Canadian Leopard 2A6M with slat armor and barracuda mats
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/9/9/3/1087993-86785-39-pristine.jpg)
Revells Braille Leo2A6M is going canadian...
Well, usually I am not so much into main battle tanks, but when I saw a 1:72 scale Leopard 2A6M with slat armor at a small scale convention I was hooked.
Well, usually I am not so much into main battle tanks, but when I saw a 1:72 scale Leopard 2A6M with slat armor at a small scale convention I was hooked.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/9/9/4/1087994-86785-67-pristine.jpg)
I managed to secure myself the very last of this conversion, as it was already discontinued quite a while ago.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/9/9/6/1087996-86785-77-pristine.jpg)
These are the resin parts that came with it.
Well, at the end non - except one - of those part were used as finally most of them were replaced by homemade stuff.
Well, at the end non - except one - of those part were used as finally most of them were replaced by homemade stuff.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/0/0/2/1088002-86785-94-pristine.jpg)
And that ist the way it is suppose to look. The experts will note a few mistakes on first glance. Some of which I will try to correct.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/9/8/4/1087984-86785-13-pristine.jpg)
to cut a long story short: more detailling was possible with some photoetch from E.T. models and some scratched parts where conversion and photo etch lacked necessary items.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/0/2/5/1088025-86785-39-pristine.jpg)
aligning the road wheels after putting some heavy wear on the rubber rims of the was a bit of a challenge.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/9/9/0/1087990-86785-83-720.jpg)
I finally managed to get the tracks on. That they do not meet at the upper part does not bother me as it will be hid behind the side armor.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/0/0/6/1088006-86785-99-pristine.jpg)
slat armor was next. Here the one for the turret. You already see the altered version where I tried to fix the mistakes in the layout of the conversion (compare with pic 5)
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/0/0/9/1088009-86785-13-720.jpg)
Here the slat parts for the trunk with some distortion as you often saw on the real thing.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/0/1/8/1088018-86785-72-720.jpg)
The turret primed and with the attachment points for the slat armor added.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/0/2/2/1088022-86785-62-pristine.jpg)
The resin mounting struts were replaced by selfmade ones.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/9/4/8/1087948-86785-12-720.jpg)
For a long time I had quite a clear idea of how I want to present this cat but for whatever reasons, it just would not work out when I tried to lay it out. At the end I discarded the original idea and develloped a new one that did work for me.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/9/4/7/1087947-86785-63-720.jpg)
this is meant to be a canadian outpost with the Leo on guard.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/9/6/0/1087960-86785-23-720.jpg)
Groundwork was done with plaster of Paris, sieved Chinchilla sand, some stones and pieces of coal, all primed with primer from a can and blackend with Tamiya X1.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/9/6/4/1087964-86785-54-720.jpg)
The base quite close to completion. Hesco and sand bags handpainted, a shelter from Evergreen profiles built and covered with brass PSP plates.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/9/6/5/1087965-86785-54-720.jpg)
The Leos home almost ready for moving in.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/9/8/3/1087983-86785-89-720.jpg)
In the beginning canadian Leos did not wear Barracuda mats, but I wanted to take on the challenge and do them in Braille scale. I tried varios techniques and finally advanced with a base of aluminum foil of about 30µm thickness on which another sheet of foil was glued that has been perforated with the pattern of the mats.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/9/7/4/1087974-86785-83-720.jpg)
Took me a while to figure out how the umbrella was constructed. That is my interpretation.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/9/7/8/1087978-86785-64-720.jpg)
movable brass rods were covered with a Barracuda mat.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/9/8/5/1087985-86785-54-720.jpg)
Figuring out the layout of the mats is a bit of a hassle.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/9/8/6/1087986-86785-97-720.jpg)
Making them too.
So that is where I am stuck.
Not last because I think I might have a better technique to make the mats but have not found the motivation to try it yet.
So that is where I am stuck.
