METAL-TIME Leopard 2 tank DIY model kit
The Leopard 2 is a third generation German main battle tank (MBT). Various iterations of the Leopard 2 continue to be operated by the armed forces of Germany.
Specifications
| Quantity of parts, pcs | 57 |
| Difficulty level, from 1 to 8 | 2 |
| Hours to assemble (average) | 2 |
| Model size (cm) | 13.1×5 x 4.2 |
| Model size (inch) | 5.16×1.97×1.65 |
| Historically accurate model |
| Rotating turret |
| Made in Ukraine |
The Leopard 2 is a third generation German main battle tank (MBT). Developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s, the tank entered service in 1979 and replaced the earlier Leopard 1 as the main battle tank of the West German army. Various iterations of the Leopard 2 continue to be operated by the armed forces of Germany, as well as 13 other European countries, and several non-European countries, including Canada, Chile, Indonesia, and Singapore. Some operating countries have licensed the Leopard 2 design for local production and domestic development.
There are two main development tranches of the Leopard 2. The first encompasses tanks produced up to the Leopard 2A4 standard and are characterised by their vertically faced turret armour.
The second tranche, from Leopard 2A5 onwards, has an angled, arrow-shaped, turret appliqué armour, together with other improvements. The main armament of all Leopard 2 tanks is a smoothbore 120 mm cannon made by Rheinmetall. This is operated with a digital fire control system, laser rangefinder, and advanced night vision and sighting equipment. The tank is powered by a V12 twin-turbo diesel engine made by MTU Friedrichshafen.
Following the end of the Gilded Leopard study in 1967, the West German government decided to focus on the Experimentalentwicklung (experimental development) in a
feasibility study and to develop new components for upgrading the Leopard 1 and for use on a future main battle tank programme.
At first 25 million DM were invested, but after the industry came to the conclusion that with such a low budget the development of the two projected testbeds was not possible,
a total of 30 to 32 million DM was invested. The experimental development was contracted to the company Krauss-Maffei, but with the obligation to cooperate with Porsche for the development of the chassis and with Wegmann for the development of the turret.
