- Plastic model kit, assembly and paint required.
- Glue & paint not included.
- Skill Level 3
- 129 parts
- Dimensions: approximate 6.3" L x 1.9" W
- Box dimensions: 9.6” L x 6.25” W x 1.4” H
- Recommend for 10 years and above.
The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 is a British main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army from 1983 to the mid-1990s, when it was superseded by the Challenger 2.
The Challenger was built by the Royal Ordnance Factories (ROF). Challenger 1 entered service with the British Army in 1983 and production ceased in 1990 at a cost of around £2 million each.
The most advanced aspect of the Challenger 1 design was its Chobham armour, which gave protection far superior to any monolithic Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA), then standard of western tank armour material. This armour was later adopted by other designs, including the American M1 Abrams. Additionally, the hydropneumatic suspension provided outstanding cross-country performance through the long suspension arm travel and controlled bump and rebound behaviour offered.
221 Challenger tanks were deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Granby, the UK operation in the 1991 Gulf War. In the original deployment, the 7th Armoured Brigade included two armoured regiments, the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars and the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, both equipped with 57 of the latest Mark 3 version of the Challenger 1. On 22 November 1990, it was decided to add the 4th Armoured Brigade to the force, under the umbrella of 1st (UK) Armoured Division. The new brigade had a single Challenger regiment, 14th/20th King's Hussars, equipped with 43 Challenger 1 tanks and reinforced by a squadron of the Life Guards. They were equipped with the Mark 2 version of the tank, which was upgraded by armouring the storage bins for the 120 mm charges as well as the additional armour fitted to the Mark 3's.
During Operation Granby (Desert Shield/Storm) it was decided that the 1st (UK) Armoured Division would be placed under the command of the US VII Corps. This corps would form the armoured fist of the Coalition forces, tasked with destroying the bulk of the Iraqi forces. The forces of VII corps crossed the Saudi border into Iraq, and then crossed into Kuwait. The 1st (UK) Armoured Division was the easternmost unit in VII Corp's sector, its Challenger tanks forming the spearhead of the advance. The division advanced nearly 350 km within 97 hours, destroying the Iraqi 46th Mechanised Brigade, 52nd Armoured Brigade and elements of at least three infantry divisions belonging to the Iraqi 7th corps in a series of battles and engagements. They captured or destroyed about 120 tanks and a very large number of armoured personnel carriers, trucks, reconnaissance vehicles, etc.
The Revell Germany model kit is an accurate representation of the British Challenger 1. Decal markings for 17/21 Lancers or The Queen’s Royal Hussars.
Kit Features:
- True-to-orignal surface details
- Moveable cannon, rotating turret
- Detailed road wheels
- Waterslide decals, Markings for 2 versions
- Illustrated assembly guide.
This model is a great addition to your collection.
