Meng Leopard 2 A4

[Kevthemodeller]

Here's my entry for this GB it's Meng's Leopard 2 A4.

I remember well the first time I saw one of these Leopard 2's it was a wow moment to me it was the first of the modern type tanks to appear, fast, packed with great technology and looks the business .

Development of the Leopard 2 main battle tank began in 1970. In those days a clash between NATO and the Warsaw Pact was possible and the German Army needed a well protected MBT, which was superior to the models introduced in the Eastern Block. The first prototypes of the Leopard 2 were completed in 1972. In 1977 Bundeswehr initially ordered 1 800 of these main battle tanks to replace the Leopard 1. First production batch of 30 tanks was completed in 1979 and the Leopard 2 was adopted by the German Army the same year. At the time of its introduction the Leopard 2 was a very advanced and successful design, by 1993 German Army operated a total of 2 155 of these MBTs. This vehicle was also exported worldwide, Export operators are Netherlands (445 tanks), Poland, Switzerland (380 tanks, known as the Pz.87), Sweden (160), Spain (650), Turkey and some other countries.

Fire control system, armament, ammunition, transmission and tracks of the Leopard 2 are similar to the US M1 Abrams main battle tank, to simplify maintenance. This MBT has a welded hull and turret, composite armour of the Leopard 2 tank is similar to British Chobham. It offers good protection against armour-piercing rounds and ATGWs. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection system and automatic fire suppression systems. The Leopard 2 main battle tank is armed with a fully-stabilized Rheinmetall RH-M-120 120-mm smooth bore gun. Vehicle carries 42 rounds for the main gun. 15 rounds are stored in the turret bustle, while the rest are carried in front of the hull. The turret bustle is separated from the fighting compartment and has a blow-out panels. The Leopard 2 normally uses two types of ammunition - the APFSDS-T and HEAT-MP-T rounds. The APFSDS-T round penetrates around 450 mm of rolled homogeneous armour equivalency at 2 000 m range. Since its introduction some generations of APFSDS-T rounds were developed and used by the German Army. Germans estimated that their Leopard 2 tank could penetrate frontal armour of the Soviet T-72 tank at a range of 2 000 meters and frontal armour of the T-62 tank at a range of over 4 000 meters. The HEAT-MP-T round is effective against both soft and hard targets.

Secondary armament consists of two 7.62 mm machine guns. One of them is coaxial, while another is mounted on top of the roof.
The Leopard-2 has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver. One interesting feature about this main battle tank, that it has an escape hatch in the floor behind the driver. This main battle tank has a crew of four, including commander, gunner, loader and driver.
Vehicle is powered by MB-837 Ka501 turbocharged diesel engine, developing 1 500 horsepower. The Leopard 2 can be fitted with a deep wading kit. After preparation it can ford water obstacles up to 4 m deep.

Variants

Leopard 2A1, has improved armor protection. A number of components were improved in order to make them more reliable;
Leopard 2A2, fitted with improved sights;
Leopard 2A3, fitted with improved communications equipment and improved parking brake;
Leopard 2A4, fitted with new digital fire control system and improved turret with more armour, it was the most widespread version of this tank.

Its production commenced in 1985 and ceased in 1992. All the previous models were upgraded to this standard. It was produced in Switzerland under license as the Pz 87. It looks like the Leopard 2A4 saw its first combat debut in 2016 during Turkish operation in Syria, a number of these tanks were lost to anti-tank guided missiles, Leopard 2A5 and Leopard 2A6 are radically improved versions, Leopard 2A7 a proposed upgrade package for existing MBTs, which includes additional armour, additional cameras for long-range surveillance, advanced command and control equipment and some other improvements.

Bundeswehr plans to upgrade about 50 - 150 Leopard tanks to the 2A7 standard. Leopard 2 PSO, a version optimised for urban and peacekeeping operations. It was developed as a private venture, this MBT has increased protection against IEDs and RPGs;

[Tomcat64]

Another nice looking kit from Meng.

Looking forward to seeing how you turn this one out Kev

[Kevthemodeller]

Today's work

There are some surprising little issues with this kit, ones I wasn't expecting with a Meng kit, especially after all the rave reviews. None are show stoppers but just not the quality I was expecting, I've now built 3 kits 2 Tamiya and an Academy, this is my first ever Meng and it's got seem lines and flesh..... none of the ohter kits had that!
If you look carefully you can see the mould seem line, this prevents the 2 half's clicking together fully.





