RAMTR Challenger 1

[Old Wombat]

Hi, pyro!

The white rectangle is unpainted in the photo's (like 1+1/2 of the scratched jerry can racks) but it is going to be a Unit & Friendly-Forces identification panel.

I'm thinking of painting it light-blue-over-green-over-dark-blue, as a Royal Australian Marines "divisional" marking with a large simple geometric shape superimposed over it as the FF-ID.

Tossing up whether to do similar panels for the sides or just slap on the simple geometric shape over the camouflage. By the way, that panel is only slightly larger than one worn by a Brit tank in Iraq, which I saw in a photo whilst researching the Challenger 1.

Actually, remembering those photo's, there are only 2 real unit-specific mod's on the tank - anyone going to hazard a guess?



Guy

(edit/ps: I find that when painting armour you need to plan ahead with your colours, as weathering, washes, highlighting, etc., all change the final look - so the initial colours need to be brighter & bolder than you intend them to end up.)

[NARSES2]

Thanks, ... um ... Chris?

Correct Guy 

I'm useless at weathering which is why I build very little armour and it dosn't look right without it IMHO. My aircraft on the other hand I can say have just been cleaned up or just delivered from the paintshop 

[pyro-manic]

Fair enough, and a good point indeed - I was thinking from the "clean" factory-fresh point of view, which clearly was the wrong way to approach it. As for the ID panels, are you going to be putting those louvred IR-visible "CIP" panels on the turret sides as well? They seem to be a staple feature on most "coalition"/Allied/whatever vehicles nowadays.

[Old Wombat]

Nope, no CIP's for this beastie.

However, as CIP's currently use "thermal tape", perhaps my FF-ID shape could use "thermal paint"?

[buzzbomb]

Guy, that is certainly a different take for a colour scheme, not sure it works for me.

The jerry holders make a nice touch.

Can it fit a dozer blade for clearing beach obstacles ?

[Old Wombat]

Hi, Brian!

I'm fairly sure the Challenger 1 can be fitted with a 'dozer blade, so I guess so.

Lucky you're not me, then, 'coz I actually do like the colours, garish though they may be.

Added the spare jerry can holders after seeing them on most of the Chall. 1's photographed in Iraq (including the one the Tamiya kit provides markings for).

[Go4fun]

If you like it go for it. I think the basic idea of modeling is to please yourself. Someone else liking it is icing on the cake.

[rickshaw]

Early in 1990, the British Army selected the Pearson Combat Dozer Blade (UDK1) for service on its Challenger 1 MBTs and every Challenger 1 in the British Army has been modified to accept it.

[Source]

Thread about building a 1/35 Challenger I with a dozer blade - http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=76340

[Old Wombat]

Thanks, (other) Brian!

[Old Wombat]

Still needs decals (but I'll do them once I've got a few other builds done that will also be getting custom markings & can print at least a quarter sheet) & a dio base.

So; a Royal Australian Marines' ASFV4030/5 Challenger of B Squadron, based in Darwin, with operational IFF markings in yellow IR-reflective paint for Operation "Mamba", a UN-backed plan to stabilize the Horn of Africa in order to be able to properly provide for the millions affected by war & famine in the region.














Hope you like her! The crew's uniforms are in a camo-style based on that used by the RAN.



Guy

[pyro-manic]

Yep, that's pretty good.

[NARSES2]

Fantastic stuff mate - well done 

[TallEng]

Nice Tank!
Must admit when I saw the camouflage without the weathering effects I wasn't sure, but now its done and
Dusted as it were, it looks very good.

Regards
Keith

[Old Wombat]

Thanks, guys!

This was not my favorite build, with all sorts of things getting in the way (including a mild form of modelling burn-out).
However, there are relatively few things I'm not reasonably happy with (such as certain aspects of the camouflage & the figure painting) &, overall, I'm considering her a decent job.
I did have plans to include an APC in the same dio but, given some of the things I want to improve, this isn't going to happen.

Thanks for your encouragement!

On to the next built: the RAM's High Mobility Battlefield Logistics Transport (HMBLT).



Guy.

[Mossie]

The scheme pokes you straight in the eye, can't miss that one on the show table!   Lovely job!