HobbyBoss Leopard 2A4 & Trumpeter 570P 'Diehl' tracks 1/35

[HWGuderian23]

Entry - the kit(s):

Hey folks!

This will be the very first time I'm going to share some of my work with you guys. I'm a newbie and my skills are quite limited (so I'm antsy )!
Anyways ... it will also be the very first time I'm going to use ...

1. PE-parts, and
2. workable after market track links.
So please cross your fingers !

1. box art:


2. upper and lower hull (very nice detailed by the way):


3. suspension parts:


4. road wheels (with poly caps):


5. diverse parts:


6. gun, fenders, parts for the turret:


7. turret and more parts:


8. PE and (string)towline :


9. decal and clear parts for the periscopes:


10. ugly HobbyBoss rubber tracks :


11. Trumpeter workable type 570P 'Diehl' track links :


12. and detail view:


First update will follow in a couple of days. See you arround guys ...

Please feel free to post any comments (also criticism is allowed) .

[JayCub]

im interested in your build Markus, looks like a good kit and you will like how well pe makes your model stand out, good luck with your build

Tom

[HWGuderian23]

Thank you very much Tom !

[DC87]

Nice project, cool kit, aftermarket stuff - snacks are stashed , looking forward to this building up.

Any issues just post them on here, being HobbyBoss it should go together fine. Cleaning those tracks will test your sanity.

Best of luck with the model

[HWGuderian23]

Thanks a lot DC! It's most appreciated mate !
Agree with you in terms of the tracks. I think it's going to be horrible but we will see ...

[HWGuderian23]

Update # 1: road wheels, suspension and lower hull

Found some time to start the adventure on the Leo during the week. Now, here is my first report (please excuse my awful English - hopefully you’ll occasionally understand what I mean at least) …

Commenced assembling the road wheels as customary and it went off without a hitch unsurprisingly. Nonetheless here are two supplementary notes as well:

1. All parts are covered with flash (not exclusively the road wheels – even the poly caps as you hopefully can see) that you have to take your time to clean them all up.

2. Use care on assembling the divided sprocket wheels cos of fitting issues! Both parts of one single sprocket wheel gotta adjust exactly to one another. Otherwise the tracks doesn’t figure later on.





Following suspension assembling:
Ugly pinmarks on each suspension arm … but don’t panic! It’s not as bad as it looks. Sanding smooth slightly is quite enough (no filler needed). On the right-hand side you can see one part before sanding and another one after reworking on the left:



The suspension arms have to be lined up (to both sides) in any case as several connectors have much circumferential backlash. If you don’t use caution here your cat will set askew.



Already seen this oddly centre distances on other kits but haven’t any idea what’s the point of that . That’s not how it goes at the real vehicle I guess, is it ? Maybe one of you knows … ????



My very first PE (“Leitkreuz”) is glued in place .
As far as I know both of these maintenance apertures (red marks) on the rear hull are usually covered with one plate each. The Bundeswehr usually attached the NATO-standardized tactical sign (branch of service, unit number) on the left plate and the vehicle registration mark on the right. Unfortunately there are no conforming parts included that a little scratch work was needed …



Used a styrene-sheet to cut the two plates to shape (the right one must be angled at it) …



Now a little fine-tuning: At the original vehicles two gib heads jut out upon the plates which I’ve tried to recreate. Sadly no punch-and-die tool was available so I had to improvise …
With a gimlet I’ve drilled two holes in each plate to define the gibs position exactly.



Afterwards the forward end of a paperclip was blunted with a file. Then I shoved the wire through the drilled hole that the rounded end protruded a little bit, cut the surplus wire off and super-glued the rivet from behind.



And that’s the result …



Thought that’s good enough for me and glued both in place (and I’m afraid that the “Leitkreuz” is placed too high as I see right now) …



Any more pinmarks . Some Plasto needed …





Finally I’ve super-glued a screw-nut at the inner surface of the hull to affix my painting-handle onto. The handle is made of roundwood in which I’ve drilled a hole to stick a threaded rot into. The threaded rot gets fixed with superglue onto the roundwood.



