Hello !

Did some work on my model. Applied a gloss coat of varnish, decals and did some basic pin washes (still have some cleaning to do). The 120mm shells are nearly done too.

Not bad, Tom. Not bad at all!

Hello ! My model is basically done ! I need to work on the figures and the diorama next. The ammo is done too. For APFSDS projectiles I used tips cut from needles, as I could have the correct dart length and was also more straight than resin. Since I had a problem with orange peel on my varnish (Didn't used the correct type of thinner) I've gone with a dusted and muddy tank, without going too crazy with it. Pigments were used as well as ak "dark mud" enamel product, mixed with plaster and modified with various pigments, on the tracks and wheels. Speaking of tracks, I managed to paint individually each rubber pads on each tracks 72 links. All to be covered up by mud It was a long a tedious task; some links managed to brake off during installation too. Bronco tracks are good, but the way the pads are glued makes too much room for the glue to move away by capilarity and glue the whole link. Any comments will be welcomed. Happy holidays to you !

The ammo is done :


Orange peel effect :


Finished model; in the end, making the model dirty and dusty was a fun thing to do and I like this look better than if it was too clean.

Great job on the weathering.

Olivier

Thank you very much !! I’d like to ask you something if I may. On your « guide » about the tamiya Leclerc, you put a picture of a completed model on the first page. I’d like to know who makes the figures used in this diorama ? I made some research and thought they would be azimut or kmt but it seems they are not.

Thanks !

Hello

This is where I'm at right now with figure painting. They are all made by blast models. The level of detail is superb, especially on the helmets. I added some goggles and made the straps from masking tape. Next step is weathering/oil shading. Thanks for looking !

Sorry I missed your question. The figures are most likely from Blast Models. Blast released a number of sets when the kit was released. Unfortunately I don't have a reference number but from memory the standing crewmember is a separate reference while the gunner is part of a 3 figure set.

Olivier

Maybe I missed it but how did you mask the 3 color paint scheme? It turned out very nice..

Roger that Olivier ! It looks like it’s not a figure that blast carries anymore..

Greg: the camo scheme was done using bluetac and masking tape. It’s the first time I have done a camo ! Much like everything else that was done during this project; it’s my first truly completed model. I only screwed up with the varnish but I’m satisfied with the weathering.

I like your use of the bluetac. It turned out well.

Here it is, it is now done

very good job!!! sounds good if another brand could make the last leclerc with all new details. And all versions!

Hi Tom,

A very nice build - I will surely re-read it when I gonna start my kit in the stash. I do like it very much, it is very nice and inspiring me.

I have one minor comment for future builds: there are several "rules" when making bases for a model. One of them is to make the base as long as the tank is (as a minimum) including the gun, too. Otherwise the gun will be "off the base". I hope you see it.

This "rule" is similar to the typography in book making (or frame-sizing in photography) , a common "taste" to follow, however you are free not to. But most of the time these "rules" work very well and worth to consider during base (or diorama) design.

Tamás

Thanks for the constructive comments ! As for the diorama rule, I wasn't aware of that, but note taken, I'll look to it next time I'll build a base

Keep an eye opened on armorama, a consolidated article of my build here is coming soon