Destroyer (Tank Hunter)
From Lexicanum
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The Destroyer (Tank Hunter) is a relic among Imperial Guard forces. This is due to the highly advanced, and subsequently complicated, weapon it mounts, the Laser Destroyer. It is based on the Leman Russ Battle Tank chassis but lacks the normal turret and replaces the defensive hull weapon with the main Laser Destroyer.
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History
The Destroyer was once a common vehicle. Now, however, the knowledge and understanding required to produce the complex Laser Destroyer has been forgotten or lost and only a few Forge Worlds have the expertise to produce them. As a result, each weapon must be hand crafted, as this is a long, painstaking process, demand vastly outstrips supply.
In the 41st Millennium
The Laser Destroyer is most effective against enemy armour and as such is usually held at the rear battle lines where it is used as a form of sniper tank, as the Laser Destroyer has a very long range. The Destroyer, due to its old design, uses the Mars Alpha pattern hull modified by removing the turret ring and replacing it with the main crew hatch and both forward and rear maintenance access hatches. Also, the vehicle gun sight is mounted on the front and is accessible by both the commander and gunner. The gun itself is mounted left of centre and has a limited traverse mount, reducing its efficiency but complimenting its stability, this perfectly suits the sniper-tank role. It still retains the same engine, transmission and drive train as the standard Mars Alpha pattern.
Only occasionally are enough vehicles gathered to form their own company, but when they are, they are often placed with specialised tank hunting formations. Each vehicle is guarded and repaired when needed. The loss of a Destroyer means that it is unlikely the force will receive another one in its lifetime and wrecks are often salvaged. The gun is subsequently replaced, often with a Demolisher Cannon, Battle Cannon or sometimes a Vanquisher Cannon. Most of the time Destroyers are relegated to rearguard duties or kept back in ambush positions rather than taking part in actual assaults.
Regiments known to contain Destroyers
- 8th Pardus Armoured Regiment
- 8th Valhallan Armoured Regiment
- 46th Palladius Armoured Regiment
- 9th Dniepr Tank Corps
- 13th Valstadt Armoured Regiment - Karsundi river crossing on Lammas
- 142nd Cadian Armoured Regiment - defence of Cadia
- 5th Deneb Armoured Regiment
Armament and Upgrades
The Destroyer is armed only with a Laser Destroyer. It may also be upgraded with Camo Netting, Extra Armour, a Hunter-killer Missile, Improved Comms, a Mine Sweeper, a pintle-mounted Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter, a Rough Terrain Modification, a Searchlight, Track Guards and Smoke Launchers.
| Vehicle Name: | Destroyer Tank Hunter | Main Armament: | Laser Destroyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Mars, Stygies VIII, Triplex Phall, Tolkhan, Estaban VIII, Lucius, M'khand, Voss | Secondary Armament: | None |
| Known Patterns: | I-IX | Traverse: | 5 degrees |
| Crew: | Commander, Gunner, Driver | Elevation: | From -3 to +12 degrees |
| Powerplant: | MR230 V12 multi-fuel | Main Ammunition: | 20 shots from power pack |
| Weight: | 52 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | N/A |
| Length: | 7.08m | Armour | |
| Width: | 4.86m | ||
| Height: | 3.4m | Superstructure: | 200mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.45m | Hull: | 150mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 50kph | Gun Mantlet | 150mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 36kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-941-1877-LR0297 |
| Tranport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | Turret: | N/A |
Sources
| Leman Russ Chassis | Leman Russ Battle Tank • Leman Russ Demolisher • Leman Russ Annihilator • Leman Russ Conqueror • Leman Russ Exterminator • Leman Russ Executioner • Leman Russ Punisher • Leman Russ Vanquisher • Destroyer Tank Hunter • Thunderer • Bombard • Atlas |
|---|---|
| Chimera Chassis | Chimera • Hellhound • Basilisk • Griffon • Medusa Siege Tank • Salamander Command • Salamander Scout • Hydra Flak Tank • Manticore • Trojan |
| Other | Sentinel • Cyclops • Siegfried • Bruennhilde• Centaur |
| Super Heavy Tanks | Baneblade • Stormblade • Shadowsword • Stormsword • Stormhammer • Gorgon Armoured Assault Transport |
