I started a thread a couple of months ago to show a WIP titan I was doing.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/397611.page

It didn't really get anywhere as I ended up having to do a lot of other things, not leaving much time to mess around with a complicated build. So after re-building a wooden and metal frame to build the legs around, it was pushed to one side, had clothes hung on it and was forgotten about.

I did recently get the urge to buy two Razorbacks and a Predator, with the intention of building a Rhino based heavy tank. It has been named the Hora Mortis and, as I'm not a gamer, I just build the models nowadays and have no idea if it would be game legal or not. It does fit in with the story behind the small chapter of Marines I have so far built and painted. The following is what's come out of it... (still in need of a few more parts, green stuff work here and there and a paint job)

Needs more guns No seriously though it's pretty awesome! I think it might look better with the tl lascannons on the turret, but it still looks cool! I hope you keep this updated with painting.

Funnily enough... Due to the sponsons not being able to face backwards ('cause I have built them in a way that they only rotate as far out as 90 degrees, d'oh!) I'm going to be adding a couple more storm bolters and rear facing rocket launchers somewhere. Just for the off-chance the tank misses someone on its run through the battleground and it gets flanked.
I haven't yet decided on wether to keep the turret as is, or put the lascannons on there. With the two twin linked sponson lascannons, I didn't know if it would be (hehe) too many?

I already have plans for an ultra-heavy based on the land raider. I have a feeling the tracks will look a little too piddly to suit the Hora Mortis, so the next one I want to build (even bigger) will definately need bigger tracks.

That's ridiculous!

I kind of want one.

I did feel a little power-mad when putting the weapons on. But I had a good time building it so far.

Next tank will be even bigger, mainly built from plasticard and hopefully sporting even more heavy weaponry (I'd love to have two turret mounted demolisher cannons).

I have added a few more bits and bobs (like the small bits of armour added to the sponsons so they don't look like i just stuck an extra one on there) and think the build process is now complete. I'm going to go for a mainly black paintjob with hints of my chapter colours thrown in. The whole thing in black looks rather intimidating I reckon.

I've added a few of my other minis to show what the chapter colours are. Yes, that's an injured Marine riding on the back of the bike with a heavy bolter and I know the Rhino is broke (front left tracks fallen off).

Looking for any hints on the paintjob as I'm kind of at a loose end for where to start. I've never painted anything this big before! I've got some spares left over from this build too, so as a bit of an on-off job I'm going to attempt to make a custom Whirlwind. Will obviously post updates as it comes along. Anyone know any good websites for buying a lot of plasticard for cheap online in the UK?

Anyway, pics (quite a few);



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Just noticed that Hora Mortis isn't complete.

Won't be going far without any tracks!

Wow, this is inspiring actually. I wanted to build some kind of Fellblade Marine Super-heavy but didnt want to use a Baneblade or something as a chassis.

I LOVE how you combined the kits to make an uber tank, that actually looks like a space marine tank.

I'm so doing this.

Thank you very much.

I was honestly expecting a lot of 'Space Marines don't do super-heavy blah blah...' replies. But have yet had none. It's awesome the decent responses I've had.

And like I said before, I'm planning on doing a bigger one around a wider and lengthened Land Raider chassis with two demolisher turrets (if I can afford the weapon sprues!).

Needs More Dakka!

Arsenic42 wrote:Needs More Dakka!

More did you spek?!

Don't think it's possible. I have a couple of heavy bolters I'd love to put on, but I have no way of doing it without making it look (even more) ridiculous!

mikepbullen wrote:Thank you very much.

I was honestly expecting a lot of 'Space Marines don't do super-heavy blah blah...' replies. But have yet had none. It's awesome the decent responses I've had.

And like I said before, I'm planning on doing a bigger one around a wider and lengthened Land Raider chassis with two demolisher turrets (if I can afford the weapon sprues!).

That's a pretty good idea with the land raider chassis to.

Marines did have superheavies before, called Fellblades. If you're looking for any ideas, another guy on here has a pretty cool thread with the conversions he has done.

Personally though? I love this idea, hope you don't mind if I do something similar one day.

