Introduction

SKP Models has sent Armorama a set of lenses and taillights for the Leopard 1. This is the latest release in this popular line from SKP Models and they need very little introduction from me.

Contents

This latest release from SKP Models is supplied in the usual way; a photo etched fret packaged inside a Ziploc bag, the Ziploc bag is then stapled to a hanging card with a self-adhesive label with product details.

Review

The photo etched fret consists of three pairs of lenses for the Leopard 1; these cover the headlights, brake/indicator light cluster and rear reflectors. As usual SKP Models has done a fantastic job of the rear light cluster, the colours and proportions of colour being an excellent match for my reference pictures. The Leopard 1 that I have used pictures of is on display at Bovington Tank Museum, and the pictures were taken by me last year. Behind the coloured lenses is a nice texture which I feel further enhances the realism of the product. The rear reflector has the diamond pattern well represented behind it and it is this feature that I really like about this product type, after all there is no way you could have this detail using paint.

Moving to the front of the Leopard 1 and the headlights. The headlights have incredible detail behind the lenses as they have a pattern deflection replicated for vehicles that drive on the left and right depending on how you fit them to the model. The photographs I took do not show this pattern clearly, but I suppose it is obvious it would be there for driving on the road. I have seen comments that that the reflectors on the rubber mudguards are not included in the set; well it would be nice to have them but the rubber mud flaps are not always present, and even on vehicles where they are present they are often folded up in the field and so hidden.

Conclusion

I feel this is another great addition to the lenses and taillights line from SKP Models, and has some of the best detail behind the lenses I have seen from SKP Models. This set should have a wide appeal, as it is my belief that it will be suitable for all Leopard 1 chassis vehicles as well as the conventional tank.