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http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=32536

 

Its 1/48 scale. The site says works with 25mm to 27mm figures.  As the base Leman is oversized this might fit well.  The thought is to use the body/chassis, with a Leman Vanquisher turrent and modelled HB/lascannon in place of the MG turrent.  While I like the Leman I was thinking of something a little more modern for my two Vanquishers, to better stand them out as different models than your standard issue Leman.

Thoughts?

 

 

 

I see ne problem. Maybe a Heavy Bolter or a Lascan in the front.

You could pintle-mount the hull-heavy weapon on the turret cupola. I don't know what you'd do for sponsons, though. And it needs a bigger gun. And More Skulls (TM). Otherwise, go for it.

I have two FW Vanquisher turrents which has a nice, long barrelled barrel to that puppy. For the lascannon/HB option, was thinking of using clay/GS with magnets for either the hull or for a turrent cupola (akin to a Patton tank machine gun turrent).

 

For side sponsons I already have my remote controlled weapons with magnets-they might fit on this construct.  If not adjustments could be made (I would only use sponsons in the AC list).

You could probably pull something off with some 40k bits added to keep it from looking like you're just using a contemporary tank model.

Definitely go for the coupla mounted HB/LC, it will look better than a hull mount. For the existing hull MG, I'd cover it up with a piece of plasticard for a smooth hull glacis plate (with extra armor!). I'd also scratch build some 40kerized side armor skirts to help differentiate the hull from a regular King Tiger. The left over turrets could go on top of other kits or even as turret emplacements or something.

Yes, I have a decent amount of 40K equipment kit and general equipment (bags, etc.) which would go on the tank.

go for it. if you use the right bitz you can make it look prity good but i would go for the panzeres insted of the king tiger for the leman russ, use the tiger for the baslisk

 

Are you referring to PZ III or IV? My only issue with that (good idea though), is that with a FW Vanquisher turrent, I think they would look too much like Tiger I's. (see the FW link below for the turrent). However, if you were making it follow a Leman profile much more closely that would definitely be the way to go. Having said all that, I shall review the topic before final purchase.

http://www.forgeworld.co.uk/s8vanq.htm
I am thinking of putting the Lascannon/HB turrent above the main hatch, if I can do it without spoiling the turrent itself.

The dimensions of the 1/48 scale are almost directly on point with a predator (slightly longer) and I have to measure it against a chimera/Leman tonight to make sure it is within the ball park.

IMHO, PzIII's would be too short, but PzIV's would be perfect and many mid-late war variants (ie: PzIVG) come with side skirts. I also wouldn't worry about the FW turret, it is definitely distinct from any WW2 era turret, especially Tiger I's.

For the Lascannon/HB- what about replacing the co-ax stormbolter with a magnetized mount? You could then put the (better scaled) stormbolter as a pintle mount. The advantage of using a PzIV is the hull is more antiquated looking and the spare turret would look great atop a Chimera (or Predator), compared to the more modern looking King Tiger.

Posted By nyarlathotep667 on 10/26/2006 8:06 AM
IMHO, PzIII's would be too short, but PzIV's would be perfect and many mid-late war variants (ie: PzIVG) come with side skirts. I also wouldn't worry about the FW turret, it is definitely distinct from any WW2 era turret, especially Tiger I's.

For the Lascannon/HB- what about replacing the co-ax stormbolter with a magnetized mount? You could then put the (better scaled) stormbolter as a pintle mount. The advantage of using a PzIV is the hull is more antiquated looking and the spare turret would look great atop a Chimera (or Predator), compared to the more modern looking King Tiger.

Good points there.  I'll think about those options as well.

One more thing: from what I've read about the tamiya 1/48s, they do have some 'hollow' issues (the sherman, for example, needs sheet styrene over the treads, otherwise light shines right through, ruining the effect). You may want to check for similar issues. They also don't have any interiors, so if you were hoping for something like that...

Another easy way to 'russ' it up: add crew! One GW Tank commander poking his head out of the cupola would probably help immensely...

