Predator Tank Restoration - Warhammer 40k Space Marines 90s 2nd edition

Because I hate my life, I am going to try to save this predator...
Five coats of paint
Missing parts
burned with fire
It's going to be a tough one
0:32 my history with the predator model
1:50 the abomination
3:14 stripping
3:35 rebuilding
8:21 my other predators (interlude)
9:41 painting
20:44 heavy bolters
21:04 Mrs Miniscape
21:29 the reveal
22:20 Battle Tank Predator Song
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[@Forsaken12th]

The Predator’s machine spirit no doubt feels completely rejuvenated. Great work!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you

[@christopherschwab6525]

A thoroughly inspiring restoration, and a testament to patience. Between Minisodes and Miniscape I'm awash in GW's best era of paintjobs!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@footrot17]

Anvil of doom is a great channel too

[@cedricamod-moulant4801]

I have done some restoration on eldar vehicles, it is such a pleasure to see minis back to life again. Good work !

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Nice one. Thank you.

[@Tymb19]

Awesome restoration! Goes to show how useful keeping bits can be

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Indeed. I keep all bits ☺️ thank you

[@cuddlemuffin44]

The sexy sax music makes me feel like I’m at a warhammer speak easy hidden away down a misty alleyway where there’s a street lamp broken away from its housing, causing it to subtly sway back and forth, illuminating the entrance.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Dude... that's exactly where you are with this channel 😉

[@manofaction1807]

You have me pulling together 2d edition and dusting off my old armies. Thanks for saving me money!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

You are welcome. Wishing you success with it

[@JakeStaines]

As I recall, there was a Bob Naismith interview a while back that stated GW's first few plastic kits - the RT-era ones - were all produced in much smaller runs than most injection manufacturing jobs, so they just got whatever colour plastic the third-party company they used had in the hopper from the previous job. The RTB01 marines were produced in something like five different colours of plastic over the years! In the early nineties they bought the company they were using at the time, that's probably when they standardised on grey.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you. That makes sense.

[@jayhall1234]

I do like seeing these old models painted up in a the vibrant colors of the period. Its helping my figure out my own retro hammer colors and methods.

[@TheGunnarRoxen]

I love how you saved this beaten up old wreck. Restoring while honouring its battle damage was the perfect way to go.

[@rokki3844]

Brings back memories. I started my BA army in 95 and played with friends throughout my high school years. Sadly i lost my complete collection including custom built terrain by my brother later on when my mental health went down hill. Great job at restoring that ancient piece of archeotech. The mechanicum approves (and asks for the STC 😂).

[@magnos_decimus]

A restoration job worthy of a techmarine!

[@Ranulfdatank]

The Omnissiah would approve.

[@fernlenker]

a techmarine with a song to give the right moode =)

[@DaSkwire]

"We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We can make him better than he was. Better, stronger, faster.."

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@Lolxlol21_]

If you had told me that the end Predator Tank was the one in the beginning...I would have questioned it. It went from out of service/action into Battle ready and its a major contrast from its former self. Great job! 10/10!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Why thank you ☺️

[@EnigmaGameIn]

Haha, I'm restoring an old 2nd edition rhino I bought off a mate years ago. its in the same state apart from the massive burn in the side. Took two days to strip most of the paint off not sure what paint they were using haha, The plastic seems to be a lot softer on the old models. Cracking vid

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thanks buddy. Maybe the paint was enamel.

[@EnigmaGameIn]

@@Miniscape-wh40k Probably. I've been striping old models I never painted but they are all from boot sales and 5th hand from friend's and people at school back in the 90's, keeping the ones I've paint to see the progress over the years. like in your vid the amount of layers of paint schemes is crazy while striping. keep up the fantastic work

[@billistefansson5309]

Thank you Sir! I really loved this one. I have 2 of the original Land Raiders, 2 Predators and 3 Rhinos. Still think they are the best. Much appreciated. Greetings from Billi.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Greetings! That sounds like a fine collection.

[@manofaction1807]

Warms your heart to see the Ghost of Christmas past at work!

[@MarcsMinis]

Need a song for the pred now! My bad. At the end haha brilliant

[@Bucket_Boy101]

Old models with modern paint jobs look so good! You've done this old pred justice!

