What if ? Australian Leopard 2A6. Spec's ?
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 08:08 PM UTC
Hi Guys !
I'm toying with the idea of doing a "What if ?" Aussie Leopard 2A6 as a fun project sometime in the future
Yes I know Australia has just purchased a fleet of M1A1 Abrams AIM SA's, but what if it had gone the way of the "German beast" instead ?
I figure it'd:
Be painted in the standard Australian Army three colour scheme and perhaps use Barracuda Camo (as did the retired Leopard 1's).
Retain the MG3 & MG2A1 Machine guns used in the retired Leopard 1 fleet.
And.............................?
What, if anything, do you think should be added to the base Tamiya kit ?
Looking forward to your responses
Cheers
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Tasmania, Australia
Joined: May 27, 2003
KitMaker: 66 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 08:24 PM UTC
Well the Aussie M1's have a tank phone as an addition to the stock M1. Its a box on the rear fender with a phone handset which allows someone outside the tank to talk to the crew. I believe it has a 30m lead.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 08:28 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Well the Aussie M1's have a tank phone as an addition to the stock M1. Its a box on the rear fender with a phone handset which allows someone outside the tank to talk to the crew. I believe it has a 30m lead.
I must get a pic of that - thanks mate !
How about the 2A6M upgrade as well ? (Without Slat Armor LOL)
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 09:56 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
Well the Aussie M1's have a tank phone as an addition to the stock M1. Its a box on the rear fender with a phone handset which allows someone outside the tank to talk to the crew. I believe it has a 30m lead.
I must get a pic of that - thanks mate !
How about the 2A6M upgrade as well ? (Without Slat Armor LOL)
Paul
Here you go. It's the lower box beside the right side tail light. I believe the smaller box above is a covered power outlet (?)
Link to hi-res pic here:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/2006/Sep/20060922/20060921adf8099240_125.jpgVictoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 10:01 PM UTC
Great Photo Phil !
That'll be easy to scratch and add. The Leo doesn't appear to have an external phone. Do all Abrams' have those ?
I know the Aussie Abrams also has a refrigerator. Would that be useful in the 2A6 ?
Cheers
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 10:34 PM UTC
In US service, my understanding si that USMC M1A1's and Army M1A2's have the T/I phone. but they're not fitted to Army M1A1's.
I'm not 100% sure but I believe the cable reel at the rear of the turret on the Leopard 2A6 is for the T/I phone.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 10:51 PM UTC
Quoted Text
In US service, my understanding si that USMC M1A1's and Army M1A2's have the T/I phone. but they're not fitted to Army M1A1's.
I'm not 100% sure but I believe the cable reel at the rear of the turret on the Leopard 2A6 is for the T/I phone.
I'm no Leopard expert either but you'd think that most MBT's these days (with combined arms and infantry support being the go) would have a T/I phone.
The phone box at the back of the Aussie Abrams certainly is easily accessable for the man on the ground.
On a seperate issue, I wonder whether there is enough external basket stowage in a std Leo 2A6 for Aussie likes.
Thoughts guys ?
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 11:18 PM UTC
Again, I'm not 100% sure, but I believe the Leopard 2 has an enclosed or partially enclosed centre bin between the two "corner" baskets.
If I recall correctly, many European designed MBT's (eg. Challenger) have enclosed stowage rather than letting it all hang out like US tanks.
Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Joined: March 24, 2008
KitMaker: 1,247 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 11:21 PM UTC
The Hobby Boss 2A6EX kit has some extra armor like this:
Maybe you could add these and other extra armor parts. When buyinh a new tank, the one with the latest upgrades would be the best.
Many parts in the 2A6EX kit are the latest and give a different dimension then the 2A6
Lars
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 11:37 PM UTC
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 11:42 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The Hobby Boss 2A6EX kit has some extra armor like this:
Maybe you could add these and other extra armor parts. When buyinh a new tank, the one with the latest upgrades would be the best.
Many parts in the 2A6EX kit are the latest and give a different dimension then the 2A6
Lars
Thanks Lars.
It looks like upper glasis armour. Is it ?
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 12:05 AM UTC
Yep, that's the glacis, with the driver's hatch at the upper left.
Paul, this may be slightly off topic, but I recall that a little while ago, you were trying to match a colour for Aussie lustreless OD. How did you get on?
I found two parts Tamiya Olive Green XF-58 to one part Dark Yellow XF-60 came pretty close.- what do you think?
And then....
I found Gunze H 320 Dark Green (JASDF) an almost exact match for my mix.
Tamiya has a XF-73 JGSDF Dark Green which is slightly darker, but very close also.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 12:14 AM UTC
It's for my ASLAV Phil and it'll be for this Leopard too
In three part Camo it's probably not as critical as it would be in your single color machine. I'll also put a misting of diluted Buff over the camo, to dust it.
