Hello.

The eternal question, is the glass half full or is it half empty? Revell's new "Leopard 1" (03240) invites one to declare their opinion.



I've been on a Leopard kick of late (thank you very much Michael Shackleton) and I was pleased when Revell released a early Leopard 1. I like Revell and have been enjoying their latest releases. They're not perfect kits but then I'm not perfect either, so it all seems to work out.

In-the-box reviewers have commented on the following;
-Overdone, heavy, cast texture on the turret,
-Road wheel accuracy,
-Odd looking MG1
-Air filter hatch has two handles instead of just one,
-Channels for mounting the tow cable cut into the engine exhausts,
-Fitting of the square Infantry phone box from Batch 1 vehicles on Batch 2 vehicles.

On a purely aesthetic note, I really like the new plastic colour. The grey colour has no effect on building the kit but it is just seems somehow better. I think the new instructions are an improvement too (even though they left out the short, historical, background notes on the vehicle). I hope Revell continues with these aesthetic improvements.

With Revell kits, the first thing I look for are sink marks. I've seen the sprue shots online and looking carefully in person, I found no major sink marks on the plastic parts. When I started building, I did find five small ones though (three small sink marks on the mantle G122 and on parts B69 through to B71). The tracks are nice but do have a lot of marks on the inner surfaces. There was also a very small amount of flash here and there. I also found a complete lack of the heavy welds that are prominent on Leopards hulls.

My build plan wasn't much of a plan. I wanted a Batch 1 vehicle from when it first entered service (1965). My reference materials are not up to date and really didn't cover the details in depth. I decided to not to over-think it and just build it more or less out of the box, over a weekend. I do like to add metal barrels though but upon close inspection, I decided to go with the kit's barrel. Its nice enough and it has a unique fit between the barrel and the mantle that my aftermarket metal barrels didn't match.

The overall fit was good but in my haste, I may not have taken an appropriate amount of time to test fit, and ended up with some seams that I suspect could have been avoided.

It was at this point that during a discussion with a friend, he mention that he had a copy of Frank Lotitz's “The Leopard 1 MBT in German Army Service - Early Years” that he could lend me. Well that changed everything! It contained all the missing information that I needed (I highly recommended this book). And discovered that with the model being two thirds built, I couldn't get a early Batch 1 vehicle. Well ****! So I rethought it and decided to go for a early Batch 2 vehicle from around 1968 or 1969. To get there, I ripped off the square Infantry phone box and mounted the round one. And in a complete reversal of my “plan” I went back over the turret cast effect trying to tone it down.



My modifications;
-I removed the turret ring protector from atop the front hull (mostly to see if I could but early Batch 2 vehicles didn't have this feature).
-I reduced the turret's heavy cast effect by using MrSurfacer 1000 cut with Testors liquid glue, applied carefully and gently, four or five times.
-I removed the side skirt mounts from the hull sides but not on the front fenders. (Photo based decision).
-I removed one track pad from each track for a better fit.
-I added a missing wire frame support from within the turret stowage basket using plastic rod. (Photo based decision).
-I used VoyagerModel's Modern German AFV antenna bases because I had them and it would be much easier to actually attach the antennas to them.
-I tried to apply detail to the top of the TRP sight (I137). (Photo based decision).
-I removed one of the two handles from the air filter hatches (I've seen photos of later vehicles with two-handle hatches but not on any early vehicles).
-I replaced the kit's vinyl tow cables with copper ones,
-I tried to remove/reduce/hide the imperfection on the tracks. I attempted to carefully trim with a new blade, melt with thin liquid plastic glue and finally covering with MrSurfacer 1000. Not with a lot of success I'm afraid...



I looked at the kit's road wheels and compared them to photos. I utterly failed to see how they are wrong. I am not saying that they are correct, I'm just saying that my uninformed eye can not spot the differences and therefore I choose not to worry about them.

With the advantage of 20/20 hindsight, I firmly believe that (even with my limited scratch building skills) I could use this kit to build a early production Batch 1 vehicle from 1965. In fact I'm thinking of buying another kit to do just this.

I found a error of omission within the instructions. In Step 16 you are instructed to drill out the guide holes for the front lifting lugs. But the instructions never go on to tell you to mount them (Parts E88). Updated instruction are on the Revell Germany website.

I haven't gotten to the MG1 yet. I can sorta see the point that some have made about it looking "off". I plan to compare it to both AFV Club's and Takom's MG1s. More to follow.

I have learned a lot about Leopard but I still have the following questions;
-Did all four early Batches have the same tread plate front fenders? When did the newer, simpler sheet metal fenders come into use? Was it with the new side skirts?
-Was the rain drainage fitting back fitted to Batch 1 vehicles?
-Was the turret ring protector back fitted to vehicles lacking them?



