German Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank

German Bundeswehr Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:72 Model Kit ESCI 8302.

In 1972 the Bundeswehr ordered the sixth production batch (6. Baulos) of 250 Leopard 1.A4 main battle tanks. These new vehicles were deployed in the 10. Panzerdivision which had previously received Leopard 1.A3 of the fifth production batch. The Leopard 1.A4 was very similar to the previous variant, the only noticeable difference being the armoured gun sight in front of the commander’s hatch. The Leopard 1.A3 had a persicope on the turret roof instead.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:35 Italeri 224
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:35 Tamiya 35112
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:72 ESCI 8302
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:72 Italeri 7070
  • Leopard 1.A4 Conversion Kit for Revell Leopard 1.A5, 1:72 ModellTrans MT72136
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:87 ROCO 275
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:87 WTD 36
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:100 Roskopf 32
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:285 GHQ N72
  • Leopard 1.A4 Main Battle Tank, 1:300 Heroics & Ros GM03

Technical Specifications

  • Kampfpanzer Leopard 1.A4
  • Motor: MTU Mercedes-Benz 838 CaM 500 Multi-Fuel Engine with 610 kW (830 hp)
  • Transmission: Planet Drive
  • Speed: 62 km/h on Roads
  • Driving Range: 600 km on Roads
  • Length Overall: 9540 mm
  • Length: 7090 mm
  • Width: 3250 mm
  • Height: 2800 mm
  • Track: 2700 mm
  • Ground Clearance: 450 mm
  • Track Width: 550 mm
  • Climbing Ability: 60 %
  • Lateral Inclination: 30 %
  • Trench Crossing Ability: 3 m
  • Step Climbing Ability: 1.5 m
  • Weight: 41000 kg
  • Military Load Class: MLC 42
  • Armament:
  • Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner and Loader
  • Production: 250 units of 6. Baulos (1972)

Bibliography

  • Anweiler, Karl: Rad- und Kettenfahrzeuge der Bundeswehr.
  • Blume, Peter: Die Panzertruppe der Bundeswehr 1956–heute (Illertissen 1996)
  • Gau, Lutz-Reiner: Deutsche Militärfahrzeuge. Bundeswehr und NVA.

Historical Employment

  • 10. Panzerdivision of the Bundeswehr

Leopard 1.A4 main battle tanks were only used by the 10. Panzerdivision of the Bundeswehr, and they were later replaced by Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

Cold War Miniatures