Book Review of
Challenger 2
British Main Battle Tank of the Gulf War
Author: Rob Griffin
Pen & Sword Tank Craft Series
ISBN: 9781526756572
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $28.95
By Ray Mehlberger
MSRP: $28.95
HISTORY:
The pioneering tank crews of WWI would be astonished by the advances made in the design of armoured fighting vehicles over the last 100 years. The result in the Challenge 2 main battle tank, the current MBT in service with the British Army.
In terms of its speed, maneuverability and firepower, and the protection it offers its crews, the Challenger 2 is one of the most advanced and sophisticated tanks ever built, and it is a popular subject with tank modelers and enthusiasts.
THE BOOK:
Pen & Sword Co. Ltd. Is based in the UK.
This book is soft-cover of 64 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art at the top shows a color photo of Brian Richardson’s Built up Challenger 2 in 1/35th scale by Tamiya brand.
The middle row of color photos shows a Challenger 2 in the left photo firing its main gun. The Challenger 2 in the center photo is running over a car and the photo on the right shows a front view of the tank.
At the bottom of the cover there is a color side-view profile of the Challenger 2.
The back cover of the book shows 3 color photos and a color-side view profile.
The top photo is of the Dragon 1/72nd scale Challenger 2 built but not yet painted.
The second photo shows the turret top parts in the Dragon & Trumpeter brand 1/35th scale kits.
At the bottom is a color side profile of a Challenger 2 that is in a tan and dark green wave pattern with a white circled no. 22 on the sides of its turret and at the front of the side skirts without the circle.
This volume in the Tank Craft series, features 4 black and white photos and 70 color ones of actual Challenger 2 tanks and 8 specially commissioned color profiles.
Photos include: 3 of the engine, 2 of the transmission, 2 of the interior, a photo of the machine gun, 5 of the Challenger 2 as a bridge-layer, 1 as a plow and 4 as a fascine-layer.
It is absorbing reading and such a valuable work of reference.
Archive photos of the Challenger 2 in service and extensively researched profile illustrations depict the tank throughout its operational life. This book showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complimented by a gallery of 4 beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales.
These are:
The Tamiya brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Steve Abbey, showing 17 color photos of it.
The Dragon brand 1/72nd scale Challenger 2 by modeler Timothy Neate, showing 14 color photos of it.
The Tamiya brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Brian Richardson. (shown also on the front cover of the book). Showing 11 color photos of it.
The Trumpeter brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Kirk Ashley Morgan, showing 14 color photos of it.
There is a tiny 5-view line drawing in the book of the Challenger 2.
Model kits of the Challenger 2 shown are of:
Airfix Quick Build kit no. J6010 Desert Challenger & kit no. J6022 Temperate (green) Challenger 2.
Bronco brand Challenger 2 MBT 1/35TH Scale workable track link set AB3523 (plastic)
Dragon brand kit no. 14028, 1/144th scale Challenger 2 & Warrior Combi-pack.
Dragon brand kit no. 7222. 1/72nd scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Dragon brank kit no. 7285, 1/72nd scale with dozer blade & ERA side armor.
Dragon brand kit no. 7287, 1/72nd scale with full ERA & Bar armour.
Tamiya brand kit no. 35274, 1/35th scale desertized kit.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07214, 1/72ns scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07222, 1/72nd scale with dozer blade & ERA side armour KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00308, 1/35th scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00323, 1/35th scale desertized kit, Iraq 2003.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00345, 1/35th scale with dozer blade & ERA side armour KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 01522, 1/35th scale with full ERA and Bar armour.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07215, 1/72nd scale desertized kit.
Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field, are examined and provide everything the modeler needs to recreate representation of the Challenger 2.
The last page of the book shows black and white cover arts of 15 other books in Pen and Sword Tank Craft series:
“Tiger II Tanks”, “Sherman Tanks”, “Panther Tanks”, “Churchill Tanks”, “Panzer IV”, “Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer”, “Achilles & M10”, Panzer I & II, “The Jeep”, “M2/M3” and “Bren Gun Carrier”.
THE AUTHOR:
Rob Griffin joined the British Army in 1967 as a 17-year-old junior leader and served for many years as a crewman in AFVs in the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards in BAOR, BATUS, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, the UK and Bosnia.
A recognized expert on post-war British armour, he has written a number of books and articles on the tanks of the Cold War period, including works on the FV-213 Conqueror, Chieftain, Challenger I and FV432.
This book will be of great interest to modelers planning on building a kit of the Challenger 2 and to armor historians alike.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers, the N. American distributor of Pen & Sword books. All Pen & Sword titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
The pioneering tank crews of WWI would be astonished by the advances made in the design of armoured fighting vehicles over the last 100 years. The result in the Challenge 2 main battle tank, the current MBT in service with the British Army.
