Tamiya 12694 - 1:35 German Leopard 2 A7V Metal Gun Barrel

Turned metal 120 mm L/55A1 barrel for the Leopard 2 A7V model (Tamiya 35387) in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 12694 is a metal barrel replacing the plastic moulding on the Tamiya 1:35 model of the German Leopard 2 A7V main battle tank (35387). The box contains one 120 mm L/55A1 gun barrel turned from aluminium.

On a barrel this long every deviation from a true cylinder shows - and length is exactly what makes a plastic moulding difficult, since removing the parting line easily distorts the cross-section. The muzzle end, fume extractor and rear section come from the base kit. The base model is sold separately - this box contains the barrel only.

What's in the box:

• One turned aluminium barrel - 120 mm L/55A1 gun

Specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 12694
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Dedicated model: Tamiya Leopard 2 A7V (35387)
• Type: metal gun barrel
• Material: turned aluminium
• Note: the muzzle end, fume extractor and rear section come from the base kit

Turned metal barrels - a quick upgrade

A lathe-turned barrel has a perfectly round cross-section and no mould parting line - the line that on a plastic moulding has to be filed and sanded away along its whole length. On a gun with the proportions of an L/55 that is tedious work, and the result is often uneven. The metal barrel comes with a hollowed muzzle, so no drilling is needed, and the fine detail comes out crisper than injection moulding allows.

Metal needs different preparation than plastic: before painting we suggest degreasing the surface and using a primer intended for metal, which gives the paint a proper key. Cyanoacrylate glue works well for joining the barrel to the plastic parts of the model.

About the vehicle - Leopard 2 A7V:

The Leopard 2 A7V is the latest version of the German Leopard 2 main battle tank, entering Bundeswehr service from 2021. It retains the recognisable silhouette of the Leopard 2 family but differs from its predecessors in several important respects.

The key change is the longer 120 mm L/55A1 smoothbore gun, which allows the use of new, higher-energy ammunition. The vehicle also received upgraded armour and modernised observation systems, improving crew effectiveness on the contemporary battlefield.

Original vehicle specifications (Leopard 2 A7V):

• Type: main battle tank
• Armament: longer 120 mm L/55A1 smoothbore gun
• Operator: Bundeswehr
• Entering service: from 2021
• Upgrades: modernised armour, modernised observation systems

About the manufacturer - Tamiya:

Tamiya is a Japanese company based in Shizuoka, active in the modelling industry since 1946. Alongside its plastic kits it offers detail-up accessories for its own models: turned metal barrels, photo-etched frets, detail sets and display stands. These accessories are designed for specific Tamiya kit numbers, so they fit without modification. The range is completed by Tamiya paints, glues and modelling tools.