Tuesday, August 23

Meng offering a palm-sized "King of Land Battles" - Leopard 2 A7 in 72nd scale

For the second of their Main Battle Tank series in 72nd scale, Meng has chosen the Leopard 2 A7. A kit with excellent detail that is comparable with its bigger brother in 35th scale. We have a look at the tank & the kit's features in our preview...

Meng offering a palm-sized "King of Land Battles" - Leopard 2 A7 in72nd scale

German Main Battle Tank, Leopard 2 A7
From Meng Models
Kit No #72-002 
1/72nd scale
Available in: September 2022
The Subject: The Leopard 2A7
The Leopard 2A7 is fundamentally different from the KMW variant 2A7+ and is not optimised for combat in urban terrain. A total of 20 vehicles are provided for converting. It involves former Dutch A6NL models returned by Canada to Germany. The last tank remains as a reference vehicle at KMW. A upgrading of the whole tank fleet of the Bundeswehr to A7 standards is planned for the future.

Leopard 2 A7, German Army Training Centre, Munster 2015
The original upgrade to A6M has been extended in coordination with Canada and includes a crew-compartment cooling-system from the Leopard 2 A6M-HEL series, a new 20 kW auxiliary power unit based on the Steyr Motors M12 TCA UI engine, the Saab Barracuda Mobile Camouflage System (MCS) with Heat-Transfer Reduction (HTR CoolCam) system, a field trial proven combat management and information system (IFIS: Integriertes Führungs- und Informations system), onboard network optimization with ultra-capacitors in the chassis and turret, a SOTAS IP digital intercom system, a renewal of the fire suppression system in the crew compartment, and the retrofitting of Attica thermal imaging module in the commander optics. The weapon system is adapted for firing HE ammunition. It is also fitted for, but not with, additional passive side protection armour. 

The Leopard 2A7 main battle tank of the German military participates in exercises during a media day at the Bundeswehr training grounds Oct. 14, 2016, near Bergen, Germany.
The first Leopard 2A7 was handed over to the German Army in Munich on 10 December 2014. A total of 14 vehicles were produced for Tank Battalion 203, plus four more going to the Armoured Corps Training Centre and one vehicle at the Technical School for Land Systems and School for Technology of the Army. The last tank remains as a reference vehicle at KMW. The tank also features a completely new armour package that features Tungsten, Titanium as well as Nano-Ceramics. The estimated armour protection for the hull is around ~620 mm RHAe KE and near ~1000 mm RHAe KE for the turret.
The Danish Armed Forces received its first Leopard 2A7 main battle tanks upgraded in Germany from the Leopard 2A5DK version at the Dragoon Barracks in Holstebro. The Danish Army will receive a total of 44 Leopard 2A7 vehicles by 2022.

Danish Leopard 2A7 MBTs in a firing line...

The new kit from Meng: Leopard 2 A7 in72nd scale
Since the release of Meng's first 1/72 scale product, the ZTQ15 Light Tank, they now present their second product of this series, the 1/72 German Main Battle Tank, Leopard 2 A7. This kit continues our concept of easy and enjoyable assembly.
The Leopard 2 A7 main battle tank in 1/72 scale is small, but the detail is almost as good as its larger, 35th scale cousin in this kit. This latest MENG 72-002 1/72 German Main Battle Leopard 2 A7 model will be 152mm long, 53mm wide and 43mm high after assembly. This kit features add-on armour of the vehicle and provides link and length tracks.

This kit features modular design, fast and easy assembly, and detailed parts.
The engine grille and smaller equipment of the Leopard 2 A7 are precisely reproduced in such a small scale, without excess photo-etch.
The sighting equipment can be built in the open or closed position.
The main gun barrel can be elevated or depressed.
The turret add-on armour parts are operable.
The link and length tracks are easy to assemble.
Meng's new Leopard 2 A7 main battle tank in 1/72 scale will be available at hobby shops in September 2022

You can see more info on this kit and others from Meng on the Meng Models Website...