Thanks Lou, the netting is just made from milliput sculpted on top of the tanks using a custom tool I made. You have to have the right thinness and timing to create the effect.

Hi Val, very impressive build, looks great!
Looking forward to seeing more.
Cheers,
Tim

Thanks Tim!

Few updates....

The front head light is too small and doesn't look right. I scratchbuilt a new front head light from scrap sprue turned to appropriate size using a power drill then hollowed out by micro grinding bits then detailed the mounts. The lens will be added after painting. You can also see the scratchbuilt front camera and EM emitters.



Rear camera, the rest of the back had to be corrected and detailed.

hi val

Very impressive build. Looks wunderful.
Very good scratchwork.
I special like the Enforcer RWS with the feeding chute.
Looking for more from your nice model.

Greetings from germany--> Daniel

Thanks Daniel!

Ok some updates:

This is the rear area before detailing. Notice the cable reel placement and the tow bar.


After detailing, I scratchbuilt a new cable reel and cut off the tow bar and made a new attachement. The tow bar is not accessible because of the rear bar armour. Reference showed it attached on the rear bar armour with starps.





Next is the detailing of the commander's hatch mechanism. The one with the kit looks out of scale.


Moving along towards the main gun. I have to scratchbuilt a new rubber guard to cover the area of the main gun mantle. The kits own part is in plastic and it doesn't look right plus it leaves a huge gap.


I decided to detail the optics, sensors and replace the coax with appropriate size micro brass tubes.




The sensor cover on the right side will be added once I'm done with the barracuda net application.

Next is the arials platform.
Topside:


Bottom:



The overall work....






Thanks for viewing!

Hi Val

nice work and detailing

cheers
Neil

Fantastic work Val well done looking forward to seeing it finished.

hi

looks good.

greetings daniel

Val,

I'm waiting finish...

Hi Val,
Superb work on that Chally !
Can you show the tool you used for the barracuda effect ?

Antoine

Thanks guys!

Antoine, I'm just using a small micro brass tube shaped in a half circle to re-create the pattern.

I have updated the WIP's of this build in the Braille GB 2 days ago. Got lazy to update my WIP's here but anyway here are some progress....


The belly armour.....you can also see the scratchbuilt attachment details of the front reactive armour.




The mud/dust guard were made from thick aluminum foil, crease and minor folds added to give a bit of "texture".





Here you can see the kit's PE mesh for the engine grills.


This vew shows the works done on the optics, the details on the top part of the turret's Chobham armour, the overlaying of the Barracuda netting on all the sensors and optics, wire cutters, corrected smoke dischargers mount and all the ECM and arials. All the optic doors had been scartchbuilt and displayed in the "open" position to give more "life" to the model. The loader's hatch hinge was totally rebuild because the one from the kit looks overscaled.

More views....











I still have to re-detail the RWS, add netting to the turret hatch, attach all the bar armours, add wires to the front side ECM then I can start painting.

Thanks for viewing!

That chalky 2 looks fantastic! I am amazed at how much detail you have added to such a small scale.
Stan

Absolutly great.
I love the chally very much.
Waiting for the paint and hope for a vignette or diorama with it!

Greetings from germany

Daniel

It is absolutelly awsome!!! Can't wait for the painting. One of the best detailed braille models I've seen ever!

Thanks Stan , Daniel & Radek!

All the little parts on this are awesome for a challenger TES! Nice build so far, cant wait to see the next post of yours!

Looks good! Can't wait to see some paint on it.

Take care,
Austin

Hi there R2d2

I'm following this build with great interest as I have the same kit and have been wondering what to do with it.
I hope you don't mind if I shamelessly pinch a few of your ideas,although I must ask how you did the Barracuda netting is it smoothed putty which has been imprinted?

It is a great kit and can't wait to see the finished product.

I'm in the process of masking and painting an RNZAF Kittyhawk for the P-40 campaign over on Aeroscale so this might just be the thing to fill in the gaps while I'm waiting for the paint to dry.

Cheers


Chris

Thanks Alex, Austin, Chris. Got to do a couple more minor tweaking and painting can start.

Chris, sure you can use this build as for your own guide. Regarding the netting, I'm using the gray Milliput, this must be overlayed in the right thickness then sculpt the pattern using a small brass tube. The tube must be shaped into a "half circle" to re-create the pattern and this is achieved by using a micro grinding bit. Final shaping of the tube was done using a needle file. You have to be very gentle and careful to make this because the tube is small and easily damaged. Make sure you also protect your eyes when doing this. After you have created your sculpting tool you can re-create your own Barracuda in 1/72. Hope this helps you out.

Regards,
Val

Hello Val,

You display some amazing scratchbuilding skills in this build.

Looking forward for the paint/weathering stage.

P.A.

WOW! I must say you have inspired me, I have 2 of these kits and one of the things (amongst others) that kind-of put me off was the road wheels, all the drilling. Did you thin them at all, or as is? Again, GREAT JOB!

Matt Ponas

Thanks Alexander, MattieP!

MattieP, the road wheels are drilled one by one using an Archimedes drill to speed up the process.

Last leg of updates. I have finished detailing the Enforcer RWS then painting will commence.

This is the scratchbuilt grill that protects the RWS sensor. Size comparison between a toothpick and the grill I made.


Detailing the Enforcer RWS.... I added the 2 electric motor that rotates and elevates the system.



Added wires....


Here are some series of shot details of the whole Enforcer RWS in 1/72.







Building phase is completed, all details done. Now on to the paints!

Thanks for looking!

Val

I'm done with this build. Updated my work in the Braille GB as well. Big thanks to everyone who supported this build all the way. I hope that by documenting my work someone in the future can make use if this and improved their build. Well hope you guys will enjoy this. Thanks!