I like the Challenger, I like the Tamiya kits, both Cr1 and Cr2, and have been adding both to my stash for a while. I’ve also been adding to my AM stash for both kits, and even a couple of Trumpeter Cr2 kits for parts. Being at the priming/painting stage on everything I have in progress and not feeling the urge to paint yet, I pulled one of the Cr1 kits out and pretty much all the applicable AM. I’ve got a lot of AM for these things. I also thought it would a good idea to build at least one before I get the urge to spend a bunch on the new Trumpeter Cr1.
Anyway, pic of the kit and a truckload of AM:
IMG_5170 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
The first couple of evenings at the bench and I had the hull well along, sponsons blocked off and some detailing and corrections begun.
IMG_5171 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
Another couple of hours and the Scorpion Model Miniatures (SMM) auxiliary fuel drum mounts were on and the running gear assembled.
IMG_5172 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
The SMM fuel drums and mounts are very nice, requiring only a little cleanup. I’ll be using quite a few more parts from them on this build, stuff that I had to scratchbuild on the first two Cr1’s I built a couple of years ago.
This is the part of a build that always floats my boat, fitting tracks, Friuls in this case.
IMG_5179 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
I had a set of R-Model tracks ready to go but they had a lot of tweaked links. I’ll still use them, just not yet.
I’m into the small details and corrections now. Tamiya used a prototype or very early hull to model their kit from so some corrections are in order. Also, the actual Op Granbury tanks had some other bits that Tamiya didn’t do but the SMM parts cover all that.
IMG_5180 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_5181 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
IMG_5182 by Russel Baer, on Flickr
In the pic just above the really nifty tool box latches from Elefant Model are visible. They’re 3D printed and surprisingly easy to use. I like 'em.
Quite an aftermarket stock! Looks as if you’re ready to deck this one out. I’ll keep watching!
Gary
It’s getting the full Monty for sure.
I’ve been grabbing AM stuff for a few years now and figured since Trumpeter is set to release a new-tool kit od the Cr1 it was a good time to use as much of it as I could. I have two more kits in the stash too…
Lots to show on this build. The turret is coming along nicely, probably because I’m not having to do a lot of scratch building. The SMM parts (in gray) are pretty good and a whole lot faster to use than having to make my own or even modify kit parts.
I used wire to replace all the footman’s loops on the turret and the SMM PE parts for the turret weld reinforcements around the main sight and TISH housing.
I have the side skirt mounts fron a Tamiya Cr2 on, and the skirt sections ready.