A butterfly nut at the handle itself serves as a locknut.





Assembling stage until now …



My preliminary conclusion up to here:

The kit worth its money I guess. I’ve paid less than 20 € for it and got several nice detailed parts inclusively one PE-sheet and a few clear parts for the periscopes so I can’t complain !
However … the kit always has its weak points that’s a given! There are some fitting issues and most parts are covered with ever so much flash in conspicuous or at hard-to-reach spots. But anyways … you can’t have everything.
That’s it for now! Next update will follow maybe next week and will hopefully deal with the track assembling (that’s what I intend to do for once – and I’m Brad Pitt-scared of it )…

Please feel free to post any comments (also criticism is allowed)!

[garywintin]

Very detailed wip.. very detailed indeed.... Personally, I don't care that much about accuracies as long as I have fun and 20 euro is as steal... even with the flaws, once painted, this will become a very nice model so everybody wins here

[rm6239]

Markus, looking to be a great build and informative, I've never seen those tracks used before, going to be very interested in seeing them come together.

cheers
Rossco

[HWGuderian23]

Very detailed wip.. very detailed indeed.... Personally, I don't care that much about accuracies as long as I have fun and 20 euro is as steal... even with the flaws, once painted, this will become a very nice model so everybody wins here

Totally agree with you Gary - everybody wins buying this kit (even with the flaws). The price of the kit is UNBEATABLE indeed and you get many very well detailed parts (especially the upper hull looks stunning). All flaws I pointed out (up to here) are relatively easy to handle and could never be an exclusion criterion.
Also agree with you in terms of the accuracies - you should never overdo things. The only reason why I've covered the maintenance apertures on the rear hull was cos of better attaching the decals (tactical sign and vehicle registration mark) in this area later on.

Thanks for you interest mate - I really appreciate it

[JayCub]

Markus your doing a fine job and a great tutorial as you go along, im enjoying following along

[HWGuderian23]

Markus, looking to be a great build and informative, I've never seen those tracks used before, going to be very interested in seeing them come together.

cheers
Rossco

Thank you very much for your interest Rossco - I really appreciate it mate !
I plan on doing the track assembling one of these days that you should be able to see it by the end of next week (hopefully)!

[HWGuderian23]

Markus your doing a fine job and a great tutorial as you go along, im enjoying following along

Glad you like it Tom and thank you very much for you interest mate - I really appreciate it

P.S.: Pardon me mate but I'm a newbie that this could never be a tutorial . I just try to describe what I'm doing step by step from the viewpoint of a newbie. But thanks again for your kindness mate

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Great progress
Looking very good!
And I love that paint handle, I'm going to steel that idea from you!

[HWGuderian23]

Great progress
Looking very good!
And I love that paint handle, I'm going to steel that idea from you!

Glad you will steal that idea Frans
The handle works always very nice for me and hopefully it will work fine for you too mate .

Thank you very much for your interest and support !

[longlance67]

very cool subject the leo is one those sexy looking machines

those tracks will certainly put you through your paces,

looking forward to keeping more,


cheers


Shane.

[HWGuderian23]

very cool subject the leo is one those sexy looking machines

those tracks will certainly put you through your paces,

looking forward to keeping more,


cheers


Shane.

You're absolutely right Shane - the Leo is a sexy looking machine indeed !
Agree with you in terms of the tracks - I'm a bit scared on doing them . But no risk no fun I guess .
Thanks for you support and interest mate

[longlance67]

Im sure the tracks wont as bad as you fear once you get into it to working on them, once you get your flow started you'll fly through them,

besides just think of that sexy beast all painted up sitting pretty on your shelf what more motivation does a man need


shane

[HWGuderian23]

Im sure the tracks wont as bad as you fear once you get into it to working on them, once you get your flow started you'll fly through them,

I'm sure you'll proved right with that I guess! We will see!

besides just think of that sexy beast all painted up sitting pretty on your shelf what more motivation does a man need

This is true enough and good motivation indeed !

