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Leopard 2A6(M) CDN with full Barracuda kit

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  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Right behind you....
Leopard 2A6(M) CDN with full Barracuda kit
Posted by Beobachtungsbereich on Saturday, September 10, 2011 5:28 PM

I'm new to the forum and I'm looking to get back in to the hobby again after a 10 year break.

A bit of background on me and my upcoming project. I was a tank commander in Afghanistan with the tank Squadron based out of Ma'sum Ghar and my ride in and around Zhari/ Panjwaii was a Leo2A6(M) that was equiped with barracuda kit and slat armour (well, they all were actually).

Now time is marching on and I want to have something to remember my tour besides video and photos of us going out and taking it to the Taliban.

I've looked around at the available conversion kits for a Hobby Boss Leo and there are only 2 that I can see:

http://www.perfect-scale.de/Umbau--und-Zuruestsaetze-1---35/Leopard-2A6M-CAN--Barracuda--213.html

http://umm-usa.com/onlinestore/product_info.php?products_id=2818&osCsid=htggkc32cjjets7i337dq4mhv7

 

I'm tempted to go with the Perfect Scale due to the accuracy of how the kit actually laid on the tank. It's the most realistic by far. Cost is the only thing that is making me hesitate. Ill be buying it if there are no others that are close. The Black Dog kit is not close but sufficient for someone that never saw one in real life.

 

Another part is the slat armour. I'm tempted to go for:

http://www.trackjam.com/RealModel/RMA%2035219.htm

I've never dealt with how to put PE together. Do you use a soldering iron or something else?

 

Then of course there are the antenna mounts. I'll have to cut the posts down to an accurate height:

http://www.trackjam.com/RealModel/RMA%2035196.htm

 

Then there are back deck and turret details here that are required:

http://www.trackjam.com/RealModel/RM%2035154.htm

 

All in all I'll be on the hook for a bit of cash, not including paint and grey hairs/ crushed beers.

 

Thoughts?

  • Member since
    October 2003
  • From: Elkton, MD
Posted by woodrow76 on Saturday, September 10, 2011 11:19 PM

Hey,

All though I'm an American, thank you for your service, Canada is great country and ally.  On to the Leopard, I believe Cromwell models makes a conversion for the Leopard, in Afghan service, I'm pretty sure the Canadian version.  You could use the tamiya kit for the conversion but if you get the hobbyboss kit you could use the slat armor, if I'm wrong on that, I'm sure the others on here will correct me, lol.  The one drawback to Cromwell models is their slow ship times and customer service.  I've seen many people complain about those issues, so ordering from them maybe a crap shoot.  I'd love to get their Challenger II TES conversion set for the trumpeter kit but the slow ship time and service worries me.  I hope I was able to help.

Woody

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Right behind you....
Posted by Beobachtungsbereich on Sunday, September 11, 2011 6:38 AM

I've heard the horror stories of Cromwell and their lack of shipping yet taking your cash. Hence, the other two kits being the only one's in the running right now.

Any more thoughts?

 

Regards

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Valrico, FL
Posted by HeavyArty on Sunday, September 11, 2011 8:05 AM

If you want an accurate and detailed replica of your tank, I would say yes, you need to get all the AM parts.  You could buy them a few at a time and draw it out a little if cost is an issue.  This will also allow you to do a few other kits and brush up on your skills a bit (since you have been out of the game for 10 years) before tackling a big project with resin, PE, cutting, fitting, etc.

The same on the PE.  If you have never done PE, I would not start off with SLAT armor.  It is a PITA to build.  I would try a few easier PE update/detail sets first to practice a bit.  PE can be soldered, but it is harder to do, esp. with small parts.  I find superglue to do just fine on PE and it is much easier to work with as well.

Whatever you choose, good luck with it and post some pics when you get started. 

Gino P. Quintiliani - Field Artillery - The KING of BATTLE!!!

Check out my Gallery: https://app.photobucket.com/u/HeavyArty

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Right behind you....
Posted by Beobachtungsbereich on Sunday, September 11, 2011 9:12 AM

Thanks for all the responses so far. It's helping!

 

I've done PE before on other models and it was rather easy to include on the tanks. The only thing that I haven't done is complete assemblies like the slat armour.

I may wait out on the PE slat armour to see what comes in the kit from Hobby Boss.

 

The stuff in real life may seem brittle and frail but it can take the weight of a full grown man using it like a ladder day in, day out.

Regards

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: Right behind you....
Posted by Beobachtungsbereich on Sunday, September 18, 2011 11:06 AM

Well, the deed is done and the parts are ordered.

Looked at the kit for the first time yesterday and there are some glarring issues. The birdcage is not even close to what is actually on my old tank. The bars are too thick and the assemblies are too long. So I'll be getting the PE kit as well.

I'll have to trim off at least 3 bars in height from the bottom to get it where we had it so it was effective and not rubbing on the ground going cross country.

Got all my photos ready to go. Man, it's going to be one hell of a build. Now to track down replicas of an MG3 and 2 C8HB with EO Tech sights and handgrips.

 

Regards

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