I have been looking to do a Canadian Leopard C1, using the Real Model set, but I have not had a lot of luck locating an Italeri 1A4 kit. I have seen a few on eBay, but the asking prices seem very high, currently there is a Testors Italeri version on ebay for $200.
Is the Tamiya kit really that bad?
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Leopard 1A4 - Tamiya or Italeri?
SgtRam
Contributing Writer
#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 01:46 AM UTC
hugohuertas
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 02:03 AM UTC
Yes, the Tamiya kit is bad, not accurate at all, and with a lot of "shape" issues.
The turret is wrong, as are the hull dimensions, and lot of other details.
I believe that the RM detail set was designed for the Italeri kit, if so you'll have to work to adjust it to fit on Tamiya's turret, I guess its not an impossible task, but if I were you, I would wait and try to find an affordable Italeri kit.
Maybe Miloslav Hraban can confirm for what kit was it designed...
The turret is wrong, as are the hull dimensions, and lot of other details.
I believe that the RM detail set was designed for the Italeri kit, if so you'll have to work to adjust it to fit on Tamiya's turret, I guess its not an impossible task, but if I were you, I would wait and try to find an affordable Italeri kit.
Maybe Miloslav Hraban can confirm for what kit was it designed...
jon_a_its
Joined: April 29, 2004
KitMaker: 1,336 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 02:14 AM UTC
I'm told the Revel of Germany boxing is the same as the Italeri one?
hugohuertas
Joined: January 26, 2007
KitMaker: 1,024 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 02:30 AM UTC
Revell had reboxed Italeri's 1A4, labelled as "Revell-Italeri". This is also a hard to find kit...
Their "Revell" labelled Leopard 1's are the 1A1A1-1A1A4 and the 1A5. These ones have the cast rounded turret, not the welded one of the 1A3 and 1A4, and are useful to build a canadian C2 and C2 with Mexas armor.
Their "Revell" labelled Leopard 1's are the 1A1A1-1A1A4 and the 1A5. These ones have the cast rounded turret, not the welded one of the 1A3 and 1A4, and are useful to build a canadian C2 and C2 with Mexas armor.
gcdavidson
Joined: August 05, 2003
KitMaker: 1,698 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 02:41 AM UTC
Ken, check out this thread before you plonk serious $ on ebay:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/169232/thread/1357482617/Reissue+of+the+Leopard+1A4
http://www.network54.com/Forum/169232/thread/1357482617/Reissue+of+the+Leopard+1A4
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 02:51 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I have been looking to do a Canadian Leopard C1, using the Real Model set, but I have not had a lot of luck locating an Italeri 1A4 kit. I have seen a few on eBay, but the asking prices seem very high, currently there is a Testors Italeri version on ebay for $200.
Is the Tamiya kit really that bad?
Real Model makes a PE detail set labelled for a Leopard C1 but it includes mostly generic Leopard 1 PE parts with a few PE parts specific to the C1 as well as some resin stowage.(I assisted with compiling this set).
The Real Model set is not a resin conversion to create a Leopard C1.
Trackjam has a resin Leopard C1 conversion for the late version of the C1. It can be purchased on the Trackjam site.
Trackjam has also ordered 36 of a limited run re-release of the Italeri Leopard 1A4 by MBK Models in Germany. I am sure Trackjam will provide details on the kit cost when they arrive.
Thudius
Joined: October 22, 2012
KitMaker: 1,194 posts
Armorama: 1,077 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 03:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Yes, the Tamiya kit is bad, not accurate at all, and with a lot of "shape" issues.
The turret is wrong, as are the hull dimensions, and lot of other details.
I believe that the RM detail set was designed for the Italeri kit, if so you'll have to work to adjust it to fit on Tamiya's turret, I guess its not an impossible task, but if I were you, I would wait and try to find an affordable Italeri kit.
Maybe Miloslav Hraban can confirm for what kit was it designed...
I wouldn't go so far as saying it is bad. It is not as nice as the Italeri to be sure, but it is a good enough kit to start with depending on your needs/skills and what goodies you were planning on adding. You can get the Tamiya for about half the price of the re-issue with a bit of luck. I'm building one now and plan to do another at some point.
The only thing that really needs replacing is the tracks, they really are vintage. If you're putting on the side skirts, the molded on suspension and thickness of the road wheels and idlers isn't really an issue as they won't be very visible, especially with some judicious mud thrown in.
As to shape issues, I'll leave that to others to comment on, I haven't gone over the kit with a fine tooth comb yet. To my eye, nothing is obviously off at a quick glance in basic shape or size, except the length of the hull, it's about 3 mm too long when layed on top of the Tamiya and drawings confirm this. Even so, it isn't all that obvious, I didn't notice that myself until I did some checking for a Gepard project.
Some details are "robust" (it is a kit that was produced in the late 70s after all) or missing, but photo etch will go a long way in improving some of those issues. The fit is quite good and the molds have certainly held up well.
It is no state of the art shake and bake kit, it is not unbuildable either. It depends on what you're looking for and willing to put into the build. I haven't started the Italeri yet so I can't compare how they stack up build wise. The detail on the Italeri is certainly finer and in some cases, maybe a little too restrained. To each their own.
Hope that helped
HermannB
Joined: October 14, 2008
KitMaker: 4,099 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 03:55 AM UTC
Hi there,
I have two sealed Italeri Leopad 1 A4 lying here. PM me if your interested.