Then there's a fit issue or what looks like it, the drawing show a small indent in the wheel, but the actual wheel doesn't have it! On part A2 where A5 fit in.


This has to be removed or the cap will not fit flush

All sorted

Work starting on the lower hull

With similar fit issues as with the wheel hubs, these had to be removed to fit flush. These don't secure the part to the sprue either very odd.


All sorted

Rear hull

These had the worse flashing so far and it's quite thick


All sorted looks like where the ejection pins go and plastic has got past them in the mould.

All sorted it's still a great kit

[Kevthemodeller]

Small up date today, it's been a long one! Bottom hull is almost there now

[pourquoi61]

Nice box of plastic you have there looking forward to seeing it together.

[schweinhund227]

keep up the good work !

[Kevthemodeller]

keep up the good work !

Nice box of plastic you have there looking forward to seeing it together.

guys

[Kevthemodeller]

The track factory has opened, I kid you not 4 spures just like this one

You've got to be patient and the flashing is here too which stops the half's coming together fully


You've got to take you're time cutting from the spure, or you will make a lot of work for yourself having to file off all attachment points. I found cutters were the best tool for the job.

And the assembly, it's tricky at first but you soon get the hang of it and it's quite quick if a little repetitive


Another tricky cut again I found cutters the best.

Its quite a lot of work but you end up with a nice set of working tracks

Now one more side to go

[xSCAR45]

Tracks by Meng have always turned me off to actually buying a Meng kit. Most, if not all Meng kits have tracks like the one you're building. I suppose I just don't have the patience for them.

Good luck on your build! Keep up the tedious work.

[Kevthemodeller]

Tracks by Meng have always turned me off to actually buying a Meng kit. Most, if not all Meng kits have tracks like the one you're building. I suppose I just don't have the patience for them.

Good luck on your build! Keep up the tedious work.

I wouldn't they're tricky but once you get the hang of them really quite quick, I assembled the second track in half the time

[Kevthemodeller]

Today's up date. Tracks are all assembled as I said above tricky but they do make very good working tracks they're are certainly no worse the to assemble and like almost as good as Friul I'd say they just don't have the weight.

Starting on the upper hull

The flashing around inject pins is pretty much everywhere, I'm thinking either they're rushing things, changing styrene composition (cost cutting) or the moulds are wearing!

The two hulls are now joined, but the fit wasn't good, the upper was twisted and bowed I had to start gluing from the front glacis plate down each side to the rear in 1 cm segments I'm finding the styrene to be very brittle/hard compared to Tamiya, Academy, not too impressed with the fit either look at the the hull/to rear join

And here at the rear right corner, this was after about an hour and loads of holding,

I have to say even though the detail moulding is very good the fit isn't that great, I do hope this is just a "friday" kit I've got 5 other Meng kits in my stash It's not they're really bad I wasn't expecting these issues, nothing I've read in any review has mentioned fit issues.

I'm still enjoying the build

[Kevthemodeller]

This morning work
Cleaned up the rear/upper hull joint, by equalling or trying too, I think it will look ok once painted/weathered etc

Front upper hull attachments

Yet more flashings



All sorted

Ok it's off to the pub now, it's Sunday lunch

[xSCAR45]

Hmm... interesting.

I don't believe I've heard anything about fit issues or flash with Meng kits. You would think with the price tag Meng would have better quality control. Hopefully the worst is over and you just got a bad kit by them. I would be pissed off if I bought five Meng kits and they all had problems.

Hope your build gets better.

[Tomcat64]

Nice progress Kev and pub lunch looks like a damn good options with all that flash - again this is the first time I've seen anyone encounter this with a Meng kit.

Keep at it mate.

[Kevthemodeller]

Hmm... interesting.

I don't believe I've heard anything about fit issues or flash with Meng kits. You would think with the price tag Meng would have better quality control. Hopefully the worst is over and you just got a bad kit by them. I would be pissed off if I bought five Meng kits and they all had problems.

Hope your build gets better.

Many thanks, yes you're right that's what so surprising

Nice progress Kev and pub lunch looks like a damn good options with all that flash - again this is the first time I've seen anyone encounter this with a Meng kit.