Not last because I think I might have a better technique to make the mats but have not found the motivation to try it yet.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/4/7/0/1090470-86785-60-720.jpg)
As I do not know of any modern Canadian tankers in scale 1:72, I opted for Cesar's US tankers and declare them canadians.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/4/7/1/1090471-86785-56-720.jpg)
Although I do not like the soft plastic of Cesar's miniatures too much, after trimming them they show nice details and will add to the dio.
They were primed in black and received lights in white.
They were primed in black and received lights in white.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/8/2/7/1123827-86785-26-720.jpg)
For almost two months this project sat on the sideline. Now I gave the Barracuda matting another try. Instead of aluminum foil to punch the pattern into I used a special bread bag paper with has a central plastic lining. This provides more stability than pure paper and keeps the shape better. Those sheets were fashioned and glued onto the aluminum backing.
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/8/2/5/1123825-86785-77-720.jpg)
Here you see them put loosly on top of the turret. They will have to be tweaked, bent and glued.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/8/2/6/1123826-86785-33-720.jpg)
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/5/3/8/1207538-86785-64-720.jpg)
This has been on the shelf for quite a while. Now some progress with Js work three tone masks and Real Colors Nato paints - all lightend to scale with some Gunze H-313.
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/5/3/9/1207539-86785-72-720.jpg)
Not surprisingly one or two details got lost on the way, but nothing that cannot be fixed.
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/8/9/0/1282890-86785-47-720.jpg)
With the chores of the day done I could make nice use of a few hours of daylight on my balcony to achieve some progress on the three tankers.
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/8/9/1/1282891-86785-60-720.jpg)
The base coat is a light sand applied in a glazing matter to preserve the shading. The tiny irregular pattern on the uniform I tried to represent by dabbing undiluted paint with a coarse brush onto the uniform. I chose Vallejo Russian Uniform and Khaki.
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/8/9/5/1282895-86785-70-720.jpg)
After detail painting I outlined some of the details with diluted German Grey.
![Album image #32 Album image #32](/albums/img/8/9/3/1282893-86785-40-720.jpg)
Not perfect but I am quite happy how they turned out.
![Album image #33 Album image #33](/albums/img/2/7/8/1351278-86785-84-720.jpg)
Next will be the turret. The slat armor received some color too.
![Album image #34 Album image #34](/albums/img/9/8/7/1352987-86785-87-720.jpg)
After I finally managed to put the three tone NATO camouflage onto the turret too, I needed some motivational shots in the hope of getting this build going on.
![Album image #35 Album image #35](/albums/img/9/8/8/1352988-86785-11-720.jpg)
Here the naked tank as the Canadians bought them from the Dutch
![Album image #36 Album image #36](/albums/img/9/8/5/1352985-86785-93-720.jpg)
And here with loosly fitted slat armour as installed in Germany before being sent to A-Stan
![Album image #37 Album image #37](/albums/img/9/8/6/1352986-86785-56-720.jpg)
![Album image #38 Album image #38](/albums/img/9/9/0/1352990-86785-34-720.jpg)
![Album image #39 Album image #39](/albums/img/0/5/5/1635055-86785-20-720.jpg)
Detail painting finally started. The real tool handles are usually painted green, but I wanted a bit of visual interest.
![Album image #40 Album image #40](/albums/img/0/5/9/1635059-86785-10-720.jpg)
The periscopes were painted with a mixture of Tamiya Smoke and Gunze Transparent Green on a Vallejo Air Steel base.
![Album image #41 Album image #41](/albums/img/0/5/2/1635052-86785-26-720.jpg)
Those few specks of color required some non-respiratory painting. The transparent colors were painted on top of Vallejo Air Steel (which - despite its name - brushes just beautifully)
![Album image #42 Album image #42](/albums/img/0/5/3/1635053-86785-36-720.jpg)
The optics of the rang finder (?) received a 'glas' and the firearms container turned Buff.
