The Leopard 1 MBT manufactured by "Kraus Maffei Wegemann" in Bavaria Germany was introduced in 1965 by German Bundeswehr and after several modifications in use till the late 1990ies. 13 other countries use the Leopard 1. The Leopard 1 A1A1 was the product of the second large modernisation program from 1975 till 1977 through which all "Bundeswehr" Leopard 1 had to go. This modernisation did change the shape of the Leopard 1 heavily. They got the "Blohm & Voss" add-on armour around the turret, fixed on shock absorbers on armour steel plates with twin faced rubber lining. The last modernisation programm of Leopard 1 in 1986 till 1992 changed the shape of the turret again. This time the "EMES 18" was added. An armoured box on the right hand side of the turret roof. The "EMES 18" is quite similar to the fire control system "EMES 15" of Leopard 2. This last modernisation made the Leopard 1 more competitive against the Russian T 64 and T72. Altogether 1225 of the German Leopard 1 became Leopard 1A5. So is this last version of the Leopard 1 the most used Leopard 1 with German Bundeswehr. After 1990 German Bundeswehr did reduce their Leopard 1 tank fleet and most of the Leopard 1 A1A1 / A5 has been sold to other countries.

The users are:

Belgium Leopard A5 (ex 1A1A1 )

Canada Leopard 1 C2 ( ex A5 )

Chile Leopard 1-V ( ex Dutch and ex German A1A1 )

Greek Leopard 1-V ( ex Dutch and ex German A1A1 )

Italy Leopard 1A5 IT ( ex German A5 )

Netherlands Leopard 1-V ( original upgrade )

Norway Leopard 1A1 NO & A5 NO ( ex German A1A2 )

The kit of the Leopard 1 A1A1 / A5 turret makes it possible now to upgrade the old Tamiya Leopard 1A4 into the more used versions Leopard 1A1A1 and Leopard 1A5. The kit contains all necessary parts for both versions and all other parts which are needed, i. e. hatches and smoke launchers.

The kit is basically designed for use with RC components. The thickness of the resin turret parts is about 5mm and really strong. Allthough the kit is designed for RC useage it is fully detailed with all welding joints and even with the typical surface of the rubber armour plates and so it is also very impressive as single turret in the shelve.

The kit is delifered in a stable cartbox and inside the resin parts are protected by styrofoam chips and shraded paper. In total the kit contains 159 resin parts, 6 brass parts for the mantlet mechanic and 4 aluminium parts for the 105mm gun. The thermal sleve of the gun is made with resin parts. The aluminium barrel for the gun is through out hollow machined with 6,53mm, the exact scale measurment of 105mm. A detailed assembly instruction with 12 pages A4 is also included.