<lb:paragraph_body>[b]Heavy Armour On The Horizon
<lb:description>As Alan mentioned in the last issue of the newsletter, we are putting the finishing touches to a range of Death Korps Leman Russ tanks. Today, we can take a much closer look at two of these forthcoming models.
The venerable Leman Russ is used by the Imperial Guard in many variants, some forge world patterns subtly different, others dramatically so.
The armoured forces fielded by the Death Korps of Krieg do use the Phaeton pattern Leman Russ, as seen in service with many Imperial Guard regiments, but usually only after modification. Have a look for yourself here. The new components here are mostly the result of work by Daren Parrwood, with additional work by Simon Egan and Will Hayes. The most obvious differences are towards the rear of the tank, with two large trench rails extending out the back. These help the massive vehicle cross trenches and ditches without falling in. The rear deck of the modified Phaeton pattern Leman Russ is covered with filters, air-scrubbers and a new exhaust system, all designed to help the engine keep running in the foul atmospheres that the Death Korps commonly fight in. On the main turret there is a new cupola, the Krieg eschewing the more commonly fitted storm bolter in favour of a pintle mounted heavy stubber with its longer range. A particular favourite of mine is the rather nice new Death Korps tank commander which can be assembled either operating the heavy stubber or using a pair of binoculars. Further forward on the tank there is a new hull mount with either a heavy bolter as shown or lascannon. One thing I really like is that you can assemble the hull mounted gun with varying degrees of elevation. It makes the model that little bit more `real` and believable to me.
</lb:description>[i]<lb:description>Another Leman Russ variant commonly deployed by the Death Korps of Krieg uses a modified Mars Alpha pattern hull as seen <strong title="http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/dkkmalr.htm">here[/b]. Daren used the designs of Tony Cottrell`s original Mars Alpha Leman Russ hull and Ryza pattern turret as the basis for this new tank. Utilising the same trench rails as above to aid in negotiating difficult terrain, the same filters and air-scrubbers, the Mars Alpha hull does allow more space inside the fighting compartment which the modified Krieg design could well use to store more ammunition. A new, lower profile hull mount for either a lascannon, or heavy bolter, both included in the kit, is to be found on the front glacis and it is actually easily interchangeable between games. The modified Ryza pattern turret mounts the battle cannon, with more filters and air-scrubbers much in evidence. The same really nice new tank commander sits up in the turret cupola to finish off this great model.
Like I said a little earlier, these are just two of quite a few Death Korps of Krieg Leman Russ tanks and add-on packs. Expect to see them on pre-order in the next few weeks.</lb:description>[/i] <lb:description></lb:description></lb:paragraph_body>