Challenger 1

Manufacturer: Revell AG.

• Challenger 1: Kit #03110
• Challenger 1 KFOR: Kit #03120

These are some of thefinest models I have ever seen. The KFOR version is the same asthe basic Challenger kit, with an additional sprue of parts withthe add-on armor seen on the KFOR and Gulf War versions of theChallenger. In fact, the new sprue is even labeled as"Desert".

The kit exhibits Revell'snow-standard, exceptionally high quality moldings. No flash orsinkmarks. The detail is amazingly abundant, and very crisplymolded. The driver's and commander's hatches are molded open, butnot the gunner's hatch. I wish the pioneer tools were moldedseparately, but at least they have good relief.

It's difficult to see onthis scan, but the chassis is extremely detailed, with beautifulbolt detail modeled around the axles. Of course, none of thiswill be visible when constructed, unless wheels are left off fora diorama. The wheels themselves are great.

The tracks are superb. Thecommander's 7.62mm MG is fantastic, and the thermal shroud on themain gun is also incredibly well done for a plastic kit. A goodpaint job brings out the cloth texture beautifully. OK, I am nowout of superlatives. Have I made my point that this kit is reallyreally good?

This sprue shows my maincomplaint about this kit, the turret stowage bins, which aremolded as solid pieces of plastic. These are best replaced withscratch-built parts, or etched brass replacements, from Extratech .

This final sprue includesthe additional armor and is included only in the KFOR kit. Again,very nicely done. After the initial release of the Challenger 1,I was going to scratchbuild this add-on armor, using the 1/35thresin Verlinden set as a guide, but now Revell has saved me theeffort.

The decals on the left arefrom the Challenger 1 kit, and the sheet on the right is from theKFOR kit. The SFOR markings on the left are incorrect, in thatthey should have been printed in white, not black. These are allprinted to Revell's high standard, but when I built myChallenger, I noticed that the rectangular red and yellow[convoy?] markings were too large to fit in the appropriatelocation. The KFOR version looks a little smaller.

These are fantasticmodels, some of the best I've seen, and I highly recommend them.