(I’ll leave the spots for an “arteeest” like Renarts to handle)
I got this kit on “Free-bay” (for very little) - it was going to be a “test” model for a nato color scheme, but it turned out pretty good.
I always thought the new stuff was too smooth and sterile. I have to admit, I definetly have more of a pull to modern armor than I did before. The size, the low profile, - I like it.
Anyway, this kit was tough. Not hard - tough, more like - not good - tough. I spent alot of time staring off into space while holding pieces in a vise like grip to keep them straight and together. The side skirts were the worst. There was a lot of “air gluing” because I don’t know what else held it. The wheels were so wacked out, I had to break them off and re-glue them to the tracks to keep them straight and level. (Beware you hobby-craft buyers)
It’s out of the box - no PE or add-ons
The camo, I think is maybe a little too jagged. (but I mucked it up) Other than that, I think it came out pretty good.
After fresh coat of piaint. Re-did areas - I wanted the tank to be more black than green
There was no “stretched sprue method” used at any time in the making of this model
I’ll completely stay away from the gun … I promise.
Looks great Jim … nice subtle weathering. Sometimes we all need a kit that’s a little “tough” to make us work at it. You’ve done an excellent job of getting over these hurtles.
nice one, build22 !
modern armor is just so cool! i just like the size, speed, firepower and (last but not least) crew survivabilty of afvs like abrams, challenger, leopard and merkava, not to mention the ‘post-apocalyptic sportscar’ vibe many of them have. i have a special fondness for that low rear 3/4 view in pix of afvs like in ur 3rd pic because it really makes them look so tough… and i’d rather not be looking down the barrel of a 120mm gun !!![;)]
and ur NATO camo looks top-notch… outstanding ! i hope i can do as good a job on my 1/72 hasegawa Leopard 2 !
frosty
Great job, Jim. I’m not much of a modern armor fan (sorry guys), but you Leopard makes me want to build one of my own! (Just not a Trumpter, apparently!)
Bill :
might i be so bold as to suggest the hasegawa 1/72 Leopard as a break between 1/35 endeavors ?[:D]
on the othe hand, tamiya has a very nice Leopard 2A5 in 1/35 that looks like it might be fun… go ahead, try a modern piece, u might just like it !!! [:p]
frosty[:)]
Nice one Jim…! Just one think you can add: You see those little rectangles at the bottom of the side skirts…? (2 of them on each side). They are supposed to be holes in the ‘skirt’. Either use a minidril and knifes to ‘cut them out’ or paint them in flat black to ive the impresion of ‘emptiness’.
Caveman - thanks again for pointing that out - I’m glad I fixed it early enough
Sherm - you’re right - alittle adversity is good now and then. And it’s no big deal if you have enough putty on hand. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. ( well maybe wining a little) I’m just sharing the experience so somebody else can benefit by it.
Frosty and Wipw - I’m hooked - I actually bought Revell’s Leopard 1A4 - Bill, I felt the same way. I liked the way you can weather all those nice raised panels.
Mark956 - sorry, no contests - I just do it for fun
DJ - thanks for the comments and tip. I’m not going to repost for that one.
Demono, Erock, lizardqing, and History thanks for your comments
