Leopard 2 1:35 kit, conversion and accessory list
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Home >> Modelling >> Leopard 2 1:35 kit, conversion and accessory list

This list has been compiled by Frank Lobitz and is based entirely upon his own opinions and not from hearsay. I (Dan Hay) have contributed a few comments where appropriate but the information contained here is really due to Frank's efforts.

If you wish to contribute to this list or if you notice any errors or omissions, please contact Frank Lobitz at frank@leotalk.net or Dan Hay at dan@onepointed.com.

Please note that all kits and conversions listed here are in 1:35 scale unless otherwise noted.

This page was last updated on Friday, 01-Aug-2008 06:18:35 MDT.

Plastic Model Kits

The differences between the Leopard 2 MBTs up to 2A4 are small, changed over the years and are difficult to explain, and therefore - so it seems - mostly unknown by the kit producer (the one exception would be Revell #3053). Nevertheless they should be considered by serious scale modellers. The list below based on the box top designations.

Leopard 2

  • Italeri 243
    • the very first Leopard 2 kit in 1:35 scale
    • not bad at all, but hardly meets today's standards
    • at least an A2, but could also represent an A3 and early A4 (all former 1st batch vehicles)
  • Testors 820
    • re-boxed (licensed) version of Italeri 243 (see above)
  • Esci 5022
    • similar but not identical to the aforementioned Italeri kit (see above)
    • missing some details and tools
    • includes a separated drivers hatch, sectioned track and Dutch parts (and decals)
  • Esci 5030
    • identical to 5022 (identical parts, decals and instructions) but includes 14 so-called NATO figures that are cast in soft plastic and are rather toy-like
  • Heller 81139
    • a very poor copy of Italeri 243 (although it is not a faithful copy as a lot is missed)
    • scrap
  • Lee 306
    • 100% identical to Heller 81139 (ie. scrap)

Leopard 2A2

  • Matchbox 3502
    • licensed copy of Italeri 243 but with new decals

Leopard 2A3

  • Esci 5023
    • a re-boxed version of #5022 officially using the already included Dutch parts
    • doesn't represent a production 2A3 at all

Leopard 2A4

  • Revell 3053
    • re-boxed and somewhat improved version of Italeri 243
    • additional parts included for a 2A4 non 1st batch and a few improved details
    • new decals
  • Hobby Boss 82401
    • a great improvement over their initial Leopards (2A5 DK and Strv 122)
    • the non-skid patches are significantly toned down (ie. they are not quite so thick)
    • some details are rather simplified (eg. smoke discharger arrays are not angled), while others have been improved over earlier Leopards (eg. hinge details on engine deck stowage compartments)
    • not quite on par with the Revell offering, but still good value for the money

Leopard 2 improved / KWS

This represents a prototype/demonstrator for the Leopard 2 upgrade. There were two such examples produced which were referred to as TVM max and TVM min. A third prototype was build and was called TVM II.

  • Italeri 280
    • based on Italeri 243
    • first tapered turret kit
    • just a prototype-look-alike with some (but not all) of the features of the TVM II
    • already includes the long (L55) main gun barrel
  • Lee ?
    • a bad copy of Italeri 280
  • Trumpeter
    • a bad copy of Italeri 280
    • closer to a production 2A5 than the KWS
    • has an extended hull rear to enable a toy-like motorisation

Leopard 2A5

  • Hobby Boss 82402
    • labelled as a 2A5 / 2A6 (includes parts for both)
    • includes both the L44 and L55 main gun barrels
  • Italeri 365
    • based on Italeri 280
    • well updated to the production 2A5
    • includes Dutch parts (smoke dischargers and GPMG), although the GPMG mount is not correct
  • Revell 3045
    • identical to Italeri 365 (cooperation with Italeri) but having better decals
  • Tamiya 35242
    • a standard Tamiya kit (ie. very nicely done)
    • the gold standard for 1:35 Leopard 2A5 kits
    • made with the support of KMW
    • very nice detail throughout (the cooling air intake grills are extremely well done) and hassle free construction
  • Trumpeter
    • refer to the notes for the Trumpeter Leopard 2 improved / KWS above

Leopard 2A5 DK

Leopard 2A5 NL

  • Hobby Boss 82423
    • labelled as a 2A5 / 2A6 NL (includes parts for both)
    • includes both the L44 and L55 main gun barrels

Leopard 2A6

  • Italeri 6435
    • reworked 2A5 in cooperation with Revell
    • improved long (L55) main gun barrel
  • Revell 3060
    • reworked 2A5 in cooperation with Italeri
    • improved long (L55) main gun barrel
  • Tamiya 35271
    • 2A5 kit with the L55 main gun barrel and other accessories
    • the L44 main gun gun is still included

Leopard 2A6 EX

Strv 122

  • Hobby Boss 82404
    • please refer to this review and comparison by Frank Lobitz for more information
    • the instructions incorrectly call for the addition of the under-armour APU (this was not ever installed in the Strv 122)
    • the kit appears to be based on the HKCW resin conversion


Tracks
  • Elite #35H03, HKCW, AFV Club (which are all the same) - injection molded plastic workable tracks
  • Armour Track Models #TK-09 - injection molded plastic workable tracks, includes resin sprocket and idler wheels


