Haha rough terrain modifications, so silly. You should really make to eradicators, they are my new favorite tank the Nova Cannon is disgustingly powerful.

I just got some old Rogue Trader tanks and infantry for my spess mahreen army and need to update some minis myself. Are storm bolters really that bad? Even on rhinos?

What should I do w/ my two predators? All they have are autocannons:(

Aww, I love my 2nd edition Autocannon Predator. Str 7 heavy 2 is still nice to have for a free gun. Upgrading it to a TL Lascannon will cost you 45 points. But I plan my choices out on the cheap side point-wise.

Yes, autocannons are nice, but what about sponsons? It would cost me about $20 to get sponsons for my pair of tanks, but are heavy bolters or lascannons worth it?

More importantly, wouldn't any new weaopnry just look silly on such old models? My land raider doesn't even have a heavy bolter, and is equipped with what I think is a heavy stubber of some sort.

Storm bolters are fine for space marine vehicles. But on imperial guard vehicle the storm bolter competes with the pintle mounted heavy stubber, which is clearly the superior weapon and only costs marginally more. ;)

Just so you know, they cost the same in the new codex.

Really? Thanks for telling me OXRS. But that is sadly disappointing. I thought the GW design team had learned its lesson after Gav Thorpe's 3rd edition Eldar codex, where nobody in their right mind would take a shuriken cannon when the star cannon was an option. The star cannon, had better range, strength and much better AP and the same number of shots, so of course everybody took them.
If the storm bolter and heavy stubber cost the same and can be used in the same places, but the heavy stubber has much better range, the same S, and more shots, why in all of the name of the Imperium wouldn't you take it? Sheer stupidity.

I don't think it's that the storm bolters are bad for game play (especially with the new russ rules), but the old models for them have nothing on the new ones. They just look cartoonish.

I kinda miss the old dozer blades though.

keep the dozer blades because they look cool and if you are woried about them giving a bigger target they dont count as part of the hull when being shot at

Regarding projects I'm working on, I just started in on my Eldar Avatar -- the first HQ I've worked on in over five years. Pictures are here - http://picasaweb.google.com... , with the following images detailing the painting tests I've done on the kneecap and lava behind it.

You should replace the storm bolters with heavy stubbers. One more shot at 36", and throwing more dice is always fun. Although you lose a point of AP, that shouldn't be too big a deal because of all the cover saves that units invariably get.

Ah man! I remember when big bright reds were everywhere in GW!

Heavy stubbers are awesome. I just wish Games workshop would sell packs of them so I can update my motor pool.

I've just redone my IG this last year as well. If I had to pick a place to start on the vehicles I'd definitely go with stubbers on hellhounds and chimeras. Since you asked about what we're working on let me show you what I did with some of my vehicle upgrade sprues. http://www.librarium-online...

I love your Crimson Fists plasma gunner. I can see him closing his eyes and praying before he pulls the trigger!

I've gone with replacing my chimera turrets with Autocannons, and adding heavy stubbers where possible as well. That will be a fine armored unit once you get it fixed up the way you'd like!

Speaking of 10+ year old models getting updated, I recently worked over a Robot Maniple to add more updated weapons to them:

http://mordian7th.blogspot....

You're absolutely correct about getting great results with just a little bit of work - above all, have fun doing it!

I have several Autocannon Chimeras too. I was disappointed that they didn't include the autocannon for the new version of the Chimera.

I'm not even sure I know where the original sprue is to find the old multi-lasers...

Get rid of the lascannons on the Battle Tanks for starters.

~kings

Yes, my advise - give me the old dozer blades, I can't get enough of 'em (literally, I need about 8 more).

Biggest update I can suggest is to rip out the sponsons and hull mounts, and replace with magnets.

Nothing in the world wrong with the PMSBs, but, I'd keep those on only the lead tread of a given section, otherwise, the PMHS just has so much more of a guard feel to it. Being as you're a huge hobbyist, you might well rework the mount and give it a proper cradle mount, adding a whole new level of pizazz.

you may want to consider the tank commander figure for your command tank for your squadrons.

definitely remove the storm bolters for the stubbers. (they look better too)

swap the lascannons on the hulls, and consider upgrading the chimera main armaments. I am not sure what options you have with the hellhound in the new IG dex, but I would consider a heavy flamer upgrade on the hull rather than a heavy bolter as you really don't want to be in the open with it, nor trying to engage targets at range with it either. And the second heavy flamer shot could help clear buildings... Just in time for Planetstrike!

I look forward to seeing the progress posts.

Me, I am trying to find the time to revisit my old marines and update the old vincent black shadow sidecar combinations with better weapon choices (or legal ones)
After that, I am going to revisit some of my old predators and rhinos and give them a little bit of a makeover with some better upgrade options and some of the newer weapons available. (and some more grizzly bits as I was running them as a Xenos hunting force giving me the Tyranid preferred hunters ability in the old codex)

I'd think about maybe updating the Hellhound turret with a leftover redeemer sponson. I've not seen it done so I don't know how easy it would be to convert but the old turrets just look horrible to me.

Just tear the earthshaker off of that bassie, and make it a Deathstrike
missile. That guide on this site (November '08?) is brilliant. Its inspired
me to make my own too. So thanks, guys!!
Mine (so far) is just my first basilisk torn apart, some plasticard, the (smaller)
booster rockets on that revell Discovery kit, a backflap 25mm door hinge
(homebase) and some small 'super screws.
It lifts up like a SCUD - that was my main inspiration. Just have a tower
coming out of the body, and the bit that lifts the missile gets attatched with
the small hinge and screws.

I would say update the pintle mounts and spot lights (if you are gonna keep them) and update some of the sponson weapons. Other than that a new paint scheme is probably all they really need. Maybe add some sand bags and gear. I like the newer dozer blades but either look fine.

Current projects: Refurbing some Russ's and a Hellhound, a homemade Warhound for a friend no pics yet though

Kitbash those Chimeras to match the Chimera in that awesome old GW guide. You know, plasticard side skirts, predator turret, stubber, lots of extra baggage. I have that guide saved if you want it

Definitely add some baggage and weathering to the tanks, it makes them look less "Generic". Also do up some camo netting using rolled gauze and some matte varnish. Camo nets are pretty awesome for IG tanks. The stubber does look better than the SB, since you said you have the sprues.

For gawd's sake, dull down the red on that hellhound, it looks like it needs a visit to the doctor.

Painting 101. Don't paint your minis the color of a major holiday. Fixing that will make a world of difference.

I'm currently using a mix of 1 heavy flamer and 1 ranged weapon, usually a multi laser, per chimera on my 8. i would go with picking up a few extra turret pieces from forgeworld or kitbash to give you a bit of variety.

When it comes to the LRBT, again different turrets, and I have started to magnetize my sponsons for surprise value.

I've always left my top hatches removable and have tons of weapon mixes to play with.

Variety is key