Hi,

I have a few questions regarding the Tamiya Leopard 2 A6 1/16th R/C Tank:

1. Can it be run outdoors? I'm not gonna go through a 1/16th river with it or anything ;P but will dirt, sand or a bit of liquid damage this model?
2. Is there a way to add the gun stabilisation somehow?
3. How is this model anyway? Anybody of you uses it?
4. How long can it run before the batteries go flat?
5. How long will they charge up?
6. Is the tank's turret made of metal or plastic?
7. Are the tracks made of metal?

And a bit off-topic:

1. Is there a Flash Drive (or any other) Camera Kit so I can mount it on tanks/aircraft/helos and gat a few pictures/videos while playing?
2. Is there any Pimp my Tank" kit available for the Tamiya Leo? I am aware there is a Basic and Full version of this model available from the producer but perhaps some other company has made an upgrade kit?

Thanks!

In answer to your questions

1. Yes we have run them in both wet and dry conditions, on tarmac, dirt and sand (Obviously if there is a build up of crap in the tracks clean it out)

2. There is a Stabilisation option available from Tamiya

3. Its certainly not for the novice builder as you have to build the gear boxes etc... and there isn't a lot of room, and the suspension arms are plastic, yuk upgrade them to metal, available from tankzone over here in UK, plus many other upgrades for it.

4. Batteries depends on what you put in it 4000 mah or a 2000 mah and the turrain etc... but you can carry more than one battery.

5. Depends on charger you can ger quick chargers that take 20-30mins or over nigth ones, and inbetween.

6. Turret is plastic.

7. Do you know what I can't remember its been a while but i'm sure they are plastic too, if somebody could confirm or corect.

I hope that helps

Hi Mangaroca
Original tracks are made of plastic.

Regards

If you would like to see a review of the model tank:

http://www.sead.us/kitreviews.html

http://www.sead.us/leoreview.html

If you want to "pimp your ride" and have money to burn, these guys have basically overhauled the entire model with metal everything (or pretty close to it). [link=http://www.afv-model.com]AFV Model[/link]

Thanks for the info!

Can this tank:

1. Be used on snow?
2. Fire the main gun on the move? (No video shows it firing while moving...)

Thanks!!

PS. I was unable to find that stabilisation option from Tamiya although I found a video on youtube.com showing how it works... Could anyone give me a link to Tamiya's purchase option of this feature???

Hi, Yes, this tank can fire while moving. This is the best 1/16 RC Tank in the market , something almost everyone covets , so go for it. However, if this is your 1st Tamiya project, start with less complex tanks like the Pershing, Sherman, Jagdpanther,etc. The 2A6 requires prior study and patience particularly when working on the fiber-optic lighting cables. Once built , getting under the hull for maintenace will be an ordeal so get it right and reliable the first time.

Hi,

I've been looking at the Tank Zone Leo 2 Upgrade page and got a bit confused... Please have a look (http://www.tankzone.co.uk/cart/tam_l2a6.htm) and say if:

1. [L2A6-318] Ball Bearings Set for Bolts is a cheaper substitute for [L2A6-PT76] Complete Ball Bearings Set?
2. If yes, will either of those two still require/would work with [L2A6-317] High Grade Bearing Bolts?
3. Why is there a Leo 2 A5 Gun Barrel in Leo 2 A6 section?
4. Is the second (Detailed) Gun Barrel the proper A6 one?
5. Is the model painted or do I have to paint it? Is the paint included in the kit?
6. I went on this site (http://www.afv-model.com/4711shop/in...Leopard-2.html) and lost it... Why are those models SO CHEAP???

Cheers!

I can help with a couple of these:

The only difference between the A5 and the A6 is that the A6 has a longer gun tube. Otherwise, they're the same tanks.

That's a Tamiya part. So, I would guess that it is an A6 gun tube. The A5 you're looking at is made by AFV.

??? At about 700 Euros, they don't seem cheap. Tankzone has prices in pounds sterling (yours), but AFV's are Euros. Did you factor that in?

