Border Model Leopard 2A5 & 2A6 and more for the big Diorama Project

This is one of the 2 Leopard 2A5‘s from Border Model. I think the Paintjob came out very good and this is the one I‘ll keep clean in the end. (It‘ll drive on an asphalt road on the diorama.) 

I always paint every part of the tank that could be visible and even those areas that are definitely not visible. It’s part of the „detail-effort“ for me. 

Weathering „behind the wheels“ 

All of my „Combat Cats“ built in 2023: Starting with the rear lineup from the left - Siku 1:87 Leopard 2A5, Revell 1:72 PzKpfW. VI Tiger II Ausf. B, Revell 1:72 PzKpfW. VI Tiger I Ausf. E, Vespid Models 1:72 Leopard 2A7+, Revell 1:72 Stridsvagn 122B (but built as a Leopard 2A5EX).
Front lineup from the left - Revell 1:72 Leopard 2A6, Revell 1:72 Leopard 2A5, Border Model 1:72 Leopard 2A5, Border Model 1:72 Leopard 2A5, Border Model 1:72 Leopard 2A6.  

Border Model 2A6 

Starting a self made camo netting 

Watch the commanders PERI on this, and the next picture! 

That’s when light hits the colour of the sights! 🙂 

Selfmade camo netting, probably gonna make a few teaks on it while weathering the rest of the model. This is a Revell Leopard 2A6. 

Border Model Leopard 2A5 (left) & Border Model Leopard 2A6 (right)  

Tried to make both as similar as possible - will have to change the second Border Model Leopard 2A5 as the Camo-Pattern is quiet not the same. 

Camo-Pattern on the BM‘s Leopard 2A6 is finished - next up gonna be the decals after some drying time and a clear coat ? 

I literally can’t stop looking at my latest 2 Border Model Leopards - both turned out so well with their camo pattern - I‘m truly in love. 

Just a quick overview as an actual update of the progress (and for a new teaser photo) 15.01.2024

One floor below is my other Abrams Project ☺️ 

Troublemakers are ready! 3x Border Model Leopards!  

28.01.24 Finished paintjob on the oldest Border Model Leopard in my stash. It was brushpainted at first, lost all its paint to some alcohol and is now airbrushed with the exact same camo pattern (free hand by the way). 

?? Border Model Leopard 2A5 ?? Border Model Leopard 2A6 ?? Border Model Leopard 2A5 ☺️ 

All 3 Border Leo‘s are finally finished. Further weathering will be added with the Diorama itself!  

Made sure to spray the exact same camo pattern onto all sides of the tanks 🙂 

I‘m really in love with these beauties <3 

Takom‘s Leopard 2A7 (Limited Edition). The worst 1:72 Kit that I personally have ever built! The sprue is just bad. Simply and nicely said BAD. Whoever planned this should overthink their job. Anyway - made little progress over many hours today..  

Slowly made at least some progress on this Mojo-killing kit. I recommend: If you‘re not a pro, or at least semi-pro scale modeler that is looking for a challenge, do not buy! 

Some first „dirty“ weathering steps were applied, mostly those that I cannot add later anymore.  

Insides of the road-wheels are an example for this.  

I‘m not done with weathering at this point, just to mention.  

Tracks are finished with weathering on 90% of the inside (the non directly visible parts)  

First time in the showcase (until it takes place on the dio) and first time that you can see the overall progress of the tank. The upper glacis with the molted on sideskirts can still be taken off to add further weathering to the tracks, suspension and wheels. 

Further progress is made on Takom’s Leopard 2A7, now it’s just some minor stuff that needs to be attached.  

When I have the smoke launchers and grip handles on, I‘ll prime all later attached parts too. When Primer is dried out I‘ll start with some pre shading and the camo-pattern as well.  

Camo pattern one step forward on Takom’s 2A7 

And done, after drying I‘ll apply the decals.  

Following are all the Leopards that will take place on the Diorama.  

Of course a little more weathering will be applied to some, the Diorama will sit in a dry summertime - so don’t expect much mud! 

From the left: Takom Leopard 2A7, Revell Leopard 2A6, Border Model Leopard 2A6, Border Model Leopard 2A5, Border Model Leopard 2A5. 

Some sexy backs 😄 

Duo-photoshooting of the Border Model Leopard 2A5 & 2A6 ? 

All Leopards got marked as Pz.Btl. 203 (Tank Bataillon 203) - but as they‘re different versions, I‘ve put them into seperate companies inside the Bataillon structure. One of the 2 Leopard 2A5‘s is from the 5th company of the 203rd Tank Bataillon. (The other is in the 4th Company).  

Both 2A6 are part of the 3rd company of the 203. And I‘ve marked the 2A7 as 1st company.  

Look how the optics change with a little change in light, that’s what I‘m always trying to archive. This is detail for me. 

The PERI on the 2A5 begins to get a light „mirror“-effect on the sight due to the change of light. 

Tried my best to make all my Leopards look as similar as possible, and I‘m very happy with the outcome. 

Yet another overall view - now that I‘m finished with the German MBT‘s. I‘ll work on my Abrams for now, and start the Diorama baseplate too until my first russian Tank that I won’t display as destroyed will arrive. (That’s going to be a T-90MS)