This kit is the desertised Challenger 2 with the Chobham ERA on the sides and front, and as such the decals are for 3 vehicles from Iraq 2003. However I wanted to portray this as a BATUS vehicle, over in Canada to go alongside my AS90. This required a 2 tone sand/green camo pattern, black ID squares, and normal steel plate side skirts, which weren't included in the kit. Russ2471 kindly donated some spare Challenger 1 side skirts, which I duly cut to size and shape for Challenger 2 skirts. Some of the details aren't 100% accurate, but I don't care. For example the Scotland flags on the turret sides are as they would be if the vehicle belonged to one of the Scottish cavalry regiments, the same with the desert rat symbol on the main gun sight door. However I figured that although the vehicles at BATUS stay there, when a regiment is over training they might add a few home touches. The white 45 degree triangle on the turret was masked and sprayed, and indicates the guns arc of fire from the air, a common feature on all BATUS Challenger 2s.
The crew are meant to be wearing MTP. I did paint this on a 28mm figure once and got good results, however I am not so impressed this time. The pictures are crap, and please take my word that the uniforms are more green than the brown the pictures suggest.
Anyway, comments and criticism are most welcome. Enjoy!
Thanks
Very nice details too!!
seeing this type of modelling is the reason Im looking forward to my first kit in many many years !!
