Hello again,
I plan to do my Trumpeter 1/35 AS-90 in its desert scheme. I was just wondering if the AS-90s in Iraq wear the same overall sand as the Challenger 11s and if they recieve any add-ons like the Challenger 11s.
Thanks
Will
Hi Will
Best source for news images is google.co.uk images, as below, with some more info listed.
http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf2/Weapon.html
http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=160
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/2740663.stm note unusual track sag here
http://www.d-2-128.org/armorid/as90.htm note stowage, air recognition and sag to barrel boot
http://www.armedforces.co.uk/army/listings/army6b4.htm note stowage, boot sag, heavy staining to barrel & hatch interior colour.
Barrel lengths are listed above as 39, 45, or 51 calibres, not sure about 45 though!
The 39 Cal version of AS90 is the correct type for Op Telic 2003, I don’t know of any 52 calibre guns in the Gulf, as only photos of that I have seen are Mfr shots & those taken at Royal School of Artillery, Larkhill, in green/black camo.
Accurate Armour do a nice update, a Traxpack for the tracks, as well as a complete kit.
http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=4&subcategory=35&product=1312
Reviewed Here: http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/aa/aa_ao60.htm
Not necessary for a nice looking model, but the pics may prove inspirational!
Reviews of Trumpeter AS90: http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/vehicles/trumpeter/tr00324const.htm
http://groups.msn.com/Armoramauk/trumpeteras90.msnw
Don’t forget to search previous posts here as well, such as: /forums/625867/ShowPost.aspx
Bear in mind Heavy Artys comments re 39 Barrel length, quoted below:
" Also, the 39 cal barrel itself is too long with the length from the front of the fume extractor to the muzzle break being 76mm (3") while it should only be 55mm (2 3/16"). "
The AS90 turret has allegedly been fitted onto T-72 chassis for Trials in india, but no photos, which might be an interesting prototype build in another forum [(-D]
Jon UK
The Son of A Gunner!
Ohh, good info, I got one of these in my stash that I have to build sometime…
THANKYOU JON!!!
Will
To further illustrate the sag mentioned in earlier posts; here is a picture.
There are a few shots of the AS-90 in action in Iraq in the British Army Page click Operation Telic. Nice photos!
That is going to be rather difficult to recreate [sigh]
Will