RiskyR

Looks very cool Richard

RichJohnson

Nearly getting there with the basket assembly. I got this far and after a few burned fingers I was done lol.
I hate this kind of work. Like I said I tried to avoid building the basket this way but my desired model requires an open frame early basket and I just couldnt make the plastic cast one look nice after grinding the heck out of it so....
Once I get the basket actually finished I have to make brass mounting points. Im going to replace the plastic mounting point brackets with brass, so that will be lots of fun no doubt.

RichJohnson

I have gotten the turret basket nearly completed and the top mounting brackets installed on the tank. I made brass brackets for strength rather than try to glue the basket to the urethane ones in the kit.

RichJohnson

I got my new tamiya T84 track pad replacement set in from JVM3Dconcepts. Wow this stuff is amazing. I found him on Instagram. Hes making all kind of costuming parts and stuff and model and gaming and tank stuff too.
I have had 3d line printed black pads for about two years now on a sherman from some mates in the UK but it required running an early clutch drive sprocket because of the pad geometry.
These new T84 pads that JVM3dconcepts is making are black engineering resin. They are perfect fit for tamiya track and come with pershing style center guides as well as end connectors if you want them. The ECs are one time use according to the developer. If you use loose a tamiya metal one you can precisely tap on a JVM3dconcepts one and it will stay as long as you never take it off. If you do take it off it will never stay on again even with glue. Its something to do with how the EC holes stretch to grip the pin and retain it but it only works once.
I did not need the ECs in my kit as I re crimped all my metal ones after I broke down my tamiya pershing track. I made a vice grip a while back with a tab on the jaws that mimics the compressed part of the tamiya metal EC to recrimp them. Then tap them on with a hammer. If you dont recrimp tamiya metal ones they will fall off and get lost when you drive.

Fsttanks

It looks great with the T84 tracks👍👍. I got a set from JVM3Dconcepts for my Tamiya Pershing. Except I used all the JVM3D parts, end connectors, track guide teeth and pads. Very happy with mine.

ezrc88

Awesome! It looks really durable too!

RichJohnson

I have finally gotten the mounts made for the bustle basket. What project this has been to build up.
Now it is suspended from its mounts, pinned in place. I still need to remove it and clean up all the solder joints with a file and wire brush and dress it before installing it in place.

MAUS45

Wow, nice builds so far Rich!!! Turret basket redo looks great.

RichJohnson

So I took the Belgian out for some more shake down this weekend at our local tank event. It seemed to battle well against other tanks and drives very well with the new T84 pads from JVM3d concepts.







Now I am back building up track again this time from scratch. Thanks to the guys at JVM3dconcepts again for custom designing me the Leopard 1 pads. I have a complete set of track with the steel pins I cut and dressed myself and Im building up a set of Leopard track to test out on my 1a7 modernized tank to see how it compares to that heavy metal track with rubber pads. That stuff is heavy and grips the ground very well making it hard for the tank to steer and maneuver especially at low speeds. The plastic T84 track has run so much better, Im hoping for the same with this track.






And then I will just drop this right here with the other round turret Leopard 1 on my bench right now. Darn I need to get back to the AS1 Australian Leopard as well.

RichJohnson

Moving right along on the Belgian early Leopard project.

RichJohnson

I picked up the custom tool boxes I had JVM3dconcepts design for me.
they fit perfectly based on my drawing and mesurements.

RichJohnson

Some visual updates on the round turret projects. Not gonna narrate anything since no one is really paying attention. Tamiya Leopard 1 tanks are just not a thing in this hobby really.

Pcomm1.v2

Awesome work Rich, really enjoy following your Leopard threads.

cleong

Actually I disagree that Leopard 1 are not a thing. I'd love to have one, especially the cast turret version because they are so slim and minimalist looking. Its just that I cannot afford to buy one now that they are discontinued, nor pay for the aftermarket cast turret!

tankme

I may print the Leo 1A5 eventually.

RichJohnson

Yes, they tend to be ridicules expensive. I paid dearly for the first two kits though the first one was a trade. The subsequent kits just kinda came along and while no small change they were good deals.
yes the even harder part is getting the cast turret. They are expensive no matter who you buy them from, Perfect scale, as I have, Der Emma Laden or AFV model.
Though it’s quite easy to start with a used Leopard 1 and build from that base as long as the hull is in good shape.

If one wanted a Leopard 1a5 variant you can’t go wrong with a Hooben as long as you order the metal arms and sprockets. I’m really liking mine. And if your a good modeler you could back date it carefully.