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Leopard kits ?
bison126
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Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 08:53 PM UTC
Hi all,
I've the opportunity to get one sample of the following kits
Italeri Leo 2
Esci Leo 2
Academy Leo 1A4
Heller Leo 1A4

Which one does most deserve any attention knowing I would like to depict a non German MBT (most probably Dutch version) ? My guess is Italeri is the best.
Can anyone confirm ?

TIA
olivier
crossbow
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Antwerpen, Belgium
Joined: April 11, 2003
KitMaker: 1,387 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 09:10 PM UTC
A Leo2 can be Dutch...but what about a Belgian Leo1??

Kris
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 09:15 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi all,
I've the opportunity to get one sample of the following kits

Italeri Leo 2 is the best model of those listed, but if it is a basic A-nothing version, then it does not include Dutch specific parts, like smoke dischargers and FN-MAG MG.

Pawel
Henk
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
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Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 09:43 PM UTC
Olivier,

Pavel is right ( well in my opinion anyway.. ), the Italeri kit is the one to go for. It builds into a good model, and the 2A5 version has decals for a Dutch version. It also has the correct FN-MAG mg and smokedischargers, but beware of the skirts, the Dutch Leo has the new, armoured front part, but retains the old style rear sections of the A1 skirts. The kit has the new, straight sections. I made that mistake when I built mine ( before I discovered this wonderful site.. :-) )



And this shows the Dutch skirts as they should be ( picture from tanxheaven.com )




Cheers
Henk
bison126
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Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2005 - 11:25 PM UTC
Thanks all,
I haven't been precise enough. The Italeri Leo 2 is a A4, the one hard to find now.
I know there are some mods to build it into a Dutch tank. Italeri have included the dutch decals in their kit but that's all.

Kris, I've nothing against a Belgian Leo but I can afford only one kit out the 4 available. Having had a quick look to the kits, I fear they are not the best in town with the Academy just a little head before for the Heller.

If you are aware of a good Leo 1, it could do the trick.

olivier
Vodnik
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Warszawa, Poland
Joined: March 26, 2003
KitMaker: 4,342 posts
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Posted: Friday, September 23, 2005 - 01:15 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks all,
I haven't been precise enough. The Italeri Leo 2 is a A4, the one hard to find now.


As far as I know Italeri never made 2A4 kit. Their older model is Leopard 2 and is something between A-nothing and A3, but not A4. Revell of Germany released a 2A4 version, based on Italeri kit with a few parts updating it to A4 standard.

The best Leopard 1 kits are also Italeri models, so try to find one of these.

Pawel
Erik67
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Buskerud, Norway
Joined: July 31, 2005
KitMaker: 1,871 posts
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Posted: Friday, September 23, 2005 - 02:22 AM UTC
I'm just finishing the Revell Leo 2 A4. The quality of the kit is not great, but it does make a reasonably good A4. I have converted mine into a Norwegian model.

Cheers
Erik

In progress pic
ptruhe
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Texas, United States
Joined: March 05, 2003
KitMaker: 2,092 posts
Armorama: 1,607 posts
Posted: Friday, September 23, 2005 - 03:28 AM UTC
I've got the Italeri Leopard II kit that Olivier is referring to. It's a decent kit but Vodnik is right that's not quite an A4. I've heard it needs a muzzle reference sensor and for a Dutch Leo 2A4 you need the different TC periscope guard and not the one in the Italeri kit which is similar to the loader's mg rail.

Paul
bison126
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Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 05:59 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've got the Italeri Leopard II kit that Olivier is referring to. It's a decent kit but Vodnik is right that's not quite an A4. I've heard it needs a muzzle reference sensor and for a Dutch Leo 2A4 you need the different TC periscope guard and not the one in the Italeri kit which is similar to the loader's mg rail.

Paul


Roger that Paul and Pawel
It appears I'll have to perform some research before I start glueing the plastic bits.
Thanks

olivier
Erik67
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Buskerud, Norway
Joined: July 31, 2005
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Posted: Saturday, September 24, 2005 - 06:07 AM UTC
Olivier
I should have mentioned it in my last post, but Revells A4 is pretty easy to convert to a dutch vehicle.

Erik
ptruhe
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Texas, United States
Joined: March 05, 2003
KitMaker: 2,092 posts
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Posted: Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 02:22 PM UTC
Olivier,

If you're lucky then someone will have the leftover Dutch style smoke launcher mounts and maybe the other bits. That's how I got the parts I needed for the Italeri Leo 2 kit.

The smoke launcher mounts would be the hardest to scratch. The TC periscope guard could probably be done from sheet plastic. I could outline the one I have if needed.

Paul
bison126
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Correze, France
Joined: June 10, 2004
KitMaker: 5,329 posts
Armorama: 5,204 posts
Posted: Sunday, September 25, 2005 - 05:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

The smoke launcher mounts would be the hardest to scratch. The TC periscope guard could probably be done from sheet plastic. I could outline the one I have if needed.

Paul


Hi Paul,
any help is greatly appreciated. Some pics of your model will be welcome of course.

olivier
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