This is my new 1/16 build. I picked up this 1990 Tamiya Leopard 1 from a good friend. Poor old thing is a bit battered.

I have had it sitting on the the shelf of hopelessness for a while now. A couple of days ago I decided to investigated to find out what was missing, damaged, or need repair/replacement.

It’s going to be another Danish Leopard 1A5DK, of the Black Reconnaissance Unit. Having done one I think this should be an easier build, despite the it being in a worse condition than the one that became the Kelvinator.

Box is in good condition, mostly.

The tank itself is mostly all complete.

Plenty of spare track parts.

Lots of little bits. These will not be used. As the Danish used tool boxes on the sides. However. There will be an opportunity for some scratch building for the tools on the rear deck. There is a lot of good stuff in a different box, however I forgot to photograph it.

It still has the original clutch, which is worn on the lobes. For those who may not know. The original Tamiya Leopard 1 was only two channel. This was speed, and a clutch mechanism for steering. Unfortunately the lobes on the clutches wore out, so the model would not steer.

Gearbox is damaged, with a missing gear wheel. Neither the gearbox, or clutch mechanism will be used, both will be replaced with duel gearboxes, with 390 motors.

Whoever had it before my mate painted the interior with emulsion, in a fetching shade of puke. The hull will be stripped, stuck through the dishwasher, and dunked in paint remover.

Started to repair the rear panel, at the Scottish Section of the Make Modelling Mediocre Group. This is a joke between some friends.

Finally. All of the running gear, is in good condition, and complete, apart from a shock absorber that is damaged, and one that is missing.

Plenty of work to do.

I will be using a Clark Board in it, with a homemade elevation system, and recoil. Road wheels will have bushings fitted, instead of the polly caps, and the return rollers, will be modified, again to remove the polly caps.

Should be a nice little restoration.

A couple of days work. Mainly waiting for glue, and filler to dry. Especially attaching the plastic panels to the aluminium plate. The rear panel has been detailed up with a mix of scratch built, and replacement parts. The rear panel on the Danish Leopard, is the same as the German Leopard’s. However I still managed to make some mistakes. I have just looked at my reference material, and can see some other errors, that will need correction.

Still need to add the drain cock, and the light for infantry telephone. That’s all for now.