Dry-Fit Review: 1/35 MENG Leopard 2A8 Tank Model Kit - TS-057

The 1/35 MENG Leopard 2A8 Tank Model Kit( TS-057) has many fully functional mobile components, providing excellent playability.
Be careful when installing small parts - gently to avoid breakage.

Before assembling the chassis, pre-process the lower hull armor plate first, including cutting openings on the chassis and trimming excess material off the armor plate.

The chassis adopts MENG’s classic design; assembly can follow the manual step-by-step. After installing the road wheel sets, place the chassis on a flat surface to level and calibrate the running gear.

Previous MENG Leopard 2 kits suffered from inward hull sag after upper hull assembly, a well-known flaw among modelers. This 1/35 MENG Leopard 2A8 Tank Model Kit optimizes the structure to fix this issue: reinforcing ribs are added to the bottom of the lower hull, and extra support ribs line the inner walls of the upper hull. This reduces deformation after hull closure and improves overall structural stability.

The 1/35 MENG Leopard 2A8 Tank Model Kit(TS-057) comes with standard torsion-bar suspension. Reinforce the rear ends of torsion bars after assembly to prevent breakage or stiff movement. Apply glue sparingly, as excess adhesive may lock the suspension solid.

The instruction manual recommends 84 track links per side, yet 82 links work better in practice. Total track length may vary slightly based on individual building habits.

MENG’s signature movable track links deliver great articulation. While the tracks can theoretically be built glue-free, dab small amounts of glue on key joints to stop separation caused by weathering solvents later on.

Track assembly is moderately difficult; most work goes to cutting parts off sprues and sanding gate marks. With the included assembly jigs, building both tracks takes roughly 3 hours. Once fitted, the tracks move freely, hold structural rigidity and fit perfectly with the running gear.

After mounting tracks to the hull, test the articulation of torsion-bar suspension and rotating tracks—the full running gear operates smoothly.

Next install segmented front and rear side skirts by matching positions marked in the manual.

Small auxiliary parts on the upper hull are simple to assemble with good part fit and minimal gaps. Mirror brackets are thin and fragile; handle with care during construction to avoid snapping.

The manual suggests a 127mm tow cable, but cut it to 130mm to leave slack. Real vehicles do not carry taut cables, and extra length prevents pulling or warping delicate components.

The double-layer mesh anti-splash screens must be installed in the correct order and orientation to avoid mismatched left/right units.

Once the turret base and gun elevation mechanism are finished, attach upper turret components. Pay close attention to aligning clear plastic parts for the commander’s hatch.

All Leopard 2 variants starting from the A5 feature iconic wedge-shaped add-on turret armor (nicknamed "bra armor" by modelers), the key visual difference from the older Leopard 2A4. The Leopard 2A8 retains this wedge armor and adds Trophy Active Protection System, creating a highly distinctive silhouette.

Movable side turret armor skirts swing freely. Use minimal glue to avoid jamming the moving mechanism.

The commander’s hatch can be built open or closed. Separate replacement parts for the gunner’s hatch let you choose to mount or omit the coax machine gun based on real vehicle references.

The Remote Weapon Station (RWS) is a separate sprue; its barrel and minor pieces come from Sprue X. Pre-assemble the weapon station before fitting it to the turret.

The plastic ammo feed belts need gentle bending to shape—too much force will crack them, and repairs are difficult.

The rear turret storage compartment parts fit tightly; do not force them together. Adjust assembly order to avoid snapping components under pressure.

Two sets of grab handles on Part D35 overlay double photo-etched sheets underneath. Pre-drill alignment holes before installation to stop misalignment and part interference.

The Trophy Active Protection modules on both rear turret sides are straightforward to fit. Mask the clear optical windows in advance to protect them during painting.

Photo-etched racks W13 and W14 for turret side storage baskets require pre-bending and angle calibration. No dedicated bending jigs are supplied, so repeatedly test angles to keep the baskets neat and flush against the turret.

The intercept rounds for the APS use plug-in mounts that are designed to pivot, yet they often bind after assembly. Trim and test-fit them early for smooth movement.

Double-check alignment of detection radar sensors on the front turret cheeks. Misaligned sensors will block the turret top cover panels installed afterward.

MENG’s Leopard 2A8 delivers targeted structural upgrades via extra reinforcing ribs across the entire hull, drastically boosting rigidity. It features numerous fully functional moving assemblies: running gear, turret side skirts, gun elevation, hatches and more, offering excellent playability.

Take care when shaping plastic ammo belts—bend gradually with light force to avoid breakage.

If building the commander’s hatch open, fill and sand large ejector pin holes inside both hatch panels early in the build process.

The above content is translated from the WeChat Official Account of moxing.net's Evaluator - Model Evaluation Iodine, Original text, https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qRcHslKlLvQJwpv8NUJDyA