Here Kitty Kitty - Tamiya Leopard A4***COMPLETED***

[Stikpusher]

The cable is aluminum rod, bent to shape. The connector into the turret top is one of those little excess plastic nubs that you cut off. I cleaned it up and drilled out a mounting hole before I glued it in place.

[speedgraflex]

Thanks so much, Carlos! I am going to try this method with some cables!!!

[Stikpusher]

I save some of those nubs for this sort of thing. Various sizes, some flat ended, some like these with a dome end, etc. I might recommend heavy gauge copper wire instead of the aluminum rod. Aluminum is more flexible than brass, but less so than copper wire. The rod was just in reach and easier than digging thru my wire stock...

[speedgraflex]

Thanks for these tips, Carlos! What appeals is the natural flex and bends you created... the cable looks so darn good! What color is it, and do you have to prep wire in any particular way before you paint??

[Stikpusher]

That is natural aluminum there. To prep bare metal such as this or wire for painting I’ll use primer, probably Tamiya Gray Liquid Surface Primer in this case.

[Stikpusher]

My final bits of scratch work today... I created two tow cables using para cord guts, aluminum rod and tubing...



and I made their mounting clasps for the hull....





For those wondering, all the stuff that I scratched for this build so far is part of the Italeri Leopard kits... which is of the same vintage.... all that glitters Tamiya is not gold.

[speedgraflex]

Hey! Looks amazing! I was wondering about how the kit holds up, but I figured as a foundation for your scratchbuilding skills, this one was the better choice. Plus, Tamiya box art is cooler than Italeri, in my humble opinion.

I am learning a lot from your build. Thanks, Carlos.

[mustang1989]

Man ALIVE!!!! I thought this was supposed to be a simple build!!

[speedgraflex]

Badassery with tow cables!! Go for it, Carlos!

[Stikpusher]

Man ALIVE!!!! I thought this was supposed to be a simple build!!

It is...

Badassery with tow cables!! Go for it, Carlos!

Thank you Bruce... they came out ok. My first time trying to fabricate my own tow cable ends. I can see doing better next time, but I’m really liking it...

and today after my long range ride I started getting the cables glued in place. I only glued them to the forward attachment points so that I can still separate the upper and lower hulls...





You can see here that I have the rear ends not yet tacked down into their clasps





and lastly, after letting that tire CA dry overnite on the vinyl tracks, I put the tracks on...





Now I’m all ready for paint... finally!!!