Leopard 2A6 thrown together

[Meter rat]

Made a start today by putting all the details on my recently acquired Heng Long Leopard 2A6. What a frustrating experience. It need 13 handles for things like the lockers. Only 12 are supplied. No MG42 for it, and of course the carpet monster ate some bits. Sloppy parts fit as well.

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Not overly bothered, as I just want this for fun.

[Meter rat]

Took out my Leopard for a run. I had not been overly impressed with it, as it it had a lot of binding in the suspension. The middle wheel station was sticking in the up position, the first wheel position had limited movement. So I removed the wheels and found that the suspension would move freely, except the first which still had limited movement. This was caused by the simulated shock absorber coming adrift. A simple fix with plastic weld, and a clamp. The binding on the other wheel stations, was caused by the swing arms fixings being proud of the arms and a moulding lip on the rear of the wheels. These problems were addressed with a file and tightening the swing arms.

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Removed the usual pile of debris from around the running gear, which all my tanks gather, to a lesser or greater degree.

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Last job while it was open was to disconnect the BB shooting trigger, and make a jumper for CN6, so everything is synchronised, without the delay caused by the BB unit winding up.

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Glued in a few bit that felt loose.

[zooma]

Nice to see the Leo 2 getting some use Ian.

My HL Leo 2 is the basic all plastic version- but it did come with metal suspension arms (maybe they all do - I only bought the basic model).

I converted the turret top to be held on by magnets as I did not like having to unscrew the base to change the battery and wanted to put a battery in the turret instead, so I had to make the turret top quick and easy to remove.

This works OK, but having to balance the barrel in its mounts whilst reconnecting the barrel lifting arm is a real pain, so I am hoping to return to it once my HAYA Centurion KIT build is completed and come up with a way of keeping the barrel mounted when the top is lifted off - and then simplify the barrel lifting method to one that can stay connected when the turret top is removed.

[Jimster]

Damn! Wish I hadn’t sold my Taigen Leopard 2A7! I toyed with the idea of getting a Heng Wrong version but now I’m not so sure.

[Meter rat]

Damn! Wish I hadn’t sold my Taigen Leopard 2A7!

Jimster, I read your thread about your Leopard 2A7. If you do not bond with a model, there is no point hanging on to it. I feel the same about my Tigers, even though my Tamiya based one is the best runner of all my models.

[Herr Dr. Professor]

When I was a youngster, I usually bonded with models, thanks to the old orange tube of Testor's gooy glue. Now I use CA glues, as they bond quickly and are much more fun to cut off my fingers with an XActo knife.

[Meter rat]

When I was a youngster, I usually bonded with models, thanks to the old orange tube of Testor's gooy glue. Now I use CA glues, as they bond quickly and are much more fun to cut off my fingers with an XActo knife.

Very droll.

[zooma]

Last job while it was open was to disconnect the BB shooting trigger, and make a jumper for CN6, so everything is synchronised, without the delay caused by the BB unit winding up.376E251A-A860-43E9-8F2C-36F29FFF1FE2.jpeg
Glued in a few bit that felt loose.

That sounds like as good idea for those of us that do not use the BB function.

Do I just pull out the cable in CN6 and make a new plug as a jumper?

[Meter rat]

Basically, yes. It stops the BB motor winding up..