Like "Big Britha" quite a lot. Looks like a "Best of" for all other space marine tanks, lol.

IdentifyZero wrote:Personally though? I love this idea, hope you don't mind if I do something similar one day.

Please do! I got the idea from seeing someone make a wide Rhino years ago. Looked... interesting... I just decided to do the same but make it longer and arm it to the teeth.

I've seen a thread or two about Fellblades and they look awesome. The tanks I'm working toward at the minute suit my chapter though I think.


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Lord_Osma wrote:Like "Big Britha" quite a lot. Looks like a "Best of" for all other space marine tanks, lol.

Until I typed out 'Big Bertha', the name hadn't even crossed my mind. I just named it Hora Mortis cause it's Latin for hour of death.

She might be re-christened though!

Pretty Amazing, could always add on forward facing sponsons on the opening infront of sponson lascannon. glue them onto the side of the tank, no rotating sponsons, if you had to. By that i mean having say autocannons glued onto the frontmost side doors facing directly forward, and the Rotating lascannon sponsons behind them.

Would be rediclulous if you built a dozer blade for this!
I honestly thing this is a little up, if your versing say a baneblade...

Cant wait to see what you do with the Landraiders! may I sugest adding 'pintle mounted whirlwind missle launcher'? kinda like the FW helios LR.

Great job, keep it up. deff going to show my friends what i found.

ImpGuardPanzies wrote:Pretty Amazing, could always add on forward facing sponsons on the opening infront of sponson lascannon. glue them onto the side of the tank, no rotating sponsons, if you had to. By that i mean having say autocannons glued onto the frontmost side doors facing directly forward, and the Rotating lascannon sponsons behind them.

Would be rediclulous if you built a dozer blade for this!
I honestly thing this is a little up, if your versing say a baneblade...

Cant wait to see what you do with the Landraiders! may I sugest adding 'pintle mounted whirlwind missle launcher'? kinda like the FW helios LR.

Great job, keep it up. deff going to show my friends what i found.

Cheers buddy!

I think I'll save the Heavy Bolters for my next super-heavy. I have a feeling the next one will be more of a rolling weapons platform than Bertha. A dozer blade would be a cool idea! Might have to see what happens if I get a bit of spare cash!

I might see about building a front facing side mounted cannon for the front sponson points. What's the name of the gun that looks like a minigun? ( haven't played in a VERY long time. Could probably list all the weaponry under the 40k title a decade ago!)


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And I'm hoping to practice my plasticard skills building a custom Whirlwind out of the spares I have left from the tank kits I bought to build Bertha!

Outstanding work !
I really like how you have managed to combine the tanks, you have done it really well.
I might pinch this idea for my chaos tank.
Also you if it were me i would put a gun in each of those circular bits on the top

I like this a lot. I've been considering doing this myself actually. The only thing I can see that I'd improve on yours is finding some pipe that might fit and extend the predator autocannon's barrel for look.

mikepbullen wrote:Funnily enough... Due to the sponsons not being able to face backwards ('cause I have built them in a way that they only rotate as far out as 90 degrees, d'oh!) I'm going to be adding a couple more storm bolters and rear facing rocket launchers somewhere. Just for the off-chance the tank misses someone on its run through the battleground and it gets flanked.
I haven't yet decided on wether to keep the turret as is, or put the lascannons on there. With the two twin linked sponson lascannons, I didn't know if it would be (hehe) too many?

Too many lascannons? *sigh* It's this kind of attitude which is what's wrong with 40k gamers today. There's no such thing as too many lascannons!

Superb work and ideas!

master of asgard wrote:

mikepbullen wrote:Funnily enough... Due to the sponsons not being able to face backwards ('cause I have built them in a way that they only rotate as far out as 90 degrees, d'oh!) I'm going to be adding a couple more storm bolters and rear facing rocket launchers somewhere. Just for the off-chance the tank misses someone on its run through the battleground and it gets flanked.
I haven't yet decided on wether to keep the turret as is, or put the lascannons on there. With the two twin linked sponson lascannons, I didn't know if it would be (hehe) too many?

