Restoring an old Tamiya Leopard A4

[Meter Rat]

Repairs got underway with my Leopard 1A5DK. The gearbox output shaft was drilled out 2.5mm, then tapped out 3mm. A 3mm threaded bar was stewed in, and fixed with JB Weld. When this had dried, the second part was screwed on and again fixed with JB Weld. No photos as I forgot.

Today, as it is summer in Scotland, and the rain is coming sideways , some more repairs were carried out. Scratch built a new reversing wand.

Then new fixings were installed for the mantlet cover. This will have fine elastic threaded through it.



While this was all drying a start was made on scratch building a new mount for the EMES18. I’m now waiting on it all drying, so it can be carefully trimmed down, and the EMES fitted.

It looks rough in the pictures.

[SoCalBobS]

I like the rough texture. You do so well, perhaps you should have your nephew knock a couple more tanks off the shelf!

[RichJohnson]

I like your mount, coming along nicely. I finally built my spotlight bracket last month and mounted it. I used brass and made it actually screw on and off,
.. ugh crazy needless work.

[Meter Rat]

Final job on this repair was to the gearbox. If anyone has read the drivel I write, then due to the offspring of spawn, the gearbox out drive was damaged.
Rather than use a new pair of gearbox, which are book marked for a second Leopard 1 restoration, I would attempt to repair them., with a bit of old school engineering.


First job was to drill and tap both parts of the drive shafts.

A screw was installed, and both parts fitted together.


This was all aligned, and crossed drilled, and small pin fitted.

These pins were held in with a small amount of JB Weld.

Unfortunately, I pined it to well, and the screw broke, on the first drive.


I admitted defeat, and installed the pair of new gearbox.

While seeking solace at the bottom of a pint pot some further ideas, came to mind, so I have not given up yet on the repair of these gearboxes.

[SoCalBobS]

Record the cost, and when the spawn reaches adulthood, present him with the bill...with interest. Include labor.