I had a three and a half weeks long business trip recently so I could not spend any time on my Revell Leopard 2A5 Polish model but watching only you guys progressing with all these impressive builds!

After returning home and waiting for the pcr test result I could use the wasted weekend to finish the build process. Actually there were just a few missing sub-assemblies left so it was a relatively fast job.

I have built up the 6+2 config smoke grenades using the Leopard Club resin/PE upgrade set and to my surprise it was much easier than I initially thought. I am not the best working with resin parts but this set went together cleanly although one of the holders was a bit bent which I corrected with dripping into hot water and then flatting on the bench.
The Leo Club PE chains are very nice and smaller in size than in the Voyager PE set (therefor likely closer to the 1/35 scale dimensions) so I chose the Leo Club version.





Once finished I checked up both manuals from Revell and Voyager to ensure no step left behind. I have identified two small fixtures missing from the turret back side which were simple to assemble and glue to the turret; also the lights on the hull front. Just a couple of minutes and done. Finally I inserted some resin backpacks and tarps into the baskets as the plastic version is not see-through, covering the very flat bottom and sides internally.





Now I will prime the kit with the Gunze Finishing Black Surfacer 1500 grade and once dried, the painting fun starts. Just cannot wait for that!

Take care and happy modelling!

Tamás

Welcome back at the bench, Tamas. Your detailing of the 2A5PL looks stunning to me. Can't wait to see paint on it.

Pasi, your ItPsv 90 is also coming together nicely. This is truely a complete different build to all others here.

I have ordered a new book from Tankograd "Finnish Leopards Vol. 2" and I hope that it will arrive at my door soon ....

Take care and stay safe!
Torsten

Dear all!

Some progress on the Strv 121. Primed and painted with base color Mr Paint Swedish Army Green 326 M. Some light weathering on the hull and tracks. Will add more later but happy with the tracks so far. Next is painting the splinter camouflage, decals, chipping and then more weathering. Finally adding the figures.



/Freddy

Hi Freddy,

That STRV hull and also the paintwork looks absolutely superb! Pls share photos about the turret, too.

Tamás

Dear All!

Started to paint the splinter camouflage on the Strv 121! (The colors look a little strange depending on the light fixture in the ceiling in my hobby room)



Tamás thank you! I´ll post pictures of the turret as soon as it is ready

/Freddy

That photo etch is stunning Tamas!

Freddy, really liking that splinter camo.

Freddy, that splinter camo looks fantastic! Keep the progress photos coming! Remembers me of masking the splinter camo on my K9FIN "Moukari" of the Finnish Army last year.

Btw, while speaking of Finns, this arrived earlier this week ....


Stay safe, guys!
Torsten

Dear all! The Strv 121 coming along nicely! Splinter camo done. Next step decals, detail painting, some light chipping and weathering on hull and turret. Adding figures and tow wires after.



/Freddy

Hi Freddy, it is a really nice build and camo painting, congratulations! Keep on and post next phases.

Tamás

Thank you Gary! In the meantime I have painted the hull and the turret in the 2014 Polish camo but did not take pics as I want to install the wheels and tracks first and gue the sideskirts. Once all in place and also completed the camo, I will post photos. Hopefully this Sunday.

A campaign related question: how could I apply for some 1-2 weeks time extension as the 3.5 week business travel to Poland slowed down my troops on the way to Triumph?

Tamás

That's no problem, Tamas! I think of an extension of 4 weeks to give everybody here the chance to finish his build. I guess Pasi also needs some extra time for his ItPsv90. So the end of this camapaign will be the 1. December 2020. I hope that's okay for you guys.

Stay safe!
Torsten

Freddy, your camo looks fantastic! But don't spoil it with too much weathering!

I could use the extra time for this build also. I have been bouncing back and forth between about five different builds.

Spent last couple of days making vision glass.

You're welcome with the extra time, Kelly. That's some fiddly work you have done here. Didn't had any clear parts on my build.

I do like the idea, I might have a chance to get back to my leopard and at least get closer to finishing.

where she is sitting at the moment. Actually tempted to do a early German Tiger grey on this build just for fun. My last four builds have been using a green as main and kinda getting tired of seeing it. But I will probably end up keeping it the standard tri color pattern.

Looks good so far, Kelly! What kit brand is it and what nation do you want to build? You still have 6 weeks to go before I close the hangar doors. That should be possible, you're already far in the build.

Do you plan to paint it in a fantasy camo, as I read something like "German Tiger Grey"? That would be against the rules of this campaign! Please remember Rule 2:
2. Only Leopard 2 from countries who have the tank in their inventory. No what-if.

You will make it to the finish line!
Torsten

The kit is the Tamiya A5. Does go together really well. I do have a italeri A6 Ill probably do the grey build on for fun. I know of the no what if theme rule. Started the three color theme build today. if I dont like how it ends up I will see if I keep it that color. I am hoping all the window liquid masking comes off correctly.

There's some great Leo 2 builds on this thread, but sadly mine isn't going to be one of them! I failed to get time to get mine going, and even with the extension it just won't happen. Still, nice to see all your fine work!

Dear all!

Working on the details. Still to be done is weathering, figures and some light and easy chipping. (For some reason, the image looks a bit "arched").



/Freddy

So I am not sure if I am going to keep it this way or not yet. I am trying to decide how much not having a hard edge or it being a soft blend between colors bothers me or not. Also have to think if I care how accurate the color placement in areas or its standard norm will be followed.

Well it looks like I will be keeping the soft edge and not worry about exact color placement. I went to clean my windows of the masking liquid and its taking the blue tint off during cleaning.

I bought this model from another guy along with quit a few others and so far I have been screwed on every build by one piece or another missing in the kit. This one was missing the glass so I had to make my own.

Could I get some feedback on the color of the cables for the A5 and the tools attached to it. If painted on the body or if kept there original color.

That pipe moulded on the engine deck that wraps around behind the round grilles is a black rubber hose used in fuelling. The wire tow cables would be a dark metallic colour as rusted cables are dangerous, and paint won't stick for long - I assume they'd be oiled occasionally to inhibit rust. The ends are probably green. Since most BW vehicles are either factory-painted or are repainted during depot maintenance it looks like cables and tools are removed first so are not covered in camo paint.

Hope this helps!

Good progress, Freddy! Well done so far!

Kelly, you can't go wrong if you paint the tools completely in Bronze Green RAL 6031 or NATO Green. And the soft edges on your Leo also look right. I always spray that camo free hand without masks. So my Leos all have a soft edge camo and I also don't care about the total correct colour placement. About right is good enough for me.

Torsten