[@CousinPaddy]

Your Ultramarines just have that certain “bang” to their color pallet. I’ve never been an Ultramarines collector but you make me want to start an army!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you. It's a slippery slope.

[@dr.sommercamp3435]

Mine was the Ork scorcher, called "Gitbrenna" in my part of the world, I reclaimed him this year! All I have to do, is paint him up!👍

[@coolmariobros759]

Just found your channel yesterday and I'm having a blast watching your videos

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I am so glad. Thank you.

[@coolmariobros759]

@@Miniscape-wh40k keep up the great work.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

@@coolmariobros759 will do mate

[@ironbomb6753]

This channel is a gem! ❤

[@sterlingnorthum3911]

Loved the wife's response to the paint residue. 😂 I think that all of our wives have had the same experience at one time or another with our hobby,.😊

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Lol yes

[@sterlingnorthum3911]

@@Miniscape-wh40k By the way you did an excellent job on restoring that old first edition plastic Predator kit.👏 I have to say I'm a bit jealous😉

[@Joshsta1000]

Great work, reminded me of when I was younger (7/10) I had a space wolves collection, I randomly decided one day to melt a huge hole in the front of my predator LOL…

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Ah so it's a common urge then 😉

[@fernlenker]

unbelievable how you turned this poor one into shine! shine on you crazy diamond! Thank you this is real inspiring to bring back things onone had hope for

[@themainman2827]

Damn, from now on my mind will sing "battle tank Predator, blow you all to smithereens" every time I see a Predator...

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

My work is done then

[@JDSG360]

Oh man i love model restoration videos!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@GamemasterGiff]

When I’m hobbying, my thoughts are often voiced by you now

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😅 awesome

[@daiatnara971]

I was wondering for a moment why that box art you showed didn't spark any nostalgic recognition, until you got to the earlier era box, and then it clicked. My own Predator wasn't quite as harshly treated as that one - at least, most of the damage was in pursuit of converting it, not trying to set fire to it - but I was similarly 'generous' with how much paint I slopped onto it, those obscured sculpted details from before you set to work look very familiar. I've no idea whether my old tank is in someone's drawer or a landfill now, but it's very satisfying to see a similar one brought back to glory.

[@smoss9813]

I love that she lives again. Great work

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you!

[@intzbk1]

So, I was in the middle of a big painting phase while watching this video and it took about 5 more minutes before I could reply. When you were singing at the end, I was thinking was a silly song and then found myself humming it as I was painting. Thanks.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

It gets stuck in your head 😁

[@GirlPainting]

With this, you have been risen to the rank of Master Techmarine!

[@HauntedCorpseGaming]

You sir are a gentleman and a scholar.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Aw thanks. I try.

[@barrag3463]

Red-tinged metal underneath the paint could also always be explained as just being some oxidation peaking through the latest paint job. These vehicles have been used and reused for a very, very long time in universe as well as in real life.

[@bilko991]

I come for the miniatures, but I stay for the songs! Bravo on both!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@misfitminis]

Love seeing a good ebay rescue, especially a vintage model 🙂

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍 it's one of my favorite parts of the hobby

[@misfitminis]

I've done some rescuing and repairing myself. Very satisfying.@@Miniscape-wh40k

[@adamcharman8726]

Last year I did a restoration of my old Baal Predator from the 90s, all that red goop is giving me flashbacks! Nice vid, lovely job on tarting the old girl up!

[@brotherhoodofsteel4751]

beautiful also love the song you should do a retro toy commercial for the space marines and their vehicles.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Ha 😂

[@RobertSingers]

Some of the early GW plastics were cast in the Matchbox factory. That's why sets like beakies came in car interior colours. Possibly, that's why that kit is in cream plastic.

[@MoxAmber26]

Army painter is doing a new, very well received (atleast from what they've handed out) line of paints so maybe that old bottle can hold out just long enough for that! Awesome work on this as always. 2nd edition is well before my time but I always love seeing the bright colors that come with that era of the game

[@genghisgahan9623]

Looks great, genuinely could not have imagined that it was salvageable.

