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Armor/AFV: Modern Armor
Modern armor in general.
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Whos Challenger is the best?
woodstock74
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North Carolina, United States
Joined: December 28, 2002
KitMaker: 1,189 posts
Armorama: 692 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 12:55 AM UTC
I've noticed Challenger kits by Tamiya, Trumpeter, Hobby Craft, etc. I was actually able to look over the Hobby Craft kit via an open box at Hobby Lobby and was impressed having never seen what a Hobby Craft kit looks like (and at $18, very hard to beat compared to $40+ for Tamiya). So who else makes a Challenger kit and who do you feel is the best?
Sabot
Joined: December 18, 2001
KitMaker: 12,596 posts
Armorama: 9,071 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 01:47 AM UTC
Hobby Craft is a reboxer and does not make their own armor. Their kit is the Trumpeter kit.

Tamiya's new Challenger II is tops right now.
Kelley
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Georgia, United States
Joined: November 21, 2002
KitMaker: 1,966 posts
Armorama: 1,635 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 04:13 AM UTC
Mike, I agree with Sabot. I have all the Challenger kits and the Tamiya is the best.

Mike
mikeli125
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England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 2,595 posts
Armorama: 1,209 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 04:47 AM UTC
if your feeling flush go for the Accurate Armour chally 2 they had full assistance from the MoD to make and they also supply the MoD with their products,
viper29_ca
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New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: October 18, 2002
KitMaker: 2,247 posts
Armorama: 1,138 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 10:23 AM UTC
Although I haven't seen inside the Tamiya Chally 2, I am sure it is alot nicer than the Trumpeter/Hobbycraft offerings.

However, being the owner of 2 of the Trumpeter Chally 2s, which I paid a fraction for compared to the Tamiya Chally 2.

Really just depends on how much money you want to spend. Yes the Tamiya kits will probably fall together pretty quickly, and may be slightly more accurate. But for half the price, you can have a Trumpeter kit that may not quite fall together as well, and my not be as accurate, or as crisp detail, but you only paid half the price for it as well.

Here in Canada the Tamiya Chally 2s are going for like $55, I can turn around and pick up 2 Trumpeter Chally 2s and still have enough money for some paints and glue.

Just depends on what you are looking for.

Personally, I know the Tamiya one is probably nicer, but I have a hard time parting with $55 plus tax and shipping when I can get an almost as good Trumpeter kit for half that.
Henk
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: August 07, 2004
KitMaker: 6,391 posts
Armorama: 4,258 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 11:25 AM UTC

Quoted Text

if your feeling flush go for the Accurate Armour chally 2 they had full assistance from the MoD to make and they also supply the MoD with their products,



I know the MoD is saving money, but 1:35 Challengers?........would save a lot on transport cost though :-) :-) :-)
SSgt1Shot
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Kentucky, United States
Joined: December 01, 2004
KitMaker: 535 posts
Armorama: 161 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 11:37 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

if your feeling flush go for the Accurate Armour chally 2 they had full assistance from the MoD to make and they also supply the MoD with their products,



I know the MoD is saving money, but 1:35 Challengers?........would save a lot on transport cost though :-) :-) :-)



So that's where all the Gnomes and Hobbits went ... I knew the government was behind it. :-) :-)
nfafan
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Alabama, United States
Joined: August 01, 2003
KitMaker: 335 posts
Armorama: 315 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - 05:56 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Although I haven't seen inside the Tamiya Chally 2, I am sure it is alot nicer than the Trumpeter/Hobbycraft offerings.

However, being the owner of 2 of the Trumpeter Chally 2s, which I paid a fraction for compared to the Tamiya Chally 2.

Really just depends on how much money you want to spend. Yes the Tamiya kits will probably fall together pretty quickly, and may be slightly more accurate. But for half the price, you can have a Trumpeter kit that may not quite fall together as well, and my not be as accurate, or as crisp detail, but you only paid half the price for it as well.

Here in Canada the Tamiya Chally 2s are going for like $55, I can turn around and pick up 2 Trumpeter Chally 2s and still have enough money for some paints and glue.

Just depends on what you are looking for.

Personally, I know the Tamiya one is probably nicer, but I have a hard time parting with $55 plus tax and shipping when I can get an almost as good Trumpeter kit for half that.



Reviews on Perth indicate that Trump re-tooled (yes, Trump goes back and makes corrections) their original Chally 2 into "Op Tellic" and KFOR versions that are supposed to be quite decent kits for the price.
Rumor has it that the Hobbycraft re-box of the original Trump Chally 2 contains an "interim re-tool" version, non-Op Tellic - but has the decals.
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