Tamiya 1:35 Challenger I Mk.3

The kit proposed by Tamiya company includes a plastic model kit of British main battle tank in 1:35 scale.

After unsuccessful attempts to cooperate with the Germans on the construction of the common tank for the European members of NATO, the British began to work on their own vehicle. The project was decided to rely on later versions of the Chieftain tank. On the one hand, this enabled the industry to quickly switch to the production of a new vehicle, on the other hand, it lowered its features. In 1983, work on the first British tank of the third generation was completed. It was named Challenger, after the tank from the II World War period. The most revolutionary solution of the new vehicle was its armor. The use of multiple layers of steel plates, light alloys, and ceramic tiles resulted in a significant increase in resistance to cumulative and kinetic projectiles. The main disadvantage of the Challenger, however, were gun and engine, inherited from the Chieftain. They did not provide the firepower and speed needed for this vehicle. Despite the fact that during the Gulf War, they were doing great and perfectly coped with Iraqi tanks, Challenger was considered as obsolete. Unfortunately, in comparison with the allies main battle tanks, such as the M1 Abrams and Leopard 2, Challengers were much weaker. In the 90s, withdrawing of Challengers from the British Army began, in exchange for new Challengers II. Old tanks were sold to Jordan.

Tamiya kit allows assembly of the British Challenger 1 Mk. 3 MBT model, along with the commander (in two variants - desert and NATO). Box includes a part of the hull, 5 sprues with model parts, transparent plastic visors, screws to mount the idlers and cannon, mesh for cargo baskets, rubber tracks, and decals.

Plastic parts should be cut out of frames, fit together and glued according to the assembly instruction. You should paint the whole model using modeling paints according to the proposed paint scheme in the instruction. It is important to remember that some plastic parts require painting before gluing. In the end, it is needed to apply decals according to markings or graphics in instruction.

Paints recommended by the manufacturer for best results:

Vehicle:

• Tamiya XF-59 (armor, desert camouflage)
• Tamiya XF-1, XF-61 (armor, NATO camouflage)
• Tamiya XF-1 (wheels bandages, rubber parts, cannon parts, plugs for grenade launchers)
• Tamiya XF-49 (cannon cover, sapper equipment elements)
• Tamiya X-10 (MG-s, rope, tracks, metal elements)

Commander:

• Tamiya XF-52, XF-57 (desert uniform)
• Tamiya XF-59 (desert helmet)
• Tamiya XF- 10, XF-57 (shawl)
• Tamiya XF-1, XF-5, XF-10, XF-59 (NATO uniform)
• Tamiya XF-61 (NATO helmet)
• Tamiya XF-51 (NATO uniform trousers)
• Tamiya XF-1 (shoes)
• Tamiya X-18 (headphones)
• Tamiya XF-15 (leather)

Set contains:

• The assembly instruction.
• Frames with plastic parts.
• Decals.
• Rubber tracks.
• Metal elements.
• Soldiers / crew figures.
• Mesh.

Kit does NOT contain paints and glue.

Here are the basic tools and materials you need:

• Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
• Modeling penknife.
• File or sandpaper.
• Cement for plastic models.
• Brush or airbrush.
• Modeling paints.

If you are not sure of any accessories or colors of paints you need for your model kit, please ask us, we will be glad to help you.