Having seen the SSU resin armoured train models from Dust Studios I set out to build something similar to use on my Dust Warfare gaming table. The first thing I did was to select a cheap O scale locomotive that I picked up from my local model shop (thanks Dwayne).
I used a marker pen to highlight the area of the model that what I wanted to cut off. I used a small hand saw to remove the unwanted areas of the locomotive ensuring that I was careful whilst cutting as I didn’t want to spend too long filling in areas with green stuff.
The cut has been made and now we need to add the armour plate to cover up the sections removed. I used 020 (05mm) scale styrene sheet from Evergreen Scale Models and glued the three separate pieces onto the locomotive body. Whilst your armour plate is drying carefully remove the detailed fans from the roof of the model with a strong model knife, I use a Stanley knife as the blade is very strong. Add sections of L shaped styrene card along the edges of the armour plate, this adds detail and covers up your mistakes in cutting (covered mine anyway).
Once the fan sections have been removed they are ready to glue onto the top section of your model. Before you do so however you need to build your turret from the T34-85/KV 1 (Hobby Boss) and remove the turret housing from the kit in addition. Once you have finished the turret and housing, glue them onto the locomotive roof as well as the fan sections.
One of the turrets and turret housing from a Hobby Boss 1/48 kit
Once the fan sections and turret are dry add a simple door to the front and rear sections of the armoured train. This is done by the addition of a small rectangle cut from your plastic card; ensure you add small squares of plastic or sections of the L shaped styrene that will represent the door hinges.
Now add long strips of plastic card along the bottom of the train ensuring you cover the rear wheels. Add additional sections of plastic card for armour protection wherever you feel is necessary. You can add sections of L shaped styrene along the bottom of the wheel protection if you require it. You need to then add your wheels and create four box protection areas made from you styrene sheet.
Add details to your model to give it character. You can use one or two of the plastic hand holds from the tank kit and add the plastic machine guns from the SSU tank kit on each side of the train. You could use plastic weapons from Tamiya or Hobby Boss kits or create your own using wire of the right gauge with a green stuff muzzle brake. I used the plastic springs from the tank kits to create a machine gun that looked very similar to the 12.7mm DSHK.
That is as far I went with my train but you could go to town and add all sorts of detail. I would recommend the 1/48 resin rivet sheets from Archer Transfers in the US and the train section on the Lead Adventures Forum which is a font of information on building trains for gaming (as well as all aspects of miniature gaming). I try not to go over-board with adding too much detail as these are gaming pieces and will be handled constantly and small things always get knocked off. If you make a model please post pictures on the Dust FB pages as it is always good to see what other fans are doing.
Materials required
O scale locomotive (cheap one as you are cutting it up)
1/48 scale T34 kit. I used a Hobby Boss kit which is cheap and readily available. I also used the chassis for a Dustified SSU APC
Gun from a Ludwig walker to replace the 85mm in the tank kit
020 (5mm) scale styrene sheet or hobby card
080 (2.0mm) styrene L shape brackets
Hobby wire or paper clips
Thumb tacks
Links
http://dustaustralis.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.lead-adventure.de
I saw the armoured trains section in my Flames source book, they look cool, but not as cool as yours ^_^
ReplyDeleteThanks mate, I have always loved armoured trains. Perhaps you might be interested in playing my Flames of war/ Dust 20mm game next club meet?
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