Leopard 1A2 diorama and tank finished!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:41 pm

Hello everyone, last night me and my son started our build, the Italian version, of the Leopard 1A2 tank. It will be a tribute build for my dad honoring his military service as a tank crew man. He will receive it Ina diorama for Father's Day ( June 19 here in USA)

The kit is the new release from Italeri from their new parnership with the online tank game "World of Tanks". The kit is very well molded with lots of details and some (very) small parts

little cleaning is required and the parts fit well together. The kit comes with instructions 3 spruces of parts rubber tracks, cement from italeri, a poster about tanks and some codes to play online the game. The instructions are nicely printed and colorful but as I found out, kinda confusing (especially for the wheels suspensions). Anyway here some pics of box and contents.

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue May 24, 2016 12:48 pm

Few more

The camo colors are from the game and sadly also the decals represent only in game tank factions

That's a problem because now I don't have the right decals to reproduce the tank my dad used.(if anyone knows where I can get some id appreciate).

Well here pics of the build now. The suspension part is kinda demanding and took me and my son 2 hours to get al fitted out to where I'm standing at. Like I said the instructions were a bit confusing on the install.

All the itty bitty parts

Quick mock up

And here is where I am now. Soon more updates!

Criticism comments and advices always welcome

Matt

Post by **Linushg** » Tue May 24, 2016 5:37 pm

Comming together really nice, are you gonna use the WoT code you got with it?
Suspension is always the most tricky part to build. Always is no matter how good the kit is.

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue May 24, 2016 5:45 pm

Linushg wrote:Comming together really nice, are you gonna use the WoT code you got with it?
Suspension is always the most tricky part to build. Always is no matter how good the kit is.

Thanks mate! Yes my eyes were going sideways

About the code;
I don't think I will use it. I don't have much time to play online games. The little free time I have I use it to model. If you play I can send it to you tru PM

Post by **Linushg** » Tue May 24, 2016 7:01 pm

I play the game on a daily basis so it would be really apreciated if i could get it!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue May 24, 2016 7:13 pm

Linushg wrote:I play the game on a daily basis so it would be really apreciated if i could get it!

No problem as soon as I get home I'll send it to you

Post by **Sturm** » Tue May 24, 2016 7:23 pm

Looking great, eager to see the finished kit. My local hobby shop has the Sherman and Tiger but their over priced at $50, too expensive for me!

This got me a little curious, why is the box art printing backwards?

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue May 24, 2016 8:07 pm

Sturm wrote:Looking great, eager to see the finished kit. My local hobby shop has the Sherman and Tiger but their over priced at $50, too expensive for me!

This got me a little curious, why is the box art printing backwards?

Lol sorry I think it's my fault I was trying to rotate the original image and I guess I have flipped it instead

Damn photobucket!

Post by **Sturm** » Tue May 24, 2016 8:45 pm

Madmattmodels89 wrote: Lol sorry I think it's my fault I was trying to rotate the original image and I guess I have flipped it instead

Damn photobucket!

Oh haha, I thought maybe they messed up the printing.

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Wed May 25, 2016 7:46 am

Update time

So this kit has crazy small parts and lots of them. The detail is very good but the instructions are completely wrong. They called for spruce "B" when the part was on "A". But moving along.

I did some minor scratch building (my first attempt) I did the rear mud flaps and I tried to build an ammo can for the MG.

Here few pics
Hull closed

Super small parts

My mud flaps

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Wed May 25, 2016 7:53 am

Here the rest. There was a gap between the front plate and hull

So wife stepped in and with some acrylic nail powder and monomer she buttoned it up for me. That stuff is amazing!

Just have to sand it next.

Few more pics

Well few things missing and I need to find some more info of the specific tank options my dad had.

Next painting! Stay tuned!

Criticism comments always welcome

Matt

Post by **Sturm** » Wed May 25, 2016 8:46 am

Now its starting to look like a Tank, nice job with the scratch building

I like modeling tanks but I hate the dreaded suspension assembly, maybe that's why I like building aircraft more.

If you think these parts are small try building a 1/48 tank, or even a '72.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Wed May 25, 2016 8:57 pm

Looks good, best wishes for the build mate hope you make it by Fathers Day

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Wed May 25, 2016 9:27 pm

Sturm wrote:Now its starting to look like a Tank, nice job with the scratch building I like modeling tanks but I hate the dreaded suspension assembly, maybe that's why I like building aircraft more.

If you think these parts are small try building a 1/48 tank, or even a '72.

Thanks buddy I hope to get to the paint stages this weekend!

Kevthemodeller wrote:Looks good, best wishes for the build mate hope you make it by Fathers Day

Thanks mate!

I will do my best, still have to paint it and make the base for it!

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu May 26, 2016 7:56 am

I take it your dad was on Leopard's then?

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Thu May 26, 2016 12:11 pm

Kevthemodeller wrote:I take it your dad was on Leopard's then?

Yes! During his military service he was on a leopard tank from the 3rd mechanized brigade "Goito" 4th battalion M.O. "Passalacqua" stationed at Solbiate Olona in Italy.