In conclusion, I feel that the Revell “Leopard 1” offers excellent value to the kit builder like myself and a decent starting place for the more serious modeller. Even with the backward way I went about this build, I still enjoyed it and I recommend this kit.
My glass contains approximately 50% of it capacity of water.



More photos on my Photobucket pages
http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Michael_Hatch/library/Modelling%20NATO%20and%20the%20Warsaw%20Pact/Bundeswehr%20Kampfpanzer%20Leopard%201968

Michael in Cloverdale.

PS Anyone want my leftover “J” Sprue? MEH

Hi Michael,
Thanks for the review and for the high quality photo coverage, you get outstanding closeups. Congrats for the good job done with the kit too!.
I am thinking of getting one of those New Revell Leopards too. They seem to be real good, and for only around 25 Euros it's even better.
Kind regards
Nacho

Hello again.

Finishing up.



Three meter tow cable.

I believe these are from Eureka XXL. I got them a while back and can't remember which model they were originally for.


Searchlight power cable.

I think it might be a little too long.


Beautiful thread pattern.



Not perfect but good enough for me.



Two of the three sink marks on the mantle.


Found a couple of things to fix when looking at the photo but almost ready for paint.

Michael in Cloverdale.

Thanks Nacho.

One of the great things about the internet is that you have access to information around the globe. Have you checked out the website "Leopard Club"? http://leopardclub.ca/ They are an excellent place to start when considering all things Leopard.

Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Hi Michael

Thanks for your review and close up pictures. Based on reading your comments, looking at the pictures etc. I ordered the kit straight afterwards.

Added to which I was able to purchase it here in the UK for a very reasonable £19.00 including delivery.

Thanks again.

Alan

Hi Michael
To answer your questions:
I have learned a lot about Leopard but I still have the following questions;
-Did all four early Batches have the same tread plate front fenders? When did the newer, simpler sheet metal fenders come into use? Was it with the new side skirts?
-Was the rain drainage fitting back fitted to Batch 1 vehicles?
-Was the turret ring protector back fitted to vehicles lacking them?

Yes - all four early batches had the tread plate fenders. The newer ones came in with the 1A1 ugrade with fittings for side skirts. In fact, the skirt fittings on the kit fenders are wrong. They should not have the U-shaped reinforcements, just the vertical front faces. Impossible to do without destroying the treadplate pattern.

No - Batch 1 did not have the turret rain gutter

No - the ring protector was never retro-fitted, much like the square phone box which stayed throughout the life of Batch 1 vehicles.

Two big probs with making a Batch 1 tank from this kit.
1 The shocks were just plain cylindrical telescopic tubes
2 The tool stowage was different in quite a few details. In particular, the gun cleaning rod holder was totally different.

I too am building a Revell Batch 2 vehicle in the Leopardmania 50 Campaign, but I'm using a lot of Leopard Workshop parts to improve the model. Well - I would wouldn't I?? :-)

The tread plate fenders looks nice. Looks much easier than backdating the older Leopard cast turret kits.

Hey Michael.

Thanks for the input.

Yes, I've noticed the different types of skirt mounting on the front fenders. I thought I saw a photo showing no hull mounts but with the U-shaped type though. I will have to recheck this. After awhile all the photos start to blur together. I even had to start a spread sheet to track time and details.

To be clear, I wasn't asking if Batch 1 had the turret rain gutter but was the rain gutter ever retro-fitted to them?

Not having actual done it but I was thinking the plain cylindrical shock absorbors should be rather straight forward to make. Plastic tube, cut to length, attach a round flat plate with a nut on it to one end and mount. Cutting away the guides might get a little messy but the fact they are somewhat hidden behind the road wheels should help a lot. Even though I don't have another kit, I should try making the shocks.

I am aware of the early tool layout.




On the left side - track tension wrench and hammer transposed, hammer must be mounted with the head forward.
On the right side - different barrel cleaning rod rack and the axe has to be mounted with its head to the vehicle rear.
On the rear hull – tool box doesn't have a handle on top.
With the early rack for the cleaning rods, I'm not sure if their are 4 or 5 lengths in the bottom part of the rack.
And I not sure if the rear hull tool box is the same size between the first and second Batches.

With your Batch 2 build, will you model it with or without the turret ring protector? I removed mine after the hull was assembled and that made it somewhat more difficult but not too badly.

By the bye, does your new LW019N - Leopard 1 'Naked' L7 Gun Barrel specifically fit Revell's 03240? Does the mantle have to be modified?

Thanks again for your insight. Good luck with your build.

Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Hi Michael
Your observations about Batch 1 are spot on. At first there were no skirt mounts on the hull or on the fenders. They seemed to appear as tanks went in for repair or overhaul, pending the introduction of skirts.

The rain gutters were not retro-fitted.

My LW019N Naked gun was designed for the original Revell/Italeri kits. By coincidence they fit the later Meng and Takom kits, and by drilling out the new Revell mantlet, 019N is an easy fit. I will be doing this on mine in the next few days.

