Tamiya Challenger 1

[rustybaer]

I still look at this thing every time I'm at the bench......

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

I'm thinking Ferrari Red!

[rustybaer]

Combat Ferrari.

[rustybaer]

Off the rack of stalled projects and back to the bench! I have enough pics and drawings to do the much more common turret stowage bin, so off came the Tamiya part which I know now was more of a prototype/very early production part. I may scratch the bin or modify another Tamiya part from the later issue Op Granby tank, which btw still ahs the "incorrect" bin, but since I scored the later issue kit for, you guessed it, beer money, I have that option. I also want to use the extra fuel drums from the later kit, so I'll have to do some mods to the rear hull as well. Only prob is the later kit came w/o instructions. And if I can find an example, the add-on bow armor is pretty cool looking too.
IMG_2868 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
As it sits now, bin cut off and next to the "new" part. Oops on Mr. T's part here......

[rustybaer]

I decided to scratch the whole bin, easier than trying to use the old one given that the proper shape is actually larger due to the simple single radius corners. So here's the basic structure. I used a couple of Sherman return rollers to give me an easy way to get the corner shape, and covered the thing in .020" card stock.
IMG_2870 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
And the turret rear ready to receive the new bin:
IMG_2871 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
After some light fix-it things around the house I'll start detailing it and do the lid.

[JCON]

Good job!!!

[rustybaer]

Bin is about half way there, gotta figure out the hinges, do the lid and add the water can rack to the back:
IMG_2875 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Test fit:
IMG_2872 by Russel Baer, on Flickr

[Beekster]

As usual Russ, your scratchbuilding is top-notch. Shaping up really really well!

[rustybaer]

T'anks!

[JCON]

That looks really good!!!

[mustang1989]

Dec 17, 2021 18:13:08 GMT -6 rustybaer said:

I still look at this thing every time I'm at the bench......

I know that feeling aaaaaaaaaaaallllll too well. I had an Arado 234 in plain sight for 2-1/2 years before I finally finished it and now I've got a resin 1980 Malibu body that I really wished I had a replacement body for that's been sitting in front of me for 3 years. One of these days..............


This project of yours is looking great Russ.

[rustybaer]

I've got an M10 and a T-72 staring at me, both of them started 6 or so years ago...... It's like Chucky, just staring at me.
But back the the Chally: I found two pics of one in Kosovo, circa 2000, with the full add-on armor kit and no extra fuel tank brackets, so that's what I'm gonna do. First up, the bin, test fitted with the lid on and started. I just need the hinges, footman loops and the jerry can rack on the back of it.
IMG_2879 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
And then the front, with the nose armor on:
IMG_2878 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
One hitch: the side armor is spaced off the hull and Tamiya have it attached to the hull directly. That means I'll be scratching  the mounting brackets, something I'll have to approximate it as I have no pics of one with the blocks off and mounts on. Piece 'o cake!

[rustybaer]

Finally, the bin is done.
IMG_2882 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_2881 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
There's an oil can that goes on, looking for the PE bracket still......

[mustang1989]

I'd call that a definite success. It's a frickin' model all by itself.

[rustybaer]

May 9, 2022 14:04:40 GMT -6 mustang1989 said:

I'd call that a definite success. It's a frickin' model all by itself.

It took as long to make as some whole kits....  

[Steve Ski]

Dang, I almost missed this one, Beauty! Lotsa detailing, looks great Rusty!

[rustybaer]

Thanks Steve. I started out to do this largely OOB, just adding some much-needed PE, and it kind of got out of hand when I got a couple of reference books and actually did a little research. Oh well, it's more fun this way.

[Beekster]

Isn't that the truth about scratchbuilt additions...they are models in and of themselves, and they often take as long as the standard construction of the kit they're a part of. Beautiful bin you have there, Russ.

[rustybaer]

Thanks Greg. I just couldn't live with the early, almost prototype bin in the kit.
So, work on the skirts is started. Mount on the hull are on, and some detail on the backs of the skirts too. I have very little for reference here, but most of it is hidden anyway, and bound  to be an improvement on what the kit has as standard. The big plates are spaced off the hull by about 1mm.
IMG_2884 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
And with the turret on, grease gun mounted:
IMG_2885 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I'm still off work, so lots of modeling time!

[JCON]

Coming along nicely!!!