This is the old kit #35112. I got it in a trade a long time ago and it was missing some parts (just shovels, axes, bow saw) so I held onto it. I got an old Eduard PE set (35084) for it in a group of items I won on eBay.

Any non-monetary tweaks that can be done to this kit? I don't want to spend bucks on the single link tracks, updated uber-PE set, aluminum barrel, after market decals, etc.

I just want to know how to make this kit presentable. I know I will have to fill in the motorization holes. I also filled in the locator holes for the missing tools. What color would you suggest for a solid colored tank?

Yes, I know Italeri and Revell make a nicer Leopard 1A4 (I have the Testors/Italeri kit). I want to build this kit though.

It's chunkier than the Italeri offering, but certainly looks like an A4. The separate covers for the turret rangefinder are actually an improvement on the Italeri kit, which has them moulded shut.

You'll need to find some tow cables and also a rack for the ice grousers to go on the glacis plate, all A4s had the rack fitted, but Tamiya didn't include it.

For the colour try some Googling with 'Gelboliv' which IIRC is RAL 6014

The Eduard set is pretty good but the new Eduard set for the Tamiya 1A4 is even better because it includes the grill under the intake screen.

I think it looks too shiny so a good coat of texture would do wonders. Someone suggested terra cotta spray paint a while back and it give a decent texture.

It is funny that Tamiya got the holes in the skirt right on the 1A4 but not on their Marder APCs.

I've got a spare set of Italeri tools from a Leo AS1 build in progress. And maybe a grouser rack. I'll check.

Paul

I would appreciate the tools. The kit was missing the saw (B1), bolt cutters (B2), pick ax (B4), hatchet (B5), ax (B6), both shovels (B7x2), and part B8 that looks like a combination wrench and tanker bar.

The old Eduard set I have includes front slope grouser racks.

I am not overly concerned about accuracy. I just got into a kick of building old Tamiya kits and this one looked like a nice build.

Would the Bundeswehr grayish OD green be a proper color for this kit? I always liked the look of that shade of green.

Gelboliv RAL 6014 was the colour that Bundeswehr vehicles were painted prior to the introduction of the 3-colour NATO scheme, so it probably is the colour you're thinking of. AFAIK A4s were disposed of before the three colour scheme was introduced.

Revell used to do a matching colour (46), but then they reformulated it.