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RyeField: Challenger 2 TES Megatron

Maki

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Croatia Hrvatska
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Posted: Thursday, December 19, 2019 - 09:25 PM UTC

Rye Fireld Model just announced a new kit in the works. Check it out!

Read the Full News Story

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

weesiep

Drenthe, Netherlands
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Posted: Thursday, December 19, 2019 - 09:40 PM UTC

Megatron?

I'd hope for Optimus Prime, the Brits are (still, even after leaving us here in Europe :-( ) the good guys!

What does Megatron stand for?

Klaus-Adler

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MODELGEEK

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Posted: Thursday, December 19, 2019 - 09:51 PM UTC

this is fabulous news, it's great to see some British kit being made available to us modellers

pod3105

Waterford, Ireland
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Posted: Thursday, December 19, 2019 - 11:40 PM UTC

I am happy to be corrected but I don't believe it is an acronym for anything. My understanding is that it is a single technology testing and demonstrator vehicle and the name taken because of its "changeable" form.

terminators

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 12:04 AM UTC

Was this version used in Iraq in operation TELIC ?

ninjrk

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 12:42 AM UTC

This is genuinely cool. I hope there's an option to a straight Operation Telic version either out of the box or as a follow up.

Matt

HermannB

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 12:55 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Megatron?

I'd hope for Optimus Prime, the Brits are (still, even after leaving us here in Europe :-( ) the good guys!

What does Megatron stand for?

Megatron is just a nickname/designation because tank resembles to the movie character. Definitly something for my stash, will send the Tamiya and Trumpeter kits into retirement.

HeavyArty

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 01:34 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Was this version used in Iraq in operation TELIC ?

No, it is the latest version technology demonstrator that was introduced in 2016. It is not a fielded version used by the British (or any other) Army.

"A new version of the Challenger 2 "Megatron" was unveiled in July 2016 at the Tank Fest in Bovington fitted with a new armour design. This latest version is fitted with a combination of reactive, passive and bar armour providing unique protection against new threats of modern battlefield. The Challenger 2 TES "Megatron" can be fitted with variable armour depending on the nature of the threats and the type of battlefield where the tank must be deployed. "

pod3105

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 02:08 AM UTC

I have checked a number of refernece and can confirm that Megatron is a single vehicle held by the ATDU ( Armoured Trials and Development Unit) based at Bovinigton in Dorset, it is NOT a marque of vehicle in general service.

knewton

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 02:36 AM UTC

Wow, amazing release; what’s next, the Rhinemetall 120mm smoothbore turret version, as part of the Challenger 2 LEP?

G-man69

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 03:19 AM UTC

Hi all,

Outstanding News, I'll have to start saving my pennies for this one.

It would be a challenge...er!...no pun intended,

...to try modelling it with the Rheinmetall MCS (Mobile Camouflage System) which is attached to the base vehicle with strong magnets (see image below).

The MSC acts both as a visual and thermal camouflage and can be provided in a pattern specific to the operating environment, thus there is no need to repaint the tank beneath.

Looking forward to hearing more about this kit,

.

Cheers,

.

G

terminators

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 04:11 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Quoted Text

Was this version used in Iraq in operation TELIC ?

No, it is the latest version technology demonstrator that was introduced in 2016. It is not a fielded version used by the British (or any other) Army.

"A new version of the Challenger 2 "Megatron" was unveiled in July 2016 at the Tank Fest in Bovington fitted with a new armour design. This latest version is fitted with a combination of reactive, passive and bar armour providing unique protection against new threats of modern battlefield. The Challenger 2 TES "Megatron" can be fitted with variable armour depending on the nature of the threats and the type of battlefield where the tank must be deployed. "

Ah ! Thank you Gino for your complete answer. I hope they will release a Telic version for a next kit.

Merry Christmas and Happy new year !

Petition2God

Colorado, United States
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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 06:33 AM UTC

Hey, like Klaus-Adler said, I am super happy to see a new tooling Challenger 2 from RFM! This was on a lot of wish lists for sometime.

knewton

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 07:25 AM UTC

Has this “latest” (2016) been superseded by the Challenger 2 Streetfighter II version? Another option as a kit, maybe?

HermannB

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 08:02 AM UTC

According to Tankograd Militärfahrzeug, the Challenger 2 Streetfighter is another prototype/technology demostrator.

HermannB

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 08:04 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi all,

Outstanding News, I'll have to start saving my pennies for this one.

It would be a challenge...er!...no pun intended, ...to try modelling it with the Rheinmetall MCS (Mobile Camouflage System) which is attached to the base vehicle with strong magnets (see image below).

The MSC acts both as a visual and thermal camouflage and can be provided in a pattern specific to the operating environment, thus there is no need to repaint the tank beneath.

Looking forward to hearing more about this kit, .

Cheers, .

G

Barracuda MCS is attached by velcro stripes not by magnets. MCS is only 5 mm thick, which makes it a challenge to build in scale. Barracuda MCS was developed by Saab Group, not Rheinmetall.

HermannB

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 08:13 AM UTC

Manufacturers homepage on the Barracuda MCS.

https://saab.com/land/signature-management/force-integrated-systems/mcs_mobile_camouflage_system/

Taeuss

Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 01:31 PM UTC

"Megatron"? Seriously? Do Marvel fans & gamers run the Defense Ministry now? Cool kit but weird designator. I really like the MSC system and wonder how it differs from the Baricuda system we use on Canadian Leopard 2s.

barny

England - East Anglia, United Kingdom
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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 07:22 PM UTC

Megatron is the name given to the tank by the crew who use it ...

system

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 09:13 PM UTC

What's the difference in configuration between Megatron and the tanks used in Iraq towards the end of the deployment?

G-man69

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Posted: Friday, December 20, 2019 - 10:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Quoted Text

Hi all,

Outstanding News, I'll have to start saving my pennies for this one.

It would be a challenge...er!...no pun intended, ...to try modelling it with the Rheinmetall MCS (Mobile Camouflage System) which is attached to the base vehicle with strong magnets (see image below).

The MSC acts both as a visual and thermal camouflage and can be provided in a pattern specific to the operating environment, thus there is no need to repaint the tank beneath.

Looking forward to hearing more about this kit, .

Cheers, .

G

Barracuda MCS is attached by velcro stripes not by magnets. MCS is only 5 mm thick, which makes it a challenge to build in scale. Barracuda MCS was developed by Saab Group, not Rheinmetall.

Hi Hans,

I am no expert, but I notice that the Barracuda MCS you refer to as being installed using velcro is from SAAB.

If you look, my comments were aimed at the Rheinmetall MCS which, according to the Haynes manual on the Challenger 2, is fitted with strong magnets (see image below).

I guess the information in the book could be wrong, or it is simply a case of two different systems, from two different manufacturers, having two different installation methods.

At the end of the day, especially in 1/35th scale, it's not important how the system is attached, it's the overall appearance that I was suggesting would be an interesting element to model,

!

A merry Christmas one and all, and cheers,

.

G