Academy 15402 - K2 Black Panther (4D Kit)

Self-assembly model of the K2 Black Panther main battle tank — Academy 15402, 4D Kit series

Academy 15402 reproduces the K2 Black Panther, the Korean third-generation main battle tank also known from deliveries to the Polish Army. The kit was released in 2024 in the 4D Kit series (sold in Korea as the 4D Color Kit), designed as a fast route from box to finished model.

It comprises 29 pre-coloured parts that snap together, so no glue or paint is needed. The difficulty level is very low and the recommended age is 8 and up. Once assembled, the tank is ready for display.

What's in the box:

• Pre-coloured plastic parts
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: not specified by the manufacturer
• Catalogue number: 15402
• Manufacturer: Academy
• Series: 4D Kit
• Number of parts: 29
• Year of release: 2024
• Recommended age: 8 and up
• Difficulty level: beginner

Note: This model is intended for self-assembly. The kit does not include paints or modelling tools.

Assembly:

The parts snap together and are coloured at the factory, so glue and paint are not required. They simply need to be separated and assembled following the illustrated instructions; cleaning up the gate marks helps the joints seat neatly.

Modellers who want a more realistic result can paint the model, or use a wash to bring out the recesses, the gaps between armour plates and the running gear. This is a suggestion, not a requirement — the kit looks good with no extra work at all.

Tools you may need:

• Sprue cutters — if the parts are attached to runners
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• File and sanding paper to smooth the gate marks
• Optional: modelling paints and brushes if you wish to paint the model
• Optional: a wash to accentuate the details

About the vehicle – K2 Black Panther:

The K2 Black Panther, or Heukpyo in Korean, is a third-generation main battle tank developed by Hyundai Rotem. Its main armament is a 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun with an autoloader, which allowed the crew to be reduced to three.

A distinguishing feature of the design is the ISU hydropneumatic suspension, which allows the hull height and attitude to be adjusted — useful both in mountainous terrain and when firing from cover. The tank has been in service since 2014.

The K2 has also become a Korean export product. Vehicles have been delivered to Poland, where they serve in the K2 configuration, while a variant adapted to Polish requirements, the K2PL, is under development.

Original specifications (K2 Black Panther):

• Weight: approx. 55 t
• Crew: 3
• Main armament: 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun with autoloader
• Powerplant: engine of approx. 1500 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 70 km/h
• Suspension: ISU hydropneumatic, with adjustable hull height and attitude
• In service: since 2014

About the manufacturer – Academy:

Academy Plastic Model is a Korean model company that has been in business since 1969 and is one of the most recognisable brands in that part of the world. Its catalogue covers aircraft, armour, ships and cars in the popular scales, alongside educational and construction sets. The brand is valued for its broad choice of subjects and for kits that are approachable for beginners. Korean military hardware holds a special place in the range — domestically built aircraft, tanks and artillery that are rarely offered by other manufacturers. The 4D Kit series extends this direction towards fast builds that snap together from pre-coloured parts. Academy exports to dozens of countries and has been a fixture of the European model market for years.