Leopard Club : Reader's Models

Reader's Models

Jürgen Schulz

Gepard

This is the Tamiya kit from 1977 and it was built back in 2002. I used the old PE-part set from Eduard, the HKCW track and did some scratch work.

These were the modifications:

The first three swing-arms and axles were cut and moved 1.5 mm forward. This was an easy but effective way to construct the gap between the 3rd and 4th road wheel.
The toolbox on the left side above the end of the APU exhaust (it is not included in the kit)
The incorrect Tamiya fenders were replaced on the front with leftovers from an Nichimo Leopard 1A3.
The driver's compartment was completely made from scratch. I took photos of the dashboard and the APU-control from the user's manual (TDv 2350/026-12), colourised and printed them.
The decals, apart from crosses and number plates, were custom made.

Bergepanzer 2

Resin kit from Perfect Scale with interior. The tracks were replaced with Bronco tracks for the AS90. I modified the doors on the left side and the crane. They were replaced and are now moveable. The MG was equipped with an AA-sight (PE part).

Fahrschulpanzer

The model used the Heller 1A2 kit. If you say that Heller means 'hell', you're right. In fact, it should be renamed as 'the hellest'.

The cabin is a vacform model from Airmodel.

The following modifications took place:

The tools were removed and the brackets for them made from scratch.
I replaced the road wheels and the tracks with parts from Italeri.
I replaced the ugly toolbox on the rear panel with a self-made one.
The dummy barrel was made from evergreen profile.
The roof railing, the wipers and the mirrors for the cabin were made from wire and plastic sheet.
The interior of the cabin was made from scratch.
The decals, apart from the number plates, were custom made.

I will rework the model in the future and replace the hull.