Hi from the UK
Re: Hi from the UK
Images as promised
The "hose" mod was made from electrical wire. Idea came from a contemporary image. Still think it might be a little oversized
The hatch wouldn't close firmly so a magnetic "lock" was made.
Light surround painted to look more realistic
The Leopard needs some TLC I would love to modernise, but not sure where to start. Any ideas welcome....
I replaced the mechanical forward/backwards switch with an electronic speed control about 15 years ago
The "hose" mod was made from electrical wire. Idea came from a contemporary image. Still think it might be a little oversized
The hatch wouldn't close firmly so a magnetic "lock" was made.
Light surround painted to look more realistic
The Leopard needs some TLC I would love to modernise, but not sure where to start. Any ideas welcome....
I replaced the mechanical forward/backwards switch with an electronic speed control about 15 years ago
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- Stormbringer
- Corporal
- Posts: 456
- Joined: Wed Aug 06, 2025 8:24 am
- Location: Near Edinburgh Scotland
Re: Hi from the UK
Very nice mate
hopefully my Crusader arrives tomorrow so always looking for ideas

hopefully my Crusader arrives tomorrow so always looking for ideas
Cheers
Alan
Let slip the cats of war!!!!
Taigen Panther G
Taigen T34/85
Heng Long King Tiger
Heng Long Tiger 1
Heng Long Jagdpanther
Coolbank Crusader III
Alan
Let slip the cats of war!!!!
Taigen Panther G
Taigen T34/85
Heng Long King Tiger
Heng Long Tiger 1
Heng Long Jagdpanther
Coolbank Crusader III
Re: Hi from the UK
Meter rat will be a jolly happy guy to help you out there I'm betting.
Nice tanks btw.
"Charlie don't surf"- Lt. Col. Bill Kilgore
- Panzermechaniker
- Sergeant
- Posts: 627
- Joined: Wed Feb 08, 2023 1:04 am
- Location: Toronto
Re: Hi from the UK
Nice. Love the early Leopard. Was my favourite tank when I was a kid
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- Warrant Officer 1st Class
- Posts: 1816
- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:33 pm
- Location: By the sea in Argyle and Bute
Re: Hi from the UK
I too, love your Leopard 1. With one as complete and as original looking as yours, I would keep as is. Of course only you know the real condition. Most parts are available, but are costly, but I have found some tricks while doing mine to save a few pennies on the second one waiting in the wings.
- PainlessWolf
- Lieutenant-Colonel
- Posts: 7742
- Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2012 9:09 pm
- Location: Southern Colorado Rocky Mountains
Re: Hi from the UK
Good Morning, Keith,
Thank you for the Pics of your Mod for the Aux Tank Hose. It is appreciated! My next Trick with this Tank will be to figure out a Stand for the (eventual) Tank Commander so he doesn't go flying out out of the Turret hatch on an outdoors Run or tangle up the turret mother board and wiring.
regards,
Painless
Thank you for the Pics of your Mod for the Aux Tank Hose. It is appreciated! My next Trick with this Tank will be to figure out a Stand for the (eventual) Tank Commander so he doesn't go flying out out of the Turret hatch on an outdoors Run or tangle up the turret mother board and wiring.
regards,
Painless
...Money!? What's that!?...
Re: Hi from the UK
Hi All And sorry for the late reply. Yes I've decided to take advice and keep the Leopard 1 stock. It seems to run fine and mostly holds together. One more question....the only change I was gonna make was to fill the screw holes on the rear deck and replace with magnets. Should I do this or just for authenticity, keep the Philips head screws? Silly really but it's kept me awake wondering which course to take
(
My Churchill has arrived so I'm just about to make a start. The airbrush arrives tomorrow so I intend to attempt some weathering & detailing. I'll (try to) start a new thread so everyone can see my beginner mistakes lol. I've already lowered the hull to remove the step at the front and close the gap at the rear. Funny how small things can really irritate!

My Churchill has arrived so I'm just about to make a start. The airbrush arrives tomorrow so I intend to attempt some weathering & detailing. I'll (try to) start a new thread so everyone can see my beginner mistakes lol. I've already lowered the hull to remove the step at the front and close the gap at the rear. Funny how small things can really irritate!
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- Warrant Officer 1st Class
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- Joined: Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:33 pm
- Location: By the sea in Argyle and Bute
Re: Hi from the UK
I assume you have found the Leopard Thread? Some skilled work on show.KeithT wrote: ↑Mon Oct 13, 2025 3:38 am Hi All And sorry for the late reply. Yes I've decided to take advice and keep the Leopard 1 stock. It seems to run fine and mostly holds together. One more question....the only change I was gonna make was to fill the screw holes on the rear deck and replace with magnets. Should I do this or just for authenticity, keep the Philips head screws? Silly really but it's kept me awake wondering which course to take(
My Churchill has arrived so I'm just about to make a start.
viewforum.php?f=138
If you have not already done it? I would remove the on/off switch, and fit proportional speed control.
Only you will know how authentic you wish to keep it. I installed magnets so I could remove the upper hull quickly to change batteries, and to remover the screws. But mine is now far from original.
- michaelwhittmann
- Corporal
- Posts: 461
- Joined: Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:03 pm
Re: Hi from the UK
Review the "painting and weathering" forum.
You may get some ideas from it.
What did you do to the hose on the Crusader 3
You may get some ideas from it.
What did you do to the hose on the Crusader 3

1st NJ Tank Squadron
HL Sherman
HL Panzer III
Taigen Tiger I
HL Pershing
Tongde Chaffee
Taigen T34/ 85
Coolbank Crusader
HL Sherman
HL Panzer III
Taigen Tiger I
HL Pershing
Tongde Chaffee
Taigen T34/ 85
Coolbank Crusader
Re: Hi from the UK
Found it now ...wow what a lot of Leopards. Plenty of ideas there & yes I installed a variable spred unit a while ago. Those screw heads are going 
Regarding the hose on the Crusader...it was consigned to the parts bin. I found a contemporary photo and looks like the auxiliary fuel tank was connected using regular rigid fuel line painted same colour as the tank. I used electrical wire as it maintains its shape
Regarding the hose on the Crusader...it was consigned to the parts bin. I found a contemporary photo and looks like the auxiliary fuel tank was connected using regular rigid fuel line painted same colour as the tank. I used electrical wire as it maintains its shape