Well there are online sources for reference as well...

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/gert_burkert-opitz/challenger_1/

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/scott_dimmick/challenger_1/

Looking good, and the Fruils are deffinatly better than the kit tracks. I dod the Chally 1 Mk 3 a couple of years back, really liked it.

Thanks all.

Carlos, I guess I'll take a look, but sometimes blissful ignorance is , well, blissful. I'm finishing several builds that are anything but OOB, and I thought I'd do something less involved, not an excuse but a reason. Thanks for the links though, I'm taking a look as soon as my pasta is done.

Brass showed up, books on the way ( a couple of the Photosniper volumes on the Challenger 1 ) so I did a little more and am waiting until the books show.

IMG_1979 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I'm really debating on how much of the Eduard brass to use. A lot of it is no improvement over the plastic it's supposed to replace, but the mesh for the front stowage bin is really nice; essential actually. In fact, the PE set is for the Mk3 kit which has another basket on the turret side and it's so good I'm considering scratching up the basket frame so I can use it, IF I find any pics of the Mk1 with it fitted. From what I've found out so far, Tamiya's kit is of a very early Mk1, and I need to determine what visible differences there were between the two and if it's practical at this point to try and do it on this model. I'm already thinking I would have been better off to be using the Mk3 kit, but I got this at a show, pure impulse buy, and it was conveniently cheap.

The differance between the Mk I and Mk 2 was that the 2 had the TOGS fitted. The Mk I had a No 37 swap site but was built to except TOGS when that was ready. But i can't tell if there are any visible differance between the external apperance of the sites.

The Mk 3 differed internally from the Mk 2 so basically its just the TOGS. Pics of early Chally's seem hard to find, most are of vehicles in the Gulf.

I’ll be watching with interest, as I have that kit in the stash.  

When I went to the Tank Museum at Bovington, there were “student driver” Challys going down the road (we walked to the museum to enjoy the countryside).  There was an instructor’s station where the turret should have been.  The tanks were remarkably quiet, sounding like a garbage truck, with no “clankety-clank” squeaking of the tracks like you hear in the movies.

They still use those for Driver training. I operated alongside the Chally 2 which was replacing the 1 at the time my battalion went into the armoured role. Its an impressive machine, especially when they are reversing out of trouble and putting donw a smoke screen from the exhaust's.

When I was in 6th grade, we went to Kaneohe MCAS for a really cool field trip.  The first stop was a LVTP7 waiting for us in a field.  After we got to clamber around inside and marvel at the dismounted M2 50 Cal machine gun on the troop bench, we were ordered back into the bus, which was parked alongside the amtrack.  The LVTP then fired up and drove off.  The engine noise was deafening, and the bus windows rattled as if possessed.  That is why I was surprised by the Chally’s low sound levels.

We don’t have any M1 Abrams here in Hawaii, so I never got to hear one of those fire up.  I understand the turbine sound is relatively quiet, at least for a tank.

That looks great. Esp love the mesh storage bins!

Bish: this kit has the TOGS box, so I would think it's at least a Mk2, sound right? I'm thinking I'll need to add the scalloped reinforcements along the turret right front joins, and maybe rearrange the onboard tool storage, but I'll wait to do that until the books show up. I think the turret side stowage box would look good on it too, but waiting there as well.

Regarding noise: I've heard M113's on FMC's test track, but they were not "stock", and Merkava's at about 200 yds distance. The Merks were loud even that far away.

I understand the Mk. II is getting a new turret and the 130mm gun?

https://laststandonzombieisland.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/challenger-2-upgraded-with-a-130mm-smoothbore-main-gun-rheinmetall.jpg

Gary

RBaer

Bish: this kit has the TOGS box, so I would think it's at least a Mk2, sound right? I'm thinking I'll need to add the scalloped reinforcements along the turret right front joins, and maybe rearrange the onboard tool storage, but I'll wait to do that until the books show up. I think the turret side stowage box would look good on it too, but waiting there as well.

Regarding noise: I've heard M113's on FMC's test track, but they were not "stock", and Merkava's at about 200 yds distance. The Merks were loud even that far away.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ye, that sounds right. I think that tamiya kit came out around the same time as the TOGS were fitted.

GAF

I understand the Mk. II is getting a new turret and the 130mm gun?

https://laststandonzombieisland.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/challenger-2-upgraded-with-a-130mm-smoothbore-main-gun-rheinmetall.jpg

Gary

 

I was watching a Parlimentory Commitee (ye, how sad am i) who were grilling the CDS, General Sir Nick Carter. I found it interesting that they even got down to the level of discussing individual bits of kit, including warrior and its new turret (thats been ongoing for over 20 years) and the new Chally barrel and wheather it would be smooth bore or rifeled. Its shocking how long these things drag on for.

