The Irish Challenger

[Nick]

During the 20th century the Irish Defence Force went into action time and time again under the UN peacekeeping flag. By the late 1990s it was apparent that their motley collection of APCs from around the world was expensive to run and too varied to maintain with ease. They also needed better firepower and protection than the small Scorpion tanks and Panhard APCs.

The Challenger 2 tank entered service with the British Army in 1998. Covetous eyes at the Curragh wandered over the retiring Challenger 1 fleet and soldiers dreamed of getting the new Chally 2s. But the budget remained too tight.

In 2002 a convoy of Irish peacekeepers escorting food supply trucks was ambushed on the Ethiopian-Eritrean border. Losses were heavy. Ireland wept and questions were asked of the Dail.

In 2004 with the help of UN funding 20 Challenger 1 tanks, 2 Challenger ARV and nearly all the spare parts and ammo in the British Army depots were taken from the UK to Ireland. Refurbished and repainted, these mighty machines now form the basis of the Irish Army's Tank Corps.

I shall be building the venerable Matchbox 1/76 kit for this one. It even comes with a base!
Just need to think up a suitable camo scheme (green splinter?) and have the Irish tricolour flying from an aerial.

[PR19_Kit]

Very good idea Nick, and they wouldn't even have had to pay any Customs duties as we were both in the EEC then.  (and still are for a bit.....)

I was over there in 1990 when Ireland got to the 1/4 finals in the World (Football....) Cup and everyone was driving round with HUGE Irish Flags flying form BOTH sides of their cars, so much so it must have wrecked their fuel consumption, so a ready stock of large flags would have been available. 

[Old Wombat]

I think Nicholas Moran would have preferred Chieftains* but Chally 1's is a good thing!



(*: World of Tanks reference, for those who don't know.)