Continuing with their popular 'Modelling the' series is this one on the British Challenger 1 and Challenger 2 MBT (Main Battle Tank). The Challenger 2 is the current version being used by the British so is in every way the modern tank. The earlier version is (or at least was) being used along side the more modern variant. Both types have been exported to various nations.

In this book, the authors had to make a choice between putting in the usual introductory stuff (like a history page and one on tools and materials), or providing us with articles and chose the latter. This means that ancillary pages are basically one of kits/accessories and references. Few who are regular readers of this series will miss these pages.

As with other books in the 'Osprey Modelling' series, this one consists of several build articles, each one given a degree of difficulty along with a list of aftermarket parts and references. Of course, the degree of difficulty is somewhat arbitrary as each author makes that determination. This author uses a range of 1 - 5 with 5 being the most complex.

Here is what is in this volume:

Tamiya 1/35 Challenger 1 Mk 3, Kings Royal Hussars, 1999 (3)

Dragon 1/72 Challenger 2, Scots Dragoon Guards, 2003 (1)

Revell 1/72 Challenger 1 Mk 3, Royal Brigade, 1991 (1)

Tamiya 1/35 Challenger 2, Royal Army of Oman, 2001 (3)

Accurate Armor 1/35 Challenger recovery Vehicle, 1995 (3)

Tamiya 1/35 Challenger 2, Royal Dragoon Guards, 2005 (3)

Tamya 1/35 Challener 1, Falcon turret, Jordan, 2005 (4)

Each of these build articles is well photographed and includes many 'in work' shots showing all the modifications done to each kit as well as painting and weathering information. This latter is most interesting as the author uses several techniques I'd not seen before, resulting in a very nice looking presentation.

I'm sure many modelers will appreciate the additional articles and like all in this series, it is a book that will come in useful to those interested in modeling the subject.

April 2006

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