Title: “Living with Giants: A Peek Inside the Baneblade Tanks of Warhammer 40,000”
The heart of the Baneblade, one of Warhammer 40,000’s most formidable war machines, is a symphony of mechanical chaos. The center of the behemoth is dominated by an ammunition elevator, stairs spiraling to the turret, and a hatchway leading down to the third Lower Deck. This is no place for novices – it takes a seasoned quintet of tankers to operate in such close quarters without hindering each other.
Venturing further down into the belly of the beast, the lower Corridor is the only spot where one can comfortably stand upright. That is, of course, provided your tank was forged by the skilled hands of Martian manufacturers or the dedicated artisans at Reer or Lucius. Baneblade tanks, despite their awe-inspiring power, still grapple with significant issues in air conditioning and cooling. When the tank unleashes its full firepower, the interior quickly turns into a sweltering furnace.
Yet, amid the claustrophobic confines and unbearable heat, the Baneblade is a home away from home for its crew. The lower half of the tank houses a small cargo hold and three bunks, offering a semblance of rest and respite during long marches. The crew rarely enjoys the luxury of a proper bed or even a humble army tent outside the tank; instead, they sleep within the mechanical beast. Despite the hardships, the Baneblade’s interior offers a cozy shelter, a cocoon of safety in the heart of war.
The third deck is a Pandora’s box of utility, featuring hatches that grant access to most of the tank’s inner workings. These include internal hatches leading to the sponson mechanisms, the reactor, and the engine. Here, the secondary loader and gunner manage the large caliber weapon at the vehicle’s front. In most Baneblades, the entrance to their section is found on the second deck, but reaching the driver’s station requires a journey through the third deck’s corridor. This design provides a critical advantage: in case the driver is wounded, a crew member can quickly provide first aid without leaving the tank.
Within every Baneblade, you’ll find an altar dedicated to the Emperor. Often nestled in a niche on the left side of the third deck, this shrine serves as a beacon of faith for the crew amidst the chaos of war. Some tanks even feature altars dedicated to the Omnissiah, the Machine God. Notably, the legendary Commander Maximilan Viman, a famed Tank Ace from Koenig Prime, was one such devotee of the Omnissiah. Even in the heat of battle, Viman and his crew would conduct morning and evening prayers in honor of their deity and their beloved tank.
Despite the volatile cargo of shells and ammunition, explosions within a Baneblade are remarkably rare. It takes a catastrophic breach of the tank’s thick side armor, tracks, and internal bulkheads to ignite the rounds. As such, Baneblades are often destroyed by other means and have a high survivability rate. This resilience is so remarkable that some Baneblades have remained in service for decades, and in some cases, centuries.
A poignant example is the oldest known Baneblade, the Fae Breaker, which has served the Imperium of Man for over 10,000 years. This venerable war machine has fought in battles that have faded into myths and legends, battling alongside Primarchs when they still walked among the stars. Its story is a testament to the Baneblade’s enduring legacy, a symbol of the Imperium’s indomitable spirit.
Stay tuned for the next part of our series, where we delve deeper into the lore of Warhammer 40,000’s incredible war machines.
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