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Leman Russ Mark VII Imperial Guard Battle tank ! |
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I
didn't really know what to expect from this kit - having no experience
of the Warhammer world. I did know it was expensive - £20. I'd seen
the box top on the Games workshop website, but that was the limit of my
knowledge.
Initially the box is large, well filled and heavier than I'd expected. Once the cellophane is off and the lid is lifted all is revealed :-) |
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This is a top flight
injection plastic kit of the highest quality. I don't know who is
doing the moulding for these Warhammer kits, but they are an international
company of the level of Dragon, Italeri, Tamiya or Trumpeter. For those who are still brow-furrowing, Warhammer is a huge war games world played with model vehicles and figures on a terrain map. There is also a thriving on-line community that discusses games and tactics. The Leman Russ is a spin off model kit from one of the many armies and factions of that distant future. |
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It's a rhomboid tank, with an enclosed track running around the numerous bogie wheels (think Churchill) In fact there is also a truly huge howitzer in the hull, which is topped off by a chunky rotating turret with an even bigger main gun, topped off with an MG on a ball-mount - so the Churchill imagery is valid. But that's not all. If you turn the instruction leaflet over - there's an alternative version that can be built - The Demolisher has a slightly different turret and a massive dozer blade mounted on the front hull, under the howitzer. And all the parts are included in the kit to build either version. |
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As I said - this is real top flight stuff - finely detailed parts, link and length tracks, no flash at all on my review sample, and a decal sheet that had me drooling with its many options and sets of unit markings. If the choice of the two versions were not enough, there are accessory sprues available that can be used to convert the tank further to customise it into your own armies' particular style. |
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| There are no colour
schemes provided in the clear, concise gatefold instruction leaflet - every
army has their own set of colours and markings so let the paint run free
;-)
There's a subtle three colour camouflage scheme on the box that provides a guide to build on, but I think no two of these tanks will ever be the same - even in the same army. There's a guide on the GW site to help you with colour schemes and weathering info if you want it. There are also other types of armoured vehicles to build too, another tank or two, and an APC, a lot of the parts are common, so the combinations of vehicle that could be built are literally endless if you add in the accessory sprues that can be bought seperately… There's even a basic model building guide if you want some advice Now mine will be built in a very special colour scheme, and with some very special modifications… I'll need to get some day-glo yellow, and a new set of decals… Yeah, modelling IS fun - when Games Workshop rules apply… |
| The Leman Russ is not alone however - There are a number of superb models and an expanding range of accessories to create something special. This is the Chimera, an APC - Here built by Stephane Langlois using accessory parts. |  |
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Images © Games Workshop 2003. All rights reserved - models built and painted by Games Workshop staff |