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I've had this lovely idea forming for a while, of an airmobile Leman Russ variant, carried by Valkyrie, for the Elysian Drop Troops. Because of size limitations, though, I don't want to use the LR chassis, so I figured I'd scratchbuild this one out of plasticard.

This is my first time working with plasticard (and my first time scratchbuilding anything larger than a barricade) to I figured I'd ask the fine people of Dakka for advice.

Here was the real-life inspiration for the design of the Leman Russ Sabre: the US M551 Sheridan light tank.



Based on this, I've come up with a fairly simple exploded parts list of the plasticard I'd need.

The design.



The parts list.



So, readers of this thread, here's my challenge. Tell me if anything's missing, tell me if I'm in way over my head with this venture, tell me any tips you have for working with plasticard. Be critical of my design and help me prepare for my first scratchbuild.

One error I've noticed already: I've forgotten to include LR treads and a Dreadnought engine on the parts list.

Also. the eyescrews will be screwed into the sides of the tank to allow it to be carried by cargo net underneath a modified Valkyire.

Thanks everyone!

~Josh

Holy Does that tank have a 75 Howitzer?
Anyways, good idea, I'd love to see it finished.

Dan the Viking wrote:Holy Does that tank have a 75 Howitzer?
Anyways, good idea, I'd love to see it finished.

Actually, its a 155mm cannon that can also fire antitank rockets. Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, have you ever worked with plasticard before?

Picking up a Predator turret might save you some time and effort. Looks to be pretty similar, especially if you shorten down the Autocannonbarrel and thicken it a bit.

Good luck with the conversion

use a chimera body ?

Make copies of your template before you start, and I suggest cutting out and assembling a paper or cardstock one before attempting plasticard. Just to test the template.

The predator turret looks like the right size, and you could probably use the turret mount point too. (Not sure how else to describe that)

Flinty wrote:Picking up a Predator turret might save you some time and effort. Looks to be pretty similar, especially if you shorten down the Autocannonbarrel and thicken it a bit.

Good luck with the conversion

Part of the reason I've selected the LR turret is so that this will be recognizeable as a LR variant. As I'm already placing an order from FW for the rest of my Elysians another 17ish dollars couldn't hurt terribly

CURNOW wrote:Use a chimera body ?

I could, but I'd consider that taking the easy way out. Part of the reasoning behind this is I want experience scratchbuilding, but I also want the nonstandard lightweight look to the chassis, so it looks convincingly airmobile.

SeverePatronage wrote:Make copies of your template before you start, and I suggest cutting out and assembling a paper or cardstock one before attempting plasticard. Just to test the template.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely do a cardstock mock-up for size and fit, to make sure it isn't too large or small for the turret.

Should also look up the M22 'Locust'.

Only worked a little bit with plasticard myself, but one thing I know is that you definitely want to reinforce the joints with scrap pieces of plasticard set perpendicular to the two panels you're joining.

I'm a big fan of using a rotary paper trimmer like this to ensure a very straight edge and right angles when I cut stuff. You can pick them up pretty cheap at craft stores or office supply stores. Small miter boxes are great for angles.

Hope that helps a bit, and good luck! Looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

If you print out your templates on full sheet adhesive labels you can stick them to the plasticard and save yourself the frustration of trying to keep the paper in place while you cut.

-Jim

Not sure what you mean by 'size limitations' - the resulting tank will be Russ-sized? If not, you'll get a lot of TLOS grizzles from opponents.

I do like the idea of an air-drop Russ equivalent. Instead of a tank, have you considered a 6/8-wheeled armoured car? It would be easier to make than a tank chassis.

You could just procure/ task some Space Marine Predators crewed by guardsmen. This solves TLOS problems and represents lighter armor values. The lower ballistic skill should appease any critics. Cover it in guard bits and kit... I'd roll with it.

or buy a 1/48 scale sheridan? Seriously, scratch building's fun and all, but why make life difficult?