Tamiya

Kit Number 35271

1/35 Leopard 2A6

Reviewed By John Bonanni, #13440

MSRP: $54.00 USD

One of Tamiya's newest releases is the Leopard 2A6.  It is the same kit as the previous Leopard 2A5 (No. 35242).  The new addition is sprue D, containing a new long 55 caliber 120mm smoothbore main gun, two additional crew members, and road signs.  The kit also provides a new decal sheet and a clear part sprue.  If you wish to build a 2A5 with this kit it is possible, but the instructions only provide diagrams for the 2A6.

The kit contains 4 sprues, a two piece turret, a lower and upper hull all molded in olive drab plastic, a set of vinyl tracks, clear sprue, poly caps for the wheels, mesh screen, fine twin, and a decal sheet.  The casting of the parts lives up to Tamiya’s high quality allowing you to model a vehicle with a fully articulating suspension and modeling the hatches along with other details open or closed.

The turret is a beautifully cast in two half horizontal mating pieces.  Excellent details on the turret are reproduced such as: the separate hatches, smoke discharges, separate folding side panels, panorama periscope, sighting devices, and mesh turret baskets.  These turret baskets are the only downfall of the kit.  Tamiya, realizing this, have produced a photo etch set replacing these baskets.

The hull is also another marvel of the kit.  It has all the non skid surfaces already molded onto the kit.  Pioneer tools, extra track, ice cleats, and tow cables are nice additions to the hull.  The driver's hatch can be modeled in the open or closed position.  A jig is provided in the kit to accurately align the running gear or you could have it articulated any way you would like.  Vinyl tracks are a common feature of a Tamiya kit these days but don't be fooled -the track provided in the kit is highly detailed and easily installable.

The painting guide allows you to illustrate four different vehicles: Munster Armor School, German Armed Forces (Panzertruppenschule Munster, Bundeswehr) 2nd Company, 104th Panzer Battalion (2. Kompanie, 104. Panzerbataillon) 3rd Company, 403rd Panzer Battalion (3. Kompanie, 403. Panzerbataillon) 5th Company, 203rd Panzer Battalion (5. Kompanie, 203. Panzerbataillon).

Overall the kit is a wonderful piece of work.  Although not a completely new model, it does offer the most current version of the Leopard 2 used by the Bundeswehr.  I would highly recommend this kit to anyone.  I would like to thank John Noack and Tamiya for this great review sample.

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