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Currently re-treading my IG motorpool, the goal is to primarily use converted 1/35 models for this retread because I have grown contemptuous of the WWI treads and disproportionate dimensions of IG tank kits.
First really focused attempt is on this 1/35 hellcat, it has the same basic table size and required some minor converting to count as a BC/HB russ.

The concept is the hull weapons will be mounted as pintle weapons because it makes the most sense to me and I have no problem just playing them with a frontal fire arc or acquiescing to whatever rules lawyering comes up.
The issue I am running into is the heroic size IG heavy weapons look fairly silly relative to the size of the kits.
Now for the chimeras, which all get heavy flamers, the fix is just to mount two normal flamers side by side and voila problem solved.
The same cannot be said for the heavy bolter, I want to use a suitably heavy bolter shaped weapon just because I'd prefer it and I'm trying to avoid WYSIWYG disputes by using what looks like a storm bolter as a heavy bolter or slapping that .50cal heavy stubber on there.
I've done some brainstorming but can't think of any suitable replacement that doesn't require a bunch of cut and paste, so if anyone could suggest a smaller sized complete heavy bolter-ish item they've found in their travels I'd be much obliged.

Grainy Iphone WiP shot:

What about mounting the hull weapons coaxially?

the trouble is convincing people to play with this. The reason is because of the las-cannon that is on the forward-mount of the hull is now coaxial with the main cannon, and you can rotate whichever way you please instead of maintaining 90* angle.

what about sponsons? If you grab the SM predator sponsons, those will work, some conversion for alternate weapons required, but thats all I see...

The weirdest thing about GW tanks is that they always stick the weapons on the outside of the vehicle where they can be shot away without being protected by the armour. If you're looking to make it more realistic then surely all you need to do is add on some kind of armoured weapons port on the hull. As the weapon will be fully hidden you can call it what you like

The best example I can think of is the old Swedish S-tank. The kind of rectangular headlight looking thing on the nearest corner of the hull contains the 2 fixed MG mounts.

You could have to guardsmen sitting on the trackguards with heavy bolters kind of pintle mounted next to them, and them firing them like a chopper-mounted mg? Just an idea

Firstly: Thanks for the suggestions so far.

poda_t wrote:What about mounting the hull weapons coaxially?...
...what about sponsons?...

Thought about it, but a coax mount would totally ruinate the canvas cover, which I am particularly fond of for some reason.
Sponsons don't really fly on a tank with a suspension, which kills the feasibility. Up until this point it's not been an issue since none of the Russ I field have sponsons.

Flinty wrote:The weirdest thing about GW tanks is that they always stick the weapons on the outside of the vehicle where they can be shot away without being protected by the armour. If you're looking to make it more realistic then surely all you need to do is add on some kind of armoured weapons port on the hull.

I was hoping when they redid the IG they would give the tanks a slightly more functional appearance, the rhino kit was a serious overhaul and I dared to dream they would do the same to the IG, I was disappointed.

This whole undertaking is only for aesthetics, and my guardsman standing up in the hatch white-knuckling the butterfly on his heavy bolter as it thumps away into the heretic/alien/space marine scum of the universe is the image I'm trying to evoke(even though the HB is going to shoot about once every 6 games if my tank stops moving for whatever reason.) It reminds me of time spent gunning in the iraq I suppose.

I'm really just looking for a weapon that can suitably evoke the HB, maybe even just the front half of one. The 1/35 armor kits I've purchased are considerably cheaper than GW tanks so this project's budget is going a lot further than expected. I'm willing to pay for third party weapons or bits or whatever to get the image I want, I just need to find the bit that fits. (please excuse how lame that sounded)

What about building your own from plasticard/rod? You could easily get some realistic MG's that maintain the HB look.

BTW, love your sig, is it meant to be a bash on CNN, while supporting America's BAness?