Leman Russ Battle Tank versions

[Heimdall Skullcrusher]

There seems to be the current version of the battle tank sold by GW and a slightly older version you can find other places. Can anyone tell me about any differences? Is one better or worse than the other? Thanks.

[SerEightBall]

If I'm not mistaken, they only sold two variants before the current kit: The Battle Cannon (all plastic) and the Demolisher (plastic chassis and metal turret).

 

The new kits are the battle tank that has the parts to make the classic battle cannon, eradicator, exterminator, and vanquisher variants. The seconds kit has the parts to make the demolisher, punisher, and executioner variants. Along with the hull and sponson options.

 

And it all depends on the list you build on which is better, and what you want it to do.

 

I hope that answers your question. I'm guessing some of the stores have some of the old boxes left in stock that they're trying to sell off. Maybe you can get a discount!

[Heimdall Skullcrusher]

Yeah, I'm a sucker for magnetizing every single weapon option on a tank so its probably better for me to spend the extra couple dollars on the new kit than buying the old one. Thanks

[SerEightBall]

I'll be honest I haven't bought the new Leman Russ kits either, but I do envy. The chimera and hellhound got the same treatment and I'm happy with the chimera I bought. Here's hoping we get a medusa/colossus/griffon/hydra kit or two with our new codex. Magnets are truly a gift from the Omnissiah, GW finally caught up with kits that let us use them.

[clanfield]

on the new kits the tracks are diferant the side hatch's(small ones ) are moulded on and the turret and hatch are diferant the turret is flater and the turret ring is moulded onto the turret ,that being said the turret ring hatch assembly has changed before from the old over lay type from the first russ kit .

 

also you now get enough sponson weapons/nose gun to equip how you like rather than the old limited numbers from the old kit

[WarriorFish]

The new kit is vastly superior. Easier to do the tracks, lots more weapon options and you can easily swap the sponson and hull weaponry out. It's pretty easy to magnetise the turret weapons too.

 

I still prefer some of the aesthetics of the original though, the offset engine on the rear looks better I reckon and you can do more with the additional space for gubbins and the like.

[FashaTheDog]

I've wondered about the new kits, can you easily do double wide tracks like the old one?  Below is a Demolisher and a Russ without sponsons that show what I mean about double wide tracks.

 

http://s22.postimg.org/wxmn3n8k1/Tanks.jpg

[clanfield]

you can but it would need some bracing inside the tack sections and maybe plastic card strips under the tracks them selves

[FashaTheDog]

So unlike the old kit, I can't double the wheels and tracks for a real simple conversion.  Good to know I will need to do a modicum more of work.

[WarriorFish]

The tracks are more slot fit, like Marine vehicles. I never got the appeal of double tracks, they take up enough space as it is!

[FashaTheDog]

The single track makes me think that mischievous Marines could go Leman Russ tipping in the middle of the night.  Actually, the extra width gives me the impression that it can better handle over mud, much like how the Tiger I E's wider treads allowed it to handle better in muddy conditions as it's greater weight was better distributed than the Sherman's was as the M4 actually had greater pressure per square inch despite being a lighter vehicle.

[Nicodemus Doloroso]

In addition to what's already been written, there is a slight difference in the turret shape/size between the older and newer version. The older one was a bit taller, whereas the new one is thinner. The old turret also had some sort of box on the side (for sensors, perhaps?). Here's an example of two of my own tanks for illustration:

 

Old turret:

 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIVCObsoRF8/Tq9CwyR0WII/AAAAAAAAAVc/k71ctvbBHrs/s1600/Leman+Russ.JPG

 

New turret:

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/4/26/489222_md-.JPG

 

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2013/4/26/489224_md-.JPG

Oh yeah, just remembered looking at those pics, that the old kit came with track guards and the new one doesn't.

[WarriorFish]

I miss the old turret and track guards :( The new turret is good enough I suppose but I've got a set of the FW track guards I want to use on a CCS Chimera and I'm not sure if it'll fit any more.

[clanfield]

^{you can still get the sprue from mail order with the track guards}

[WarriorFish]

Yeah, but only four - one for each limb.