A fight between a horse and dog, with a cat exiting the scene

The Mercenary Showdown numbers, for this last day of Round 2.

Slowly chipping away at getting into the new Chinese branch. No hurry, lots of time.

Last night, while I was platooned with a few friends, I was able to complete the grind on the tier V Leopard 1A5. The best part is that I ended that journey on a high note.

Most tanks of their respective nations can be a source of national pride for people in their respective countries. The Merkava could instantly bring to mind Israel. Search the internet on the hype surrounding the Russian T-14 Armata or just ask an American about an Abrams.

In Canada, we don't have a modern native tank of our own. During World War Two, Canadian companies assembled the Vickers Valentine, under license, as well as a unique variant of the Sherman called M4A1 Grizzly, among others.

However, during the Canada did build one tank that could be called their own. By taking the chassis of the M3 Lee, adding modifications and fabricating a turret, the Ram Tank was created. Almost 2,000 vehicles of this type were built, but never saw combat in this form.

In 1952, Canada had started to then modernize their tank force by taking delivery of the Centurion Mk 3 and replacing the old war Shermans. For the next twenty five years, this was Canada's frontline tank during the early Cold War period. Although the last tank was retired from Canadian service in 1979, it's heritage lived on through the Canadian Army Trophy. A sterling silver replica of a Centurion was awarded to the crews who had won this prestigious tank gunnery competition, held in Western Europe until 1991.

Entering service in 1978, the Leopard C1C2, which was a modified version of the 1A3/1A5, started to replace the aging and obsolete Centurions and would carry on as Canada's frontline tank during the latter Cold War period, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and into the 21st century.

Starting in 2000, some Leopard C1's would under go a life extension program, with turrets replace and fire control systems being upgraded. Those Leopards would be re-designated as C2's. However, talks were under way to have the aging Leopard replaced, then the War in Afghanistan began and the Leopard C2 saw combat from 2006 through 2011.

Combined with being considered obsolete, a major shortcoming of the Leopard C2 in arid combat conditions was the lack of air conditioning. Seeing this as having an effect on crew performance, the Canadian government secured the Leopard's replacement, the 2A6M and took delivery in 2007. The phase out program for the Leopard C2 started in 2015.

 
 In Armored Warfare, the time with my Leopard 1A5 has come to a close and I move forward to the next tank in the line, the tier VI Leopard 2AV....

....something that I have had a preview of, for a long time now.