Good idea there syr8766. I just ordered the Tiger II model above, after measuring vs. a chimera (almost directly comparable-a chimera based tank was the original idea that started this). If the size dimensions are off I can tweek it with barrel tanks and other gear and convert to a hellhound with that turrent, and of for either 1/35 size or a 1/48 PZ III or IV (depending on the difference in whats amiss).

Instead of the guy waving his bolter in the air (why would a tank commander wave a pitsol around???) I'll probably use the top part of a a valhallan HW team member  (the one where he's leaning forward looking through binoculars).

Once completed I'll borrow my son's digital camera and post (you know you're old when you start asking your kids "how do you do..." .

Update:

Well the Tamiya Tiger II (1/48 scale) came. I was hoping for something similar in dimension to a chimera.

The dimensions are about a half inch longer than a chimera (chassis only -final may be slightly longer).  The width is about .5inch thinner than a chimera, but well within specs for a predator. Interestingly, the turrent is actually larger than a Vanquisher turrent - which surprised me to no end- so a plasticard plate is required to put the Vanq turrent on.  The wheels are all equal or slightly larger than the underlying wheels in the chimera chassis so that’s perfect. The glacis plate is identical to the size on a chimera.  Strangely the under chassis is die cast metal (looks like aluminum).  Set up so you can motorize the bugger ?

Man there are a lot of parts though.  I forgot how nice military models have gobs of parts.

 

So three issues:

1) GWizing this puppy.  Not sure of what GW bits to put on this thing.  If the model weren't perfect to begin with I could understand, but erp, its so sweet. Interestingly my idea for taking the turrent and using it for a hellhound conversion have already worked through a good deal planning stage wise.

 

2) lascannon/HB weapon cupola on the turrent. I have to figure out how to do that without permanently changing the Vanq turrent itself. Ironically it would be easy to adjust the Tiger turrent, because its pretty smooth on the top.  Thinking a magnet (maybe, it would stick out) or maybe just a decent amount of weight on the cupola to hold it on for gaming purposes.

 

3) Assuming going ahead on #2, if no heavy weapon on the turrent, not sure if I should cover over the machine gun spot on the right side with some spare tread, or leave the opening but don't put in the machine gun. Both the chimera and Leman have viewports in the front so this fits with that, but not sure.

All the Tamiya 1/48s have a cast-metal lower hull, "for added weight and realism" the ads say (funny, I didn't know I could lift a Sherman!).

I think replacing the turret will go a long way to "GW" up the tank, that being one of the most recognizable aspects to the tank. I think adding some kind of side skirt armor (as all the IG tanks have that, and it will help with the side-guns), lots of rivets, iconography, and the oversized weapons will also help. You may want to just have a HB coming out where the MG currently is in the hull as the hull mounted gun; probably easier than pintle-mounting on the turret itself.

Side armor skirt wouldn't be too difficult with plasticard. I am still thinking about the hull mount for the lascannon/HB. It has a natural well which would fit a magnet.

I think that, while in line with GW vehicles, a LC/HB in the hull of a Tiger II isn't going to be as aesthetically pleasing as having it mounted on the turret (replacing the storm bolter co-axial mount) or on a coupla pintle mount. Both versions can be made interchangable with magnets. Personally, I think replace the storm bolter co-ax with an interchangable mount and putting a permanent pintle mounted storm bolter coupla would be the best looking one. Add crew, that giant spotlight that came with the new IG tank accessory sprue, and various stores should do it.

This is all assuming you go with the Vanquisher turret. Knowing that Tamiya's kits are indeed things of hyper detailed beauty, you might want to use the turret provided. If so, I'd just go with a coupla mounted LC/HB, definitely an IG tank commander poking his head out, the aforementioned giant spotlight and various stores, as well as custom side armor skirts. It'll be a beaut!

Which Vanq turret is it? Is it the gryphonne? Stygies? Vanilla (mars)? Is it possible to use part of the german turret as a 'cage' (either Extra armor or stowage) for the vanq turret, to give it a little 'oomph'?

