Tamiya Leopard 2A6 Project

Tamiya's line of 1/16th scale RC tanks is legendary.  In fact, the very first RC model Tamiya ever made was the RT-1601 M4 Sherman way back in 1974.  Over the years new tank models have come out rarely but tend to be the pinnacle of Tamiya technology and ingenuity.  Except for the very earliest models, the large scale tanks tend to include working turrets, recoil firing mechanisms, and realistic sound effects.  The 56020 German Leopard 2A6 was released and 2004 as the 9th 1/16 tank model (not including re-releases) and includes all of these features and more.  There are even numerous fiber optically lit lighting modes.  I didn't find out until much later when I built my second Tamiya tank, but this model is a big departure from the previous models in terms of the drive system.  Previous models used independent left and right side gearboxes which were electronically mixed with a DMD (Dual Motor Differential) unit.  The Leopard 2A6 used mechanical mixing for the first time using one drive motor and one steering motor mixed in a gearbox (explained on Page 2).  In addition to the technical details, the tank series is absolutely loaded with scale details.  This is as much a scale plastic model as an RC model.  Every conceivable detail right down to the backup camera and smoke canisters is included.  The price makes these models prohibitive, but every Tamiya fan should have at least one in their collection.

Let's talk a bit about the real tank.  The original German Leopard main battle tank (later renamed the Leopard 1) was first produced in 1965.  It's replacement, the Leopard 2, was first produced in 1979.  The 6th variant, the 2A6, came out in 2001 making it quite modern.  When Tamiya released their model of the Leopard 2A6 in 2004, the tank was almost brand new.  The Leopard 2A6 weighs 68.7 tons and is powered by a 47.7 liter, twin turbocharged diesel V-12 engine.  Tamiya recorded the sounds of the real engine for their scale model.  The suspension of the Leopard 2 is essentially carried over from the original Leopard and consists of seven pairs of road wheels per side with four return rollers and the drive sprocket at the rear.  Torsion bar suspension is used on each road wheel and this is accurately reproduced in the model.  The tracks have rubber pads with optional grousers carried on the front of the hull.  Again, these are accurately reproduced in the model.  The primary armament is a 120mm L/55 smoothbore gun which is represented on the model and is capable of firing with a muzzle flash, sound, barrel recoil, and suspension recoil.  Secondary armament consists of a pair of 7.62mm machine guns, one mounted coaxially with the main gun and the other on top.  The coaxial version is represented on the model with a muzzle beside the main gun that flashes with a fiber optic light source with accompanying sound.  The top mounted machine gun is not included in the model.

The function of this model exceeded my expectations in every way.  Everything can be controlled remotely using only a 4 channel transmitter.  Remote functions include throttle, steering, turret rotation, gun elevation, main gun firing, machine gun firing, turning lights on and off, switching lighting modes, and turning the engine on and off.  Most functions are accompanied by sounds which are automatic.  Barrel recoil is also automatic, as is movement of the barrel to reloading position after firing.  Speed and power is good.  Realism is excellent.

©2017-2021 Eric Albrecht