Medusa (Siege Tank)
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This article is about the Imperial Tank; for the other uses, see Medusa (disambiguation). |
The Medusa Siege Tank is an aging Imperial Guard siege platform used when attacking the thick walls of an enemy-held city or fortress. Built on the Chimera chassis, the Medusa suffers from a number of disadvantages compared to other artillery pieces like the Basilisk or Griffon, but its immense firepower ensures its continued use in the siege warfare depressingly common to the 41st Millennium.[1]
Contents
Overview
The centerpiece of the siege tank is its Medusa Siege Gun which, unlike other artillery cannons, fires its heavy shells directly into the enemy's fortifications. It does this for days on end, from well-protected positions, until the constant barrage has created a large enough breach for friendly forces to assault through and secure a bridgehead.[1][2a] Beyond this limited role however the Medusa is less of a success. The gun itself is short-ranged compared to the weapons on Basilisks, Manticores, and even Bombards, limiting its use in a conventional artillery role. The Medusa also suffers from ammunition issues as it can only carry eighteen heavy shells; while not a problem during a siege with stable lines of resupply, this limits its endurance when operating in the field. It is viable as an urban assault gun, leveling enemy buildings with a single shot in support of infantry assaults, but such close-range fighting leaves the Medusa's exposed crew too vulnerable to enemy fire compared to the thick armour protecting Demolishers and Thunderers. For this reason many armoured regiments will have at most a battery of Medusas kept in reserve for use only when breaching a wall or assaulting a bunker line, as most commanders will avoid deploying them directly on the frontline if possible.[1]
During the Great Crusade and Horus Heresy, the Medusa was used by Space Marine Legion siege units.[3]
Forge World Variations
- Gryphonne IV - standard pattern
- Armageddon - Hades pattern - fully enclosed fighting compartment
- Vanaheim - Vanaheim pattern - distinctive gunshield
Technical Specifications
In addition to its Medusa Siege Gun the Medusa is also armed wit a hull-mounted weapon, either a Heavy Bolter or Heavy Flamer. Other standard equipment includes a Searchlight and Smoke Launchers. Common upgrades to the design include an Armoured Crew Compartment, Camo Netting, Dozer Blade, Extra Armour, a Hunter-Killer Missile and/or pintle-mounted Storm Bolter or Heavy Stubber.[2b]
| Vehicle Name: | Medusa Siege Gun[1] | Main Armament: | Medusa Siege Gun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forge World of Origin: | Gryphonne IV | Secondary Armament: | Heavy Bolter |
| Known Patterns: | II-XIII | Traverse: | 3° |
| Crew: | Commander, Gunner, Driver, 2 Loaders | Elevation: | From +0° to +40° |
| Powerplant: | Vulcanor 16 Twin Coupled Multi-Burn | Main Ammunition: | 18 rounds |
| Weight: | 38 tonnes | Secondary Ammunition: | 300 rounds |
| Length: | 5.29m | ||
| Width: | 3.78m | Armour | |
| Height: | 3.72m | ||
| Ground Clearance: | 0.45m | Superstructure: | 100mm |
| Fording Depth: | {{{Fording Depth}}} | Hull: | 150mm |
| Max Speed - on road | 50kph | Gun Mantlet | 60mm |
| Max Speed - off road: | 35kph | Vehicle Designation: | 0427-941-3021-BA112 |
| Transport Capacity: | None | Firing Ports: | n/a |
| Access Points: | n/a | Turret: | N/A |
Regiments known to contain Medusa Siege Tanks
- Cadian 13th Armoured Regiment - Cadian garrison forces
- Cadian 122nd Shock Troops Regiment - Siege of Vogen City
- Krieg 28th Armoured Regiment - Galan V Expedition Force
- Palladius 2nd Armoured Regiment
- Tallarn 101st Armoured Regiment - Vanaheim pattern
- Valhallan 8th Armoured Regiment - Sallan's World Crusade
Images
- Models
Armageddon pattern Medusa
Vanaheim pattern Medusa
Horus Heresy-era Medusa
Solar Auxilia Medusa (Forge World)
Solar Auxilia Medusa (plastic)[5]
Epic-scale Solar Auxilia Medusa[6]
Sources
- 1: Imperial Armour Volume One - Imperial Guard and Imperial Navy, pgs. 165-166
- 2: Codex: Imperial Guard (5th Edition):
- 3: The Horus Heresy Book One, pg. 220
- 4: Imperial Armour Volume One (Second Edition), pg. 160
- 5: Warhammer Community : Heresy Thursday – Artillery of the Solar Auxilia (22/02/24)
- 6: Warhammer Webstore : Legions Imperialis: Medusa and Basilisk Batteries (saved archive)