Too many lascannons? *sigh* It's this kind of attitude which is what's wrong with 40k gamers today. There's no such thing as too many lascannons!

I haven't completely ruled out the idea of chopping the cannon off that's on there now and modelling my own completely out of pvc piping. The turret is only small though. I think a mega cannon would look silly attached to it. I also don't want to over do the huge turrets as I'm aiming at building two for my Land Raider based tank.


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I might post up the fluff behind my small (but growing) chapter sometime. I only started building and paintig again after coming up with this little story and building around the ideas.

If your refering to the minigun thats on an Ig LRBT verint, its the Punisher cannon. heavy 20 s 5 ap - Range 36

Bitz sprews could easily and cheaply make a dozer blade. Simply cut to with of chassie, make frame, apply plasticard, greenstuff/bitz/ sprew/ anything to add extra detail...paint, add blood...done

Edit: added range

ImpGuardPanzies wrote:If your refering to the minigun thats on an Ig LRBT verint, its the Punisher cannon. heavy 20 s 5 ap - Range 36

Bitz sprews could easily and cheaply make a dozer blade. Simply cut to with of chassie, make frame, apply plasticard, greenstuff/bitz/ sprew/ anything to add extra detail...paint, add blood...done

Edit: added range

Sorry man, all those numbers and letters at the top mean nothing to me. It's literally been a decade since I played. I'm just into making things that look cool.

The dozer idea is ace though. I will be making one for my Whirlwind ( WIP pics to follow in a minute or so ) .

Introducing my WIP Whirlwind. Codename: Mother-in-law.

Doesn't look like much at the minute, but when it's done I will have made a solid top for the roof, with the rocket launcher (the red square thing) pivoting up out of the tank. Gonna try building a big radar dish to go on top, kind of like the Command Rhino.

More pics as it comes along!

ahh i see now.

Going for looks, lol, should see if you cant get the gatling cannon pintle mounted. Custom pintle mounted punsher gatling cannon on anything, rino, lr, mother-in-law, bertha. That would be amazing.

Looking good on the whirlwind.

Now we have a tank worthy of the Big Bertha name! You need to show her squashing some heretics.

Wulfe Luer wrote:Now we have a tank worthy of the Big Bertha name! You need to show her squashing some heretics.

Willing to donate some?!

I'm on a tight budget until after christmas now!

The Mother in Law has been completely dismantled, stripped down inside and is currently being prepared for an all new missile launcher to be installed. Picked up a few sheets of plasticard earlier today, so I'm testing my skills with it before I go ll out and buy a Land Raider to tear to pieces and rebuild with said wondercard.

Picture of the Whirlwind Mother in Law in pieces below!



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ImpGuardPanzies wrote:ahh i see now.

Going for looks, lol, should see if you cant get the gatling cannon pintle mounted. Custom pintle mounted punsher gatling cannon on anything, rino, lr, mother-in-law, bertha. That would be amazing.

Looking good on the whirlwind.

I agree. Pintle mounted gattling cannon would look the t*ts! But how about twin gattling cannon razorback-esque turret? I'm saving all the super duper ideas for my next big tank.


Thanks again to everyone for all the cool feedback!

Have to say that Marine Super Heavy puts me in mind of the German Maus tank, in terms of looks. I really like it. Jolly good work sir!

(love the pillion 'perched' Devestator with his heavy bolter on the bike too)

Sparks_Havelock wrote:Have to say that Marine Super Heavy puts me in mind of the German Maus tank, in terms of looks. I really like it. Jolly good work sir!

(love the pillion 'perched' Devestator with his heavy bolter on the bike too)

Thank you! I only had one bike knocking about, so I wanted to get it as armed up as possible. So I 'injured' a devastator and built him a bit of a support bar and seat. Turned out well I reckon.

Anyway, here is the mother in law taking shape. Being my first time with the plasticard it's slow going, but I'm not doing my usual 'measure once, cut to fit' approach. Need to find something that resembles a bunch of missile heads now and manufacture the dozer blade. It will have sponson mounted heavy bolters when I'm done too, due to lack of any weaponry other than the long range missiles.

