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About > Products > Product Details
Challenger 2 (Iraq)
Model height 6cm (to turret top);
length 16cm (hull only) 22cm with gun; width 8cm.
Britain’s Challenger 2 main battle tank is successor to the successful Challenger 1 which was used to great effect in the first Gulf War. Challenger 2 proved equally as effective during the second Gulf War in 2003 – and is still providing valuable support for Warrior crews in Southern Iraq.
Distinctive changes to the Challenger include Thermal Exhaust Cowls to reduce exhaust heat signature on the hull rear sides, thermal identification panels and filter louvres on the turret, and side armour with sand reduction skirting. When Challenger 2 was being developed in the early 1990s the British Army worked very closely with industry to avoid the flaws experienced with Challenger 1 and incorporate the lessons learned from the Gulf War. However, it had not been tested in desert battle conditions, and there were poor results and several incapacitated Challengers, when the tanks took part in exercises in Oman in 2001. Omani tanks, all Challenger 2E models and designed for the desert, had no problems. The exercise exposed the tank’s weakness to dust and fine sand.
Modifications to fans and filters doubled useful life in the dustiest conditions, and the side skirts were extended to prevent dust being thrown up towards the air intakes. All the work was carried out in Kuwait before hostilities began. No Challengers were lost through enemy action during Operation Telic. On 27 March 2003, 14 Challengers of C Squadron, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, engaged a column of 14 ageing T-55 tanks in what is credited as being the British Army's biggest tank engagement since World War II. None of the Challenger tanks was hit and all the T55s destroyed. Announcements are soon expected to be made on the upgrade of the Challenger 2 with a 120mm smoothbore gun which will involve reconfiguring the turret and changing stowage areas within the turret and hull. It may involve collaboration with the German firm Rheinmetall.
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Imprint Models, 14 Green Lane, Colchester, Essex CO4 0JA
+44 (0) 1206 862311