I started this last Sunday and just put the wraps on it today as I had an early day from work. I used the PE set the Tamiya makes for this kit and it really helped round it out. I got a contest tomorrow and hopefully she will do well. I'll let you al l know once I get home. Just thought I'd share with you since it has been awhile since I posted anything completed....armor-wise that is. Thanks for looking. "Q"

Wow Matthew, nice looking machine ! Well done.

Good luck for the 'Comp'. You must explain the techniques and the paints you used.

Cheers

Paul

Wow, realy nice looking Frenchy! I especially like the desert camo. BTW I've become inspired to do a 72nd scale Leclerc in both desert and standard schemes. One other note, I am also an admirer of your Finnish BMP-2E! I'm going to do that one in 72nd scale too! Wonderful models!

Matthew

Great job. I really like the effect on the lenses. How did you achieve that?

This tank has never looked better! I never really appreciated it but this camo makes all the difference. Nice work.

Matt
Really great piece of work, some comments:
the external fuels are rarely used and you should represent with out them and secondly I never saw a Leclerc with the exhaust in this position maybe Frenchy and/or Bison 126 will comment on that.
BTW the optics are just outstanding can you share you technics please
And a very usefull tweak list from bison 126 :
Pdf tweak list Leclerc

Cheers
Seb

Thanks for all the kudos guys. I'll give a detailed report on what I did and how I did it shortly. I gotta get some rest before I hit the road tomorrow. As to the exhaust.
I have a few pictures that show them pointing up, to the side, and straight down. Since I didn't want to look at the inside, I posed it this way. I believe the UAE LeClercs run them in this position and since it is held in place by a band clamp, it could easily be rotated in several positions. I chose this one. As to the fuel drums, they came in the kit so I added them. That and I have pics of them on board so there is at least some instance where they were used. Again, thanks for the comments all. Much appreciated. "Q"

Well built tank with nice shadings and carefully worked out optics.


I have got the same MBT with Voyager's PE nearly finished assembled.

Like my Stryker M1130 before it will have working lights.








Most probably I apply the desert camo too.



The extended fuel drums you equiped this Leclerc with are IMO all right as I have seen pics with them - I will also use them.

I am not sure but most time these desert tanks have got camo nets.

Wish you much success at the contest today - you have got a impressively looking model.

Hi Matt,
it looks like you fixed the fuel drums piping

Concerning the exhaust, I confirm it is good even if the French tanks rarely have it this way. It is designed to limit the heat and infrared signature. The problem is that the exhaust gas temperature is so high that grass and vegetation often catch fire when it is set downward. No such a problem in the desert environment !!

Oh how I know the feeling. We burnt up several trees here locally with our Abrams when we backed in too close. Once they got started it was extremely hard to put them out, but letting them burn presented other problems as they usually started others which made even larger fires. Seemed we were always putting out fires in the middle of "battles". Even our OPFOR guys would stop fighting to lend a hand as if they didn't we all would be out there for an extended stay in the field. That site was a tremendous help in the build Oliver. I have it book marked for future use. I will be looking for another LeClerc at the contest I am going to today for another build...albeit a more detailed one. Thanks for the kudos guys. I'm off to the contest. I'll report later tonight when I get back home. Thanks again, "Q"
ps. I dig the lights! Might try that on my next build!

Well, The contest is over and I am happy to report that my LeClerc took a 1st and also was awared Best Armor. For being completed, start to finish, in under a week I was pretty happy to say the least. The gang from High Plains Modelers put on a goood show today and even had a vendor or two lined up. It made for a good day to see old friends and make some new ones. There was some good looking models on the tables to eyeball. I was looking for another LeClerc to buy, but sadly couldn't find one. Oh well, the search will just have to continue. I'll get that how portion of my write up posted soon. I'm going into my 16th hour of being awake after a 300+ mile trip so I'm a little pooped. Thanks again for all of the kudos. Much appreciated. "Q"

Q,

That's an awesome effort !

I'm looking forward to your report, inc the details of your build.

Now all you need to do it buld an Aussie Abrams

Cheers

Paul

Nice work on your Leclerc and congrats on your contest placings.

