I’m sure Tamiya’s is better, but alas, more spendy. My son has become interested in the Leopard after seeing some pics. Thought I might pick one up for him. Was wondering if anyone has built it and could let me know if it’s a dog or not. Thanks.
The one I got was in really brittle and thin plastic. The seam lines and flash are pretty significant as well. Detail isn’t too horrible but is of typical Italeri (it feels like a lot of their stuff are underscaled). The two piece tracks are forgivable at the price range. Overall it makes a decent kit under 20 bucks.
Thanks Ryan. Two-piece tracks? I do like most of the Italeri kits I’ve built over the years. I realize that some need a bit of TLC.
Yeah, tigerman–AWFUL tracks–they are in two pieces, so you can’t even hide the seam. And then they’re that horribly stiff vinyl that Italeri uses, so they don’t bend easy.
For $20 it’s not a bad deal, but I’d go with a Tamiya kit for the boy’s first model. I built the Italeri Leopard, and it’s a LOT more detailed with small fiddly parts, and like the man said, VERY brittle plastic which can snap and break really easily when trying to remove them from the sprue. IMO, a Tamiya kit would be a lot more forgiving and enjoyable for a new modeler.
Tigerman,
AFV or Armour - I can’t remember which - has an artical this month on the Tamiya Leopard 2a6 along with walk around photos. Very nice spread and a good hand-holder for the beginer.
I agree with the fellow modellers… The Tamiya kit is far better than the Italeri. I don’t have the kits, but I know about them because I’ve seen them, The Tamiya kit has better details. te Italeri kit has missing details, even the non-slip surface seems to be wrong. See the following link: http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/leopard2a6/leo2a6.htm and you’ll see what I’m talking about. I supose the Tamiya kit’s fit is far better than the Italeri. The Tamiya tracks are made of gluable vinil, and the Italeri tracks… only one word: awful… If that will be the first kit for your boy, I’d buy the easiest to build: The Tamiya one (only a few more $$$, in fact, in my LHS the Italeri kit is about $45 and if I order the Tamiya kit from on-line stores, it will be $42… That’s in Perú). Good luck! Most regards.
José