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Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
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Leopard 2A6 Barracuda Camo & Slat Armor
Keef1648
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: January 23, 2008
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Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2013 - 01:13 PM UTC
I am part way through building the Canadian Leopard 2A6 with Slat armor by Trumpeter.

The difference is, I am using the 'Cromwell Armour' Barracuda conversion kit.

One of the reasons I picked this project is because I enjoyed building the Challenger 2 (TES) Barracuda conversion (found elsewhere on this site) and the Warrior WRAP 2 conversions, and thus staying with my modern armor trend right now.

The Trumpeter kit is nice enough, even if the slats are a bit overscale (thick) but the Barracuda insulated camoflage conversion adds a little more interest in my book.

The conversion kit contains the turret umbrella, both open and closed (nice touch) and the German machine guns along with more detailed items of interest.

The upper hull and turret are a quick, direct swap for the kit ones and require very little adjustment....

This is not going to be a comprehensive build log chaps but just an update now and then with photos for interest.

Here is the present status.


Undercoated in Black and then sprayed with Vallejo Air, Modern German Bronze Green, from their German ISAF set.
Next I have started adding a darker base coat to the camoflage of Vallejo's wood.


The camoflage will have to be nearly complete before adding the supports and slat armour.

Comments and questions are always welcome

Keith.
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
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Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2013 - 01:41 PM UTC
Very nice...interesting way of tackling the NATO cam underneath and the Barracuda on top.
recceboy
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Alberta, Canada
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Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2013 - 03:52 PM UTC
Keith

Nice build so far and if you need any photos of the real beast send me a PM and will help you out.

Anthony
Keef1648
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South Carolina, United States
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Posted: Monday, February 25, 2013 - 12:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Keith

Nice build so far and if you need any photos of the real beast send me a PM and will help you out.

Anthony


Very kind of you Anthony, IM sent.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Monday, March 04, 2013 - 01:09 AM UTC
I managed to steal a couple of hours in my shed yesterday and push on with the Leopard.

A little more shading and coloring of the Barracuda padding and a test fit of the 'Brolly'.. The two units on the roof are either A/C or sub power units, I await the confirmation at this time.
Once the detail work is done I can then start adding the slat armor and supports.



Another view.


Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Monday, March 18, 2013 - 11:35 AM UTC
A couple of pictures showing where I am now.

Decals are on the grenade launchers, rear deck, hull and front hull.

Adding (slowly) and test fitting the turret slats.
The optics and rear lights are painted.





And yes some of the AC units are painted Red (thanks Anthony)


Still a long way to go yet.


Keith.
parrot
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 01, 2002
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Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2013 - 12:09 PM UTC
Hi guys,
This one almost took me a year to finish.I refused to spend the money on after market hulls and waste the orginal.Big mistake,after screwing with bad decals at $20 I got Edward photo etc barracuda.2 orders to finish.The umbrella is totally home made.Figures are Real Model.Stowage a mix of everything I don't recall.

Tom

photo leapord011_zpsdcc3f80b.jpg photo leapord003_zps62e57bf3.jpg photo leapord001_zps37163184.jpg photo leapord002_zpse4cbc5e9.jpg photo leapord008_zps8f5a2f15.jpg photo leapord005_zps2f9a6fa8.jpg
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, March 21, 2013 - 11:27 PM UTC
Tom.

Nice job mate but I do think your 'Brolly' pole is bit on the big side?

The only other 'nit pick' and not a spoiler I can see, is the fact that the 'Cuda' is individually shaped panels and not a 'draped' net.

I never waste left over parts (hulls, turrets etc.) they always end up being used by myself or somebody else.

Thanks for sharing it makes me want to push on with mine.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 01:32 AM UTC
Time was on my side yesterday and I added a few more panels to the turret. I had to remove one of the first set and tweak the position in order to line things up correctly. The other item needed was trimming of the area where the supports meet the Barracuda panels midway along the turret side.


The kits instructions are not really clear when it comes to the front panels left and right on the turret, they do not attach in the same way and at first I assumed (wrongly) that the 'cut outs' on the slats were the locating points... They are not. That is where they are inserted and then moved over, into position up against the other slats!

One more piece to add on the left side today and then some repainting and touch up work.


The kits slats are a bit on the heavy side but acceptable in my eyes. No doubt somebody has or will come out with a Brass photo etched set!


I am not certain about the color of the optics (periscopes) yet but will have an answer shortly.... Oh well thanks to the rain I will be able to hide out in my shed and do a little more today.

Keith.
dvarettoni
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South Carolina, United States
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Posted: Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 02:12 AM UTC
Keith. looking great are you going to bring it to the meating next mouth ???
dave
Keef1648
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Posted: Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 02:21 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Keith. looking great are you going to bring it to the meating next mouth ???
dave


I can be persuaded I guess

Keith.
Anatoli
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United States
Joined: September 27, 2012
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Posted: Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 04:56 AM UTC
Very nice Leopard. For the Barracuda netting, what colour did you use on top of Vallejo wood for the highlights? Also did you use a wash for the netting's low-lights?
Keef1648
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Posted: Sunday, March 24, 2013 - 11:53 AM UTC
I have spent the last few hours looking at pictures of the real slat armor and the kit instructions, now reality strikes!

