Back to tracks and 1995 – Ultramarines done old school

Here’s the first Impulsor. As an advanced level kitbash, it came out pretty well, I think – it looks like it was made this way.

To paint it, I did:

1. recess shade with GW Night Lords air

2. highlight with lighter version of the Ultramarine blue, using a grey-blue to lighten it.

3. painted metallics with Leadbelcher and washed them with Nuln Oil

4. went with vintage style red bolter casings  on the side turrets

5. yellow on the eagles and skulls was done with Averland Sunset, wash Fuegan Orange, highlight Yriel Yellow, final with Dorn Yellow.

Decals were a mix of the kit decals and some from the new Ultramarine upgrade kit.

Worked on the interior today, and was able to glue the top piece on when done. Lots of screens, buttons, etc. came out pretty decently, I think.

Here’s the final built version. I used track skirting from the Dorn donor tank, adds some protection to the tracks. The missile launcher top isn’t glued on yet, so that I can paint the interior of the rear area.

Overall, I’m happy with the end product. No more floaty tanks!

Primed white interior, Vallejo Ultramarine exterior and touched up some overspray from the airbrush in the interior. Let dry overnight.

And then… time to paint!

Most of the modified parts laid out. Some minor tweaking will still be needed, but I can use this as reference for the next three floaty tank retrofits.

And here’s the day one assembly! Looking much better than an air hockey table tank, I think.

I really dislike the floaty new Space Marine tanks, so I decided to convert them back to being tracked. The donor kit for the tracks is the IG Rogal Dorn. The tracks are beefy, they have LOTS of track in each kit, and there is the bonus of loads of stowage in the Dorn kits. Is this the least expensive way to do this? Nope. Will it look cool? Yep!

Also, I plan to paint all the Ultramarines and their vehicles like it’s 1995. Real old school.

First steps are cutting all the nubs off the frame of the Repulsor tank. Then test fitting of the sides, and determining how wide the tracks fit. And then… loads of cutting. I used a Dremel to take off the eagle, as it interferes with the track cover.
Wheels are the Dorn tank, and much careful cutting was done to make them fit and look like they belong.