Novità

Robert
Rhinopard (Haubitze auf Basis Leopard 1A4)

Mit dem Auslaufen der Produktion von Teilen für den M109 Anfang der 80er Jahre wurde Mitte der 70er die Frage aufgebracht, ob es nicht möglich wäre, eine Haubitze auf der Basis des Leopard 1A4 zu erstellen. Das Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) erteilte daraufhin den Auftrag auf eine Machbarkeitsstudie an Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Anfang 1974. Das Projekt erhielt den Namen "Rhinopard". Es wurde ein Prototyp erstellt, bei dem das Getriebe nach vorne gelegt wurde, um den Kampfraum nach hinten verlegen und vergrößern zu können. Auch wurde eine neue 155mm Kanone verbaut und ein 4 Farben-Splintertarn mit diesem Fahrzeug erprobt. Die Tests verliefen aber nur mäßig, da es ständig Probleme mit dem versetzten Getriebe gab und auch die neue Kanone nicht die Leistung erbrachte wie erhofft.
Der Prototyp wurde dann als Versuchsträger an die Ruag in der Schweiz abgegeben und ist seitdem in einer schweizer Kaverne eingelagert.

Rhinopard (howitzer based on Leopard 1A4)

With the end of production of parts for the M109 in the early 1980s, the question was raised in the mid-1970s as to whether it might be possible to create a howitzer based on the Leopard 1A4. The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) then commissioned Krauss-Maffei Wegmann to carry out a feasibility study at the beginning of 1974. The project was named "Rhinopard". A prototype was created in which the gearbox was moved to the front in order to be able to move the fighting space to the rear and enlarge it. A new 155mm cannon was also installed and a 4-color splinter camouflage was tested with this vehicle. However, the tests were only mediocre because there were constant problems with the offset gear and the new cannon did not perform as hoped.
The prototype was then handed over to Ruag in Switzerland as a test vehicle and has been stored in a Swiss cavern ever since.

Dieter Bihlmaier
Klasse Idee Robert...und wie immer toll umgesetzt.
Great idea Robert... and as always well implemented.

Torsten
😎 Project, like the name ^^

Skyhiker
For a relatively new kit I am surprised on how much flash and fitting issues this kit has.

Skyhiker
It's really hard for me to fight off the urge to correct the structural issues with this kit. But I promised myself I would make this one out of the box.

Patrick Hagelstein
I've seen that promise before Skyhiker! 😂 Good luck keeping this one OOB! 😉👍🏼

Skyhiker
I really hate Revell conopys.

Sergio Ordonez
Mate, I think you should put the windshield uspside down. The ángel does not cope with the real one as I see on photographs.

Skyhiker
Unfortunately it looks even worse the other way around. The idiot engineers at Revell should be fired.

Sergio Ordonez
Well, I had some work with French engineers and I know shit happens. Could you take a photo with this one in the other position?

Sergio Ordonez
drive.google.com/fil..J9/view?usp=drivesdk
The windshield is not an isoscelles triangle so the windshield has not a 45 degree ángel over the capot. Please, see these example of a TA-152 (and please, mind It is 35 years old and I was only 13 when I drestroyed It).
I think an easy solution can be made. I do not want any mate to be anoyed by an engineering issue. I had them everyday (it's my job, Factory engineering problem solving, known as 'shit managing") and It can destroy your mojo.

Ben M
What a terrible canopy

Skyhiker
After several hours of sculpting I got the canopy to fit better. I will continue with it tomorrow.

Sergio Ordonez
Your mojo works, mate! Now you have became a great problem solver!
On the other hand, I think another 3D engineering guy needs to stop drinking and 20 years of 2D drafting. The fitting is worse than I could imagine. But I see is no a problem for a seasoned mate like you. Great work, mate!

Nicolas
Following. I build this kit several times in older versions. The fit of the canopy is realy sh*t. My solution was (with about 10 years) to sand the backside of the windshild till it fitted. Of corse so most of the frame is missing.

Thomas Kolb
What a struggle! It reminds me of some Heller and Amodel kits. But it looks that you manage to coax it into shape!

J35J
Great effort and progress! 👍🏻

Gary Kitchen
Following. Are you making the Hydra decal or mask or are they aftermarket? Really interesting subject 👍

Amenofys
I use white decal paper for laser printer. I usually design the custom decals on illustrator (or fetch them from internet) and print them. Decals shown in my custom Mustangs or J2N gallery are printed in clear paper.

Gary Kitchen
👍 Mustangs look great too.

Amenofys
Thanks, Gary!

Torsten
Exciting Me 😎

David Taylor
HAIL HYDRA.

Amenofys
😛

Gary Kitchen
👍

Amenofys
Work finished with a little vignette. The Hydra officer is no other than Red Skull.

Gary Kitchen
Fabulous stuff. Great subject, great build. 👍

Torsten
Nice idea with the vignette 😎

Amenofys
Thank you Gary and Torsten 🙂

Paul Eden
Great build. I'm also interested in doing some hydra inspired fictional models. The red engine and decal combo is inspired.

Transall NG
Funny ! 🙂