Hobby Boss British Challenger II MBT

1:48 Scale

About Challenger 2

    Beginning in 1986 Vickers Defense Systems (now BAE Systems and Land Armaments) started development of the Challenger 2 as a replacement for the Challenger 1. In December of 1988 a prototype was ordered by the Ministry of Defense and entered operational service with the British Army in 1998. Eventually the Challenger 2 completely replaced the Challenger 1 and delivery of the new Challenger 2 MBT started in 1994 with 386 units ordered by the British Army by 2000. Production began at two main sites, Elswick, Tyne & Wear and Barnbow, Leeds. Based in the South West of England the Challenger 2 is used by four armored regiments called The Queen's Royal Hussars, The King's Royal Hussars, The Royal Tank Regiment, and the reserve regiment, The Royal Wessex Yeomanry, each with 56 Challenger 2 tanks.

  Powered by a Perkins CV12-6A 26.1 liter twin turbo V12 diesel engine producing 1,200 bhp connected to a David Brown Santasalo TN54E epicyclical transmission, the Challenger 2 can move a crew of 4 at a rate of 37mph on the road and 25mph off road. To reduce fuel consumption the Challenger 2 uses an Extel Systems Wedel auxiliary power unit (APU) with a 600 amp electrical power output to power the vehicles electrical system when the main engine is switched off.

   The main armament of the Challenger 2 is a rifled 120mm L30A1 gun which holds the distance record that destroyed another tank. The turret and hull can hold 49 rounds of ammunition for the main gun. The Challenger 2 is also armed with a EX-34 7.62mm chain gun located to the left of the L30A1 and another 7.62mm L37A2 machine gun mounted on the loaders hatch ring. Supplying these weapons, 4,200 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition can be carried. An "Enforcer" remote controlled weapons system can also be mounted using a L37A2 7.62mm machine gun, 12.7mm heavy machine gun, or a 40mm automatic grenade launcher.

   The Kit

  The new 1:48 Hobby Boss British Challenger 2 MBT kit comes in the standard type box containing sprues Ax2, Bx2, C, D (holding the upper and lower halves of the hull), E, TRx2, Upper half of the Turret, and decal sheet. It contains a total of 209 parts and once assembled measures 235.5mmx76mm. Upon first inspection all the kit parts appear to be crisp and clean with no major flash. All mold release marks look to be in hidden areas. The directions are printed in black and white on paper stapled together making up an 8 page booklet. The words and images are clear and easy to follow. A total of 20 steps completes the assembly process. 

The Sprues

Sprue A. Two are included in the kit containing parts for the link and length tracks, drive sprockets, front idler wheels, tow hooks, and aux fuel drums.

Sprues B. The outer halves of the road wheels are on these sprues.

Sprue C. This is the first single sprue containing the lower half of the turret and the two piece barrel. The barrel is highly detailed and molds look to line up perfectly. The level of detail and anti-slip texture is impressive. Even the smaller parts have crisp anti-slip texture.

Sprue E. The tow cables are molded in plastic along with their mounting brackets. They do not have any wound cable detail molded into them. Parts E3, E4, E6, E7, E8, and E10 are not used. 

The directions show the upper and lower half of the hull are sprue D. They come in the box as you can see in the pictures. The suspension arms are molded with the hull. Again the level of detail is great. The surface anti-slip texture on the upper hull is beautiful.

The upper half of the turret is so good, it's almost a work of art. 

Decal sheet

The paint color and marking guide is printed on a single sheet of paper with two options, one on each side.

Conclusion

Highly Recommended for Beginner to Advanced builders.

Thanks goes out to Model Rectifier Corporation for this review kit.

Reviewed by Russ Clark

Minuteman AMPS

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