Challenger with enhanced armour.

[Guest]

Finally I have come around to build my first Challenger 2.
I have had all the bits and pieces for some time and have decided to build up this version.
But, the Tamiya kit does not have the anti slip texture, so you are left to your own devices. And mine was to use the fine MIG anti-slip paste for 1/72 scale rather than the coarse 1/35 paste. This was followed up with a dusting of 'Hull Tex' texture sand put on while the paste was still wet. I did try the Rustoleum product on a scrap model, but found out of two tins the firs gave a gasp and that was it, and the second sprayed either full blast or just a whisper... Needless to say it was worth a try, but i would not want it on a model I was going to build.
So, here are the bits minus the AA bar armour, which has been put away to prevent damage.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]
The goodies for applying the anti-slip...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]
And the results so far...
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n[/ATTACH]
You could mask of the whole model and then add the paste, but I have chosen to work a little at a time.
One thing I have found on the kit is that the rear of the turrte rubs on the 'rubber' bar before the engine deck - this will need lifting about half a mm or more for clearance.
More later,
Mike.

[BigGreg]

CHAIR PULLED... :-) :-)

[Road of Bones]

This should be a belter. Nice work on the anti-slip Mike :thumb2:
When I first returned to the hobby, this was one of the first kits I obtained. I painted it in Tamiya XF59 with a brush- that’s when I discovered that the modern version of Tamiya paints were utter bobbins for brush painting, and that XF 59 is really too dark for Brit armour. It now languishes in a dusty box at the bottom of a wardrobe...:flushed:

[Jim R]

Definitely in for this. Love your builds. VMS has some very interesting products. Just ordered some of their stuff to try.
Jim

[Guest]

CHAIR PULLED... :-) :-)

Welcome - tea and biscuits - yes please, I will have some...

[Guest]

This should be a belter. Nice work on the anti-slip Mike :thumb2:
When I first returned to the hobby, this was one of the first kits I obtained. I painted it in Tamiya XF59 with a brush- that’s when I discovered that the modern version of Tamiya paints were utter bobbins for brush painting, and that XF 59 is really too dark for Brit armour. It now languishes in a dusty box at the bottom of a wardrobe...:flushed:

Alistair,
I know the feeling, I have a Challenger 1 still in the process and still under the bench - Oh! the shame....

[Guest]

Definitely in for this. Love your builds. VMS has some very interesting products. Just ordered some of their stuff to try.
Jim

Hello Jim,
If you are getting the Hull Tex, it also comes with the cement, as a two part pack. Make sure that the area is wet before applying the sand which is in a 'puffer' bottle. And allow it to dry before shaking off the excess and then any missed areas can be rectified with more cement and sand. Once happy then allow to dry and go over again with the cement just by touching the brush and letting it flow, no need to brush it on.
Mike.

[Guest]

Hi Mike ready for another lesson, note book at the ready, let the magic begin.
Pete.

[Guest]

Hi Mike ready for another lesson, note book at the ready, let the magic begin.
Pete.

That's what I like, glutton for punishment. Not a lot happening at the moment, just getting the non slip done and then it can go away and dry out befor I do any more work there, but plenty of brass to go on with...
Mike

[JR]

Hi Mike.
Right get the dog out of my chair !
In for this, like VMS stuff, their flesh CA for example is spot on.

[Steve Jones]

Another MikeC master class! Lots of goodies to get your teeth into. Good luck

[Mr Bowcat]

In for the build Mike. This was the first kit I built when I started in the hobby 3 years ago. I still look at it from time to time to see how my skills have progressed since.

[papa 695]

Just pulled up a chair Mike.

[Guest]

In for the build Mike. This was the first kit I built when I started in the hobby 3 years ago. I still look at it from time to time to see how my skills have progressed since. :smiling3:

Bob,
Welcome, I do that with a Chieftain I built when I first retired , the memories of the struggles...
Mike

[Guest]

Just pulled up a chair Mike.

Hello Ian, take a chair JR and Pete Low are somewhere.
Mike.