Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

Secret Weapon Miniatures has a new conversion kit for the Leman Russ. I picked one up and have the Russ put together, its looking nice. I'll post more photos once its finished.
The kits come with two nice thick, heavy side panels. These are designed to look like they fit over the normal Russ side rather than replace it, so there are vents and such. There are cut outs for the sponsons, and two panels you can add if you don't want to run with sponsons. Or just magnetize so you can do both, its pretty easy. Lastly there is some thick plates that can go on the front side of the turret.
The kit can be found here. http://www.secretweaponminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=23&products_id=133

Looks pretty cool although $18 seems a bit much just for side/turret side armor

kenshin620 wrote:Looks pretty cool although $18 seems a bit much just for side/turret side armor

Kind of depends how you look at it.
SW Russ kit - $18
Chapterhouse Rhino kit - $16.50
GW vehicle accessory kit - $15 (but its just track guards and some accessories.)
Forgeworld - $18 for a replacement turret and FW quality control fun.

So yeah, vehicle upgrade kits are all pretty pricey. This one though, considering the amound of resin in it, isn't that bad. If you only roll with a couple of tanks, may as well make them look nice.

If anything, you can just buy one or two to designate "command tanks" for apoc formations. Just an idea.

The only problem I have with this is it doesn't actually look like "armor". It looks like "generic industrial wall" in the shape of a Russ's side.

Ouze wrote:The only problem I have with this is it doesn't actually look like "armor". It looks like "generic industrial wall" in the shape of a Russ's side.

I actually like the effect they had of making it look like some bolt on panels of the kind used to pre-detonate shots. So what do you think would make it look more like armor? More of a pre-heresy thing?

Personally, I'd improve it by adding some fine rivets along the edges. I googled WW1 tanks, and they all have plates with rivets. This is the closest you can get to the 40k IG tank aesthetic. I've attached pics of examples - the second one is better. The turret armor is fine, but look at the section of plate with the shield thing on it - just a smooth, clean piece of plastic. I'd put a line right across it, either horizontal or verticle, and rivet each side of it, as well as along the seams, and perhaps include a large bolt in several places to indicate how the armor attaches to the tank.

I'd avoid the stacked-brick look of reactive armor modern tanks have, because I don't believe that is something seen elsewhere in the 40k mythos, on any armored vehicle.

It looks alright, I think... If nothing else, it could be an interesting variant to LR side armor, if you´re okay with adding detail to it.
Straight from the box, it does seem to have a lower level of detail work than the rest of the tank, which is a downside, but another choice for LR´s is always good.

I really like the idea, and can see where they are coming from. But as was mentioned before it just doesn't look like armor to me, more like an industrial building. I would really recommend that mini companies have a look at an up armored chally or abrahams, or even at the stuff on a WW2 panzer IVJ for better inspiration

Captain Jack wrote:I really like the idea, and can see where they are coming from. But as was mentioned before it just doesn't look like armor to me, more like an industrial building. I would really recommend that mini companies have a look at an up armored chally or abrahams, or even at the stuff on a WW2 panzer IVJ for better inspiration

Leman Russes with Zimmerit anyone?

Ouze wrote:
I'd avoid the stacked-brick look of reactive armor modern tanks have, because I don't believe that is something seen elsewhere in the 40k mythos, on any armored vehicle.

You've not looked hard enough then



It actually looks nice set up right, and if need be...you can always just fill in gaps.

What kit is that from?

It's a Forgeworld kit.
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Guard/Imperial_Guard_Accessories/CHIMERA-ARMOURED-SKIRTS.html

What I'd like to see is what it looks like on a model.

When I get around to finishing the first of my Chimeras, I'll make sure to post pics then.

That would be great, or a WIP shot if you have time. I'm after the kit myself, but I don't see how it works, attachment and size wise.

Citizensmith wrote:It's a Forgeworld kit.
http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/Warhammer-40000/Imperial_Guard/Imperial_Guard_Accessories/CHIMERA-ARMOURED-SKIRTS.html

What I'd like to see is what it looks like on a model.

Here you go, a minute or two with google and I found pics on someone's blog (Ash, on the Ammo bunker to give due credit)

-edit I just read some of the blog and that's not the actual FW pieces but custom pieces he based off of looking at them

SW looks the goods.

The 'reactive armour' form FW could be replicated with textured styrene sheets from Evergreen. For half the price!

Evergreen is readily available from hobby stores. All you would need to do is measure and cut to size. Add details, eg. Aquila, at leisure.

Its interesting, I'll give it that. My one problem is that it seems to lack a lot of detail (RIVETS) and seems to just cover the sides...
Its definitely not a bad idea, but could use a little more work.
Granesh

Wow that chimera looks very modern like. Kind of like it with the chimera being a russian apc inspired vehicle

Couple of updated photos as its coming along nicely. Still definitely a WIP as I need to work on the weathering some, but its looking good. Once its done I'll put up some pics with all the demolisher weapon combos. Paint scheme is basically Adeptus Battle Gray. Throw a Payne's Gray wash over it and then a bunch of dry brush over that (mostly deneb stone), add the detail work and switch to pigments.

@Citizensmith: Thanks for posting this to Dakka, mate!

There are other armor upgrade kits coming from Secret Weapon. One is already on my work bench in the testing stages and will be much more in keeping with WWI and WWII themes. A second will be a more traditional ablative armor with small panels.

We also have an alternate turret plate that fits the Demolisher style.

This one was very much mean to look like factory bolted armor. We did some talking about the "Extra Armor" upgrade and decided that at least SOME tanks would leave the floor with it. Not all of it has to be improvised. Thus this kit was conceived.

Citizensmith also nailed it on the price. This is a LOT of resin. It's a heavy kit and there's a lot of labor involved. I'd make 'em cheaper if I could, believe me, as it would mean selling more of them

Thanks for the feedback on this -- and for posting the model, Citizensmith. Keep up the good work on it!

EDIT: Here's a shot of the rear detail on the side armor. No modification to the tank is necessary - this just fits right over the existing side panel!

All Plasma Leman Russ = Awesome

Heck I'll buy some to use as terrain detail or riot shields for the Arbites I'm working on.

I really dig this.

I think what it lacks is panel lines or something to make it look less like a single slab. You could add in a few pieces of plasticard straight up/down and horizontally with a few rivets and I think that would improve things.