[@AnotherMC]

I really enjoyed how you restored this historical piece to playable condition. Thanks for the great video.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you for commenting

[@gregdunn401]

awesome job there. i remember the one i used to have but i played space wolves not ultramarines, that was until my army was stolen when the house was broken into. the problems i faced was the barrel was very fragile aswell as the coms antennas and kept snapping off so the barrel i steel pinned and that did the trick nicely and the antenna i used some steel wire aswell which gave a nice effect

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I'm sorry to hear your army was stolen. I have never had that but I lost a large nid army in a house move. Those older models were fragile too.

[@SILOZANE]

I enjoyed the restoration, but the song pushed it over the edge! Legendary! 😂

[@jonbonne]

Holy moly, the metal rod to replace the broken exhaust pipes trick. I have resorted to this once before. Awesome.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😁

[@brogan1177]

did the same recently to a more recent predator, I rediscovered in my parents basement. must have been sitting there for about 17 years. Fortunately there was only the terrible paintjob, some gaps and broken-off sponsons to fix. I wanted one for my world eaters anyways so I did a rough fix for the sponsons, which is kinda fitting to the army, filled the gaps with spruegoo, smacked some new paint on it and it came out way better than I'd ever imagined. Rough enough to fit into a world eaters army, but still technically sound. Love that little tank

[@kushanblackrazor6614]

Just discovered this channel. I'm more of a 4th edition era 40k guy, but I love love love the older aesthetics, and its so nice to see people rescuing models like this. Keep it up!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Welcome!

[@evileyeball]

Great choice of funky background sax and Damn yeah some of that original paint reminds me of what teenage me might have done.

[@robinblackmoor8732]

Just like in the real world tanks at one time were set up to be used as different things. Some had an anti-tank role and some were meant to be there to support infantry. Now tanks are more of a one sized fits all type fighting vehicle. They are not as specialized as they were in WW 2. Having the sponson options, makes this Predator way more useful on the table. Great job repairing this model. It looked battle scarred, but it probably should be dirtier. Some mud on the tracks and a bit of oil and dirt on it. A Predator with battle damage should be dirtier. I think I still have one of these sealed up in the box. I want to get one and do something like this too, but i don't want to open my box. have to see what is on eBay. Very inspiring.

[@raeishimura]

Beautiful mini. I have one of these from when i was a kid, converted for the chaos army i played back then. Old beast is covered in spikes and skulls, even has the upper torso of an Imperial Guardsman glued to her hull that was added as a petty jab at a guy from my local hobby shop at the time. Kind of makes me want to break it out, clean it up and restore it to my modern army.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you. And why not give it a go.

[@bnickxavier6102]

Amazing restoration. Beautiful 90's paintjob. Witty and dry commentary. And to cap it all off, a Predator theme song! Best video I've seen in a long time. Well done, sir!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you for your kind words

[@SonySteals]

I like the paint jobs here. Nothing fancy, just battle ready with some highlights. Just like I’d paint it in the 90s Damn i muss the old days when I was happy with anything 😂😂

[@Yamstarch]

Awesome video. We are almost the same age and not only did this give me grand nostalgia vibes, but also idea of things to try myself some day. I LOVE the Heavy Bolters at the end too.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@ironbomb6753]

Beautiful restoration! Your Techmarine skills make your Mechanicus teachers proud. The animal sacrificed in the chassis of this war machine must have been a cockroach, because it just keeps coming back.😂❤👍

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Haha thanks

[@ironbomb6753]

​@@Miniscape-wh40k, nice old paint glob BTW, 👍

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

@@ironbomb6753 glob?

[@fragfmgill]

very nice, but i recommend using dettol, you can bath it and the paint gets goey and just falls off. best part you can leave it in the year a year and it wont damage the plastic.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I have dettolled before and it is banned from my house

[@TheHobbyGrotto]

Fantastic job with the restoration, it really turned out amazing, just like a classic from the good old days! 😀

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you 😊

[@mcstabba]

Great work! Looks amazing. Enjoyed the new song as well!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@airraid1266]

I didnt realize I tapped a playthrough of a 40k Mod of Tank Mechanic Simulator. Very nice!

[@michaellinford2790]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I get compelled to dig out all my old tanks (land raider/predator etc) and 2nd edition minis. I just don't have the time or space! Fantastic work though, and great to see another model saved 😊

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Maybe when you get some time 😊

[@taxman3749]

That is some THICK paint.

