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Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut







One little quirk of early armored warfare was due to the cramped conditions, tanker crews ended up being shorter than the average line infantryman. To this point, part of me wonders: How come the Imperial Guard doesn't have Ratling armored regiments? Yes, they're an abhuman auxiliary force that specializes in sniping and stealing, but you would think their skill as sharpshooters would lend them to being natural gunners, while the space saved by their diminutive forms would mean you could cram more ammunition (or a spare kitchen) inside a Russ! Or maybe a meat locker inside the Hellhound for an impromptu tailgate!
   
Made in us
Consigned to the Grim Darkness





USA

Because they're filthy mutants who don't deserve to be gifted with such powerful blessed instruments of the Emperor's wrath.

The people in the past who convinced themselves to do unspeakable things were no less human than you or I. They made their decisions; the only thing that prevents history from repeating itself is making different ones.
-- Adam Serwer
My blog
 
   
Made in gr
Longtime Dakkanaut




Halandri

Giving command of a tank to abhuman *cough*mutant*cough scum with a far too loose interpretation of 'personal property' is exactly how genestealers end up in control of the Emperor's Finest Battletractors!

Also, having larger crew members adds bulk to the tank, acting as an internal support, preventing damage to Emperor's Precious Machine; consider which is easier to squash; a rationcan full of Emperor Approved Nutrient or a delepleted rationcan (that has no doubt provided a thoroughly satisfying and delicious meal to a hard working guardsman).

A Hellhound full of burly, towering Catachans is a rationcan full of Emperor Approved Nutrient (perhaps literally when mentioned the aforementioned tyrannid menace)!

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2017/07/15 13:34:14


 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran





It's true that individuals of smaller stature have regularly been selected to crew machines, whether it was tanks, aircraft or submarines. But those were people, not mutant scum! As stated earlier, to have the Emperor's finest battle companies outfitted with vermin is heresy! Perhaps they could serve as mechanics in a similar way as a mek's grot since they can get into tight spaces more easily. If so they could ride on the outside of the tank like any other spare part.
   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut







Abhumans are a stable genetic variation

It does make for an amusing conversion project. I like the idea of a few 'commandeered' vehicles being modded for off-duty use, from field kitchen Hellhounds to even the odd Sentinel carrying a giant meal tray ("Thou shalt not mount a giant tray on a Sentinel Powerlifter and use it to serve hor'deurves." Some Imperial Commanders turn a blind eye to this practice).
   
Made in nl
Pragmatic Primus Commanding Cult Forces






 MagicJuggler wrote:
Abhumans are a stable genetic variation

It does make for an amusing conversion project. I like the idea of a few 'commandeered' vehicles being modded for off-duty use, from field kitchen Hellhounds to even the odd Sentinel carrying a giant meal tray ("Thou shalt not mount a giant tray on a Sentinel Powerlifter and use it to serve hor'deurves." Some Imperial Commanders turn a blind eye to this practice).

Imperial commanders maybe, but Imperial commissars? No way.
Altough fluff should never stop one from making such a hilarious conversion of course.

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Made in ca
Commander of the Mysterious 2nd Legion





I now have this sudden imagine of an imperial answer to the grot tank

Opinions are not facts please don't confuse the two 
   
Made in fi
Confessor Of Sins




Ratlings have sharp eyes and good coordination, but they do lack strength and toughness. A stat of 2 is very very bad. They'd be too weak to do some of the heavier field repairs, like replacing a blown thread or maybe even unable to restock the tank's ammo storage. And when the tank is shaken by enemy fire they'd suffer injuries at an unacceptably high rate compared to regular human crew, dragging down the efficiency of the unit.
   
 
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