The mighty Leopard 2 tank has always been on my to do list for this summer and the official start of summer, June 21st seemed like an appropriate day to start the beast. However I did not start this by choice. In a conversation with my girlfriend, she complained about all the kits she has bought me that have never been completed let alone started.

So to cut things short, in order for her to continue giving me kits at random I must build and complete one that she has give me. I will continue with my T-62 which is in the final stages, and T-72A when the voyager set becomes available, but with Tamiya being who they are I found myself assembling and dry fitting the majority of the kit in just a few hours time.

I will be building a Leopard 2A6M which served in Afghanistan operated by Canadian forces. I have a plethora of detail images as well including various walk arounds. The only thing left is to build build build. Here is progress thus far






Also, can anyone give some tips as to how I can go about assembling the slat armor so that it is straight and level? What is the best way to go? Superglue, soldering? Any information helps. Hopefully the heavy hitters from the north like Chris, Jason, Carmen, Anthony, and RIck amongst others can chime in.

As always, thanks for looking

Looking good Sean! Where did you get the barrel from?

For the slat armour, I'd suggest making a simple jig form plasticard to hold the pieces level whilst you glue/solder them.

Looking forward to the next update.

Hello Sean,
my way of assembling this kind of slat is that I first bend the individual frames extremely gently. Then I align the middle slats and glue in the individual stablilizing parts. Then I take flat pliers and genly align the frames so the slat bracket is in line. Because of the initial bending the frame pieces will be slightly off but You can correct it in the last step. Finally I seal it with extra thin superglue. I really like this design, its much faster and easier to build than the stryker one.

Sean

If you look at the photos all of the slate appear level but therre are some no so much, as they were put on in kit form a section at a time, so if they appear off a little, its all ok. But, yup a section at a time and take your time. You might have to add extra support arms just to hold the slat on. When I build mine it will not all pretty, but bashed up a little, any Q's PM.


Anthony

Like Anthony said, the slat gets pretty beat up, with some whole sections missing.

If you build the sections seperately and then install them one at a time you'll be good to go. If they end up crooked and bent it would not be unrealistic.







cheers

Hey Sean

I haven't cracked my Leo 2A6M project yet.... though it stares at me everytime I walk into my hobby room...

I have seen the slat built with both super glue and soldier, but like those comments already mentioned, I have to agree... the slat looks "more realistic" slightly bent or off kilter... for the sake of ease, I would use extra thin super glue... that's my plan. One reason why I'm going with that medium is because one friend told me that the slat has such a good, snug fit you don't need much to hold it together. I can't speak from personal experience... but I trust the feedback I've received.

Though soldier is stronger and more durable, I would only recommend using it if you are a very proficient soldierer.

Cheers! Look forward to your build!

I guess it also depends on what time frame you plan to model. I'm working on a Leo 2 from mid 2008 when they started removing (as has been said) whole chunks of slat armour. That being said I remember that in early 2008 a lot of the tanks had a full complement of armour that was still straight and clean.

My leo is stalled right now, I'm still trying to figure out the placement of the support arms and how I will do the barracuda camouflage.

Just got the Echelon decals for mine today...Holy cow that's some tiny writin' LOL

Its the ARMO barrel. It's really nice and I was able to pick it up from Roll Models for 7 dollars or so I believe. Only one small casting bubble at the edge of the evacuator. But other than that I would recommend it. I was hoping RB model would release an L55 just like their most recent release.





Yes, I've never seen writing that small for a kit but me making it to the finishing stages has been rare until lately

And thanks for the tips about slat. It makes it much easier when the time comes.

Today I have a small update, but I will be putting in much more work as I have finally completed a kit (Trumpeter's T-62) and if proved to be a very big learning tool as far as weathering goes as well as basic building skills.

To be specific, I previously took this for granted, like not making keen observations or neglecting planning. But now after that build I feel much more confident about my skills here and I feel with each step my builds become better and better.

Today's update is a small one but very important...replacing all those molded on grab handles on the hull. Using 0.42MM brass wire, The Small Shop Wire Assist, a 0.40mm drill bit, flat nosed pliers, Mission Models Micro Chisel, and a 10/11 blade this process was a sinch when taking your time.





Lastly, I want to thanks and suggest looking at the photos from Chris Jerrett's build. Very informative and comprehensive. His photobucket album can be seen here: http://s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss214/cjerrett/Slat%20leo%20model/

As always, thanks for looking and any comments/criticisms are welcomed.

Just a small update:

I was able to start the long and tedious PE parts which are taking a long while, but as every modeler has told me patience is key and I have been taking my sweet time to check my references and assembly and it's been working out very well.

Here are some progress shots for todays work. I cemented the upper hull down to the lower one and when was working on the front fender where I made the mistake and cut too much off . So its been tedious putty application and sanding. I also did some work on the turret in which I cemented the rifle box down as well as rear turret basket details. Albeit I have to return and correct one crooked part







Either later on today or tomorrow I will continue with the fenders and begin working on the rear deck and get the tools on there and various other PE details.

As always, thanks for looking and feel free to post any input

S.H.

Sean

looking good so far, if you need anymore help just drop me a PM and will see what I can do.

Anthony

Sean,

Good work on the PE parts thus far.....but the Canadian 2A6M does not mount the chock brackets on the back of the turret...they were removed in order to fit the slat armour brackets and mounts.....the bolt holes should remain but not the brackets.

Thanks for letting me know Jason. Glad you told me now otherwise I would have had to figure that out the hard way.

Thanks Anthony, I'll def email you if I have questions

And if you plan on installing the barracuda cam you need not worry about the mount holes





cheers

That won't be happening haha. I just can't cover up the NATO camo...at least not on this go around.

This is how I'm leaning on my Leo as well; I've never done the NATO 3 color camo before, and I don't know if I want to cover it up or not,LOL. BTW, what is the appropriate shade of tan to paint the slat, rifle box,etc on the Canadian Leos?

Chuck

Check out my photos here:
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k130/ldshrecceboy/?start=860
This might help you out, any questions feel free to drop me a PM anytime, glad to help out. Gamesworkshop dark yellow comes very close.

Anthony

Sean
The photos that I sent ya, make sure to use the Afghan ones not the ones from Germany or Netherlands when the training was being done.As you see with the chock blocks in training yes, Afghan nope.

Anthony

I used the GamesWorkshop desert yellow # 61-83 right from the bottle.






cheers

Thanks Anthony! The photos are fantastic; and I'll be sure to give a shout if I need any help.

Thanks, Rick, I think my LHS carries that; I will give it a try.

Tamiya wooden deck tan is a good match for the tan color on the Can. Leos.

Ok cool,I KNOW the LHS has that one...and according to FedEx tracking I should have Eduard slat in hand this afternoon...Huzzah!

Do you have a log up? I'd love to see your progress

No Sean,I haven't started mine yet; still gathering AM goodies. Just ordered the Bronco track set a few minutes ago. My son leaves today for his AIT training with the National Guard, and I'll probably get started in a few days after the dust settles to take my mind off the first one leaving the nest, LOL. I may start a buildlog too; sure have been following everyone else's with great interest. I dare say the Canadian Leo seems to be one of the morepopular subjects on here as of late, LOL