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Armor/AFV
For discussions on tanks, artillery, jeeps, etc.
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Looking to identify a tank
cipher
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Canada
Joined: May 11, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 08:22 AM UTC
In the 70's, my father built a model of a tank. Being a little boy, I destroyed it when I played with it. Now that my father's retiring, I am trying to figure out which tank it is and possibly purchase a model of it for him. Unfortunately, I don't have much information to go on. I hope someone can provide some direction for my search.

Here's what I know:
1. It had to be pre-1977.
2. I think it was German.
3. It had a latch on the back that held the barrel when the turret was facing backwards. The latch was comprised of two semi-circular parts that close on the barrel, forming a circle.

I know this isn't much to go on. Can any one provide some possiblities?

Thanks for your help,
cipher
Trackjam
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: April 12, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 09:04 AM UTC
Sounds like a Tamiya Leopard 1. the kit is still available.
cipher
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Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 09:34 AM UTC
That's definitely a possibility. I also recall that a little motor could be placed into the model to make it move. And I think you're right, in that it was a Tamiya product. Can a motor be placed in the Tamiya kit?

Does anyone have other possibilities?
jrnelson
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Iowa, United States
Joined: May 23, 2002
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:16 AM UTC
If you are pretty sure it was German - I'd also vote for the Leopard I. However, I think the US kits (M-48, M-60) have that exact barrel clamp you are describing. I would take a look at great models webstore - they have pictures of these kits by Tamiya. Maybe that would "jog" your memory.

Jeff

http://www.greatmodels.com/inventory/images/Tamiya/tam35120.JPG

http://www.greatmodels.com/inventory/images/Tamiya/tam35140.JPG

http://www.greatmodels.com/inventory/images/Tamiya/tam35064.JPG

Trackjam
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 10:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

That's definitely a possibility. I also recall that a little motor could be placed into the model to make it move. And I think you're right, in that it was a Tamiya product. Can a motor be placed in the Tamiya kit?

Does anyone have other possibilities?


There was a motorized version of the Leopard 1.
nfafan
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Alabama, United States
Joined: August 01, 2003
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 03:31 PM UTC

Quoted Text

That's definitely a possibility. I also recall that a little motor could be placed into the model to make it move. And I think you're right, in that it was a Tamiya product. Can a motor be placed in the Tamiya kit?

Does anyone have other possibilities?


I'm trying to think of motorized "German" Tamya kits wiith operable gun travel locks at the engine deck.

Did the tank have a rectangular box over the gun mantlet? I say box, as the M48 or M60 had searchlights, the Leopard has a "box".
Did the turret have a "turret basket" around the back, where stuff would be stored? The Leo and M48, M60 have baskets.
I have the Leopard with the wired remote controller, I just checked the instructions and yes, you can model the gun travel lock so it works. Haven't built it yet, so didn't know without checking.
If no basket, AND no box over the gun mantlet - possibly an M41 Bulldog with German markings? The Tamiya M41 was motorized and had a "sort of" working gun travel lock.
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
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Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 - 03:45 PM UTC
Don't forget that Tamiya did two motorized Leopards. The Leopard 1 (35064) and the Leopard 1A4 (35112).
scoccia
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Milano, Italy
Joined: September 02, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 02:18 AM UTC
Cipher if it looks like this is a Leopard 1A1 from Tamiya, sharing the same gun as the M60.





This "wears" Italian markings but depicts one of the 200 Kraus Maffei L1A1 we had in service in our army.

If youi need more pics for a better identification you can find them here
Ciao
cipher
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Canada
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Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 08:26 AM UTC
The Leopard looks vaguely familiar. Does anyone have good shots of an M60's engine deck?

nfanan, I don't recall a basket on the rear of the turret. However, I think there was a box near the barrel itself. However, I think I've seen pictures of the M60 that has a 'box' there too.

I appreciate all the help eveyone has provided so far.

Cheers,
Cipher
scoccia
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Milano, Italy
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Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2003 - 07:49 PM UTC
Cipher, the M60 "box" near the barrel should not be like the leopard one. I remember that I saw it once on one of ours M60s but it was not squared like the Leopar's one but rounded. For sure Sabot can be much more precise than me about it's shape. On top of that I don't think that the M60 was in service with the German army, there were plenty of them in Germany but belonging to the US army...
Ciao
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
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Posted: Friday, August 15, 2003 - 01:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Cipher, the M60 "box" near the barrel should not be like the leopard one. I remember that I saw it once on one of ours M60s but it was not squared like the Leopar's one but rounded. For sure Sabot can be much more precise than me about it's shape. On top of that I don't think that the M60 was in service with the German army, there were plenty of them in Germany but belonging to the US army...
Ciao
How'd you know I have photos of old US searchlights from my M48A5 riding days?
cipher
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Canada
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Posted: Friday, August 15, 2003 - 07:00 AM UTC
Thanks for all of your input. I talked with my uncle last night he confirmed that tank was German. And given that it was Tamiya, I can only conclude it would have to be the Leopard. I hope its still in production. Its a pretty old kit.

I am amazed that you guys can identify a tank given so little detail.

Thanks,
Cipher
scoccia
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Milano, Italy
Joined: September 02, 2002
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Posted: Friday, August 15, 2003 - 07:15 AM UTC
Yes it's still available (Tamiya's Item number is 35064-1600) even if not as accurate as the latest moulds standards you can get a pretty good model out of it, apart of thr tracks that being designed for a motorized version are not accurate at all. If you are to spend extra money to fix this detail the AFV club (item number 35037) T84E1 - rubber type - track set for M26/M46 are the same who fit the L1A1 early production.
Ciao
cipher
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Canada
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Posted: Friday, August 15, 2003 - 08:31 AM UTC
I don't think accuracy will be a big issue. Its about time I tried to replace it for him. After all, tanks weren't designed to fly by themselves.

Cheers,
Cipher
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