Michael Jerchel – författare

Development of the Leopard 1 can be traced back to November 1956, when the operational requirement for a new battle tank was formulated by the Federal German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).Originally a Franco-German project, the tank under design was named the ''Standard-Panzer''. The French later dropped out, however, and on 1 October 1963 the ''Standard'' tank was officially named ''Leopard'', an appropriate choice considering Germany''s wartime pedigree with the formidable Tiger and Panther.This book traces the development and service record of the Leopard 1, detailing its control systems, modifications and variants.

In 1963 West Germany and the United States signed an agreement to develop the best tank in the world the MBT/KPz-70. Though by 1970 this project was stopped, West Germany used the components created for the MBT/KPz-70 to develop a new main battle tank the Leopard 2. Since 1979, when the first Leopard 2 rolled off the production line, the Leopard 2 has undergone various modifications, and has been exported to various European countries. Enhanced by Osprey''s signature colour plates and cutaway artwork, this book examines the development of the Leopard 2 from the first batch to its evolution into the improved Leopard 2 A5, detailing its features and variants.

In 1963 West Germany and the United States signed an agreement to develop the best tank in the world the MBT/KPz-70. Though by 1970 this project was stopped, West Germany used the components created for the MBT/KPz-70 to develop a new main battle tank the Leopard 2. Since 1979, when the first Leopard 2 rolled off the production line, the Leopard 2 has undergone various modifications, and has been exported to various European countries. Enhanced by Osprey''s signature colour plates and cutaway artwork, this book examines the development of the Leopard 2 from the first batch to its evolution into the improved Leopard 2 A5, detailing its features and variants.

Development of the Leopard 1 can be traced back to November 1956, when the operational requirement for a new battle tank was formulated by the Federal German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).Originally a Franco-German project, the tank under design was named the ''Standard-Panzer''. The French later dropped out, however, and on 1 October 1963 the ''Standard'' tank was officially named ''Leopard'', an appropriate choice considering Germany''s wartime pedigree with the formidable Tiger and Panther.This book traces the development and service record of the Leopard 1, detailing its control systems, modifications and variants.

Development of the Leopard 1 can be traced back to November 1956, when the operational requirement for a new battle tank was formulated by the Federal German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr).Originally a Franco-German project, the tank under design was named the 'Standard-Panzer'. The French later dropped out, however, and on 1 October 1963 the 'Standard' tank was officially named 'Leopard', an appropriate choice considering Germany's wartime pedigree with the formidable Tiger and Panther.This book traces the development and service record of the Leopard 1, detailing its control systems, modifications and variants.