Please note that all kits and conversions listed here are in 1:35 scale.
This page was last updated on
Monday, 25-Mar-2024 20:26:40 MST.
Plastic Model Kits
The differences between the Leopard 2 MBTs up to 2A4 are small, changed over the years
and are difficult to explain, and therefore - so it seems - mostly unknown by the kit
producer (the one exception would be Revell #3053).
Nevertheless they should be considered by serious scale modellers.
The list below has been based on the box top designations.
Unless otherwise noted, all kits listed here include a representation of the Diehl 570 FT track.
Leopard 2
Esci 5022
similar but not identical to the Italeri 243 (see below)
missing some details and tools
includes a separated drivers hatch, sectioned track and Dutch parts (and decals)
Esci 5030
identical to 5022 (identical parts, decals and instructions) but includes 14 so-called NATO figures
that are cast in soft plastic and are rather toy-like
Heller 81139
From Peter Lau:
This kit is actually from Italeri's mold as it has the number 243
and 365 on the sprue.
The quality is exactly the same as the Italeri/Revell/Matchbox offerings but there is a twist to this;
the hull is like an evolutionary missing link between the original Italeri 243 and the later Revell 03053!
To explain, Heller's hull is identical to the hull of Revell 03053 except that the lifting jig for the powerpack cover
is molded in place whereas Revell's is a separate piece to be cemented in place.
Other than this, Heller's sprues are identical to the original Italeri 243 - ie. it does not have the new pieces such
as the new commander's periscope cover, flag pole holder and new antenna mounts included in Revell 03053.
Italeri 243
the very first Leopard 2 kit in 1:35 scale
not bad at all, but hardly meets today's standards
at least an A2, but could also represent an A3 and early A4 (all former 1st batch vehicles)
Lee 306
very poor quality - scrap
Testors 820
re-boxed (licensed) version of Italeri 243 (see above)
Leopard 2A2
Matchbox 3502
licensed copy of Italeri 243 but with new decals
Leopard 2A3
Esci 5023
a re-boxed version of #5022 officially using the already included Dutch parts
a great improvement over their initial Leopards (2A5 DK and Strv 122)
the non-skid patches are significantly toned down (ie. they are not quite so thick)
some details are rather simplified (eg. smoke discharger arrays are not angled), while others
have been improved over earlier Leopards (eg. hinge details on engine deck stowage compartments)
not quite on par with the Revell offering, but still good value for the money
re-boxed and somewhat improved version of Italeri 243
additional parts included for a 2A4 non 1st batch and a few improved details
new decals
Revell 03193
OOP?
a new tooled kit, unknown if it shares any parts with the 3053
will represent a vehicle from the 5th production batch, and will include parts to represent
a 2A4NL
will include decals for a number of Bundeswehr vehicles in addition to several multi-national
vehicles (Spanish, Polish, Netherlands, Austria and Greece)
photos of the assembled kit may be found
in this thread
at the Revell Community site
This represents a prototype/demonstrator for the Leopard 2 upgrade.
There were two such examples produced which were referred to as TVM max and TVM min.
A third prototype called TVM II was built which featured most of the features of the series production 2A5.
Italeri 280
based on Italeri 243
first tapered turret kit
just a prototype-look-alike with some (but not all) of the features of the TVM II
already includes the long (L55) main gun barrel
Lee ?
a bad copy of Italeri 280
Trumpeter
a bad copy of Italeri 280
closer to a production 2A5 than the KWS
has an extended hull rear to enable a toy-like motorization
includes injection molded slat armour, and other parts necessary to depict a Canadian
Leopard 2A6M in service in Afghanistan in 2007 and early 2008 (ie. before the addition of
Barracuda MCS to gun tanks)
given that the slat armour is injection molded, it will be slightly over-scale in thickness,
but opinions thus far are generally in favor of this over the daunting prospect of soldering
PE slat
a re-issue of the venerable 2A6 kit (35271) which includes the PE turret basket screens and Ukranian decals
Leopard 2A6 EX
It is worth noting that the 2A6 EX has not formally entered service with any nation, and only one vehicle
was ever modified to this configuration.
The modifications were performed by KMW (as a private venture) to demonstrate the range of upgrades available
for the Leopard 2.
It can be said that the Leopard 2E (manufactured under license in Spain) and the Leopard 2A6 HEL (manufactured
under license in Greece) are both based on modifications first applied to the 2A6 EX demonstrator.
I just love
Frank's Leopard 2 book,
because after having read it I am able to include comments
(such as above) that gives the reader the impression that I know what I'm talking about! :-)
this kit is really just the Strv-122 with a L55 gun and a [poorly done] under armour APU housing
... the detail differences between the Strv-122 and the 2A6EX are not represented in this kit
injection molded plastic (including clear parts), photo etch, vinyl parts (mud flaps and poly caps), string (tow cables),
vinyl tube, brass rod and decals
tracks are individual links
includes the SPECTUS vision system (driver's thermal camera)
a multi-media upgrade set is available as RM-2068
Leopard 2A7V
Border Models BT-040
injection molded plastic (including clear parts), photo etch, vinyl parts, a turned metal barrel (looks like aluminium),
braided metal wire tow ropes and decals (markings for one vehicle only)
tracks are individual links
more information forth-coming when I get my hands on one (it's on pre-order)
Rye Field Model RM-5066
injection molded plastic (including clear parts), photo etch, 3D printed parts (main gun muzzle and colimator mirror and crew weapon cases
for the turret top), vinyl parts (mud flaps and poly caps), string (tow cables), vinyl tube, brass rod and decals (marking for 3 vehicles)
tracks are individual links
the texture on the main gun bore evacuator looks very nicely done
includes quite a few redundant parts from the 2A7 kit (RM-5108)
a multi-media upgrade set is available as RM-2069
more information forth-coming when I get my hands on one (it's on pre-order)
this kit is the previously released 2A6EX with Spanish decals included ... it isn't really an
accurate depiction of the Leopard 2E
the only vehicle that this kit may come close to depicting is the 2A6EX demo vehicle that was repainted
in Spanish colors to participate in a 2002 parade in Madrid
Leopard 2 Revolution
The Leopard 2 Revolution is a technology demonstrator developed by Rheinmetall Defence.
The Revolution utilizes a number of modular upgrade packages which demonstrate significant improvements in firepower,
armour protection, mobility and C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence).
This vehicle configuraiton has not been fielded by an any nation so it makes a somewhat unusual choice for a 'mainstream' kit.
The Leopard 2s currently in service with Singapore and Indonesia use modular armour upgrade packages which
are thought to have been based on that developed for the Revolution.