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Hey folks. I'm mainly an ork player who's been futzing around with marines from the AoBR set for about 2 years now. I use them mainly for experimentation until the new codex came out and I started really collecting them as salamanders. I went a little overboard and bought three pods. I had always thought they were just the coolest looking model in the line-up but everyone had said they were a total pain in the butt to assemble. I didn't think so until... I assembled one. The problem is that I prepaint and paint on the sprue for speed. As a result of the precision of the GW modeling, even a couple of coats of paint and primer will throw off the closure of the door. What I outline below is what I did to overcome the problem of the doors not closing properly and what can be done to your pod at home.

Now even though these pics are prior to assembly, with a sharp razor and a steady hand, I suspect that if you have a pod that's already assembled, you could make this modification and get your doors to seat properly.

The top of the pod before:


The bottom of the pod door, assembled, before the mod.


The bottom of the door during the mod.


A comparison of a modded and non modded door.


Properly closed doors.


I'll post more pics after I finish the pods (weathering and details).
Thanks,
DrG

Looking good. An easy fix to a stubborn problem. Eager to see the paint job on that drop pod too.

GW? Precision modelling? *snigger*

It's a good mod though, simple and very effective

Dont feel too bad, even people who dont pre-paint cant usually get all the doors closing....

Here's an update:
Working on the door stripes:


Here's where I added only one neodynium magnet (1/16") to each door. I left one clasp each though:


Here's the dry fit and the magnetized bits in the foreground.


Next I'll do some airbrush weathering. Add magnets on the hull. Dip the pods. Add decals. Assemble!!! For a speed painted army, my Salamanders seem to be getting more complex!

I have no idea where ill put those magents for the gun mounts. and you solution to the door issues is way better than mine. i used a dremel to get space for the doors by sanding down the base.

drsergem wrote:
I have no idea where ill put those magents for the gun mounts. and you solution to the door issues is way better than mine. i used a dremel to get space for the doors by sanding down the base.

I assembled one drop pod before finding this tutorial and had another painted and partially assembled for months because I was terrified it would end up all derpy like its older brother. But this tutorial has restored my faith in the drop pod. Huzzah! my new pod's doors open and close great, and even stay closed for the most part. Thanks x 1000 for this little tip.

i just need the right sized drill bit for my magnets.