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Twin Kampfpanzeren (German for Battle Tanks), both painted camouflage and markings of (at that time) West Germany Bundeswehr (Federal Army). Left is 1.35 ESCI Leopard IA1-A1 Turmverkleidung model, right is 1.35 Hasegawa Leopard II model. Esci 8073 Leo-Turmverkleidung model kit - www.bat-hor.com/en/esci_2/esci_8073.html
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Turmverkleidung (Tower Lining or Turret Layer) or TVK, was layer of applique armor bolted onto Leopard I turret to give it additional armor protection. This method was used since WW2, but has limitations since increased armor weight will place additional stress on track links, roadwheels, and suspension system.
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Rollover : Kampfpanzeren front view, display base made from wooden stand with after-market cobble-stone adhesive sheet.
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Inset 1 : Leopard II tank is Germany major NATO arms export component, example below shows Leopard II in service with Polish Army, carrying the distinctive Forest Green - Red Brown - Dark Olive Drab camouflage pattern of German Bundeswehr. Polish Leopard 2A4 Photos - www.primeportal.net/tanks/clemens_niesner/polish_leo_2a4_photos.htm
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Poland was dominated by Soviet Union after WW2, hence part of Warsaw Pact military alliance. Her armor equipment were mainly Soviet origins, such as T-72 tank, BMP-1 armor personnel carrier, and BTR-6 armor car. After 1991 collapse of Soviet Union, termination of Warsaw Pact, and becoming a NATO military alliance member in March 1999, Poland upgraded and standardized her hardware to NATO standards. Thus replaced her aging Soviet-era T-72 tanks with modern German-built Leopard II panzers. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nato
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Inset 2 : Leopard IA1-A1 Turmverkleidung during NATO exercises, with tan stripes painted across standard olive drab camouflage to break-up panzer silhouette. Red tape mark it as enemy force in exercise engagement. Multi-tube apparatus attached to gun barrel is electrically-fired smoke dischargers. Leopard I tank - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leopard_tank
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During WW2, smoke dischargers were mounted either onto hull corners or turret for 360-degree coverage. However, smoke canisters were been detonated by small arms enemy fire, ensuing smoke either blinded tank driver or was sucked into air vents thus forcing tank crews to abandon vehicle. Being more trouble than it was worth, WW2 tank crews had smoke devices removed. Smoke screen - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoke_screen
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Inset 2 : Leopard I A5NO2 Stridsvogn of Norway during winter exercises, white wash stripes overlay upon its European splinter camouflage. Men wears red headband for enemy forces. Norway purchased her first batch of Leopard I tanks in 1978, with major upgrade program in 1994, Leopard I tanks upgraded to A5-variant standards (ex. gun hydraulic replaced with electrical system, internal fire control system). Norway Armor : Tank - www.haaland.info/norway/tank/
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