This is a 'general' (NOT an in depth) build of Gordon Brown, Cromwell Armour's Challenger 2 TES. 2008/9 conversion kit.

Please do NOT use this thread for any personal gripes you have with him or his company, build comments are very welcome.

This is the Trumpeter kit that will be needed for the basis of the conversion. As you can see it is of a later uparmoured version right out of the box.

However, only the lower portion of the hull, tracks, later wheels, rear end bar/slats and a few other parts will be used along with the turret armour blocks, slats etc..


Here are the contents of the conversion set Challenger 2 TES 2009. from Cromwell Armour (Scotland)..



Some closer shots of the Barracuda camo detail.





And the hand drawn instructions (not for beginners).


2008 or 2009 side Armor option.




Smaller parts with amazing detail.






I have started the cleanup of the parts, this took about an hour and a half last night. The slight warp (bend) seen in the barrel can be corrected by using warm water and gently re shaping. A few pinholes filled but they were in locations that would not be seen after assembly.

More as I progress.

Keef.

Looks like a great conversion Keith. Where did you get your conversion at? I've been on a Challenger kick here lately and would like to add that one to my collection. I'll be following this one... "Q"

Direct from Cromwell Armour mate...

Keith.

Looks a nice kit mate cant wait to see it built up
Regards Neil

I do have a Challenger 2 Aluminum barrel from Lion Roar so I may use that after taking a careful comparison to the one supplied.

Keith.

Looks interesting...

Just wondering: What, in your opinion, makes the instructions not suited for beginners?

They look clearer to me than some of those produced by major manufacturers ( DML photographs ).



Harm

You want complicated instructions? Try building a Zvezda model.

Keith,

Very nice to see this conversion being built. I am currently working on a review of this conversion and I concur about the level of detail.

First and formost the instructions do not indicate what parts shown in the instructions refer to kit parts and some of them do.
A little more written word would be helpful in sorting the items out.

I am not shy about using resin conversions having done so since Accurate Armour and Cromwell have been in business. I will freely admit, these instructions are a far cry from earlier ones issued by Cromwell but could be better.
Pictures of parts in place would certainly be helpful. Yes I know, I can look online but that doesn't mean they cannot be included.

As for Zvesda I can't comment, they have nothing that interests me (at this point in time).

Keith.

You know, it's almost worth the money just to get a turret with the openings in tthe turret top filled in with some detail. It's fairly simple scratchbuilding but still kind of a pain in the behind.

Matt

Cromwell's upper hull mated to Trumpeter lower without any fit issues at all. A minor gap to be filled along the outer sponson seam but this cannot be seen with the tracks and side armor fitted. Front to rear, an excellent match.

Small nibs along the side of the upper hull casting have to be removed and edges filed, very simple job.

As usual, poor fit of the Trumpeter upper rollers and main wheels but that can be sorted with a little glue.

One of the upper outer rollers has to be drilled out for it to fit on the arm?

Seams continue to be an issue with them, especially on the smaller parts. These have to be removed in order to get them to fit and they are unsightly if left.

Cromwell nose armor fitted perfectly, Gordon continues to maintain his quality and high standard of casting.

Photo's later in the week.

Keith.

Thanks for the response...

and I look forward to the pictures.

Cheers,

Harm

Nice! I have this conversion on the very first time it came out about a year ago. I could swear that the craftsmanship is very well done. If you are modelling the current chally then this is a must conversion. Looking forward to the WIP pictures Keith!

And oh, Im doing a full scratchbuild 1/72 scale of the Chally TES 2008 base on my own Cromwells conversion. Mine is fully scratchbuilt with all the correction in braille. You could see my in progress in the braille section. I will do my 35th conversion once time permits me.

Regrards,

Val

Hey Keith

Look forward to the build! I have this conversion as well and will be book marking your build for future reference.

BTW - How will you be handling the track issue?? I've been told that the latest tracks on the Challenger 2 are a bit different. I wish I could find the discussion from Missing Lynx about it, as it had photos to describe the differences. I think it was a small extension over the track end connectors. I'll keep looking, but if anyone else knows what I mean could you kindly post a link? Thanks!

Later!

