Hobby Boss 1/35 German VK 1602 Leopard

Hobby Boss 1/35 VK1602 Leopard

Color Modulation

Here I started painting the Leopard. I used as a primer, Vallejo Black Primer. These can be seen in the previous series of photos.

Next I applied Testors Model Master Enamel RLM 23 Red Paint for the inside of the hull. For the inside of the turret I sprayed Testors Flat White Enamel. My next step was painting the hull ,wheels and turret with Vallejo Model Air Acrylic Dunkelgelb RAL 7028.
After that I started the modulation process. What I did was use the same Dunkelegelb mixed with a little Tamiya Flat White Acrylic Paint to hit some of the areas to be highlighted. I then finished off with adding some more white,adding even more highlight.

I believe I achieved what I was shooting for,a modulation paint job for the Dunkelgelb, that I can say I am pleased with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hobby Boss 1/35 German VK 1602 Leopard

Black Primered

Hobby Boss 1/35 German VK 1602 Leopard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hobby Boss 1/35 German VK 1602 Leopard

Hobby Boss 1/35 VK1602 Leopard

The Kit

The kit consists of 629 plastic parts, 432 of them are the individual track links, 27 Photo Etch parts and a decal sheet that includes several numbers and the typical Balkan cross. The reason for the rather high number of track pieces is the two guide horns are molded separately which of course need to be glued onto each track. The PE consists of smoke optional parts instead of using the plastic counter parts.

The tracks are molded in a brown color similar to Modelkasten products.This is probably the most labor intensive part of the kit. The track links supplied are individual with two attachment points to the sprue but also two extra tabs per link that needs to be removed. In addition, the two guide horns need to be added to the inside of each track

The quality of the parts is very good,it’s clean, with very crisp I detailing.I really love the detail in the weld seams.The major panels go together very nicely,with little or no trouble at all. The last build I did that fit this nicely was the Tri-Star Panther IV Ausf D.which fit just like a glove.

This kit was truly a joy to build.

 

Hobby Boss 1/35 German VK 1602 Leopard

Hobby Boss 1/35 VK1602 Leopard

History

Since 1941, plans were made for the development of a new reconnaissance tank based on PzKpfw II Ausf J (VK 1601). In March of 1942, MIAG and Daimler-Benz received orders to build a fast (medium/heavy) reconnaissance tank, designed to operate under heavy combat conditions.

MIAG was to construct the chassis, while Daimler-Benz was construct the turret. Both were to be designed and ready for production by October of 1942.The main purpose of this vehicle was to be at HQ tank platoons in Panzer units.

Two versions were proposed, “Leopard (leicht)” lightly armored fast version (18ton) and “Leopard (schwer)” heavily armored one (26ton). The light version was quickly dropped in the Summer of 1942, in favour of the heavier one. Design of VK 1602, named Leopard was based on the development of previous projects such as PzKpfw II Ausf J (VK 1601) and PzKpfw II Ausf M (VK 1301). Its hull was similar to that of PzKpfw II Ausf J (VK 1601), but was largely influenced by PzKpfw V Panther, which was still being developed at the time. Its suspension was made up of interleaved road wheels similar to PzKpfw II Ausf L – Luchs. It was planned that Leopard would eventually replace lighter (leichter) PanzerSpahwagen II Ausf L Luchs – Sd.Kfz.123 (VK 1303).Mock-up was ready in May/June of 1942 and first prototype was to be finished by the September 1st of 1942. Full scale production was to start in April of 1943.

Leopard’s armament consisted of 50mm KwK 39/1 L/60 and 7.92mm MG34/42 in newly designed small turret. It was also planned to use 75mm KwK 41 gun. VK 1602′s was heavily armored and had well sloped frontal armor (influenced by Panther). Leopard was to be powered by Maybach HL157P engine with total power 550hp which allowed VK 1602 to travel at maximum speed of 50-60km/h. In order to improve its cross-country ability, 350mm wide tracks were used. It was to be operated by the crew of four men. “Panzerprogramm 41” made provisions to build 339 Leopards (105 by December 1943 and further 150 by mid 1944). The start of production was previously planned for April of 1943, but the entire production was cancelled in January of 1943, when the first prototype was still incomplete. The reason for cancellation was its heavy weight and lack of heavy armament which made the vehicle vulnerable to enemy tanks. Also the fact of Leopard being similar to Panther pointed out that reconnaissance Panther can be developed and produced at lower cost.