![Album image #43 Album image #43](/albums/img/0/5/6/1635056-86785-83-720.jpg)
I didn't like the hue of the green (AK NATO Green lighted with Buff), so all the green parts received a wash with Vallejo Reflective Green. The difference can be seen at the right side of the frontal top armour. Now I like it better.
![Album image #44 Album image #44](/albums/img/0/7/8/1635078-86785-86-720.jpg)
Good Vallejo color combinations (IMHO) for AKs Nato colors for touch ups and filters: Reflective Green, Flat Brown and Black Gray darkened with a bit of Black.
![Album image #45 Album image #45](/albums/img/0/5/7/1635057-86785-50-720.jpg)
Ready for the varnish
![Album image #46 Album image #46](/albums/img/0/5/4/1635054-86785-21-720.jpg)
Bits and pieces ready for primer.
![Album image #47 Album image #47](/albums/img/0/6/0/1635060-86785-80-720.jpg)
Tow bar (scatch build), stretcher (EMP3D) and spare track links (kit + PE) done.
![Album image #48 Album image #48](/albums/img/8/1/7/1636817-86785-73-720.jpg)
painting proceeds.
![Album image #49 Album image #49](/albums/img/8/2/0/1636820-86785-20-720.jpg)
Priming the Barracuda mats revealed that the alu/paper version desintegrates with primer alone. So this technique will require a varnish to protect the paper before priming. I think I will go back to the alu on alu-technique.
Mats have to go on next, then the slat armour.
Mats have to go on next, then the slat armour.
![Album image #50 Album image #50](/albums/img/8/1/9/1636819-86785-17-720.jpg)
drybrushing brings details to life.
![Album image #51 Album image #51](/albums/img/8/1/8/1636818-86785-56-720.jpg)
Gloss varnish, decals and some oils for a bit of modulation will be next. But I should not go overboard with this as most of the surface will be covered with mats anyway.
![Album image #52 Album image #52](/albums/img/8/2/1/1646821-86785-84-720.jpg)
Tedious job but a start.
![Album image #53 Album image #53](/albums/img/9/5/2/1648952-86785-75-720.jpg)
The first mats are attached for good. The alu allows me to conform the mats to the shape of the hull quite similar to the real ones.
![Album image #54 Album image #54](/albums/img/9/5/4/1648954-86785-25-720.jpg)
More mats in various stages of construction. The painted ones are fixed already.
![Album image #55 Album image #55](/albums/img/9/5/3/1648953-86785-78-720.jpg)
Some motivational shots. So far I like how this developes.
![Album image #56 Album image #56](/albums/img/9/5/1/1648951-86785-51-720.jpg)
![Album image #57 Album image #57](/albums/img/9/5/6/1648956-86785-85-720.jpg)
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![Album image #59 Album image #59](/albums/img/9/7/9/1651979-86785-43-720.jpg)
Assembled the rear part of the turret slat armour and added a makeshift grit as the canadians did to create more cargo space. On the upside it gives the piece at least a tiny bit of stability. Some bits and pieces at the mounts had to be added to make its placement at the turret possible. The asymmetric nature of the slat armour did not make it easier.
![Album image #60 Album image #60](/albums/img/7/3/1/1653731-86785-14-720.jpg)
Most of the Barracuda mats of the turret are attached for good.
![Album image #61 Album image #61](/albums/img/7/3/0/1653730-86785-95-720.jpg)
Slat armour and umbrella are only loosely attached. Constructing the mounts for the slat armour will be next.
![Album image #62 Album image #62](/albums/img/8/7/7/1654877-86785-78-720.jpg)
Test fit for the slat armour supports. To add a bit of stability I drilled 0.3mm holes into the ends of the 0.75mm rods and the corresponding (scratch build) mounts at the turret. With pieces of wire the whole construction appears now much trustworthy. Particularly challenging were the angled ones at the rear and the ones between the smoke discharger.
![Album image #63 Album image #63](/albums/img/8/7/4/1654874-86785-72-720.jpg)
Glued and aligned the supports wait for the armour.
