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Canadian 2A7M what if?
rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 05:20 AM UTC
So just got the new Meng Leopard 2A7+ TS-042 and a thought crossed my mind, what are the possibilities of turning this into a "what if" Canadian Leopard 2A7M Can? I think it would be a fun project... Any thoughts?
DJ
pod3105
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Waterford, Ireland
Joined: August 08, 2010
KitMaker: 466 posts
Armorama: 444 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 06:25 AM UTC
I'd say go for it. Have something similar planned for mine (just not Canadian 😉)
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 - 02:55 PM UTC
Great idea...make sure you add the T-antenna mounts.

Any thoughts about slat armour?
rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 01:18 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Great idea...make sure you add the T-antenna mounts.

Any thoughts about slat armour?



Yes I will definitely be adding the T-mounts, I did think of the slat armor also...not sure yet if I'll add that, but it is a "what if" after all and I can pretty much do whatever. I am open to suggestions and ideas especially from my Canadian friends.
DJ
griffontech
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Canada
Joined: November 21, 2007
KitMaker: 237 posts
Armorama: 231 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 04:36 AM UTC
I would just Google our current Leo's, and copy things that the crews add or markings that are mandatory:
- Canadian specific licence plate
- Black maple leaf (sometimes in white border) on turret side
- a white bumper sticker with " I (heart) Alberta Beef " logo. Included in Takom C2 Mexas kit 2003
- Unit specific vehicle markings: Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona Horse
- Look at decal sheets from other Canadian tank models (Takom Leo C2, etc) and use some of those decal ideas
- I believe we developed putting glow sticks into water bottles and taping the bottles to antennas. Makes for easy identification at night
- Use the C6 GPMG (FN Mag) with wood buttstock on turret roof
- Add crew C8 or C7A2 weapons with Elcan scope on top of turret near crew hatches. C8 is similar to M4. C7A2 has 20" barrel and collapsing stock. Both have green plastic bits, so they will set them apart as Canadian
- Coleman coolers added to roof or turret bustle
- OD colour duffel bags strapped to turret
- Backpacks or other gear in our specific CADPAT pattern
- Paint the hull in NATO cam, and the turret in simple OD. or Vice Versa. It has happened...

Lots of little touches will set it apart.
rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 05:11 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I would just Google our current Leo's, and copy things that the crews add or markings that are mandatory:
- Canadian specific licence plate
- Black maple leaf (sometimes in white border) on turret side
- a white bumper sticker with " I (heart) Alberta Beef " logo. Included in Takom C2 Mexas kit 2003
- Unit specific vehicle markings: Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona Horse
- Look at decal sheets from other Canadian tank models (Takom Leo C2, etc) and use some of those decal ideas
- I believe we developed putting glow sticks into water bottles and taping the bottles to antennas. Makes for easy identification at night
- Use the C6 GPMG (FN Mag) with wood buttstock on turret roof
- Add crew C8 or C7A2 weapons with Elcan scope on top of turret near crew hatches. C8 is similar to M4. C7A2 has 20" barrel and collapsing stock. Both have green plastic bits, so they will set them apart as Canadian
- Coleman coolers added to roof or turret bustle
- OD colour duffel bags strapped to turret
- Backpacks or other gear in our specific CADPAT pattern
- Paint the hull in NATO cam, and the turret in simple OD. or Vice Versa. It has happened...

Lots of little touches will set it apart.


Dave,
Thanks a bunch, I will keep that in mind for sure.
DJ
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 05:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I would just Google our current Leo's, and copy things that the crews add or markings that are mandatory:
- Canadian specific licence plate
- Black maple leaf (sometimes in white border) on turret side
- a white bumper sticker with " I (heart) Alberta Beef " logo. Included in Takom C2 Mexas kit 2003
- Unit specific vehicle markings: Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona Horse
- Look at decal sheets from other Canadian tank models (Takom Leo C2, etc) and use some of those decal ideas
- I believe we developed putting glow sticks into water bottles and taping the bottles to antennas. Makes for easy identification at night
- Use the C6 GPMG (FN Mag) with wood buttstock on turret roof
- Add crew C8 or C7A2 weapons with Elcan scope on top of turret near crew hatches. C8 is similar to M4. C7A2 has 20" barrel and collapsing stock. Both have green plastic bits, so they will set them apart as Canadian
- Coleman coolers added to roof or turret bustle
- OD colour duffel bags strapped to turret
- Backpacks or other gear in our specific CADPAT pattern
- Paint the hull in NATO cam, and the turret in simple OD. or Vice Versa. It has happened...

