Leopard 1A4

[sparks]

Well, finally made a start .
Step 1. Take one perfectly good rear bulkhead......then cut and grind the living cr*p out of it to remove all the detail.


Step 2 . Replace all the detail with metal upgrade parts


I am using this (and other) photos for refference.


I have had to re-locate the spare track holders a bit, as I want to hang spare track links on the back as in photo above.But the tracks that I have just built(see "For all you Leopard 1 fans") seem to be a bit wider scalewise than the real thing.
I have finished the painting of convoy marker as this AFV one is fixed on by a small strip of foam rubber that allows it to hinge like the original and it would be hard to hold it still to paint the cross,so it is temporarily in place and can be removed when I spray the rest of the bulkhead.The toolbox too is temporary as I have some PE parts on order, mainly for the tool holders, but the sheet also includes the tool boxes.

BTW the electronics conversion kit is on its way (posted from HK today)
BFN sparks
sparks

[Andy in Cheltenham]

Ok......you've got me hooked.......

[sparks]

Still fiddling with the rear bulkhead, apart from playing about with the convoy light ,


I've added some chain to the tow hook.


I won't even try to explain how hard that was for my 60 year old eyes
The PE parts have arrived so I will have a go at the rear tool box, as thats quite large , but it is a working box and those hinges and clasps look awfully small

[sparks]

Made a start on the PE rear tool box, another learning curve

They recommend soldering the joints if using on RC model, so thats what I've done, tried to keep the exterior looking tidy.



0.6mm rivets

I don't supose anyones come across a miniature riveting gun so I'll solder them inside the box.


Hats off to the guys that do this in 1/35 scale

[Andy in Cheltenham]

Splendid bit of work mate.

[sparks]

More work on the rear tool box.





Are these the NUTS (and bolts) or what


I can barely see them, let alone thread them together
These things laugh in the face of the carpet monster, they can be devoured by the.......................................

Laminate Flooring Monster


Leaving the pins long because I want to remove the box for painting.


Just the closing rods to make now, that requires fitting some minute tee pieces into 1mm OD brass tubing

[sparks]

Havn't been up to much lately, still waiting for some 1mm OD brass tubing.
In line with the instructions with the K11 electronics kit, I have removed the pivot slots from the lower turret part C9.

I have also had to remove the locating pins on the inside of the barrel halfs, remove a mid and end section, and increase the inside diametre of the rear section to allow the recoil to operate.

[sparks]

Sorry for lack of activity here, I finally got the 1mm OD tubing and soldered the 'T' pieces in to make the locking bars for the rear box.

Then I had to form the hook part that bolts to the rear bulkhead for the locking bars to hook into.
Thats when the problems started
I just couldn't bend them enough to work properly, it just seemed there wasn't enough length to work with, of course, after bending several times, they snapped. Only one pair is needed, but there are two pairs supplied,
(perhaps that says something), anyway, still managed to snap all of them.
By this time I was very frustrated and disillusioned, so I had to walk away from it for a while, then been busy with work and family stuff.
Anyway, started again last night with a positive attitude and scratch built my own hooks.


A tad larger than the photo etch ones but at least they work



A little finishing touch

[magmer]

That is looking fantastic, a briliant piece of detail work

[sparks]

That is looking fantastic, a briliant piece of detail work

Thanks magmer