I did a short review on Dragon’s new 1/72 scale Leopard 2A4. It is a pretty nice kit.
http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=923
Good review Rob. Pre-painted vinyl tracks. I don’t know if I like that or not. Ok decision made, I like it. Did you build the model or just look at it? I’m really wondering about how the rear hull piece matches up to the bottom and sides of the bottom hull piece. That was terrible in the 2A6.
great review! can you post finished pics?
Rob, thanks for the review. Sure wish Dragon would release this kit in 1/35th.
I haven’t built the 2A4, but I did build the 2A6 (as the optional 2A5) a while ago. I had some fit problems there but figured it was something I might have done wrong. I guess I should expect the same since the lower hull tub and rear hull plate are the same in both kits.
Thanks for the review. I’ve just seen my 1st serious try at 1/72 armor. Is it just me or does it look a little like the Japanese Type 90?
Design of the Japanese Type 90 was assisted by Germans who helped design the Leopard 2. The Type 90 uses a license built 120mm that is the same as the 120mm used by the Leopard and Abrams. It was accepted into use sometime after 1990. The Leopard 2 began development after the MBT70/KPz70 joint project ended. The Type 90 has a 3-man crew and auto loader vs. the Leo’s 4-man crew.
I guess the Type 90 could be considered the younger cousin of the Leopard 2.
I gotta get this one and build it up as a Swiss panzer! Very cool.
Thank for the info. Now I want to build the Leopard 2A4 even more.
Rob, do you have any idea if the kit supplies parts to make the different vehicles for which decals are provided?
For instance, the Pz87 (the Swiss version) has Swiss machine guns, a slightly differently configured turret rear, different mufflers and finally, US radios and improved NBC protection (though I’m not sure whether the different NBC kit and radios are apparent from the exterior).
May seem like hoping for a lot, but the T-55 from Tamiya does have lots of different optional parts, and I was hoping that the Leo would as well, as they provide so many different decals.
No, it does not. It doesn’t include the Swiss style muffler/exhaust nor the Dutch style smoke grenade launchers.
Grrrrrr.
Ok, thanks. I’ll either have to scratchbuild, or just let it go.