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Suppose the Imperium discovers an STC that contains the design for a tank that is built to complement the Leman Russ models, like a Cruiser Tank to an Infantry Tank in WW2's Africa Campaign (Crusaders and Matildas).

What would you name the tank? (Would it be named after a historical figure like Land or a Primarch? Or will it be another mythical creature name?) What would the basic chassis look like? (Is it a big box, or a sloped wedge kinda thing?)

I would go with Rogal Dorn for the name of the tank, and make it into a low profile, static defender for fortified areas. Built for cityfighting or heavily fortified positions, it would snipe other tanks with a Vanquisher cannon, without being spotted like the "See me coming and start running" Russ.

 Arcsquad12 wrote:
I would go with Rogal Dorn for the name of the tank, and make it into a low profile, static defender for fortified areas. Built for cityfighting or heavily fortified positions, it would snipe other tanks with a Vanquisher cannon, without being spotted like the "See me coming and start running" Russ.

low profile defensive tank for sniping other tanks...


Plus, I reckon that'd be more of a Corax name- Dorn would be something big and proud with a hefty cannon, like a CRASSUS ARMOURED ASSAULT TRANSPORT or a super-heavy of some kind.

I don't think there's anything to complement a leman russ battle tank that no other leman russ variant can do- heavy infantry, executioner. Armour, vanquisher. Siege, eradicator. Light infantry, punisher.
Really, the only thing I can think of to complement the leman russ is a fast-moving, smaller vehicle, which would be covered by the hellhound or salamander.

 Arcsquad12 wrote:
Suppose the Imperium discovers an STC that contains the design for a tank that is built to complement the Leman Russ models, like a Cruiser Tank to an Infantry Tank in WW2's Africa Campaign (Crusaders and Matildas).

What would you name the tank? (Would it be named after a historical figure like Land or a Primarch? Or will it be another mythical creature name?) What would the basic chassis look like? (Is it a big box, or a sloped wedge kinda thing?)

I would go with Rogal Dorn for the name of the tank, and make it into a low profile, static defender for fortified areas. Built for cityfighting or heavily fortified positions, it would snipe other tanks with a Vanquisher cannon, without being spotted like the "See me coming and start running" Russ.

The "Rogal Dorn" you described would be a lot closer to a Stug IV or a Jagpanther. A Cruiser would do what a Chimera with a Autocannon would do, except the Chimera can carry troops.

Why a tank. Why not a Sabot Round STC...surprise they don't have "beehive" rounds in the game.....eerrrr sorry....105mm or 155mm flechette rounds

An IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) like a Bradely.

More armor and packs more firepower than a Chimera but allows the infantry to keep up with tanks.

So perhaps a fast assault tank would be better named after Jagathai Khan? If I stick with my British Cavalry doctrine, the Russ would fit as an Infantry Tank, while the new vehicle would be a Cruiser.

I don't want a troop complement. That's why there's the Chimera. But the Russ isn't exactly fast. A high speed tank with a strong gun to outflank enemy lines while the infantry pummel them up close would be more what I'm thinking.

Stryker be another good one. They do have a MG version that was effective in Afghanistan...

"HEY WE HAVE INSURGENTS IN THE MUDHOUSE!"
"Wait One"
............
"Spartan 3 this is 4. We talking the mudhouse on the right with the left window shutter busted?"
"4 this is 3. Good Copy. Want me to smoke for identification?"
"3 we be 4. No need. We're putting one through the door. Gunner has eyes on AK sticking out the right window."
BOOM
"2 we be 4. Did we have one go out the back?"
"Spartan 4 this is 2. Good shoot. One out the back was negative upright"

Wasn't the Russ based on what was essentially a heavy tractor?
I remember reading it was modified (Very well admittedly) for warfare rather than being purely designed for it, hence its absurd number of design flaws.

 purplefood wrote:
Wasn't the Russ based on what was essentially a heavy tractor?
I remember reading it was modified (Very well admittedly) for warfare rather than being purely designed for it, hence its absurd number of design flaws.

If the Russ was built out of the Land's traction engine discovery, that is both hilariously awesome and hilariously sad. "Hey man, we've got this all terrain combine." "STRAP MORE GUNS ON IT."

Imagine if it was a bunch of Southern boys strapping the weapons on it....Be gun racks on the hood.....and the fender....

 purplefood wrote:
Wasn't the Russ based on what was essentially a heavy tractor?
I remember reading it was modified (Very well admittedly) for warfare rather than being purely designed for it, hence its absurd number of design flaws.

