Leopard 1 NL

Look forward to seeing your paintwork.Ive been working on a Leopard 1A3 today from Italeri 1A4 with a few additions.Im keen to do a Netherlands 1V.

Richard

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Beware that a 1-V will need more work than a 1 (NL). Beyond everything Jay is doing here, it needs turret add-on armour and the most difficult bit, a manhole cover with semi-circular collar in the turret roof for the thermal sight that was planned but never installed.

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Yes indeed mate.Probably have to get a 3D set from Cults 3D.I think i have the smoke launcher set up from an old Revell 2A5 NL.The horseshoe plate on turret would be a chore but im mad enough to try no doubt.I did buy some decals a long time ago in advance of tackling one

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The smoke launchers from a 2A5 NL won’t be of that much use, as the plates they’re mounted on were totally different :frowning: The launch tubes themselves are the easiest bits to scratchbuild of the whole launcher array.

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Hmm think its 3D route mate,Id have a go at scratchbuilding launcher shelves but my skills arent too hot for fiddly bits.Im sure i recall seeing one being made on The Leopard Fibel page.

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As I mentioned much earlier in this thread, my own Leopard 1(NL) got put back into its box exactly because of those smoke launcher mountings … I just couldn’t work out their shapes and sizes, even with good 1:35 scale drawings and photos.

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Thats a shame.But they are a difficult shape it appears.Are there many in Museums in your country or the earlier ones that served early in its career with the Netherlands.I think i shall settle for 3D route.

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There are some in museums and, I think, as gate guardians, but nothing close to where I live. I did take photos of the one that used to be at Overloon, some years after putting away my 1(NL) conversion, but never did try to make the launchers. Just in case they’re of use to someone:




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Nice pictures Jakko and good of you to share.Id try and make the launchers maybe.Im guessing they had to cut into the turret add on armour to mount them or are the NL ones not the blomm and voss ones.

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I’m not sure what the differences in the armour are, as I haven’t compared them. Looking at my photos, I can see a little notch in the armour for the rear vertical bar, which I doubt would be present on the German plates. Maybe also that cut-out at the front of the smoke launcher array?

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Yes Jakko i think you are right.I shall see if a mate can 3D print me a set or 2 from Cults 3D for NL 1V.Will solve the pesky smoke launcher problem no end!!!,Ive still got the Churchill Mark 1 castings whenever you need a set when i get back into Churchill mode.

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