Gary, don't confuse Challenger Mk II with Challenger 2, completly different beats.

Bish

 GAF

I understand the Mk. II is getting a new turret and the 130mm gun?

https://laststandonzombieisland.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/challenger-2-upgraded-with-a-130mm-smoothbore-main-gun-rheinmetall.jpg

Gary

I was watching a Parlimentory Commitee (ye, how sad am i) who were grilling the CDS, General Sir Nick Carter. I found it interesting that they even got down to the level of discussing individual bits of kit, including warrior and its new turret (thats been ongoing for over 20 years) and the new Chally barrel and wheather it would be smooth bore or rifeled. Its shocking how long these things drag on for.

Gary, don't confuse Challenger Mk II with Challenger 2, completly different beats.

I stand corrected, and defer to the gentleman who has first hand knowledge. 

Gary

Okay, nearly two years have passed since I shelved this model, and it's time to finish. First order of busines is to correct the turret stowage bin now that I have decent drawings and a couple of pics. Off came the original bin, and of course Tamiya supplies the same part in the later Mk3 release, so I'll either modify the "new" part or just scratch the whole thing. As is sits now, after dusting it off and removing the original part:

IMG_2868 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

The more I look at it, the harder I'm leaning towards just building the whole thing from stock.

Looks good Russ

Thanks Anthony. I decided to scratch the whole part, easier and I'm not trying to add material at the corners. So first I got the turret ready for the new part:

IMG_2871 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And then I cut the base from .060" stock and built the sides using a couple of Sherman return rollers to get the corners, added a layer of .020" card and filled and sanded. 

IMG_2870 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I should get the exterior details done today and at least get a start on the lid.

Bin is about half way there, gotta figure out the hinges and detail the lid still.

IMG_2875 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Test fit:

IMG_2872 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Excellent scratch work Russel! Bravo! 

Thanks Carlos.

I decide to go for it and add the additional armor, and I found two pics of the same tank, front and rear, that show one in Kosovo, circa 2000, with the full add-on armor and no extra fuel tank mounts fitted, so that's what I'm doing.

Front armor on and tools added:

IMG_2878 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And another test fit of the bin, lid on and started:

IMG_2879 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

The hinges and footman loops still need to be added.

Except for an oil can or fire extinguisher(?) on the left rear corner, the bin is done.

IMG_2881 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2882 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Next is the brackets for the side armor/skirts.

OOB, this kit is quite nice. You're really kicking this build up several notches with all your changes and additions.

So you're going to finish this build in KFOR fit & markings?

Coming along nicely there Russ!!!

Stik: Yes, I have a pair of pics, front and back, of a particular tank with the added armor, no rear skirts but otherwise full side armor, with no extra fuel tank brackets. It's identified as part of the King's Royal Hussars, Kosovo, Late June 1999. I'm copying as faithfully as I can. I need to start shopping decals soon.

'Stang: Thanks!

So, I started on the mounting points for the side armor. Lots of white stuff. The long mount on the hull is spaced about 1mm, with nifty big bolts. I'm using U-channel on the back side of the skirts, and still need to make the mounts for the front-most piece. 

IMG_2883 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

With the turret on, grease gun mounted on the bin:

IMG_2885 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

It's still fun, and since I'm still off work, I have lots of modeling time, perfect for going through the Shelf of Shame. I have a Tamiya T-72 waiting, calling my name....

Brackets for the side Romar armor are done, I'll be able to finish assembly and paint before I attach it. This pic is the armor just hanging on the mounts.

IMG_2886 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And the front mounts:

IMG_2888 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

And a shot from the rear:

IMG_2887 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Next up, all the details on top of the side panels.

Great work! 

Maybe I missed something but I assume you're only tacking the skirts on till you get the running gear painted? 

G, they're not even tacked, just hanging on the mounts. I used some .060" square stock on the big mount plate on the hull sides that the little pieces of U-channel on the back side of the skirts hang on.

RBaer

G, they're not even tacked, just hanging on the mounts. I used some .060" square stock on the big mount plate on the hull sides that the little pieces of U-channel on the back side of the skirts hang on.

 

Thanks! I saw in the top of your last post that you had them hanging on but somehow my brain was thinking you were cementing them somewhere in there. 

Sorry, don't mind me. Blind in one eye and can't see out of the other.