[@maddokminis]

Thoroughly enjoyed this mate. I picked up one of these on eBay a while back myself. I remember getting one as a kid (the second box variant) - lots of nostalgia! Wonderful retro paint job and so satisfying to see this poor mini come back from the brink! Thank you for the entertainment! 👍

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you for your kind words

[@gtf9733]

That song needs a 90s animated cartoon intro with the appropriate bombastic electro music. Happy New Predator Year 😊

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thanks and happy new year buddy.

[@gtf9733]

Stick with the wee song after the vid format. It's dope seeing your love and skill with the old lad's mini's. Then a bit of musical comedy genius for the finale. Seems like a format for success to me 😊 ✌️

[@gtf9733]

Not saying you have to sing on every vid tho 🤣

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

@@gtf9733 thank you

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

@@gtf9733 I always try to 😁

[@MrSandor1968]

You left out the antenna's you could put flags on! Fabulous Predator!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I did indeed!

[@doc_sav]

This is such a cool style. It's very... Crisp.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you. I'm just trying to copy old school 40k schemes.

[@GinraiPrime666]

This Predator has always been one of my absolute favourites! Awesome work!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you

[@Tlex98]

Feel like I'm listening to Sean Bean the entire time and I love it.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

What a compliment...though he's from Sheffield

[@Ferox2121]

Great restauration video. You did an outstanding work here. I started my 40k journey in 1997, so i was too late to get the OG Predator, but i got the plastic / metal hybrid shown here. It was the later (3rd edition) relabeled Predator Destructor and had the autacannon turret and lascanon sponsons. Yes, it got it this way like you, but i dont now wether it was sold with both weapon options or if there were boxes with different loadouts - or if a got a mispackage back then...

[@ellesse3862]

Great piece of salvage work worthy of the emperor's finest techmarines, from looking like crap to thing of beauty. I like the heavy bolter option. Wish there was a two thumbs up option, one for the restoration, one for the song .. excellent chorus, another hit for servitors to hum along to and be inspired.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you for your kind words

[@stevenmcgrath5114]

Back for more, you should get grip clamps, a great replacement for rubber bands. Keep up the grest work ! ! !

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you. I'm not sure about grip clamps but I will have another think about it. I'm not into loads of extra hobby accessories.

[@stevenmcgrath5114]

@@Miniscape-wh40k You will also find them useful for a multitude of household uses. DeWalt make the best ones.

[@Dirpitz]

Thanks for the squidgy paint was very enjoyable ⚜

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Most welcome

[@pizzalord3n]

Masterfully restored ❤

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you buddy

[@GreenSpleenSubmarine]

You sound like Retro Ahoy, very nice narration and the project came out amazingly.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Ahoy is the boss. Cheers

[@8BitJesus]

The Predator Tank of Theseus! It still counts, I'd rather go down your route of replacing rather than repairing

[@daverage4729]

Oooh, looks like a gang of Orks had a go at her. Excellent restoration sir!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

They probably did. Thank you.

[@darsis]

Absolutely brilliant and an inspiration as to what is possible. Thank you very much for sharing 🙂

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

You are welcome. Thanks

[@hangarrat]

No gingerbread used in this video? Unsubscribed. 😂

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Um...

[@DarrenMalin]

That is the joy of playing Papa Nurgle. I can nurgle up anything and make it work :)

[@Mensch777]

This is SUCH a lovely restoration! Only thing that might improve it further would be cleaning the mold lines on the smoke launchers near the barrel

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

You have better eyes than me sir

[@Daisy-wy5mn]

Looks awesome

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you

[@ReverendPONT]

Watching you gives me inspiration to revisit my old unfinished Armor of Oldhammer. I keep all my bits for these kits as well.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Do it mate

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I encourage you to revisit them

[@isolationdisorder]

A fantastic video. I especially like the mid-period Hawkwind song at the end, a lost track from Live Chronicles, no doubt.

[@stevenmcgrath5114]

I have 'rescued' a few eBay models myself. Few things in our hobby are as satisfying as returning a Warhammer models to the battlefield! ! !

