Hi all,
I don't think I have shared this before. As some of you may know, with the help of a good modeler friend I made a tweaks list concerning the Tamiya Leclerc.
As I had two models in my stash I finally decided to build one (at least). So I opened my own booklet and started detailing - nitpicking would be more approriate - the very good Tamiya model. In addition, I used the excellent Blast model update set and the Tamiya PE set. I alos have the Voyager one for another build.

Here are the pictures of the tank. It is very close to the painting stage. It still remains some details to add but nothing that important now.













Olivier

Good job Olivier. Let's see some paint on it.

Nice one!
gonna use the side skirts? I've seen some pictures of tanks without these and find they looked really nice. would love to see that in 1:35th scale...
thought about building a leclerc without sideskirts myself but with only Blast models pruducing AM stuff for the Leclerc I figure that'd become quite expensive...

BTW. what's that scenic grass at the back of the turret supposed to represent? (sorry, I'm too lazy to digging through my references right now )

Cheers, Max

Max,
I don't think Blast update are too expensive, at least concerning the Leclerc.

If you have a look at my tweak list, you'll see how you can spare your Euros from Blast

Concerning the skirts, they are removed for the painting stage but I intend to use them for this build.

The static grass is here to depict the fiber glass covering the panelst:

Hi Olivier !

Looks like many people have the same notion when being confronted with the Leclerc.
Being in the process of relocating again I have the Leclerc kit on hand to start minor works till I am settled in for the the main construction.
Taked to Max about building the Leclerc without most of the rubber-flaps off the sideskirts and I also think the tank looks "cooler" without them.
Staticgrass good idea ..... comes in handy.
I also got the BLAST upgrade .... not to sure if I am going to use the replacement visionblocks though, like the appearance of the clear ones far better when painted.
I shall keep a close eye on your activities .....

Cheers
Christopher

Hi Chris,
I agree with you about the clear plastic being more realistic but the Blast part will save you a lot of time correcting the Tamiya part.
If you have a look at my tweaks list you'll see what I mean.

Concerning the skirts, I have another Leclerc to build so I could have the skirts off on this one.

Olivier

You can bet I will consulting your tweak-list and all the other Infos abspanne on your Website ..... One of the very few profound sources available on modern French AFVs.
Hope to get startet with mine soon and I am certain you will have a lot to answer

Cheers
Christopher

Hi all,
here is where I am after the last weeks. The base paint is done and the model is decaled. Echelon did a great job as usual.
Some details remain to be hand painted before I start a moderate weathering.
I'm still undecided about adding or not a crew in the turret.











Olivier

Personally I'd leave the crew out.

Really nice work Olivier. I'm looking forward to the next stages

Hey Olivier,
been searching for this thread like hell... thought it was in the modern armor section
good idea using that grass for the fiber glass. just looked a little confusing at first glance

nice job on the camo as well! I think this is one of your best efforts so far, regarding the AB work. nice clean edges on the spots not too hard and not too much overspray, just right! also the colors look nice, just had a look on a few leclerc references and must say you pretty much nailed it....

Cheers, Max

Heh Olivier !

This one looks okay to me, you went for the more "moderate" green, not the "bright" type.
I love the bright green .... It looks so different to all the other NATO-Camo's ... how shall I describe it properly ? It looks more French .... Sort of.
Please provide info on what colours you used !
Crew? Sure .... You could use and customise any similar modern figure and put a modern Israeli TCs Head on it.
Nice job

Cheers
Christopher

An excellent job on the camo Olivier- it looks real good.

Thanks for the comments Max, Chris and Karl. As I'm currently on holidays no progress to be shown !
I let the model at home and will be back at it next week.
Chris, the colors I generally use for the French camo are XF1 Flat Black, XF5 Flat Green and XF64 Red Brown.

Cheers
Olivier

If you guys keep building up these Leclerc's like this I don't think I'm going to be able to resist going for one myself much longer

That's one classy build!

Olivier--- outstanding workmanship! The paint job is superb. Great work, you should be very satisfied with your end product.
DJ

Hi all,
here is the latest update. I think I've somewhat overdone with the pigments. I'm not happy with the results on the pics.





I ordered the summer crew from Blast Models to fill the turret a bit more.

Where do you think you've overdone it with the pigments?
It looks right to me- the pigments are fading from the running gear upward and its nice and restrained.

Looks spot on. I haven't done any modern armor, outside of some Russian tanks, but the pigments look well defined and faded.

Hey Olivier !
Looks good !
Speaking for myself I would even add some lighter pigments on the horizontal decks.
Make it a little more dried and dusted with some Sand/Beige tones.
Or some wet spots from going through puddles etc.
Still got some till you finish the crew, gonna use Isreali Type CVCs ?

Cheer
Christopher

Thanks you all for the comments. Yesterday I added some (too !) more pigments on the hull sides. I'll try to make and post new pictures of it today.
Christopher, the Blast crew still have the former helmet and that's fine for me now.
Maybe for the next build I'll find a way to represent the new crew helmet. I'm confident that Blast or Djiti's prod will release such sets in the future.

Here is where I am with the weathering. I'd say it's finished since I fear to spoil it if I try to go further.
I just have to wait for the figures to call it fully complete.









Olivier

Looks real good !
Nice job so far .... leaves us waiting for the crew !

Cheers
Christopher

Forgot ask .... but what is the meaning of the name Monoko Zohi ... or what does it stand for ?
But thankx to you I will have to pick a different name now !

Cheers
Christopher

Christopher,
this is the name of a town in the western part of Ivory Coast. I'll try to find why a Leclerc had been given this name as no tanks were deployed there.