Canadian Leopard 2 build

[trackmech81]

I'm finally elbows deep in my Leo again. I have pretty much stripped down the hull and started over with AFV idler mounts and brass bearing bolts. I wanted to add the Hull Reinforcement kit but my wife won't let me sell our first born, so I am looking at making my own. I also have a set of Dave's metal track links. Any pointers would be appreciated as I'm basically starting over on the build.

[trackmech81]

Finally finished replacing all the plastic bearing bolts with AFV brass ones. It was a pain quite literally as I now have several blisters on my thumb tips. I've already noticed an improvement in road arm strength though and can't wait to finish up the lower hull.
While I'm on here, I've seen a couple people who updated their A6 to A6M variants with square headlights and filled in front hull. Has anybody here tried this and if so what all was needed or do you have any templates to go by?

[TDanny]

Hi Mate!

You can by sqare lights at AFV-models:
http://www.afv-model.com/4711shop/produ ... ts_id=2758

But I think you have to do the rest of the build. It's not a big deal to do the front armour from metal or plastic plates, but the back of the turret is a hard one...
I wanted to do it on my Leo, but to tell the truth, I more like the stock look, but I left the paint job all green.
I had an idea to make the spares in 3D and hire somebody to print it on a 3D printer but it's a lot of money and don't think it worth it...

[trackmech81]

I've thought about getting a 1/35 "update kit" and hiring somebody to do it in 3d print

[trackmech81]

I also have a 1/35 slat armor kit I'm going to use as a pattern for 1/16 slats.

[Saxondog]

Hi, We have a US member with a 3D printer,the issue will be the file type and program choice.

Solid works being the software f choice for the printer. Also the conversion from 1/35 to 1/16 may be difficult to verify the fit,as our models in both scale do not always share the same dimensions due to the manufacturing requirements for some of the molds and other consideration not always obvious to us.

We have worked converting 1/16 scale parts to 1/6 scale over the last year,using the printer to create template's which were then verified before being produced in steel or resin. Many times encountering problems of alignment and fit.

Just a heads up to the process involved and some of the problems we have experienced. Hope this helps you to make a more informed choice if you seek to pursue paying to have the parts created.

[trackmech81]

Thanks for the advice Saxon...guess the old plasticard is still best at times haha

[trackmech81]

Its been a while since I started this but I made some progress yesterday. I finally finished the maze of fiber optic and added the AFV hull reinforcement kit as well as some DKLM metal drive gears. Took the lower hull for a test drive and so far all is good.
Now to anybody with history on the Canadian Leopards. Did the ones deployed to Afghanistan start with a OD Green base or were the paid ted Tan? Also, does anybody know where I can get Canadian unit decals?