Don,

I measured the torsion bar wire and it measures out to 1.5mm in diameter.

Will,

Definitely have to find something other than the grass, because after taking the hull top off, I found out that both rear shock housings are missing the guard covers. Just ripped em' both off, even with the ABS cement I used. Probably happened from those sticks that I need to pick up in the yard. Found one of them, but will have to use an extra from the kit for the other side. Might just leave them off, too.

Dirt, here I come!

Oh, yeah!

Anyone try to shoehorn a Venom 4200 or 4600 battery into one of these things?

I tried a 4200 and it just doesn't fit! [:@]

You can bet I'll be a cuttin' some off of that battery tray though! Gotta have more gas!!!

Cool, thanks. Gives me ideas for other vehicles.

Don

By the way,

What DMD unit do you put in your rabbit?

Mike

I didnt realise Germans made 1/16 rabbits!

Is it a panzerbunny or a Kublerrabbit?

Leopard A4UK [:@][:-][X(]

The rabbits make rabbits. If only DMD units could replicate so fast.

The bunnies are more worried about the hawks and probably welcome a decoy running around the yard to throw them off. Even if one of the hawks should try and 'steal' the Leo, I'd still probably be laughing too hard to really care. Hopefully, I get a picture of it if it happens!

Back to the drawing board.

Put the turret basket back on; removed the yellow tape and blanket camo. The camo material really didn't fair so well. It did nothing but shred to pieces with use. That and the front piece that hangs down caught in the track and was chewed up quite a bit. Good thing it was only held on with thread, as it probably would have torn off the front tow hooks.

I was surprised at how well the matte medium worked at holding on the fabric camo, tho'. Didn't even mess up the paint when I pealed the fabric off. I was afraid it would peel off everything down to the plastic, but it didn't.

Found this video of an STRV 122 crew having a little fun.

[link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhbBWNcV5dA]Swedish Tank Drifting[/link]

I'm thinking about getting a third Leopard and if I do (it would be modified into the Greek HEL), I would like to try out that TVC-GSU-10 horizontal stabilizer from Germany http://www.sgs-electronic.de/RC_Elek...fahrzeuge.html and http://www.sgs-electronic.de/Anleitu...10_deutsch.pdf

This video of the Leclrec http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q74j3A27Hyk along with STRV 122 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U38Y87uhIRo and Korea's K2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae4uliF5N7k (notice how K2 can adjust its suspension, the MBT 70 had similar capabilities http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwhRn...elated&search= but the technology had not matured) its these videos of real vehicles that gets me going, I wish Tamiya would do more with post modern armor and un-leash their full technical expertise to replicate the functions of full size vehicles into 1/16 scale, but that won't happen, and thats very unfortunate, oh well, might as well as get in line and order the Panther (man, that metal hull is just too good)

Will

I gotta try that with my 1/6 leopard next time we get a good snow(late nov-dec this year)

Does that TVC-GFS-10 (vendors video link) look like its correcting for turns (lateral) rather than elevation? That combined with the elevation correction would be truely awesome![8D]

Checked again, the TVC-GFS-10 appears to have BOTH axis of stablization! But that price is hefty (189 Euro)!

That website is awesome with every Tam electronic replicated in some way for custom tanks.

That TCV-GFS-10 would really be a good addition. Probably a little out of my price range for now.

I've been experimenting with the plastic bag camo net process that was mentioned a while back. I have to get the pattern of the cuts right (as well as build up the patience to do a big sheet ) but from what I cut last night, it looks convincing. Probably have to find some less shiny plastic bag, or paint the material, but it really looks good.

I'll probably work on it some more and post the results this weekend.

I finally found it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTEOV...elated&search= I meant to include this with the other video posts but could not find it on youtube, I forgot the title. Okay Cap, no more videos, I promise

Will

Keep em' coming. Nothing wrong with actual footage for modeling reference.

As for the camo netting...let's just say my patience ran out. Looked to much like a bag than it did netting. I'm sure it would look ok if done right.

Instead, I've been working on at least getting the material I used for the blanket camo to look right for the tank in another video that looks like this.

And this is what it looks like so far:

Might have to try and cover up more of that material color. Like get more green paint on it.

Courtsey of Networks 54 http://www.ts-video.com./militaer/

Looks like I'll be ordering some DVDs.

CapCrunch43; have you heard the news http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...d.php?t=109599

And because of the above information, here’s one last video link http://youtube.com/watch?v=3uVXZS6oEhg , its of the 2A4 (you may have already seen this) I would love to see that video updated to show the new Leopard A6M, Greek HEL 2, Spanish A6E, with a little PSO thrown in for good measure.

I’m following your attempts to replicate that particular camo netting, the problem seems to be finding a material that is both flexible enough to move around when the tank is in motion or when there is a breeze, having the netting look convincing at 1/16 scale, and be strong enough not to tear or shed and fall apart, the material also has to hold paint and still keep its flexibility, have you tried an old thin cotton T-shirt or some other clothing material? You certainly have a challenge on your hands and I can’t wait to see your final solution.

I went for the simple approach http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz...5/Bild_014.jpg and http://www.panzer-modell.de/referenz...5/Bild_013.jpg and my attempt http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/image/77148446 and http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/image/77148449

I have since removed most of the netting http://www.pbase.com/calvinwill/image/72385225

Will

Good stuff. [8D]

The material that is in the pics just happens to be an old Army t-shirt that I cut up. The material is very flexible and I really like the way it has enough weight to draw itself downwards, but still has the ability to flop around. Relatively strong, too. And I have to say, I like the look of it on the tank.

The problem with it is, that the more you cut it up, the weaker it gets. I tried to cut the slits in it like I was doing with the plastic bag material, but it just weakens it too much. Looks like a compromise is going to have to be made between a truly scale look and durability of use. That's where painting and marking it up with a Sharpie came to light. Could even try spraying on something to roughen up the texture, but it would have to be flexible, yet not shed off the material like ground foam does.

In the pics of the Leo with the rabbit, I had taken some aquarium netting material and dusted green model railroad ground foam on it and held it on with adhesive. The results where outstanding looking, but it just kept shedding the ground foam everywhere.

This makes me want to find some unusual stuff to put on my Leo . Capn what weird references have you found in your travels.

Leo2A6,

I can't remember where I first came across it, but if you look at the first picture in the most recent photos, you'll see the round shield looking piece that is sitting in between the grenade launchers and the turret behind the peri. Since I'm pretty sure that the Leo hatches are set up like the M1A1's, you can't open and close the TC's hatch on the Leo from the outside. That means that if the crew has to get out of the vehicle while it's raining or something, the TC would have to close his hatch and exit through the loader's hatch. And get back in though the loader's hatch, too. Not very efficient if your in a hurry.

I'm thinking that round piece, which has a handle in the center, is used to cover up the hatch for the TC. Could also be used in a rainy situation to make it easier for the TC to stay dry and be able to raise up out of the hatch for a better view, without constantly having to operate the hatch. Just a couple of guesses. I've also seen pictures of Leos that have velcro strips on the TC's hatch ring that might coincide with the theory. The STRV122 has a flap that lays over the TC's hatch for this purpose, I believe.

Hey Capn', long time no hear. How's it hanging dude. I like your camo upgrades. I never asked, but is the weathering on your Leo artificial or from a lot of outdoor use?

Hey Amuro.

The weathering is artificial. Since I clean it up after use, I decided to rough it up permanently with the paint.

And now the Dutch, destination Helmand, Afghanistan http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...d.php?t=109817

Will

Nice. I have a question: are the shafts of the little shock absorbers supposed to be loose?? To me its kind of strange. I'm thinking of making it tighter.