Monday, December 31, 2012

Imperial Guard - Vanquisher Squadron Command Tank

Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! Hope that 2012 was a good one, and 2013 will be just as good, if not better!

I've been doing a mess of painting recently and felt it was time to reward myself with some build time. Still on the guard kick, it was only natural that I add another tank to the collection, which could only mean one thing - another Vanquisher, hands down my favorite Leman Russ variant. The intent is to have a trio eventually, and with one built and painted so far it was time to make the command tank for the squadron.


Naturally that calls for a model to represent Knight Commander Pask. BS4 with the Crack Shot rule on my beloved Vanquisher cannon? Yes please!


My version of Pask was built from a mix of bits from the Leman Russ tank commander, and the Cadian command squad sprues. I'm a big fan of banners and flags, so why not have him waving an unfeasibly large flag from the command cupola? If anything, there will be no confusion about which tank is Pask's!


I spent a little bit of time magnetizing the side sponsons so I can run the tank with or without them (points permitting). Fairly simple, a bit of sprue cut to fit with a hole drilled to accept the magnet, and a matching magnet on the inside of the track housing. Of course, my first try had the sprues flush with the inside of the sponsons, which meant it interfered with the detail and gribblies on the sides of the tank. I ended up having to knock the sprues loose and push them back into the sponsons slightly so they would sit flush with the tank. Lesson learned: Measure twice, cut once, screw it up anyway and have to re-do it. :)

I hope you all have a safe and happy New Year! My plan is to have a nice glass of scotch and be asleep by about 9:00pm. I'm an animal, I know. Hah!

at

14 comments:

  1. Col. DracusDecember 31, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    Looks good! I like Vanquishers but I have only ever run them as Company Command Tanks for the Armored Battlegroup so they can take the Co-ax Heavy Stubber. They seem a bit expensive for the 1 shot in a normal list.

    Great looking tank though and Pask is always awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Da Masta CheefDecember 31, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    "...screw it up anyway and have to re-do it."

    Uhh....you left out the liberal use of profanity part...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mordian7thDecember 31, 2012 at 2:28 PM

    @Col. Dracus: With the new 6th ed blast template rules only requiring the template to touch a vehicle to do full damage I'm inclined to agree that the 'vanilla' russ is a more cost effective, multi-role tank. On the other hand there's nothing quite like blowing through a land raider lengthwise in turn one (assuming I can hit). Hard to argue with an average penetration of 15!

    @Da Masta Cheef: Hah! There was quite a bit of swearing involved, I'll admit!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Col. DracusDecember 31, 2012 at 2:48 PM

    The Vanquisher Cannon does not shoot a blast though, it is a Heavy 1 shot that gets +2d6 to armor pen. so even with Pask you only hit 2/3 of the time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mordian7thDecember 31, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    Indeed - That's what I meant. With the blast template of a vanilla leman russ being able to hit at full strength with any part of the template, it is a more cost effective heavy support choice than the Vanquisher's point target. On the other hand, when the Vanquisher hits, the baddies certainly know they've been shot! :)

    ...There's also the possibility of taking snap shots with the vanquisher cannon. I have a fond desire to shoot down a flyer with one someday. Hah!

    ReplyDelete
  6. DaiDecember 31, 2012 at 4:52 PM

    great looking piece.
    the flag being held is just frosting on an otherwise lovely model. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Col. DracusDecember 31, 2012 at 4:54 PM

    Taking out a flyer with a vanquisher would be pretty awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lead LegionDecember 31, 2012 at 9:01 PM

    Thats one fine looking conversion there Mordian. Can't wait to see it painted up. In the meantime, good luck with tomorrows game (you mentioned it on DFG).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Col. AcklandJanuary 1, 2013 at 5:34 AM

    That's an cool looking Pask, hmm must steal that idea some day. and a vanquisher shooting down a flying just screams OMG lets to it!! (even if we lose the game trying)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Colonel WinterborneJanuary 1, 2013 at 10:28 AM

    A flyer you say? My macharius vanquisher has managed that feat before! Chaos talon didn't k kw what hit it! Looks great, big fan of the banner

    ReplyDelete
  11. agemmanjwJanuary 1, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    That is awesome!!!
    Also, I'm totally going to steal that Pask conversion. So simple and obvious. You, sir, are a GENIUS!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Colonel ScipioJanuary 2, 2013 at 12:57 AM

    That's a cracking model, my dear sir. I think the flag-waving lunatic is a very nice touch. Looking forward to seeing him painted.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mordian7thJanuary 2, 2013 at 5:51 AM

    Thanks very much everyone!

    Didn't get a chance to try snap shots vs flyers with it in the game yesterday, but soon... :)

    Hope you all had a great New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. juggerJanuary 2, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    63 tonnes of hurt!! Great job as always.

    ReplyDelete