Introduction

The following introduction is as supplied by Tankograd Publishing:
The introduction of the Leopard 2 main battle tank from 1980 into the German Panzertruppe was a highly demanding task. This publication describes the teething problems and shows the early series production Leopard 2A0 and Leopard 2A1 tanks' baptism of fire in the three army manoeuvres conducted in 1984, 1985 and 1986, when they were used on exercise for the very first time. Also shown is the other vehicle equipment of the participating Bundeswehr and allied forces.

Review

Tankograd Publishing turn their attention back to one of the subjects that prove so popular with modellers today in the form of the Leopard 2. This is a soft backed book having a robust card cover and containing 64 pages. This offering is one of Walter Böhm's contributions to the Tankograd Publishing offerings. This offering from Tankograd is one of their duel language books having German text on the left and English text on the right side of each page and that aspect also includes the captions that accompany each photograph.

The dedicated text provided has been well done by Walter Böhm who has written an introduction to each element of this title. The text all appears to be well written and did not trip me up as I read what was offered. The text is as expected followed by some very well chosen photographs that provide a visual expression to the text that is written. The book is broken down into five sections which are as follows:
The Leopard 2 MBT’s Baptism of Fire
Introduction into Service of the Leopard 2 in Panzer Brigade Armoured Brigades of the Bundeswehr
Army Exercise Flinker Igl 13 to 21 September 1984
Army Exercise Trutzige Sachsen 12 to 20 September 1985
Army Exercise Frankischer Schild 19 to 25 September 1986

Walter Böhm does do a good job of the presentation of the text that is provided in this title and despite the number of pages obviously being limited, he also provides excellent captions to the provided photographs and as said these are provided in both English and German. The text and photographs do complement each other very well, but I am also aware that many modellers purchase Tankograd Publishing titles for the photographs.

The photographs concentrate on the Leopard 2 as you would expect and show off what is a premium main battle tank to good effect, but the Leopard 2 is not the only vehicle featured here as the support and companion armour is also shown to good effect but to a much lesser level. I do enjoy seeing vehicles such as the Gepard in the field as I always found it an appealing visual expression of fire power and miss it now its service has finished.

Conclusion

This offering from Tankograd Publishing is a great offering for any modeller looking to replicate the Leopard 2 in the field and can spend time waiting for parts to dry reading about it. The text is well written in both German and English covering all written elements. The photographs have been well chosen and the presentation of them is pleasing to me. I was pleased to see elements other than the Leopard 2 presented here as it broadens the appeal for the modeller who wants to more than one vehicle together. With the images covering vehicles in the field during exercises they also provide the modeller with excellent weathering reference.