Tamiya- Challenger 2 (Desertised)

History

The Challenger 2 tank was an answer to the problem of fielding a tank that could match Soviet T-64 and T-72 tanks, which proved to be more than a challenge to the older Chieftain and Challenger I. While the hull was based on the Challenger I, there was only about 3% of the parts that were interchangeable between the two. The Challenger 2 successfully won out over other design competition from the M1 Abrams and the Leopard 2 and orders were placed in 1991. The hull and new turret featured simple flat surfaces with some use of Chobham armor, and the 120mm gun was the L30A1 which fired depleted uranium APFSDS "dart" ammunition and HESH rounds. It was also armed with a L94A1 EX-34 7.62 mm chain gun and a 7.62 mm L37A2 (GPMG) machine gun. The fire control system and sights were extremely accurate and quick-firing upon multiple targets. With a 4 man crew, the tank was powered by a 1200hp V12 turbocharged diesel engine, and featured double-pin, double-block tracks which provided the necessary grip. The 2 saw service in Iraq in 2003, employing additional front reactive and side composite armor, along with canvas skirts. On March 20, Challenger 2's took on and defeated enemy T-54 and T-55 armor in an assault on Basra in Operation Telic, contributing to the eventual takeover of the city, and providing peacekeeping duties after hostilities ceased. Also serving in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo, it is still in service today and recently the British Army announced plans to upgrade 148 2's under the Life Extension Programme to extend their service life out to at least 2035 (eventually to be known as Challenger 3's). The longer exhausts and canvas extensions to the side skirts are what makes it "desertised".

The Kit

When I first started building armor, I had done so using the 1/48 kits from Tamiya as it seemed a natural transition from the 1/48 aircraft I initially started the hobby building. Realizing after some time how much more detail 1/35 offered, I gradually moved away from the scale. However, when looking for a break from those challenges, I'll crack open a 1/48 tank and enjoy a quick build, almost always something from WWII. When this kit came in, I had the urge to give the scale a try with a more modern armor piece and this kit doesn't look like it will disappoint!

Sprue A (x2) contains the road wheels, idler and sprocket wheels, the link and length tracks, smoke dischargers, Combat Identification Panels, interior bulkheads, and other fiddly bits including the parts that hold the long weight in. The sink marks that are present on the interior face of the tracks are subtle and not too noticeable. 

Sprue B contains the hull floor with suspension arms, hull side and turret side panels, and the canvas and armored skirts.

Excellent detail on the canvas on the skirts

Sprue C consists of the turret top and bottom, and the top hull.

Sprue D is jam packed with all the rest...machine gun, auxiliary fuel tanks, exhausts, jerry cans and rack, hatches, main gun and mount, and the tanker figure. The main gun barrel is just one piece and the only other part is the barrel end that gets attached. Again, typical Tamiya detail abounds!

The decals involve markings for just one vehicle and look quite nice. Included are ones for the periscopes which should be interesting. A single long, flat weight is included to be glued inside the lower hull.

The instruction manual is typical and straightforward. One thing I have always appreciated about their instructions are the labels in each step for what you are assembling. There are 22 steps in the manual, and also included in a kit is a separate single sheet for history and markings for one tank- the Royal Scouts Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) from 7th Armoured Brigade in Iraq, April 2003. The tips sheet that has been included in all recent Tamiya kits are present, as well as thread for the tow cable and poly caps.

Conclusion

This is a pretty sweet kit from the First Look- ought to be quick and fluid and the one tone scheme of Light Sand ought to be a good test bed for weathering. Looking forward to getting to it so look for the Full Build soon!

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders, pending full build.

Thanks goes out to Tamiya for this review kit.

Reviewed by Michael Reeves

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