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Hey everyone I've been working for some time now as a 3D modeler and recently decided to try bringing some creations to life with 3D printing. Of course being that I love 40K and have an army in progress I thought I'd build something for this...

My first project I decided on, which was larger than I planned, was replacement side panels to turn the Leman Russ into a Hover Tank complete with its sponsons. It enhances the shape of the tank with a bit more interesting silhouette and features 5 "Hex hover panels" under each rear side and other "flat hover panels" under the rest of the model. I also built a few extra "flat hover panels" to add to the underside of the actual tank. For now I made miniguns for the sponsons because I'm creating punisher variants first, but I may create some more waepon variations soon as well.
I've been ironing out the model for the past few days and am about to try getting the first print made and I wanted to share my idea! I'm continuing to optimize it to try and bring the price down as well but it is still a large model, I may try breaking it apart too.

I'd love any input from others and was curious to see if there was an interest in me offering this model kit for sale and maybe making more?

I'm going to be trying Shapeways.com for the 3D printing and they allow me to offer it to others as well, does anyone have any experience with them?
https://www.shapeways.com/product/T5WV4JR62/28mm-hover-tank-conversion-kit-side-panels?li=user-profile&optionId=59083423


I'll be posting pictures of the model once I get the parts in!

I like the concept, but worry its futuristic style may look a little odd next to the 1930s look of the Russ itself. Would it be practical to give this a more retro look - e.g. by adding lots of Russ-style rivets?

That looks great. Quite curious to see how it will look on the model.

This looks FANTASTIC!! Been a while since I've seen an Update for the Russ-hope to see more

Too add to your Shapeways question, I've used them before for two things-one is the cannon front seen in this picture, which is frosted ultra detail

the other was a similar sized T28 tank model- link- printed in much lower quality

The frosted detail is incredible, you can barely tell it's 3D printed-and it's also surprisingly durable. Hope this helps and good luck!

Looks cool. I'd love to see them on an actual model, though.

Thanks for all the support!
I'm happy to announce that I ordered the first print last night! so I should have pictures of the Leman Russ with Hover Conversion soon, I'm excited to see myself how well it turns out too.
@ Guardians Eternal - Thanks for the support and insight into some Shapeways stuff, That's a really cool and very large SM Tank you got there and some nice looking results on that cannon! Thanks

@Clang - I understand what you're saying. I personally made this for an army I am building that combines Guard and Tau but also blends their technology slightly. I will likely add more to the model as well to bring the two together once I'm building it. I am likely going to replace the turret with something more advanced looking than the standard... who knows eventually it might just become its own full kit hahaha

This project is just me trying something new to alter my Leman Russ tanks to fit a more high tech Tau/Guard army without having to fully scratch build each one or replace the entire model. I had a thread with some of the infantry posted but I'll post some pictures of the vehicles here too as reference of where this army is going.