Belgian Leopard 1A5 BE Model Finished

Well the model is now all finished after adding the side skirts and then some light dust effects and a tiny bit of spatter. Antennas from carbon rod and the Belgian flag made with tamiya masking tape then painted by hand. I'm really pleased with how the model came out especially as it's not an easy conversion to done.

For now the model can go into the display cabinet as I still have to find a figure or two and sort out a base for it. All that will come later as there is no rush regarding model shows we are due to attend for some time. One good thing as well is that I have my specific Belgian build sorted well in advance for this years Plastic & Steel show! 

Leopard 1A5 BE Weathering & Tracks On

Start of the weathering on the lower hull with various earth and dust tones followed by the installation of the wheels, sprockets & tracks. I'll add a bit more next with some spatters before adding the side skirts and finishing off the lower hull. Only a very small amount of dust effects will be going on the turret.  

Leopard 1A5 BE Coming Together

After leaving the model almost a week after the matt coat I've started sorting out the glazing in the form of periscopes and optics as well as the front & rear lights. Also the wind sensor, commanders extended periscope and the armoured doors on the gunner's sight have all been added to the turret.  

Now I'll start to add some dust effects and build up a reasonably light amount of final weathering on the model as I don't want to swamp it with too much muck and dirt.  

Leopard 1A5 BE Weathering Begins

Today's progress now with some light chipping added and bolt heads picked out in lighter shades of the base colours. Also a little bit of stowage added to the turret basket followed by the call sign on some plastic card and then fitted to the searchlight box. I've also started weathering with two dark pin washes so far.

Over the satin varnish this has picked out all the detail quite well so far. Next will be a matt varnish before some filters and oil dot fading and the start of some dust effects.

Leopard 1A5 BE Detail Painting Part 2 & Decals

The model has had the detail painting finished up with the mantlet cover sorted out amongst other areas and a unit emblem painted on the front of the hull. This depicts the regiment Gidsen who where deployed in Kosovo. The final stage yesterday was a good coat of satin varnish. Decals went on today and I'm glad I went for the KFOR markings as otherwise it would have only been a case of adding two registration numbers. 

Leopard 1A5 BE Detail Painting

After a bit more fading for the brown & black I've moved onto some detail painting. Not much really to pick out on this one but enough to add a bit of contrast anyway. A little bit of chipping has also been started as you can see on the turret loaders and commanders MG rings. 

I have pretty much decided to depict a vehicle deployed in Kosovo mostly for the extra KFOR markings and the chance to show it in a conflict zone.  

As seen in Kosovo.

Leopard 1A5 BE Paint On

I've now got the paint on the model using as usual tamiya's NATO colours. The green has so far been faded with the black and brown still to do. Very pleased with the result so far and with a bit more fading should look just right later on. Still debating if I should add the extra stowage boxes and finish it as a Kosovo vehicle or not.     

Leopard 1A5 BE Tow Cables

My tow cables arrived today, so a five minute job to fit them in the unusual way that the Belgians ended up stowing them on the tanks. I used the Eureka XXL set for the leopard 1/2 for this. Hassle free and with nice soft copper cables. 

Another useful item arrived as well, a 3D printed turret holder. Perfect for construction and most importantly for painting. It's adjustable to fit any turret and is very stable. 

Leopard 1A5 BE Wheel Work

I decided to get some colour on the wheels and lower hull as I needed to at least fit the idlers now and then add the outer front mudguard parts so I could get them sanded flush and blended in before the main colours went on. 

XF 67 NATO green with some lighter tones added using XF 15 flat flesh went on nicely. this was followed by a further test f the AK markers using the rubber black on the wheels. This performed brilliantly and again was such a time saver. I'm very impressed with this wheel set which I can see being my default solution to wheel rubber painting. 

I then fitted the idlers then the side portions of the mud guards, then blended in the seams with a bit of filler and sanded flush. I am waiting on tow ropes arriving so will probably not continue with the painting until they arrive.