Well, here's the Mother-in-Law in all her almost constructed glory! Just need to stick the sponsons on that I've got ready and fill in some of the big blank spaces (I don't like big empty spaces, they don't look right). Sporting 5 big rockets, no windows and lot's of tech, I'm hoping she will look rather unique. Looks very much like a Rhino when all closed up.

Thought I'd post a quick pic of my chapter so far. You've obviously seen Bertha and the Mother-in-Law. I also have a 3 man tactical squad. 3 man hand-to-hand specialists, 2 (but got a Heavy Plasma on the way to make it 3) man devastator squad. The bike, which is pictured above and the Rhino that Brother Jonn first rode to another point in time.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you, the Time Marines!

Should make a Sm bike launcher w/ left over usless pieces. probably my worst idea yet. However it would be intersting to see what you come up w/. that or a bike transporter. Anyway, good work on Mother-in-law.

And a twin gatling would be pretty cool. I think theres better options for main weapons for a super heavy LR kit bash. Maybe on a razorback or rino though

Could always put the gatling cannons ontop of the LR you will be building as a mounted weapon with Sm's standing there firing them, say 5 gun platforms to "protect" the tank from swarms surrounding the tank, while your other 100,000.2 weapons kill everything else.

ImpGuardPanzies wrote:Should make a Sm bike launcher w/ left over usless pieces. probably my worst idea yet. However it would be intersting to see what you come up w/. that or a bike transporter. Anyway, good work on Mother-in-law.

And a twin gatling would be pretty cool. I think theres better options for main weapons for a super heavy LR kit bash. Maybe on a razorback or rino though

Could always put the gatling cannons ontop of the LR you will be building as a mounted weapon with Sm's standing there firing them, say 5 gun platforms to "protect" the tank from swarms surrounding the tank, while your other 100,000.2 weapons kill everything else.

I was thinking of building disconnectable trailers for the back of the Rhino and Whirlwind carrying twin Thunder cannons. That way they can be quickly deployed where they are needed, unleash the destruction, then be moved somewhere else in just a few turns. Would require crafrting a couple of Techmarines to ride the trailers with them, but I think it could look good.

I do like the idea of a vhicle transport. Might be counter productive though as the bikes would move faster than a tank. I'd love to build a Thunderhawk, but thats a bit out of my league at the minute!

I hadn't thought about having Marines on the outside of the tank firing the guns. That could look quite cool. build up a couple of seats for them behind the weapons and use Bike Marines in the seated position as the gunners.

I was thinking of building disconnectable trailers for the back of the Rhino and Whirlwind carrying twin Thunder cannons. That way they can be quickly deployed where they are needed, unleash the destruction, then be moved somewhere else in just a few turns. Would require crafrting a couple of Techmarines to ride the trailers with them, but I think it could look good.

That would be sweet. like a mobile defense platform

I do like the idea of a vhicle transport. Might be counter productive though as the bikes would move faster than a tank. I'd love to build a Thunderhawk, but thats a bit out of my league at the minute!

Mm, never thought about bikes being faster than the transport. Good point Thunderhawk is an already existing unit, youd have to amp it up a lot, transport people a lr, and more weapons or something. Could make a terminator drop pod? that way theres no chance of their DS ending in a misshap.

And i never considered using the sitting Bikers, i would have wasted a standing marine. But why not fire from the comfort of your chair?! Good idea

Here are a few pics of the built (but un-painted) Whirlwind aka: The Mother-in-Law.

I decided to put a window on the front, as it didn't look right without, and some missile bay doors on the rear. Also threw in a forward facing storm bolter with heavy bolter sponsons. All together I'm happy with how it turned out. My first attempt at building with plasticard, and by no means the last.

I feel like it could do with some rivets, but as I don't have any (and really can't be bothered making them myself at this time of the night) it will have to go without.

Any comments / criticism gladly received.

I like the idea of doors on the back of the Artilary lift piece. Acts as a amo Sotre room and firing chamber, yet easily acessable on the battlefield for re-loading and sotring. Door on the front gives room for driver and gunner, unless its driver and gunner in which case...An amazing multitasker! then again its a Space Marine. Sponsons=Great idea, especialy if were assuming the Whirlwinds amo is long ranged and these act as defensive weapons. verry cool
Looking good, how much for 1?

