Author Topic: 2025: 60 Years Leopard 1 (Read 14822 times)

Marderman · « **on:** February 14, 2023, 05:28:06 AM »

Hello friends,
I don't think I have a post about my Leopard 1 here yet, so I'll start now. You should already know my 5 MEXAS.

Already in 2018 I built this Marksman on Leopard 1. I bought some sprue sets from Takom.

"Story" gave me the idea to build the panther from the movie "A bridge too far"

I had received finished models from a dead modeler. Sometimes just scrap. But I want to use a lot of them. Oh no, do I really want to do this?

Marderman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2023, 06:10:47 AM »

I couldn't take the under hull, it was so flat

I'll take the Gepard one, it's wrong on Tamiya

Now I use the parts from Tamiya. A friend gave me leftovers. Always without under hull and some parts were missing

I bathed the parts in destainer

The drive also has to be rebuilt

it will continue soon

Old Wombat · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2023, 06:15:13 AM »

Keep up the good work, Didi!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2023, 06:42:22 AM »

So many Leopards, so many variations. You have your work ahead of you to build all of the versions. A well-stocked spare parts stash is also a requirement.

Marderman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2023, 03:51:00 PM »

Hello, there was also this problem:

On the other hand, this was easier:

I cast the boxes when I built the Chilean Leopard 1 20 years ago (Ex NL)

Old Wombat · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2023, 04:30:54 PM »

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2023, 06:00:06 PM »

I like builds that bring an old model a new life

Marderman · « **Reply #7 on:** February 16, 2023, 04:58:01 AM »

It's carnival. My Leo 1 disguises itself as a Panther

apophenia · « **Reply #8 on:** February 17, 2023, 08:50:43 AM »

Quote from: Marderman on February 16, 2023, 04:58:01 AM

It's carnival. My Leo 1 disguises itself as a Panther

Great start Didi!

Old Wombat · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2023, 01:54:16 PM »

Story · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2023, 11:34:30 PM »

I'm flattered my suggestion was worthy of your artistic pursuits.

For those who didn't see the BRIDGE TOO FAR photo collection
http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=8449.msg202681#msg202681

killnoizer · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2023, 02:22:49 AM »

Thank you for reminding me of the Leo 1 …. Very nice project.

Marderman · « **Reply #12 on:** March 02, 2023, 04:37:25 AM »

Hello,
Ready for painting. Maybe 2023, or 2024 or.....

Best regards, Didi

apophenia · « **Reply #13 on:** March 02, 2023, 07:09:25 AM »

Quote from: Marderman on March 02, 2023, 04:37:25 AM

... Ready for painting. Maybe 2023, or 2024 or.....

Even without the paintwork, she's looking good Didi

finsrin · « **Reply #14 on:** March 02, 2023, 07:55:28 AM »

Nice plastic card work. Looks right.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #15 on:** March 02, 2023, 06:27:10 PM »

Marderman · « **Reply #16 on:** November 09, 2024, 01:09:38 AM »

Hello friends
A few days ago I washed these 4 models. They are first packed dust-free. Whenever I feel like painting

Old Wombat · « **Reply #17 on:** November 09, 2024, 05:59:19 PM »

Take your time ... but the sooner the better!

Story · « **Reply #18 on:** November 09, 2024, 11:01:55 PM »

I'm envious of your ability to concentrate your artistic efforts on just variations of the Marder and Leopard theme.

Marderman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 15, 2024, 07:07:33 PM »

Quickly built another MEXAS, the C1

Old Wombat · « **Reply #20 on:** November 15, 2024, 10:05:46 PM »

I'd be surprised at how quickly that went together but your expertise at building Leo's is second-to-none!

apophenia · « **Reply #21 on:** November 16, 2024, 05:40:50 AM »

Quote from: Marderman on November 15, 2024, 07:07:33 PM

Quickly built another MEXAS, the C1

Excellent! The 'C1A1' is under-represented in polystyrene.

Markings/colouring? Gotta be a Strathcona MEXAS in Kosovo ... 3 Tp, C Sqn, LdSH(RC)

Marderman · « **Reply #22 on:** November 17, 2024, 04:53:43 PM »

I prefer this composition. Old tank with new MEXAS armour

apophenia · « **Reply #23 on:** November 18, 2024, 06:35:08 AM »

Quote from: Marderman on November 17, 2024, 04:53:43 PM

I prefer this composition. Old tank with new MEXAS armour

I can see why. That will definitely stand out more on the shelf than overall CARC Green!