The front right turret slat panel (looking from the rear) has been moulded incorrectly, by that I mean the cut outs intended for the supports should be towards the front and NOT where they are.
I had to fill them (the cut outs) in with Evergreen and adjust the slats to correctly hang the panel and my previous statement above was incorrect.


Point to note, this side fits perfectly.


I have toned down the color of the slats using Lifecolor UA225 Light Stone and a touched each joint with a little thinners mixed with Testors Rubber..


The colors used on the Barracuda net are Tamiya XF Sand, Testors (polly Scale) Acryl British Gulf war Light Stone.

I also dry brushed Lifecolor's Light Stone and Portland Stone, taken from their Middle East British Vehicle Camoflage set..

No wash done, just the initial Black and Bronze Green showing through in the background.

Still more to do yet however, no hurry

Keith.
SdAufKla
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: May 07, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 02:43 AM UTC
Really coming along nicely, Keith!

I really like the subject choice with the variety of colors and finishes - the base colors with the desert 'cudda panels with the various other colored bits, like the slat armor and a/c units.

The color on the top of the a/c unit is great.

Will be looking forward to getting another first-hand look soon.
Anatoli
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Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 03:39 AM UTC
Does Tamiya make sand? Did you mean Model Masters Sand and British Gulf War light stone? I'm sorry I'm being such a bother,but I really want to build a Leopard 2 that looks as nice as that.
Keef1648
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Posted: Tuesday, March 26, 2013 - 11:52 PM UTC
Your no bother at all mate, this is what it is all about. I will add the correct number and name later today.

Meanwhile, this is a sample of the Canadian Barracuda Pad.


And a 'point to note, 'the periscopic optics are NOT showing a Red tinted coating,' except (possibly) for the Commanders and Gunners primary sights.

The commanders armoured window shows clear with a slight green tint (could be due to thickness or turret color reflection).




*My utmost thanks and recognition must go to Anthony Seward for sharing his photographs with me, without his help, my effort would have stalled long ago.*

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 - 08:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Does Tamiya make sand? Did you mean Model Masters Sand and British Gulf War light stone? I'm sorry I'm being such a bother,but I really want to build a Leopard 2 that looks as nice as that.


It was Tamiya XF57 Buff.....

Keith..
Keef1648
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Posted: Saturday, March 30, 2013 - 10:47 AM UTC
Here is where I am today after working on the hull slats for a couple of hours. >

Keith.
SdAufKla
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2013 - 02:08 AM UTC
Looking better and better every time you post new pics, Keith!

I'm astonished at how large modern MBT's are, and the slat armor and other upgrades make them look even bigger. This one is no exception! I really think the way the forward hull slat armor "bumps" out at the front to match the hull side profile is visually quite interesting.

I'll be looking forward to seeing this in person soon.
Keef1648
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Posted: Sunday, March 31, 2013 - 05:44 AM UTC
As always Mike your input and comments are very welcome.

A couple more hours in the shed and we have one side fitted with the slats.

Some tweaking and adjusting was required in order to get things looking right, the next step will be to hang the right rear panel but that will have to wait for another day.

The easter Bunny is waiting at the nephews house with my lunch and Eggs (yummy)

Happy easter to you all.




There are three very small brass connectors holding the front 'gate' to the front side panel and much the same will be done to the rear at a later date.


Still much more to do but it might make the display table at our competition in June (I hope)..


Keith.
Anatoli
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United States
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Posted: Monday, April 01, 2013 - 11:23 AM UTC
Very nice leopard. I can't wait to see the NATO tri-colour on the engine deck.
Keef1648
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Posted: Monday, April 01, 2013 - 11:49 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Very nice leopard. I can't wait to see the NATO tri-colour on the engine deck.


Don't panic and don't get mad at me BUT I am not putting the Tri color on the deck nor any other part of the hull!

Just sand dust and grime.....

Keith.
SdAufKla
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Posted: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 - 02:08 AM UTC
Looking good Keith.

Your assembly sequence for the slat armor makes perfect sense to get the rear slats nice and straight across the back of the hull.
Anatoli
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Posted: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 - 04:57 AM UTC
That Leopard is so well done, it doesn't need camouflage. To an extent, it even puts the box art to shame. It , probably, won't even be notable under heavy dusting.
heliman
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New York, United States
Joined: June 14, 2010
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Posted: Tuesday, April 02, 2013 - 11:11 AM UTC
outstanding work on your Leo Keith ! This kit is on my bucket list..the addition of the barracuda cam really enhances the kit

Keep up the great work
 _GOTOTOP