Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank

Leopard 1 Main Battle Tank.

From 1965 to 1970, a total of 1845 Leopard 1 main battle tanks were built in four batches, including 16 for the Belgian Army. The »Standard« Main Battle Tank by ROCO pictured above corresponds to Prototyp II of Workgroup A; it has received mud camouflage with patches of loam. The IR spotlight is centered on the gun mantlet, there is no stowage bin for the spotlight, no turret baskets, and the exhaust gratings have vertical struts, which were omitted with the 4th batch. Vehicles of the fourth batch received front and rear shackles to attach tie down rods for rail transport.

Available Scale Model Kits

  • Leopard 1, 1:35 Revell 03240
  • Leopard 1 (DE/BE/NL), 1:72 ModellTrans MT72198
  • Leopard 1, 1:76 Airfix 02306
  • Leopard 1 Prototyp II, 1:87 ROCO 172
  • Leopard 1 (2nd and 3rd batch), 1:87 ROCO
  • Leopard 1 (4th batch), 1:87 Artitec 1870017
  • Leopard 1, 1:100 Roskopf 1
A rare model of the Leopard 1 main battle tank (2nd batch) in 1:87 scale by ROCO. The IR spotlight is now mounted on the left side of the gun mantlet; there is a stowage bin for the spotlight at the turret rear and turret baskets on either side it. The tank has received mud camouflage with patches of red loam.
A rare model of the Leopard 1 main battle tank (2nd batch) in 1:87 scale by ROCO. The IR spotlight is now mounted on the left side of the gun mantlet; there is a stowage bin for the spotlight at the turret rear and turret baskets on either side it. The tank has received mud camouflage with patches of red loam.

From 1972, Leopard main battle tanks of batches 1 to 4 were upgraded to match the fifth batch (Leopard A2); the visible changes are the iconic side skirts and the thermal jacket of the main gun. These upgraded panzers were now designated Leopard A1.

From 1975 to 1977, Leopard 1 MBTs received a combat value upgrade (Kampfwertsteigerung) of applique armour on the turret and gun mantlet, which led to its new designation as Leopard A1A1. From 1979, these vehicles were designated Leopard 1A1A1, to differentiate them from the new Leopard 2.

Technical Specifications

  • Kampfpanzer Leopard 1
  • 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 45
  • Armament:
  • Crew: Commander, Driver, Gunner and Loader
  • Production: 1845 units of 1st to 4th batch (1965 to 1970)

Historical Employment

  • German Bundeswehr
  • Belgian Land Component
  • Royal Danish Army
  • Royal Netherlands Army

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.

Following the upgrade of new SEM 80/90 radios and PZB 200 passive image intensifier of the Leopard 1A4, the improved vehicles were designated Leopard 1A1A4, or Leopard 1A1A3, if they had only received the new radios.

Cold War Miniatures