Leopard bridgelayer

[tunnan]

Hi Folks

I am about to build thisRevell kit.

The dozer blade is shown as having its supporting arms passing through the bow plate which is unusual for a tank. I dont suppose anyone has any photos of what really ahppens here?

Thanks

[peter104]

Hi Tunnan,

On IPMS Netherlands website are some photos of Leopard bridgelayers.

Unfortunately no direct link. But go to www.ipms.nl. Go to 'speciaal' in the left hand menu click on 'voertuigen Nederlandse militaire strijdkrachten'. Select Leopard.

This section has photos of the standard tank as well as photos of the bridgelayer.

Regards,

Peter

[sanguin]

Tunnan,
Have a look at these links:
www.panzer-modell.de/referenz/in_detail/biber/biber.htm
www.ferreamole.it/images/biber/biber_01.htm
www.ferreamole.it/images/biber/biber_02.htm
www.panzerbaer.de/types/bw_pzschnbr_1_biber-a.htm

It looks as if Revell have got it right.
The dozer blade arms go into slots in the bow plate.

I found those links by searching on this site:
www.network54.com/Forum/47209/
The 'Braille scale' page is very helpful on 'search'
John

[tunnan]

Thanks Guys

Re Missing Lynx - "doh". I regularly visit this site and never thought to use search.

I supect the norwegian version has some mods. I am trying to build it for Telford so if I cannot find what they are I might just do it oob.

[sanguin]

Tunnan,
I suspect that you already know this.
Norwegian Bibers are rare on the internet.
Two hours and a glass or three of Malbec as a painted wall dries and all I have found is this link:

www.haaland.info/norway/army/index.html

If the splinter camo bridge is the norm, I know not. The green Leopard is, it seems.
I have found nothing else that is still live, a lot of dead links but not much else Norwegian that isn't a duplicate.
The IPMS Stockholm website has a similar request for a Norwegian Biber, as yet unanswered as the correspondent has found the link above and nothing else. At least I am in good company, I suppose.
Now that the paint is sufficiently dry on the wall, back to decorating. The third coat, after new plaster last week. Acrylic emulsion and a big brush. Well, big after 1/72nd. Roll on the weekend.
John

[tunnan]

Hi Sanguin

The Halland site is literally all I can find. I have spent some time looking but you are right there is little. Its my post on IPMS Stockholm, which to be honest I am suprised has not raised anything.

I printed off a drawing and blew it up on a photocopier to 1/72 scale. Looks like there is only one piston for the deck and the dozer blade has a different actuator on it. Theere are a number of other minor bits. What I do not know is if this is a one off or all the Norwegian Bibbers are like this. Seems stange to modify ony a handfull of wagons.

When I first saw the photo I thought "Ya beaut, Swedish!", but no. So I am going to look for a T55 bridgelayer at Telford. Norwegians use the same colours so I thought I would just go ahead and go with the photos that I have. The deck is built and undercoated.

I reckon I can build the hull shield and piston and the dozer hydraulics, then offer them up to see what it looks like before actually cutting kit plastic.

Peter 104

Thanks for ther link. Some nice photos but as said above I think the Norge version is different. If it all goes pear shaped and looks like too much work I might just build the hull OOB in which case your site will be well looked at!

Thanks again guys.

Ken

[sanguin]

Tunnan,
Try a request for information on the Modern AFV Missing Lynx board.
There have been a couple of good Leopard books published in the last year or so and the board has a lot of helpful and knowledgeable members from all over the world. I've had a fair bit of help over Swedish things over the years and the range of information is sometimes quite amazing.

If you actually cite the hydraulics and the differences you suspect may be there you may have a better chance of getting some help. Good Luck!
John

[foxy]

I would have thought the pictures speak for them selves.

Having looked at them, all is abundantly clear in any lingo .

[tunnan]

Thanks sanguin.

I did not really want to join another forum but have now done so. Once accepted I will post and see what what (if anything( turns up).

Foxy

Yup photos dont lie but I need a more details!

Thanks again guys.

[sanguin]

Tunnan,
I have found another image that shows the 'one hydraulic cylinder' to lift the arm; 3.jpg on this site: www.underground3k.com/photogallery.php?album_id=305
No nationality cited, but note that the 'dozer blade' is once more completely flat and lacking any curvature, unlike the German and Danish versions.
The lift arm seems to be narrowed at the rear to accept the single hydraulic ram.
The plot thickens....
Best of luck on Missing Lynx, I suspect that you are genuinely looking at something not previously noticed by even the Leopard buffs. This could be quite interesting!
John

[tunnan]

Thanks john

Thats the feller. Indeed its a rare beast. It looks like a german colour scheme but I am not sure. It shows the 3 main differences - single ram for the bridge decks, dozer blade with hydraulic rams and an armoured 'skirt' round where the turret would normally be.

Almost enough to start building. Prototype skirt has been made but wont get anything done tonight though.

I will keep you posted.

Ken