Meng Leopard 2A7+

Andy Heim
My first Meng Kit, building mostly Tamiya, Takom, Zvezda or RFM,
I must say, that I'm a little disappointed of the quality.

Some parts didn't fit very good and some where already broken in the frame...
And some parts had "flags" and were not molded sharply. And the main gun barrel was two pieced...
In my opinion not contemporary anymore.

But anyway, I did it and and I'm happy to start the color working now.

Rui
Looks pretty good to me.
Which Meng kit is this?

Robert Podkoński
Good work, Andy! Keep it up!

Andy Heim
Thank you all!
@Rui: Its the „ German Main Battle Tank Leopard 2A7+ - Scale 1/35 - Meng Models - MM TS-042" kit

Andy Heim
Light* weathering ist finished (* as it will have travelled to Ukraine by railway).
The railway wagon is finished and I will start the base coating of it.
The Diorama "Arrival at Ukraine" will follow.

Guy Rump
Nice job. 👍

A.J. Madison
On an almost irrelevant comment, I wanted the BEST 1/35 M60A3 kit. It had been awhile since I dabbled in armor, so didn't know what was state of the art. Of M60's, there is the Tamiya (has suspension issues) the Italeri (formerly ESCI), Trumpeter, Academy, Dragon, AFV Club, Meng, Takom. Last 3 were available at kitlinx. Written reviews suggested a toss up. The Meng being slightly superior to the Takom. Then I saw/heard almost a throwaway line from FineScale's parts grope video. The Meng is a simplified AFV Club. Parts count doesn't scare me. Was looking for accuracy. So I got the AFV Club kit. But looks like Meng has been looking for ways to reduce/simplify their parts on their more recent kits.

Andy Heim
Thank you, Guy

Andy Heim
@A.J. Madison: You are speaking about M60A3, unfortunately, I don't have experience with this kit.
The Leo 2A7+ was my first kit from MENG. It was okay, but not quite good as expected.
If you are searching for simple but still accurate kits, in my humble opinion, Tamiya is still the reference.

Michael Kohl
Looking good. Nice subtle weathering. I only find the tow cables a bit too coarse.

Rui S
Well done 👍

Andy Heim
Thank you, Rui!

Andy Heim
Thank you, Michael

Andy Heim
Yes, indeed the ropes were very difficult to handle.
I prefer the Tamiya plastic or even classic ropes instead
of metallic wires.
I will try to twist them more to give them a better look.
Thanks for your comment, Michael

Johne 69
Very fine Camo 👍 which colors do you use for?

Neuling
Very good build. I like the dusty streaks on the sideskirts. Is this a prototype or a regular army vehicle?

Andy Heim
@Johne 69: Thank you! I used Vallejo Primers for Base coating, Tamiya paints for the camouflage and some very light dust weathering. The streaks were made with Oil paints from Abteilung502 and "Bob Ross".

Andy Heim
@Neuling: Thank you! It is a prototype "2A7+". The regular version is 2A7 of this mark.
But never less I will made WhatIf-Diorama, called "Arrival at Ukraine" with the LEO2 on an railway wagon arrived at a railway station.

Andy Heim
Finished the railway wagon for my LEO2

Andy Heim
LEO2 ready for departure....as the travel to Ukraine is long, enough time to build the destination railway station 😉

Michael Kohl
Nice subtle and convincing weathering on the railway car too. Like it

Neuling
👍

Andy Heim
Thank you all!

Spanjaard
Very nice job

Andy Heim
Thank you, Spanjaard!

Marcin Dudek
Fantastic work! I like the weathering, looks very realistic 👍

Pepe
Gran trabajo

Andy Heim
Thank you, Marcin!

Andy Heim
Gracias, Pepe!

Mr James
Very well done. The Leopard is great and nicely weathered as too is the rail wagon. The brickwork on the buildings and the roof are excellent.

Kirill K.
Amazing diorama.

Pietro De Angelis
An other beautiful dio, congrats!

Andy Heim
Thanks all of you, for this kind comments!

Audrius N
... at railway station, on it's way to Ukraine.... in my dreams 😊 You did a great amount of work and result is very atractive. Congratulations! ✨

Dominik Weitzer
Diorama is really great, the weathering is very realistic and i wish, i have your skills on military vehicles!

but i have to mention: what are they doing?
it i half on the railway wagon but the hatchways are closed? i think, the engine isn't idling because of the "photomodel" right behind the exhaust...nobody will stay this close there while the tank is moving - and he can't move because of the one romping on the deck. before loading, the on-board cannon is also removed...
imo misleading representation - i don't understand.

Andy Heim
Thank you, Audrius for this kind comment!

Andy Heim
Thanks for your comment, Dominik.
I wanted to show, how impressed the Ukraine soldiers are.
So the Tank stopped suddenly in this position, so that the brave soldiers could perpetuate this moment by picture.
In any case, this is a "What If...?" diorama, so there is a lot of room for your interpretation and fantasy 😉

Dominik Weitzer
😉 got it. In any case, your work on the diorama and weathering is great Andy.

Don't ask bout my fantasy *lol*

Andy Heim
@Dominik: 🙂 Thanks!