Griffon Mortar tank

[calgar101]

The humble Artillery piece has long gone, I was always a fan of it but shamefully never bought one. I'm going to be adding more tanks to my Guard army and want some Griffon mortars, I'm just unsure the best way to convert some.

 

I've looked at some images and was thinking of buying a Basilisk and cutting down the gun barrel to a stub.

Would leave the gun shield off too and have the top of the tank as open as possible. 

Not sure if this is possible or should use different gun parts?

 

Any help/guidance is appreciated thank you.

 

 

 

Edited September 18 by calgar101
Add picture.

[Dr. Clock]

Can confirm - leaving/cutting off the forward half of an earthshaker still looks fine. I picked up 2 earthshaker cannons as 'emplacements' 2nd hand years ago and only 1 had a full length barrel. I use them slapped on a Necromunda Ridgehauler and trailer as gun carriages, and they work well for that.

 

Today's earthshaker stats are also not so substantial that a reduction in barrel length will draw too much notice from opponents. It's the Guard - variation is expected!

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[calgar101]

 

Can confirm - leaving/cutting off the forward half of an earthshaker still looks fine. I picked up 2 earthshaker cannons as 'emplacements' 2nd hand years ago and only 1 had a full length barrel. I use them slapped on a Necromunda Ridgehauler and trailer as gun carriages, and they work well for that.

 

Today's earthshaker stats are also not so substantial that a reduction in barrel length will draw too much notice from opponents. It's the Guard - variation is expected!

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

Thank you for your reply, any pictures of your conversion? It sounds good; I've wanted to use a Ridgehauler for something. 

 

I'm not bothered on stats, I haven't played since 7th, my gaming circle are looking at 3rd/4th edition. 

[LameBeard]

I’m surprised Blood & Skulls Industry doesn’t do a conversion kit, but maybe there is an stl out there?

[DemonGSides]

I like the 30k basilisk; it also comes with a Medusa short barrelled mortar so might accomplish what you're looking for. 

[calgar101]

@LameBeard I haven't looked into 3d printing side of things, probably some gun piece out there.

 

@DemonGSides I was thinking the same when I was looking at that kit last night. Might have to try make a version from the 30k and 40k kit.

 

[LameBeard]

Maybe something from https://mortian.shop/product/stationary-weapon-medium-gun-b-twin-mortar/?v=e5ecf956e6d6 might work?

[calgar101]

 

Maybe something from https://mortian.shop/product/stationary-weapon-medium-gun-b-twin-mortar/?v=e5ecf956e6d6 might work?

 

That looks like it could work, thank you.

I'd completely forgotten about Mortian, they've expanded their range since I last looked 

Edited September 19 by calgar101
Add a comment.

[AutumnEffect]

Check out this conversion guide:
https://theforgefloor.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/converting-an-imperial-guard-griffon-heavy-mortar/

 

I'm just not sure what the 'road wheels' sprue/bit that they used for the barrel came from, but it does add a lot to the conversion, pulling off a bit of length and width to the barrel.

 

Edited September 19 by AutumnEffect

[calgar101]

 

Check out this conversion guide:
https://theforgefloor.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/converting-an-imperial-guard-griffon-heavy-mortar/

 

I'm just not sure what the 'road wheels' sprue/bit that they used for the barrel came from, but it does add a lot to the conversion, pulling off a bit of length and width to the barrel.

 

 

That looks awesome, thank you for posting. Not sure if the vehicles come with that road wheel sprue now but, I've a few spare barrels from guns that would make it look suitable. 

[DemonGSides]

 

@LameBeard I haven't looked into 3d printing side of things, probably some gun piece out there.

 

@DemonGSides I was thinking the same when I was looking at that kit last night. Might have to try make a version from the 30k and 40k kit.

 

 

I'm relatively new to the Guard and refuse to buy anything from GW directly, so I leaned on the new 30k Basilisks to give me that ranged punch.  I also like that they're in the Leman Russ chassis, as it makes my force look a bit more unified.

[Orion]

 

The humble Artillery piece has long gone, I was always a fan of it but shamefully never bought one. I'm going to be adding more tanks to my Guard army and want some Griffon mortars, I'm just unsure the best way to convert some.

 

I've looked at some images and was thinking of buying a Basilisk and cutting down the gun barrel to a stub.

Would leave the gun shield off too and have the top of the tank as open as possible. 

Not sure if this is possible or should use different gun parts?

 

Any help/guidance is appreciated thank you.

 

 

 

 

The Imperial Heavy Mortar pictured in the conversion above is actually available (or was, when in stock) as a separate field gun for Krieg.

And it's the same one they used on the Vanaheim pattern griffon.

 

Nice looking tank self propelled artillery.

 

 

 

Edited September 19 by Orion

[Inquisitor_Lensoven]

 

The humble Artillery piece has long gone, I was always a fan of it but shamefully never bought one. I'm going to be adding more tanks to my Guard army and want some Griffon mortars, I'm just unsure the best way to convert some.

 

I've looked at some images and was thinking of buying a Basilisk and cutting down the gun barrel to a stub.

Would leave the gun shield off too and have the top of the tank as open as possible. 

Not sure if this is possible or should use different gun parts?

 

Any help/guidance is appreciated thank you.

 

 

 

A long time ago I used a rhino, and tossed and empire mortar on the roof, then IG track guards to make look more like an actual thing than just a rhino with a mortar on the roof 

[Tallarn Commander]

I look forward to seeing your Griffon when it's done. It looks like folks have presented you with many good options.

 

The Griffon was the first tank I painted up for 40K. That was 24 years ago. Now my Tallarns have 17 tanks. 

[Dr. Clock]

No pics on my phone and the items in question are at a friend's house just now. I'll take a pic this weekend if I remember.

 

Calling mine a 'conversion' is ambitious - I haven't glued the guns to the chassis or anything, but basically just plonk the assembled gun decks straight on to the 'hauler and trailer. It looks good enough, and means I can use the hauler and trailer in Necro without the cannons in the way.

 

 

I'm just not sure what the 'road wheels' sprue/bit

 

Presumably the old-old leman russ road wheels?

 

 

It's definitely a cool conversion, but it'll be a nightmare to find that specific bit unless you know, or are, a Guard grognard.

 

Still - you can probably find a different muzzle bit somewhere... maybe like a vanquisher or eradicator cannon which should be easy to find, but definitely bigger and possibly just far too big.

 

Cheers,

 

The Good Doctor.

[calgar101]

Thank you all for your replies and guidance, it is very much appreciated!

 

The route I have decided to go for now is as follows; 

 

Use a 40k Basilisk, cut the Earthshaker cannon down and use an Eradicator barrel to finish the end off to create that 'Heavy mortar' gun. I'll be leaving the gun shield off and the Artillery piece will look quite 'open topped'.

If that does not look right then I will use the weapon emplacement for the Mortian range or something similar. 

Once I've found a way I think looks good/suitable, I'll build 3 and later expand to a company.

 

Looking at the Mortian range, they have a plasma cannon weapon emplacement... perhaps the Griffon could be improved with a plasma bombard? 

 

Once again thank you all.