Hans-Hermann
I have two sealed Italeri Leopad 1 A4 lying here. PM me if your interested.
Hans-Hermann
Thudius
Joined: October 22, 2012
KitMaker: 1,194 posts
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Posted: Friday, January 11, 2013 - 01:06 AM UTC
The UPS guy just made my day, the re-issue of the 1A4 just arrived. No change in the sprues as far as I can tell, not expected so no surprise, decals are the same. Only difference is the box (nice and sturdy) and it's molded in light grey instead of the dark green, which is nice. No flash either. These molds have really held up well.
SgtRam
Contributing Writer#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 01:43 PM UTC
Ok, I have been looking at the Trackjam and Real Model upgrade kits for the C1 and while the Trackjam turret looks good, it seems to be missing details like the jerry can racks at the rear, the shelves on the rear sides, etc.
Looking at images, I am not finding a big difference between the Italeri (MBK) Turret and the actual C1 turret. Can someone please point out the differences?
As it looks to me that the Real Model update set is more practical for the C1, other then the turret light cover bracket, which looks like it can be scratch built rather easily.
Looking at images, I am not finding a big difference between the Italeri (MBK) Turret and the actual C1 turret. Can someone please point out the differences?
As it looks to me that the Real Model update set is more practical for the C1, other then the turret light cover bracket, which looks like it can be scratch built rather easily.
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 - 07:02 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Ok, I have been looking at the Trackjam and Real Model upgrade kits for the C1 and while the Trackjam turret looks good, it seems to be missing details like the jerry can racks at the rear, the shelves on the rear sides, etc.
Looking at images, I am not finding a big difference between the Italeri (MBK) Turret and the actual C1 turret. Can someone please point out the differences?
As it looks to me that the Real Model update set is more practical for the C1, other then the turret light cover bracket, which looks like it can be scratch built rather easily.
The late version side stowage racks (resin and PE) and a single jerry can rack (resin) are included in the MLM/Trackjam conversion...there should be a second rack to be totally accurate.
There are very visible differences between the 1A4 turret and the C1 turret...Commander's sight, turret gunnery sensors (wind and air density), armoured searchlight housing, loader's C6 GPMG, antenna mounts, PZB 200, IRS 100, night fighting equipment brush guard, and some additional mantlet add-ons. If you know where to look the differences pop out.
There are also further modifications to the hull.
Again...the Real Model set is more of just a PE detail set with parts generic to any Leopard 1 and some specific to a C1 included to assist with detailing a C1 build.
None of modifications for the C1 turret or hull are included in the set except for PE jerry can racks and PE stowage rack mesh.
Look at the Real Model set as a supplement to further detail a C1 build using the MLM/Trackjam conversion.
SgtRam
Contributing Writer#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 12:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Look at the Real Model set as a supplement to further detail a C1 build using the MLM/Trackjam conversion.
That is what I was thinking, to use both. Now just to find an aluminum barrel.
Thanks Jason!
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 01:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted TextLook at the Real Model set as a supplement to further detail a C1 build using the MLM/Trackjam conversion.
That is what I was thinking, to use both. Now just to find an aluminum barrel.
Thanks Jason!
No need for a metal barrel...just pick up the resin version from PSM.
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/4162
SgtRam
Contributing Writer#197
Joined: March 06, 2011
KitMaker: 3,971 posts
Armorama: 2,859 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 01:58 AM UTC
Jason, again, THANKS!
Trackjam
Joined: April 12, 2002
KitMaker: 831 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 23, 2013 - 11:46 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Jason, again, THANKS!
We have those too.
didgeboy
Joined: September 21, 2010
KitMaker: 1,846 posts
Armorama: 1,509 posts
Posted: Monday, February 18, 2013 - 11:05 AM UTC
So could the Italeri leopard 1A5 kit be used for the C1 as well??
LeoCmdr
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Monday, February 18, 2013 - 11:32 AM UTC
Quoted Text
So could the Italeri leopard 1A5 kit be used for the C1 as well??
Nope...totally different turret.
tanknick22
Joined: February 19, 2009
KitMaker: 1,139 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 18, 2013 - 12:22 PM UTC
Kevin
If you are looking for the Tamiya leopard 1a4 its a good kit and so is the Leopard 1A4 from Italeri I have built both, Tamiya's old Loepard 1 A1 is a bad kit it lacks a lot of detail for a Leopard 1A1 id go with revell germany lets not forget the rivit counters will look for the most microscopic flaw on a kit and say the entire kit has major flawsand is not buildable I would say go with whick one you like the most and you are willing to pay for it good luck in your search and in your project
If you are looking for the Tamiya leopard 1a4 its a good kit and so is the Leopard 1A4 from Italeri I have built both, Tamiya's old Loepard 1 A1 is a bad kit it lacks a lot of detail for a Leopard 1A1 id go with revell germany lets not forget the rivit counters will look for the most microscopic flaw on a kit and say the entire kit has major flawsand is not buildable I would say go with whick one you like the most and you are willing to pay for it good luck in your search and in your project
lehr36
Joined: May 28, 2011
KitMaker: 19 posts
Armorama: 11 posts
Posted: Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 03:38 AM UTC
I am trying to find a reputable source for Voyager's Leopard 1a4 photo etch and metal barrel. I made the mistake of ordering from Hobbyspace and hoping I won't get burned.
If anybody has a source that's trustworthy I would appreciate the info...Thanks
If anybody has a source that's trustworthy I would appreciate the info...Thanks
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