Revell Leopard 2A4 1:35

[Stephan]

As I have already mentioned in the current/recent projects topic, I've almost finished this model, I need to do some more detail work, like the antennas etc..

The tank is exactly one of the tanks I was on during my service time (even correct license plate etc.), which was my main motivation to build this model. I haven't build a model in years, so the paint job isn't really perfect, but I've tried to add some details to make it resemble a tank in "cross country driving" or "combat ready" condition.

So if someone is interested in a description about the modifications necessary to get this kit to resemble a "combat ready" tank and in what problems I had with this kit, feel free to ask. I could also provide some photos, but don't have free webspace to host them.

 

Oh, I've also a question: I want to improve on some details, like helmets, weapons and other stuff hanging from the sides/lying on the tank. Does someone make such stuff?

[Jason]

Stephan,

 

There are literally dozens of after-market manufacturers of such items. Among some of the ones I use are Verlinden and DML for figures and weapons.

 

DML makes a nice set which features the HK series of rifles and sub-machine guns, among them the MP5 which is what you'd be looking for, correct?

 

As far as modern German Army armor crew, I think Verlinden has a couple of different sets.

 

I'm not entirely sure what your vehicle crew helmets look like, but the German Army Kevlar helmets are very similar to the US Army ones and I know DML makes some sets of modern US infantry which you could use.

 

I'll see what I can dig up for links to websites.

[Jacques]

Stephan, I can put up the picks if you e-mail them to me.

 

The DML modern German set is very nice, but they are paratroopers and I am not sure what standard issue for german tankers is. If you post what you are looking for, it may be more helpful, like what rifle etc...

 

I know that MR and Real Models make some good stuff for german vehicles, but I cannot access their full line at the moment. Check out:

http://www.greatmodels.com or

http://www.rollmodels.com

 

for more info, not sure about whether there are pics or not.

 

Putting rolls, rucksacks, and helmets is still more of a model art, as noone has designed specific after-market pieces for hanging on bustle racks and the like, especially for modern equipment.

[Stephan]

Originally posted by Jason:

[...]among them the MP5 which is what you'd be looking for, correct?

No, I'd actually be looking for UZIs.

 

As far as modern German Army armor crew, I think Verlinden has a couple of different sets.

I'll try to find them.

 

I'm not entirely sure what your vehicle crew helmets look like, but the German Army Kevlar helmets are very similar to the US Army ones and I know DML makes some sets of modern US infantry which you could use.

The vehicle crew helmets are simple reinforced leather ones, but I am more interested in the standard Kevlar helmet, this and other stuff like the personal NBC kit is usually hanging on the eyelets behind the TC and loaders hatch.

 

I'll see what I can dig up for links to websites.

Thanks, that would be really kind!

[Stephan]

Originally posted by Jacques:

Stephan, I can put up the picks if you e-mail them to me.

That would be great, I'll have a digital camera available tomorrow and will take some pics.

 

The DML modern German set is very nice, but they are paratroopers and I am not sure what standard issue for german tankers is.  If you post what you are looking for, it may be more helpful, like what rifle etc...

Ok, I have two ideas right now. The first would be to place a TC and loader in the hatches and see if I could get some accessories. Most important would be two MP UZIs, two helmets, two NBC kit bags. Additionally I would like to have field glasse and a notepad for the TC. I already have a good idea how to make the notepad (almost just a flat piece of plastic) and the NBC bags, but I don't have a clue about the other parts.

The second idea would be to leave the crew off and just equip it with the accessoires I mentioned. I didn't like the crew models I have seen so far, because their bodies did stick out of the hatches much to far.

Also, I don't want to equip this model with camouflage netting etc., because I don't want to cover up the unit markings, there is no need to make this model 100% like a Leopard 2 in battle, it should be more like I remember it from my TC course, the parts I mentioned would be sufficient, so if you have an idea were I could get those or how I could best make them myself, I would be really happy.

 

I'll see if I can find something on the sites you mentioned.

[Stephan]

re Stuart:

 

Really? This is a rather new kit releasd in October 2001. I've read on a german modelling site that it is based on the Tamiya kit. I can't really comment if the tracks are to thin, this is my first 1:35 tank kit, having previously only build aircraft models (but that's already at least five years ago). I thought the tracks were quite ok, though I was rather disappointed with the fit of some parts, some did need some serious reworking. But more about that when Jacques posts my pictures.

I've already asked at the shop were I bought this kit if there are acessories availeble, they also said Tamiya had such items, but they didn't have Tamiya at that shop (it doesn't have a really good sortiment, I'm living in a rather small town that doesn't have that many good shops for almost anything). I tried to find it at the Tamiya website, but no luck.