[Coen]

It looks as though there aren't that many differences between your kit and the 2A6 that I'm trying to build.
I just went back and forth over your log here and saw a few things that I want to add to mine after I check my resources to confirm that the CAN2A6 had them.
Nice improvements Markus. Way to dress up the pretty girl.

[HWGuderian23]

It looks as though there aren't that many differences between your kit and the 2A6 that I'm trying to build.
I just went back and forth over your log here and saw a few things that I want to add to mine after I check my resources to confirm that the CAN2A6 had them.
Nice improvements Markus. Way to dress up the pretty girl.

You're right in terms of the common features of both kits Coen! As far as I know HobbyBoss sales a number of different Leo 2 versions from several countries (canadien, dutch, swedish, german, etc.) that I guess they're going to use some of the major constituents in each of their kits.

I'll watch your progress on the "pretty canadien girl" with largest interest especially on how you're going to do the paintjob on her !

See you arround and thanks that you've stopped by mate - I really appreciate it

[Dunhill2005]

In the Leopard, the rollers are offset because the rotating rod springs running through the whole lower hull.They are then fixed to the opposite. That is on every tank with rotating rod feathers.

HB_Leo_2A4_1_35_017_zps12c2666e.jpg (60.63 KiB) Viewed 2273 times

Sorry for useing your own pic without permission. I hope it was OK!

[HWGuderian23]

In the Leopard, the rollers are offset because the rotating rod springs running through the whole lower hull.They are then fixed to the opposite. That is on every tank with rotating rod feathers.

HB_Leo_2A4_1_35_017_zps12c2666e.jpg

Sorry for useing your own pic without permission. I hope it was OK!

Oh! Thank you very much for that information Kevin - I had not the slightest idea about this curious looking distance between the rods mate. Thanks again for sharing your background knowledge - it's most appreciated .

Ich glaube du warst Panzerpionier beim Bund oder beim InstZug? Da heißt es glaube ich "Anker wirf!" oder so.

P.S.: No worries about using the pics mate! I'm glad you're taking the time to reply the question !

[Dunhill2005]

In the Leopard, the rollers are offset because the rotating rod springs running through the whole lower hull.They are then fixed to the opposite. That is on every tank with rotating rod feathers.

HB_Leo_2A4_1_35_017_zps12c2666e.jpg

Sorry for useing your own pic without permission. I hope it was OK!

Oh! Thank you very much for that information Kevin - I had not the slightest idea about this curious looking distance between the rods mate. Thanks again for sharing your background knowledge - it's most appreciated .

Ich glaube du warst Panzerpionier beim Bund oder beim InstZug? Da heißt es glaube ich "Anker wirf!" oder so.

P.S.: No worries about using the pics mate! I'm glad you're taking the time to reply the question !

ANKER WIRF is right!!!!!!!!!

I was finally in the PzPiBtl 1 in Holzminden.I was responsible for the restoration of the main battle damage. McGyver unit

[HWGuderian23]

ANKER WIRF is right!!!!!!!!!

I was finally in the PzPiBtl 1 in Holzminden.I was responsible for the restoration of the main battle damage. McGyver unit

Then I guessed right (cos I believe to remember that I've read something about the "Dachs" you had been driven during your BW time in one of your posts - but I'm not sure)!
Holzminden - is that the garrison where PzBtl 33 was/is stationed?

[Dunhill2005]

ANKER WIRF is right!!!!!!!!!

I was finally in the PzPiBtl 1 in Holzminden.I was responsible for the restoration of the main battle damage. McGyver unit

Then I guessed right (cos I believe to remember that I've read something about the "Dachs" you had been driven during your BW time in one of your posts - but I'm not sure)!
Holzminden - is that the garrison where PzBtl 33 was/is stationed?

