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Does anyone have any experience converting WW2 tanks into ork battlewagons or trukks? If so, what kit did you use and what scale works? Would love to see pics if you have any.

You'll want 1:35 in most tanks.

WW2 tanks were quite small. I converted a Panzer in both 1:35 and 1:48 - the 1:35 was almost the exact size of an IG Chimera, and the 1:48 makes a perfect set of tracks for a warbuggy.

I've also done a 1:35 Sturmgeschutz IV into a battlewagon, and that was a perfectly appropriate size.

Nice

I like that battlewagon, it works surprisingly well with the chunky ork aesthetic. If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with the hole where the original main gun went? I can't quite see from this angle.

I find most historical tanks are too long and skinny - which is no problem for orks, just cut them in half and glue some extra bits in. A medium tank is a good start for a battlewagon in 1/35.

Kit-wise, you'll want to look for old model kits at places like model shows and flea markets. Modern scale model kits are both too expensive and too complicated to make for economical and easy conversions. Unless you want to build up your track runs by gluing up individual track links one at a time? There's also the problem of fragility. A Leman Russ is built like a brick, and can be joyfully thrown across the room without major structural destruction, but a Pz III.E of a comparable size, with its to-scale suspension arms and thin hull panels, would explode in a cloud of styrene shrapnel.

Sometimes the best raw material are actually tank-shaped toys, as they're chunky and make for a strong base for conversion work. You can even get RC controlled ones in a nominal 1:30 scale on ebay for comparatively cheap

Testors has a line of "easy build" model kits that are pretty much just plastic toys with minimal assembly required. They can make a really good base for conversion. They have M3 Lee, M4 Sherman, and M3 halftrack models in approximately 1/32 scale.

Have you looked at the "World War Toons" series of tanks models? I haven't converted them yet but I have one of each that are available at Hobby Lobby (I really wish they had the somua but they've only got the sherman, panther, and tiger). 40% off coupon gets them down to about $8.50 out the door with tax assuming you buy them one at a time (or bring children to make separate purchases).

 Trimarius wrote:
I like that battlewagon, it works surprisingly well with the chunky ork aesthetic. If you don't mind me asking, what did you do with the hole where the original main gun went? I can't quite see from this angle.

It has a gun in it. That's a WiP shot before I added it

Thanks for the suggestions! The reason I asked is because my local model store owner is closing shop for retirement and getting rid of his stock. Still, most kits are a bit expensive even with the discount. Think I'll check out the thrift stores for some old tank toys, but in my experience the scale is hard to get right.

I have done a custom work on the Soviet BT tanks, I think both are slightly different marks but the chassis are close enough. Scale 1/35

Not Orky but, the plan was to have a substitute for Plasma LemanRuss tanks for IG AM, Inspired by RedAlert 2 vehicle design.
Plasticard, GreenStuff, Mechanical Pencil Lead containers, and 2 Nerf Vortex disks.

Another one is an APC conversion as a substitute for IG AM Sentinel. A while back I got me hands on the modern set ---Revell Germany Wiesel 2 LeFlaSys (Ozelot and AFF and BF/UF) Model Kit
So far one is kinda finished.

If you would get a tank kit to convert, Id recommend look for those WWI huge tanks, they fit Warhammer pretty well.
And, look for USA, WWII, M-113 APC Those fit the size and the Warhammer look pretty nicely.

I think the trick to any WW2 kitbashing is to do your best to find the less-popular tanks. It's really lazy seeing the overly typical German mainline battle tanks, Sherman tanks, etc. As mentioned above you're looking for 1:35 most likely, though some larger vehicles in 1:48 "might" work, or at least provide useful pieces.

Just get a KV2 and add a couple of orky glyphs. If there was ever a real world tanks that channelled it's inner ork, it's the KV2.

Also, Google (Da mad vehicles of da Fury Road)
The Mad Max Fury Road, those Russian spiky cars and rig are purely Orky!

Possible thrift store toy truck conversion right there.

 Mothsniper wrote:
Another one is an APC conversion as a substitute for IG AM Sentinel. A while back I got me hands on the modern set ---Revell Germany Wiesel 2 LeFlaSys (Ozelot and AFF and BF/UF) Model Kit
So far one is kinda finished.

If you would get a tank kit to convert, Id recommend look for those WWI huge tanks, they fit Warhammer pretty well.
And, look for USA, WWII, M-113 APC Those fit the size and the Warhammer look pretty nicely.

Those APCs look sweet! Do you find them too fragile as game pieces?

LawDawg wrote:

 Mothsniper wrote:
Another one is an APC conversion as a substitute for IG AM Sentinel. A while back I got me hands on the modern set ---Revell Germany Wiesel 2 LeFlaSys (Ozelot and AFF and BF/UF) Model Kit
So far one is kinda finished.

If you would get a tank kit to convert, Id recommend look for those WWI huge tanks, they fit Warhammer pretty well.
And, look for USA, WWII, M-113 APC Those fit the size and the Warhammer look pretty nicely.

Those APCs look sweet! Do you find them too fragile as game pieces?

I try to build everything sturdy enough for game.
for example: antennas are metal wire, glued in solid.
Got these 2 kits specifically to make Sister of Battle immolator tanks.

I would think those are not more fragile than Skitarii troops

Apparently I was not the only one to think of M113 for a Warhammer conversion

http://gardeimperialew40k.blogspot.com/2008/10/m113-futuriste.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnEcb4ZgpvY

http://musingsofametalmind.blogspot.com/2010/05/

LawDawg wrote:
Does anyone have any experience converting WW2 tanks into ork battlewagons or trukks? If so, what kit did you use and what scale works? Would love to see pics if you have any.

I built a couple of trucks using WWII German kits. But I did some hacking to make them fit the 40k aethetic.

The build description is here. https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/618506.page
The 8 ton truck is a bit hard to find, but the Hanomag SdKfz251 can be had for $15 on ebay.

 impact1 wrote:


I built a couple of trucks using WWII German kits. But I did some hacking to make them fit the 40k aethetic.

The build description is here. https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/618506.page
The 8 ton truck is a bit hard to find, but the Hanomag SdKfz251 can be had for $15 on ebay.

Your trukks look great! Subbed and looking forward to further progress.

LawDawg wrote:

 impact1 wrote:


I built a couple of trucks using WWII German kits. But I did some hacking to make them fit the 40k aethetic.

The build description is here. https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/618506.page
The 8 ton truck is a bit hard to find, but the Hanomag SdKfz251 can be had for $15 on ebay.

Your trukks look great! Subbed and looking forward to further progress.

As a rule of thumb, for Ork vehicles, always imagine it taking a rookie in and random spot and blowing up. Chop it up there and then figure out how you would put it back together with ranfom bits and bobs