| Tank | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Type: | Fighting Vehicle |
| Origin: | Verrocchio's Workshop |
| Designed by: | Leonardo da Vinci |
| Owner(s): | Rocco de' Medici |
| Users: | Piero de' Medici |
| First Appearance: | The Mask of Death (sketch) The Fugitive |
The Tank, also known as the Superweapon, was a war machine designed by Leonardo da Vinci to help Florence win the war against Milan. However, unbeknownst to him, Piero de' Medici had engineered the entire scenario so as to the use the superweapon for himself to conquer Europe and become emperor.
Design
The Tank was designed to be invincible, with its outer shell based on that of a tortoise. Its covering was made of wood and re-enforced with layers of metal plates. A large canon was mounted on its cab which was operated using a piece of flint which sparked the gun. The tank was immune to bullets, muskets, crossbows and canon balls.
History
After the death of the Duke of Florence, Piero asked Leo to design a weapon, telling him that Florence would be slaughtered by Milan's forces. Although initially sceptical and suspicious, Piero had Dr. Pentangeli killed by Scarpa as a show, convincing Leo that Milan really had killed the Duke and planned to invade. He immediately began sketching his ideas. (The Mask of Death)
Using the shell of a tortoise, Tiberius, Leonardo began designing a thick outer shell for the weapon but was angered when Rocco de' Medici, the new Duke, dismissed his idea. When Leo attempted to demonstrate his idea in the Piazza, it went badly wrong with a canon ball breaking through the shell and destroying the old Duke's statue, nearly costing Leo his life due to Rocco's anger. However, Piero convinced Rocco to give Leo a chance and was astonished when Leo's new shell managed to withstand a canon ball. He thus greenlighted the construction of the weapon at Verrocchio's Workshop. (The Tortoise and the Hare)
Verrocchio and his apprentices began work on the weapon, also developing other munitions such as Battle flares. (By the Sword)
Whilst testing the cannon, Leo showed Tomaso how the flint worked to spark the gun. He then fired a melon at a wall, accidentally showering Cosimo in melon bits. (Hitched)
After an immense amount of work, Leo finally completed work on the Superweapon, much to Piero's delight. Although Leo hoped it could be a deterrent and potentially stop the war entirely, Rocco planned to march on Milan the following morning. (The Fugitive)
When Leo found out the truth from a badly injured Placidi, he sabotaged the Superweapon, removing the gear wheal and the flint that fired the gun. However, Rocco caught him and, despite their protests, attempted to kill him and Mac for treason. However they were saved by Verrocchio who knocked Rocco out. Mac tied Rocco up and locked him inside the tank with him so that he would overheard Piero as he admitted to Leo that it was all true and that he, indeed, was going to use the tank to conquer many cities. After capuring Leo, Mac and Rocco, Piero forced Leo to fix the tank by threatening Mac's life. After being rescued from the jail by Lorenzo de' Medici, the four of them ran to the workshop where the tank burst out, driven by Piero. Rocco ordered the soldiers to open fire on him but to no effect as the tank was impenetrable. Piero attempted to fire on the heroes but, to everyone's surprise, the gun would not fire. Tomaso Gherardini then revealed she had broken into the workshop and removed it. (The Dogs of War)
The Game
In Leonardo: The Game, Tank designs were stolen and built by Il Drago and his men and Leo was forced to race after them and defeat them.
Trivia
- The Superweapon is based off Da Vinci's fighting vehicle.
Gallery