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Thu May 26, 2016 2:49 pm

Ah Italian army, I didn't know they used them, you learn something every day

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Sat May 28, 2016 8:29 am

Hello all! New update!

Finally finished all the construction, I added the scratch builder tow cable cause the one from the kit was very flimsy. I also matched fully the tank to the exact set up my father had back then. I will use the figurine from the kit as it matches perfectly the uniform used by Italian tank crewman. I modified its posture to make it look like he is smoking a cigarette, as you can see I also scratch builded the cigarette itself!

Here some pics

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Sat May 28, 2016 8:38 am

I also went ahead and painted the tank!

Started with some black matte primer, followed by Vallejo olive drab as a base, then using the same Vallejo olive drab I had in the airbrush I added 2 drops of Vallejo yellow sand to make the highlights, added 2 drops every time I went over .

After I was done I brushed the highest places like hinges with the lightest mixture I had to show more contrast.

Lastly I applied a first pin wash with the Vallejo desert sand watered down. Here few pics of the process.

After will come a clear gloss coat, followed by a dark wash dust with pigments and finally matte coat to seal it all up.

Let me know what you guys think as this is the first time I actually attemp this kind of techniques!

Criticism comments advices always welcome!

Matt

Post by **Linushg** » Sat May 28, 2016 1:24 pm

Its looking awsome!!!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Sat May 28, 2016 4:10 pm

Thanks buddy! I took some outside pics in natural light!

Must say it looks pretty close to the real thing!

Here it is the real thing for quick comparison

Let me know what ya think

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Fri Jun 03, 2016 4:31 am

Hello all!

Little update, I removed some of the dust wash I put on and also added some scuffing / chipping by showing the primer I put on. I was able to order the decals I need for the Italian army directly from italeri in Italy and they are on the way. I will clear coat gloss next add decals and more detail in the paInt!

Here few pics

As always your comments are very important!

Thanks in advance

Post by **Bissyboat** » Sat Jun 04, 2016 9:32 pm

I like that squiggly camo on the color guide.

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Mon Jun 06, 2016 12:18 pm

Yes it's nice that camo is for the game types , definitely will try it on another model

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue Jun 07, 2016 8:51 pm

Update!

Got done with the diorama base. I tried my best to recreate asphalt with the use of Paris plaster and believe it or not kitty litter.

Here the base

Here in the final trim
Added some grass

With the tank on in the final position and weathered

I added the smoke to the cigar the figure is smoking hope y'all can see it

The tank needs a coat of matte and then more dust. After so I will call this done. Still have to make the plaque thou

Please let me know what y'all think

Thanks in advance comments advices always welcome

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Thu Jun 09, 2016 12:29 am

Wow though crowd . Anyone?

Post by **Sturm** » Thu Jun 09, 2016 6:20 am

Pretty sweet!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:15 am

Alright gentlemen, I have decided to go for the "on the field" look of the tank. I was able to obtain pics of the actual tank used by my dad tru a family friend that was with my dad training at that time. Seems like the running gear was covered by a thick yellowish mud.

Here a pic of the actual tank in action

And here my rendering

Since I changed the "setting" I will have to update also the diorama base to a muddy scene.

Any comments are very welcome!!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Sun Jun 19, 2016 8:39 am

Ok guys here is the final post for the diorama. I reworked the base and reweathered the tank. I also added an extra figure. The decals for the Italian army got here just in time from italeri. I scratch made part of the tarp in the basket and added the antennae tie downs.I appreciate any comments.

Thanks in advance

Here the pics

Post by **Kevthemodeller** » Sun Jun 19, 2016 4:56 pm

Very nice

Post by **demarcation** » Sun Jun 19, 2016 7:14 pm

Looks great mate!!

Post by **OneSmallStep1966** » Sun Jun 19, 2016 8:01 pm

Fantastic, well done

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 3:24 am

Thanks fellas! Lots of work put in this one. Onto the next one!

YouTube · Post by **NorthernModeller** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 2:36 pm

I really do like this. well done

Post by **InitialProduction1** » Mon Jun 20, 2016 5:43 pm

Wow awesome build Madmattmodels89. Ivery always thought the leopard tank was an awesome vehicle. Great job.

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Tue Jun 21, 2016 5:18 pm

Thanks to all , many techniques I picked up here on the forum so thanks to all for the learning! Now I'm planning a new diorama on North Africa... Will see soon

Post by **wavelet** » Wed Jun 22, 2016 9:54 am

Very nice build indeed!

Post by **FuzzSquad** » Sat Jun 25, 2016 12:19 am

Some lovely work there, one day I'll attempt some armour one day.....

Post by **Bissyboat** » Sun Jun 26, 2016 9:43 pm

Great job mate!

Post by **Naedrux** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 3:40 pm

Damn, those old Leopard tanks are really cool, and your rendition of it is superb!

Post by **Madmattmodels89** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 5:39 pm

Naedrux wrote:Damn, those old Leopard tanks are really cool, and your rendition of it is superb!

Thanks to all for the kids words!