One piece of constructive comment and question is about the two snorkel tubes at the rear of the turret. I have never seen them camouflage painted in any images of French Leclercs.....they are painted black. I have seen images of a Leclerc painted nearly the same as yours and the front mud flaps, rear mud flaps, and lower rubber dust skirts are all still in the black rubber colour(a very nice contrast to the brown and tan camouflage).....and no camouflaged snorkels.

Not a big deal....you've done a good job on your Leclerc......especially for a week build.

Do you have some references showing the snorkels painted in the camouflage colours or is it just a bit or artistic licence?

I second Paul's remarks Matt, truly an outstanding effort in such a short time frame. Congrats on the win! Looking forward to build article and pics as I glean techniques and tips for building in braille scale from the big brothers!

Hi Matt,
congrats for your 1st place !
I too would be happy to have a look at your report.

Olivier

Thanks again guys. As to the snorkels I just went with what was in the instructions. The one that is standing upright in the bustle rack showed it to be in the darker brown camo so I painted it that way. Same with the tan one. It's what was shown on the instructions. Okay, now for the details on what I did to this beasty....well most of them anyway.....
I started by enhancing the anti-skid areas on the upper hull and turret top using American Accents Terra Cotta paint. I got this tip from Gino (Heavyarty). I simply masked off the surrounding areas with Tamiya masking tape, shot the terra cotta paint, let it dry, then peeled up the tape. This stuff works great in this scale. I added the fuel lines on the drums with a little help from Olivier, using black vynil tubing with some solder inserted into it to hold its shape. I added some bolt heads to where I thought the attachment points for the external mounts for the fuel drum brackets would be...I was a little off, but it looks good. I sanded off all the ribbing detail on the gun tube to ensure I removed the seam, then replaced it using stretched sprue. I did the same thing to the exhaust, but used plastic stock for this instead. It's a litle over sized, but looks ok to my eye. Will probably go with thinner smaller stock the next time. I added the wiring for the headlights and horn...again, their position was a little off too, but they look good under paint. (This is what happens when you stumble upon ref pics AFTER you install things;) Lastly...the periscopes. These were really easy to do. The trick was painting the entire model prior to installing them. This created a little extra work as I had to work around the bottom of the turret, but after looking at it, I could have left the top and bottom turret halves apart and glued them up after painting and towards the completion of the build. Either way it will work. I pulled off the figure stands in mine to make access easier. I used sequins that I found at Hobby Lobby, but I am sure you could find them anywhere sewing materials are sold. I also use them for HUDs in my aircraft builds. There are two different packs. One contains iridecent colored ones that change color depending on the angle you look at them. The others are a mixed bag of blue, green, red, gold and silver. I used the template that is in the instructions and cut the sequins to the same size. I inserted them from behind and secured them using Future (Johnsons Clear) These were the last items I added, as I didn't want the flat coats to dull the effects on the periscopes. For the larger sights (CITV I guess) I did the same thing. Cut to size, secured with Future, masked over the clear area, and painted the framing. Weathering was accomplished with oil washes and pastel shalks. I added the light scratches along the skirts with a toothpick and a dental pick for the deeper ones. I kept the chipping efects to a minimum as this would have taken considerably longer to do and I wanted a cleaner looking build as it was. I like the fact that the markings are all of 4 decals for the license plates! If and when I can find another one of these kits, I will more than likely build it in the three tone camo using the mods PDF I found here. After building this, I really like the kit. It has lots of possibilities.
Well all, that about explains what I did in a nut shell. Hope it answers some of your questions. Thanks again for the kudos and interest in the build. I shot pictures of the entire build as I went. I will see about getting them posted for an On Display piece inthe near future. "Q"
ps. If you are building thing, don't forget to install the tail lights before you close up the ass end of the kit or you won't get them installed later....trust me.

The Leclerc tank looks so futuristic and robot-like

Nice job on the model

Evan

Matt, What colors did you use? Dan, a former CDAT

Dan, I used Model Master enamels US Army/USMC Gulf war tan, and 30117 Military Brown.
"Q"

Good news Matt
Congrats
Seb