We've all seen the magnetised Devilfish but what happens when you're a PPSMP (Poor Poor Space Marine Player ) and you want to pimp out your Predator? I've scoured the Net and while I've found many astounding vehicles, all of them fall either in the painting showcase category, the "it's my field unit so why should it paint really well" category or somewhere in between. I have yet to see a magnetised SM, IG or Eldar vehicle. As it seems that only Tau players are blessed with such a well organised community resource as ATT (someone please prove me wrong on this), I've grown to feel bad for those PPSMP. Therefore, feeling the need for some new bitz to play with over the Christmas Holidays, I bought a Predator and this is what happened.

Quick Math

Rhino kit = 45$, Predator kit = 55$. Considering there are about 6 different ways of putting together the Pred WHY stick to only one config when you could keep your opponent on his toes due to the surprise potential of your list? Simple answer: Don't. How? Take a look, let your mind wander, experiment, and show me what direction you were nudged towards.

On with the show

- All options deployed -


- Example configs -


How's it work?

- Top carriage - 2 magnets: one for pintle-mount turret, the other mounted under a cross beam and centered with the turret's pivot.


- Rhino access hatch - steel bar made from old bike spoke snaps door into position via top carriage hatch magnet.


- Side doors and sponson mounts. Steel bars catching the field of the 3/4" magnets glued to interior of tank.


- Tank interior, top removed -


- Sponson Weapon - interior construction detail and finished view. Steel plate is recessed to allow magnet to lock in place and provide stable pivot point.


- Main turret and weapons -


Apart from needing to bevel all the edges like I did the Armour Plated Hammerhead it's pretty much done. I'll update as it comes along.

Hope this helps fire up the creative juices. C&C welcome as always.

Brilliant Magnet work! I've been trying to figure out the best way to magnetize a Pred turret for ages. And the Sponson build is genius! I thought I'd have to settle for a single sponson choice, but you managed to figure out both!

Do you find that the .75" disc's field does anything adverse to the sponson upright magnet? It seems an awfully close location to have two magnetic fields in play, especially when talking about a .75" Neodymium.

If you look at the bracing for the steel bars on the back side of the sponsons you'll notice it pushes the bars inwards quite a lot. Reason: In spite of their strength, the field size is relatively small so if you don't put a steel plate behind the magnet to push the field out. Therefore, the bars are just at the outer edge of attraction. Read about that principle here. I used a magnet backing plate for the pathfinder devilfish in order to boost the magnet strength so the underslung seeker missiles would really stay put.

When you install the magnets make sure you set them up with similar poles facing in so they repel each other. Also, seeing as how the sponson gun magnets are glued to the base of the targeter's stem, they aren't going anywhere.

Glad to see my OCS (Obsessive Compulsive Skills) is helpful

stickied! Very nice work dark_gear, you got skillz.

Was debating "recommending" it again and please take this the right way, I don't think I can as I will be doing that to all your walkthroughs. Your name on them will be enough from now on methinks.

Meant to be a huge compliment, hope that came across correctly.

Now, I need to study this because it's a great idea.

Yes, Kai's Dark Angels and my Disciples of Caliban thank you profusely.

Now magnetise an Eldar Wave Serpent/Falcon/Fire Prism and I'll be set.

If I can wrap my fuzzy head around magnetic fields... I slept through that day in AP Physics...

Yes Kai it totally came through as being a huge compliment and I appreciate it a lot.

Would you believe me if I told that I've only been into the hobby since last summer? As it stands I barely have 6 vehicles behind my belt. When I was playing back in the days of Rogue Trader all my models were stock lead figurines so my assembly never got a workout. I'm truly honoured that so many of you find my skills and builds so helpful. Guess it really does pay off to take your sweet time with a project.

As for that wave serpent, I've been eyeing one for the longest time . You might just get your wish Ryzouken. For all the IG and Sisters of Battle players out there, I bought a Baneblade on Boxing Day so keep an eye out for that project. The plan calls for it to be turned into a Sisters of Battle "altar of cleansing". Needless to say, it should take a while considering it took me 16+ hours to get that Predator assembled. Now if only I could paint as well...

sure thing and I think you are developing a good brand name as a modeller.

Short-time? Yes, I can believe it. It's often a fresh set of eyes on a problem that delivers the newest ideas.

Looking forward to seeing further ideas but of course won't hold you to it!

Our marines thank you! Nice one Ryzouken!

Very nice my question is can this be done with the rhino?

kai: It's often a fresh set of eyes on a problem that delivers the newest ideas. Spoken like a true practitioner of the martial arts, one who'se probably been stunned at how fast the eager new members of a dojo can kick sometimes.

Faol: You could totally do this with the rhino. I used the Predator kit because I could focus on magnetising the various bitz without having to build them first. Especially considering that for the extra 10$ over the Rhino, you get all the parts for 6-ish variants. Can't go wrong there.

If you have enough bitz lying around to create any of the variants, it should be simple enough to do.

What are you planning on doing to the Rhino. Magnetised extra armour panels or snap-on dozer blade?