Leclerc Series 2 RT5 & T6
1:35 Decal Sheet No. T35021
Review by Peter Brown
Leclerc is France’s current Main Battle Tank and is available in 1:35 from Tamiya and Heller. Anyone wanting alternative finishes to kit-supplied decals will find more than enough choice on this Echelon Fine Details sheet. Printed very cleanly and clearly by Microscale, they are waterslide with each component separated into its own area of backing film. Finish is glossy.
It begins with markings for sixteen different tanks to the latest build standard, with the relevant serial numbers and names, tactical signs, unit markings, KFOR lettering and chevrons as appropriate along with bridge class plates. Location of individual items is shown using coloured views on the instruction sheet, with photos of some of them for good measure. Also very useful are small decals for warning labels and instructions on the fire extinguishers, photos showing them in place on the real vehicle also double to show detail features on the tank.
To allow more space on the decal sheet and the instructions, the location of the decals is shown using a locating "map" printed on clear sheet. By laying this over the decal sheet, items can be quickly located. This is a simple idea which shows the level of attention to detail shown as usual by Echelon. Most items are grouped together so it is easy enough to cut one portion out of the backing sheet to use while keeping the remainder safe for another project.
Anyone who wants to model earlier versions of Leclerc has even more options available as part of the sheet has names and other markings including half-completed number plates with separate numbers to make up the correct plates for specific vehicles. You will need to find references for these as details are not given, despite that this is a useful extra allowing even more options. The choice is even wider, as well as complete names there are sets of lettering in three styles to compose any not covered.
Finally to add even more to an already full sheet are generic tactical markings and low-visibility playing card symbols which can be used with the number plates and lettering to mark other modern French vehicles.
Highly recommended
Thanks to Larry of Echelon Fine Details for the review sample.
Page created May 17, 2006