Hi, Hans-Hermann

I think AM Oerlikon barrel should also be useable on Japanese type 87 SPAA made by trumpeter.

RB models from poland offer some very nicely machined 1/35 barrel and muzzle brakes with non-axial symmetrical features for very reasonable prices, usually under $15. One example is the complex muzzle brake for the 105mm gun on the Italian Centauro armored car. Voyager from China also offer nicely machined barrels with integral off round and non-concentric features like bore escavators. Although AFAIK they don't offer muzzle brakes. I realize Oerlikon barrel shape is unusual, having something like clover leaf shape to its cross section. But I think it is possible to manufacture AM barrels oerlikon 35mm guns, with or without the muzzle brakes for reasonable prices.

I am hoping to do an more accurate Gepard by using Meng Leopard 1 hull lengthened with an 2 mm insert behind the third road wheel, and Tamiya Gepard turret modified to reflect changes since prototype. I anticipate doing a substantial amount of scratch building.

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Hi, Hans-Hermann

I think AM Oerlikon barrel should also be useable on Japanese type 87 SPAA made by trumpeter.

RB models from poland offer some very nicely machined 1/35 barrel and muzzle brakes with non-axial symmetrical features for very reasonable prices, usually under $15. One example is the complex muzzle brake for the 105mm gun on the Italian Centauro armored car. Voyager from China also offer nicely machined barrels with integral off round and non-concentric features like bore escavators. Although AFAIK they don't offer muzzle brakes. I realize Oerlikon barrel shape is unusual, having something like clover leaf shape to its cross section. But I think it is possible to manufacture AM barrels oerlikon 35mm guns, with or without the muzzle brakes for reasonable prices.

I am hoping to do an more accurate Gepard by using Meng Leopard 1 hull lengthened with an 2 mm insert behind the third road wheel, and Tamiya Gepard turret modified to reflect changes since prototype. I anticipate doing a substantial amount of scratch building.

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I'll be tackling the Gepard at some point this year too. If you want to go for complete accuracy, you'll have to move the wheel mounts, they don't line up exactly with the Leo hull. The Gepard is at the top.



Kimmo

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Hi, Hans-Hermann

I think AM Oerlikon barrel should also be useable on Japanese type 87 SPAA made by trumpeter.

RB models from poland offer some very nicely machined 1/35 barrel and muzzle brakes with non-axial symmetrical features for very reasonable prices, usually under $15. One example is the complex muzzle brake for the 105mm gun on the Italian Centauro armored car. Voyager from China also offer nicely machined barrels with integral off round and non-concentric features like bore escavators. Although AFAIK they don't offer muzzle brakes. I realize Oerlikon barrel shape is unusual, having something like clover leaf shape to its cross section. But I think it is possible to manufacture AM barrels oerlikon 35mm guns, with or without the muzzle brakes for reasonable prices.

I am hoping to do an more accurate Gepard by using Meng Leopard 1 hull lengthened with an 2 mm insert behind the third road wheel, and Tamiya Gepard turret modified to reflect changes since prototype. I anticipate doing a substantial amount of scratch building.

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I'll be tackling the Gepard at some point this year too. If you want to go for complete accuracy, you'll have to move the wheel mounts, they don't line up exactly with the Leo hull. The Gepard is at the top.



Kimmo

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Hi, Kimmo

I don't think the tankograd drawing is completely accurate. The drawing seem to show the distance between gepard's drive and idler wheels is actually less than those on a leopard. If gepard sits a similar height off ground as leopard, that would imply gepard's tracks would be shorter. In reality it is one link longer.

As a side note,every photo I've seen shows parked gepard sits slightly nose high compared to leopard, with top track run and hull deck sloping noticeably down from front to back. So a accurate model reflect this.

I don't know the provenance of the tankograd and shackleton drawings. They may have been drived from the same source, in which case they can't be used for mutural validation.

In any case, Gepard has longer track than Leo, that has to show up in any completely accurate drawings of the two vehicles.

Like I said, just passing on observations. I think you can reasonably settle the debate on whether the first road wheel is in the same position or not through photos. Count the links from centre line of the idler hub to the centre line of the road wheel. I count 9 on the Leo and 8 on the Gepard through multiple photos. I just noticed something strange with the scan of the Gepard which I need to double check but doing some quick measurements against all 3 plans in the books, I'll still stand by what I've been saying and I'll leave it you and others to decide what is correct. With that, it's time to stop critical thinking for the day.

Kimmo

Based off his other threads, I'm going to assume he's talking about the modern German Flugabwehrkanonenpanzer Gepard and not it's WWII namesake.




Erik

But don't forget the front idler is adjustable for track tension - so the distances between the idler and front road wheel could vary? Hopefully there's a Gepard in a German museum close to Munich - I'll be moving there for a couple years in August!

Jim