Hi all

I've just recently completed(ok, almost completed) my first tank model.
Just have to add decals and the US accessories(Tamiya M1A2).

Since I enjoyed a tank kit so much I ordered the Challenger 2 along with its PE set from Tamiya.

I've never worked with PE before. I know that I must use superglue to glue the PE parts to the tank. Are the PE parts attached after or prior to painting?

I know that TS-46 is the wrong colour for a Challenger 2 and there seems like there is some yellow in its sand colour?
Would a mix of Tamiyas XF-59 Desert Yellow+ Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow in a 50/50 or 60/40 mix result in the right colour?

I only have access to Tamiya paints.

Thanks

The PE set for the Tamiya Challenger 2 is one of the easiest anywhere, it's just a few grills which you should attach before painting.

There's a really good Challenger 2 article on Armorama which is worth a look, even if it isn't for the Desertised version

Challenger 2

Well you don't have to worry about that photo-etch ...It's just the screens..I always add a bit of black paint under my grills just in case . I did this kit a while back and if I remember I used Tamiya buff and tamiya's basic flat yellow about even amounts and added some white to lighten up the mix... Have fun with the kit,it was one of my favorite projects...



Rick

Hi guys

Thanks for the responses and advice, much appreciated.

Drader, thanks for the link, busy reading it now.

thebear, I'll give the buff and flat yellow a bash. If you don't mind me asking, how did u get ur tank to look like the real thing?

Thanks again

John

Yikes!!! I said buff and yellow with a bit of white ...it is buff and white with a bit of yellow...I was just going over some of the old posts Imade when I did this kit ...most don't have the pictures anymore ,but the final pictures are still there ..there are a few explanations as to how I painted it but if you need more help ,just pm me and I'll see what I can do ..I still have all the old pictures stored on my computer so if there is anything you need just ask and I'll post them for you ...here's the link to the final pictures I posted so long ago...

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/58488&page=1

Rick

This will produce a shade of yellow but not the light sandish colour that you are trying to get.

As john mention, start off with Tamiya Buff, mix some flat white (the paint) and a touch of flat yellow. From all the photos ive seen, there are as many shades of light sand applied as there are the number of actual challenger tanks itself so i dont believe there is one right shade for all.

Testors Model Master produce a British Gulf Sand color. Don't know if it's available in their acrylic line, though. If you use the enamel, apply it before you install the tracks, as enamel thinners cause Tamiya's glueable soft plastic to dry out and crumble. If you use aftermarket trtacks, this wouldn't be a problem of course.

Testors Sand is for the previous Gulf War, not Operation Telic. In theory, the current colour should be yellowish (it certainly photographs that way) but obviously not everyone had access to the specified paint and spectrum of 'Sand' colours was used depending on availability.