I haven't actually painted it yet, but in testing I used 3 parts Tamiya Olive Drab XF 62 to 1 part Dark Yellow XF60 (with a touch of white also). I put that mixture through my airbrush onto a old CD case and it looked quite good.
I reckon you're right about XF73 though - stop all the mixing and use that with a little yellow and that's pretty much it.
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Joined: March 24, 2008
KitMaker: 1,247 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 12:27 AM UTC
Yep, it's the upper glacis armor.
Lars
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: December 07, 2007
KitMaker: 2,096 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 01:06 AM UTC
What a great idea i did toy with the idea of an aussie Leo?
You could also add the cooler box as on the aussie M1?
Have you seen my Brit Leo what if ? it mite give you a few ideas?
CUIDICH 'N RIGH
life is a river, it always runs.
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: December 07, 2007
KitMaker: 2,096 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 01:14 AM UTC
CUIDICH 'N RIGH
life is a river, it always runs.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 08:16 AM UTC
G'day Scott !
That's pretty cool !
The RWS is a good idea. Where do you stand with that project ?
Any other ideas Guys ?
C'mon Aussies, and all of you Leopard blokes, more ideas please
Cheers
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: December 07, 2007
KitMaker: 2,096 posts
Armorama: 1,983 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 08:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
G'day Scott !
That's pretty cool !
The RWS is a good idea. Where do you stand with that project ?
Any other ideas Guys ?
C'mon Aussies, and all of you Leopard blokes, more ideas please
Cheers
Paul
Hay paul i am just waiting to get some more plasticard so i can get it a bit further along and the dark winter nites are here so should get more done soon.
CUIDICH 'N RIGH
life is a river, it always runs.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 08:50 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
G'day Scott !
That's pretty cool !
The RWS is a good idea. Where do you stand with that project ?
Any other ideas Guys ?
C'mon Aussies, and all of you Leopard blokes, more ideas please
Cheers
Paul
Hay paul i am just waiting to get some more plasticard so i can get it a bit further along and the dark winter nites are here so should get more done soon.
You've got to love the initial reaction to your 'What if?'.
Wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't happen !!
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: December 07, 2007
KitMaker: 2,096 posts
Armorama: 1,983 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 09:03 AM UTC
CUIDICH 'N RIGH
life is a river, it always runs.
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 09:14 AM UTC
Yes you did
As far as markings go I think these Mouse House decal sets would be nice:
Perhaps also one of the Aussie flags on an antenna from the Echelon ASLAV decal set I have:
The marking positions would be similair to the now defunct Leo 1s
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
KitMaker: 1,973 posts
Armorama: 1,843 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 08:12 PM UTC
Some thoughts on what I'm thinking so far:
1. MAG-58 to replace the M3 MG on the turret top (to make it common with other Aussie Armor eg: ASLAV)
2. Extra storage Box on Turret (refer Legends 2A5/6 NL Conversion).
3. 2A6M Armor and details.
4. 2A4 Side skirts
5. A/C Box on Turret rear.
6. 2 US style Antenna bases at rear of turret (one each side).
7. Racks for storing extra 'Jerry cans' on Turret rear.
8. Infantry Telephone at RH rear. Not sure about this can someone advise ???
I'll also be using the standard Lion Roar or Eduard PE sets for details as well as an Aluminium L55 Main gun.
Any other ideas ?
Cheers
Paul
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: November 10, 2005
KitMaker: 546 posts
Armorama: 442 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 10:58 PM UTC
How about a Platt mount for the loader's MG, and a mounting for a sunshade (beach umbrella ).
Victoria, Australia
Joined: March 14, 2006
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Posted: Sunday, November 02, 2008 - 11:17 PM UTC
Ok Sounds Good. I can use the MH Platt mount for the MAG 58.
And I can scratch something up for the umbrella. I've seen Leo 1's with an awning over the turret. Canadian 2A6's have something similar in Afghanistan also.
Thanks Phil
OddBall: "It's a wasted trip baby. Nobody said nothing about locking horns with no Tigers"
KIlgore: " I love the smell of napalm in the morning. ...The smell, you know that gasoline smell, the whole hill. Smelled like... victory."
Noord-Brabant, Netherlands
Joined: March 24, 2008
KitMaker: 1,247 posts
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Posted: Monday, November 03, 2008 - 04:17 AM UTC
A remote weapon station would be cool. Or some scratched ERA or slat armor. Or some kind of camera as seen on the M2A3 Bradleys. There are many latest releases on vehicles that can be placed on new tanks.
Lars
