How to Make a Warhammer 40k Fuel Tank

Everybody needs fuel. Whether you’re a Space Marine squad using flamethrowers or a Land Raider that’s just about empty. Perhaps you’re a Dreadnought who’s thirsty or a Leman Russ who’s all topped up. No matter what you are, if you’ve got fuel guzzling heavy support or equipment that needs refueling, you’re going to need a fuel tank.

Preferably one that’s nearby and close at hand. Just make sure it’s not too close, or it may be fired at and nobody wants fuel tank shrapnel embedded in their jet packs. Now let’s get down to business shall we.

Step 1 Creating the base

There are many different ways and materials to use for the base. Polystyrene (styrofoam) is popular, Thin wood, masonite, and even foam board (however foam board has a tendency to curl once primed and painted). For this project we’ll be using thin wood as the base.

We used polystyrene (styrofoam) and cut out cinder blocks then glued them together on the base. After base coating them in acrylic black, heavily dry brushing them in codex gray, and light dry brushing them in skull white we stuck in some rebar (also known as metal wire cut and stuck into the cinder blocks). Once this was all prepared we were ready to add the fuel tank.

Step 2 Adding the fuel tank (can of beans)

For the awesome Warhammer 40k fuel tank (I have to differentiate this from a regular fuel tank) I used a can of beans. One end was gone so I traced the can onto a piece of foam board, cut out the circle then stuck it into the other end of the can. As you can note in the photo above I punctured the can a little in a few different places. This gives the beaten and battered look I’m so fond of.

Step 3 base coat the fuel tank

Simply base coat the fuel tank with acrylic black paint. You’ll have to base a thin layer a couple of times. Putting a thick layer of paint on will result in major peeling.

Step 4 Painting the fuel tank

Begin by painting the fuel tank with red gore (or red). Lightly paint it on because you’ll be adding other colors to it later. I’ve chosen to paint streaks in certain sections only. Next add some terracotta (brownish red). Lastly add bolt gun metal (silver gray) or mithril silver to give the steel look.

You’ll notice in the photo that I’ve added a steel frame and base for the fuel tank. This was made with popsicle sticks and styrofoam. Simply base coat them with acrylic black. Paint the cement base (styrofoam) codex gray and the steel frame with the same paints we’ve used for the rust effects on the fuel tank.

Step 5 Add some pipes

Get some bendy straws and glue them together. Cut them to size then glue them to one of the ends of the tank. Use the rust effects on the pipes too.

Step 6 Flock it!

This step completely finishes it off. I used a mixture of home made modeling flock, static grass, sand, and some weeds I pulled from a nearby ditch. Simply brush PVA glue (white glue) onto the parts of the base you want flocked. I also added flock to the cinder blocks and a little on top of the fuel tank.