"Balkan Leopards Collection" 1994-2000

 

Dear Modelers,

I would like to introduce you the result of my last two years work here below. It is ”Balkan Leopards Collection” 1994 – 2000.

   

This collection includes 1/72 models of all basic versions of Leopard MBTs which were used by peace forces during all Balkan conflicts since 1994 till 2000. The versions you can see below are lined chronologically according to their employment in action.

Leopard 1A5DK

Camouflage & Marking: Danish UNPROFOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1994
Used kit: Leopard 1A3/A4 by ESCI
Modifications: scratchbuilt conversion (hull and turret tool boxes atc.) according to the drawings
Documentation: publication ”Blue Helmets under Fire” by Concord, drawings from Modell Fan magazine and other sources

     

Leopard 1A5IT

Camouflage & Marking: Italian IFOR , Bosnia-Herzegovina 1996
Used kit: Leopard 1A2 by ESCI
Modifications: scratchbuilt conversion of turret according to photos
Documentation: publication ”Peace by Force” by Concord and other sources

     

Leopard 2A4NL

Camouflage & Marking: Dutch IFOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina 1996
Used kit: Leopard 2A4 by Revell
Modification: scratchbuit conversion (smoke grenade launchers and radio device on the turret) according to photos completed with etched brasses for Leo 2A4 by EXTARTECH
Documentation publication ”Peace by Force” and ”Leopard 2/2A5” by Concord

     

Leopard 2A5

Camouflage & Marking: German KFOR, Kosovo, Yugoslavia 1999
Used kit: Leopard 2A5 by Revell
Modifications: any special modifications, the model is built straight out of the box just completed with etched brasses by EXTARTECH
Documentation: publication ”KOSOVO SPECIAL” by Concord (SPECIAL OPS series) and other sources

     

Leopard 1A5BE

Camouflage & Marking: Belgian KFOR, Kosovo, Yugoslavia 1999
Used kit: Leopard 1A5 by Revell
Modifications: scratchbuilt conversion (hull tool boxes, gun-layer and extension of rear basket on the turret as well as the fenders taken from Leo 2A5 kit) according to photos completed with some parts of etched brasses for Leo 1A5 and Leo 2A5 (fenders foot-boards only) by EXTARTECH
Documentation: photos from Internet and other sources

     

Leopard C1

Camouflage & Marking: Canadian KFOR, Kosovo, Yugoslavia 1999
Used kit: Leopard 1A3/A4 by ESCI
Modification: scratchbuilt conversion (additional hull and turret armor atc.) according to drawings
Documentation: photos from Internet and drawings by George Bradford

     

Leopard 2A5NL

Camouflage & Marking: Dutch SFOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina 2000
Used kit: Leopard 2A5 by Revell
Modification: scratchbuilt conversion (driver’s hatch, smoke grenade launchers and radio device on the turret atc., the fenders are taken from Leo 2A4 kit) according to the photos completed with etched brasses for Leo 2A5 and Leo 2A4 (fenders foot-boards only) by EXTARTECH
Documentation: publication ”Leopard 2/2a5” by Concord and other sources

     

Figures:

Almost all figures are scratchbuilt of resin cast parts and are completed with weapons taken from etched brass set by Extratech. The various soft plastic figures by ESCI and Revell were patterns for resin castings. The flak jackets, pockets and other modifications have been made with help of the mixture of white glue and gypsum.

Special thanks:

I would like to thank following friend and colleagues who help me to complete my models mentioned above. My idea would be probably never realized without them:

Vladimir ”Sandman” Cereba - making of almost decals and taking of photos
Bern Zaeske – special advice and lending of rare reference photos of Leo 2A5NL and Leo 1A5BE
Hauke Krapf – lending of rare photos of Leo 2A5NL
Alberto Galimberty – lending of rare photos of Leo 1A5IT
Gerard van Oosbree - lending of rare photo of Leo 2A4NL
George Bradford – lending of perfect drawing of Leo C1

Note:

This collection should be completed in future because German Bundeswehr use Leo 2A4 in its KFOR and THF contingents this year. Unfortunately my problem is that I have no reference photo of this tank in mentioned markings. So I would be very happy if anybody will help me concerning this matter.

Thanks in advance!

Milan ”Overlord” Vins
overlord@centrum.cz
in Pardubice, 26th of October 2001