[Stephan]

re Stuart:

 

I've checked and found out I was wrong, the Revell kit is based on a Italeri kit. This hull of this kit is also split into a lower and upper half like you did describe it.

 

Anyway I just discovered the merits of www.dotphoto.com , here are a few pics:

 

If you want to see some more pictures select this link

[Stephan]

Here comes the description of the changes I have made to the kit. I won't give a complete assembly description, just what I think was most important, if there are further detail questions, feel free to ask.

I didn't keep strictly to the assembly manual, it is indeed easier to complete the kit without doing the steps as the manual suggests, also, there are some errors in the manual. The manual clearly is just a modified copy of the Leopard 2A5 assembly manual, which becomes especially clear when looking at the last pages with the paint schemes, were the outlines of the side-armour modules and the additional rear turret storage boxes are still present.

The major parts that did need modification to get the tank into the "prepared for combat" modification are the side skirts and the rear panel of the hull. I did cut of the last segment of each side skirt. This has to be done really carefully, because the shaft which they are attached to shouldn't be cut of. These segments are later attached in the upward position. It is also necessary to cut the step holes into the other light side skirt segments. The "mud catchers"(?) on the hull rear plate have to be removed. I've not jet decided were to put these, we did sometimes stow them in the turret rear storage box, sometimes we tied them to the right rear corner of engin top cover plate. [see images "Heck 01"/"Heck 02" and "Laufwerk 1" for details]

The roadwheels and suspension parts need some additional paintwork to make them look more "in use". The areas between the roadwheel halves should be painted with an iron color, the same applies to the areas between the teeth of the sprocket wheel. The pistons of the hydraulic shock dampers should be colored iron, the tips of the pistons and the mechanic travel stops should be painted with anthrazit (black rubber). The piston of the track tensioning device should also be iron colored. Three colors are needed for the tracks, anthrazit for the rubber pads, a rust color for the metal parts and iron for the areas in contact with the roadwheels. [see image "Laufwerk 1" for details]

The assembly of the turret hatches is shown completely wrong in the manual. The loaders hatch as a spring mechanism attached to it, which is ok if the hatches are attached in the closed position, but they have to be removed if the hatch should stay open. The TC hatch, unlike the loaders hatch, has to be attached with the upper side up. It is necessary to attach a small spacer under the hatch, as it shouldn't lie directly on the turret. [see image "Luken 02" for details]

Then there are all the small details: The rear driving mirrors should be folded down, the casings of the drivers/loaders/TC periscopes should be green (I did use silver for the glass, I know it's not perfect, but I couldn't decide what else to use, simple gloss black would probably have been better), the snow grippers should be black, the reserve tank track parts should be rusty, the lights should be blacked out with green tank tape (the tactical markings, MLC sign and license plate should be blacked out, too, but I left them there because of sentimental reasons (as I said in an earlier post, this is exactly a tank I did serve on)), the tools on the engine top cover plate should look a little used, not simply green, don't forget to paint the fuel transfer hose black and very important: The tow lines should be crossed right over left.

 

Now, I bet I forgot a thousand things. Have a look at the pictures and if you find some more details you have questions about, feel free to ask.

[Stephan]

re Stuart:

 

Well, I really can't compare, but I thought the wheels and other automotive parts were quite ok, though it sits a little bit low, I suppose it needs some new torsion bars .

About the paint, I was quite surprised to see on the photos, that there seem to be some spots not completely covered with color, maybe I can correct this. Though the coloration scheme is alright, I am not really satisfied with the quality of my paintwork, probably I should try using an airbrush the next time.

 

That RC-model looks great, I'd really like to build it, but it probably will have to wait some years because of budgetary reasons .

[Jacques]

You fell for the 1/16th Tiget I trap? Oh you silly German armor nuts...

 

Stephan, the pics are up on the MMFS page as well:

http://members.tripod.com/mmfs0/onlinemem/...chaar/index.htm

[DougRichards]

The DML modern German set is very nice, but they are paratroopers and I am not sure what standard issue for german tankers is.  If you post what you are looking for, it may be more helpful, like what rifle etc...

Ok, I have two ideas right now. The first would be to place a TC and loader in the hatches and see if I could get some accessories. [/i]

 

I have two figures from the Tamiya Marder APC, the later version with the figures in the padded helmets, looking like Soviet head gear.

 

If you want them you can have them

 

Doug

 

 

 

[Edited by DougRichards (18 Feb 2002).]