academy 1/48 challenger british main battle tank 1303

The 12-cylinder V-form diesel engine is made in a single block with the hydromechanical transmission. Challenger tanks were outfitted with an infrared sight for the gunner. The commander's periscopic sight has stabilized field of vision and is linked with the gunner's mainsight. The fire control system includes a laser sight-range finder and electronic ballistics computer. Most of the combat load consists of armor-piercing sub-caliber rounds, including those with depleted uranium alloy core. It too is armed with the 120-mm rifled cannon, but it was a more sophisticated version. The Challenger's configuration is basically the same as that of the Chieftain. Steel armor skirting is positioned on the sides.

The main differences between Challenger 1 and its predecessor Chieftain are the Challenger engine, which produces 1,200bhp at 2,300rpm, far more powerful than the Chieftain engine, and the Chobham Armour, which gives very high protection levels against anti armour weapons.Īlthough based on an improved version of the Chieftain, the Challenger was practically a new tank and its combat characteristics significantly exceed those of previous models, especially with respect to providing protection. After the Iranian Revolution the Shir Iran 2 project was taken over by the British Army and the end result was Challenger later redesignated as Challenger 1. With the cancellation of the Shir 2 for the Shah of Iran, Britain acquired the Challenger.Ĭhallenger is a development of the Centurion/Chieftain line, modified to produce the Shir/Iran 2 originally planned for service with the Iranian forces.

That was the tank that the experts wanted and which was due to replace the Chieftain in the late 1980s. It was a fine tank and gave excellent service, but by the late 1970s it was getting old in the tooth and was to be replaced by the MBT80. For years Britain relied on the Chieftain. The tank has rightly been called the virility symbol of the British Army.

Academy 1/48 challenger british main battle tank 1303