Leman Russ Vanquisher

The Leman Russ Vanquisher is a variant of the Imperial Guard's primary main battle tank, the Leman Russ. The Leman Russ is named after the Primarch of the Space Wolves Space Marines Chapter, Leman Russ, and is one of the most common armoured vehicles used by the Imperium of Man. The Leman Russ Vanquisher variant differs from the standard pattern Leman Russ in that its main weapon is a Vanquisher Cannon, as opposed to the Battle Cannon. The Leman Russ Vanquisher is a much rarer and more advanced variant of the standard Leman Russ, the long barreled Vanquisher Cannon mounted on the Leman Russ Vanquisher is capable of firing powerful anti-tank shells. In addition, there is a Storm Bolter that is mounted co-axially to the main cannon.

History
The Leman Russ Vanquisher is becoming increasingly rare due to the actions of the Ork Warlord Arrgard the Defiler, who scoured the Forge World of Tigrus in the 35th Millennium, destroying the Standard Template Construct (STC) blue-prints for constructing the Vanquisher Cannon in the process. Since that loss, efforts have been made to reproduce more Vanquisher Cannons on other Forge Worlds, with mixed success. The Forge Worlds of Trebor I, Gryphonne IV and Stygies VIII have enjoyed the most success, and are now capable of producing Vanquisher Cannons in limited quantities. Other Forge Worlds continue their efforts, though it is a slow and complex process. Of all the Imperial Forge Worlds only Trebor I caters exclusively to the needs of Cadia. One of the most sought-after creations from Trebor I is its version of the Vanquisher Cannon which is known as the Heavy Vanquisher Cannon, and is the most powerful of all the Vanquisher Cannon variants. During the Dark Age of Technology, the two independent interstellar empires of Terra and Mars co-existed, to the mutual benefit of both. Trebor I was colonized from survivors of both Terra and Mars after their starships were lost during a Warp Storm. This forced both groups to combine their knowledge and build the most advanced of of all the Forge Worlds. Lost for centuries, Trebor I was re-discovered for the Imperium by Commissar Yarrick during the Second War for Armageddon. As a result, Trebor I has sworn its allegiance only to Commissar Yarrick and to Cadia.

Vanqusiher Cannon Variants
The three planets' versions of the Vanquisher Cannon are not exact copies of the original pattern. Instead, each possesses slightly different qualities. The Gryphonne IV cannons are longer than the Stygies VIII equivalents, producing remarkable shell velocity to penetrate armour plate. Stygies VIII cannons are shorter, and utilise a smaller calibre shell with no barrel rifling. However, the Stygies VIII cannons have superior recoil absorption, allowing for superior accuracy with follow up shots. The Trebor I Heavy Vanquisher Cannons are the longest of all three, and can easily be identified by it's longer and thicker barrel with a heavy-gauge suppressor/velocity compensator that resembles the tip of a Hellhammer Cannon. The thicker barrel along with the heavy-gauge compensators allows for a range that is 25% farther than either of the other two types, with amazing pin point accuracy. This power and accuracy has brought many a Titans and Stompas to meet their demise with little effort as a result of this Heavy Vanquisher Cannon's power. The remarkable penetrative power of the Leman Russ Vanquisher means it is a highly desired tool for Imperial Commanders. Not even a Titan is safe from their mighty cannons. This fact has not escaped the Imperium’s enemies amongst the Forces of Chaos and the more intelligent Ork hordes, who tend to make Vanquishers priority targets for capture.

Armament
The Leman Russ Vanquisher's main weapon, the Vanquisher Cannon, is a longer and more powerful version of the Battle Cannon used on the baseline Leman Russ, the weapon's firepower allows the tank to penetrate even the thickest of enemy armour. The Leman Russ Vanquisher is also one of only two Leman Russ tank variants that has a co-axial weapon mounted on the tank's turret, the other is the Leman Russ Conqueror. The co-axial weapon is usually a Storm Bolter, but some Imperial Guard Regiments have also used a Heavy Stubber. The Leman Russ Vanquisher, like all Leman Russ variants, can be equipped with two sponson mounts, one on each side. The most common configuration for the sponson-mount is 2 Heavy Bolters or 2 Heavy Flamers. Leman Russ tanks that are a part of an unusually well-equipped armoured regiment sometimes have 2 Multi-Meltas or 2 Plasma Cannons as their sponson weapons. The tank can also be equipped with camouflage netting, extra armour plating, a Hunter-Killer Missile Launcher, improved communications equipment, a mine sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber or Storm Bolter, track guards, a searchlight, rough terrain modifications, a dozer blade, and smoke launchers.

Notable Users of the Leman Russ Vanquisher

 * Imperial Guard - The Leman Russ Vanquisher is used by the Imperial Guard as a powerful anti-armour tank, but with the lost of the STC blue-prints used to construct Vanquisher Cannons the Leman Russ Vanquisher is becoming a rare sight amongst Imperial Guard Regiments that are operating in less important sectors.
 * Planetary Defence Forces - The Leman Russ Vanquisher is used by several Planetary Defence Forces stationed on important, well-equipped Imperial worlds, such as Cadia.
 * The Lost and the Damned - The Lost and the Damned is the name collectively given to the multitude of beings that have turned to Chaos over the millennia, the vast majority of whom are the ordinary mortals who fight for Chaos. They are not a single coherent force, but rather a diverse and infinite collection of war-bands and hosts under the leadership of Chaos Champions. These forces take their weapons and vehicles with them, and as many of them were former members of the Imperial Guard or Planetary Defence Forces, they make use of an unknown number of Leman Russ Vanquisher tanks.
 * 3rd Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Fought during the defence of Balle Alpha
 * 2nd Cthonian Armoured Regiment - Fought during the defence of Veridian Prime
 * 193rd Valhallan Armoured Regiment - Fought during the defence of Canaan's World
 * 142nd Cadian Armoured Regiment - Fought in the defence of Cadia during the 13th Black Crusade
 * 7th Death Korps of Krieg Tank Regiment - Fought during the Siege of Vraks
 * 17th Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Fought against the Tau in the Taros Campaign
 * 6th Magdellan Armoured Regiment - Fought the recapturing of the city Tsaragrad from enemy forces
 * 256th Varolian Regiment "The Ironsides" - Fought in the harsh fire deserts of Ferrum-Primus
 * 7th Mortant Regiment "Headhunters" - Took part in the Sacking of Colonia
 * 8th Valhallan Armoured Regiment - Took part in the Sallan's World Campaign
 * Vraksian Tratior Militia - The Vraksian Traitor Militia fought against Imperial Forces during the Siege of Vraks
 * 262nd Imperial Guard Siege Regiment - Fought against traitor forces during the Siege of Vraks
 * Tyrant's Legion - The Tyrant's Legion fought against loyalist forces during the Badab War
 * 6th Cadian Armoured Regiment - Fought in the defence of Betalis III against the Eldar of Craftworld Mymeara
 * 28th Valhallan Armoured Regiment
 * 76th Death Korps of Krieg Armoured Regiment
 * 61st Death Korps of Krieg Armoured Regiment
 * 16th Mortant Armoured Regiment
 * Teutonian Armoured Regiments
 * 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment

Also See

 * Vehicles of the Imperial Guard
 * Leman Russ Tank

Gallery
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