Leman Russ - The Executioner of Gryphonne

It was 1995 I believe. Almost twenty very long years ago. I had been in the hobby for a year or so. And White Dwarf 187 came out. With the biggest and baddest Tank Battle report the hobby had ever seen. Leman Russ Demolisher was released in this issue. It was simply the most badd-ass beast out there, but since I had just invested in to some Death Wing terminators I could not afford one.

The world has changed a lot since. The Hobby has grown into unimaginable heights. Games Workshop is a real company with capability to release stunning and endless stream of great miniatures. Games of 187 size are commonplace. I've grown up and realized many of my own dreams. Big and small.

This nostalgic prelude reminds me that I should write a listing of my top 10Hobby moments someday sooner than later. Epic White Dwarfs, most memorable tournaments, painting contests, or grand ideas. But today I wanted to briefly talk about the magic of those early days, the core crazyness of Warhammer 40000 that has not changed through the years and end with a picture of a Leman Russ.

A Leman Russ is still fundamentally the same design and even kit than twenty impossibly long years ago. It still doesn't look like it would work, the proportions are off, the tracks too weedy and the turret too small and the updated areas only make the original surfaces look even more original. Apart from the Eldar jetbikes perhaps, not much has survived unchanged from those days.

Deep within the streams of creativity and impulse to build and paint this particular Army is a very distinct 2nd edition flavor and dream to push the project to that magical place of childhood wonder and Blanchian purity of intent. So far it's been working. I have not had so much fun creating miniatures for an Army before. Nor have I ever been pleased with anything I've built and painted on such a lasting level. This is painfully emphasized by the utter lack of free time in my life these days. The investment into this little pocket of time and imagination is to say I don't do two or three other things I also really like.

So within this context. What does it mean to build units of Armor? Machines made of steel and ancient technologies. Forged in forgotten times in distant lands.

• each one is a "character" be it heroic or humble and ubiquitous 
• apart from how materials wear, realistic isn't the goal
• bright and graphic insignia
• lit by the twin moons of Rhisienne
• the guard tanks are a "squad" and the marine vehicles another one. 

Meet Colonel Vicer, and the Executioner. One of only three functional Executioner pattern Russes in the Rhisienne sector. The pride of Dead Sun division. Rhisienne PDF.

 

Post Scriptum:

I fumbled into an area of the blogger interface that keeps track of traffic and amount of followers. Guys, Thank you! I had no idea there were so many of you have not given up on this, despite having produced shit all 2013. Your support is a big inspiration.

Post Scriptum 2:

I found this very thorough and loving review of the said White Dwarf 187 from Dakkadakka! Youngster, check it out for how lucky you are with today's White Dwarfs and the terrific work Jes Bickham is doing. Oldsters, enjoy!