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Challenger 2 (Europe)

Chall 2 assembly

Chall 2 specs

Model height 6cm (to turret top);
length 16cm (hull only) 22cm with gun; width 8cm.

Great 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. 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. The Army wanted high firepower, high reliability, high agility both on road and cross-country, ease of handling and operation, and readiness under bad conditions.

Although it was based on the Challenger 1, there are more than 150 improvements, from a completely new turret down to air conditioning and a water heater for the crew. The turret and hull designs also incorporate stealth technology to keep the tank’s radar signature to a minimum. Equipment supplied on the Challenger 2 includes both French and Canadian elements. The commander has a gyrostabilised sight from SFIM Industries of France which provides all-round vision without the commander having to move his head, and is identical to that used on the Leclerc MBT. The fire control system is by Computing Devices Company of Canada, an improved version of the system used on the US M1A1 Abrams tank.

The Challenger’s L30 gun has a chromium lining to give increased velocity and penetrating power, greater precision and reduced wear. It can fire a depleted uranium round which is about two and a half times more dense than steel. A new system under development will enable use of a longer depleted uranium projectile to increase armour penetration. All eight regiments in the Royal Armoured Corps are now equipped with Challenger 2.

Imprint Models, 14 Green Lane, Colchester, Essex CO4 0JA           +44 (0) 1206 862311           info@imprintmodels.co.uk