Space marine vehicle numbering

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**Whiteshadow**

I'm just a bit confused on how space marine vehicles assigned to a battle company get numbered. Ive got Imperial fists and am going for complete codex compliance. My rhinos which are permanent within the company have their numbers, rhino 1, rhino 2 and so on but I'm not sure about vehicles from the armoury.
I currently have 2 predators, a whirlwind and a vindicator so would these be numbered 1 - 4 or would it be predator 1, predator 2, whirlwind 1 and then vindicator 1? Also where would dreadnoughts come into this, would they be numbered in the company or out of all in the chapter? I have looked through a few codecies and the internet but cant seem to find any solid info about it.

Any help or input would be appreciated.

**Scott-S6**

Vehicles from the armory could have any numbers, you won't always get a group with contiguous numbers.

Dreads can be either way, not sure about IF specifically.

**Racerguy180**

Scott-S6 wrote:
Vehicles from the armory could have any numbers, you won't always get a group with contiguous numbers.

Dreads can be either way, not sure about IF specifically.

yeah, at any given time the motorpool would have whichever vehicle (dred etc) available. could be down for ritual of appeasement, damage repair, etc.

I have a specific dred with #1, since he was my first one.

a specific rhino might be freshly promoted to your company and not had time to update the #.

**CREEEEEEEEED**

I've seen it done as each squad has a squad vehicle. E.g. 4th squad of the 2nd company has a rhino. On the rhino is something denoting that it is second company (the yellow circle with a II in the case of the ultramarine transfer sheet) and then a 4 to show which squad it belongs to.
Most vehicles outside transports, and some transports, can be found in the armoury motor pool. However there's nothing stopping you putting the 2nd company symbol on your predator and saying it's a permanent part of the second company.

When it comes to dreads I believe they are company specific, as the hero interred in a dreadnought fights with the same company he fought with in life.

**Tygre**

The Insignium Astartes indicates that all vehicles have the roundel of the company they are attached too. It also says "Separate tanks Squadrons or Brigades may be distinguished by numbers or names painted onto the hulls and turrets of the tanks. Vehicles acting as transports will show tactical and squad markings."

So I would share numbers if they were the from the same squadron, otherwise no shared numbers. So no Whirlwind 1 and Predator 1.

But that's my opinion. Use whatever makes sense in your head-canon. Most people won't notice.

**pelicaniforce**

That's right. Armory vehicles get a roundel, and sometimes trim, in the color of the company they're assigned to. It's one of my favorite things.

**Flinty**

It just struck me as odd that marines need any vehicle markings. The IFF signals from the vehicle should interface directly with their autosenses without the need for lowly paint.

**Nevelon**

Flinty wrote:
It just struck me as odd that marines need any vehicle markings. The IFF signals from the vehicle should interface directly with their autosenses without the need for lowly paint.

Remember, Space Marines are feudal knights in space, where heraldry is a big thing. Also, not honoring equipment with the proper markings can draw the ire of the machine spirit and cause problems.

Makes sense in a modern context? Nope. In 40k’s twisted superstitious grimdark world? Yup.

**CREEEEEEEEED**

Nevelon wrote:

Makes sense in a modern context? Nope.

Then why do we still number vehicles?

**Nevelon**

CREEEEEEEEED wrote:
Nevelon wrote:

Makes sense in a modern context? Nope.

Then why do we still number vehicles?

Because not everyone is running around with HUD displays in their helmets?

Also, most modern militaries are big on tradition as well. Not 40k levels of big, but some.

(OK, I might not have thought things through all the way

)

**Scott-S6**

Flinty wrote:
It just struck me as odd that marines need any vehicle markings. The IFF signals from the vehicle should interface directly with their autosenses without the need for lowly paint.

How do you pick out the one that's needing an oil change from the line in the motor pool when they're all sitting there powered off?

**Insectum7**

The vehicle probably has it's own name. "Fist of Dorn" is thirsty today, brother. Top up the sacred oils of lubrication.

**Flinty**

Scott-S6 wrote:
Flinty wrote:
It just struck me as odd that marines need any vehicle markings. The IFF signals from the vehicle should interface directly with their autosenses without the need for lowly paint.

How do you pick out the one that's needing an oil change from the line in the motor pool when they're all sitting there powered off?

Because the scary cyber cherub also synch with the IFF on its return and can tell you where it's parked