baneblade Archives - Felix's Gaming Pages

Ork Battlefortress

Though I have taken photographs of this huge Ork tank (or battlefortress) over the years in the Ork diorama, it’s only when you start looking at it closely you realise that this isn’t something that was ever released, and is a mix of different models. The main frontal cannon appears to be from the Kill Bursta model. I initially thought it might be a Kill Krusha conversion, but comparing the two you realise that it isn’t, however the top turret certainly is from that model. The tracks though appear to be Imperial in style and look like they are from the BaneBlade super heavy tank. Certainly this is an interesting conversion.

A photograph of this tank from a previous visit to Warhammer World.

Super Heavy Tanks of the Imperial Guard

In the display cabinets at Warhammer World there are some really nice models of the Astra Militarum Super Heavy Tanks.

Though, I like the little Chimera APC which has sneaked into the display.

More photographs of the Astra Militarum Super Heavy Tanks.

A single super-heavy tank is a dominant presence in an Astra Militarum battle line. As it ploughs inexorably forward it lays down a wide path of destruction. Enemy ranks shatter long before it reaches their position, and those unlucky few who are able to maintain their defensive formations are ground to paste under the slab-like plates of its tracks.

Imperial Guard Baneblade

This Imperial Guard Armageddon Steel Legion Baneblade was in the display cabinets at Warhammer World.

The Baneblade is the primary super-heavy tank of the Astra Militarum, and one of the largest and oldest armoured fighting vehicles in the service of the Imperial armed forces. The tank is a venerated Standard Template Construct (STC) design, with ten people needed to fully crew one. It is also one of the oldest STC designs in existence. They are often used as command vehicles by Imperial Guard commanders.

Bristling with armaments, a Baneblade is less of a tank and more of a rolling fortress. An unmistakable icon of the Imperium’s armoured supremacy, a single one of these super-heavy war engines can serve as the mailed fist of an Astra Militarum offensive, or as the unassailable lynchpin of even the most desperate of defences.

Baneblade miniatures gallery

Ork Battle Fortress – Skullhamma

This Apocalypse conversion from 2007 took the then new Imperial Guard Baneblade super heavy tank and it was converted into an Ork Battle Fortress, the Skullhamma.

Larger then a Battlewagon, Battlefortresses are used by richer and more powerful Ork Warbosses as super-heavy assault vehicles and mobile command centers. These enormous heavily-armed vehicles bristle with heavy cannons, energy weapons, and explosive launchers. As a rule any Ork vehicle of sufficient size will be called a Battlefortress by the Orks themselves and like most Ork vehicles there is very little standardization and they are highly customized, though several variants exist such as the “Dethrolla” and “Skullhamma”. Nonetheless, these vehicles are a match for any enemy counterpart on the battlefield short of a Titan. Ork Mek Boyz consider the construction of a Battlefortress to be one of their greatest achievements.

I first saw this conversion at Games Day 2007. These photographs were taken when it was on display at Warhammer World in 2024.

I do like the details on this model, the tracks have been converted and some of the road wheels have been replaced.

When this model was first shown I did consider buying a BaneBlade to copy the conversion and create my own Skullhamma. However as I wasn’t too sure about how it would turn out, also time and money, decided I would leave the idea as just that an idea. In the end I got a Battlewagon.

More photographs of the Skullhamma Battle Fortress.

Plaguereaper of Nurgle

This conversion of a Baneblade into a Plaguereaper was done for Apocalypse from 2007. It took the then new Imperial Guard Baneblade super heavy tank and was converted not just into a Chaos Baneblade, but a Plaguereaper of Nurgle.

A Plaguereaper of Nurgle, also known as a Chaos Plaguereaper or more simply as a Plaguereaper, is a Chaos-corrupted variant of the Baneblade super-heavy main battle tank used by the Imperium of Mankind’s Imperial Guard.

The Plaguereaper is used by the forces of Chaos affiliated with Nurgle, the Chaos God of plague, decay and corruption. The Plaguereaper has been distorted beyond all recognition by the “gifts” bestowed upon it by Nurgle, and has been transformed into a gurgling, fortress surrounded by a cloud of pestilence and disease.

The vehicle features large vats of virulent slime distilled from rotting, plague-ridden corpses mounted on its sides. These large vats are used to feed the tank’s main weapon, a massive Pus Cannon. The weapon is connected to the corpse vats via large bulging pipes which fill the weapon will a horrendous concoction of disgusting toxic and corrosive slime.

A living chaos tank, still a great conversion.

More photographs of the Plaguereaper of Nurgle.

Baneblade Super Heavy Tank

These models of the Imperial Guard Baneblade super heavy tank were on display at Warhammer World.

Tallarn Baneblade Super Heavy Tank

Baneblade Super Heavy Tank

Tallarn Baneblade Super Heavy Tank

Baneblade Super Heavy Tank

The Baneblade super heavy tank is the standard super heavy for the Imperial Guard. It’s huge and the design is one of the oldest in service with the armed forces of the Imperium. It is one of the Standard Template Construct (STC) designs that ensures that Forge Worlds across the galaxy are able to easily manufacture the tanks to a consistent design. The size means a large crew, ten in all. They are often used as command vehicles by Imperial Guard commanders.

With a range of armaments, a Baneblade is less of a tank and more of a tracked fortress. An unmistakable icon of the Imperium’s armoured supremacy, a single one of these super-heavy war engines can serve as the mailed fist of an Imperial Guard offensive, or as the unassailable lynchpin of even the most desperate of defences.

The Baneblade was originally an Epic design, but was then available as a modelling project in White Dwarf. Forge World produced a resin version for many years. In 2007 a plastic version of the tank was made available. We shouldn’t forget the 1/6th scale version that Forge World showcased at Games Day 2006.

Initially I wasn’t a fan, I thought it was too big, but over the years I have come to like the concept.

Imperial Guard Baneblade

This Imperial Guard Baneblade super heavy tank was on display at Warhammer World. It was from Damien Pedley’s collection.

This Tallarn Desert Raiders Baneblade, from the ‘Eavy Metal team, was also on display at Warhammer World.

Another Baneblade painted by the Games Workshop team, was also at Warhammer World.

Initially I wasn’t a fan, I thought it was too big, but over the years I have come to like the concept. Will I buy the model? Well I might.

New models for Legions Imperialis revealed

So after the accidental reveal, yesterday we saw the official reveal of some new models for Legion Imperialis.

As well as the Rhino and Baneblade we saw yesterday, we also have the Kratos.

The Kratos is a staple of Space Marine armoured companies, and one of the heaviest tanks available to the Legions Astartes.

We also have the Solar Auxilia Banelade.

….the iconic superheavy tank hits the battlefield in detachments of up to six, with a kit that can be used to create Baneblades or Hellhammers, alongside a huge range of hull, sponson, and cupola options.

We also have the Deimos pattern Rhino.