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Agreed

[@TheGrayfrog100]

There are no imperfections! Just Happy Accidents or battle damage. Epic restoration.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😍

[@TheGrayfrog100]

@@Miniscape-wh40k ​ Its not RED. But I come from a Family of Blood Angles. :)

[@JimmyCrawford]

Those chevrons at the back looks like a radiator to me, since that's where they often were on old tanks with rear engines. It's also just possible that the sculptor looked at old pics and decided it looked cool.

[@RancidCat]

I would've turned it into a vehicle wreck terrain piece long before attempting this restoration. Kudos, a very nice job to be sure.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you

[@johnkelley9877]

You really did a great job of restoring this model! It looks really good. Thanks for sharing this.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thanks Bud and thanks for taking the time to comment

[@FlintTD]

Theoretically, that chevron pattern on the back of the Predator could be a cooling vent for the engine. I know the Rhino chassis doesn't have an engine in that location, so maybe it's the cooling vent for the lascannons' battery?

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Good shout

[@johnwhitehead4367]

My first box of RT01 space marines were green plastic, later I got some in dark blue, and much later got some in cream.

[@mac23rev21]

Same. I think green was the og

[@PaulGaither]

Maybe you did this without saying it, but it helps to look over the model and think: where would the crew physically interact with this? Where would the maintenence crew work on it? Where might unit regularly climb on or off ot it? Then that will help you show where wear and tear might be. Where might a blind spot be for the driver/nagivator? Maybe a turn or movement would cause a section to rub a wall or rock face, or climbing over things.

[@BaconSpaceProgram]

You're doing great job at battlefield recovery, Tech-Marine! Love the quip on melta damage LOL

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you

[@olabolob]

sensational work

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you buddy

[@Bluecho4]

One day, Miniscape will release his full "40K Tanks" album. Those "battle damaged" parts could probably be incorporated into a piece of scenery, like a junk pile or battlefield machine shop. Or else stuck on a base for some model to be clambering over. Waste not, as they say.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

I always keep parts, even battle damaged ones. When I have enough songs I'll compile the album 😍

[@christopherjoachimwallat1429]

I am pretty sure the switch from cream to grey plastic would have happened at the same time as the switch to hybrid metal/plastic kits, so 1995/96 lime you mentioned, at least for the predator. Non-vehicle models might have been made with grey plastic earlier, I remember getting the 6-man multipart plastic space marine combat squads in grey plastic at the same time as the cream predator.

[@invincigaz4067]

Great video, great job. Reminds me of that open all hours sketch tho. (Paraphrasing) Ive had this mop years man & boy and its only had 17 new heads and 12 new handles 😂 all the best for 2024!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Hah I know what you mean

[@norooron333]

Praise the Omnissiah the machine spirit have been pleased, excellent restoration!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thank you kindly!

[@jammywesty91]

Wonderful job mate! God bless Biostrip. You ask 10 people the best way to strip a model and you'll get 11 answers.. That said, Biostrip really is the mutt's nutts. I've tried the lot. Even imported everything our cousins across the pond favour and nout holds a candle to the stuff.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Agreed. I have tried dettol for example and it works but it stinks so bad. Is there a better stripper than biostrip? Probably, but it works for me and that is enough.

[@ingot129]

Thank you for filming the squidgy paint residue.

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

You are most welcome

[@stevenmcgrath5114]

21:04 A surprise anniversary gift for the Mrs, eh MATHEW ? ! ? 😃😄😁😆😅🤣😂😀

[@andrewwoodhead3141]

Just started watching. Wow ! you, sir , are a brave and hearty soul to take on such a project. I'm dying to skip forward to the end but I won't !

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

😁 there is no doubt I am somewhat mad. Thanks for watching.

[@andrewwoodhead3141]

@@Miniscape-wh40k Well, I watched your presentation and I am well impressed. Your Predator really looks nice .

[@flamingdonut9456]

What a brilliant restoration. Well done, mate, should be proud. Getting quite the armored division there. Great work. 👍

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

Thanks mate

[@cheech381]

Can't stop getting Mighty Boosh vibes watching this. Great vid btw totally loved it! love a old skool rescue and paint. Thanks for the vid!

[@Miniscape-wh40k]

You're welcome