1:72 German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2 A8

The real subject

The Leopard 2 is one of the most widespread main battle tanks of Western Europe and serves in the armies of a number of countries. The A8 designation marks the latest development step so far: it builds on the late machines of the A7 family and concentrates on crew protection, on upgraded electronics and on making the tank hold its own against present-day anti-armor weapons. The gun remains 120 mm, but the silhouette of the turret is noticeably more angular and busier than on the older versions, because it carries further protective elements and equipment.

Classification and scale

The item is a plastic kit in 1:72 scale and comes as a set of parts for assembly. The contents of the package and the building sequence are given in the manufacturer's instructions. In this scale several versions of the Leopard can be stood side by side and the differences between them compared on a single shelf.

Building and painting tips

The angular panels of the turret call for precise alignment, so dry-fit the parts first and only then join them. Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder down; wash the surface before painting and let it dry. A multicolor camouflage scheme stands out when you apply the paint in thin coats and keep the transitions soft, because in a small scale sharp edges of the scheme look unnatural.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers of present-day ground equipment and for anyone who follows the development of the Leopard 2 from the older versions up to today. Paints, glue and thinner are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.