Keep at it mate.

Hi Tom

Yes I'm very surprised as I've said, I'm also finding the styrene to be very brittle/hard compared to Tamiya, Academy. If you look at the water guard to the left of the drivers hatch right hand end, I bent it almost snapped it while dressing up the spure joins, I gently caught the end and it almost bent in half it's got very very little give. If that was Tamiya, Academy it would have just sprang back, it also not easy to glue, using Tamiya's extra thin and even quick setting you still have to hold it for some seconds it just so resistant. It's not what I was expecting form a Meng kit, maybe as I've said I've got a Fri afternoon kit or one that should have been rejected, perhaps it's just this kit.

I hope so as I've got 5 others

[Kevthemodeller]

Small up date from last nights bench time. Rear upper hull is almost complete

More fit issues although not show stoppers you couldn't build the kit unless you had a drill and there's no drill according to the instructions You either drill or modify/remove the pin! Again not what I was expecting on this kit!


The PE is good


Back to fit issues, I'm not certain how I'm going to get the string/rope to fit as yet but the scale looks all wrong to me

[Kevthemodeller]

Up date from last evenings bench time Front side armour


The barrel, I do like these RB barrels and they're cheaper than others

Mantlet

[SergioSolo]

I built Meng's Leopard 1 A5 and have no complaints, except for their awful tow cables... You're doing a great job, btw! The new barrel looks sweet

[Kevthemodeller]

I built Meng's Leopard 1 A5 and have no complaints, except for their awful tow cables... You're doing a great job, btw! The new barrel looks sweet

Thank you, it does seem odd my kit has these issues as they have great write ups. I did find reference to the plastic in a review I was reading yesterday and this plastic is very different from the other kits I've built. The tow ropes......... really are bottom draw, luckily and I'd forgot I'd bought some Eureka XXL ones for the build

[Kevthemodeller]

This evenings up date, barrel is now complete well assembled. The PE box that mounts the optical locator wasn't a success, so a fashioned one from spure, came out alright I'm pleased with it The fume extractor is a lovely resin cast but wafer thin, while trimming it, it broke a fraction of the edge. It's now been filled and will be finished off tomorrow after the filler is completely set.



The turret assembly

And the flashings are back


Top half mostly assembled, I'm leaving the optics until the painting/weathering is finished or that's the plan

Turret base

With flashing, this is spoiling what is a nice kit

[Tomcat64]

Nice work Kev - the PE on the rear deck really looks the business as does the gun barrel.

Shame about the continuing flash saga but great perseverance and it looks like it'll pay off.

[schweinhund227]

What Flash are you talking about?

none the less! most excellent details on that new gun!
what was the problem with the original gun; If I may ask?

[Kevthemodeller]

What Flash are you talking about?

none the less! most excellent details on that new gun!
what was the problem with the original gun; If I may ask?

Flash is the plastic left behind from the moulding process, it's plain to see in the pictures with this kit its all mostly around the ejection pin marks.

The barrel in the kit is in 2 half's which means a lot of careful sanding etc and the detail isn't as good as with after market (AM). There's nothing wrong with the kit barrel just not as good as AM.

[pourquoi61]

Great work so far, I am sure you will be rewarded in plastic modellers heaven.

[Kevthemodeller]

Great work so far, I am sure you will be rewarded in plastic modellers heaven.

[Kevthemodeller]

Last couple days up date The turret is now coming together


Still getting the goo old flashing most annoying

And it's always right where you don't want it these are the mirrors, if you choose the up position there's a small sticky mirror the would need to be stuck right where these are Luckily I've chosen to build a version found on pre readiness deployment with all the training simulators and road driving attachments removed on not in use.

These were really testing they're the doors for the sighting unit

But worth the effort


I've covered all the optical units with mask, to protect them during painting underneath thy're crystal blue, so they all look dull and dusty, again a lot of work but should be worth it

The turret is assembled just the dust plugs remaining which I'll fit after the painting is completed save knocking them off




She's ready for priming let the painitng begin It's Sunday lunch time so it's off to the pub

[Kevthemodeller]

Its been a very busy week but I've got the primer on I thought I'd try grey this time and I'm thinking about white highlights .

