2025: 60 Years Leopard 1

[Old Wombat]

Well done! I admire the commitment!

[Ramba]

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

[Claymore]

That’s a whole lot of AFV goodness! 

[raafif]

The different AA turret to the Gepard is interesting 

[Marderman]

Hello friends. I'm happy because you like them 

[Marderman]

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

[Old Wombat]

 

[Marderman]

More work:

[Ramba]

Your camo paint looks great!

[Frank3k]

I love the extra armor plates!

[apophenia]

More work:

Lovely work, Didi! 

I love the extra armor plates!

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

[Marderman]

The next "Level" 







And this "Monster"

[apophenia]

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

And this "Monster"

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

[Marderman]

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]

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

[apophenia]

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

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]

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

[Kerick]

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]

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]

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]

Hello,
Heller? No, never. These wheels without screws. Better Revell 3240. That is also the NL version with the boxes and the track.

[Marderman]

The next one:

[Ramba]

Great looking Leopard.

[GTX_Admin]

 

[apophenia]

Now that is striking! Great build, Didi