I have left the turret ring in place. It was introduced quite early in Batch 2, but not fitted at the beginning.

Hey Michael.

Looks good. Are you going to do a build log? I would be very interest to follow your progress. It looks like you are adding the missing welds. Care to share your techniques?

I've got the base coat on mine and hope to post a picture or two tomorrow.

Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

I am running a Leopardmania 50 Campaign here on Armorama. If you look up the Campaign you will find a few pics https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/240842&ord=&page=6

It also has a FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/798668223575193/

The welds are simply lengths of very fine Evergreen rod. Some use stretched sprue. I'm fitting Leopard Workshop parts as I go along, partly to improve the model, partly as a proving exercise to make sure they fit on a model my parts were not designed for.

Hello.

Painted.



My attempt at RAL6014 Gelbolive. Four parts Tamiya XF-62 Olive Drab to one part TamiyaXF-60 Dark Yellow (ish).



I'm still got some touch up painting to do, the barrel cleaning rods still need to be painted and I have to mount the MG1.

I'll post some closeups once I've finished the touch ups.

Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Michael, thanks for sharing your insights. Looks to be a cool kit at a decent price.

Looking forward to see more.

Really like the clean paint job.

Hello.

A couple of close up shots.





Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Hello.

Decals, an MG3 and details.



I decided to go with a left over Takom MG3.



Revell on top, AFV Club and Takom on the bottom.




Kit decals



Kit decals are thin, opaque, and offered no problems applying. Just ever so slightly out of register. I will try to take care of that with some careful touch up painting (wish me luck). I use Future floor wax as a specific base when applying decals. I will go around the edge of the larger decals to blend them in but the carrier film is pretty thin.

I am debating applying field applied mud camouflage for variety. I will then need to add stowage to the stowage racks... Anyone have information about what the Bundeswehr was using for Jerry cans during the late 1960s?


That's it for now.


Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

http://s115.photobucket.com/user/Michael_Hatch/library/Modelling%20NATO%20and%20the%20Warsaw%20Pact/Bundeswehr%20Kampfpanzer%20Leopard%201968

Looks nice !
I am a little curious of the MG mount for the loader .... I believe there was an earlier type used like the one in the Italerie 1A4 kit ... I haven't got the Spielberger book handy so I do stand to be corrected.
Reminds me to make one to accompany my SPZ Kurz from PSM .

Cheers
Christopher

Hi Christopher.

And now I'm a little curious of the AA MG mount too. I haven't come across anything talking about different styles of machine gun mounts but that's not saying much. I would love to see any information you have on that.


And now, how not to be seen....Camouflage!



I mixed a random amount of Humbrol 26 and 29 together and tried not to think too much about it. I guess I like bands but I suspect smaller blotches might be more common.




Weathering is my weakest skill set. I find that it's too easy to go too far and I seem to make that mistake often.



Right now, I think the weathering is OK but the tracks still need to be weathered.....

Still to come, stowage for the stowage basket.


Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Nice build. Thanks for the insights into the kit. May have to get one for myself.

I like the mud camo.

Too bad the loader's hatch spring isn't a separate piece. I don't think it lays quite that flat.

Hi Paul.

Yes, the cam did turn out well didn't it. I am somewhat surprised.

Yeah, I hear what you are saying about the hatch spring.

I suppose that one could dig out the plastic and add one's own scratch build ones but then I would have replaced the small handles on the engine deck, remove the turret cast effect, replace the turret handholds with wire, added rubber plugs (and their chains) to the hull and turret fronts, add chains to the top of the smoke dischargers, and tweak out the AA MG3 mount. People tell me there are huge problems with the road wheels as well... I get tired just thinking about it.
Fortunately for me, posting here is the most scrutiny this model will have to endure.

I use to do a lot of extra detail work but I found that it added significantly to the build time and that would detract from my enjoyment of the hobby. Mental health issues and all. Just trying to be a kit builder.

Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

Hello.

I think I will stick a pin in it and call it done for now.
















Regards, Michael in Cloverdale.

The good news is you did an awesome job! The bad news is now I need one plus a bunch of Leopard Club items.

Hello again.

I almost forgot this;

"Vier im Leopard" (Four In A Leopard?) https://youtu.be/-Z5KLO9kz18

I believe this was filmed around 1975 (crew are wearing black berets).

The Batch 1 vehicle (Y–253813?) at the beginning is very interesting. It has;

No turret ring protector on top of the front hull,
No rain channel on turret rear,
Early OVM tool layout,
Lifting lugs,
Searchlight cable in a odd place (early placement?)
reinforced turret hand holds,
and armoured shock absorbers.

I wonder if the amoured shock absorbers were added sometime during the Batch 1 production run or if they were just retrofitted.

This would make it much easier to build a Batch 1 vehicle from this kit.



Michael in Cloverdale.

Really like the look of the dirt on the tracks, running gear and the rear plate. Nice job.