"Ogre Conversion Help Please" Topic

Looking for some parts suggestions for a 1/285 Ogre conversion project.

I'm getting ready to make a pair of Ninja conversions by splicing Mk.III & Mk.IV bits together. I'm also planning on making these with optional parts to use as ersatz Vulcan engineer and recovery vehicles.

I can put magnets behind both front corners so that claw arms can just be stuck on when needed. And for quick cosmetic changes it will be easy enough to make a plastic cargo van top to drop over the rear missile racks and a tubular sleeve with a crane hook that slides over the front main battery barrel.

What I haven't figured out yet is what to use for the claw arms. They really don't have to be quite as big and goofy looking as the source art. Really. Any reasonable looking retractable crane arm or mech arm with claw hand will do.

Any suggestions on available parts that I could press into service for this?

The main chassis is about 6cm long; so arms about 2cm+ would be good.

Space Marine Tech Marine Servo Arms?

I think Anvil Industries has some substitutes

This definitely has potential!
anvilindustry.co.uk/Mech-Arm

*edit*
Ah, and in a cheaper set, but I suspect the bigger one above will fit the Ogres better:
link

It might be worth looking at Iron Winds BattleTech ranges under spare parts for mech arms.

I checked Iron Wind's Scrapyard last night. Looks like the only useful piece would be the Left Arm of the Construction Mech.

Doesn't look like they sell bits of the Oppie. But I have that in my Want List now at Noble Knight Games for next time I'm ordering and want to get up to free shipping. I'll use that model as-is for a recovery vehicle. Great blog post here showing it in action hauling a Mk.III: link

Thanks folks, Anvil's exo-arms are on order.

And I picked up a bag of 6mm Googly Eyes at the craft store to use for a dome base attachment point.