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I'd use a different tank type as a command vehicle. Seeing as the crew has a better BS, I'd suggest a Vanquisher (Which in itself is a simple conversion) so it can better deal with enemy armour and/or other high armoured things.

Though all in all, a basic Russ is also good enough.

It's just that the plasma cannons may not come to their right with these tanks. For the Demolisher the are perfect, adding longer range death to complement it's shorter ranged main gun, but on a tank with a long range ordnance weapon.

I shall meditate on this for a while longer.

Dont quote me on this but I think a command tank has a BS skill of 4 no matter what the tank is

@ Mat; There are two ways, one you take a heavy weapons sprue heavy bolter and replace the hull-mounted lascannon with it. Simply cut away the lascannon barrel and put the heavy bolter in place, use green stuff if needed.

Second way is much easier, but takes some more time. Go tot he on-line store of your respective country and order the hull-mounted heavy bolter part from the Exterminator kit. (http://uk.games-workshop.com/storefront/store.uk?do=Individual&code=9947010513204&orignav=9) While it reads SPONSON it is designed for the hull mount, though may need some green stuff to fit snugly.

@ Reddemon; As I said, the crew has a better BS. Oh I see, a rephrase then, the command crew has a better BS.

I've been thinking about this for a long, long time now, I want to build a Praetorian army once I have the money and above all, the time. But not just any, I want to recreate one from the Zulu Wars era, with heavy bolters being Gatling guns, missile launchers looking like light field guns and rought riders converted into lancers.

Praetorian Guard.
- Iron Discipline
- Close Order Drill
- Sharpshooters
- Rough Rider squads
- Die-hards

The close order drill and die-hards represent their training, through lining up and giving a volley, while staring at overwhelming numbers swarming towards them. Sharpshooters is something of a representation of the volley fire for which Commonwealth forces were known. Iron Discipline represents the nature of the officers, efficient, level-headed and able to lead. Rough Riders are the lancers of the regiment with shotguns representing carbines.

HQ.
Command Squad - Die-hards and sharpshooters.
Senior Officer - Bolt pistol, power weapon and Iron Discipline.
Veterans (2) - Medic with laspistol and ccw, standard bearer with laspistol and ccw.
Guardsmen(2) - Meltaguns (2).

Anti-tank support squad - Missile launchers and sharpshooters.

Fire support squad - Heavy bolters and sharpshooters.

Mortar squad.

Troops.
Infantry platoon 1.

Command squad - Die-hards.
Junior officer - Bolt pistol, ccw and Iron Discipline
Guardsmen (4) - Lasguns and heavy bolter

Squad 1. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with flamer, lasguns and die-hards.

Squad 2. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with lasguns, heavy bolter and die-hards.

Squad 3. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with lasguns, heavy bolter and die-hards.

Infantry platoon 2.

Command squad - Die-hards.
Junior officer - Bolt pistol, ccw and Iron Discipline
Guardsmen (4) - Lasguns and heavy bolter

Squad 1. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with flamer, lasguns and die-hards.

Squad 2. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with lasguns, heavy bolter and die-hards.

Squad 3. - Sergeant with laspistol and ccw, Guardsmen(9) with lasguns, heavy bolter and die-hards.

Fast Attack.
Rough Riders squad - Die-hards
Rough Rider sergeant - Hunting lance and laspistol.
Rough Riders (9) - Shotguns and ccw's.

Heavy Support.
Basilisk - Earthshaker cannon and hull-mounted heavy bolter.

Grand total: 1.250 pts.

The infantry squads are mainly made up of trooper models 5 and 6, which can be grouped together nicely to represent a steady firing line. Maybe I'll swap the sergeants weapons with lasguns, giving me more diversity in the force. The lieutenants will be represented by the Praetorian sergeants and the gun crews by Mordians, their caps and different uniform colours denoting them as Royal Navy crew.

I have rough ideas on the customs, but I'd love to hear some ideas on how to best create field guns. I've been thinking of using parts of the ork kannons, but they seem pretty crude to me. Same with the Gatling guns, I don't want electrical whirring death machines, but the classic hand operated ones, with a loader standing ready to put a new box on top. As for the lancers, I have some thoughts, maybe using Empire torsos with a cuiras (True, not very Victorian, but a nice touch) and legs from Kisletive horse archers.

Und yes, I know that it may not be the most combat effective force in the world, but I like the idea of building a themed army for once.

But anyway, thoughts / ideas?

The assult cannon would make a good subsitute to the Heavy bolters. Youd probly have to uses some way of showing it

Like the OOP Gaurd guns

Anyone got suggestions on how to convert up some nice rough riders?