Leopard 2A6M CAN

[JOHN R]

That is my Sunday going to church one, this is my daily one that no matter how clean you are one touch and you need a bath....
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That's more like it.
Bet your glad those tracks are done, why didn't you ask

 

[Richard55]

This isn't you then Mike??


View attachment 127602

Good lord.Imagine getting a good ol sting on the old Tally whacker.Ouch lol

 

[iandrewmartin]

Update,
So the air intakes were completed by first cutting them out and cementing them into position lower down to give some depth... and painting them matt black and highlighting the raised detail with aluminium paint drybrushed across... Then the first 'spider web' etch was laid acrods the opening and drybrushed again with aluminium, and finall the top mesh was added...
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Outstanding work. That makes such a difference to the look of the part. How did you cut the original part out? I imagine a circle cutter.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

Outstanding work. That makes such a difference to the look of the part. How did you cut the original part out? I imagine a circle cutter.

Many thanks for your comments.
On the RFM kit the hole is already there, so thankfully no messing around trying to get the hole correct and clean.

 

[iandrewmartin]

Many thanks for your comments.
On the RFM kit the hole is already there, so thankfully no messing around trying to get the hole correct and clean.

That is a thoughtful manufacturer.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

So back on with the build after a little detour, will be bouncing back and forth between this and the Tiger...

I had been trying different thickness of tissue to get a workable solution for the thermal blanket that the Barracuda is sewn onto. Previously I had used a two-part putty - Milliput/A&B, but found that mixing it, then putting talcum powder into a plastic bag to take away the surface stickiness, followed by the mixed Milliput/A&B, then rolling it out to a workable thickness, then shaping it and making it fit, then all the cleanup while it set a PITA....

And so the tissue is the next item to try and it is two pieces as it came off the roll, cut to size and a solution of PVA and water 50/50 approx. The tissue is held in place with the PVA and a soft brush used to gently apply more PVA. There is no quantity of PVA, just keep putting it on untill the tissue is soaked but not dripping as the water will take away the tissue by disolving it.


And here it is above wet and being shaped and gently pushed into place and will be left overnight to dry...


And this is it now dry and ready for trimming and removing carefully, and in one piece - hopefully...
More later,
Mike

 

[Scratchbuilder]

More...

And here it is removed and trimmed, now for the rest of the kit.



I will be painting the vehicle before I add the tissue 'thermal blanket' in NATO Green, and then once the 'blanket' is fitted this will be in a desert sand colour...
Cheers
Mike

 

[BOATMAN]

HI MIKE will be followin your armour build as its so funny in places thats how it used to be on the old site a gave me a good laugh also a nice build an have you any hair left or have you started on the pussy lol
chrisb

 

[JOHN R]

Nice update Mike, I've used tissue before for tarps, a great way on getting things to fold over edges with the PVA.

 

[scottie]

Mike,
cracking work as always.

 

[Scratchbuilder]

So now that I have sorted out the thermal blanket issue...
I thought I would start on getting my next project underway. Having obtained drawings and loads of photos I dug out my MENG Chieftain Mk.10 and started cutting plastic...


And build the personal ride of Mathew Newell

(Photo via M. Newel/N. Palmer.)
More on the Leopard later.

 

[Steve Jones SMS]

Nice clean work as always Mike. Great reference material is vital to any build. Lovely to see