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 Agent_Tremolo wrote:
Pity this thread is about a new class of tank as I seriously think the Russ deserves a facelift. Rhino-based vehicles and Land Raiders got it. Meanwhile, IG players are stuck with the same old kit since the 1990s, with just a couple extra guns and a few cosmetic addons.

For a new tank, there's nothing limiting you. Redesigning the Russ, however, is a touchy issue. I for one believe the sponsons and rhomboidal tracks must stay, these are the "signature" visual traits of the Leman Russ... but what else? Longer body? Bigger turret? Wider tracks?

Agreed. The Russ just needs a facelift. It's quite ridiculous as is, but it's also a bit of a classic. I'd keep the rhomboid tracks and sponsons, but widen the tracks, give it more ground clearance (please let's not have the side armor scrape the ground!), widen the turret, reduce the barrel width, etc. Essentially keep the basic layout but reduce the some of the impractical silliness.

Im going to compare my Russ redesign, the Vangaurd, to yours.


I designed it to be more feasible then the current LRBT design. dropping the rhomboid tracks for more compact design which shortened the vehciles siloete overall. its turret is enlarged and elongated to the point you can imagine squishing in 3 people (the guardsmen models) into it with a commander at the far back, gunner on the left and loader on the right (or vice versa), both of which have their own hatchs on the sides of the turret.
The Driver sits infront of the engine with a massive plate of metal infront of him.

That and the gun is much much smaller and more like the 120mm the LR is supposed to have (not 200 or 300mm).

It has the lascannon in the right side of the hull. Bolter sponsons could be attached alongside heavy skirt armor if needed.

I think my version. THe Vanguard is more practical due to having some mechanical knowledge of tanks put into it. it may be just as fictional as the Russ itself but I like my Vangaurds design.

Note: the picture of the vanguard is an early unpainted version. upon request ill go retrieve my other Vangaurd pictures (or you can look through my gallery)


Compared to yours its like comparing a Panther or Panzer 4 to an M3 Lee. in terms of physical design anyways (not performance, that's another story).

Perhaps yours could have a Demolisher cannon in the lower sponson while having the Battle Cannon in the turret.
Sort of a "Baby Baneblade" only missing its heavy sponsons.