Drop tank conversion #1

[Deleted]

As described here:
commissar.proboards22.com/index.cgi?board=Eylsians&action=display&thread=1203615253
I am working on building a Drop Troop tank. This first model will be a "counts as Sentinel" light tank, armed with a lascannon. It is a shortened Chimera with a highly modified turret and largely custom hull.

Here are my first WIP pics:




The tread sections are done, the basic hull shape is complete and the turret is mostly complete. The large glob of green stuff on the back of the hull is filling a hole in the original piece it was made from and will be sanded down. The red piece on the lascannon is from my Legos and I just happened to luck into it. There is a lot of detail that I have not added yet, especially on the rear engine section, but in general, it is starting to come together nicely.

C&C welcomed!

[Yeti's Yell]

Love it. I was thinking of doing the same thing.

Was that from the GW website tutorial? If so, did you find it easy to follow?

Best,

Yeti

[Deleted]

I actually did the conversion on my own, but the tread sections (and general concept) are basically the same as:
us.games-workshop.com/games/40k/imperialguard/painting/tankette/default.htm
Looks easy enough to follow. If I had followed it, I might not have put the treads on backwards

The hull on mine and, obviously, the turret are very different. The front of the lascannon can from a Space Marine Dreadnought and the capacitor pack (or is a battery pack?) on the back of the turret came from a Cadian Sentinel (which will be getting a multi-melta instead). A few bits from the Chimera were used for character details and a piece from an old Rhino kit formed the top of the engine compartment. Other than that, the hull is mostly plasticard.

[Mabus]

I am absolutely loving that conversion! it looks so cute and compact, I think that must be the 40k equivelent of the Fiat 500 or somethin'!

[Yeti's Yell]

The red lego bit is a perfect fit too. Be sure to post pics when it is painted.

Best,

Yeti

[Deleted]

Thats cool.What are you going to use for a grav chute?

[Deleted]

Thanks for the comments.

yetisyell: Yeah, I really lucked into that Lego piece. I have tons of Legos, but for some reason, that one was sitting in my WH40K bit box. It fit perfectly over the white plastic tube that I had there.

whiteandblack: I am going to make the grav chutes (probably 3 or 4) out of platicard and plastic tube. They will look like the ones on the Elysian Drop Sentinel from Forgeworld.

Here's some pics with some of the rear detail:



I cut two of the gun ports from the old Chimera hull and added the two exhaust stacks from a Sentinel. I also added an access hatch and an aquila. I still have a bit more to do, including some grating, rivets and a few other small details.

[Woz]

Love it

Looks like I'm going to have to find room for some "Sentinels" in my army.

[Deleted]

That is an awesome conversion. I was very interested to see how you would pull this off, and you've done it extremely well. Kudos.

[Commissar]

That tank is saucy.

[kommissar]

love the smokestacks, very nicely done sir!

[Deleted]

Thanks guys (and gals, if any of you happen to be).

I bought a Leman Russ kit today and the size difference is pretty substantial. I don't know if I am going to build it as designed or start working on my "Drop tank conversion #2", which will be a VDR tank (instead of a "counts as Sentinel").

The real question is do all of my tanks have to have their treads on backwards to match?

[rarves]

I'd like to see another drop tank of yours, and yes all treads must be backwards.
Awesome

[Deleted]

I was so inspired by your tank/sentinel idea that I decided to make my own.











Most of the parts I used are from the IG Chimera. Notice that I used two of the small tank wheels on the side to represent grav thrusters since it is being dropped off. The barrel on the turret is from the predator autocannon. I also have a Elysian Drop Sentinel on the background to compare sizes. Thanks for the great idea.

[3ff3ct]

Those tanks are too cute ;D Great conversions guys, theyre super squeaky clean!

[Deleted]

Thanks, I am only a follower in carpandean's great idea. I already finished my second one and on my way to make the third. I will attach these to my command squad to represent sentinels with auto cannon, enclosed armor, and at least one improved comm. Though it is bulkier than a sentinel it adds great flavor to the drop troop cadians that I am building.

[Deleted]

Painted one of the drop tanks today. I added a cut up tank wheel on the bottom front of the hull to balance the other two I had, these represents the anti-grav chutes. As stated earlier the tank will represent a sentinel with autocannon and armored crew compartment.

[Commissar]

Wow man, that is some superb work, I would love to see more, but I would also hate to rain on your parade by saying that the barrel of the gun seems a touch too big...
Its nice, I love the body and everything on it...but the gun...the gun bothers be just a little bit.

[cobaltsentinel]

idk....I kinda like the gun. It's kinda weird to see it on a tank of that size, but I can see it work.

As for the grav-boosters (or whatever you're calling them), I'd try and add some detailing like scorch marks or something to designate that they're grav-equipment. Just a thought.

Awesome work!

[Deleted]

Thanks, the tank kinda reminds me of the old japanese midget tanks. Barrel of the gun may be a bit large for it, I will probably make another set of turrets with a shorter barrel. I might use cotton balls spray painted red and black and attach them to the thrusters/chutes removable of course.

[Deleted]

I also am currently working on a Chimera Armored Car to transport my command squad. Creating a hybrid paratrooper with tank support army.

[Deleted]

What a lovely little tank!

When you've finished your armoured car, can you post a pic of this little tank, your armoured car, a regular chimera and a Leman Russ for size comparisons?

Keep up the good work!

[majorbragdon]

Nice looking tank, I think I am going to make one of those.

[zumbaz]

They both look very good,
but Patman please don't hijack this thread from carpandean you have more picture posts than him in HIS thread .
I say start your own! they look certainly good enough for a thread.

[Deleted]

I just wanted to make sure that credit for the idea goes to the guy who inspired em, anyway will start my own thread regarding the tank squad when I finish painting them. Thanks for the compliment and I apologize for hogging this thread.