Are we talking monetary value? If so, I don't really know. I used a bunch of spares I had left over. I suppose you could make one without sponsons for the price of a normal rhino and sheet of plasticard.

If you're talking points, I really have no idea. Wouldn't know where to start counting!

I lIKe it

Cheers bud!

I built a small spray booth today so that I can base coat my minis without having to tape a layer of newspaper all over my bathroom when I need to get it done. I'll post pics next chance I get. The Mother-in-Law looks good painted black, but I think I'll give it the same colour scheme as the rhino. Bertha will be staying mainly black though. Looks more intimidating that way I think.

Nice convertin'! Keep it up

Work on my minis ground to a halt in late November due to various things going on in my life. Then I moved house over the Christmas break, losing most of my modelling kit in the process. The biggest heartache came when i finally tracked down Bertha (and the parts that had broken off/gone missing in transit). Attached is the picture I took between silent sobs.

On a different note, I started painting the Mother-In-Law before I moved. Didn't go well. Pics to follow. I'm not feeling the white parts. Mainly because when you see it properly it's all over the place and patchy. Might just paint over it in blue and leave it at that.

I like your plasticard work. I'm making a BW myself. But its way easier to ork it No angles are straight.

Showing my ignorance here, but what is a BW?

Battlewagon. Big orky thing.

Ahh... Makes sense!

Think I just dropped a big mistake. Started taking apart Bertha to try and build a better turret. Not going so well.

Bertha is getting a penis enlargement. Hopefully this will be one of three.

more updates pweez i wanna see bertha painted

Dumb qustion warning: why is almost every picture taken with this weird blue light?

Anyway, good job, i wish i could use plasticard like that!

Working on the dozer blade at the minute. As with all my stuff its taking forever cause I'm cack handed. New plans for Bertha:
Penis enlarged demolished cannon on the front.
Ditch the twin las cannon sponsons.
Ditch one of the twin heavy bolter turrets.
Ditch the predator turret.
Fit split dozer with bottom spikes if it looks good.
Build up extra bodywork on the top, essentially doubling the height.
Fit mega mega big tank/titan/planet busting cannon on top.
Sit back.
Grin.




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I'm taking the pictures in poor quality light, with a poor quality camera phone, with zero talent when it comes to picture taking. Apologies for the poor quality. I normally work in the dark. Being ginger, I burst into flames under direct sunlight.

Need honest opinions now.

Too big?

Got the current bits taped together to check sizing on the main cannon. I'm happy with it so far. Going to take a lot of work to make it look right though. Any suggestions/criticism very welcome. Been doing my head in today trying to figure out what to do and how!

I like the whirlwind idea so much, im afraid im going to have to steal it

If you can make it shorter now i'd go with shorter by an inch or so. If your going for a very big vindicator look, which is what it will look like with an inch or more off.

Angle it level to the ground if you can that would look better, don't like cannons that point just a little up seems wrong some how.

Still looks great, and continues to grow!!! holy cow. I would take off about an inch and a half from demolisher cannon(penis enlargment) and other than that, lookin snazy.

i like it it now looks like a giant basilisk,btw cannons point a bit up because of gravity

dakkagrot187 wrote:i like it it now looks like a giant basilisk,btw cannons point a bit up because of gravity

And when did gravity ever come into the minds of GW, just look at chibi hawk.

I withdraw my comment of taking some off, it looks good. After further review of the pictures, I think it looks good as is, and you should leave it.

I did get round to stealing your idea. Hope you don't mind. If you want to see my attempt its here
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/426581.page#3853122

Last night I mounted the tank buster into the top section. It pivots too! Tonight I should finish the construction of that part.

The dozer blade I wanted to fit looked rubbish on Bertha, but the two parts from it would fit the rhino and whirlwind quite well if I ever get around to doing it.

Got a couple of dreadnoughts on the way, so work will begin on those when I have chance.

Pictures will be posted when I've made a little more progress!

