BUILDING TAMIYA’S NEW-TOOL CHALLENGER 2

Paul Cawte delves into the world of 1/48 scale armour, as he builds Tamiya’s quarter-scale Challenger 2 tank straight from the box.

BUILDING TAMIYA’S NEW-TOOL CHALLENGER 2

Developed as an extensive redesign of the preceding Challenger 1, the FV4034 Challenger 2 is the British Army’s main battle tank and has been in service since 1998. Although appearing superficially similar, little of the Challenger 1’s structure, armament or powerplant was retained – according an official statement from manufacturer Vickers Defence Systems, just 3% of the components were common with the Mk.2. The Challenger 2 employs a crew of four and is armed with an L30A1 120mm rifled main gun plus co-axial and pintle mounted 7.62mm machine guns; its composite armour represented a generational leap in protection over the preceding Chobham, with the new composition known as Dorchester.

W

Want to read more?

This is a premium article and requires an active Key Model World subscription.

Existing subscriber? Sign in now

No subscription?

Enjoy the following subscriber only benefits:

  • Unlimited access to all Key Model World content
  • Exclusive product reviews, latest news, builds and highly detailed layouts
  • Read 5,300 articles, in a fully searchable archive of modelling content growing daily!
  • Access to read the official Hornby Magazine and Airfix Model World online, brought to life with video and additional imagery
  • Access on any device- anywhere, anytime
  • Choose from our offers below