A further cable housing between the umbrella support and the ECM boxes was constructed, painted and mounted.
The two spare track links are prepared to be painted.
A further cable housing between the umbrella support and the ECM boxes was constructed, painted and mounted.
The two spare track links are prepared to be painted.
![Album image #64 Album image #64](/albums/img/8/7/6/1654876-86785-91-720.jpg)
Grit the second. This time soldered
![Album image #65 Album image #65](/albums/img/8/7/5/1654875-86785-54-720.jpg)
The covers were once done but disintegrated over time. Apart from that they had the wrong color. Construction is done. Paint will be next.
![Album image #66 Album image #66](/albums/img/9/7/9/1655979-86785-56-720.jpg)
Washes on bits and pieces
![Album image #67 Album image #67](/albums/img/9/7/8/1655978-86785-78-720.jpg)
All support struts for the turret slat armour mounted. The Barracuda mats received washes with light and dark brown to create some color variation.
![Album image #68 Album image #68](/albums/img/9/7/6/1655976-86785-13-720.jpg)
When dry I intend to lighten the hue of the mats with a thorough drybrushing again.
![Album image #69 Album image #69](/albums/img/9/7/7/1655977-86785-99-720.jpg)
Got sweaty palms when I think about the assembky of the slats. Looks right now that there are still a zillion things to do before I can call this one done.
![Album image #70 Album image #70](/albums/img/2/7/8/1656278-86785-17-720.jpg)
Finally got the last three antennas constructed. I tried 0.5 mm styrene rod, but the antennas taper toward the top and I couldn't replicate that. Slide to fit tubes finally did the trick. The two identical ones are made from 0.3 and 0.5 mm brass tubes topped by 0.1 mm wire. The smaller one is made from 0.4 mm brass tube and 0.2 mm copper wire
![Album image #71 Album image #71](/albums/img/2/8/2/1656282-86785-99-720.jpg)
Slat armour of the turret is finally on. A lot of dry fitting and tweaking was necessary until it finally worked.
![Album image #72 Album image #72](/albums/img/2/8/3/1656283-86785-36-720.jpg)
The manhole covers were done and placed too.
![Album image #73 Album image #73](/albums/img/2/7/9/1656279-86785-67-720.jpg)
![Album image #74 Album image #74](/albums/img/2/7/2/1656272-86785-57-720.jpg)
Starts looking the way I envisioned it.
![Album image #75 Album image #75](/albums/img/2/7/0/1656270-86785-41-720.jpg)
![Album image #76 Album image #76](/albums/img/2/7/1/1656271-86785-47-720.jpg)
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![Album image #84 Album image #84](/albums/img/9/7/8/1660978-86785-33-720.jpg)
Added ALL the decals. That is - two. Okay, I cut one into pieces before, so it's actually four. ?
Now the registration at least starts with 85, as all 2A6 Leos in A-stan did - at least to my knowledge.
Now the registration at least starts with 85, as all 2A6 Leos in A-stan did - at least to my knowledge.
![Album image #85 Album image #85](/albums/img/9/7/7/1660977-86785-92-720.jpg)
Drilled out the headlights, painted them silver and glued glasses in I cut from a winker of a scale 1:35 M151A1.
![Album image #86 Album image #86](/albums/img/1/9/6/1662196-86785-86-720.jpg)
Boxes from all kinds if sources. Coloured in various hues of green. Metal ones received a brown wash and some metallic pigments, wooden ones got drybrushed with buff and aluminum ones were treated with an aluminum colour drybrush.
![Album image #87 Album image #87](/albums/img/1/9/8/1662198-86785-10-720.jpg)
Some will be cargo on the Leo, the rest ends up under the shade.
![Album image #88 Album image #88](/albums/img/1/9/7/1662197-86785-81-720.jpg)
Closing in on the final layout of all the stuff to fill the cargo space.
![Album image #89 Album image #89](/albums/img/1/9/5/1662195-86785-74-720.jpg)
Detail shot of some details whose completion I could check off.
