I've got a Tamiya Challenger 1Mk3 lying (somewhere) but would like to make an earlier one like a Mk1 version

However I have no reference on it; can anybody recomend a book with some good photo reference?

Does anybode out there know which regiment was issued Challengers first?

If anybody knowes of Challengers from the 17/21 Lancers or The Queens Lancers I'll apreciate being informed about it (- like names, lincesno. special markings etc.)

Well, I don't know about any books about the early challys but I do know that Tamiya put out a Challenger several years ago. It was probably at least 12-15 years ago. It was an early version. Check on ebay, they still pop up on there every once and a while. I built that kit and if I remember correctly, I was very happy with the way it turned out. Hope this helps.

Look for Challenger Squadron. Good history of the Challenger and good action shots.

There is a good posting on ML about how to backdate the Mk3 to a Mk1 but the Search function isn't working right now.

Paul

The Tamiya Challenger 1 Mk 3 still has the parts for the earlier version in the box. I've nearly finished building mine as a Mk2, and the Mk1 is the same, but without the thermal imaging sight (which you can't see anyway).

Agree with Paul about getting Challenger Squadron (Europa Militaria 29, published by Crowood) and you could also think about the Concord Armor at War Mini 7505. Later on this month the Osprey Modelling volume on the Challenger is coming out, check the review on this site.

The Challenger Mk.1 is externally no different than the Mk.3. The changes between the various marks were internal with only a few little nigly stowage differences visible on the exterior of the vehicle.

The Mk.1 did not have the TOGS site fitted even though the armoured housing was present. Thusly a Mk.1 should not be modelled with the TOGS door open as there would be nothing to see in there! The Tamiya kit can be used to represent an early vehicle but it should be noted that the shape of the turret bustle bin is wrong for a production vehicle. The bin included with the kit is correct for the 9 prototypes but this type of bin was never mounted on a production tank (Mk.1 and above).

It should be noted that a Mk.3 would not necessarily have the DL-2 armour kit installed. I know a lot of people make the mistaken assumption from the labelling of the second Tamiya kit that the Mk.3 was the label on up-armoured tanks. I think besides drive train changes, the armoured charge bins (in the fighting compartment) was one of the changes from the Mk.2 to the Mk.3.

I believe that the Royal Hussars were the first unit to receive the Challenger. The Osprey book is probably your best bet for markings reference. I don't have any specific reference on the Royal Hussars in the early 1980s but I would be they used pretty standard squadron and vehicle markings ... for which a pretty good source of generic registration codes nad markings would be the Echelon Challenger 1 decal sheet. Please note that the KRH decal included with the Echelon sheet would not be correct for 1983 as the King's Royal Hussars is an amalgamated regiment formed as part of the 'options for change' force reduction.

As was stated in a post above, the Europa Militaria book 'Challenger Squadron' is a must have for any Challenger 1 project. I have a complete list of Chally 1 reference material available on my personal website
right here.

Give me a shout offline if you have any further questions about the Challenger 1 as I did a hell of a lot of research for my own build.

Cheers - Dan

One of Concord's earlier books (in the 10XX series) on the British Army of the Rhine also has some nice earlier Challenger coverage. There's also the Osprey Elite 26 from the end of the 80s which has some Challenger coverage.

IIRC Challenger Squadron shows some of the first Challengers at the start of the book. Somewhere I also have a booklet produced after Lionheart which shows the first use of Challenger and Warrior, but it's ages since I last looked through it.

EDIT: the Concord book is 1012 BAOR Armoured Vehicles on exercise

Hi Dan

I’ve check your website on the Challenger project of yours – I guess all I need is there, there can’t be much else to know. I’ve ordered the book you recommended and awaits it to see more details.
I do not expect to make a model as find as yours though – it’s simply astonishing, a truly masterpiece.

Tamiya's Challenger 1 hull is based on the prototype, and was correct for (if I remember correctly) the first 19 or so production vehicles. Biggest change was the front applique plate on the glacis--it is assymmetrical on the kit, but later models need a sheet plastic fillet on one edge to make it match the other side. There is also a triangular fillet blending the plate more smoothly into the surrounding armor. On the Mk 3 kit, this correction can be skipped, as the ROMOR armor package pretty well conceals it.