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It's pretty clear the Leman Russ is based on British WW1 tanks, just with a turret, and the Rhino is based on Little Willie, but what about the Baneblade? It's one of the least realistic 40k tanks, but it must be based on something. It has the sponsons of British WW1 tanks, the hull guns of inter-war and early WW2 tanks.
The hull of the tank seems to be similar to an usually tall modern tank.


The Baneblade and Hellhammer turret look a bit like a Panzer 4 turret without the indentions. I can't find anything closer.


And then what I'm not sure about is what the tank (titan) destroyer/siege varients are based on. They look most like an ISU-152 IMO, but the "turret" part is at the back like an Elefant or SU-76. I'd like to say it is based on a Jagdtiger, but it doesn't have the "turret" corners cut off like a Baneblade does.
Here are some likely contenders: a SU-76, SU-85, ISU-152, Elefant, Jagdpanther, and Jagdtiger in order.







Thoughts?

Iracundus wrote:
The Baneblade's inspiration is more likely the WW2 Maus tank, except the Baneblade is a bit longer, more than twice as wide, and taller. The Baneblade clocks in at 315 tons while the Maus was 185. Their speeds were comparable with the Baneblade at 18-25kph while the Maus is 18-20kph.

I think you're right. Even the oversize coaxial gun is similar to a Baneblade's autocannon. But doing some more research (clicking another Wikipedia link), I think the Ratte is the better inspiration.
https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Stormhammer?file=Stormhammer1.jpg