Gee - I was happy to hear the news of the Tamiya Challenger II release. I think this is a wicked-looking armored fighting vehicle - I had to have one! I ordered it today from HLJ and was happy with a $33 dollar price tag, and thrilled that I had something new to build. I've never done a Challenger before!

Then, I read this thread...

Then, I sat back and decided to have fun building my kit anyway!

Going back to my corner now...

Gunnie

Randy, I have to agree with you, but don’t forget the coincidence between Accurate Armour’s Strv 103B MBT (S-Tank) and Trumpeter.

Personally I hope that Accurate Armour is making more money from the upgrades to the Trumpeter kits than they were from selling the Resin kits (Brownie Points). If either Trumpeter or Accurate Armour read this, THINK CENTURION!! THINK SEXTON!!

Actually it seems like Tamiya uses Trumpeter to test the water! See what sells and then release a Better version of it. Like it or not Tamiya at present has the best in class on the T-55 and the M1A1/2, and it will probably be the same for the Challenger II as well.

Trumpeter and Dragon have been the only companies (major players) that have tried ‘new’ releases and let’s hope they continue this trait! Italeri (my favourite) seem to have lost their former ‘Head of steam’ and now seem to be slowing done. Guys THINK ITALIAN EQUIPMENT!! Remember the M108/9s you did, still the only ones around.

I’m personally hoping that the ‘Eastern’ modelling companies (Maquette, RPM, Mirage etc) will start playing a larger role in the business and start releasing some of the lesser-known Soviet and other ‘Eastern Block’ equipment as well as captured and lease-lend products. Guys THINK SHERMAN!! THINK SOVIET ARMOURED TRAINS!!!

That said I still feel (as do probably all model builders) that the model companies should release this or that (as the case may be), truth is they have to do intense market research, and will only release what they are sure will sell, as one failed release will cost them a fortune!

The problem is, the timeline there is wrong. AA had their Chally II out for quite a while before Trumpeter, same with the S-tank and the AS-90.

Don't get me wrong-- some of Trumpeter's stuff is awesome and clearly original, such as the SA-2 kits and the Chinese subjects. And their Leopold is, from looking at it side-by-side against a Dragon kit, the one I will ultimately buy when I can afford it.

Randy

Just from seeing the Tamiya Chally 2 today at Shizuoka Show. I have to say its a mix bag on What i think is better. Though Tamiya's Details are alot sharper than on Trumpeter's offering. Tamiya went the way of the M1 and molded all that nice suspension to the hull. And where I sound like I'm complaining I'm not, On the Op Telic version of the Chally 2 the suspension can't be seen but if you want an earlier "version" you might want to steal the Trumpeter Suspension. BTW Tamiya has some nice decal options for this one. those alone will plant at least 2 fo them in my pile STUG