IIRC, that’s an XM803-lookalike made from M60 bits plus scratchbuilding.
1 Like
5 Likes
Tempted as I am by say, a US version in MERDC (as a change from my earlier rendition in MASSTER) I might just consider a Dutch version - the idea planted by Jakko a little while ago. I have a cunning plan(!)
4 Likes
Go for it! 
1 Like
Part of my cunning plan is to - hopefully - portray some crew sporting long hair; as I wish to set this in 1974, do you happen to know if said fashion amongst the soldiers was still in vogue?
Probably utilising some figures from Sylly’s Models, and possibly the DAF YA-66 - which is why 1974 is sort of crucial; what do you think?
1 Like
Long hair is definitely a possibility in 1974: choice of hair style was free from 8 July 1971. It became less common in the 1980s, as men in general started wearing their hair shorter again, and hair regulations were probably (is my guess, I’m not sure) only re-introduced in the 1990s after national service was suspended.
For a KPz 70 (NL), I’d say the main thing you would need to add are Dutch smoke grenade launchers and antenna mounts with rectangular “boxes”, both like on the Leopard 1(NL). Oh, and a short length of pipe on the front corners of the hull, for convoy flags
1 Like
Thanks; that’s all just about what I identified. A finish in the German gelboliv, and some markings, probably filched from Esci’s Leo 2 or similar, and I’m probably there. I’ll possibly add some cam nets but I’ll have to be careful not to obscure too much, yet on the other hand, wish to make it look in service. I sort of envisage something like the Dragon Kpz box-art: a company commander come to visit the boys on exercise in their new tank, or something like that.
If I may, I might need to run some ideas past you as I go - hope you don’t mind too much.
I still have to complete my “Uncle Heinz” piece, belatedly for the Veteran’s Campaign, so this won’t be just yet.
2 Likes
I most certainly don’t I would like to build one like this myself but, as I think I’ve mentioned, that’s not going to be any time soon—so the next-best thing will be to help somebody else with the same idea
3 Likes
Nonsense - a tank will always fit! Collateral damage is to be expected however… 
A Dutch MBT70 sounds fun! And if you ever do the other frankenproject I’d love to see it.
3 Likes
Thanks Tom - I just thought that the purist in me had it right (for once). I’m actually looking very forward to the Dutch version - until Jakko piped up a few weeks/months back (God - I’m getting old) I had no idea that the project was even under consideration by the Dutch. it’s just such a different option.
Anyway, hopefully this will start relatively soon - once I’ve finished off “Uncle Heinz” (ie part of the recent Veterans’ Campaign).
I will, hopefully, still bring - at some stage - the Sturmpanzer Leo to fruition.
2 Likes
I’ve just looked it up, and De Leopard 1: Gepantserde vuist van de Koninklijke Landmacht by Willem Smit[1] says (translated) on page 24:—
The MBT-70 project had barely been begun when minister [of defence] De Jong made it known to the German and American governments that the Netherlands was interested in participating in it. In 1965, in Bonn, the possible terms for taking part were explained to the Netherlands and Belgium, among others. Towards the end of that year, the Netherlands took out a non-binding option for four hundred tanks, with the request to be kept updated about the project’s progress. The expectation at the time was that deliveries would begin in 1971 or 1972. In the autumn of 1967, Dutch military authorities, accompanied by experts, were given the opportunity for a number of orientation visits to take a look at the current state of affairs and inspect the prototypes that had been developed [in both the USA and Germany].
I guess what that means for a model ca. 1974 is a backstory that development of the KPz 70 did proceed as intended, with maybe a few years’ delay at worst.
Amsterdam: Boom, 2008; ISBN 978 90 8506 427 5 ↩︎
3 Likes
Thanks for that - that’s the back story taken care of! Of course, in the parallel universe of the Best Tank etc, one will have to assume the problems were all worked out and it was viable, but then, that’s the beauty of the theme. 1974 would now seem pretty logical.
I suspect that Sylly’s Models will greatly help, and I note he does the little DAF, so probably time to get ordering.
Thanks again.
2 Likes
The joys of re-discovery from the stash! I acquired my Dragon Kpz-70 some years ago, and had planned, naturally enough, on a German version. I recall I planned to show it re-ammunitioning, and that was about as far as I’d got. Upon opening the box I seemed to have acquired quite a bit:
Voyager etch set – which includes a gun barrel
Brass 20mm cannon barrel
2 x sets of AFV Club 152mm ammo
Leopard Club set of chains and plugs
and confusingly, 2 x Chieftain-type smoke dischargers; I can only assume the latter were for a Commander Models MBT-70 to facilitate say, a more up to date What-If version.
The Dragon tracks seem to be OK – ie have not disintegrated into a gungy mess, but what is the received wisdom re these? Is it best to replace – or will they survive once painted etc?
4 Likes
I built the MBT70 several years ago. The tracks were OK and still are. They were unique, so if you replace them (with say Leo2 tracks) you’d deffo be into What-If territory, and might need to adjust or replace the sprockets. I built mine as the museum example it was based on, so kept the DS tracks. I have several models that came with OK DS tracks and so far they’ve all survived - I think if they are a bad batch it soon shows. Be sure to just use acrylic paints on them, as solvents in enamels will eat them!
3 Likes
Roger that Tom; thanks.
1 Like
I believe Dan, that that’s the XM803; nice to see though.
1 Like
Yes, if you zoom in, you can see the description. Also at Benning.
1 Like
So, obviously the Dragon Kpz-70, not the US version made by Commander Models – of which I have a few in my stash(!) There are, apparently a number of errors in the kit as identified by several commentators, however, as this is almost a What If, I shall ignore all of those and more or less work on it as it comes.
The only modifications I envisage, that is, in addition to the radio antennae and smoke dischargers, will the addition of a mantlet cover and the armoured cowl for the TV camera on the glacis. As this will be depicted on exercise, camouflage nets will be in evidence, although I must be careful not to hide too much of the lines of this, to me, very interesting vehicle. I haven’t had too close a look at the 20mm cannon, but if I elect to have that opened-up, then I might have to add a fair bit of gizmology.
The plan is to almost replicate the image on the box artwork, but obviously, in Dutch hands.
Onwards!
7 Likes