- umbrella mount
- cupola covers
- MG mount
- umbrella mount
- cupola covers
- MG mount
![Album image #90 Album image #90](/albums/img/1/8/2/1667182-86785-41-720.jpg)
After a bit of contemplating of how to do it I finally managed to construct the supprts for the rear slat armour. I-beams 1,5 x 1,0 were cut longitudinally and bent to shape. The top row is just glued to the attachment points, the lower row received wire inserts (0,3mm) to enhance stability.
![Album image #91 Album image #91](/albums/img/1/8/3/1667183-86785-98-720.jpg)
The side slat armour requires quite some identical supports. To achieve a homogeneous appearance the cut 0.75 x 0.75 styrene rods were put on tape and their ends sanded evenly.
![Album image #92 Album image #92](/albums/img/1/8/1/1667181-86785-84-720.jpg)
This worked to my satisfaction.
![Album image #93 Album image #93](/albums/img/7/9/9/1668799-86785-36-720.jpg)
0.3 mm wire studs placed where supports are needed.
![Album image #94 Album image #94](/albums/img/7/9/6/1668796-86785-36-720.jpg)
Leo goes porcupine. One row of supports done. The front armour has a second lower row which is prepared for painting. T-34 PE track parts served as braces.
![Album image #95 Album image #95](/albums/img/7/9/4/1668794-86785-13-720.jpg)
Starts looking like a canadian Leo.
![Album image #96 Album image #96](/albums/img/7/9/7/1668797-86785-62-720.jpg)
![Album image #97 Album image #97](/albums/img/7/9/8/1668798-86785-62-720.jpg)
![Album image #98 Album image #98](/albums/img/7/9/5/1668795-86785-94-720.jpg)
Final chore of the day: building new mirrors. 0.3 and 0.5 mm slide to fit brass tubes came in handy for that. The Barracuda mat had to be modified a bit to accomodate the mirror struts.
![Album image #99 Album image #99](/albums/img/1/2/9/1669129-86785-37-720.jpg)
The mats for the hull are layouted according to the information available to me. The perforated layer will be next.
![Album image #100 Album image #100](/albums/img/1/3/0/1669130-86785-22-720.jpg)
![Album image #101 Album image #101](/albums/img/9/4/5/1670945-86785-11-720.jpg)
One side of the hulls Barracuda mats constructed, trimmed and put - so, ready for paint.
![Album image #102 Album image #102](/albums/img/0/2/5/1673025-86785-87-720.jpg)
Finally done. All the hulls mats are ready for color.
![Album image #103 Album image #103](/albums/img/0/3/5/1673035-86785-55-720.jpg)
...and dirt.
Pigments - bought and collected - with and without fixing fluid were used to dust the cat up.
Pigments - bought and collected - with and without fixing fluid were used to dust the cat up.
![Album image #104 Album image #104](/albums/img/0/3/0/1673030-86785-27-720.jpg)
To enhance details washes and good ol dry brushing were used in conjunction with the pigments.
![Album image #105 Album image #105](/albums/img/0/2/1/1673021-86785-15-720.jpg)
As seen on some real life pics some of the mats were shown peeled off were the velcro didn't work anymore. Made from aluminium this was easily achieved by bendind and coloring the inside grey.
![Album image #106 Album image #106](/albums/img/0/3/1/1673031-86785-58-720.jpg)
Some more little detail painting.
![Album image #107 Album image #107](/albums/img/0/2/6/1673026-86785-96-720.jpg)
To my pleasant surprise mounting the slat armour on my home made struts appeared to be much easier than expected.
![Album image #108 Album image #108](/albums/img/0/1/8/1673018-86785-94-720.jpg)
So all that's missing now are the cargo for the turret, the second row of struts and to mount the antennas.
That seems doable. ?
That seems doable. ?