[Tomcat64]

Looking great Kev - nice work on the turret

[Kevthemodeller]

Looking great Kev - nice work on the turret

Thanks mate

[Kevthemodeller]

This weekends update. Had the Ammo Mig paint issues back again The base colour was difficult to put down evenly had to mess about with thinner ratios, quite why they can't make a consistent product is beginning to annoy me

The black went on with no issues got the odd bit here and there but's that due to my lack of skill with the airbrush trigger although it's improving steadily

But the brown oh my god I started with the hull first and it was a nightmare constantly drying on the needle, I mean every 5 seconds or so I tried every conceivable combinations of air pressure, thinner and flow improver mixtures/ratios I gave up in the end and went out this morning and bought Vallejo Model Air and Tamiya NATO colours. I just had to add 20% Ultimate thinner and a drop of flow improver for the Vallejo and 20% for the Tamiya, out of the 2 Tamiya is a much better product by far, pretty much no needle drying issues only after 10 mins or so of repeated on/off did I need to clean the needle Vallejo wasn't as good but still way way better then Ammo I know Tamiya is not a pure acrylic and it does smell (which is why I didn't go for it in the beginning, when I stopped modelling as a teenager the Tamiya Acrylic had just come on to the market, it was why better than enamel but was a pig to hand paint as I remembered) but boy what an improvement and easy to use.

Quite why some Ammo colours can't handle the close, on/off work when making out outlines and filling in of cammo patterns is beyond me I had similar issues with my Wespe build. I repeated what I did to over come the issues that time but they wouldn't work, Ammo it would appear can't make consistent product across their range I'm now thinking of phasing out my Ammo and replacing it with Vallejo and Tamiya. At least I now know it's not me it's the Ammo Mig I was really beginning to doubt myself.

Still a few bits here and there left over from the Ammo Mig paint but it will all clean up as I start weather

[Stokesy44]

At least you know its not you. And that camo looks pretty smart, once you get into the weathering I reckon it will look better still.

Its such a pisser when a product you've paid for doesn't do its job. Massively frustrating and I feel your pain.

[Kevthemodeller]

Thanks mate

I was really beginning to doubt not only myself but the H&S airbrush

I've had the same issue with other Ammo colours too, but thought it was H & S I just couldn't get it to work very hit and miss, I've really got fed up over the past few months, thinking it was me and I'd wasted my money on what is a quality air brush

Only to find out it the bloody paint I'm really disappointed if I'm honest, I love this hobby really got back into it only to find out it looks like I've chosen the wrong paint and wasted money Luckily for me it's not really an issue money wise and we're only talking couple hundred £, but I'm not that flush not to be bothered or think about someone not so lucky as me. I'm thinking of writing to Ammo seeing what they say, as it's really not good enough, their issues are well known (just check this forum) about. Very disappointed

[Stokesy44]

That's a nasty hit to take but now you can see your way through it so that's something.

I really like Tamiya and so does my H&S. Mr Hobby too. Vallejo is nice but I find masking it scare's the s**** out of me. If Tamiya and Mr Hobby were women, I'd marry them!

[papatika]

Thanks mate

I was really beginning to doubt not only myself but the H&S airbrush

I've had the same issue with other Ammo colours too, but thought it was H & S I just couldn't get it to work very hit and miss, I've really got fed up over the past few months, thinking it was me and I'd wasted my money on what is a quality air brush

Only to find out it the bloody paint I'm really disappointed if I'm honest, I love this hobby really got back into it only to find out it looks like I've chosen the wrong paint and wasted money Luckily for me it's not really an issue money wise and we're only talking couple hundred £, but I'm not that flush not to be bothered or think about someone not so lucky as me. I'm thinking of writing to Ammo seeing what they say, as it's really not good enough, their issues are well known (just check this forum) about. Very disappointed

I also have problems with Ammo paint using in airbrush. Not all of them, but most of them. I'm sure they are great paints, but just does not fit my painting style. I like it for detail painting, with brush.
Tamiya and Mr.Color is my way to go, but I'm really curious about the new Mission Models paints, unfortunately there is no official distributor yet in Hungary.

[xSCAR45]

Excellent paint job Kev. Looking forward to the weathering.

