Challenger Mk 1 & 2
Hi folks, I've finally got the Challenger 2 finished. Considering it was a Xmas present from the one before, not the one just gone, I seem to be a bit behind with my builds!
The Mk 1 was a build from a while back and my first attempt at armour. I felt that I could probably do a better job these days so I scrubbed off the old pigments and re-weathered it.
The Challenger 2 replaced the Mk 1 in the early 90's and is expected to stay in service with the British Army till 2035. They were made by Vickers Defence Sytems and a total of 448 vehicles were built between 1993 and 2002. One of the two primary production sites was just down the road from me in Elswick, Newcastle. The tank has a pretty good combat record with only one being seriously damaged, and that was from another Challenger 2 in a friendly fire incident. The white metal panels on the turret were added purely for target identification purposes to try and stop further such incidents taking place.
They are Tamiya 1/35 scale kits with markings from the Gulf War conflicts and the additional 'dessertised' armour included in the box. They both built up without any problems as you would expect from Tamiya. The only added extras are the radio antenna which I used lengths of guitar string for instead of the stretched plastic called for in the instruction manual. The tracks are just the standard rubber ones but work fine as there aren't any areas on show where the tracks would naturally sag.
They are both painted with Tamiya acrylics and weathered with Mig pigments. I've discovered their own brand of pigment fixer which I gently airbrushed on over the top to stop any dust or dirt being rubbed off when handling. Most of the reference pics I've looked at of the tanks during operations in the middle east show well maintained, structurally sound vehicles. I've tried to capture that here but with heavy weathering to show extensive use in the dusty desert environment. I've tried to make the Mk 2 look a little bit newer and cleaner though!
I had contemplated taking the models down to the beach to photograph them, but if you know anything about the weather on the north east coast in January you will understand why I decided not to in the end! Thanks for looking.
15 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on January 26, 2016
Beautifully finished and photographed, sir...I like 'em a lot. Nice work!
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Cheers Craig, thanks very much.
Simon Whitney said on January 26, 2016
Good going Richard, two tanks well built sir.
Not too dusty but showing the grime of use.
Well done mate.
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Cheers Simon, thank you mate.
Phil Steele said on January 26, 2016
The're GOREAT !
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Thanks Phil, glad you like them!
Greg Kittinger said on January 26, 2016
Great work Richard - look like the real thing to me. I think you did a great job on the weathering, and it's nice to see the pair together for the contrasts.
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Thank you Greg, much appreciated. The mk 2 turret is very different to the mk 1. The mk 2 on a whole looks a lot more modern and streamlined.
Rob Pollock said on January 26, 2016
Nice pair of MBTs, Richard. For me, armour always looks even better in a terrain setting, so hope to see them again some time hunkered down in the dust.
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Cheers Rob! When / if my Chinook ever gets finished I'll try and do an outdoor diorama ( weather permitting ).
George Williams said on January 26, 2016
Good work, Richard, you've obviously got the hang of those Mig pigments. I think the plain, clean background shows off the dusty finish of the tanks a treat, but it would be interesting to see them photographed outside on the beach.
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Thanks George, just following the you tube tutorials with them really. I'll try and get over to Whitley bay with them in the spring!
Morne Meyer said on January 26, 2016
They look mighty fine. Nice weathering and photos make these models equally impressive. Well done!
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Cheers Morne, much appreciated, thanks.
Bernd Müller said on January 27, 2016
Beautiful work, Richard.
Richard Mcstay said on January 29, 2016
Thanks very much mate!
Gary Brantley said on January 30, 2016
I agree, great models and great photos too! Good job Richard!
Richard Mcstay said on February 2, 2016
Cheers Gary, thanks very much!
Jeff Bailey said on March 26, 2017
VERY nice, Richard! These look ready to jump into them & go. They sure don't LOOK like a first attempt - great job.
Richard Mcstay said on March 28, 2017
Thank you very much! The Challenger 1 was my first go at armor, but I re-weathered it here with a bit more experience than first time round.