![Album image #109 Album image #109](/albums/img/0/1/9/1673019-86785-23-720.jpg)
![Album image #110 Album image #110](/albums/img/0/2/2/1673022-86785-43-720.jpg)
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To rehydrate the guys I added some beverages in bottles and cans. The latter were cut from 0.8mm rod, painted with Alclad airframe aluminum and decorated with scavenged decals.
![Album image #116 Album image #116](/albums/img/8/4/8/1673848-86785-80-720.jpg)
All other stuff has been fixed for good.
![Album image #117 Album image #117](/albums/img/8/4/9/1673849-86785-23-720.jpg)
I seized the opportunity to add some splashes of color.
![Album image #118 Album image #118](/albums/img/8/5/0/1673850-86785-41-720.jpg)
Homing in with the turret. The antennas and the umbrella are just tucked into thier supports so that I can easily separate them for transport.
![Album image #119 Album image #119](/albums/img/8/5/1/1673851-86785-10-720.jpg)
Two or three more bits and the turret is done for good.
![Album image #120 Album image #120](/albums/img/7/2/6/1678726-86785-51-720.jpg)
Finally the second row of the slat armour struts are fashioned and mounted.
![Album image #121 Album image #121](/albums/img/7/2/3/1678723-86785-61-720.jpg)
The front segments have a lower row of supports.
![Album image #122 Album image #122](/albums/img/7/2/5/1678725-86785-46-720.jpg)
On the left side only two supports were needed as the first one was removed due to the heavy bending of the slats. Where supports have been some red color was added as can be seen on the real vehicles.
![Album image #123 Album image #123](/albums/img/7/2/4/1678724-86785-16-720.jpg)
The top row of the supports were constructed as outlined in pic 90.
![Album image #124 Album image #124](/albums/img/7/2/7/1678727-86785-36-720.jpg)
One or two needed to be redone and are still in want of a coat of color.
![Album image #125 Album image #125](/albums/img/3/0/6/1679306-86785-50-720.jpg)
Hull completed, turret attached.
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Started 10 years ago it is a great feeling to see this one finished.
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The last two steps were the addition of the tow bars and the cables.
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Here some details at the supports are visible.
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I wanted to use the scissors scope under the shade. But I didn't like the tripod. After a bit of pondering I build a new one.
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That's pretty much the way I want it to look like.
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Let's bring a bit of life to the base.
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Added some detail shots for the fun of it.
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The last bits and pieces received the first coat of color.
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Painting done. Redid the sleeping pad. I like the blue color better than the orange.
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But not only the tidbits received attention, the basegot a decent makeover too. Groundwork needed some leveling in places. Painting it was necessary again as a result, followed by some washes to add variation, highlights and shades. A drybrush followed for ground and Hesco bags. At the latter to emphasize the metal basket that surrounds them. The red basket was filled with some towels that I cut from aluminium foil. Folding, priming, painting, drybrushing and varnishing followed.
![Album image #158 Album image #158](/albums/img/5/4/5/1687545-86785-26-720.jpg)
Grrr. Trying to protect the base from the pigments I put tape around it. Some peel off has now to be fixed.
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But the base is done now
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Let's fix this stuff for good.
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Fixed and done.
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Not entirely happy with this part, but this will have to do.
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A more convincing perspective IMHO.
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For a sense of scale.
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Wasn't happy with the foreground and modified it a bit. The equipment stand was secured with some rocks. Now it won't topple over all the time. The even ground received some more pigments and little gravel to make it look more convincing.
![Album image #181 Album image #181](/albums/img/2/9/9/1703299-86785-34-720.jpg)
And the badge arrived...
Opmerkingen
101 12 October 2021, 23:10
![](/profiles/img/102691-453-s.png)
Great detail work, respect for the processing!
A really impressive work for 72'.
