Tamiya 35271 - 1:35 Leopard 2 A6

1:35 scale plastic model kit of the German Leopard 2 A6 tank

Tamiya 35271 reproduces the Leopard 2 A6 – one of the most modern variants of the German main battle tank. The key change over the A5 is the longer L/55 120 mm smoothbore gun, whose extended barrel provides higher muzzle velocity, greater range and penetration.

The model faithfully captures the vehicle's silhouette, including the wedge-shaped add-on armour on the turret front and the movable side armour. The two storage baskets at the rear of the turret are reproduced using vinyl mesh, and the headlights, lights and figure goggles are made from clear parts. Parts for the gunfire simulator used in exercises and road signs for diorama use are also included.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues and clear parts (headlights, lights, figure goggles)
• L/55 120 mm smoothbore gun
• Wedge-shaped add-on armour on the turret front and movable side armour
• Vinyl mesh for the two turret storage baskets
• String to represent the tow cable
• Vinyl belt tracks and smoke dischargers
• Gunfire simulator parts and rotating exercise light (optional)
• Road signs for diorama use
• Two figures: commander and loader torsos
• Decal sheet for four marking options
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35271
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 314 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (many details, mesh assembly)

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

Building the model:

Thanks to the excellent part fit typical of Tamiya, the model is approachable even for less experienced builders. The commander's and loader's hatches can be assembled open or closed, allowing the figures to be displayed. Fitting the vinyl basket mesh calls for care – to raise the level of detail it can be replaced with the dedicated photo-etched set (item 35272), available separately.

For painting, the three-colour NATO camouflage (green, brown, black) is recommended, matching the chosen marking option, including the versions used in Kosovo. Military vehicles are usually finished with a matt varnish, and the detail benefits from a wash.

Tools you'll need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for cleaning up sprue-gate marks
• Polystyrene cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched and metal parts
• Brushes of various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optionally: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Leopard 2 A6:

The Leopard 2 is a German main battle tank developed from the 1970s, which through successive upgrades remained among the world's leading armoured designs for decades. The A6 variant, introduced in the early 21st century, is a development of the A5.

The key change in the A6 is the longer Rheinmetall 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun, over a metre longer than the earlier L/44. Earlier improvements were retained, including the wedge-shaped add-on armour on the turret front and the improved stabilisation and fire-control system. The Leopard 2 A6 entered service with the armies of many European countries, including the Netherlands, Spain and Greece.

Original specifications (Leopard 2 A6):

• Length with gun: approx. 10.97 m
• Width: approx. 3.75 m
• Height: approx. 3.00 m
• Combat weight: approx. 62.5 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: Rheinmetall 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun
• Secondary armament: two 7.62 mm MG3 machine guns
• Powerplant: MTU MB 873 diesel engine, approx. 1500 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 68 km/h
• Range: approx. 500 km
• Armour: composite with wedge-shaped add-on armour

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company initially traded in timber, but from the late 1940s it produced wooden models, and in 1960 it launched its first plastic assembly kit. Two years later it introduced its iconic 1:35 scale tank, which set the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is renowned for exceptionally precise injection moulds and excellent part fit, which is why its kits are favoured by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this model belongs, comprises hundreds of items and is considered one of the most comprehensive 1:35 catalogues of military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling supplies: paints, glues, tools and brushes.