Reference, Barbarossa Books, The Danish Leopard 2A5

BARBAROSSA BOOKS

The Danish Leopard 2A5. By Thomas Antonsen. Hard covers, 172 pages, 8.5 x 12-inches.
Contains 358 color photos, one color map, two pages of scale drawings, modeling section, glossary and bibliography. ISBN 978-1-84768-027-3.

Those fans of modern AFVs familiar with Michael Shackletons Leopard 1 Trilogy, from Barbarossa, published in 2003, will understand that as fine as that work was, it needed a follow-up series on the Leopard 2 to make the story of Germanys post-war MBT program complete. Danish author Thomas Antonsen has just authored a rather focused follow-up, detailing his native lands use of the Leopard 2A5. This well-done title is certainly a worthy companion to the original trilogy; hopefully the trend will continue.

The text describes, in great detail, the rationale for procurement of the Leopard 2 by Denmark, the acquisition program itself and various modifications. Local and international deployments of the MBT are discussed. The latter includes NATO exercises, testing in Spain, and fielding of units to Afghanistan, while the former details various training and maintenance scenarios.

Although the author basically deals with the Leopard 2A5 in use by the Danish army, the book is most certainly not limited to simply one MBT type. Also detailed are accompanying vehicle and AFV types to include the Bergepanzer based on the Leopard 1 chassis, supply trucks, firing range support trucks, M113 variants, tank transporter tractor-trailers, rail wagons, ships and even the massive Antonov An-124-100 heavy air-lifter. Crew uniforms, equipment and personal weapons are also shown, as are those of accompanying infantrymen. A modeling section, as well as segments detailing some aspects of Danish military history, as they relate to the Leopard 2, are also included.

Naturally, the book is mainly a photographic study of the peculiarly-Danish version of the Leopard 2A5. The photos, some by the author, are really quite incredible in their scope and in their depth of coverage. All are in full color and well-reproduced on a satin paper. They begin with some images of the Leopard 1, and continue through earlier variations of the Leopard 2. Then the coverage hits its stride by minutely-detailing the internal and external features of the Leopard 2A5 MBT. Internally, the turret, drivers compartment and engine compartment are all depicted. Fittings are seen from multiple angles, while the power-pack consisting of the engine, transmission and accessories is given extremely thorough coverage. This includes a number of images of the power-pack on a test stand, with some specialized equipment attached.

Externally when dealing with the hull, everything the modeler could conceivably wish to see is depicted from multiple angles. If a hatch is involved, it is almost invariably shown closed and opened, with internal details. All of the normal tools and accessories are detailed as are unit and crew modifications. Where an item is non-standard, or unique to Danish tanks, it is properly described as such. When showing the suspension system, the difference in details such as road-wheels, track and drive sprocket types is clearly shown and explained. The side skirts and various mud-flap designs are detailed, as are other items such as heat and dust signature reduction devices. Slat armor systems, as well as variations of the so-called Barracuda camouflage net system are also depicted. About the only area left un-covered is the underside of the tank.

When the author gets to the turret, it too is completely covered. Various sighting devices as well as any modifications peculiar to Danish tanks are depicted as are antennae arrays, smoke generation systems, weapons stations and other systems. Ammunition types are detailed for both the main and secondary armament, with the former also being shown in its various containers and palletized loads. Naturally the weapons themselves are covered; this includes the main and secondary armament (the latter could consist of various light and heavy machine-guns, as well as automatic grenade launchers) along with some of the crews personal weapons. Throughout, camouflage colors are described and depicted as are various markings systems. Even primer colors are given attention. In many sections of the book, overall views of the tank in its various environments or when undergoing maintenance are provided. One of my favorite segments shows a crew washing down their tank post-exercise using high pressure hoses and specially designed ramps.

Without exception, the captions that accompany the photographs are absolutely first-rate. The author often relates the function of an item depicted, as well as the reason it may be in use. Where there are variations, this too is brought to the readers attention.

There are a couple of pages of scale drawings, provided by the tanks manufacturer, Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. These include a port-side profile and a plan view, presumably in 1/35th-scale (although this is not listed). They are accompanied by five smaller views showing the official pattern of the initial factory-applied camouflage colors. These drawings are seen within the modeling section, which also has images of the various available accessories as well as the box art of the extant Leopard 2A5 kits, all in 1/35th-scale. A single image of a built-up 1/35th-scale model, by Mr. Kenneth Ostergaard is also provided for the enjoyment of modelers; a couple of more images would have been welcome. The brief text that accompanies this section gives the modeler a general idea of what accessories and kit combinations may prove useful, but it is not a blow-by-blow description of how to actually model the tank. Finally, a brief bibliography as well as a full-color map depicting the general location of Danish military installations involved in the Leopard 2A5 program is provided.

In essence, this book is a soup-to-nuts depiction of what a Leopard 2A5 in Danish service looks like, which makes it an extraordinarily useful tool for the modeler. This who have an interest in the technical details of modern MBTs as well as their use, will also find this title to be largely satisfying. If these interests converge for an individual, so much the better!

Highly recommended.

Frank V. De Sisto

Barbarossa Books are available from retail and mail order shops, or direct from the publisher at: www.barbarossabooks.co.uk, e-mail: sales@ barbarossabooks.co.uk.

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