Leopard 1A4

[sparks]

Well, sorry for lack of posts here lately, I have had problems with the electronics (still ongoing) but I will cover that in a seperate thread.
That aside apart from some weathering and stowage, the Leo 1A4 is finished.

You may have noticed that I was asking about the Panzer Lehr markings on a Leo 1 pic I had seen, and after some reseach found that there is still an active unit,
93rd Panzer Lehr battalion stationed at Munster as part of the Panzerlehrbrigade 9, and that the £ type symbol had been seen on Leo's in Kosovo in the 90's.
So armed with that info, I set about making my own decals to enrol my Leo into the 93rd Pazer Lehr Battalion.

On the other side of the mantlet I made a decal of the 93rd's coat of arms.

I also doctored the tactical signs to represent the 2nd company 93rd Panzer Lehr battalion.


The other issue I had was about the turret numbers and there relation to the tactical signs, and found that there is no hard and fast rule for turret numbers in the Bundeswehr but some units still use the old WWII system. So because of my OCD I hade to have turret numbers starting with 2 for 2nd company

[sparks]

I have also added two crew figures. I bought the Tamiya Bundeswehe tank crewmen kit and just used the top half of the standing figure and re-posed his arms
to allow him to sit in the turret.
As the period of the Leo 1 is pre Flecktarn (which was introduced in the 90's), I gave them plain green overalls.

Those of you familiar with some lesser known German largers will recognise their names



Now I was on a roll I decided to name their Modern Leo 2 cousins.

[hotte8487]

A very fine Leopard 1 and also a good building report, thanks man.
The names for your crew are awesome; a little hint - I would have left Clausthaler but then separate Clausthaler after Claus (this is a usually german first name) like Paul - Aner. And, I hope Claus Thaler is alcohol free.

[sparks]

Well after some issues with the electronics, I finally have the tank running as I wanted it.
I did want to make a video of her outside but as the weather has decided to stay cold, I went for internal video

[brizo58]

Hi Sparks,
What coulor did you use on her OD seams to dark!!. Brian...

[sparks]

Hi Brian,
Just sent you a PM.
Regards
Alan

[brizo58]

Thanks Alan just got it. Brian...

[MEXAS C1]

Yes leopard 1 in the field...

[mcevoyi]

Well, eventually got there, think this must be the most time spent on a rear bulkhead in the history of model tanking

I have fitted working LED lights (well, they will work when they are wired up).

Spare track parts stowed in place.

Working rear tool box and illuminated convoy marker (went with green LED in the end).

I need a rest after all that.

Hi sparks
Can you remember how the back panel is fitted to the hul ?
I have the display model and tryING to work out how to remove the hull top and then the rear panel
It looks,like it's been glued together ?
Iain

[tomhugill]

He's not logged in since June 2016 I'm not sure you'll get an answer!