I drove the Dachs in Aachen. I teached young soldiers in reparing the Keiler, Bieber and the Dachs.
The PzBtl. 33 is in Luttmersen near Hannover. I was in the InstBtl. 141 at that time which repared their tanks...

What is about you? Do you served in the BW?

[HWGuderian23]

ANKER WIRF is right!!!!!!!!!

I was finally in the PzPiBtl 1 in Holzminden.I was responsible for the restoration of the main battle damage. McGyver unit

Then I guessed right (cos I believe to remember that I've read something about the "Dachs" you had been driven during your BW time in one of your posts - but I'm not sure)!
Holzminden - is that the garrison where PzBtl 33 was/is stationed?

I drove the Dachs in Aachen. I teached young soldiers in reparing the Keiler, Bieber and the Dachs.
The PzBtl. 33 is in Luttmersen near Hannover. I was in the InstBtl. 141 at that time which repared their tanks...

What is about you? Do you served in the BW?

Sadly not! Cos of some ugly knee injuries during my early years as hockey player they gave me T5. That was the end of my ambitions to become a career soldier ! But most of my family members served as Zeit- oder Berufssoldaten and I grew up in the immediate neighbourhood of the Niederauerbach-Kaserne in Zweibrücken that I always had (and have) a pronounced affinity to the BW !

[Dunhill2005]

I'm sorry to hear that with your knee

[HWGuderian23]

I'm sorry to hear that with your knee

No worries about that Kevin - I've overcome my disappointment !
But as you know: Uli Hoeneß got withdrawn from service cos he submitted to become knee pain of wearing his helmet !
That is really a sad destiny !

[reelmesh]

Great work Markus, I love the detailed step by step build!

I love the Leo, my country bought the Leo 2A6 from the Dutch army and ever since I saw them I wanted to build one. This is one sexy machine indeed.

Front row.

[HWGuderian23]

Great work Markus, I love the detailed step by step build!

I love the Leo, my country bought the Leo 2A6 from the Dutch army and ever since I saw them I wanted to build one. This is one sexy machine indeed.

Front row.

Hey Reelmesh!
Totally agree with you: the Leo is a very "impressive" vehicle indeed. If such a beast bowls along the earth shakes that much that you think yourself: "Please God, may everything turn out all right and that the driver has perceived me!"
See you arround and thanks that you've stopped by mate - I really appreciate it buddy

[reelmesh]

Great work Markus, I love the detailed step by step build!

I love the Leo, my country bought the Leo 2A6 from the Dutch army and ever since I saw them I wanted to build one. This is one sexy machine indeed.

Front row.

Hey Reelmesh!
Totally agree with you: the Leo is a very "impressive" vehicle indeed. If such a beast bowls along the earth shakes that much that you think yourself: "Please God, may everything turn out all right and that the driver has perceived me!"
See you arround and thanks that you've stopped by mate - I really appreciate it buddy

My pleasure mate!

[HamilkarBarkas]

Looks awesome already, your presentation of the building processs is extremely detailed aswell. You could sent this right away to a model building magazine and let it print there.

[HWGuderian23]

Looks awesome already, your presentation of the building processs is extremely detailed aswell. You could sent this right away to a model building magazine and let it print there.

a bit too much detailed I guess! But thank you very much for your kindness Michael and thanks for stopped by mate - much appreciate it

[HWGuderian23]

Update # 2: track assembling

Thought it would be folly doing the track job a bunch of times but there was no way around so I had to start and how shall I put it? I was really surprised cos it worked out quite well !
If you clip off the links close by the sprue, there is less excess material left to clean up. In that case it suffices sanding just slightly over the edges that it wasn’t that plenty of work I’d feared...



