Various manufacturers have kitted the Leopard 2A6 in 1/35 scale… but the new toolings by Rye Field Model are the most modern. CHRIS CLIFFORD reviews the firm’s 'basic' German boxing.
Kits of Leopard variants in 1/35 scale are numerous, and regarding the third-generation 2A6 version, Academy, Hobby Boss, Italeri and Tamiya have all provided their own renditions… with varying degrees of quality and accuracy. Now, though, arguably the best kits are by Rye Field Model, which recently issued a new-tool Canadian 2A6M CAN, a Bundeswehr (German Army) 2A6 and the latter again with a full interior. It’s the standard Bundeswehr 2A6 (item 5065) we examine here.
I should make it clear from the outset that Rye Field’s 2A6 is really for experienced modellers due to its level of complexity and sheer number of parts. The benefits of this, though, are a wide range of alternatives in terms of the model’s final appearance, and exceptional overall quality. Examples of this are that you can pose the forward vertical armour plates in running or maintenance (folded up) modes, while the arrow-shaped armour on the turret sides can be shown in fighting position, or swung open to reveal turret hatch detail.
Above: Rye field’s Leopard 2A6 sets the ba…
