Tanks & Trolls

1/6 Leopard 2A6

The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei AG, now Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), of Munchen, Germany. The Leopard 2 is a successor to the successful Leopard 1.

The Leopard 2A6 includes a longer L55 gun, an auxiliary engine, improved mine protection and an air-conditioning system. The German Army is upgrading 225 2A5 tanks to 2A6 configuration, the first of which was delivered in March 2001. The Royal Netherlands Army has ordered the upgrade of 180 of its 2A5 tanks to 2A6 configuration, the first of which entered service in February 2003. In March 2003, the Hellenic Army of Greece ordered 170 Leopard 2 HEL (a version of the 2A6EX). 30 are being assembled by KMW, the remainder by ELBO of Greece. The first locally built tank was delivered in October 2006.

A new smoothbore gun, the 120mm L55 Gun, has been developed by Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH of Ratingen, Germany to replace the shorter 120mm L44 smoothbore tankgun on the Leopard 2. The extension of the barrel length from calibre length 44 to calibre length 55 results in a greater portion of the available energy in the barrel being converted into projectile velocity increasing the range and armour penetration.

The L55 smoothbore gun, equipped with a thermal sleeve, a fume extractor and a muzzle reference system, is compatible with current 120mm ammunition and new high penetration ammunition.

As a result of tactical requirements Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH developed the improved kinetic energy ammunition known as LKE 2 DM53. With the DM53 round the L55 gun can fire to a range of 5,000m. The effect of the kinetic energy projectile on an enemy target is achieved by 1) the penetrator length and projectile mass and the impact velocity and 2) the interaction between the projectile and the target

The engine is the MTU MB 873 diesel engine, providing 1,100kW (1,500shp), with a Renk HSWL 354 gear and break system. An enhanced version of the EuroPowerPack, with a 1,210kW (1,650shp) MTU MT883 engine, has been trialled on the Leopard 2.

Another huuuuge project this baby is 72 inches long, 24 inches wide and 18 inches tall, go on, measure that out on the floor in front of you!!!

The basic model, no paint no detail, lots of potential	All the white parts are detail added by me!
rebuild of the commanders scope		detail added to the commanders cupola scopes
		Had to scratch build the whole MG mount

Chains n widgets added to launchers		Track wedges and mounting brackets added to rear of turret
These panels fold out, great place to keep the sandwiches!	All the detailing bar a little on the barrel done now
A before shot of the front left, as you can see not much detail!	Detailed and grousers added	The wingmirrow works too! ooOOOoo
I intend to have several different lighting combinations just like the Tamiya 1/16 model so one of the 'battle modes' will inlcude the side lights	Drivers hatch detail	Again, teh ehadlights will work
Rear detail, will have brake lights, convoy marker, etc when finished	Detail showing the rear camera	Rear deck, right side
Rear deck, left side, all the tools can be removed	Top down of the rar deck showing the gun lock and various other bits n bobs
		can just see the texture on the non slip pads, made from rough grade wet n dry paper!
All finished, looks a real beast!	Primary 'false' weathering applied, now comes the fun bit of finding a great muddy puddle to drive through!	Left hand side showing a little of the stowage mounted on the bussles
Rear view showing lights. Convoy, break and rear lights all work (2 configs, combat and civvy) I'll try to get some pictures in the dark!	BOOOOOM!	There's gotta be a few drivers around with sore heads, not much clearance!
Top-down view showing turret detail, the beacon also works		Turret turned revealing the rear deck
Close up showing all the gear and tools, all scratch built, mucho funno!	Well, wouldnt be complete without the monicor on would it :O)	Drastic surgery was needed to allow the driver to sit comfortably with all the switches below the hatch. Removal of the body from the enck downwards to be precise!
	Close up showing grenade launchers and turret detail. The Markings were scaled up from the 1/16 transfers and printed on waterslide paper	Films to follow, step on it lads!!!!