Leopard 2A4

[ij001]

...Dutch Leo's, now there's a set of memories just came roaring back :v - I've used the word presence before, normally around some of the modern SPG's that folks have posted here. But having been up-close to these things back-in-the-day, it seems more than appropriate to use the word again here.

Definitely a vehicle with 'presence'. Great model too, Ron, think I may try and dig-out one of these (or a Tamiya kit) from eBay aswell, use it as a 'painting practice model' prior to building the Takom 1A5 I bought last year.


Ian

 

[reconron]

Leopard 2A4 Dirty Dutch One

Now what can someone do to a mono tone colored tank to make it look a bit more interesting?
Using filters and washes...check.
Playing around with pigments to give it the "been in the field in rainy and muddy conditions" look.
yeah,lets do that.

I broke off one of the glued side skirts,no big deal,I will glue it back in place later on.
Did some pigmenting on parts never to be seen again,just a habbit of me.

Caked on mud and dust,for that typical NW Europe in rainy fall look.

Even the upper part of the tank couldn't escape the rainy mud wash from the crew members boots.

This is how it looked earlier on before the pigment weathering.

More to come later.

Greetings,Ron.

 

[phantom II]

Leopard 2A4 Dirty Dutch One

Really , back in the Arden again ? :smack

Interesting Ron . I've never seen a single tone leopard before .

Cheers, Christian B)

 

[jknaus]

Very cool Ron. The Leo is my favorite
James

 

[ij001]

...just on the way back-in after a day on the ranges. Looks right to me.

Ian

 

[Phil]

Looking very good Ron, awaiting the finish.

 

[moon puppy]

Leopard 2A4 Dirty Dutch One

Now what can someone do to a mono tone colored tank to make it look a bit more interesting?
Using filters and washes...check.
Playing around with pigments to give it the "been in the field in rainy and muddy conditions" look.
yeah,lets do that.

I broke off one of the glued side skirts,no big deal,I will glue it back in place later on.
Did some pigmenting on parts never to be seen again,just a habbit of me.

Caked on mud and dust,for that typical NW Europe in rainy fall look.

Even the upper part of the tank couldn't escape the rainy mud wash from the crew members boots.

This is how it looked earlier on before the pigment weathering.

More to come later.

Greetings,Ron.

\

This slipped by me Ron, don't think anyone can ever say that about a Leopard

Nice and dirty

 

[reconron]

Leopard 2A4 Camo Net

One thing I wanted to really do,was adding some Camo Nets.
Many times you will see Leo's covered by them,from the turret to all over the hull.
Not sure if I will go all the way,but the gun barrel is covered many times in the field,so this one will stay for sure.

Here's my way on how to do modern times camouflage nets;

Get your self: medical gauge,PVA glue,acrylic Olive Drab paint,tea leaves,dried chopped parsley
and H2O (Water).

Soak your net into the mixture.

Lets dry the net on to a piece of paper for a short time,but it still has to be a bit moist when you add it to the surface.

Add some more parsley on the net while it's still moist.

Dryed in this picture I just have to add some paint.

For discussion purpose only photo:

More to come later.

Gr,Ron.

 

[Sherman 18]

Love the mud! Camo net is coming along nicely

 

[moon puppy]

BAM! love it!

 

[ij001]

Excellent Ron. Memories of the early 'Verlinden Way' books in the late 1970s. I remember copying his technique on a Tamiya Chieftain but failing as the gauge of the bandage was too thick.

Seeing how well yours has worked, I may have a go when I eventually do my Leo 1A5.

Ian.

 

[SA Dave]

Damn this is AWESOME Ron!!!!!!

 

[jknaus]

Great SBS. Nicely sone cam.
James

 

[Adam Baker]

Very nice! Love the look of that.

 

[Leopard2]

very nice. I tried that same camo net technique a few years back on the same model...well it didn't come out quite as nicely as yours/ I also had added some small branches from a fern that look like pine tree branches. I think the name of the company was Hudson something but not sure anymore.

Joe

 

[reconron]

I think the name of the company was Hudson something but not sure anymore.

Joe

Think you mean Hudson and Allen,Joe?: http://www.google.nl/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCkQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hudsonandallen.com%2F&ei=CA2gVMXMH8GzabbAgSA&usg=AFQjCNF4UgQhY_wMJxdThsMKJTwn7QSWOg&bvm=bv.82001339,d.d2s&cad=rja


Gr,Ron.

 

[reconron]

Leopard 2A4 THE END

Calling this one done.

I've added some natural camo to this one;

I felt it was a good idea to replace the tow cables,because they are made of the same rubber as the tracks,twisted wire looks better in my opinion.

The Belgian made FN MAG machinegun for the Dutch and Austrian Leo 2 version.(I know it's called different in other countries)

That's it for this one.
Trying to have a go at the grenadier figure in "watch your figure" now.

Gr,Ron.

 

[ij001]

Leopard 2A4 THE END

'Exactly' how I remember them. Excellent model Ron.

Ian.

 

[moon puppy]

Leopard 2A4 THE END

People would be asking if anyone else saw that big loud bush moving down the road.

Superb job Ron