Osprey Publishing

Modelling the Challenger MBT 1 and 2 and Variants Modelling No. 29

by  Graeme Davidson & Pat Johnson

Reviewed By  Jack Bruno, IPMS# 25313

MSRP:$18.95 ISBN: 1-84176-927-4 Website: www.ospreypublishing.com How many times did you, as a modeler, buy something and start building it and then find a great reference book for it?? Well, OOPS, I did it again. In my quest to build an exciting kit from the Gulf War that was not an Abrams, I started a Tamiya "Desertized" Challenger and found this book about a month later. I like all Osprey books in this series because most of the issues are written by modelers, such as these two gentleman, Davidson and Johnson. To be sure, all aspects of Challengers are included. One such vehicle presented to us is a Challenger Armored Repair and Recovery Vehicle from the UN Protection Force, Bosnia. An Accurate Armor kit was used along with a Tamiya hull and this picturesque model is finished in the UN white scheme! Of note, according to the authors, some 81 Challenger ARRV's are operating to support the Challenger Fleet. All of the Challenger modeling projects in this book are illustrated before and after completion and it's very plain to see what you have to do in order to build some of the great models brought to you here. In addition, a complete list of items used are included so you, the modeler, can guide yourself and turn out the same results given your level of expertise. There is a Desert Challenger 2 from the Royal Army of Oman that includes pictures of some of the scratch building and PE used to complete it. The kit is given a very well done green over tan scheme with fading and subtle weathering. The red lenses really cap it off, as does the wire antenna's. One of the many cool versions is a Challenger 2 from the Royal Dragoon Guards, Operation Telic, 2005. This model is constructed using the Tamiya Challenger 2 Desertized , in addition to Accurate Armour stand off armor, Extra Tech PE and Grief lenses. It reminds me of the set up that Strykers have! Great job here! Not to be outdone, there is a Falcon 2 AB9C5 from the Jordanian Army that features a Model Point I.55 120mm Gun. This thing is hot looking and features a Challenger 1 lower hull from Tamiya. It reminds me of the Egyptian T-34/85 with that large turret that looks so dreadfully evil!. There are four other builds for your modeling pleasure but I really don't want to ruin it all for you. If you enjoy modern MBT other than the Abrams .... run, don't walk to pick this one up.