Inside the standard sized Legend Productions box, you're presented with only two resin parts, both on pretty stout casting blocks. The two mantlets are different between the two variants, and thankfully Legend Productions has accommodated the differences between them. For anyone looking to build a Canadian Leopard out of the box, their mantlets had two additional inspection panels attached, which Takom missed on their kit. This little upgrade covers that wonderfully, with beautiful molding and shaping on the resin pieces.
Since both pieces are drop-fit replacements, all that needs to be done is to remove the rather large casting blocks, and drop the pieces in. I would suggest washing them before assembly, just to make sure that all of the mold release agent is gone. After that, it should paint up beautifully with careful highlighting of the folds and cords.
Conclusion
Important Note: For anyone that has the Takom Leopard C2 MEXAS kit, I would highly recommend you get this set. The MEXAS also requires the two inspection panels, so it's either make them yourself, or get this handy little replacement set. And no matter which version of the kit you make, you get a nice spare mantlet cover for another kit, or to share with a buddy.
SUMMARY
Highs: Beautiful casting, drop-fit assembly, includes inspection covers for Canadian versions.Lows: Rather stout casting block will require careful removal.Verdict: Great little upgrade, and an easy way to perk up the otherwise highly detailed Takom Leopard kit.
Our Thanks to Legend Productions USA! This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.
Regarding this set from a Canadian perspective...
Leopard C2s earlier on in their life had a standard canvas mantlet cover without the later added dual access panels seen on the rubberized versions.
In fact, some of the canvas mantlet covers on C2s were still painted in their Bundeswehr NATO camouflage. That adds even more colour variation to a C2 build along with a NATO camouflaged hull.
The canvas mantlet covers were changed out for the later rubberized version with the two access panels as time went on.
The rubberized versions, in addition to the two access panels, have much larger round metal reinforced eyelets as opposed to the original small rectangular reinforced metal eyelets. This can be easily seen in the Legend Productions part but not mentioned in the review.
Here are images in the link below of a Leopard C2 in 2004 with the original mantlet cover. In fact, the same markings provided in the Takom kit.
So, Takom did not miss the modified mantlet in their kit based on the timeline of their C2 markings. Their mantlet is correct.
http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/dan_hay/leopard_c2/index.php?Page=1
I can state with 100% certainty that the original canvas mantlet covers with small rectangular eyelets and no access panels were still in use on some of the Leopard C2 MEXAS tanks that deployed to Afghanistan in the fall of 2006. A C2 MEXAS with either the original canvas mantlet or later rubberized mantlet is correct.
The choice to use or not use either resin mantlet for a regular Leopard C2 or a Leopard C2 MEXAS is your choice. Neither are incorrect. Base your decision off of details on a specific tank.
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