Due to severe lack of Leopard 2a4 kits in 1/72 I decided to get one in 1/35 instead.
But there's a slight twist, like in the upper hull of the model, I plan to re arm it with longer barreled L/55. That isn't helped by the two piece barrel in the kit either.

Any advice on picking a fitting L/55 aftermarket barrel is appreciated.
-Regarding that, does Meng leopard 2a7 have nearly identical way of mounting the barrel? Seen a few for that kit.

Anyway, onto the build.
First off, it is big, especially compared to 1/72 kits. The workable tracks seem nice but time consuming.


Also managed to wrestle the top hull onto lower hull, top being twisted and with too much upwards curvature.

If you intend to build an actual Leo2A4, you just can't change the barrel for a longer one.
When the L55 barrel was introduced a lot of others modifications were introduced and these gave the 2A5 variant. A quite different one.

Olivier

L/55 barrel was introduced on the Leopard 2 A6.

I do know that but I do like the look of L/55 on A4, as I'm not a huge fan of the wedge armour.
Some might think this is heresy but there's the technology demonstrator which seems to have a4 turret but has L/55 so it should be possible, right?

Photo/link?

Leopard 2 Revolution maybe?

https://www.dersockelshop.de/modellbausaetze/panzer/leopard-ii-revolution-ii-mbt-1-35_tiger-model_timo4628.html

Yeah, like this but without the fancy armour and gadgets, just a firepower upgrade.

Hey, it's your Leopard 2A4, do what you think would be cool!!

My mistake.
Karl you should have said you wanted a what if tank.
Enjoy your build.

Olivier

Great start Karl!

This kit is on my short list to begin here soon so I'll be following along for sure.

My bad, I should have clarified it was going to be what if.

Anyway, as far as I am concerned the meng Leopard 2A7 has nearly identical mounting of barrel. Based on that I'm considering the Leopard club barrel from Meng Leopard 2A7.

I have been mostly working on tracks, done with one and halfway done with other.

Anyway, there has been some progress, nearly fully assembled and started painting.
Assembly

Not the best solution but will do.

Clear parts are quite nice

Paint


With a bit of skirt

Painted camo, first time using blue tack esque material for masking and I got to say, it doesn't work too well with tape.
Making the longer gun fit is gonna be as chore..
Other than that, the tracks have been painted.
Masking

Brown

Black

Tracks

Whole thing

Been a while since last update, some work has been done though.
Wash, decals and such.


Some issues with flat coat
The L55 I didn't end up using, more needed on another kit
As it is now, dusted and dirtied, folded one of rear mudflaps up due to it breaking off all the time, tarp added to stowage bin.

Very nice👍

Looks awesome!

Very nice model, congratulations!

Tamas

Wow!! That's beautiful!

Thank you all, was worried about screwing up the dirting before I started, thankfully it came out fairly well.
However, I don't dare to call it done yetas there is lack of dirt on turret and hull roof from crew walking there.
Furthermore, a base is planned for it but that will have to wait till I finish 11 motnths of conscript service.

Congrats for your model; I like the idea of fitting a new barrel, gives it a bit more « oomph » ! Good luck for your service, spent some time in tapa airbase and sirgala recently; good times !