Adding Sponsons to Enigma Tracks

Today I'm going to cover another super simple conversion that's part of my overall 10th edition tank upgrade: adding Leman Russ sponsons to modelsandminis.com's excellent Enigma tracks.

I cannot get enough of these tracks. They absolutely transform the Chimera hull. Once you've seen it, you can't un-see it: the classic Guard tanks have no suspension whatsoever, and about a centimeter of ground clearance. The Enigma tracks are a breeze to put together, are reasonably-priced, and are a close match for Warhammer's overall aesthetic.

I've always been a fan of the sleeker Chimera hull, and try to use it for as many of my kitbashes as possible (usually after giving it a lazier-vesion of Sandwyrm's set-back turret mod).

One bonus feature I recently discovered is that they're incredibly easy to add Russ sponsons to if, like me, you're building your own counts-as Russes using Chimera hulls.

Step Zero: Desecrate Your Own Art

I'm retrofitting an existing tank (as part of an excuse to repaint it with some new techniques). If you were doing conversion this from scratch, this particular step is unnecessary. (Which is good, because it's distasteful).

The tracks have one large front piece that connect to a large rear piece, and a single thick armour panel that covers the join. Simply leave off that panel if building from scratch, or, if retrofitting an existing tank...

Pry it off by sticking a butter knife into the seam and lever it out. Yuck.

Repeat the step on the other side. I now have a small pile of extra armour panels from past desecrations/retrofits.

Step Two: Build the Sponsons

Build the sponsons as per the Russ instructions. I did mine upside-down so that the top is sloped, which I thought blended better with the sleek angles of the Chimera hull, but this works fine either way.

I also shaved off some of the rivets. this started unintentionally the first time (it happened as I took off a chunk of sprue), and now I do it on every single tank so that they match.

Step Three: Trim them Down

This tank has sat in a garage for a few months during some housework, which is why it's covered in dust. Do not feel that covering your tank in dust is necessary for this conversion.

As you can see, the Russ sponson is very slightly too large to fit into the gap left by the armour panel. Just shave down the angled bit at the back a little with the flat of your knife blade (and the two reinforcing lines at the front, if necessary) and it'll slide in no problem.

No problem.

Presto, you're done!