Marderman · « **Reply #24 on:** November 27, 2024, 10:49:53 PM »

Hello,
2 days and 10 hours airbrushing later:

Old Wombat · « **Reply #25 on:** November 27, 2024, 11:04:30 PM »

Well done! I admire the commitment!

Ramba · « **Reply #26 on:** November 27, 2024, 11:13:01 PM »

Great collection! That C1A1 is really cool! Wish I could add one to my stash.

Claymore · « **Reply #27 on:** November 28, 2024, 06:08:24 AM »

That’s a whole lot of AFV goodness!

raafif · « **Reply #28 on:** November 28, 2024, 08:41:15 AM »

The different AA turret to the Gepard is interesting

Marderman · « **Reply #29 on:** November 28, 2024, 06:51:59 PM »

Hello friends. I'm happy because you like them

Marderman · « **Reply #30 on:** December 08, 2024, 09:42:15 PM »

Hallo friends,
Things are slowly moving forward. The C1 has already received its original camouflage pattern.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #31 on:** December 09, 2024, 05:26:13 PM »

Marderman · « **Reply #32 on:** December 12, 2024, 06:45:38 PM »

More work:

Ramba · « **Reply #33 on:** December 12, 2024, 08:25:18 PM »

Your camo paint looks great!

Frank3k · « **Reply #34 on:** December 13, 2024, 12:30:30 AM »

I love the extra armor plates!

apophenia · « **Reply #35 on:** December 13, 2024, 08:41:57 AM »

Quote from: Marderman on December 12, 2024, 06:45:38 PM

More work:

Lovely work, Didi!

Quote from: Frank3k on December 13, 2024, 12:30:30 AM

I love the extra armor plates!

Yup, that IBD MEXAS add-on armour makes even the Leopard 1 look like a space ship

Marderman · « **Reply #36 on:** December 15, 2024, 12:49:51 AM »

The next "Level"

And this "Monster"

apophenia · « **Reply #37 on:** December 15, 2024, 03:58:21 AM »

Nice movie extra, Didi ... and certainly one of the better-looking Hollywood 'Panthers'

Quote from: Marderman on December 15, 2024, 12:49:51 AM

And this "Monster"

Is your "Monster" going to be finished as the Marksman SPAA prototype conversion?

Marderman · « **Reply #38 on:** December 15, 2024, 06:02:33 AM »

I know pictures with the Marksman tested on M60, Leopard 1 and Challenger. Only Finland had him on T55 in service. They are now on Leopard 2. See in my Leo 2 post.

Marderman · « **Reply #39 on:** December 21, 2024, 12:17:09 AM »

Ready for "take-off", my Panther. The first picture looks like a real vehicle.

apophenia · « **Reply #40 on:** December 22, 2024, 09:14:38 AM »

So, it this a 'Panpard'? A 'Leonther'? Or ...

Quote from: Marderman on December 21, 2024, 12:17:09 AM

Ready for "take-off", my Panther. The first picture looks like a real vehicle...

And a very nice build it is too! Perhaps not the most convincing 'celuloid Panther' ever seen on film but an excellent depiction of its movie prop form

Buzzbomb · « **Reply #41 on:** December 24, 2024, 08:26:27 AM »

Very nice work on all the variants. The movie prop version really came out well

Kerick · « **Reply #42 on:** December 31, 2024, 05:44:57 AM »

I’ve got a Heller Leopard 1 in the stash but it’s missing its gun barrel and probably some other small parts. Is the Heller kit worth trying to find parts and build? I figured you’re the guy to ask. I have one from Italeiri so no loss if one is not useful.

apophenia · « **Reply #43 on:** December 31, 2024, 06:11:55 AM »

Quote from: Kerick on December 31, 2024, 05:44:57 AM

I’ve got a Heller Leopard 1 in the stash but it’s missing its gun barrel and probably some other small parts. Is the Heller kit worth trying to find parts and build? I figured you’re the guy to ask. I have one from Italeiri so no loss if one is not useful.

Yes, I'd be interested to hear Didi's take on this too. Meanwhile, an online review ...

