SPA Modeler

The results on your black basing are turning out a very convincing paint job so far Carlos. I'm going to have to go back through the thread to see what all I've missed on this build.

Thank you Joe!
Believe it or not, I actually have not forgotten about this project. Last weekend I actually airbrushed on a coat of Future to get it ready for decals. One nice side effect of the Future was to bring out some more depth and richness in the base color. At least to my eye in person. I really love the look now. So I started with the kit decals for the basic markings for the serial number, unit insignia, weight classification, a couple unit markings on the turret rear, and some other glacis markings that I’m not really sure of... Thomas, what do those numbers on the white circles represent?







And then in my decal bin I have some Tamiya decals for various tanks including a couple modern type sheets that have these unique markings for a Leo 1A4 from Bundeswehr 30th Panzer Brigade. My guess is that the tank commander was a fan of the Das Boot film. And I would love to see a photo of the actual vehicle... anyways I could not pass up using these markings...





so here is how my big cat is looking overall now...

U-436 Conning Tower Detail

The 1981 film U-96 used the swordfish emblem...

Das Boot is one of my all time favourite movies. All war movies I've watched after it had to compete with it.
No glorification, no hero-warshipping, just telling a story of brave men in dark times. That's how you deal with such a tough topic.

Stikpusher wrote:(...) So I started with the kit decals for the basic markings for the serial number, unit insignia, weight classification, a couple unit markings on the turret rear, and some other glacis markings that I’m not really sure of... Thomas, what do those numbers on the white circles represent?

Never seen those markings before. Due to their size and color they're clearly only carried during peacetime. Maybe some specific maneuver information about the type of ammo it carries? Would like to hear a proper answer to this as well!

Last but not least: Great progress, Carlos! I really like the looks of that kitten.

Gents, I found this...

Deutsch: Ein Leopard 1-Kampfpanzer der Bundeswehr, 1. Zug, 4. Kompanie, Panzerbataillon 153 (PzBtl 153) (gehörte zur Panzerbrigade 15, 5. Panzerdivision) auf einem Feldweg bei Effolderbach (Hessen) während des Manövers Confident Enterprise (deutsch: Vetrauensvolles Unternehmen) als Teil von REFORGER/AUTUMN FORGE '83



English: A Federal German Army Leopard 1 main battle tank of the 1st Platoon, 4th Company, 153rd Panzers, is parked in a field during the Confident Enterprise phase of REFORGER/AUTUMN FORGE '83 near Effolderbach (Hesse).

Good progress stik. On the subject of Future, if you didn't already know, it has changed names yet once again. It's now Pledge Floor Gloss.

Thanks for the the update on Future. I’m past the halfway point on the current (and old) bottle of the stuff. Now I know what to look for when I need to buy a new one.

Beautiful work on that big cat Carlos! I also agree that the green was enhanced by the Future coat. This is really coming along; I do love the addition of the extra decals.