Tamiya 35272 - 1:35 Leopard 2 A5/A6 - Photo Etched Parts Set

Tamiya photo-etched parts set for the Leopard 2 A5/A6 tank model in 1:35 scale

Tamiya 35272 is a dedicated detail-up set for the Tamiya Leopard 2 A5 and A6 tank models in 1:35 scale. The set contains photo-etched parts reproducing the mesh of the two storage baskets at the rear of the turret – a feature made from vinyl mesh in the base kit.

Replacing the standard mesh with thin, precisely made metal parts gives a much finer and more realistic result, clearly visible on the exposed rear of the turret.

What's in the box:

• A photo-etched fret reproducing the mesh of the two turret storage baskets
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Item number: 35272
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Dedicated model: Tamiya Leopard 2 A6 (35271) and Leopard 2 A5 (35242)
• Type: photo-etched parts (turret storage basket mesh)
• Material: thin metal sheet

Photo-etched parts – thin, delicate detailing components

Photo-etched parts are produced by chemically etching a thin metal sheet, which gives them a thinness and detail sharpness unattainable in injection moulding. They are particularly well suited to reproducing meshes, grilles and openwork features that look too thick in plastic or as vinyl mesh.

The parts are bent and shaped according to the instructions and then attached to the model – usually with cyanoacrylate glue. For a clean result, it is worth ensuring an accurate fit before gluing. The set is intended for specific Tamiya Leopard 2 models, which makes assembly easier.

About the vehicle – Leopard 2 A5/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 A5 variant introduced the wedge-shaped add-on armour on the turret front, among other features, and the A6 that developed from it added the longer 120 mm L/55 smoothbore gun with higher muzzle velocity.

Both variants entered service with the armies of many European countries and are among the most frequently modelled modern tanks. The characteristic storage baskets at the rear of the turret, for which this set is intended, are among the most recognisable features of their silhouette.

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 (A6)
• 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

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka. The brand is best known for its plastic assembly kits in the Military Miniature Series, but its range also includes dedicated detail-up sets for its own kits – photo-etched parts, turned barrels and detailing accessories. A hallmark of these sets is their precise fit to the specific Tamiya model for which they were designed, which makes assembly easier and allows the level of detail to be raised without modifications. Alongside kits and accessories, Tamiya offers a full range of paints, glues, tools and brushes.