Happy 25th birthday to everyone’s favorite main battle tank from the Dawn of War series, the Land Raider.

What do you get for a tank on its birthday? Perhaps a new set of treads or, maybe one of those gift packs meant for polishing turrets and armor?

To mark the anniversary of the Land Raider from Warhammer 40,000, Games Workshop created a nostalgic tribute, reminiscent of a television special like This is Your Life, dedicated to an imaginary tank.

The current model of the Land Raider is 25 years old, although its roots stretch back to the inaugural edition of Warhammer 40,000 from 1987. Then, it was a miniature cobbled together from spare parts by sculptor Dave Andrews, who also used pen tops to craft its tracks.

A year later, it became available as one of the first plastic kits from Games Workshop in an era dominated by metal miniatures. The original kit was smaller compared to the current MkIII version introduced 25 years ago in 2000. The MkIII was noted to be significantly larger than the original, boasting features such as opening doors for a view of the interior and perfectly accommodating up to ten Space Marines inside.

While the Land Raider is adored as a centerpiece for tabletop armies, its legacy is not without controversy among deep lore enthusiasts. Many may not know that vehicles like the Land Raider and Land Speeder were actually named after a tech-priest named Arkhan Land, leading to some natural confusion among fans.

These intricate backstories, though frustrating for some, are part of the charm that keeps the Warhammer 40,000 universe alive and engaging. The ongoing dialogue about its lore continues to add depth to the gaming experience.