Hi,
I could use some advice from the experts out there: I just received my conversion from Perfect Scale Modelling to turn a Leopard 1 into a bridge laying Biber (beaver). Now, I want to modell it dispatching the bridge and so I think the Meng or Takom kits might be better suited than Italeri or Revell as base as their suspension is workable. So, which one to take? As I understand, the road wheels in Takoms kit are quite off, so I tend to go for one of the Meng Leo 1s. Better to take the 1A3 or the 1A5?
Those of you who build Italeris or Revells new Leo 1 might give me an idea whether the suspension can be adjusted without major surgery. That would be an interesting option as those kits are much cheaper than Mengs.
The Perfect Scale conversion is a multimedia kit already but there are one or two things I do not like. I. e. tool racks are molded on and I would like to replace them with aftermarket PE parts. Suggestions? So far I lean towards the Tetra Model Works PE set 35037 for Mengs 1A5.
Although the road wheels of the Meng kit are not perfect, by now they seem to be close enough for my needs. In case I change my mind, which wheels from Leopard Club to take? Leopard 1 Standard wheels Type 1 or 2?. Are the road wheels from Perfect Scale correct for a Biber?

Looking forward to your opinions.

Thanx in advance

Michael

The correct wheels for Biber would be LW001 particularly for a German one. As the complete suspension is exposed I would forget the Takom offering as some of it is moulded on the hull side and looks awful if it isn't semi-hidden by skirts. LW010 upgardes any plastic suspension sets.
Meng's Leo 1 tracks are the ones to go for.
The new - or old - Revell kit would be a good choice for the base as you are only using the hull bottom.
Eduard's set for the 1A4 is one of the best Leo 1 etch sets out there if you want etch tool holders. PSM also did (or still do) a set as well.
Trackpad is about to release a book if you need good reference - and believe me you will:-) http://www.trackpadpublishing.com/#!biber---leopard-1-bridgelayer/c1miy

I'm building the kit too at the moment and I've used Italerie's kit as the donor for my build. The new resin parts perfectly to the plastic parts, no issues what so ever. The Italerie kit gives you much easier access to positioning your Biber at please. And those parts from Leopard Club you mention has no fitting issues either.

Michael, Kenneth: thanx a lot for this information and advice. Just what I have been looking for.



Michael