BTW...almost all of those upgrade parts on Tankzone appear to be AFV parts that they are reselling. They've even just cut and paste images from the AFV website. Which has made it easier to hunt the maker for all of their parts. The manufacturer I haven't been able to hunt down is who makes the metal tracks with rubber pads for their Bulldog. [>:] They look like the Bradley tracks from AFV, but I'm not sure. Tankzone's prices are just too high for me.

Wait a minute...
700 Euro is roughly 590 GBP... Now, I don't know what AFV had put into their model but this is their MOST EXPENSIVE LEO KIT and since they are the "pimp my Leopard" guys one should believe their model is better quality than the vanilla one...
So if 1000 (http://www.tankzone.co.uk/cart/tamiya_fo16.htm) or even 740 UK Pounds (http://www.fusionhobbies.com/Product...A56020&click=2) isn't A LOT more than 590 than I give up...

The Leo2 does not go so well in snow, the sprockets ice up quickly as the snow packs on and freezes and then the tracks have trouble going around. It also does not like grass for the same reason, it clogs the sprockets and cannot go anymore or sort of just hops along straining all working parts.

If you want a tank that can handle all terrain and all conditions try the humble Sherman, my one runs after all my other tanks give up. It can even handle snow no problem.

Cheers

Alan.

Good to go...I don't know the conversion rates. I was also looking at the most expensive model and I can't tell if all of the metal upgrades that they have developed are on that tank. So, I was looking at it in terms of buying the tank and still having to pimp it later. Bit out of my price range right now.

Tankzone is notoriously overpriced. Anyhow, just pointing out some things that I've noticed if they might help.

That's fine! No worries. Thanks for the info. I too think AFV didn't put ALL their upgrades onto the 700 Euro model but even with those few I believe to buy it off them to save 150 pounds... unless their model has no radio, charger and baterries... If so I'll end up spending the same ammount of cash and would probably be better off buying the model from a UK dealer, with no extra shipping costs... We'll see...
As to the metal upgrades, you're right! I've added all the extras Tank Zone has to offer and ended up around 2,2k pounds!!! No way Hose! [&o] I'll order them in Euros from AFV and will probably save about 30%.... But that's in due time... For the time being I'll just get the standard model and perhaps the Tamiya gun stabilisation add-on.

Thanks!

BTW: Anyone here plays Steel Beasts Pro Personal Edition? www.steelbeasts.com

buy from Hong-King and save more of your money

Been a while since mine has run, but it's not fond of grass. Higher than the road wheels and, as mentioned, it gets caught in the sprocket and if enough gets caught up, it will slow and even stop it. Not good on the drive train, I imagine. Fun as heck in the dirt, though.

Had problems with the suspension arms cracking at the thinnest point. Filling the breaks and cracks with the same ABS glue that was used to put it together welds 'em and they held up fine after that. In fact, the ABS glue I used has held everything else in place so far, to include the return roller mounts on the lower hull.

The track is plastic, but doesn't seem like it. Pretty tough, although I have noticed the bolt molds on the center guides are wearing off slightly.

If anything, I'd get the metal support arms, an extra set of track (stock or metal), and perhaps a fine adjust after-market idler. The stock idler doesn't give much choice in terms of track tension.

Took it out of hibernation and about croaked when I installed batteries, turned it on, and then nothing. Guess charging the batteries first, kinda helps.

OK, thanks for the info!

Do you guys think that FULL METAL SUSPENSION (tracks, wheels, sprockets, arms, etc.) will prevent from the "grass problem" to appear???

Or is it a "engine power issue"???

As long as the grass is mowed or thin, it doesn't have a problem. It chews thin or short grass up for the most part. It's when the grass is thick and little taller than normal that it gets caught in the rear sprocket. Meaning that the grass is still in the ground and entire clumps of it are pinched between the inside sprocket teeth and track. Not good on the gears.

The Leopard motor has gobs of power, but with the sprocket at the rear, clumps of grass are pulled up into them. It goes under the hull and spreads out into the track. Metal everything won't solve the problem.

Have thought about sharpening the sprocket teeth on the inside, or making some sort of hedge cutter for it tho'.