Guard Tank Upgrades

[SW1]

Just wondering how people are representing certain upgrades on their models. For example the Augur Array seems an interesting upgrade but I have no idea how to model it. It seems a points heavy option which can be taken by all my tanks which for the ETL can't be a bad thing. ;)

 

I'll list all the upgrades in the order they're listed. If anyone wants to chip in with if any are worth taking for gaming purposes feel free.

 

Searchlight:

Don't think this really needs an explanation. Looks cool especially if the lens is done well.

 

Relic Plating:

There's been a few cracking examples recently of using the boxes of bones that come in a GWS kit. <If anyone knows which kit it is I'll update this post.> I'm also considering press moulding some of the skulls/bones from the scenery kits GWS have produced.

 

Dozer Blade:

Don't think this really needs an explanation either. But is an ideal chance to go to town with the weathering and adds a bit of weight to the look of a model.

 

Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter:

Can a tank ever have enough guns? :D

 

Recovery Gear:

I'm thinking of including cables and chains to represent this but again anyone have any other ideas on this?

 

Smoke Launchers:

They come in the kit no real reason why not to include them. Though there have been many produced over the years so I'm thinking of using the same ones throughout my force to give something unifying (I'll be looking to do this with a few other upgrades as well).

 

Extra Armour:

There's a few kits out on the market. But a bit of plasticard with plenty of rivets and maybe some textured plasticard might work well.

 

Fire Barrels:

The description on this option really tickled me. Not sure if I'll try to source some small barrels or some of those jerry cans the old kits had. Maybe a raid on the bits boxes is in order for this upgrade. :D

 

Hunter-Killer Missiles:

Don't think this really needs an explanation either. The newer ones look rather clunky IMO but the old boxed also look clunky as well. I'm thinking of using some of the old epic death strike missiles.

 

Camo Netting:

Not sure how to do this and make it look good. Any ideas would be welcome.

 

Enclosed Crew Compartment:

Tempted to try doing my own version of the basilisk using Russ bodywork. The barrel is the exact same dimensions as 2 of the telescopic tubes.

 

Augur Array:

This is the bad boy I'm after the most help with. I'm thinking some sort of dome on the front of a tank like you see radar housed on aircraft today. Or the skull recessed in an arched box could also work.

[SW1]

I think trying to cram everything onto a single tank will look stupid but modelling a few on each tank will help give the force a unique character. Especially if used to tie the different tanks together. Like using all the same smoke launchers, lights and hkm.

[march10k]

~shrug~  the upgrades only really matter if you're actually using them.  I tend to put dozer blades on my demolishers, and that's a great place to put a slogan...one of mine says "nex circumduit,' but "urban renewal" and "coming through" work well, too...

[Father Mehman]

The relic box I've seen used the most is from the Space Marine Commander kit, I think.

 

For camo netting, try using medical gauze. Kierdale did it for one of his models and it looks great- the Young Marbo if memory serves.

 

For the augur array, try using the radar that comes in the Space Marine Rhino kit.

[Nicodemus Doloroso]

I used medical gauze for camo netting on my tanks. I'm on my phone right now so can't easily fetch the link but look for "the road to Astronomi-con 2014". Also I used medical gauze on my ratings in my most recent PLOG here: http://www.bolterandchainsword.com/topic/305378-plog-nicodemus-gears-up-for-a-tournament-in-may/?do=findComment&comment=3997343

 

For recovery gear pick axes and shovels seems really Imperial Guard style to me (keep in mind Russes can run on alcohol or even wood). Cables and hooks work too.

 

Augur array would probably be a bunch of communications equipment.

[SW1]

Hmmm ... So Augur Array is best thought of as improved coms, I can work with that. ;)

[WarriorFish]

I don't really do many upgrades, least of all ones that don't come on a sprue! :P

[SW1]

As these will be the pride of my RT I'll need to mod them a little bit.

 

I want to do a few mods that will tie them all together but not go over the top with it.

[Chefzilla]

 

 

That's cheese cloth dipped in alternating colors. As for Augur Array I use vox sets from IG sprues just cut down.

[hendrik]

Here are a couple conversions of my own;

Extra (sandbag)armour +reinforced turret,camo netting(the painted camo paytern)and if need be the auger array (vox caster attached to turret armour

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb281/amorfatipictures/20141105_201846_zpsad8pt3hr.jpg

[CommissarZac]

I believe the tank accessories sprue should have barrels.  I use those as fire barrels.

[Kierdale]

The relic plating I put on a recent Punisher:

Was made via press mold of detail on the Cities of Death floorpack (the wall sections of):

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-JP/Cities-of-Death-Floor-Pack

Pretty much all other bitz can be found either in the kits or on the upgrade sprue.

I love that sprue.

Oh, for camo gear I intend to use thin bandaging, stretched as it dries so it doesn't dry out too fluffy/bloated.

[march10k]

Kierdale, you are a kami among hito...those relics look suspiciously sororitas-sourced, lol!

[Kierdale]

They were looted from a Sororitas nunnery

 

Thank you, well, is a Shrineworld!

[Ulrik_Ironfist]

The Auger array, seems like it would have a high powered antenna, and would probably function similarly to a GPS unit. So basically some kind of antenna would work well. 

 

The Camo Netting, I have burlap lying around, so that's probably what I'd use. 

 

The Dozer Blade seems pretty obvious, I think the kit comes with that.

 

IN all honesty, the only upgrades I'd take (from what I've been told by long time guard players), is Camo Netting and Dozer blades on all vehicles, and heavy stubbers on all LR, while only taking the lascannon upgrade on Vanquishers. No sponsons except maybe on vanquishers, punishers and executioner. I don't plan on running anything but battletanks, vanquishers, and punishers. 

[WarriorFish]

Yes, Kier found them on the floor and followed the correct procedure of asking like a couple of nearby people "are these yours?" before taking them. All above board.

 

Dozer blades are useful, but I admit to finding the model aesthetic as much a reason to take one! Heavy stubbers I always model but only on Chimeras, helps that I generally try to keep things cheap so there's less bits to worry about. When you're lobbing battle cannon shells around a heavy stubber isn't usually going to add much to the equation :P You could easily argue a more high tech solution to some of the upgrades too that don't need modelling.

[elmo]

So here are my thoughts on modelling the items... pinch of salt required

Bear in mind I am more a modeller than a player

Searchlight:

From the sprue

Relic Plating:

Like Kier did

Dozer Blade:
From the sprue - magnetise for now you need it, now you don't

Heavy Stubber/Storm Bolter:
From the sprue - magnetise for either Stubber, Bolter or none

Recovery Gear:
You can get small link chains from craft shops to loop around towing eyes and this

Smoke Launchers:
From the sprue

Extra Armour:
Plasticard spaced armour like this

Fire Barrels:
Tamiya equipment kit

Hunter-Killer Missiles:
I like the new missiles and you can magnetise them either for when not used or to show them having been fired

Camo Netting:

making camouflage netting for a model tank

Enclosed Crew Compartment:
Plasticard would be your best bet

Augur Array:
You can use the Dark Angel Landspeeder array or the radar dish from most SM vehicle kits.

I am using the dish on my counts as Hydra turret

[WarriorFish]

Great post elmo, there's also the Apoc command upgrade sprue for fancy comms, but some clever use of wires and some bits could easily do :)

[SW1]

Excellent ... There's no excuses for anyone doing a bare bones tank for the ETL then. It doesn't sound much but a few extras on a tank can equal an extra unit of grunts being painted. For the effort it's worth it.

 

I think my work has been done. ;)

[Father Mehman]

I see what you did there and I like it!