Just got this kit in the mail. Looks like a good deal at the $11.84 I paid for it from Model Expo Online. Kit contains 225 pieces including a photo-etch fret with 20 pieces, a clear sprue with 9 pieces (vehicle lights, vision blocks, dashboard), vinyl tracks with 3 vinyl detail parts (external fuel tank hoses) and a piece of wire for the antennas. The kit itself is molded in tan, with the plastic looking very much like the Trumpeter M1A2 kit I have. The detail looks a little soft on the turret and hull top, but there are anti-slip panels and separately molded grab rails. A driver and TC figure are included and are typical Heller multi-piece affairs. Too bad the third member of the 3-man crew isn't included (the LeClerc has an autoloader).

The LeClerc MBT entered production in 1991 and was fielded in 1993. It is armed with a 120mm main gun that has the same breech size as the 120mm smooth bore used by the US M1A1/2 and FRG Leo 2 and can use the same ammunition. Not the finest MBT in the west, but it's good enough to defend their borders.

Definitely not Tamiya quality, nor even Italeri or DML, but it looks good enough for an addition to my modern MBT collection. Surprised that a French company would not do a top-notch job on their nation's top MBT.

Rob,
Just an observation,after studing the LeClerc it "looks" to be a pretty nice tank, but In my opinion there is way to much clutter on the turret for an enemy round to snag and I don't think I could trust an autoloader in a combat situation. The technology in the tank seems to be state of the art, but again an awlful lot of electronics to break down at the wrong time.

Just my Opinion..........

Anthony

I agree that an autoloader is a neat concept, but is not the optimum solution in a combat environment. Besides, most of the crew maintenance on a tank needs to be done with a minimum of 4 soldiers, 3 just doesn't quite cut it when breaking track.

Not being combat tested, it's hard saying how this tank would do. It has just about as much junk on the outside of the turret as you could possibly have. It looks to me like it would be a good defensive tank, dual optics mounted high on the turret roof, big main gun, fight from static positions along the Maginot Line...

Well Rob,
It´s sounds a good buy if you consider the price and the PE set....
I don´t like that tank design much, but at it´s price it could be a future add it to my stack...

I agree Rob, and yes a 4th man breaking track is VERY helpful. I'm sure the french were not intending to mount any major offensives in the near future, so the design was built around defensive positions. Does have a low silhouette for a turret which makes it good for berm positions. Is Heller the only company to issue a LeClerc kit?

Anthony

Hi Rob.

Your kit sounds like a good kit to build with enough detail to keep you busy. Sorry can not offer any Tech Comments not an area that I have much knowledge of though I have built Armor in the past. I'M PRETTY CERTAIN that thier are ALOT of you guy's here that have a MUCH better first hand know how about those sort of things. Either way As someone pointed out. at that price it sounds like a really good buy and an over all decent kit to build. Even if it does not meet your usual expectations such as Tamiya, Dragon, etc. ANYWAY
congraulations on a good buy. And have fun building it. We will of course expect pic's when done.

DAGGER: A weapon with a short pointed blade: "THE CUTTING EDGE"