OwenEldridge

Could you describe the method you used to paint the tracks? Also, where did you source the chain from?

Bronco Workable tracks now assembled

Used out of the bottle at 40 psi. Here's an article explaining the technique: http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=382

I've finally got some paint on 11B. The model was basecoated/preshaded/modulated with Tamiya Nato Green, Black Green, and Dark Green. While I let this dry for a few days I mixed up my own British desert yellow sand color using about six different Tamiya paints until I got it just about right (to my eyes). The model looks more green in these photos than it does in person, but my lighting wasn't cooperating today so I think that's the best I'll get for now. I gave the model a coat of hairspray in the areas I would be depicting the scratches present in the photos of the real 11B. I've viewed several hundred wartime photos of the Challenger 2 in Iraq over the course of this build and I've found that 11B appears to have the least amount of chipping and fading of any of the Challengers that served in Operation Telic 1. This makes for somewhat of a boring model if weathering is everything to you, but I'm going for historical accuracy on this one rather than an attempt to use every weathering product in my modeling arsenal. Not surprisingly, something that was intended to be a quick project using a kit that essentially falls together has turned into a drawn out rivet counting fest. I'm currently trying to decide if I should attempt to depict a few extra details such as: 1. A rectangular box mounted to the top of the right armor skirt (The Eduard PE set supplies this) 2. The large camouflage tarp draped on the front and sides of the tank 3. An orange and white (air identification?) square draped on the rear of the turret 4. A canvas cover on the roll of wire near the jerry cans So unless I decide to add these extra details, my Challenger 2 is now painted and ready for the final weathering phases.

This is where I got bogged down on my build of the same tank (See the link below). The Voyager set doesn't include the commander's shield and I didn't feel like shelling out another hundred dollars for the ET M1A1 TUSK set. Then the RFM kit what released and I thought about purchasing it just for the shield. Seeing the shield up close I'm not sure I will now.

I just received "Shot and Captured" in the mail. Incredible photos. Several great photos of 11B as well. Thanks for the recommendation John_W.

I've now completed most of the etch work and I've done some test fitting for photos. I'll start the painting process as soon as "Shot And Captured" arrives in the mail. The side skirts and CIP panels will be removed for painting. Any tips or suggestions are welcome.

I've made more progress on the Challenger 2. I've decided to finish this model as "11B" of HQ Squadron Command Troop of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Using several photos of 11B for reference, I've attempted to replicate the folds in the canvas of the dust mitigation side skirts and the heavily dented fuel drum. The Bronco workable track links went together without any issues and are a huge improvement over the rubber bands provided by Tamiya.

I used Mr Surfacer 500.

Here is the first build update. The no-slip texture was recreated by spraying Mr. Surfacer through an airbrush at 40 PSI.

I finished the side skirts and the loader's armored gun shield. Next I'll start with the TUSK ERA.

I use some needle nose pliers, tweezers, a hobby knife, my fingernails, and my 20/15 vision.

I use Scotch brush on super glue for the photo etch and Testors cement for the plastic parts. I prefer the Testors cement over Tamiya extra thin because it gives me more time to align parts.

My aftermarket sets arrived from HobbyEasy.

I received the side skirts from HobbyEasy and I was very impressed with their prices and handling time. You can see use of the other products I ordered here Anyways, on with the photos...

Another update...I finished the six shot smoke launchers and their adjacent stowage boxes...all hinges are workable. I also added the small grab handles to the back of the turret and detailed the commander's cupola. I'm a little more anxious about the commander's shield because I haven't been hearing the most optimistic remarks about the new RFM kit I would be using as a donor. I still have time to plan though. Next I think I'll work on the loader's shield and the CSAMM for the .50 cal.

I had considered leaving it unpainted. But every time I look at photos of "Bad Blessing" I become convinced that it will look even more impressive with a good paint job.

I don't think I'm going to burn out any time soon. I find photo etch work relaxing...at least with armor. The Voyager instructions are clear for the most part and I have about a two thousand high resolution photos of the Abrams so research needed for the project is minimal. This is much less demanding than rigging that Sopwith 2F1...

I've now completed the bustle rack and bustle rack extension as well as the APU. Next is the smoke launchers and the smoke grenade stowage boxes.

I just wasn't sure about Hobby easy as I've never purchased from them. I usually try to make my purchases from Ebay or US/UK hobby dealers.

There are plenty of stray superglue marks on this build. But whenever I can't scrape the glue off of a photo etch assembly then it gets to spend some time under the candle...that's what the soot on left engine grill is from.

I recently purchased this kit and plan to start building as soon as I have all of the aftermarket sets I need. I plan to purchase the Bronco individual track links but I'm undecided on what photo etch set to purchase. The ET set looks very complete, but it's quite a bit more expensive than the Voyager or Eduard counterparts. Any recommendations? I'm also looking at purchasing Real Model's "Stowage And Menu Set For Challenger II" as this includes a resin camouflage tarp...something present in almost all of the photos of the Challenger 2 taken in 2003. The only problem is that the only place I could find it in stock is Hobby Easy. Does anyone here have experience with them?

Here is the progress I've made on the bustle rack. The Voyager set didn't include enough brass wire for both bustle racks to I ended up having to buy some aftermarket brass wire for my aftermarket kit. Another thing that's notably missing from the Voyager M1A1 Tusk set is the commander's 360 shield that appeared on tanks of the 1st Battalion, 35th Armored regiment in 2008. The ET M1A1 TUSK set provides this, but I wasn't aware of that set at the time I collected aftermarket for this build. RFM just released a 3 in 1 Abrams Tusk kit that does include this part as well as decals for "Bad Blessing", a tank from that specific battalion. I plan to purchase the RFM kit and use those parts and decals for this build The Tankograd book includes some good reference photos of this tank. Right now I'm working on the bustle rack extension (BRE) and the APU. Any parts that would be painted in FS33446 sand (this includes the Tusk components as well as the BRE) will be left off until I paint the NATO camouflage scheme...but I'm quite a ways away from that stage.

Here is one of my current projects, a Dragon M1A1 Abrams which I'm upgrading to TUSK specifications. With this project my goal is to use as much photo etch as possible. Here are the photos of the aftermarket I'm using as well as some of the progress I've made in my build. Since I took these photos I've started working on the bustle racks and I should have images of those soon.

Thanks everyone.