“Leopard” 2A4 – the German/ Polish main battle tank

“Leopard 2” is a modern German III generation main battle tank. The first prototypes were built in 1973, a serial production began in 1979 and continues to this day. By 2018, 3480 vehicles of this type had been produced. The “Leopard 2” is powered by a 1500 h. p. power engine MTU MB 873 Ka 501. The tank is armed with one 120 mm cannon "Rheinmetall" Rh-M-120 and two 7.62 mm caliber machine guns MG 3. These machines appeared, because in the 60s of the XXth century the Bundeswehr needed a new main tank, that could replace the aging "Leopard 1" tank in the armament of the German FR. Initially, cooperation was established with the US concern "Chrysler" and a tank was designed, designated MTB-70. But after a few years, cooperation ceased and further work was carried out only in German companies. Despite the long period of analytical, study, experimental works, which lasted almost 15 years, the first "Leopard 2", that rolled off the assembly line in 1979, became a revolutionary design, that turned all Soviet tanks into nothing. Most analysts agree, that these machines were the first 3rd generation tanks in history. This generation includes the M1 “Abrams”, the French “Leclerc”, and the much later Russian T-90. The “Leopard 2” is characterized by incomparable maneuverability and mobility for 1979 due to its 1,500 h. p. engine. The combat vehicle is also well-armored with composite armor, and is equipped with an excellent fire control system (FCS), and its cannon became a standard in many NATO countries in the 1980s and 1990s. At the beginning of the XXIst century, a new version of this tank, the A6, was launched, equipped with a long-barreled cannon, which greatly improved its firing range and accuracy characteristics. The tank is also popular in other countries: it has been exported to Austria, Chile, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland. The Pols now have 247 units of the A4 and A5 versions of the “Leopard 2” in their arsenals. Such tanks as the main armament were also ordered by the Lithuanian Army in 2025.

A complex, well-designed and excellently detailed model, which will suit only medium-experienced and experienced modelers, but, working under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, don’t rushing and using all Your reserves of diligence, patience and attentiveness, this model will also suit advanced beginners and modelers with little experience. The chassis is perfectly detailed, its suspension, external detailing, armament, the interior of the engine and fighting compartment are not detailed, the tracks are only from separate tracks. There is a small supply of colors. The textual instruction is small and explains only the most complex parts of the model assembly, the graphical one is large-scale, detailed, informative and easy to read.