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The YPR models are made by AFV club. 3 different types exist. I got mine from HLJ.com. Here:

http://www.hlj.com/hljlist2/?Word=ypr&Dis=-2&MacroType=MilVeh

There's a newer model there, but I opted to get the older one. Although I may get the newer one in time b/c I like the look of the supply racks in the back and could probably load it up with bags, water cans, etc. Since they're currently out of stock (mainly b/c they're older models), I'd expect it to take about a month to fill the order and get it to you.

i really like your army man. Your single troopers look good and give your army that realistic feel. That's smart you took off the shoulder pads, i knew something was different but didn't even tell until someone asked how you did it. i actually did the opposite- took the shoulder pads of IG to put on my men at arms vets. I like your count as chimera model, i think it fits and looks a more realistic size compared to a standard trooper. If you're going to stick w/ the lasguns I'd keep em black, i don't like the brown if you're not going to give it a realistic wood feel. The m16s would be so cool and really drive the nail home with your army, just depends if you wanna switch to that this late in the project. I'd like to keep seeing updates, just subscribed.

Thanks for the comments! For the next squad I am planning on getting some M16s from Maxmini. Or I might opt for some pump action shotguns too. That may be in awhile. Currently too busy with studies, so I will periodically post here and there. I actually just mounted the ML to the YPR this morning and added a heavy flamer to the hull. My next project it painting it up so that will probably absorb most of my time for the next month.

Something to consider would be to take the magazines from Bolters and use them instead of the power packs on the lasguns. It's a damned sight easier and cheaper than making aftermarket M-16s work with the arms that already have the guns attached.

Also you might want to look at the M114 for your Chimeras. Even in 1/35th it will be much closer in length and height to the "real" thing. And since it is from the appropriate era it won't look quite as out of place as that modern MICV.

Hasslefree miniatures make M-16's at the bargain price of £2 for 5. Mind you as a british company I'm not sure what the postage costs to the states will be.

http://www.hasslefreeminiatures.co.uk/pack.php?pack=2296

this is coming together nicely so far.

As you're good at chopping plastic, you might want to consider some sort of a lasgun conversion to make it look more like what you're looking for. For example, I've hacked down my lasguns a bit to make them look less like toy guns.





Not the best pictures, but you get the idea. In any case, this particular conversion is pretty quick. I'm sure you could find something suitable.

Oh, and I'd paint the armor on their legs the same way you're doing up the helmets (or at least not the same color as the boots).

Good ideas all around.
@Dan: See its probably heretical to say this is a "vietnam style" guard w/o actually using M113s and the like, but I'm just not a fan of the way the M113 chasis looks. It doesn't quite fit the bill as well as the YPR does when it comes to looking and acting like a chimera. Sure there were variation to incorporate cannons onto M113s, but I've grown fond of the YPR. Think of it as an alternate universe in the late-1960s . Not only that, but the only M114 model I could find was around 120$ >.<

@Lucius: Someone did suggest those M16s from hasslefree, but I was told they were a bit too small. That and the bonus of maxmini M16s is the 3 different versions including the M16A1 model.

@Ailaros: Yeah, I probably should do the shin guards like the helmet/armor. I'm actually thinking of switching over to catachan legs since those shin guards and un-tucked BDUs at the waist on cadian legs seem a little out of place. That and catachan boots would fit more towards the theme. That is also a pretty quick and effective conversion for your Lasguns. I may have to try something similar with the next squad in conjunction with the M16s and let the masses decide which looks better. Also, mutton chops for the win .

Might as well throw this up while I'm at it. The final mods to the YPR are pretty much complete.

Well I squeezed out some time from my schedule and finally got the YPR done! The mud on the edges doesn't actually stand out so boldly in room light, if anyone notices that. It actually blends much better in person and is a bit darker.





Some more troop comparisons




So what do you think? C&C always welcome.

Looking great - the main armament is a big improvement, being to scale the original looked a bit spindly by 40K standards.

Can I make a couple of suggestions to make it a little more "40K"? Both would be easy to add even though the model is basically done.


Imperial Eagle like the one on the Rhino across the front armour.


The back looks too tidy, because it's more or less flush. Add a plate of 1/16" or 1/8" plasticard and some rivets to beef up the back.

Hmm, good idea. Yeah, gonna have to get my hands on some plasticard for the eagle. As for the rear I actually have 2 gas cans I need to put on the back still where your plate armor is drawn. The rivets would be a good addition though.

Hey WhiteWolf, where do you live? I have a couple of the eagles from the Rhino kit that never got used.

I currently live in Cleveland,OH, but I just ordered one from Bitz barn last night along with some other things. Thanks for the offer tho!

Well...uhh...it's good work, to be sure. I'm decent with conversions and absolute balls at painting for anything but the tabletop, so I like the paint job (especially the helmet's camo scheme), as well as the geared-up look you have him. As far as being Vietnam inspired...nice job taking off the shoulder pads, but I think you could've saved yourself a world of trouble with the armor by using Catachans as base models instead of shock troops. There's difficulty finding the balance between lack of torso armor and the need for a helmet for that Vietnam-look, but yeah. Nice job regardless.


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Whoa! Didn't see the tank conversion you did before I posted. You can use it as a Chimera, as it seems you are, or go with the Hellhound route. Because THAT is a Croc if I ever did see one.

Heh, yeah, I guess the only reason I shyed away from using catachans is their ridiculous arms. I mean I like the idea of catachans, but I find that GWs idea of muscular mortals is a bit off. No one I know has biceps that big. I often feel that they modeled those models after John Rambo, which is why I decided to go with cadians seeing how I didn't want an army of John Rambos . I was kind of going for a more real-world look, sure people fresh out of basic are going to be fit and muscular, but definitely not catachan muscular. If you meant catachan torsos though, then I decided against that because most of them aren't wearing shirts and if I used cadian arms on them, then it'd look like they were wearing bizarre sleeves w/o a shirt. I do plan on getting a box of catachans though just to see what I can mix and match while keeping the feel I want.

So it's been awhile. I finally got the M16s in from Maxmini, and I'm pretty impressed. I like the way they look. I've only got on guy done, been kinda busy with another project I started up recently. But here is what he looks like. Still have to do the basing though.

Looks nice! I'd paint on the same camouflage pattern the helmet has onto the armor though, just to tie it all together. The fatigues look a bit flat in some places and could use a highlight on the raised parts of the cloth to make the shading stand out more. Other than that, it looks pretty good to me.

As far as suggestions I have for future models, I'd say that dirtying up the models, especially the boots (by making 'em look muddy and worn and whatnot), would add a nice touch. Also consider company and platoon insignia, as well as personal touches the soldiers have made themselves (such as kill-markings or scrawled on badass phrases).

some AWESOME work here. pure win. All we need is the NVA to join ur selection of troops with mini ak-47's and such. Ofc they wont be literally joining your troops... more like your troops "unjoining." Flying pieces of plastic and screaming soldiers come to mind....

wow, that came out WAY better than I thought it was going to. The super-duper tall sights are a touch too super-duper tall, but it definitely looks like an imperial guard with an M16. Nice job!

Yeah they do look a bit tall don't they? Maybe I can cut them down. And yes, I will plan on eventually muddying it up once I get the basing done. Also, you can't see it in the pictures but he does have the ranger logo on his left arm. As for the armor, I like it the way it is. From the pictures I've seen and videos watched the flack jackets of that era were still just solid olive drab. Only the helmets were really given camo. As to why, your guess is as good a mine.
Thanks for the comments too! Hopefully I can get a whole squad up soon.