Well amongst all the other armour projects I've started and haven't completed (lol) I received the Tamiya Leopard 2a6 kit for Christmas and noticed that with the turret the frontal wedge shaped armour allows for conversion to the 2A4 standard. I was wondering if all the second hand Dutch tanks will be converted to the new 2A4 Can standard? I'm on a limited budget as I'm also still working on my two C-1 projects and LAV III TUA. I was wondering if the Perfect Scale Leopard2A6M CAN upgrade kit comes with enough bits that I could make my tank Canadian?

Nope. The sights on the 2A4 are different than the 2A6. look at how the 2A4 has a chunk channeled out of the front armour. Also, the hulls are different around the driver hatch area.




You might be confusing 2A4 and 2A6M CAN. The dutch tanks will be converted to two main types; 2A4M CAN and 2A4 CAN. The "M" suffix tanks will have additional hull and turret armour. A few of these tanks are or will be in Afghanistan. On repatriation, they will be placed in op stock. The 2A4 CAN will serve as the trg tanks. These will have much less mods than the M version. There's a few at CFB Gagetown which I believe are 'as is' from the Dutch and have not been brought up to CAN spec yet. That may only be a new coat of paint, I'm not sure.




I think the PSM kit is designed for the HB 2A6M CAN, not sure if it would fit the Tamiya kit. However, Real Models makes a set for the Tamiya 2A6 to make your tank Canadian.

Yeah I've been "googling" Leopard 2 trying to find out if any definitive plans have been made for the Leopard2's NOT going to Afghanistan and so far have ended up with Wikipedia saying this.

Another 40 A4's will be upgraded with the 120 mm L55 gun as found in the A6 and be designated Leopard 2A4+,

It doesn't say anything about sights, or that new armour they're sporting on the 2A4M Can or if they'll have the belly armour and the mine resistant features of the A4M or A6M. It'll be a little while before I get on to that project...maybe a few months so I'll just wait and see if any other announcements are made and if anybody finds out any more details about the refurbished 20 going to the sandbox.

Yeah wikipedia isn't always the most up-to-date.

The shorter 44 calibre gun will be retained by the 2A4 series used in Canada.

But as you've said you've got a 2A6 kit and want to convert it, I'm still not tracking all your questions ref 2A4's. There are much easier ways to build a 2A4 than starting with a 2A6...

2A4M CAN pics:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/169232/message/1286720355/Roll+out..+any+pics-+-%26gt%3B+here+are+some

2A4 CAN pics:
http://www.network54.com/Forum/169232/thread/1272530640/Leo+2+pics

Yeah I opened up the box and compared the turret top to one of a 2A4 and it'll be quite difficult for me on my little budget to "downgrade" the A6 to a A4. Is there anybody making a A4 kit by chance? I'm not looking at making that new version that's just being put into service, at least not till there is a kit for it.

Thanks for your help and the pictures by the way,

Bert

There's the older Italeri 2A4 (and reboxed Revell-Germany) and the newer Hobbyboss 2A4. Both have their pros and cons, but they're a start.

Jim

How difficult are they to find? I had ordered an Italeri Leopard 1A5 months ago at my local hobby shop and the owner has no idea when it'll show up.

If you want to model a 2A4 your best choose is the Hobby Boss kit matched with the Perfect Scale upgrade set.
To do the 2A4m Can. start with
Hobby Boss 2A4 kit.
Eduard slat set for 2A6.
Baskets from the Tamiya 2A6,2A5 kit
Perfect Scale 2A4 upgrade kit
Storm Miniatures 2A6m Can. upgrade kit.
Eduard detail set for Leopard Tamiya 2A6.
Echelon Cuda net.
and some scratch work to build the add on armor,attachment points and detail will not matter much because it will be covered with cuda net.

Is the Hobby Boss 2A4 difficult to find?

No
http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=HY82401
http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=HB-82401
http://store.spruebrothers.com/135-hobby-boss-leopard-2-a4-tank-82401-p11872.aspx

Jim

Thanks for the links Jim, I'll see if the wife will let me heat up the old credit card any hotter. lol

Well I ordered a Hobbyboss 2A4 through my local hobbyshop. I think I'm going to make a Dutch A5 out of my A6. It's a little easier with all my pending "special projects" Like my LAV III TUA in desert tan paint.