Convertible SM Land Raider/Land Raider Crusader [Large Post!]

[magnet_man]

I am 99% finished with my convertible LR/LRC. Took a lot of work and some metal working and about $US 15 of extra sprues to complete, but it beat buying two of the models.

I found there were two critical things that needed to be done to make the tank convertible. The first was swappable sponsons (las cannon to hurricane bolters) and the second being the frag launchers that went over the front tracks. I did a few other incidental magnetics to make the smoke launchers, HK missile, etc. removable.

Sponson Mounts
The trickiest part of this was to find a way to get the magnets in such a way that they would be strong enough to support the all metal hurricane bolters. I decided to cut some 1/8" (3.175mm) steel and place it in the opening.




I used a dremel tool to cut the steel. Took a while, but it made a nice fit. A little glue and I sandwiched it between the side panels. For those unfamiliar with the LR it has two parts that make up the sides. In the above pic you can see that another piece slides onto the side.

I then assembled the sponsons and glued 7/16" diameter x 7/16" tall (11.1mm x 11.1mm) magnets onto the backs of the sponsons. For the hurricane bolter it took two because they were so heavy. The second magnet was added after I realized one wasn't strong enough.



I had to buy a second weapons sprue from GW. The sprue is called "Land Raider Sprue B". Part number: 99390101003.

Frag Launchers
Once again, a little tricky. I put two 3/8" diam x 1/8" thick (9.5mm x 3.175mm) disk magnets on the back of the front tread. One of the treads has the assembly for making the assault ramp open and close. So it took a little work to find the point where the two magnets would not interfere with the assembly.



To make the magnets sit next to each other without flying apart, the planar polarities are flipped, which will mean the magnets I put the frag launcher won't be oriented in the same direction.

Using some creative eye balling and a marker pen I put two marks on the frag launchers and drilled and put in two 3/32" diam x 3/32" tall (2.38mm x 2.38mm) cylinder magnets. The trick here was not to drill all the way through the metal. I found it was better to leave a bit of the magnet sticking out to grab the treads and help support them.

Misc. Bits
I also through a few magnets around the top of the hull to make more mount points. Then I put small magnets in the optional bits so I can swap out smoke launchers and the like.



In the end I have mount points in all the circled areas below.



I also put a magnet in the second hatch and put some green stuff over the hole.



What's Left
Besides painting all I've got left is the multi-melta mount. I've been having problems getting the all metal multi-melta to stay on the mount. I bought a second hatch off of a bitz website so I can just swap out the multi-melta and a blank hatch to convert between the LR and the LRC.

Land Raider


Land Raider Crusader


All my magnets were bought from Amazing Magnets.

I would love comments and suggestions on how to make this easier.

For help on how to install the magnets I'd suggest you look at my article!

[TechnoMagi]

hehe same kinda thing i did, except.. arent the guns supposed to be on the rear hatch? oh well. also, try drilling hole in key points on the door hinges and in the sides of the door entry, then using a bent paperclip to hold the doors. \I did that and now my LR has removable guns, and open / closing doors. Theres an excelent tutorial if you search on google. also, try www.kjmagnetics.com theyre very cheap and great quality. good for those state side.

[magnet_man]

I was going to make the door hingible, but this project dragged out longer than expected and I just wanted to finish thing. As for where the sponsons are, well if you look on the box there's one pic of a BT (I think) showing the sponson in front and one of an ultramarine with the sponson in the back. I put them in front cause honestly, you jump out of a hatch do you want a lascannon or bolter right beside your head

[the terminator]

About the whole back hatch/front hatch thing, it doesnt matter. In fact, if you look at GW's example Land Raiders, you'll see that some have the guns mounted forward, and vice versa

[vindicator]

An other vision on where to mount the sponsons might be where the powerlines/ feedbelts/generators would have to be wher they wouldn't be in the way fotr the passengers and them storming out of the tank.

[Meph]

I was going to make the door hingible, but this project dragged out longer than expected and I just wanted to finish thing. As for where the sponsons are, well if you look on the box there's one pic of a BT (I think) showing the sponson in front and one of an ultramarine with the sponson in the back. I put them in front cause honestly, you jump out of a hatch do you want a lascannon or bolter right beside your head

Indeed, it makes more sense in to put the guns in the front hah, you don't want to get ripped to shreds by a hurricane bolter before you finished the first syllable of your battlecry And not only do youstay away from the business end of the guns, the sponsons themselves provide some cover too