It looks like most of the Vanq turrets have the coaxial gun mounted on the turret itself; you could lop that off and put a magnet mount for the LC/HB...Having said that, I really don't think the plastic HB would look that bad on a pintle-mount. The lascannon may be another story, though...

I have gryphonne and Stygies. No the Tiger turrent is a two piece (top bottom). that would be best, but the original intent was to use these Vanq turrents if at all possible, without damaging them.

Still thinking on this but its the only real issue. I am very pleased with the model itself and its scale.

(I've gotten way too invested in this project.)

What about mounting the pintle-mount for the secondary gun in such a way that it implies the driver/2nd crewmember mans it? Or, alternatively, a remote turret of some kind?

Anyway, can't wait to see how it turns out! I'm curious as I've been contemplating tamiya's KV-1 and KV-2s as possible hellhound and Leman russ proxies for my valhallans.

Syr8766 that is how IO and a comrade here were thinking of doing. Kind of a beefed up pintle mount. Fluffwise fits as you're not firing the cannon at the same time your shooting that.

As an aside, I found Wikpedia had size dimensions on tanks. You can use that * scale to give a half decent comparison against a GW vehicle.

 

Did you ever make this tank? I always thought 40K translated better into 1/35 scale. Post pics if you did!

1/35 is really too big, though the weapons are so oversized they look better in 1/35. 1/48 scales out better to the size of the WH vehicles.

It's not surprising you found the FW turret too small, as all the GW turrets are too small.

I've successfully used 1/48 M2 Bradleys as Rhino/Predator/Razorback replacements. The only problem is the lack of side sponsons. I think the KV-1/2 would make good stand ins for the Russ for that reason. You could easily mount side sponsons on the turret sides. I'd love to see an update on this tank project.

Yes General. In fact I just finished painting yesterday. I have a few touch ups on the camo (and sealer) but all in all done. I took the idea of mounting the lascannon/heavy bolter to the gun mount and the turrent actually looks very similar to a baneblade turrent (is that co-axial?). The scale is 1/48 and works very well (also evidently is a popular scale so there is a goodly number of vehicles). Once the boy shows me how to use his digital camera I shall post some pics in comparison to a standard Leman. It all came out better than envisioned (the vanquisher turrnets go really well) and have ordered a new Tiger to build the second. The turrents will be used for a hellhound turrent and potentially a demolisher turrent-they are too good to go to waste.

Playtesting wednesday

1/48 scale armor has actually only recently regained popularity. 1/35 has been the scale of choice for YEARS, but 1/72 started getting a really huge following a couple of years ago, and 1/48 has followed in it's steps. Good timing

 

The only 1/48 scale armor that I have found are the Tamiya kits.....any other sites featuring them that you know of?

I think Dragon makes a few, and there is some Chinese company out there making 1/48 cheapy kits of BMPs and the like.

OK. two finished Leman Russ tanks.  Tanks are set on a Cityfight terrain. 1/48 scale, with FW vanquisher turrents and variants GW bits.  You can see the tanker commander on the Barbara Fran for scale reference.

Thanks to Honda for taking lending his camera to take the pictures.

tanks take the field

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank001.jpg

Pic of the Alexi Constantsi

 

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank009.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank007.jpg

 

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank005.jpg

Bird's eye view http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank004-1.jpg

 

 

Pic of the Barbara Fran

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank008.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank006.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q145/jfrazell/tank/tank002.jpg

 

And from an opponent's view (also known as the moment you realize you're about to have a bad day)

 

 

Man, those things look HUGE! The turrets actually look like they fit the tank pretty well.
I'd love to see a perspective shot (i.e. next to a chimera, rhino or the like) just to get a
sense of the proportionality.

If I can con Honda into it I will do it, else can post a bad picture for scale with my own camera (evidently when you get a camera that came from a box of cracker jacks its not the best hah hah)

In actual size its the same exact width as a Leman Russ, and approximately 2/3inch longer. The heighth (with the turrent) is the same as a Leman hull without the turrent (same height as a destroyer).