Bit of an update. Making progress on the dozer blade. Have decided to keep all the heavy bolters and the las cannon sponsons, those need repairing and re fitting though. I've got a rivet maker and plenty of modelling putty on the way, so building up the details when they arrive over the next few days or so.

Any input would be cool. Let me know what you think.

Apologies for the poor picture. Lighting is pretty low right now.

Still looking good, When ramming someone, the Dozer blade will certinly get whatever the demolisher cannon misses. (I'd hate to be the guy that gets physicly run over by that thing)

ImpGuardPanzies wrote:Still looking good, When ramming someone, the Dozer blade will certinly get whatever the demolisher cannon misses. (I'd hate to be the guy that gets physicly run over by that thing)

I call it the Boom 'n' Scoop technique.


Not had time to do much recently and I'm away this weekend, so probably won't get a huge amount done till next week now. Now that the blade has been on a few days and still looks ok, I'm going to work on the mounting arms for it and possibly make it look a bit beefier. Still not sure what I want to do with the cannon mount yet. Might build a platform at the back for marines to stand on to re load the big gun.

Sounds great! cannon house is almost big enough to apply side sponsons to.

I might consider it. Depends if I can get some ordered up or not. I'm still not entirely sure what I'll be doing with the housing. I have some plastic tubing on the way so I can build a platform behind it for some marines to stand on while reloading.

Quick update while I am at work. My mobile network has cut my internet off for using too much, so I won't be able to post pics for a while. I now have 4 twin linked las cannon sponsons. Knocked together a hatch to reload big cannon with and started work on the tracks.

Pics as soon as possible.

Such a cool idea, keep it up.

A few picture updates. No massive changes. I've repaired the original twin linked las cannon sponsons and put magnets in them so as to reduce the chance of me breaking them both again. Started building the platform on the back, complete with hand rails and two marines (one is in situ to see how I like it). I will need to do some work on the handrail as my slicing and sticking is of rather poor quality. I've added detail to the rear of the cannon housing including loading hatch and target computer. The tracks are now fitted (which was slightly tedious work since I had to trim down the links to make them look a little like they were meant to fit. I've got the other set of twin linked las cannon sponsons built, I'm just working on a way to fit them to the cannon housing. I have an idea on how it could be done, but as always, my big problem is getting my ideas from my head in to reality. The cannon housing has been made magnetic as well. I am considering building interchangeable roof top accessories. With two dreadnoughts on the way, I'm thinking of building a craneand platform so it can be used as a Dreadnought Transport. We will have to see what happens with that though. Once again, ideas to reality. Doesn't always go as planned.

Another thing I have thought of doing is making the demolisher cannon barrel magnetic too. This way I can swap it for other weapons modded to fit the hole. Just an idea for now.

Anyway, rambling aside, check out the pics, let me know what you think.

Fitted the other two twin las cannon sponsons and knocked together a couple of autocannons to go either side of the main cannon. I think someone needs to stop me from adding guns. It's getting a bit ridiculous.

Is that turret static? Looks like it may move up and down but not turn?

Looking great! I love the Assultcannons nxt to the main cannon, made me smile. I probably would have never thought of that.

I like the Idea of a crane and dred transport, but not on bertha. Too much would be going on. HOWEVER I could see a ramp under the loading platform to say load 20 troops, or transport a squad of 6 bikers.

I think the top of the main cannon could use something, it looks good boxy and I absolutly love the angle you built the gun box on. But with the assult cannons I think the top needs some character, maybe a hatch or a small command room with a driver or tech marine. Maybe thad be too tall and too much. Maybe something simple like a hatch with a camera or sensor nodes. Could put something on the top with it, and call it a teleport homer(Allows other units with deepstrike ability not to scatter when deepstriking in nex tto it)


Deffanitly have enough weapons. Time for a new tank buddy. Maybe incorperate your dred transport on there, along with some plasma cannons or something.

The turret is static. I think the barrel is too long for it to be swivelling, it does go up and down though.

I have magnetic the cannon housing so it can be removed and swapped for the dred loader. However, you are right about needing another tank. I'll prob do it on that instead. Land raider with a widened chassis so the dred can be front loaded and provide extra fire power.

