Canadian Leopard C2 Mexas MBT - Afghanistan 2006- Build
Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2020 3:08 am
Hi,
It's time to build something big and more complex. My next project is a 1/16 RC Canadian Leopard C2 with the MEXAS (Modular Expandable Armor System) as installed to the Canadian tanks sent to Afghanistan in 2006.
The Leopard C2 Mexas (sometimes referred to as Leopard C2A1) is a Leopard 1A4, updated with the turret of the 1A5, fitted with Canadian designed features and then with Mexas composite armor installed on the hull and turret. This is exactly what i am about to do.
The Leopard C2 Mexas is probably the best looking Leopard 1 configuration ever built. I do not think that the Leopard 2A6M CAN that replaced it is as good looking.
Of the thousands of Leopard 1 tanks built, the squadron of 15 Leopard C2 that Canada sent to Afghanistan likely saw more real action and combat than the whole Bundeswehr and other Nato fleet combined.
Although it was not tank against tank warfare, the squadron provided support to infantry operations, walking point where its heavy armor offered better protection against IEDs and rocket attacks than the LAV. One of its weakness that led to its replacement by the Leopard 2A6M was the lack of air conditioning for the crew.
Good views of the frontal and side Mexas armor. The original shape of the Leopard1A5 turret is unrecognizable. The C2 would not look out of place with latest MBTs.
The first task was to find a Tamiya Leopard 1A4 chassis. It would be illogical to purchase a rare and prohibitive MIB kit and throw away half the kit. This is the right time to purchase a used piece of junk from the 70s. Once in a while, someone lists on eBay a used "RC tank" or a "Lepperd tank" that can be purchased between $50 and $150 depending on luck and condition. This is one of them, got it for $50 Buy-it-now 3 years ago. It must have belonged to the old man. Someone’s garbage is somebody’s else treasure.
Empty inside but with a hull mainly intact but dirty. It has the old clutch gearbox of another time. The owner threw loose parts inside the hull.
The original owner that built it was surely an RC enthusiast, but he wasn't much of a builder. What many builder would consider important, such as completeness and accuracy, were obviously not critical to him. Most of the detail parts are still on original sprues, which luckily survived to this day and were part of the deal. I added to the lot a couple of sprues i had in the junkyard.
Although it still looks good and functional, the first task is to replace the old gearbox that won't work with latest control board.
Needing a good wash. I also replaced the worn out torsion blades under the suspension by new ones from AFV-Model. It should help.
Continuing on following post.
It's time to build something big and more complex. My next project is a 1/16 RC Canadian Leopard C2 with the MEXAS (Modular Expandable Armor System) as installed to the Canadian tanks sent to Afghanistan in 2006.
The Leopard C2 Mexas (sometimes referred to as Leopard C2A1) is a Leopard 1A4, updated with the turret of the 1A5, fitted with Canadian designed features and then with Mexas composite armor installed on the hull and turret. This is exactly what i am about to do.
The Leopard C2 Mexas is probably the best looking Leopard 1 configuration ever built. I do not think that the Leopard 2A6M CAN that replaced it is as good looking.
Of the thousands of Leopard 1 tanks built, the squadron of 15 Leopard C2 that Canada sent to Afghanistan likely saw more real action and combat than the whole Bundeswehr and other Nato fleet combined.
Although it was not tank against tank warfare, the squadron provided support to infantry operations, walking point where its heavy armor offered better protection against IEDs and rocket attacks than the LAV. One of its weakness that led to its replacement by the Leopard 2A6M was the lack of air conditioning for the crew.
Good views of the frontal and side Mexas armor. The original shape of the Leopard1A5 turret is unrecognizable. The C2 would not look out of place with latest MBTs.
The first task was to find a Tamiya Leopard 1A4 chassis. It would be illogical to purchase a rare and prohibitive MIB kit and throw away half the kit. This is the right time to purchase a used piece of junk from the 70s. Once in a while, someone lists on eBay a used "RC tank" or a "Lepperd tank" that can be purchased between $50 and $150 depending on luck and condition. This is one of them, got it for $50 Buy-it-now 3 years ago. It must have belonged to the old man. Someone’s garbage is somebody’s else treasure.
Empty inside but with a hull mainly intact but dirty. It has the old clutch gearbox of another time. The owner threw loose parts inside the hull.
The original owner that built it was surely an RC enthusiast, but he wasn't much of a builder. What many builder would consider important, such as completeness and accuracy, were obviously not critical to him. Most of the detail parts are still on original sprues, which luckily survived to this day and were part of the deal. I added to the lot a couple of sprues i had in the junkyard.
Although it still looks good and functional, the first task is to replace the old gearbox that won't work with latest control board.
Needing a good wash. I also replaced the worn out torsion blades under the suspension by new ones from AFV-Model. It should help.
Continuing on following post.