RED ELF

Predator Battle Tank 'Gladius'. This vehicle was commissioned following the loss of the Ultramarines' entire 1st Company at the Battle of Macragge. Its custodians are stalwart veterans promoted from the elite of the Chapter's vehicle crews, and 'Gladius' has earned the honour of being permanently attached to the rebuilt 1st Company.

In addition to the various squads of Space Marines each Chapter also has at its disposal a wide range of armoured fighting machines. These machines are the responsibility of the Master of the Forge, the Chapter's most senior Techmarine. Bikes, Land Speeders and troop transports are available to Marine commanders at Company and Squad level. Heavier tanks and more specialised war machines are held in a central pool and can be fielded as individual attachments to a Company or detachment or as separately commanded Squadrons and Brigades.

A typical Chapter may own several hundred main battle tanks such as the Predator and Land Raider. More usually a Chapter will number twenty to thirty Predators and as many Land Raiders amongst its available war machines.

The Predator is a relatively light tank used primarily as a mobile firebase to support infantry actions. Up-gunned versions of the tank, like the Predator Annihilator and Destructor, are also available to the Chapter and these provide the Marine commanders with even more firepower and more tactical options.

Land Raiders are all-purpose heavy war machines. They have capacity to transport a full squad of ten Marines and their gear and carry a range of powerful heavy weapons. The most common variant of the Land Raider has twin-linked Lascannons mounted in its side sponsons and turret mounted twin-linked heavy bolters. Land Raiders are available to the 1st Company as a transport because the vehicle is large enough to carry bulky Terminators into battle.

Space Marine war machines are generally painted in the livery of the Chapter and carry the usual Chapter icon and unit markings. A small roundel shows the Company number and colour if the vehicle is attached to a particular Company.

Separate tanks Squadrons or Brigades may be distinguished by numbers or names painted onto the hulls and turrets of the tanks. Vehicles acting as transports will show tactical and Squad markings.