The whole dio is very nice to my taste🙂👍
23 October 2021, 20:39
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Wow! Thanks for point me at this build. Very much interested in the Canadian stuff. I only experienced the Leopard C1, but my Iltis nearly got run over by a German Leo 2 back in the '90s. Your building the what-if I never had 👍
8 November 2021, 04:11
![](/profiles/img/25429-812-s.png)
Those Barracuda mats look awesome! I've been trying to find a solution for those for a Swedish Leopard, but I might try your approach as it looks really realistic. 👍
8 November 2021, 07:43
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Count me in Michael. Looks very convincing. And a great composition on the base 👍
8 November 2021, 07:58
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Thanks folks for your interest and sorry for the (very 🙈) late reply. It is cool to have you folks around whose builds I like to follow. 🙂
@Rui: I read the canadians learned some bitter lessons with the Iltis in Afghanistan and discarded them rather quickly.
I hope with the figures done, this project will see some more progress.
12 August 2022, 14:35
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Fantastic job! Thanks for showing your assembly methods. I'm just starting to do some armor kits and this is a wonderful tutorial. Amazing work in the small figures as well. What kind of brushes do you use?
22 August 2022, 04:20
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Hello Michael,
some cool stuff going on here, looks very well, indeed!
2 September 2022, 10:20
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Hi mates. Sorry for the late reply. This build slid down - another time - the priority list a bit. But with two projects progressing nicely I should be able to commence it again soon.
Thanks for your warm words.
22 December 2022, 11:07
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Thanks Finn for the heads up. Plan is to finish it for Moson in April.
28 December 2023, 00:46
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Took this one out of the shelf for another time, sorted all the bits and pieces and restarted it again. Some detail painting commenced and loose tracks repaired. Damage by time and handling assessed and repaired. I gotta finish it this time.
2 January, 10:44
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Good thing you dusted this one off as it is an interesting build. I am particularly interested in the way you tackle that Barracuda camo. Very inventive! 👍🏼
2 January, 11:50
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Very interesting, the mats look like the zimmerit of the XXI century 😉
3 January, 15:55
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Thanks Patrick and Lukasz.
I cannot take credit for the Barracuda-technique as I found a good tutorial for a camouflage net on the net. I just adapted the technique to scale 1:72 and played around with some materials. I still haven't made up my mind as which version it finally will be. The alu/alu version looks a bit too coarse but more 3 dimensional while the alu/paper version looks a bit too flat and dull. I will color and wash both for a test and then decide.
4 January, 07:27
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Had a good go yesterday and some progress was achieved. Cross fingers that the momentum lasts. 🙂
7 January, 14:47
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Welcome to the show. 🙂
Steps by step I inch this eternal project forward.
26 January, 10:09
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Was breaking my head about the sequence of the chores left to do. When and how to add the slat armour. It will be very challenging to align all the pieces - no matter whether I start up front or from the rear. And when mounted the whole piece will be very, very, VERY fragile.
30 January, 10:34
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@Michael ... the typical modellers life. Sometimes it sucks *lol*
I love the details you're working into the kit and the diorama. That is so good to watch.
31 January, 05:49
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Thanks folks for the cheer ups.
Yesterday I made a bigger step and put most of the Barracuda mats on the turret.
2 February, 07:24
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That umbrella makes me expect some towels, cocktails and sunscreen underneath 😄
2 February, 09:41
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Brave and really well done taking on the Barracudas! Impressive to say the least
2 February, 09:52
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@Łukasz:
😀 Haven't seen any such item on the pics available to me, but hey, nice idea. I should still have a folding chair somewhere. Maybe I add it. When I first saw the umbrella I knew I had to fashion one, as this is quite a special feature of this tank.
@Finn: Thanks mate. Was quite a piece of research, try and error and error and error to develop the technique. But now I am quite happy with it.
3 February, 20:42
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More details are constructed. MG mount and all antennas are ready for color. Turret slat armour is finally placed after a lot of try and error and dry fitting. Not yet glued as I want to recheck all alignments after a break.
6 February, 15:29
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Thanks Jennifer. I could check off two more details off the to do list (decals and glass on the headlights).
Started to design, construct and build the supports for the slat atmour of the hull. Getting them all even poses quite a challenge for me. Some worked, other I will have to redo.
