You may have seen my Leopard 1 updating build over the last two years. Leopard 1 updating build
That was a double meaning, I updated the tank to more modern standards to compete on a modern battlefield with modeling changes as well as I experimented with the chassis and turret to update it to modern RC standards as a full option RC IR tank.
With that project completed successfully I am moving on to my collection of NIB tanks to use the process I developed in the updating build.
With everything I have collected I have 3 and a half tanks.
It breaks down like this, one used clutch drive chassis/hull, one used clutch drive chassis only, one 2000s era static kit, one 80s era motorized plastic hull kit and two Perfect Scale 1/1a5 turret kits.
The motorized kit I paid a ton of money for because it has a dual motor tranny picture on the box and was new but turns out its not worth buying. it has a plastic hull plastic arms with molded on tortion bars and a cheesy dual hobby motor weak tranny with a wired hand remote control. So the used clutch drive chassis with worn out wheels and missing parts will be substituted under that build. The used chassis/hull will get one of the 1/1a5 turrets as will the "Motorized" kit.

I am preparing right now to modify the arms for bearings and then run all the wheels through my buddy's lathe when hes not doing jeep jobs. Then I will convert the shocks to operational with springs and guides as before, with two per side in the rear and one per side in the front. Last for the chassis will be converting the return rollers over to ball bearings. I did this successfully on the 1a7 updating build but ti wipes out the detail on the return roller. Since I plan on at least one early plain Leopard 1 without side skirts I may not put them on that tank and run the rollers as is, though I experienced lost rollers on the 1a7 build from them wearing too much and just sliding off thats what prompted the bearing conversion. I probably should just do the bearings on all the tanks. Last is the trany conversions. The Static kit tank will receive a custom ETO tranny while the other two will receive henglong tranys.