So I wanted to have a go at giving it life again. I wanted to make it interesting, whilst taking every opportunity to hide the hideous paint work, since even a fresh coat isn't going to save this one I fear.

Ok the model is pretty much there, at last. Need to get the green stuff out and fill a few holes, noteably on the turret and a couple around the track guards.

The left hand lights are done, need to do the same on the right ones, then I think it's about there. The good news is I'm loving the red paint colour I'm using on my other russ, so this one should look ok. I need to do a trial run of the red/yellow paint scheme though, I'm going to use an M113 for that I think.

Ok been getting on with this. I've pretty much completed the mine plow, as you can see below. It's based on the one from the M1, and I'm quite happy with it. The holes are there because I was going to have it pivoting down from idle pose to in use, but even though I got it working it was only shifting about 10mm and I thought it wasn't worth it. So it's going to be fixed just above the ground. Still needs some extra flappy bits attaching, which will also help to bulk it up and give it a real presence. Makes a nice change to the standard dozer blades I think.

Started adding details. Went for the storm bolter on the cupola. It's on a custom built mount and actually pivots too. Though if I was picky I'd redo it and push it a little further away so it wasn't crowding the hatch so much. But since I've glued the hatch shut now..

Front end armour is pretty much there, feels a lot tider I think that the standard one. Should balance the mine plow nicely.

I've just started painting my other Russ, sort of as a tester to a paint scheme. I'm working in desert yellow and dull red. I think the other tank will be all red as the main praetorian tank, but this one will be both to help tie in what I think wil be a cadian section in my praetorian army. We shall see, pics to follow.

Panzer style turret armour. I always liked the way this looks on the tamiya models, and thought it'd be a great opportunity to hide the messy turret! Done in thin plasticard, little struts inside keep it away from the turret and details on the outside. Note sure if I'm going to add anything else, these seem to be quite clean, with the detailing on the actual turret itself.

Heavy armour around the sides. Had good fun doing this. Again more to hide the mess than anything, but adds real girth to the tank.

New barrel. Not quite sure what happened to the old one! Got gaps to fill on this, but looks pretty solid.

New hull weapon. The lascannon is from the razorback sprues I bought for the superheavy project, but I didn't want to mount it in the standard front. So I've reworked it and it's ended up looking more like the forgeworld variant hull. Needs more detailing though.

Track guards, again to hide the mess. But I quite like them. Going to detail them with some strips, and if I feel up to it rivets. Then pile on the little features and stuff.

Still need to add something to the front, I'm thinking a custom dozer-blade. Or possibly a mine plow, might look quite cool. Then need to figure out something to go on the turret. I do have a pintel mounted heavy stubber kicking around, but I thought I'd use that on my other leman russ to add interest to an intentionally plain model. So we'll see. Possibly a storm bolter, possibly nothing, just a closed hatch!