Yeah, the hull (at least) originates from a Tractor STC.

 Jihadin wrote:
Why a tank. Why not a Sabot Round STC...surprise they don't have "beehive" rounds in the game.....eerrrr sorry....105mm or 155mm flechette rounds

Scaling from the Russ model with a guardsman as comparison gives the LRBT a bore of 500mm or so. That's a lotta grapeshot.

Work great against Orks and 'nids......be a living nightmare for DE

Amusingly, the LRBT's heavy bolters would have a 3 inch or so bore. Ow.

I'd like to read about a "tank" battle between Imperial armored elements and a mass of Tyranid monstrous creatures. It'd make for a very interesting read for this tank enthusiast.

The sniper tank/jagdpanther already exists in the form of the Destroyer, while the Stug comes in the form of the Thunderer variant.

I thought tne Ragnarok was the converted tractor. The Russ has always been a main battle tank. In the old days, the Predator was considered to be a direct equivalent for the Russ and you could get Guard Predator companies. The Predator also fits the bill for all of the performance criteria you are listing, and the Blood Angels even have a fast variant.

 Arcsquad12 wrote:
Plus, I reckon that'd be more of a Corax name- Dorn would be something big and proud with a hefty cannon, like a CRASSUS ARMOURED ASSAULT TRANSPORT or a super-heavy of some kind.

When you said "Dorn would be something big and proud with a hefty cannon' I thought of the Siege Tank from the Starcraft series, where the tank can change into a artillery vehicle. That would be a interesting HS choice to have for the Imperial Guard.

Wouldn't that be a Basilisk?

I'd think of something quicker and lighter armored, as you describe a 'Cruiser Tank' much like the ones in late WW2 and beyond.

I see something about the size of a Chimera with perhaps a slightly upgraded weapon compliment, tracks and enclosed with light armor...3 man compliment.

Weapon types would be something like TL Lascannon and a Hunter Killer, or a pair of Autocannons....something along those lines.

 Jihadin wrote:
Why a tank. Why not a Sabot Round STC...surprise they don't have "beehive" rounds in the game.....eerrrr sorry....105mm or 155mm flechette rounds

They do have Sabot rounds. What do you think Vanquishers shoot?

 Farseer Faenyin wrote:
I'd think of something quicker and lighter armored, as you describe a 'Cruiser Tank' much like the ones in late WW2 and beyond.

I see something about the size of a Chimera with perhaps a slightly upgraded weapon compliment, tracks and enclosed with light armor...3 man compliment.

Weapon types would be something like TL Lascannon and a Hunter Killer, or a pair of Autocannons....something along those lines.

So, a Predator then?

So a Predator, but something a bit more Imperial Guard looking.

The best compliment for a Leman Russ Battle Tank is a Vulture with TL Punisher Cannons. :p

Something based on the chimera hull with a battlecannon and an enlarged turret. However there is a real disconnect between the Russ in fluff (which behaves like a T-34) and the Russ in the game (which acts like a king tiger with a 150mm howitzer)

 EmilCrane wrote:
Something based on the chimera hull with a battlecannon and an enlarged turret. However there is a real disconnect between the Russ in fluff (which behaves like a T-34) and the Russ in the game (which acts like a king tiger with a 150mm howitzer)

Ha. That is an awesome comparision.



Question, why does ANYONE want a WW2 Cruiser tank? Those things were HORRIBLE, and I mean horrid and that is why no one used Cruiser tanks by the time D-Day occurred, much less afterwards.

To be fast you need to lose weight. You lose weight by getting rid of armor and weapons. This means you have a fragile tank that can not take a beating, can not do much damage, lacks range, for a tank that is "fast" which is a relative term sense you are not fast enough to dodge a shell.

 Flinty wrote:
The sniper tank/jagdpanther already exists in the form of the Destroyer, while the Stug comes in the form of the Thunderer variant.

I thought tne Ragnarok was the converted tractor. The Russ has always been a main battle tank. In the old days.

It's a reference to the original armoured fighting vehicles of WW1 which were generally based on continuous track tractor chassis*. That's where the whole 'tractor' thing comes from with the Russ.

*Such as the British Lanship prototype Little Willie, the French Schneider Char D Assault & Char D Assault St Chamond, the German A7V etc. All based on tractor chassis or, in the case of Little Willie, built by an agricultural machinery companies.

The best tank to compliment a LRBT is another 5 LRBT!!!