Canadian Leopard C2 Mexas MBT - Afghanistan 2006- Build

[yan33]

always and always it's so impressive details i love it so much
quick the next

[lmcq11]

Thank you Carl and Yan for your encouragements.

At this stage, i am going around the vehicle and adding the details as i am seeing them, sometimes with some simplifications for solidity for RC purposes.

These are the headlights with their mounting for the Mexas. The study of various pictures also show some variations on the right and left placements of the headlights on the glacis. Also showing variations on the shackles.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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The AFV Model Leopard 1A4 headlights are molded in solid metal, nickel i think. It is very difficult to separate the parts from the sprues, to clean up and work with.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

In order to install the 5mm LED inside, i had to drill holes for the wires, all the way through the glacis for the connection inside.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The 5mm LEDs are prepared.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Here are the headlights and glacis details, minus the lenses that will be added after painting.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The Tamiya engine grill and frame parts were missing and had to be reproduced.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The smoke grenade dischargers have a new arrangement on the Mexas.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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The mount was reproduced in plasticard from the Meng measurements.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The Perfect Scale Modellbau Leopard 1A5 resin grenade dischargers were used. I added a small chain for the cap. I also noticed variations for the grenade dischargers in ref pictures, some tanks have a different caps without chain.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Some view on the details of the frontal areas.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Overview of the resin cupolas from the kit, they are very good. However, some resin mount were damaged and replaced by brass. I also added springs in brass rods to replicate the mechanism more completely. The machine gun mount for the FN MAG will need to be scratch built.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Hatches, ring, periscopes and telescopes are well reproduced by the resin kit.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

3D printed latches will be added later to the cylinder container, they would be damaged in the manipulation of the model at this stage of the build.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Continuing on following post

[lmcq11]

Frontal view.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Received 2 items this week from SOL models. Three Jerrycans will be added at the back of the turret, and the FN MAG machine gun. These SOL jerrycans seems to be of better quality and a better deal for the cost than the Special Ops. The FN MAG, called C6 in Canadian service, is of excellent quality and is the same that i used on the IDF Centurion build. The intricate mount for the C6 will need to be scratch built

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Currently awaiting some Shapeways parts; American radio antenna mounts, Jerrycan holders and a water jug as seen in Afghanistan.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The model as it stands today.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Looks like it will be a rainy weekend. Good time to work on the Diehl tracks and replace the rubbers on the idlers.

Regards, Louis

[Jimster]

An absolutely beautiful model presented in an absolutely beautiful photo. I am so impressed with this project. I would put our rc tank forum model builders up against any other tank forum in the world.

[BarryC]

Nicely done Louis!!

Barry

[MITCH]

Wahoo! What a magnificent job I admire, well done Louis

[square4]

Great work, looks very good.

[lmcq11]

Hi, thank you everyone !

Starting the tracks.

It is the first time that i realize that Tamiya provided exactly the same set of tracks for the Leopard 1A4 and Sherman HVSS... No wonder i was asking myself how did they come up with these. I assume they are meant to represent early Diehl D139E2 tracks with rubber chevron, but they do not look like them at all. In the picture below, i am showing a set of Tamiya 1/16 Sherman tracks next to the Leopard 1, same. With the replacement of the Tamiya tracks, i am now getting a set of used spare Sherman tracks worth $100 when new...cool.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

A Leopard 1 should be equipped with Diehl Typ D640A tracks as seen below.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

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The soviets did a pretty good blueprint of the D640A tracks...

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

As mentioned earlier in the build, i purchased a couple of years ago a set of Leopard 1 metal tracks from AFV-Model of Germany. They are no longer selling them it seems. They are the proper typ D640A and do fit the Tamiya sprocket.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

In addition to needing assembly, every part need to be clean up by filing each sides with a metal hand file in order to remove casting residues that do otherwise impact the assembly and track performance.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

This is the center double pin tooth, correctly reproduced.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

These are the track pins and connectors, correct as well.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

With the rubber pads that will be installed after painting, each track link is composed of 9 individual parts. Thankfully, the pins are pre-mounted on one connector, leaving 7 parts to be cleaned and assembled for each link.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

The quality is good. Once a full set of track is completed, each pin links need to be squeezed one more time with pliers for a tight fit, pins extension filled, and a drop of superglue put at the tip.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

It took me 2.5 hours to create half a track. So, just the basic assembly of the metal components should be a planned 10 hour operation. Cleaning up the rubber pads and correctly gluing them to the tracks will likely add a few more hours. Nothing complicated here, just need to put in the hours.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Regards, Louis

[lmcq11]

Another view of the AFV-model tracks, without their rubber pads.

RC 1/16 Canadian tank Leopard C2 Mexas - Afghanistan - build

Louis