Cutting off the inner connectors with a small nail clipper (carefully that not damage the connector nibs or else you can trash them):





Now the actual track assembling started (no glue needed):
Placed the links on two sanding sticks that the downward pointing guide horn stood in between both sticks. Held on the connector with a tweezer and put it off the link with a flattened forceps. Don’t press too strong that the connector nib can’t break off! It took some time but finally I got the hang of it and everything worked quite well...





After that I pushed the links together while I held down one connector with a tweezer to support assembling...







Final step was slipping the pins over the centrally attached links (no glue needed) and clip off the excess sprue to complete the track assembling:



Track segment exterior rubberized tread:



Track segment interior tread:



And then the shocking result ! It doesn’t figure . The sprocket wheels were too tight that I couldn’t fit the tracks . But be that as it may! As the saying goes: “If it doesn’t fit, use a bigger hammer” …



Widening the sprocket wheels was the only game in town and I’ve done so. Used a sanding stick to file the sidewalls off that the sprocket wheels get wide enough to fit the tracks…



Worked out really well and the tracks figured now :





Track assembling completed:





My take on the Trumpeter tracks:

I’m pleasantly surprised by the kit . I’ve paid some 17 € therefor and it worth its money I guess. Assembling wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought first. Some patience was demanded that’s for sure but nothing much. It cost me approximately six hours assembling all 168 track links (84 per side, cleaning the parts inclusive) but I did it in a quite relaxing manner that I’m sure the pros among yourselves will make it within three hours or four. Also couldn’t recognize any considerable fitting issues on the tracks itself. All inaccuracies related with the much too tight sprocket wheels or on a differ reading with an oversized track – not definitively sure about that.

Up to here I had lots of fun building the kit! Next update will follow soon (hopefully) ...

Please feel free to post any comments (also criticism is allowed)!

[longlance67]

Markus great job on the tracks mate



Shane

[HWGuderian23]

Markus great job on the tracks mate



Shane

Thanks Shane!
Its assembling worked out quite well that I was really suprised .

[Radzy]

Good work on tracks buddy.
Great update and thanks for all warnings about problems with fitting parts.

Cheers,
Radek

[HWGuderian23]

Good work on tracks buddy.
Great update and thanks for all warnings about problems with fitting parts.

Cheers,
Radek

Thanks brother! Glad you like it

[Coen]

Markus, you have almost infinitely more patience than I for building those.
Well done. They will look amazing!

[T3hGuppy]

Damn those tracks look like hard work.

They came out really nicely though I can see why you added them.

[HWGuderian23]

Markus, you have almost infinitely more patience than I for building those.
Well done. They will look amazing!

Thanks mate but it's not that bad as it looks. Assembling the links was quite relaxing (in my opinion).

[HWGuderian23]

Damn those tracks look like hard work.

They came out really nicely though I can see why you added them.

Thanks Guppy!
It's a really nice kit indeed and its assembling is not anywhere near that hard work I had feared !

[Paul]

Excellent work on those tracks mate

[rm6239]

Markus

Great work on the tracks mate and a great SBS on assembling them. All the work was worth it, they have great detail.

cheers
Rossco

[HWGuderian23]

Excellent work on those tracks mate

Thank you very much Paul!

[HWGuderian23]

Markus

Great work on the tracks mate and a great SBS on assembling them. All the work was worth it, they have great detail.

cheers
Rossco

Thanks a lot Rossco! Glad you like it mate.
You're definitely right, the kit worth its money .

[NorthernSwede]

Good job on the tracks. Looked really fiddly

[HWGuderian23]

Good job on the tracks. Looked really fiddly

Thanks Stefan! It's not that fiddly as it looks mate.

[longlance67]

This build has already got the all makings of show stopping with all the attention and care your putting it Markus


cant wait to see more


Shane

[HWGuderian23]

This build has already got the all makings of show stopping with all the attention and care your putting it Markus


cant wait to see more


Shane

Thanks for your kindness Shane! Sometimes I get lost in details I guess .
Looking forward to your Stryker project buddy ...