of Fulmentarus is a Decurion too

But that doesn't stop you to create your own (i.e. Decurion Alae) Centurion title. Still meaning Wing Commander, but if you have some reticence to use it (is not like GW/FW don't use the same name for different things like Phobos Land Raider, Phobos pattern Bolter, Anvilus autocannon, Anvilus dreadclaw, etc.) you can go the other route: Dux Alae or Hypatus Alae :P