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Hi guys and gals. I have a question I need answered. I dont play 40K but Im into the modeling part of the hobby and I love doing conversions. Ive never held or seen with my own eyes a tyranid model and Im wondering if there is a lot of potential conversions for them? I mean are there a lot of bits with each model kit so that I can mix and match and also use with other 40K models as conversions? Also Im thinking of buying a Hive Tyrant and a Swarm Lord to do some conversion work on and Im wondering just how hard its going to be. I dont like the potrusions coming off their backs and I want to cut them off and make them more "Armored" looking. Will this be hard?

Most nid stuff will work with other nid stuff if you're just looking to make random gribblies.
You could probably split the range into 3 categories.
Gaunt sized-Termagaunt, hormagaunt, gargoyles, genestealer etc
Warrior sized- Tyrant guard, biovore, pyrovore, warriors, lictor, zoanthrope.
Tyrant sized-Tyrant, carnifex, trygon, harpy, exocrine.
Stuff from each of these categories is pretty interchangeable with very little work.
Most tyranid kits in the warrior/tyrant size categories are dual use kits and come with plenty of bits. You mentioned that you want a tyrant and a swarm lord kit, do you realise they are the same kit?
As to how easy removal of the protruding spore chimney bits on the backs are it really depends on your skill level, to which your gallery gives little indication, but it is certainly possible.
Best of luck.

Yeah, size is the biggest issue - e.g. carnifex bits look silly on gaunts, and vice versa

Some simple greenstuff skills come in handy for modifying armour plates, e.g. I too dislike the spore chimney look and so did this:

Just an example of tyrant conversions, The grey is just a standard in box tyrant (with devourers from carnifex's), the second pic is a conversion using a Zoanthrope helmet, Carnifex head and a tyrannofex fleshborer hive as the weapons. on the third its just using the swarmlord legs that come in box with the hive tyrant.

Also keep in mind that Tyranids had three full product lines to choose from, not including the metal/plastic switch. 2nd Edition Tyranids are not a difficult thing to find, and 3rd is just as easy. They cost a bit more in most cases, but not 'collectors edition' level of an increase. A $23 modern model is $27 and might have been painted at some point. That sort of thing.

Look at 3rd Edition and 3rd Edition Forge World models for some of the best no-chimney looks the Nids have. They might end up being a better starting point than what you can currently buy. I personally love the old beetle looking Carnifex and nothing compares to the Alien Queen that was the Tyrants.