Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

I call this tank the RAT,Recon Armoured Transport.I got these little tanks at a local chain store for $3.00 a piece. They will fill in for a Sentinel nicely. I took the models apart and removed all the little pieces. I then cut down the cockpit or the Bucket where the gunner will stand by 1/8 of an inch. I like to see the gunners head sticking out. I have enough of these tanks to make a full company of ten. the three that I have started so far , have this 1/8 of an inch cut off the bucket. Does anyone think it should be left the way it is or cut deeper? I still have 7 more to go. I'll try to post the next steps soon. Thanks everyone.

In the first photo three of my Rats are with my Leman Russ. The middle Rat has two weapons fitted,an Idea I was working on. I like it but I think it makes it top heavy. The second photo,you can really see the size difference.I do think the smaller size will help when moving in a Cities of Death game.Photo three I have really started to give the Rat a Imperial Guard feel.I used pieces left over from the Leman Russ and a Imperial Guard Tank accessories frame.In the forth photo you can see I made the gunners removable.This way I can change weapons or a Knocked out Rat will have no gunner.You can also see the Rat on the left now has a small raised turret,more of that Imperial Guard feel.Photo five shows the raised turret better and other little bits.Photo six shows the tow hitch,hand holds and you can also see down into the bucket.Next will be some paint and I really want to add stuff they have "Found" really looted! I remember stories from my uncles that were in WW2.Their vehicles had everything including the kitchen sink on board.Tho Im not sure what would be good loot? so any Ideas would be great. Thanks

Well I ended up cutting the buckets down on the next three Rats. A slip of a razor saw,helped me see the light.Lucky I didnt get my fingers. It was a nice day so I primed a pile of stuff, and with rain coming I should be able to paint a few Rats soon. I'll remember to take pictures this time when I paint them. Thanks

Look good.

Thanks Anpu42 I use alot of paint from the local chain store for my base colors,tho I have learned that some colors I can only get from GW. I'll keep adding gray washes until I get the color I like. I dont even try to match the gray from tank to tank, When Im happy with the color I just start with the next color wash. In these four pictures you can see from Primed to the second gray wash. I'll keep adding gray washes and keep count and see just how many washes it takes.You can also see that I dont try to be neat with the tank brush either,it help give each tank its own personality. Thanks again

to be honest, they look good but it makes no sense with the rubber tracks completely different to the GW tracks mounted on the hull.. maybe a swap completely might just fnish them off well, PS i have been looking heavily into using the "Priests" for a Renegade Guard force.

Looking great mate, was planning on doing the same with the Tamiya kit. Guess you beat me to it!

Looking good

Just wondering though, did you throw out the original guns? Seems like a waste if you did

@ Khargrim thanks! What a great idea! I have some left over GW tracks, and I'll give it a try. What I was trying to do was make, make shift armor. My uncle was in WW2 and was the driver of a M15A1 AA half track. He told me how they would hang used tracks on the bucket for more armor protection. They really liked the "kettentrad" tracks,when they couldnt get tracks they would use damaged jerry cans full of sand. His Halftrack was named Abner. I cant wait to see what you do with the "Priest" it sounds super!

@Lawkeeper Thanks! What scale is the Tamiya kit by the way?

@kenshin620 thanks! No I didn't throw them out, everything goes into the bitz box. Matter of fact you can see in the picture of stuff I was Priming, some half tracks."Those are going to be for my Orks of the Red Shirt Clan" Those came out of my Bitz box and I got those when I was 18. That was over 30 years ago..when it comes to gaming nothing gets thrown out.

Well I kept count this time and it took 6 gray washes to get the color where I wanted it. I only put 3 gray Washes in the bucket,I plan to use a white to finish off the inside. Next will be the blue wash and smaller details.I have been thinking about adding a thin black line where the blues and grays meet. I'll give it a try on one of the panzer 38t I'm working on. Thanks again.

Well it only took 4 washes to get the blue where I liked it. I havent had a chance to try painting a thin black line along the edge of the gray and blue,but maybe soon. Im also trying out different weapons to see what I like. So three more Rats join Talons 58th Company A. thanks

These look excellent.

Great use of a kit, looking forward to seeing them completed.

I had fun doing some of that fine lettering for you! I really had fun with the Avenger II ! the other two rats came out nice but I really like the Avenger! How are you coming with the fine details? I hope to see our Space Hulk game up her soon too.