Nice set! but to make a correct 2A4 8th batch U have to leave the PE welds for the turret munition hatch off, no more munition hatches on turrets from 6 batch on. The "steps" on the side skirts are different on the original one. The "munition bunker" on the hull front would also have to be welded, not bolted. Sorry to say but the vehicle/model, as shown on the box never existed in this configuration, for exact ref. on 8th batch (only 75 tanks) check Spielberger and Lobitz books. Same goes for some of the late produced Pz 87, plus the Swiss add ons or changes. Cheers Christopher

Christopher, Thanks in you comment, Turret munition hatch i add automatic, this is all can remove or don't use. But I see photo 8th batch with this hatch. Maybe this is mixed version which have front munition bunker welded and bolted. (Lobitz book). Side step on skirt is different but I use info from Lobitz book(site 132). For correct Turret hatch deleted during 5th batch. Miloslav

Hi Miloslav, most of the 8. batch tanks went to the Gebirgspanzerbataillon 8, factory delivered as per Spielberger/Lobitz with the new heavy 2nd generation skirts. In the depot, the old rubber skirts where fix to save the new ones from damage and then delivered to the troops, got it from a guy who served in 8th. GebPzBat. at that time. So in active service the 8 batch would have the new heavy skirts in the front and the old rubber ones in the back, just like some of the Swiss Pz 87. All new turrets, clean of munition hatch or weld seams, and all munition bunkers (hulls uparmoured) from 6th batch on were welded. The mix of components came as the upgrade to 2A5 occurred, all 7th. + 8th batch hulls (about 190) were drawn for this, turrets used from earlier batches, that is why the 2A5 /A6 have the turret with welded hatches. Later upgrades still show the bolted hulls after they had utilized all the newer ones. All the new heavy skirts 7,8th.(175 all together) in the front, produced for the 2A4 were use in the 2A5/A6 upgrade, leaving no original 2A4 8th batch in service. Probably stripping all from the 6th. batch as well, for the Dutch 2A5 upgrades The problems a modeler will be facing with the 8 batch are the following: One can only use the Hobby Boss 2A4 kit, the Revell kit has the older layout of the anti slip strips, which would be totally wrong for this time frame. Remove the bolts and add a weld seam around the munition bunker on the front of the hull. Neglect the PE weld for the turret. Remove vertical support on the outside of the snow-grouser/ mirror section of the mudguard, to new angle of the side skirt. For active duty, separate the the front and back skirts, replace the back ones with the older rubber version. (Or leave the 2nd generation skirts as in your kit and fashion new footholds.) This would also allow you to represent a 6th + 7th batch version, which would leave a modeler more room to maneuver, since the 8th. batch was produced from 1991-92 leaving it only 3 years in service. "Maybe this is mixed version which have front munition bunker welded and bolted. (Lobitz book). " Misinterpretation there, Lobitz wrights (p.132) "welded from 6th batch onwards", definitely all newly produced hulls including 7th+ 8th batch are welded. He goes on that later upgrades may have the mix of bolt and weld seams, but this would refer more to the A5/A6 upgrade. "Side step on skirt is different but I use info from Lobitz book(site 132)." I know they look very much alike, but the original ones would be on page p.127, the change in style was introduced with 2A5 upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I think you have made a very nice and useful upgrade kit, but I know that many fellow modelers will have a though time sorting out which kind of 8th batch tank they want to represent, since photo ref. on the 8th batch is very scarce to find. Hopefully our little discussion here helps to "watch those negative waves". Cheers Christopher

Christopher Thanks in you very good info. Bad anti slip and next HB errors must modeler rebuild. Remove bolts is no problem but this is in instruction, Make off new side step is also with out problem. I think that no important how much 8th batch was at service but if Leo fans wish build this version. Miloslav

Question: A lot of upgrade or conversion kits seem to specify a particular kit, what kits is this upgrade focused for? Thanks, Tony

I am sorry but you don't see which parts is new? Or you think that I paint HB parts to blue color for effect?

Any chance of getting some better pictures?

[quote]Any chance of getting some better pictures? LINK

Read the review, like it says, Hobbyboss Leopard 2A4 Jim