Introduction

This product from Inside the Armour is intended to improve the Leopard 2A5/2A6 models of the following brands: Tamiya, Revell and Hobby Boss.

Contents

In the box, we get four photo etched parts sheets (one for the hull, two for the turret, one for the suspension), a score of resin parts, two lengths of styrene rod, a bit of brass rod and a small sheet of clear plastic as well as the photo etched parts from the other Inside the Armour following references (separately available): 35068 Straight weld beads (although marked 35066 on the fret) and 35071 German tool clamps.
As a side note, the sheet dedicated to the suspension is marked 35065a but is separately available as reference 35077 Leopard 2 suspension upgrade.

Review

The set comes in a sturdy cardboard box and is protected by wrapping bubble film. The various sheets and parts come in re-sealable bags.

The instructions come in a PDF file on a CD-ROM. Unfortunately the review sample was unreadable. After a simple mail to Inside the Armour, the PDF file was quickly sent to me by Chris. Inside the Armour has traced the issue with the CD and steps have been taken to remedy this issue.

The drawings are generally clear but the set being designed for any existing Leopard 2 kits, no part number is mentioned. So it is necessary to be cautious during the assembly. Moreover, Inside the Armour does not give any indication about the diameter and the length of the styrene and brass rods to use.

The photo etched parts are fine and systematically present folding lines. The resin parts are free of air bubbles. However a thorough cleaning will be required to remove the excess of flash more specially on the turret baskets frames.

The bulk of the parts are photo etched parts. The set improves the suspensions with new photo etched return rollers supports, new resin shock absorbers and photo etched protections.

The rear deck is detailed with weld seams issued in four sizes. The tow cables keepers are also present. However their shape is not exact and should have a cut-out at the top. The mud flaps are multi-parts and can be folded up.

The engine deck will require some work to remove the molded on parts before using the resin and photo etched parts for the engine grilles, the various brackets and locks of the access hatches. The engine deck lifting device comes in several parts and is a kit in the kit. It can be assembled in the stowed position or deployed.

The turret certainly is the part of the Leopard which benefits from the best treatment. The parts enable you to improve or replace the main sight, the tank commander PERI-R17 panoramic sight, the MG3 ring, various brackets for the turret bustle, the chains for the smoke-dischargers and new resin and photo etched side baskets. The resin basket frames are two parts and require some cleaning to remove the excess of flash.

Conclusion

This upgrade product is warmly recommended to improve your Leopard 2A5/2A6 model. However it is advised to master working with photo etched with such a huge number of photo etched parts.

Thanks to Chris from Inside the Armour for the review sample.