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REVIEW
Leopard 1A5
firstcircle
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: November 19, 2008
KitMaker: 2,249 posts
Armorama: 2,007 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 05:06 AM UTC
Michael Shackleton reviews Meng's Leopard 1A5 kit.

Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!
chnoone
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: January 01, 2009
KitMaker: 1,036 posts
Armorama: 1,033 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 02:39 PM UTC
I don't like/trust (less detail) the "flexable" turret add-on armor to be honest ... I will see if the PSM ones will fit ... or just wait a bit if maybe a matching AM product pops up.
mshackleton
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 05:33 PM UTC
Have a look in the latest AFV Modeller magazine (number 81). David Parker's full build is featured in there. He had no problems whatsoever gluing or painting the flexible plastic.
billflorig
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Hawaii, United States
Joined: January 20, 2015
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 146 posts
Posted: Saturday, February 14, 2015 - 11:50 PM UTC
Mike, thanks for the exhaustive review! I'm adding this kit to my stash after reading this. I served with the US Third Infantry Division from 87-90 in Schweinfurt. Our partnership unit was 12th Panzer Division. Any idea where to get 12th Panzer decals? Thanks!
mshackleton
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 12:10 AM UTC
The only Bundeswhehr decals i know are from Truckline - or TL decals. They do a few generic sheets. Is this any good? http://www.tl-modellbau.de/en/Decals-von-1-160-bis-1-16-oxid/TL-Decals-1-35/Bundeswehr/Bundeswehr-Heer-Verbandsabzeichen-1-35-oxid.html
billflorig
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Hawaii, United States
Joined: January 20, 2015
KitMaker: 152 posts
Armorama: 146 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 12:15 AM UTC
Yes Sir! Thanks! I'll track down our partner brigade and go from there! Cheers!
chnoone
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Armed Forces Europe, United States
Joined: January 01, 2009
KitMaker: 1,036 posts
Armorama: 1,033 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 01:44 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Have a look in the latest AFV Modeller magazine (number 81). David Parker's full build is featured in there. He had no problems whatsoever gluing or painting the flexible plastic.


It's more the lack of detail compared to other options ... I'll try and see if the TAKOM ones might fit too.
Tested paint already ... doesn't seem to be a problem but the detail/pattern is not very prominent in comparison ... I'll wait a little and see what works or happens.
More eager on the MENG Leopard 2A4 to arrive !
BTW Davids Leo looks really good very authentic, great job !

Cheers
Christopher
AOS
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Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: September 29, 2005
KitMaker: 75 posts
Armorama: 74 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 02:43 AM UTC
Useful Review, thanks. I will definitely buy one (have already the 1A5 from Takom, but will build the canadian C2 out of that). Would like to see a Leopard 1A1A1, that was my machine when I was in the Bundeswehr in 1987-88.
Also, a Bergepanzer (in styrene) would be very welcome!
mshackleton
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England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: December 16, 2007
KitMaker: 559 posts
Armorama: 517 posts
Posted: Sunday, February 15, 2015 - 01:04 PM UTC
[quote]
Quoted Text

Chris Noone It's more the lack of detail compared to other options ... I'll try and see if the TAKOM ones might fit too.
Tested paint already ... doesn't seem to be a problem but the detail/pattern is not very prominent in comparison ... I'll wait a little and see what works or happens.


The pattern on the real thing is not all that prominent. In fact, Meng could do with changing their sideskirts as the pattern on those is TOO promiment. Takom do a better job on these with a more subtle and inconsistent pattern.

It will be interesting to see if the Takom turret armour fits. Please do let us know.
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