Tamiya Challenger 1 MBT - COMPLETED!

[doogsatx/]

The Challenger is still existing! It's just been pushed back in the rush to try to get the Me 262 out the door.

I also became disenchanted with my base. The celluclay yanked on the foam as it cured, it seems, and since the foam wasn't attached to anything, it just bent up at all the corners. So the base no longer sits flat. It's a minor thing, but a REALLY ANNOYING minor thing.

Deciding to move that base into a proof of concept, I've opted to recreate the same scene but using a 9x12 frame as a my base.



That's the foam cut to size.

Here it is (hard to see) after some shaping.

[doogsatx/]

Feb 1, 2014 16:31:58 GMT -5 @m8rt said:

Paint job of the tank is surely top notch so far however i have a question about the sideskirts, i know they'll get later on for this one but how common is it for real life chally 1's to have no sideskirts installed, if at all?

I've never seen one without the side skirts. I'm sure one exists, but if it does it's rare.

[robbo]

Very neat build Mr Doogstax, interested to see how the new base turns out. Good question about the side skirts has anyone got any pics do you reckon?

[doogsatx/]

Been awhile since I've had anything to show on the Chally, so here's an update with the AK weathering portion done.

[rbaer]

Still looking good. That's the kit barrel? Looks really good with paint on it.

[jackh.]

Great look

[Deleted]

Feb 1, 2014 16:31:58 GMT -5 @m8rt said:

Paint job of the tank is surely top notch so far however i have a question about the sideskirts, i know they'll get later on for this one but how common is it for real life chally 1's to have no sideskirts installed, if at all?

It was quite common to see chally 1's without skirts on Salisbury plain, The resident opposing forces usually used ones without the skirts. Also it was not uncommon to see them without skirts during the winter months as the soil is predominantly chalk there when it's very wet it's like glue on the running gear so no skirts meant easier cleaning for maintanence.

[doogsatx/]

Have the house to myself this weekend, so I had some room to spread out in the kitchen and get Base Mk.II started.

[dupes]

Looking good! Shame about the base, though.

[doogsatx/]

Feb 16, 2014 14:18:06 GMT -5 dupes said:

Looking good! Shame about the base, though.

Eh, it's no biggie. It cost me essentially nothing in materials since I already had everything and didn't use up much of anything...and it was a great learning experience.

[doogsatx/]

Here's the base with the Challenger on it. Should start coating it tomorrow.



And the side skirts are just about ready for flat coating.

[Leon]

Coming along nicely Doogs.

[doogsatx/]

Laid down the celluclay for Base Mk.II just now.







Much more pleasurable experience doing this in 75 degrees and sunshine than in the upper 20s!

[Deleted]

good looking base, will set the chally off a treat

[jackh.]

Nice progress on the base.

[AndyArgent.]

Great build.Really anoying about the base.The new one is looking sweet though.

[doogsatx/]

The Challenger's base finally dried enough to do some work on it...basecoating with Vallejo black.



I'll be going back over it in the next few days with various olives, golds and browns in strategic locations before shifting to the mud and snow.

[bbd468]

Looks fantastic Doogs! Man, i love that CelluClay....good stuff that!

[pantherf..-Email Not Valid]

Superb work on the base, we could all learn something from you!


Especially me.    Need do make at least one of them before it's all over.






Jeff

[Mence]

Very nice, like it a lot.

[doogsatx/]

The latest...

[TRM]

Doing a mighty fine job on this one Doogs!!

[deafpanzer]

Looking great!!!

[doogsatx/]

Last night I started adding actual ground effects onto Base Mk.II, starting with a Woodland Scenics Snow/Landscape Cement/White Glue slush.





Need to figure out where I want to go next - mud effects or adding various dormant grass poking through the snow.

[heico]

Looks very good! The muddy tracks with the snow really bring out a realistic look.

[deafpanzer]

Yep snow looks GREAT!!! I find that Woodland Senic snow looks better on the ground only...

[ceresvesta.]

Superb build! turned out mighty nice. Congrats Doog!

[doogsatx/]

Got all sloppy last night with MIG Wet European Mud.









My butterfingers also dropped my jar of mineral spirits I use to clean brushes - the lid was only barely on so it came loose in midair - and it splashed all over the front fender. Totally messed up some of the AK work but at least it didn't stain the snow or anything. You can see where the AK Dust Effects just pooled next to the light.



Overall...I dig MIG's mud, but this is the rare mud that's maybe too dark. I'm probably going to go back with AK Earth Effects and then a few washes to vary things up a bit, then do some various varnishes to get a mix of wet and only damp. More to come!

[rbaer]

I can hear the wet gooey mud making those nasty smacking noises from here. Nice work.

[robbo]

Looking sweet mate