Man you're doing some stellar work on this Russel. All the little bits really add up.   

I'm on a roll, I guess.....

Just to see if I could, I chucked some sprue up in the Dremel and turned three fire extinguisher bottles, working on the detailing.

IMG_3057 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I also added some detail to the turret hatches and engine deck, figured I'd use some more of the Eduard brass. The fuel lid covers are actually kind of nice.

IMG_3059 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

It's hard to see in the pic but I made up the fuel tank vents too. I used .020" plastic rod, easy peasy.

There's a couple of guys on the "other" forum that are posting some excellent shots of both the real thing and in-progress shots of their own builds, and I'm shamelessly copying. Plus, having good clear pics makes it obvious how much detail Tamiya didn't reproduce, but hey, it's an old kit. I figure about the time I get primer on, Meng or RFM will announce one, with about 1900 parts and a full interior.

Cool, twice as much fun! 

I'm considering starting another one, building the Mk3 up for an IFOR tank. I think I have enough of it left.....  all I need is more brass and a set of Friuls.

Great job!  I had to take mine off the shelf to better follow along>

Bill

Thanks! 

I may not be able to half see but I can tell that's beautiful work!

Left side turret basket done (I think). I have some very usable pics of it, so any errors are due mostly to my limitations and abilities. 

IMG_2898 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2896 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

Thanks! And it's time to get some decals in the pipeline, I may actually paint this one.

Russel, this is looking better and better with all of your upgrades. As far as decals go, Starr Decals makes some decal sets for Challenger 1 & 2's in the Balkans, so I'll bet that you can find what you need there. Good ole' Kosovo... 

More small bits done: grab handles on top of the side armor modules, later exhaust outlets, reinforcements added to the turet around the TOGS cutout and some corrections done on the rear corner turret bins:

IMG_2895 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

IMG_2894 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

I've still got to do the rest of the tow cable brackets and some other little things, but it's getting close.

No worries!

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. 

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.

Great work! 

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

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.

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....

Coming along nicely there Russ!!!

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?

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.

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.

Excellent scratch work Russel! Bravo! 

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

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.

Looks good Russ

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.

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

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.

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.

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