Armorama: 1:35 Leopard A2, Heller
-- https://archive.armorama.com/review/10923/index.htm

In a Leopard Club of the Meng Leo 1A5 was this comment: "Many people will wonder about the shape of the turret, as no one in the past has really got it right - with the possible exception years ago of Heller in their otherwise awful Leopard 1."
-- http://leopardclub.ca/reviews/Meng/Leopard_1A5/

That makes it sound like the Heller turret might well be worth tarting up for a swap onto another hull type. Maybe a Bundeswher M48 conversion with a Leo 1A2 turret ... perhaps armed with the L/62 gun from the Strv 103 if you can source one?

Proportions seem to be the main issue with the Heller hull (although the decals-for-cooling-grills approach was also sub-feeble!). I'm thinking that a lot of the proportion issues could be solved with an approach like your 'shortie' M41 concept. Don't know what to suggest about those Heller cooling grills, though

Kerick · « **Reply #44 on:** December 31, 2024, 10:15:52 AM »

Sounds like the Heller kit isn’t worth the powder it would take to blow it to you know what. If anyone in the US wants the turret just let me know. There is no gun barrel. It sounds like it’s the only part worth saving. I had an idea of building some other vehicle from it as the hull doesn’t look that bad but with no bolts on the road wheels makes that worthless. I may see if some other wheels I have come close to fitting. Definitely a back burner project.

Marderman · « **Reply #45 on:** December 31, 2024, 08:21:43 PM »

Hello,
Heller? No, never. These wheels without screws.

Better Revell 3240. That is also the NL version with the boxes and the track.

Marderman · « **Reply #46 on:** January 13, 2025, 11:17:10 PM »

The next one:

Ramba · « **Reply #47 on:** January 14, 2025, 12:11:56 AM »

Great looking Leopard.

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #48 on:** January 14, 2025, 01:26:13 AM »

apophenia · « **Reply #49 on:** January 14, 2025, 03:17:03 AM »

Now that is striking! Great build, Didi

Frank3k · « **Reply #50 on:** January 14, 2025, 11:23:05 AM »

Great job on the last one. The extra armor and the tow rope are just perfect.

Where did you get the concrete apron? did you make it yourself?

Old Wombat · « **Reply #51 on:** January 14, 2025, 01:50:58 PM »

Cool!

Marderman · « **Reply #52 on:** January 15, 2025, 01:21:02 AM »

Hello Frank,
there was a modeling magazine online a few years ago. You could download the field and print it out. That could have been 10 years ago. I have another Field. With zebra stripes and drain cover.

Marderman · « **Reply #53 on:** January 21, 2025, 01:19:50 AM »

Hello,
last weekend at a modelshow I have photograph the plates

Marderman · « **Reply #54 on:** January 21, 2025, 09:17:40 PM »

The next Canadian cat. I found the numbers on the tower interesting. Why? For training? For the repair? As a demonstrator? I liked that, so I wanted to show mine that way too.

Last weekend I do a wheel tree forest

Marderman · « **Reply #55 on:** January 28, 2025, 05:31:15 PM »

Hello friends,

The next one. Marksman. Apparently it was also tested on Leopard 1. Modelmix Italeri/ Takom.

Old Wombat · « **Reply #56 on:** January 28, 2025, 07:30:18 PM »

Mig Eater · « **Reply #57 on:** January 28, 2025, 08:05:51 PM »

Was there any tank the Marksman turret wasn't fitted to

Any plans to make a Matador SPAAG?

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #58 on:** January 29, 2025, 12:52:53 AM »

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #59 on:** January 29, 2025, 12:54:07 AM »

Quote from: Mig Eater on January 28, 2025, 08:05:51 PM

Was there any tank the Marksman turret wasn't fitted to Any plans to make a Matador SPAAG?

I don't believe a M60 was ever tested.

Mig Eater · « **Reply #60 on:** January 29, 2025, 01:05:22 AM »

Seeing is believing

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #61 on:** January 30, 2025, 12:28:25 AM »

Marderman · « **Reply #62 on:** February 04, 2025, 10:45:07 PM »

The next model, although very old
I built this model in 1993. I saw this picture of the project in a MaK brochure. I hadn't noticed that the rear was longer, similar to the Gepard. I only noticed this a few years later and didn't like it. Now I had revised it in November.