The cannon housing is going to have blast shields around the cannon and autocannons, and was going to do something with a couple of small radars. I like the hatch idea though. I will prob give that a try.

Thanks for the feedback!

Haha no problem. The blast Shields actualy sound like they would turn out looking pretty cool. especialy near the Assultcannons.

The LR idea is a great idea, you have the high protective walls on the side, and the movable front door to load. COuld easily attach your crane thing to the back left or right side. Not to mention it has built in sponson spots. on the sides. Modeling a drivers seat would be easy, and you wouldnt even need a roof.

ImpGuardPanzies wrote:Haha no problem. The blast Shields actualy sound like they would turn out looking pretty cool. especialy near the Assultcannons.

The LR idea is a great idea, you have the high protective walls on the side, and the movable front door to load. COuld easily attach your crane thing to the back left or right side. Not to mention it has built in sponson spots. on the sides. Modeling a drivers seat would be easy, and you wouldnt even need a roof.

I hadn't thought of making it open topped, that's a pretty awesome idea! If I can pull it off it would look fantastic! Off to everyone's favourite auction site for me I think!

Dreds arrived today. Two land raiders ordered and should be with me next week. My plan is to modify the Dreds as much as possible while keeping the look of them (taller and more weapons is my biggest aim) with magnetized arms so I can swap and change what I want on. I'm thinking I could probably make one transport to carry both Dreds, leaving me a land raider chassis free to make my planned twin turret land raider.

Sweet, extended transport may look cooler, but LR's are expensive. Sounds Awesome

Did a lot of work on the dreds this weekend. Used washes and extra weapons to make the ironclad about 20mm taller and 10mm wider than standard. The venerable dred is going to be the same height I reckon with twin autocannons on top. The ironclad has twin lascannonns shoulder mounted. Just waiting for my land raiders to arrive now.

Looking sexy

Venerable is taking size now. Going to do a bit of putty work on them both to make it look less like I just glued a bunch of washes on them.

Pretty sweet, All they're missing is jump packs and nemissis weapons :p Reminds me of a tau battlesuit for some reson

You sized them up to make them bigger targets?

Jump packs won't be needed as the land raiders arrived yesterday! I have no idea where to start though. I forgot how big they are. I'm looking forward to making the dred transport.

And as for bigger targets... erm, yes. I don't have much defence for that. Other than I think they look a bit more menacing taller!

I agree, they look more dengerous this way, and being that you dont generaly play 40k I dont think it will be a problem.

Id start with first seeing if the bottum or top of a LR is wide enough to hold a dreadnought and then go from there.

If it is wide enough, then id glue on the side treds, and if you need more legnth, plasticard the bottom and rear treds/tread housing to extend it.

With a bit of plasticard work ive built a basic body for the transport. It didn't need lengthening, but with the added width of my Dreds it is almost wide enough to fit a standard land raider in the loading bay! Got a few preliminary pictures of the work in progress. I've gone for the hurricane bolter sponsons as they will be best suited for infiltrating enemy lines quickly to deliver the double nasty payload where it matters. With the size of the loading bay it could also be used to transport a dozen terminators, or even a large platoon of marines.

Looking great. Is there room behind the plasticard and 'doors' for a couple servitors and a tech marine? This would add efect and reason for the driving(steering) firing of weapons, and controlling of the crane(should you add it)
this could also add in gameplay.

Hurricane bolters are great for clearing out infantry, and If I recall correctly the LR chassie has spots for two sponson weapons. Maybe the scond could include flamestorm cannons, as the flamestorm and hurricane bolters would (fluffwise) be great for clearing and breaching a building of waiting hungry tyrnids, or melta heavy infantry.

Do you have any other plans or ideas for the transport? Or a name? 'Uncle Tom'

Uncle Tom sounds good! I am trying to build an extra 'pod' on the back with screens around it and a drivers head up through a hatch. The only other weapons I'm considering is a pair or four of the standard tank rocket launchers. I'm going to attempt to build a moving loading ramp (which will probably be no more than a pivoting piece of card shaped to fit the look).