[Tomcat64]

I haven't tried the Ammo paints but had similar problems with ScaleColor - some worked fine, and yet others just seemed to be a pot of pure pigment and needed thinning to hell before they even thought of going through the airbrush.

Anyway - great perseverance mate and a very nice result in the end

[Kevthemodeller]

I also have problems with Ammo paint using in airbrush. Not all of them, but most of them. I'm sure they are great paints, but just does not fit my painting style. I like it for detail painting, with brush.
Tamiya and Mr.Color is my way to go, but I'm really curious about the new Mission Models paints, unfortunately there is no official distributor yet in Hungary.

I do like them you have to apply them in very light coats and they're fine

But like you it appears some just won't no matter what you do, I'm thinking perhaps they did have a problem and I've got old stock the effected stock and Ammo didn't recall or the shops I've bough it from didn't return it I've contacted Ammo this morning to see what they have to say!

Excellent paint job Kev. Looking forward to the weathering.

Thanks mate, just wish it wasn't such a struggle it shouldn't be

I haven't tried the Ammo paints but had similar problems with ScaleColor - some worked fine, and yet others just seemed to be a pot of pure pigment and needed thinning to hell before they even thought of going through the airbrush.

Anyway - great perseverance mate and a very nice result in the end

Like I said it's not all just a few thus far, but it shouldn't be happening, I'm beating on old stock that they've either not owned up to or suppliers didn't return. I've supplied the batch No's to Ammo, be interesting what if anything they say, if they don't respond I for one will just bin the ones I've had trouble with and replace with Vallejo/Tamiya and those that work just replace as they run out with Vallejo/Tamiya.

[Quax]

take heart though Kev, despite all the trials and tribulations you've experienced it does look great! remember the paint that doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

cheers

Paul

[schweinhund227]

Nice work thus far ! Keep it up ! almost there

[Kevthemodeller]

take heart though Kev, despite all the trials and tribulations you've experienced it does look great! remember the paint that doesn't kill us makes us stronger!

cheers

Paul

Paul, I'm just a bit annoyed they can't not know about it now can they

[Kevthemodeller]

Last weeks up date, been busy so it's been slower, tracks are painted and ready to be weathered before fitting.



Tracks are now weathered, these Meng tracks are amazing the would easily pass for Friuls


And fitted, the weathering has begun

As are the decals


The Front and rear light lenses are still to be fitted.

[Stokesy44]

Looks superb mate. Lovely colours and decs.

[TommyKillander]

Great job, looks awesome !

Love the tracks


Tommy

[Kevthemodeller]

Looks superb mate. Lovely colours and decs.

Great job, looks awesome !

Love the tracks


Tommy

Thanks guys, I'm learning all the time loving every minute

[Kevthemodeller]

The weekends up dates
My very first attempt at at dot filtering.

I'm going for the washed mud/dust finish as if mud has been washed or part dried, as you get with armour once they've been around the training area. So the dots are larger and there's more dust effect.



I think I've achieved it, it's subtle but hopefully gives a look of being wet/dry/walked on etc.


Now time for the mud, as if it's been hacking about the training area, obviously this isn't a tank "in battle" so it's training level dirt. Here's the first stage, a light dusting.



Second stage, turret hasn't been touched yet.

[Quax]

Terrific job Kev, you've nailed it with that dot filter!
Paul

[Stokesy44]

Nice one Kev, really like the filter work. What did you think when you were applying it?

Like the mud effects too, especially the splatter effects. I'm yet to try that but its on my list.

[Kevthemodeller]

Nice one Kev, really like the filter work. What did you think when you were applying it?

I thought at first I'd over done it, as it looked really dark. As it dried off it was actually not enough, although the dust effect oil is very powerful I had to tone that down. Overall I like it not sure I'd need to do it all the time as other weather products get you the same results.

Like the mud effects too, especially the splatter effects. I'm yet to try that but its on my list.

Thanks mate. I did a couple first on this to, I dusted with acrylic paint first, then used an airbrush to apply the mud. I stopped that almost straight away just found it all too difficult to get the effect where and in the right amounts, went back to the old cocktail stick

[Tomcat64]

Stunning work Kev - really well done mate! That's hit just the right balance of subtle but effective!

[Kevthemodeller]

Stunning work Kev - really well done mate! That's hit just the right balance of subtle but effective!

Thanks mate still some way to go but almost there.