I have kit 224 in the stash and I know nothing about Leopards. I hear it was a good kit for the time. The leopard club mentions it but doesn't go in-depth that I could find.

What needs to be done to make it a German tank if anything OOB? Any tweak lists? Most builds on here are for converting it into a Canadian build.

Any high level builds making a German 1A4?

TIA

Not sure if it qualifies as a high level build, but here's what I did with mine.

http://armorama.com/forums/209120

It's not a bad kit, the tracks are one of the weak points and should get replaced. They're just too stiff and won't sit right. Plenty of after market choices around these days.

Kimmo

Great work Kimmo.

Ryan,

You could do a decent out of box build with it. The 1A4 didn't have long service in the German army but there are some pictures of mud or snow camo that will make it look good. The most glaring issue in my opinion is what the kit offers for an engine screen. There was a Eduard ZOOM PE set that offer this screen and just a few other bits.


Did you find this thread:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/246345#2080737

Paul

@Kimmo, I don't recall see that build but it's an example of what I going for with a high level build statement - not a strictly OOB build. The build looks good. Italeri does have an issue with stiff tracks. Thanks.

@Paul, I saw that thread but when it got to the discussion about A1A1s and welded turrets and guard for the PERI R12, I kinda bugged out not knowing the differences and how it applies to the Italeri kit. Thanks.

The kit is still good and has held up over the years even with new releases.

You can add aftermarket items such as tracks, road wheels, antenna mounts, PE parts, main gun barrel, and tow cables to make it a "high level" build.

OOB is it good to go for a Bundeswehr Leopard 1A4. Regardless of how long the 1A4 served with the Bundeswehr the kit is fine.

I have a Baker's dozen of the Italeri Leopard kits in my stash and I don't intend to get rid of them in lieu of other newer kits.

Jason,

Thanks, but which sets would work for kit to make a German 1A4?

Would the PE set for the Tamiya 1A4 or Italeri 1A5 work on the kit?

For the wheels is that a LW Type 1 or 2?

Track type 139E2 or D640A?

Grill, cast or welded?

Like I said I don't know much about the kit or tank, so any and all those combos can work or none of them can work for that build.

Hi there.
Leopards are a great tank to model.I also have a stash of Italeri kits like Jason.It all depends how detailed you want to go.With a bit of t.l.c you can make a nice German 1a4 from the kit.If you want to go uber detailed then pop along to the Leopard workshop run by Michael Shackleton.You will be astounded by the range of products he has and he is the man to help along with Jason and his fellow canadians.Leopards are addictive so beware now!!!!.Also check out Afv club magazine for builds and Leopard workshop Gallery.
Happy modelling from Richard,

You can use the Eduard set designed for the Tamiya Leopard 1A4 or the Italeri Leopard 1A2. I would say you could probably also easily use the Voyager Model set designed for the Meng Leopard 1A3/A4 kit. There are many generic parts.

As far as road wheels stick to the basic standard version...Leopard Workshop LW001-1.

The track is the D640A...Meng makes a great inexpensive set.

The engine exhaust grill is the horizontal slat version included in the kit. There is nothing wrong with the kit engine exhaust grills.

Thanks for the info Jason.

If you need any help send me a PM with your email and I'll do my best to point you in the right direction.

There is a Leopard Fact File that compares the Italeri/Revell kits including the 1A4. http://leopardclub.ca/FactFile/FF001/

Basic Italeri Leopard 1A4 kit it's really good, but I strongly recommend to add just some aftermarket set as pointed by others, to keep it unexpensive but doing some improvements, like adding a Voyager Model PE grill, Meng plastic workable tracks and Leopard Workshop mantlet plugs.

@Michael, I will do that. Thanks for the offer.

@Klaus, thank for info.

Thanks again for the help all.