More pics when I've made a bit of progress.

On a side note, I'm struggling to keep my ironclad dreds feet from falling off. With the washes and magnets in the feet, there isn't a lot for the glue to bond to. Also, superglue is too brittle, anyone know of anything similar that goes strong but not brittle?


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I think 'Uncle Tom' should be the drivers unofficial nick name. And he rather gently calls the transport 'Sweetheart' while the other marines make fun of him for his ridiculous attachment to his tank.
I imagine the battlefield radio communications would be entertaining to listen to!

Lol deffanitly! "hey sweetheart, come help Bertha unload on some bogies over near our Mother-inlaw..."

The door sounds cool, Missle launchers would probably be a cool addition, along with smoke launchers and maybe some netting?

Idea for the door: get all elaborate and fancy, make it like the FW caracass armored transport, Basicly a massive plow that has a door section that drops down after plowing enemies out of the way.

The pod idea sounds cool

As far as keeping feet on, Use some green stuff and connect body and feet with it, overload some magnets with glue and alow to thurowly dry.

Haven't done much model work recently. I did get some work done tonight though. Built two of the four sides to the control room, put Uncle Tom in the pilots seat and, due to lack of room on the back, fashioned some exhausts in the bottom corners. Will be working on the side walls to the control room next and making it look a little tidier. A few pics attached of the current progress.

They look a little tall to fit in there with a roof, is it just the angle?

I think its just the angle. If not Im sure he will come up with some fancy way to make a roof out of plastic card...seems to be his thing. So far, so good. haha

I like it, hopefully nobody melta-guns it from behind, cuz uncle tom will have some toasty buns.

The Dreds are too tall for a roof, but I wasn't going to have one. Think of it as the sporty open topped edition! I'm going to attempt to make a sort of roll cage for it though to help increase the rigidity and improve aesthetics.

On a side note, I have been watching a lot of Stargate SG1 recently. Thinking about building my first ever piece of terrain; a Stargate with rotating inner ring. I know I have a lot of work in progress right now, so probably (but I can't promise anything) won't bother with it yet.

I meant a roof overf the driver, not the dreds. Just for clarification

Terrain would be cool! cant imagine what you would make

Uncle Tom will be left out in the open, but the hurricane bolters and Dreds should take care of any heretics silly enough to stray too close to the front, back or sides of the transport!

Just a quick picture to show size comparison between the transport and Titan hunter, with rhino for scale. Transport isn't as menacing as Bertha, but the payloads it can carry are dangerous enough! And the rhino won't quite fit inside. I tried, but gave up through fear of breaking something!

All Your missing is another dred transport, backed by two larger tanks carrying assult infantry, and bolter marines, and about 3 smallish biker squads. Got a small 4000pt spearhead army goin on. lol.

Looks nice. What happened to the dozer blade on Bertha?

I broke it trying to make it better. Going to try and make some supports for it that look like pistons. All I need to do after that is add the other marine on the back and a few big cannon shells and Bertha is complete.

Anyone wanna paint her?

Haha, I WOULD, but my painting skills are not that great. And you would have to ship her over seas...bad idea

Probably not the best. My painting skills are mediocre at best. I don't want to do a shoddy paint job on something that turned out a lot better built than I expected. Plus, I've never painted anything bigger than I rhino. I wouldn't know where to start. The crew on Bertha just need a couple of shoulder pads to finish them off. Going to sort the dozed blade out then call it construction complete. Starting to wish I'd given it wider tracks and extra armour. It's armed to the teeth but only has standard rhino armour.

You could still beef up part of the parmor on hte sides and trear, especially on the main cannon housing

If I may constructively critique, adding GW bits to flat card-stock often leaves the model lacking. You end up with detail bits surrounded by smooth walls and floor, you don't even need to go crazy with building more, just add some trim pieces or reinforced edges with extra card and it will looks more solid.

AH! just noticed a possible breakage of gravity. SM Boltguns next to cannon loaders, there is no rack for the guns, simply just the guns glued to plasticard! Easy fix, take bit sprew or a tiny straw, and cut a couple pieces to put under each gun and look like a gun rack.