Guns

L44 Main Gun

  • Modelpoint #MP3559 (for the Italeri Leopard 2) - turned aluminum barrel with a resin bore evacuator
  • Modelpoint #MP3559-4 (for the Tamiya 2A5) - turned aluminum barrel with a resin bore evacuator
  • Modelpoint #MP3559-5 (for the Italeri 2A5) - turned aluminum barrel with a resin bore evacuator
  • Barrel Depot #BD35012 - one piece turned aluminum barrel, muzzle, bore evacuator ring/collar

L55 Main Gun

  • Modelpoint #MP3559-2 (for the Tamiya 2A6) - turned aluminum barrel, resin bore evacuator with aluminum collar, separate muzzle
  • Modelpoint #MP3559-3 (for the Italeri 2A6) - turned aluminum barrel, resin bore evacuator with aluminum collar, separate muzzle
  • Barrel Depot #BD35033 - three piece turned aluminum barrel (rear, bore evacuator, front), bore evacuator ring/collar, muzzle
  • Armo (Jadar-Model) #35793 (for the Tamiya 2A6) - turned aluminum barrel with a cast resin bore evacuator


Photo Etch and Masks

On the Mark

  • #TMP-3506 - Leopard 2A0-A4

Eduard

  • 35101 - for the Italeri Leopard 2A0-4
  • 35302 - for the Italeri 2A5
  • 35340 - for the Tamiya 2A5
  • 35707 - for the Tamiya 2A6
  • 36019 - Leopard 2A6M slat armour, for the Tamiya 2A6
  • TP008 ZOOM - for the Tamiya 2A5
  • TP080 ZOOM - for the Tamiya 2A6
  • XT036 - periscope masks for the Tamiya 2A5/6
  • XT079 - wheel masks for the Tamiya 2A5/6

Lion Roar

Tamiya

  • #35272 - photo-etched screen for the turret bustle stowage bins on the Leopard 2A5 or 2A6

Voyager

  • #PE35011 - for the Tamiya 2A5/6
  • #AP006 - turret basket mesh - for the Tamiya 2A5 and 2A6
  • #AP007 - 2A5/A6 radiator air intake grills


Accessories

Engine / Power-pack

  • Perfect Scale Modelbau 35001 English Deutsch
    • a multi-media (resin, brass wire, copper wire) conversion/accessory set
    • includes parts to depict a complete power-pack, ngine compartment and a replacement engine deck
    • designed to fit the Tamiya 2A5 or 2A6
  • Perfect Scale Modelbau 35005 English Deutcsh
    • contains only the power-pack
    • identical to the parts included with 35001 (see above)
  • Real Models RMA35017
    • an open engine and transmission/cooling compartment
    • designed to be used with the Italeri 2A5 or 2A6
  • Real Models RMA35037
    • an open engine compartment (does not include the transmission/cooling compartment)
    • designed to be used with the Trumpeter kit

Ammunition box

  • Real Models #RMA3514

Mine Protection

  • Perfect Scale Modelbau 35014 English Deutsch
    • a resin and photo-etched brass set to upgrade the Tamiya 2A6 kit to a 2A6M
    • consists of belly armour, extended front mud flaps and brackets and the later 6/2 KMW smoke discharger array



    Photo © 2007 Frank Lobitz


Multinational users

Denmark

  • Hobby Boss #82405

Netherlands, The

  • Parts are included in the Italeri/Revell 2A5 and 2A6 kits for Dutch Leopards. These parts would include smoke dischargers and the GPMG.
  • Legend Productions #LF1121 - a cast resin and photo-etch conversion set containing new smoke discharger clusters, un-armoured side skirts, FN-MAG and mount, turret top dry stowage box, radio antennae mounts (with the US style ATUs), barrel cleaning rods and track blocks in mounts (on turret rear)
  • Pro Art Models PAU-35018 This set is labelled as a Leopard 2 A5/6 German Army / Dutch Batt Conversion but the parts included seem largely intended for a vehicle in Dutch service. The set was designed for the Tamiya Leopard 2A5 or 2A6 kits. The set contains a set of non-ballistic side skirts (with the proper dimpled texture), German style smoke grenade launcher clusters, a Motorola tuning box, track chocks and carrier (typically mounted on the rear of the turret), a tool box and an antenna base.

    Instruction sheet - Adobe PDF (301 KB)

Sweden

Strv 122
  • Hobby Boss #82404
  • Hong Kong Creation Workshop #CK-3502 - a cast resin conversion which is intended to be used with the Tamiya 2A5 kit


Leopard 2 based vehicles

Bergepanzer 3 Büffel / Leopard 2 ARV

  • Elite #3517 - complete cast resin kit with movable individual link tracks
  • RN Modelle #35026 - cast resin conversion using an Italeri Leopard kit as a base


Decals

Germany

  • Truckline - several generic sheets

Netherlands

  • Echelon Fine Details T35005 - markings for several vehicles (including YPRs, M113s, etc...) and a sheet of generic Dutch armour markings

Spain

  • Echelon Fine Details T35001 - includes markings for 6 specific vehicles of the Spanish Mechanised Division Brunette

Sweden

  • Echelon Fine Details T35003 - Strv 122s of the Skaraborgs Regemente
  • Echelon Fine Details T35007 - Strv122s of the Norrbottens Regemente


Announcements and Rumours


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Copyright © 2001-2007 Dan Hay

Last update: Friday, 01-Aug-2008 06:18:35 MDT