I am pretty sure you can see the end connector extensions here.....

http://www.primeportal.net/tanks/david_hale/challenger2_walk_1.htm

That is an interesting question and one I will handle later, however I am a model builder for fun just like everybody here.

The difference may be that I am NOT a purist and by that I mean NO DISRESPECT to the membership of this site or any other. I am not too concerned by items such as the size and length of track end connectors or incorrect number of bolts on suspension parts.

Certainly I am apt to correct missing items and will see which tracks (Tamiya, Trumpeter or even Fruil) have for the best representation. It is entirely possible that earlier track connectors could be found on some vehicles and only replaced as track maintenance and replacement took place.

The more obvious items that need correcting such as the rear seat on the Wolf Land Rover, the incorrect location of the Merkava suspension are a must and these should have been done by the manufacturer. I find those things more important as they are instantly noticable.

In this (TES) conversions case the individual builder will have to decide on the importance value if he/she intends to place it in a competion or satisfy his personal inner convictions.

This item of mine will most likely end up on a small dio base with a couple of figures.

I rarely enter anything in competitions and have a severe dislike of judges that pull out magnifying lenses, flashlights, measuring devises, dental mirrors and judge color from books and magazines and not personal experience!
I build for myself.

Sharing what I build is fun and I do enjoy the input that it generates and if I am able to help others overcome any of the problems I encounter then I am well satisfied.

Keith.

Trust me mate I am watching with great interest and envy.

Keith

Front end with Cromwell nose armor.






Side view.


And rear, notice the perfect fit with the Cromwell upper hull.




Cromwell engine and transmission deck.
More as I progress this weekend.

Keith.

Suspension and wheels in place. Idler wheels are a little thin and need many seams removing, I may replace them with a Tamiya set? A simple way of ensuring the arms are parralel is to add the arms in each corner first then then when level add the remainder..... I removed the nose armor (only placed on) while working on the hull.



Trumpeter really needs to step up their game when it comes to seams and injector pin marks.
The wheels have to be roughed up slightly as the edges of the rubber rim are so sharp it is totaly unrealistic. Besides, normal wear and tear on the real item will do the same.



I have decided to use the Lion Roar barrel as it has a great rendition of the cover over the 'forged muzzle upstand' (reflective mirror),well detailed thermal sleeve and a nice sag in the recoil bellows.



The Tamiya tracks seem to have nicer detail when it comes to end connectors and as much of the tracks will be under and behind the armor my choice is yet to be determined.

More to be done today.

Keith.

Good work mate, i would like to do this conversion some day, but out of my wallet range at the moment

Stick your loose change in a jar, you might be surprised how quickly it grows to the converion amount.

Keith.

Almost looks like a shake and bake kit. Although, I've never had too many issues with Trumpeter. Waiting to see more.

Firstly a mistake acknowledgement (senior moment) on my part...
The barrel is actually made by 'Armour Workshop', (my apologies) and NOT Lion Roar as I indicated earlier.

Now, back to the build.
Mantlet mated to the Trumpeter elevation hinge, loaders station insert and commanders cupola periscope ring in place.
Nose armor block attached.


Gordon Brown gets the detail just about perfect, the bolts and locking arms amazingly detailed.


See what I mean.


The front sensor/ jamming pod suspension arms in place and again the power cords and bolt head detail supurb.
Cromwell or rather Gordon has also provided armor covers for them as an option. However most photographs show them as rarely being used, probably kept for combat missions.


The belly armor is in place and this covers to just behind the drivers station. Not certain if this is correct or if it actually extends the full length of the hull.
We do know that a driver was lost due to an IED and so the short under armor may be the fix...

More tomorrow if I get time to do a bit more.

Keith.

Keith, your build looks sharp. Very good WIP's man! If you are modelling the 09' which uses the thicker armour from RAFAEL, it uses the cover for the arm support for the IED side jammers. The 08' which still uses the D2F side armous, most pictures I have don't have the cover.

I appreciate very much your input on that item.
I will leave them off as I would like the detail to be shown. And yes, I am going to use the RAFAEL (thicker) side armor blocks.
No doubt a few vehicles could be seen with the armor added before the arms were modified for covers. (Importance factor).

Keith.