Lots of little touches will set it apart.



Canadian Forces Licence plates are not used on Main Battle Tanks.

There are not usually unit specific markings on tanks. Call signs are not painted on the tanks any longer. Perhaps a small call sign board on the rear turret but that's it. Tac signs could be present on the front fender but dust and dirt covers that quickly. The only anomaly to that is C Squadron, Royal Canadian Dragoons who have a stylized Armoured Fist on the main gun barrels (decal set available via Echelon Fine Details courtesy of my research).

The current Canadian Leopard 2 versions are all in solid CARC green. There are no tank in NATO cam or half/hull turret combos.

Very little stowage is carried on the outside of Canadian Leopard 2s if you are portraying a peace time version. If you are building a "what if" combat version then load it up as much as you want. The Leopard 2 has significant main gun back pressure so everything better be secure on the turret.

Have fun with your project...post pics!

rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 06:19 AM UTC
Along with the Meng kit, which is very nice, much like their Leopard 2A7 kit. I ordered from Leopard club,
Leopard
2A4-A6 aerials
2A7 barrel
tow cables
Echelon Gagetown decals
I'm still debating the RWS...I know they're becoming more popular but not sure.
I will post pics once I make a little progress.
Thanks for the tips guys.
DJ
pjmurley
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 06, 2014
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 52 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 08:28 AM UTC
It definitely need the big umbrella...
rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 12:15 PM UTC
Freakin umbrella 🙄 Canadians can’t stand a little sun shine! Coming from a freakin Canadian that’s melting in 100 degree South Carolina heat!
Dj
pjmurley
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: July 06, 2014
KitMaker: 63 posts
Armorama: 52 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 05:33 PM UTC
Don't you mean 37.7° Celsius?
TheoBraat
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Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: April 21, 2017
KitMaker: 113 posts
Armorama: 113 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 07:29 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Don't you mean 37.7° Celsius?


rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 09:39 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Don't you mean 37.7° Celsius?


See what the sun and heat does to me! Maybe I just need one of those big umbrellas.
trahe
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Virginia, United States
Joined: April 03, 2006
KitMaker: 1,158 posts
Armorama: 950 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 11:29 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Don't you mean 37.7° Celsius?


See what the sun and heat does to me! Maybe I just need one of those big umbrellas.



A big umbrella and butter tarts! Gotta have butter tarts!
snodipous
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Canada
Joined: December 17, 2012
KitMaker: 47 posts
Armorama: 29 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 06:31 AM UTC
When I was ibulding my LAV-III model I got a sheet of paper cutouts you can turn into Pringles cans, Tim Hortons coffee cups, etc. Throw some Timmies cups around and you're 90% of the way there.
rmadfire1
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South Carolina, United States
Joined: August 26, 2009
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 263 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 04:17 AM UTC
Well my Canadian Leopard 2A7+ is in the build process, I'll have pics tomorrow. Those of you who are familiar with this kit or the Leopard 2 in general, would there be anything in this kit that you would find or not find on a Canadian tank?
thanks
DJ
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 07:44 AM UTC
I think from the previous posts dating back to May you've gotten the bulk of ideas as to what to include.

If I was going to use the RWS in the kit I'd change the .50 Cal to a C6 GPMG which more aligns with the type of weapon that is typically used on various RWS in Canadian service. While .50 Cals were used on the Nyalas it was very limited and eventually replaced by the C6.

You could look at incorporating the larger version of rear driving camera and guard that is used on the Canadian Leopard 2s. The standard version is included in the kit.

All the rest of the details on the 2A7+ would be completely applicable if the tank was in Canadian service.
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