11 February, 13:45
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Bogged down in details. Finished more and more of the stuff the canadian Leos were crammed with. MiniWorld provided the beautiful FN240 and the gun support received some more details.
Actually, when delivered to the Canadians, the 2A6-Leos had german MG3 mounted. For whatever reason, the Canadians liked their FN240 better and - as the cupola ring of the 2A6 and the MEXAS are identical they swapped them guns.
12 February, 19:01
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Indeed.
Some progress was achieved in a nice modelling session with a friend. The rear struts for the slat armour are mounted and so are the first ones at the sides. Hope to get this done this week. But before I can actually mount the armour, the Barracuda mats have to be placed.
19 February, 20:21
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Thanks Shar. So far I am happy how this develops and I hope the wave that carries me right now will continue to do so till the finish line.
Robert, don't say something like that. You make me blush. 😳😊
No wizardry involved. Fiddly yes, but nothing impossible. I am only willing to spend the extra effort on some of my builds.
21 February, 22:41
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Turret received almost all the final details and was weathered with some pigments. Antennas and umbrella found their place too but can be disassembled if necessary.
28 February, 18:04
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Second row of supports for the hull's slat armour is finally done. Thus all the slat armour is complete.
6 March, 08:28
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WOW... mehr kann man da nicht sagen. In dem Maßstab noch die Barracuda-Matten selber herstellen.... Top
7 March, 07:46
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Whoah!!! Picture 150 had me thinking it was a reference picture of the real deal! 👌🏼
9 March, 10:37
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Hi Patrick. Yeah, I think it is the chocolate side of this build and I really like that shot too. Nice thought that it fooled you for a moment.
Happy sunday.
10 March, 10:51
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Hi Dominik,
quite a bit of heart and soul went into this build. To see that it elicits comments like yours is very rewarding. Thanks for that.
12 March, 00:06
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Trying to represent a bit of the atmosphere of such a forward base. Built a crude wooden box and bench. Tried Uschi van der Rosten's wood decals. They worked quite well. Not happy yet with the color of the sleeping pat. Will probably change that. Brush painting next.
13 March, 20:36
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The base itself needed some attention too. Fixing blemishes from time and handling, correcting overspray and overbrush, tweaking the groundwork and improving the color of it.
Now all that seems to be left are some pigments and the final fixation of all the gear. Today even? Maybe work permits it.
17 March, 06:24
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Calling it ready. Finally. After ten years.
Happy with the tank.
Happy with the left side of the base.
On the right side I didn't quite achieve the feel I was striving for, but I'm good.
Thanks girls and guys that you've been sticking around, for your encouragement and nice feedback. Much appreciated.
20 March, 16:02
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All that detailed work…
…in 1/72 scale. Only one word comes to mind : masterpiece!
20 March, 16:57
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Congratulations Michael! Very well done and a perfect closure for ten years of visioning what you built here.
20 March, 17:52
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Thanks a lot for the high praise. Very flattering and highly appreciated.
23 March, 09:09
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God damn! Outstanding work on the Leo!!
The camo net looks so cool 😎
Of course, the base is also an excellent piece of work!
👏👏
1/72 Scale Rocks 🤘
3 April, 18:29
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Thanks Simon for your high praise. Much cherished.
Although considered finished I still tweaked around it a bit.
9 April, 09:36
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Exquisite finish, that's gonna be a gem of every modellers' meetup. Great to see the dog and the beach gear 😄
9 April, 12:16
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Thanks Łukasz. I received some nice feedback at our last club meeting already - together with some suggestions for further improvement (some advice I heeded too already and tweaked the project here and there).
The dog wanted to be on the vignette so badly. So who am I to decline that wish?! 🙂
14 April, 17:25
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Wow Michael, this turned out to be much more special than the initial display some months ago. I like that backpack inside wodden cabinet, the red box, the figure painting, the metallic planks and the mesh on the Leopard.
14 April, 17:38