Hi there all German tank modelers I need some help on an early Leopard 1. I’ve started a project on backdating Italerie’s Leopard 1A2 to a Vorserie Leopard 1 (0-serie). I’ve seen one outside the tank museum in Munster and found enough information about it to start the construction.
I do have two problems I need some help on though.
First are the tracks. According to my references the Vorserie used the D 138 E2 track, as indeed many of the early patterns did; are they the same as used on M47/48s? If not are they anywhere near or do I have to make new track pads on existing tracks?
The Second problem is the color. Are there any companies who make an “early Bundeswhere color” of some kind? If not which comes closest?

Kenneth,
I'm not a West German armor guy, but the M-47 and M-48 tracks were completely different. The M-48's were notably wider than the M-47's (the M-47 track is lineal descendant of the M-26/M-46 tanks). AFV club does make a set of these narrower tracks, but be warned they are nearly impossible to put together (4 pieces per link) and are EXTREMELY fragile. As to the color, I haven't a clue. Good luck, though.
Regards,
Georg

Kenneth,

Don't know if this helps but it's my understanding that M26 & M46 T84E1 track are correct for a Leopard batch 1 but is a bit wide for the kit sprocket.

From what I can tell the track looks the same for the pre-production and first batch. I've got the AFV Club set to use on a batch 1 Leopard.

Paul

is the gap in the sprockets something that can be helped by adding a "spacer" between the two halves?

Close. It is a spacer between the sprocket and the hull. The build I've seen this on is here(in German):
http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/leopard_1/leopard.htm

Paul

The Tamiya Leopard 1 (not the 1A4) has the early pattern track, but it's a rather weak effort in vinyl. The US T84E1 tracks are slightly too wide for a Leopard, and have a similar but not entirely correct chevron pattern. Italeri's M47 has the late pattern US track depicted in vinyl, and AFV Club has the earlier pattern track in styrene (the shape of the chevron was simplified on the later batches).

I too am building a Leopard 1 from the old Tamiya kit and it is not up to par. As for the colour of the tank the colour listed (Bronzegrun) that I have seen is Humbrol 163, and Revell 65. FS34079 is listed as a close match BUT after spraying the Leo with it today it appears too blueish green than the yellow/brown/green colour in the reference pictures I have seen. My advice, track down the Humbrol paint and have a look. Good luck!

hi kenneth,

this is slightly off-topic, but I am getting desperate. I have the same Italieri Leopard kit and have managed to lose part 114c. (that is a story for another day) that is the upper half of the turret. If you don't need that part in the conversion could you mail it to me? I have already bought the Eduard PE set and I don't want to waste the kit and set. if that part is needed for your project then it's ok.

just wondering if there are conversion sets to make the leopard into something else without using the original turret then?

Lim,

As I've got the old Peddinghaus conversion turret, I can spare the turret top.

Paul

Paul,
I've PMed you. thanks again.

Kenneth,
looking forward to seeing your project