1/35 Tamiya Challenger 2 "Desertised"

[ElCapitan]

Over the weekend I suddenly had the urge to start this kit, having had a short break from modelling over Christmas. I don't really know anything about armour, especially modern stuff, but bought this in my LHS on a whim.



It looks like a nice kit, so we'll see how it goes.

First off, I got the wheels out the way.


Then I fixed the axles to the lower hull. Two of them had a metal bolt for some reason - I would be keen to know the reason for this if anyone can enlighten me!




Next I attached most of the bits and pieces to this end plate. Apologies for my ignorance when it comes to the names of the parts - at this point I don't even know which end is the front!


Here's the finished end plate. The kit comes with copper wire to wind round the cable reel, which is pretty cool. I'll keep the fuel drums separate until it's all been painted, as it looks as though it'll be tricky to do a proper job if they are in position.


Thanks for looking!

[Tomcat64]

Great start Rob - be interested to see how you feel about building armour instead of aircraft by the end of this

[Kevthemodeller]

I'm going to watch this with interest, I'm looking at adding this kit to my stash. You're off to a good start mate

[ElCapitan]

I'm going to watch this with interest, I'm looking at adding this kit to my stash. You're off to a good start mate

It's going well so far, I've not come across any problems with it. Having said that, I'm not very far along with it yet!

[ElCapitan]

More work done on this over the weekend. Got the upper hull on, along with all of the detail for it. I've left off the skirts and will put them on once everything is painted and tracks are on.



Then put together the gun shield (is that really what it's called?)



Following that I've made a start on the turret details, but nothing worth taking a picture of yet.

No fit issues so far, it seems like a well moulded kit with great surface detail!

[ElCapitan]

Here's the turret so far. Next comes a lot of fiddly wee bits that I'm not looking forward to. I find the instructions very cluttered and it would be very easy to leave something off by mistake!

[schweinhund227]

It is a nice kit ! keep up the good work !

[DrSprue]

That looks like a fun kit. Cant beat Tamiya.

[ElCapitan]

It is a nice kit ! keep up the good work !

That looks like a fun kit. Cant beat Tamiya.

Thanks guys! I'm enjoying it, but I definitely still prefer aircraft!

[Tomcat64]

Really tidy work Rob - coming along nicely.

[ElCapitan]

Things are still progressing nicely when I find the time. I've got the main parts of the turret together, with all the detail still to go on (tonight probably)

[aur0ra145]

Looking good!

[ElCapitan]

Just going through my unfinished build threads and realised I didn't post the most recent photo of this. It's stalled at this point - partly because I've very little interest in the subject, and partly because I can't be bothered masking all the windows to paint it.