For the orange and red split one you might find a crimson works better.
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Thanks!
l may try masking off the upper half of the tail light and apply Tamiya Smoke or thin gray filter to the lower half might be passable. Wanted to try the exhaust stains that way, will add tail light too.
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At the end of 2023, my goal had been to wrap my shelf queens and started projects which peaked at twelve. Ten of those twelve have been completed so only two old projects remain. However, two new projects were started so…
Looking at my four projects seems like perfect time to get back to the Leo 1A3. It’s pretty close and hopefully can be wrapped in a week or so.
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I do so love that Leopard!
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Brian, you’re quite the motivator!
When someone feels that way about an AFV, it’s compelling. Time to review my available Leo reference before proceeding. Doing a bit of due diligence before slapping more paint, so hopefully the model can gain a bit of fidelity.
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Well, it won’t need much; the finish is superb.
Of course if it was mine, I’d slather it in cam before you could shake a shi**y stick at it (sorry for the appalling British term); I don’t have a 1A3 but my 1A4 - from some time ago admittedly - went that way (not to show off but merely to reinforce my penchant for cam nets):
And of course, there’s always the quandary of whether or not to cover all that lovely detail one has spent so much time on.
Come to think of it, all my Leopards are covered in cam - I’m not sure that’s a good thing(!)
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Brian, your Leo’s look very sharp and the camo net adds to the authentic appearance. I’ll saving the camo, nets & mud for the Italeri Leo 1A3/4 in the stash. It will get the Meng band tracks. I still have find a cupola solution for it.
Found a few interesting old pictures, posting them as discussion only.
That would make a hell of a diorama.
Decided to tweak the tools a bit. The metallic I had in Carolina and applied to the mostly sucked. It looked like aluminum to me which I’m ok with one one of the tools but not the others. Floquil Chain 
Mail to the rescue.
Fiddle with the turret a little too.
Wash applied and into the dehydrator to cook for 5 to 10 hours at 104 F degrees.
I want to drybrush tomorrow morning. Hit the dehydrator hard for 12 hours and gloss coat tomorrow night.
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I used to offer a replacement set for the Italeri/Revell kits on Shapeways that had the correct periscopes and MG ring for the TC, and hatch spring set for the loader. When SW went bust I started moving models to 3DPtrain.com - I’ll have to upload these there too!
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Did you know that Shapeways is coming back? Or at least trying to?
Ken
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Well, thanks Wade. I’ve only two comments and please take them for what they’re worth: one, I think the wire-cutter tool has a reddish-brown handle - not wood - but some composite stuff - I think. I haven’t my normal Leo refs with me at the moment.
Second, you might wish to consider adding tiny chains to the smoke-discharger caps; inevitably, they’ll be over scale, but I think always add to the look. Mind you, that’s just me. See here:
I’m not suggesting of course, that you dabble with this current model - which is exquisite - but put a marker down for the future perhaps.
Only suggestions I assure you.
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@barkingdigger Tom, I’m definitely interested and will purchase if you offer the parts on 3DPtrain.com as that’s major issue with the model to me
@tankerken coming back from the grave they say…
@BootsDMS Brian, the handles on these should be red brown? If so, I can fix that no problem.
Chains on smoke gernades, I’ll have to think on that one 
Edit - done thinking, ordered these if they arrive in time will try to add chains to smoke grenade launchers.
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This Leopard is coming along superbly Wade. Absolutely love it.
Aesthetically I think I prefer this version of the Leopard over all the others including the 2’s and the cast turret 1’s.
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Typically I can’t now find any pics of the wire-cutters - either on the www or amongst my books. However, my Leo library is not as extensive as yours - perhaps there’s something within?
Good call on the chains; as I say, they might be a tad over-scale but I feel they make a difference on all such equipped vehicles.
However, I must just stress I’m not trying to call the shots here(!)
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Sure.
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This photo is unfortunately a bit dark …
Oblique view from the left front, Münster
The cast turret Leo 1 lurking behind the A3 or A4 above. Münster museum
The camouflaged A3/A4 has wooden handles on the shovel and the axe.
The all gelb-oliv cast turret has painted handles on the shovel and axe.
Both have red-brown wire cutter handles (two tones visible on the cast turret Leo)
No paint to make sure the handles are insulated in case they need to cut electrical wires???
Images found at:
https://vodnik.net/references/leo1a1a2.html
and
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@Terry1954 Terry, thank you! I like thr A3/A4’s too.
@BootsDMS Brian, you have direct experience with the Leo that makes you well worth listening too and considering what you have to say.
Speaking of wire cutters this is thw reference picture I used to base painting the handles gray. Thoughts on the wire cutters? Handles wrapped in fiberglass tape because the bakelite/plastic insulation handles were cracked?
@Uncle-Heavy Robin thank you for the information and links!
The tow cable color is also worth noting. Red brown wire cutter handles as mentioned by Brian.
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To paint
or not to paint
that is the modelers conundrum …
Opposite side of the same tank in the Münster musuem
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