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Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 11:35 pm
by KTRob
Hi Guys,
Now the P4's done, I need something else to get on with, I bought this from Tomhugill a while ago, my first piece of modern armour.
Its all there and runs well, just needs a few details fixing and a repaint.....in typical fashion though I have managed to find new ways to empty the wallet and decided on a few upgrades, in no particular order:
Afv Tensioners
Afv Swingarms
Ball bearing set
Will fit a battle system of some sort
Afv Tow hitch, shackles and MG3
Starting point:
Ball bearings going in:
Swing arms on:
I need to charge the camera up, I have the lower hull done and have stripped the upper down. I have just got done repairing the fibre optics at the back....fiddly job
More to follow.......
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Sun Nov 29, 2015 11:38 am
by DNAR
Looking good! Will be very interested in following your re-build.
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 12:12 am
by KTRob
Thanks DNAR, done a bit more:
The wheels have all had the bushings replaced with ball bearings. I gave the tyres and tracks a good wash and they came up pretty well.
The wheels and lower have been painted Nato Green (Think I will go for a standard NATO camouflage scheme).
One tip for anyone doing the fibre optics, do not allow any form of solvent glue (extra thin cement, etc) to touch the fibres. I glued mine in with the tamiya cement and the next day they had all broken off at the join. On testing I found the cement makes the fibre go brittle. I used a hotglue gun in the end
Just finished up replacing detail parts on the upper hull, will put up a pic tomorrow.
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Wed Dec 02, 2015 7:28 am
by Ad Lav
Fibres are fairly difficult, I didn't end up using glue, just persevered and got them sitting right.
Not another green one
Nice re build, I need to get the mg3 for mine.
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 11:47 pm
by KTRob
Thanks guys,
It is a bit too green
I think the trouble I had with the lights is that I was using non tamiya Fibre optic, perhaps their stuff is more flexible?
Done the upper hull, had to replace a few handles, etc. and also painted the turret lower.
I can't progress much further as my airbrush is knackered and am waiting for a new one to turn up...
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 10:45 am
by KTRob
My new airbrush came last week (A Draper gravity feed single action, dead ringer for an Iwata but made in china
)
It works really well off my spraywork compressor, just had to remove the air stop and soon had the top and turret done:
Next job was to install a set of DKLM metal gears:
Good timing too as the small gears had started to mash the flats up:
Photo etch grills:
When I tried to install the turret, it was hitting the fan covers and intakes, so I cut out a shim from 0.3 plasticard and placed on the turret:
All together:
I have hooked up the DMD and had a drive round to make sure it all works OK:
Just working on the main gun now....
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 5:14 pm
by KTRob
I am getting near to finished on this refurb now,
My brother bought me an airbrush booth for xmas, so I don't end up fumigating myself and the house!
I have to say now I have one I wouldn't be without it, no fumes, no spraying bits of the house that don't need spraying....
The overspray cleans off easily with a drop of soap and water.
Once I had the painting done, it was the joy of squeezing all the electricals into the turret, this is how she looks now:
I scratch built the left turret basket out of brass scrap as the frame was missing, but the PE mesh was present:
I have developed a bit of a problem with the gun though, once I put it back together the gun wouldn't lift to clear the rear deck when the turret is turned. (It did before I took it apart).
On checking through, the "turret limiter switch" had a broken wire which I resoldered, but it still won't work....
Everything else works OK though
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 9:49 am
by KTRob
Pulled the turret to bits last night and I think the limiter switch is dead, the elevation servo didn't react when I pushed it...
Just ordered another one, so won't be finished for a few more days.......
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2016 1:23 pm
by Ad Lav
Very smart. Must play with mine again soon, forgot about the gun lifting!
Does it only do it when the barrel is low?
Re: Leopard 2A6 Restoration
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2016 1:22 am
by KTRob
Hi Ad Lav,
It only works if the gun is set low enough to catch the rear of the tank. What should happen is at a certain point in rotation, the switch runs onto a ridge in the inside of the turret ring, the turret motor stops for a moment to give the servo time to lift the gun to level then it carries.on rotating.
I think my resoldering might have damaged the switch (melted it inside?).
Just another little problem to solve...