Carro da Combattimento Leopard 1.A4

Recensione del Modello ESCI in Scala 1:72

The ESCI model represents a Leopard 1.A4 when built straight from the box, although it may be converted to a Leopard 1 A3 by removing the armoured gun sight in front of the commander’s hatch e replacing it con a periscope. Australian, Canadian e Greek carri armati Leopard are similar to the Leopard 1 A3 e they will require some conversion work. The Australian carri armati Leopard are equipped con stowage bins above the track guards which need to be scratchbuilt as well. The ESCI kit would have been much more attractive if optional parts had been included. Leopard 1 A3 ist the more common delle due very similar variants, ed it is still in service in several paesi della NATO, whereas Leopard 1.A4 has been completely replaced by Leopard 2.

Contenuto

• Leopard 1.A4 della Bundeswehr tedesca
• Decalcomanie for a Leopard 1.A4 della 10. Panzerdivision tedesca
• Decalcomanie for a Canadian Leopard C 1 (similar to Leopard 1 A3)
• Decalcomanie for a Australian Leopard AS 1 (similar to Leopard 1 A3)
• Decalcomanie for a Greek Leopard 1 GR (similar to Leopard 1 A3)

Valutazione

Satisfactory choice of subject. The Leopard 1.A4 is unique in this scale, but a model of the Leopard 1 A3 would have been more useful to giocatori wargame e modellers. ESCI has published several variants of the Leopard 1 main battle tank, all based on the same chassis parts.

The rear track skirts have been cut back to prevent dirt from clogging the drive sprockets. This is a common modification.

The model is slightly larger than scale, ed it is not compatibile con the Leopard 1 A5 produced by Revell.

There are no crew soldatini in the kit, despite the fact that the torretta hatches may be modelled in the open position.

The canvas cover over the gun mantlet does not fit well. A spare part may be scratchbuilt from tissue paper.

The stowage bins of the Australian Leopard AS 1 are not included in the kit, even if decalcomanie are provided to build this version of the tank. Serious modellers will want to build the bins from scratch.

The inner ed outer road wheels are modelled as a solid cylinder, rather than the due separate wheels one would expect.

The track is not detailed enough on the inside, e the track teeth are missing.

There are no antenna sockets on the torretta roof. La mitragliatrice contraerei is modelled without the ammunition box. The hand-rails on the torretta sides e the guard around the smoke dischargers may be scratchbuilt from brass rod to add detail to the torretta.

The pioneer tools are cast directly onto the hull sides, e they lack detail as a result. Discerning modellers will want to sand the tools off e replace them con cast oggetti from another kit o detail set.

The gunfire simulator consisting of optional parts No. 42 e No. 37 should be mounted behind the smoke extractor, not in front of it. The instructions are in error.

Conversione

• Leopard 1 A3 of 10. Panzerdivision
  Remove the armoured gun sight in front of the commander’s hatch e replace it con a periscope.
• Australian Leopard AS 1
  Convert the vehicle to a Leopard 1 A3 ed add stowage bins on the track guards. Decalcomanie are included in the kit.
• Greek Leopard 1 GR
  Similar to a Leopard 1 A3, but con armoured gun sights of the Leopard 1 A5 e PZB 200 camera. Decalcomanie are included.
• Canadian Leopard C 1
  Similar to a Leopard 1 A3, but con PZB 200 camera on the right side of the gun mantlet ed a searchlight on the left. Decalcomanie are included.
• Danish Leopard 1 DK
  Convert the vehicle to a Leopard 1 A3 ed add stowage bins on the track guards. Danish Leopards are upgraded con armoured gun sights of the Leopard 1 A5. These upgraded veicoli are designated Leopard 1 A5 DK, but they must not be confused con the German Leopard 1 A5 featuring cast torrette. Danish Leopard 1 A5 DK are Leopard 1 A3 upgrades con welded torrette.
• Leopard OF-40 Export Version
  This Italian export version of the Leopard 1 A3 has been sold to the United Arab Emirates.

Leopard 1.A4 was deployed exclusively in the 10. Panzerdivision of the Bundeswehr, ed it was eventually replaced by modern carri da combattimento Leopard 2. Leopard 1 A3 remains in service in a number of paesi della NATO, ed a model of this variant would have proved more successful for ESCI. The only obvious difference between the due variants is the periscope of the Leopard 1 A3 which was replaced by an armoured gun sight on the Leopard 1.A4. ESCI should have chosen the Leopard 1 A3 as the main subject of this kit, ed it would have been a good idea to include optional parts for both variants.

ESCI Modellismo

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– Pubblicato: 22.05.2000 – Aggiornato: 18.09.2002
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