Medusa (Siege Tank)
From Lexicanum
The Medusa (Siege Gun) is an old Imperial Guard vehicle brought in when a fortress or city needs to be destroyed.
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In the 41st Millennium
The Medusa is considered an aging relic of Imperial warfare as it lacks both the range of other artillery (Basilisk, Manticore, Bombard) and the armoured protection of other siege vehicles (Demolisher, Thunderer). Medusas are no longer a common sight on the battlefield of the 41st millennium and are generally only deployed when a fortress wall needs breaching to allow an assault or as a linebreaker when Demolishers are not available. Most commanders prefer not to deploy them to the front lines.
Other roles for the Medusa have been tried but to no avail. The short range of the gun prevents it from being a proper piece of artillery and its open crew platform leaves the loader and gunner dangerously exposed for deployment on direct assaults. Also it has ammo-capacity issues, only being able to carry 18 rounds of ammunition before needing to resupply, which isn't a problem during a siege but in a field battle it can't stay engaged for long. Also it is designed to fire directly at walls rather than over them, like the Griffon.
Forge World Variations
- Gryphonne IV - standard pattern
- Armageddon - Hades pattern - fully enclosed fighting compartment
- Vanaheim - Vanaheim pattern - distinctive gunshield
Regiments known to contain Medusa Siege Tanks
- 13th Cadian Armoured Regiment - Cadian garrison forces
- 2nd Palladius Armoured Regiment
- 101st Tallarn Armoured Regiment - Vanaheim pattern
- 8th Valhallan Armoured Regiment - Sallan's World Crusade
- 28th Krieg Armoured Regiment - Galan V Expedition Force
- 122nd Cadian Shock Troops Regiment - siege of Vogen City
Armament and Upgrades
The Medusa is armed with a Medusa Siege Gun and a hull-mounted Heavy Bolter. It is often also seen firing Siege shells. It may also be upgraded with an Armoured Crew Compartment, 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. It often also fires Siege Shells.
| Technical Specifications | |||
| Vehicle Name: | Medusa Siege Gun | Main Armament: | Medusa Siege Gun |
| Forge World of Origin: | Gryphonne IV | Secondary Armament: | Heavy Bolter |
| Known Patterns: | II-XIII | Traverse: | 3 degrees |
| Crew: | Commander, Gunner, Driver, 2 Loaders | Elevation: | From 0 to +40 degrees |
| Powerplant: | Vulcanor 16 twin coupled multi-burn | Main Ammunition: | 18 rounds |
| Weight: | 38 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 300 rounds |
| Length: | 5.29m | Armour | Armour |
| Width: | 3.78m | Turret: | N/A |
| Height: | 3.72m | Superstructure: | 100mm |
| Ground Clearance: | 0.45m | Hull: | 150mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 50kph | Gun Mantlet | Gun Shield 60mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 35kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-941-3021-BA112 |
| Tranport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | ||
Sources
| Imperial Guard Vehicles | |
| Leman Russ Chassis | Leman Russ Battle Tank • Leman Russ Demolisher • Leman Russ Conqueror • Leman Russ Exterminator • Leman Russ Executioner • 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 • Centaur |
| Super Heavy Tanks | Baneblade • Stormblade • Shadowsword • Stormsword • Stormhammer • Gorgon Armoured Assault Transport |