In terms of its speed, maneuverability and firepower, and the protection it offers its crews, the Challenger 2 is one of the most advanced and sophisticated tanks ever built, and it is a popular subject with tank modelers and enthusiasts.
THE BOOK:
Pen & Sword Co. Ltd. Is based in the UK.
This book is soft-cover of 64 pages in 8 ¼” x 11 ¾” page format.
The cover art at the top shows a color photo of Brian Richardson’s Built up Challenger 2 in 1/35th scale by Tamiya brand.
The middle row of color photos shows a Challenger 2 in the left photo firing its main gun. The Challenger 2 in the center photo is running over a car and the photo on the right shows a front view of the tank.
At the bottom of the cover there is a color side-view profile of the Challenger 2.
The back cover of the book shows 3 color photos and a color-side view profile.
The top photo is of the Dragon 1/72nd scale Challenger 2 built but not yet painted.
The second photo shows the turret top parts in the Dragon & Trumpeter brand 1/35th scale kits.
At the bottom is a color side profile of a Challenger 2 that is in a tan and dark green wave pattern with a white circled no. 22 on the sides of its turret and at the front of the side skirts without the circle.
This volume in the Tank Craft series, features 4 black and white photos and 70 color ones of actual Challenger 2 tanks and 8 specially commissioned color profiles.
Photos include: 3 of the engine, 2 of the transmission, 2 of the interior, a photo of the machine gun, 5 of the Challenger 2 as a bridge-layer, 1 as a plow and 4 as a fascine-layer.
It is absorbing reading and such a valuable work of reference.
Archive photos of the Challenger 2 in service and extensively researched profile illustrations depict the tank throughout its operational life. This book showcases available model kits and aftermarket products, complimented by a gallery of 4 beautifully constructed and painted models in various scales.
These are:
The Tamiya brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Steve Abbey, showing 17 color photos of it.
The Dragon brand 1/72nd scale Challenger 2 by modeler Timothy Neate, showing 14 color photos of it.
The Tamiya brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Brian Richardson. (shown also on the front cover of the book). Showing 11 color photos of it.
The Trumpeter brand 1/35th scale Challenger 2 by modeler Kirk Ashley Morgan, showing 14 color photos of it.
There is a tiny 5-view line drawing in the book of the Challenger 2.
Model kits of the Challenger 2 shown are of:
Airfix Quick Build kit no. J6010 Desert Challenger & kit no. J6022 Temperate (green) Challenger 2.
Bronco brand Challenger 2 MBT 1/35TH Scale workable track link set AB3523 (plastic)
Dragon brand kit no. 14028, 1/144th scale Challenger 2 & Warrior Combi-pack.
Dragon brand kit no. 7222. 1/72nd scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Dragon brank kit no. 7285, 1/72nd scale with dozer blade & ERA side armor.
Dragon brand kit no. 7287, 1/72nd scale with full ERA & Bar armour.
Tamiya brand kit no. 35274, 1/35th scale desertized kit.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07214, 1/72ns scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07222, 1/72nd scale with dozer blade & ERA side armour KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00308, 1/35th scale Royal Scots Dragoon Guards KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00323, 1/35th scale desertized kit, Iraq 2003.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 00345, 1/35th scale with dozer blade & ERA side armour KFOR.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 01522, 1/35th scale with full ERA and Bar armour.
Trumpeter brand kit no. 07215, 1/72nd scale desertized kit.
Technical details as well as modifications introduced during production and in the field, are examined and provide everything the modeler needs to recreate representation of the Challenger 2.
The last page of the book shows black and white cover arts of 15 other books in Pen and Sword Tank Craft series:
“Tiger II Tanks”, “Sherman Tanks”, “Panther Tanks”, “Churchill Tanks”, “Panzer IV”, “Jagdpanther Tank Destroyer”, “Achilles & M10”, Panzer I & II, “The Jeep”, “M2/M3” and “Bren Gun Carrier”.
THE AUTHOR:
Rob Griffin joined the British Army in 1967 as a 17-year-old junior leader and served for many years as a crewman in AFVs in the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards in BAOR, BATUS, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, the UK and Bosnia.
A recognized expert on post-war British armour, he has written a number of books and articles on the tanks of the Cold War period, including works on the FV-213 Conqueror, Chieftain, Challenger I and FV432.
This book will be of great interest to modelers planning on building a kit of the Challenger 2 and to armor historians alike.
I want to sincerely thank Casemate Publishers, the N. American distributor of Pen & Sword books. All Pen & Sword titles can be viewed on Casemate’s website at:
Highly recommended.