Hi,
Although I'm still working on the PzKpfw III and 3 other models (SdKfz 250 Greif, SdKfz 252 and the Stug) are still lying on the shelf unopened, I could not resist to buy the Leopold.
Once the model arrived, I started to realize that the finished model will be over 126 cm long. Actually the model will not fit into my glass cabinet, but I'm sure I will find a nice spot to display it.
The quality of the model is really good, regarding the way everything fits together as known from the GPM models.
The manual is in Polish, German and English which makes it easy to read. In the manual it is not depicted when parts have to be painted on the backside. So I needs some attention, since once the parts are glued together you can't reach some spots anymore.
The model also has some mistakes that I don't like.
- The camouflage is that of the displayed gun in the USA which is not historically correct. Therefore I will repaint the whole model in a correct color (yellow/light brown as used in Italy, or gray as used in the rest of Europe and Russia). I did not decide yet, but I think it will become gray.
- The text on the model has some spelling errors and after painting the model I will put it back (without errors ) Since the text is to small to paint by hand, I will buy custom made decals at http://www.blackliiondecals.nl
- Every wheel of the model has brakes, whereas the real one had no brakes on the middle two axis of each car. I will restyle the brakes and fit the correct number.
- The box on the last car is called ammunition storage, but this is really not true. The box contained an engine connected to a generator to power the gun as it was disconnected from the train before shooting.
The crane did not lift the projectiles from this "storage" but lifted the small trailer on top of the gun. The projectiles were prepared in 3 other cars (ammunition storage, charge storage and charge pre-heating). These projectiles were than loaded onto a small trailer which was pushed by hand to the back of the gun. Then it was lifted onto the gun and pushed forward towards the gun-breach.
Also the projectiles did not consist of 1 part as in the model, but out of three parts (shell, propellend charge in cotton bag, propellend charge in brass container with the primercap).
I will close the top of the box and will fit a generator inside which will be visible through the open doors.
For the rest, I will add more details that are not in the model.
As a reference I will mainly use:
http://svsm.org/gallery/280mm-leopold-family
http://www.one35th.com/model/k5/k5_frme.htm
All these corrections and adding more details, requires repainting the whole model with Marabu-buntlack spraypaint. Before I build and spray the whole model I will first test the paint on all the materials I want to use (woodglue, white glue, superglue, metal, plastic, paper, cartboard etc). Since I don't want to find out that the paint will come of after painting the whole model.
Some pictures of the Leopold as a plastic model:
Xander