Leopard 2A4

Welcome to my post, dear fellow player! Firstly, pardon me, as my projects were kind of halted; motivation was quite low — though not as low as when I made GM XM1 — , along with various activities outside the game reducing the development time. Despite at one time I did not have the feeling to touch the video game the slightest, I still have the determination planted on the base of my heart to post what I should do, and I logged into this game again. For now, you could read the start of the vehicle program; skip through the history and straight to instructions; or just skip the description entirely. Whatever fit you, my dearest.

For those who are following the journey of my AFVs project, it has finally met its end. This specific craft is the seal of previous crafts. So, gramercy for all the support you gave to me, I really appreciated that!

Alright, enough for chit chats, I will stop it right here. Now you can enjoy the description — or just slip it away like a blowing wind.

Leopard 2K Keiler<=================>Leopard 2A4

The Start

As the Keiler experimental project was a success, the Bundeswehr decided to push on. In the mid-1973, a new turret, designed by Wegmann, was replaced the arrowhead turret; the icon of the Keiler itself, to a new vertically flat turret; flat mantlet; and sloped laterally, giving a new look to the Leopard 2 turret that we know of today. Vehicles that equipped with this new turret is designated as Leopard 2AV (Austere Version).

Trials of the Leopard 2A4 with XM1 prototype of both companies happened in July 1973. This trial was hoped for vehicle standardization for both countries. There were multiple problems about whether each one's designs did not meet the requirements of another side. To put it simply, West Germany decided to withdraw its design from consideration. Both nations decided to stick on for their own models. The internet provides detailed information about this trial, you can check them if you want to.

In January 1977, Germany ordered pre-series vehicles of three hulls and two turrets with increased protection compared to the 2AV variant. This order was fulfilled next year.

Later the army ordered the first batch for 380 vehicles. In October 1979, — the same year the Leopard 2 entered service — first tanks were laid off at the factory and finally by 1982 all of the orders were completed. From 1982–1990, six more batches were completed. The last batch of 75 tanks for the reunified Germany was produced from January 1991–March 1992.

Now I am presenting upgrades and variants from Leopard 2AV–Leopard 2A4

Leopard 2AV: The earliest variant immediately after the Keiler. It is a vertically flat, angled laterally turret. It is armed with a British L7 105 mm rifled cannon. Lightly armored, on par with the earlier Keiler.

Leopard 2: Later informally referred to as “Leopard 2A0” for the purpose of avoiding confusion with the model; this variant had an improved protection as was suggested by US Army specialists due to being deemed to have inadequate protection against modern threats. This is the variant that was produced as the first batch of 380 vehicles. 200 vehicles equipped with a low-light enhancer instead of thermal imager.

A Leopard 2; or, a Leopard "2A0"

Leopard 2A1: Addition of thermal gun sight, modified ammunition rack to be identical to that found on M1A1 Abrams and revisioned fuel filter, along with minor modifications. 450 vehicles were made as a second batch.

Leopard 2A2: Upgrades of “Leopard 2A0” to match the standard of later batches. Minor fittings such as filler opening for bow fuel tank, protection cover for NBC protection system and others.

Leopard 2A3: Even more minor improvements; the fourth batches added digital radio sets, and ammunition reloading hatches welded shut.

Leopard 2A4: the most well-known as well as the most produced variant of the entire model as 1,800 were made on eight batches. Upgrades included, but not limited to auto fire and explosion suppression system, digital fire control system to handle various munition types, and better protected turret armor with the addition of tungsten/titanium plate. All previous variants were converted into the standard of Leopard 2A4.

The success of Leopard 2A4 leads to multiple developments and sub-variants. I only briefly mention the plethora of combat developments and sub-variants of the variant as if I do so, this article would still be comfortable to read.

Tank sub-variants

Americas

Leopard 2A4 CAN: Acquired from the Netherlands with domestic improvements. Later evolved into Leopard 2A4M CAN.

Leopard 2A4CHL: Subvariant requested by Chile to include new electronics, sightings, information systems, a new suspension system, and the addition of Rheinmetall Rh-120 L/55.

Asia

Leopard 2RI: Indonesian army requested for 62 Leopard 2A4 upgraded to Revolution standard by Rheinmetall.

Leopard 2SG: ex-West German Leopard 2A4 bought by Singapore with the addition of AMAP armor package.

Leopard 2A4TR: 84 Leopard 2A4 are improved domestically by Rokestan with addition of new Explosive Reactive Armor, fire control systems, and an overhaul for power transmission system for Turkish army.

Europe

Leopard 2A4NL: As the first exported operator of the Leopard 2, Netherlands acquired a bunch of them. Later re-exported to various countries.

Leopard 2NO: Norwegian operated Leopard 2A4NL.

Panzer 87: 35 were manufactured by KMW and Rheinmetall and 345 were produced domestically; with domestic armor upgrade, improved NBC protection system, and addition of MG 87 7.5 mm machine gun. One tank was used as a testbed for a 140 mm cannon carrier.

Stridsvagn 121: Swedish Leopard 2A4 with new radio equipment, reflective tape, and new headlights.

Non-tank combat vehicle

Leopard 2 Marksman: Self-propelled anti aircraft gun, made by Finland; meant to be an improvement over the older T-55 hull where the turret was first mated onto.

Phew. Those are mouthful. I might miss some along the way, tell me if I do, as I will be very grateful!

Notes of features, technical, and control guide for gameplay

I put a few notes to shortly visualize how the vehicle behave.

The control is pretty much the same as my M1A1 abrams I've made, including the automatic turret traverse that follows the player's camera, and still require manual input for elevation. Loader machine gun traverse requires manual yaw input.

Camouflage netting are labels that neatly made to form the shape of foliages, a rather revolutionary technique, in my field that is. It was my first time did that and I think I did a good work, no self-glazing intended.

The loader of the vehicle is operating his roof 7.62 mm machine gun, unlike my other AFVs those were following the mainstream of him holding a round.

The vehicle can reach up to 18.8 m/s forward and 8.57 m/s on reverse, it controls better over some of my previous creations; faster hull traverse rotation and higher gear ratio for wheels.

As with the Leopard 2K Keiler and other two German vehicles I made, it has German language dialouge when launched and when turning on or off some activation groups.

Activation Groups

1. Engine
2. Hatches
3. Headlights

Gallery

A footage showing the camouflage netting that can be found on the bow of the vehicle.

Showing engine compartment while the turret is at 3 o'clock.

The interior of the vehicle, mostly showing what inside the turret; hull ammunition rack can be found on left background and driver on right.

I almost forgot; gramercy for Boco who helped me to do the interior mesh, and by that, I was introduced to the usage of labels as mesh and evantually camouflage netting.

That is all I can give for now. I hope you enjoy this humble creation of mine. You can leave suggestions, critiques, and pretty much anything in mind. Gramercy for scrolling down to here, dear reader!

–Sincerely, Vina