Recently received my Hobby Boss Leopard 2A4M...pretty nice kit BUT, I want to convert the Meng Leopard 2A4 into a 2A4M. I know it's been talked about before and I don't think Meng will be offering a 2A4M anytime soon. I compared both kits side by side, and I feel confident this conversion can be done.I'll probably have to take some of the parts from the hobbyboss kit, belly armor, turret and side skirt armor etc. Anyone else have info or thoughts to share with me on this please let me know.
Thanks Guys
DJ

If you need any help, or reference let me know and will give you any help that is needed. I have a great reference DVD out, plus I have commanded them .
Cheers

Anthony

Hi, I do not see any reason why to convert the MENG into the 2A4M. The HobbyBoss 2A4M is pretty well done. I would only change the rear grille, because it does not have the correct number of bars. And maybe the wheels, because of the missing inner details. Have fun with your project and show some photos. Looking forward to see.
Cheers / Stephan

Anthony I will be using your reference for sure I hear they're awesome. Stephan I have the Hobbyboss 2A4M it’s a good kit but I feel the detail is better in the Meng kit, also I just want a challenge and this project seems fun. I’ve scratch built complete models before so I don’t see any issues doing this conversation. Thanks for the reply guys.
Anthony is the hull with the lower mine protection on the 2A7 better suited than the 2A4 for the A24M? Looking at my references the 2A7 seems to have additional armor between suspension arm mounts which I believe the 2A4M also has.
Thanks DJ

If you have compared them side by side I am not sure what others could add to your comparisons unless there is someone who has already done the conversion.

I could only see numerous attachments not quite lining up and scale thicknesses differed between the two. Likely less than perceived before hand.

Sounds like an interesting idea! Depends on time frame, even though the 2A4M's haven't been around too long (relatively speaking) there's been some upgrades/changes. For example hydraulic bump stops added to all suspension stations and I believe the side lower hull armour is removed now. Also sight changes and mounts for engineer equipment added. Lots of help here if you need it! Should be able to get up to date photos in the next little while.



Jim

Jim,

Thanks for the offer, yeah I'll take all the help I can get and it'll be very much appreciated. Like I said it really doesn't seem too difficult to convert, I'm really in it for the fun of it. I know there's the Hobbyboss kit but I want something different...and I find building models OOB kinda boring after a while.

Thanks DJ

Hey DJ,

Great to hear another Canadian Leopard is going to be built. Good luck and post pics!

Not to overstate the potential obvious but leave off the slat armour on your build...but you likely knew that already.

Are you going to incorporate the Legend Productions update/detail set or are you just going straight across from the Hobby Boss kit to convert the Meng kit?

The lower side hull armour was all originally welded on...about a year and a half ago the tanks started have the welded on side lower hull armour removed and reattached with bolts making it more modular and removable.

If you want another challenge after your 2A4M build convert the Meng 2A4 kit to a Canadian Leopard 2A4 CAN.

Jason,

No slat, I will utilizing the Legend update set, and basically use the Hobbyboss kit as a guide and I will eventually build that kit also.
Looking at Jim's photo of the lower hull I can see where the lower armor has been removed and a mounting plate of sorts is seen there, I wasn't sure if they were removed for the fitment of the hydraulic bump stop that Jim says are now utilized on all suspension arms.
Thanks DJ