Scratchbuilt Leclerc

[KH3DP]

Thank you for sharing your in-progress photos.

In some of your photos, the center line of the drive sprocket appears to be offset from the center line of the road wheels. Is this just because the drive sprocket isn't fully seated, or is it because of the lower hull inset where the suspension arms mount?

Your front turret print looks amazing. I haven't had the nerve to try a single resin print that big yet.

Hello !

Yes you are right the drive sprocket is offset because the heaborx is not attached to the hull, it's still loose inside ! It'll be of course in line with the road wheels !

Ah. Ok. The stock Heng Long suspension parts don't line up for a project I'm working on. Was curious to see how you were addressing it if you had the same problem. Glad it's lining up for you.

[MonsieurTox]

Thank you for sharing your in-progress photos.

In some of your photos, the center line of the drive sprocket appears to be offset from the center line of the road wheels. Is this just because the drive sprocket isn't fully seated, or is it because of the lower hull inset where the suspension arms mount?

Your front turret print looks amazing. I haven't had the nerve to try a single resin print that big yet.

Hello !

Yes you are right the drive sprocket is offset because the heaborx is not attached to the hull, it's still loose inside ! It'll be of course in line with the road wheels !

Ah. Ok. The stock Heng Long suspension parts don't line up for a project I'm working on. Was curious to see how you were addressing it if you had the same problem. Glad it's lining up for you.

I designed my Leclerc using direct measurements of HL parts so I've been able to get everything aligned. The drive sprocket is also custom made.
What's your excat issue, do you have any pics ?

[MonsieurTox]

Hello, I made some progress. Actually the tank is running. It's running well, pretty well, however I'm using the HL Leopard idlers, I will made custom ones (slighty larger diameter), the return rollers are not made yet and the standard HL leopard suspension spring are a bit on the weak side, I need to find stronger ones because the Leclerc is becomming heavy !

Support bracket of the idlers, just for fun because they will never be seen behind the idlers and the side skirts.

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I've built the rear of the turret (the auto loader, I still have to build the top rear, storage boxes and A/C).

Everything fits well

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I've started to build the engine deck, I'm not sure yet but I think I'm going to hinge the engine hatch. The hinges original hinges are easy to reproduce.
The small frame are 0.5mm styrene cut on the CNC, worked well.
The frame that frames (:)) the holes is not glued yet, I have to find a very small mesh. I think I'm going to use nylon pantyhoses for that, once stretched a bit, it should work well.

You can see I missglued one of the frame, I have to remove it and putty the gluing marks

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Thanks for watching !

[KH3DP]

I designed my Leclerc using direct measurements of HL parts so I've been able to get everything aligned. The drive sprocket is also custom made.
What's your excat issue, do you have any pics ?

Thank you for asking. I apologize for taking so long to respond.

I'm working on a U.S. M9 ACE Armored Combat Earthmover. I've decided to start over with a Tamiya Double Gearbox and mostly custom suspension though. Some of the HL elements will fit, but I need more room than they allow to keep the model accurate to the source.

I will keep watching your thread. I've always liked the design of the Leclerc, and you're doing a great job.

[MonsieurTox]

I designed my Leclerc using direct measurements of HL parts so I've been able to get everything aligned. The drive sprocket is also custom made.
What's your excat issue, do you have any pics ?

Thank you for asking. I apologize for taking so long to respond.

I'm working on a U.S. M9 ACE Armored Combat Earthmover. I've decided to start over with a Tamiya Double Gearbox and mostly custom suspension though. Some of the HL elements will fit, but I need more room than they allow to keep the model accurate to the source.

I will keep watching your thread. I've always liked the design of the Leclerc, and you're doing a great job.

That's an interesting model you are making, there's indeed not a lot of room for the suspension etc, I hope you'll make it work!

[MonsieurTox]

I've built the front side armored skirts. Where are the instructions please?

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[MonsieurTox]

I printed a new front turret, the first one was not wide enough (thanks Tamiya for being wrong on that!).

I've used Ammo anti slip paste for the textured effect, worked nice.
Bolts are from Meng.
The smoke covers are 3D printed, there are very thing (0.5mm) and quite large, they need some more clean up and some styrene inside to get them perfectly straight.
The side skirts are just put on with double side tape for the pictures (some panels came off! Too shy probably )

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[MonsieurTox]

This was my first attempt at using Ammo anti slip paste.

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Close up on the rear ompartment of the turret :

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[Tiger6]

Coming along nicely

[MITCH]

It's an awesome work, congratulations !