This arrived from Korea today, so everything else is going to be set aside.
I'll try to post updates but photobucket has been very buggy today

Looking forward to how this builds up!

Loking forward to seeing some in progress photos.

I can't speak for the kits accuracy, but the details and the fit are superb. I finished the lower hull and it is even nicer than the Tamiya kit. Mud flaps are extra thin plastic, suspension is workable of you like that and the wheel hub is a seperate piece. Plastic is a dark green, similar to Italeri. I primered everything with Tamiya primer so the details would be visible with my crummy Camera

Amazing start, hoping the rest of the kit is as great as the lower hull!

Thanks for sharing your build. Take care to the roadwheels alignement.

Olivier

I've been waiting for such a build log! Thanks!

Cheers,
Cristian

I got mine too.

The ribs underneath engine compartment are an option. Would they depict an older or newer addition?

Same question for the two different coolers that are available on top deck of engine. One has protrusions on fan and one does not.The kit has two different covers that they sit upon but I do not know what the difference is between them.

Lastly the two different options for rear indicator (The thing with the cross by the tow hook). which is newer version?

One could try this as a "quick-fix" on detail questions:

http://www.panzer-modell.de
- Referenzen
- Im Detail
Then scroll down to the Leo 2's

The "ribs" as I recall would be found on 2A5 onwards to reinforce the rear lower metal sheets from being "sanded down" during their initial upgrade - rebuild.
But during late 1990s overhauls in the depots the 2A4 might also have them installed as a general upgrade. But a fairly new tank of the 5th batch (first 10 years) would probably lack this feature.
Hope this helps
I'm still waiting on the 4 I ordered, they are on the way though ... finally !
What I am very curious about is the bolted on ammo bunker plate on the front hull top deck. Is the recessed "gap" around the bunker plate correctly reproduced ... not like the welded-bolt mix as found on the REVELL kit ?
I also received my LEGEND Leo 1A5 conversion set ... all fine ... except the side-skirts which are somewhat "curved" towards both ends .... so the initial new heavy side-skirts provided with this MENG kit might do the trick.
Nice start ... you lucky bugger !

Cheers
Christopher

Hi Chris,

I photographed the Leopard 2A4 with the number Y 406 910 of the 5th batch for Meng Models showing the reinforcement ribs.

Soon a Leopard 2A4 in Detail will get published.

All the best
Ralph

Would you know if it was an "original" feature or a later refit ?
Any which way that clarifies things for this kit avoiding mistakes, thankx !
Great news on the future publication ... about time .... can't wait !

Cheers
Christopher

Thanks. I didn't notice that when I took the picture. I'll get those straightened out

Christopher- I can check the top hull this evening for you. Off hand, I am not sure I know which part you mean, but maybe when I see it

The stiffening plates were an optional part, so if you don't want them, there is no sanding or removing necessary. Meng gives you a nice jig to get the locations correct, which was very helpful.


Thanks guys. More to come this evening.

This is what I am talking about:
A slight recessed gap and plate bolted on.


And this the welded "late" version from mid 6th batch onwards:


Thankx & Cheers
Christopher

I'll be watching as well.
Dan

Worked a little on the upper hull. This is one kit that requires you to wash the parts...I Usually don't but when I sprayed the primer, it beaded up pretty good. I'll post some more pics tomorrow after I can spray it...the green just doesn't show up as good. Here is the part Christopher asked about. It appears to be a flat rectangle surrounded by a weld seam and some bolts. Doesn't feel recessed in anyway

Thankx for your input !
The postman just dropped by and delivered my 4 kits !
So I will have to remove the bolts to make it a 6th batch vehicle ... and the welding seams for the ammo-hatch on the turret and then I should be good to go.
The welding seams on the turret are also a little thin so they will need an "upgrade"
... otherwise the kit looks great at first glance !
Unless anybody comes up with a pic of a 2A4 with a welded and bolted ammo-bunker plate?

Cheers
Christopher

I am very curious, what are these structures that look like X ?

Ice grousers for the tracks. The ice grousers are made of cast metal and are meant to replace the rubber track pads when the need arises. Removable ice cleats/grousers are a common feature on Diehl tracks.

Mike

Turret is about 2/3rd done. fit is nice but take care assembling top and bottom to get everything lined up. RB model barrel fits nicely with a little trimming. Also, I didn't bother lining up the road wheels. The suspension is workable but a couple of the arms stick and need manually adjusted

Anyone know what batch the Finnish Leopards are from? Trying to decide whether to use some kit markings (the last option with the name Hinze on it or a set from the Echelon Fearsome Cats sheet (Finnish or possibly Norwegian. Maybe Polish to go with the Polish Tamiya 2A5 I am also working on) Thoughts?

They are from the 1st to the 6th Batches.

Jason

would you know if the Finnish Leo from the 6th batch kept their "new" front side-skirts or were they backdated to the initial version ?

Thankx & Cheers
Christopher

What kind of marking options are provided in the kit? I guess it`s Bundeswehr only?
H.-H.