This was an idea spawned at National AMPS 2012 convention in Auburn, Indiana. Jim Carswell and I got chatting with Ryan Harding and Andy Renshaw at the Legend USA vendor booth. As usual, the conversation turned to 'what would we like to see'. We had mentioned that a Leopard C2 MEXAS seemed like a good idea, and I asked about the possibility of an ADATS conversion...never really thinking it would get off the drawing board. Fast forward a couple years and Legend puts me in touch with Charlie Pritchett, who was tasked with producing the master.
Over the next several weeks, Charlie and I exchanged emails discussing details of the kit. The ADATS was near & dear to me as it was one of the main weapons in the Air Defence Battery in which I served. I had some decent recollections of the vehicle, but was fortunate to be in the same location as LCol Stephane Parent - he I served together in the AD Bty, with Steph as the Maintenance Troop Commander in the long-long-ago. Steph being a modeller AND a photographer produced a photo album of the ADATS the likes of which only an insider could have. Armed with these references, Charlie set about the build. The following photos should speak for themselves, but I would like to add that Charlie has an eye for detail that had me scratching my head. I lived and breathed ADATS for 10 years and there were questions he was asking about certain details that had me flummoxed. Several times we had to dig back into the references to suss out a particular detail.
The upshot of this long winded pre-amble is that this was an endeavour which had technical input throughout, and in conjunction with a master modeller like Charlie, I really do believe that union shows well in the final product. (OK, that sounded braggy..I'm really stoked about this kit)
These photos do not show all the parts. They are meant to be a representation of what's included and to showcase the detail and the casting style of Legend.
Box Art:
Left side Turret:
Right side:
Underside of front plate. I include this photo to show the robust pour plugs used. You are going to want a saw & dremel for these. Removing them will add some time to the build, but you won't waste any time trying to straighten warped parts:
Turbine Power Plant Unit, Radar, lights, Smoke grenade launchers, Electo-Optical Module, Observer Sight Chair Cover, and Missile end cap:
Laser module, OS Chair mount bracket, AMU,
Hull sides - these allow you to build the ADATS with the missile loading platform in the raised position.
Hull roof underside. What I like about this is the long side pour plugs look like they are far enough inboard so the won't have to be removed:
Missile Yoke. This part is less than 1-inch long. Amazing.
Yoke, Missile tubes, end caps:
External Fuel Tanks (wonder if Legend will release these as a separate item?)
Missile Loading Platforms and front/side hull panels.
Various struts to support the platform, EO Module bracket, wind sensor, rear loading platform:
In what I believe is a first for Legend, they have included a decal sheet. This is great, as the ADATS has some unique markings that would be difficult to reproduce otherwise. Markings are for 11C, an ADATS from "A" Troop, 119 Bty, 4th Air Defence Regt.
And for a first effort at printing decals, check out the crispness...the red hand warning placard is only 3/16" wide and you can still read it in English ou en francias.
A single sheet of etch and some brass wire:
4-page full colour instruction sheet. Intermediate modelling skills required.
