My Challenger 2 journey so far

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Black Knight
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

Jimster wrote:I’m really enjoying this build thread! I can’t wait to see a video of the finished product. I’m about to dive into a Taigen Leopard 2 and I’m adding a TK-60 as well so your build is a good read for me. Thanks for making the effort to share your work.
Glad to be of service mate. It has genuinely been a journey for me so far. I used to make some pretty good models as a kid (mostly Airfix 1:72 or Tamiya 1:32 scale) but this is my first foray into the RC world !!! When I bought my tank I had originally decided it was too much for me and I was prepared to pay someone to paint it for me - thankfully that never happened or this trip would have been over long ago! It seems like every step/mod is a new mini-adventure with things to learn (about modelling and about the Challenger 2) along the way!

Next up = installation of the TK60 and programming to get the GBS operational. Then it'll be camo time (in between the odd play out!) :D
Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
Black Knight
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

PainlessWolf wrote:Good morning,
Your Build is a great example of taking an RTR tank and making it into something truly amazing. Excellent work and all the more impressive for that you learned as you went and did it yourself.
regards,
Painless
Many thanks mate. Hopefully it will fulfil it's original purpose - to attract attention to our charity stall - as well as provide me with a nice, theraputic project to get my teeth into !!!
Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
Black Knight
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

Bird table installation - I did this with the aim of being able to easily remove the assembly for travel/storage. In the end I put a tiny blob of blue tack in each of the three mounting "pots" to stop it from wobbling around or bouncing out when running on rough ground.ImageImageImageImageImageImage

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Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
Black Knight
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

The next phase - I decided to go the full Megatron look and used a pic from Bovington for inspiration. Unfortunately this meant that (a) the black look would be no more, (b) I would have to spend quite a few beer tokens with Forgebear to get the amount of scrim/cam netting I needed and (c) I would need to get myself an airbrush setup.ImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

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Black Knight
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

The hardest part (for me) with the painting project was (a) getting the right balance of colours and (b) finding the correct/closest shade of light green. Several attempts saw (in order) black, earth brown, olive green, light green and finally a darker green being applied/re-applied before a final top-coat of flat clear.ImageImageImageImageImageImageImageImage

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jimbo_wa
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by jimbo_wa »

Lovely work BN - will you be changing your user name to Scrim Knight now?

Looks as good as it runs, lot of effort put in there!

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Black Knight
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Posts: 242
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:58 am
Location: Sittingbourne Kent

Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

jimbo_wa wrote:Lovely work BN - will you be changing your user name to Scrim Knight now? Image

Looks as good as it runs, lot of effort put in there!

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Many thanks mate - appreciate the pat on the back. As to a name change - either that or 70 tonne Sniper :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

Now the (continued) wait for my control board before I get her mobile again and have a go at some video 8)
Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
Black Knight
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Posts: 242
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:58 am
Location: Sittingbourne Kent

Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

Eastern Front wrote:Nice job!!

When you first applied the camo netting to the gun, I was thinking it would not look that good, I was really surprised at just how good it really looks! Nice!!!

Great job, really!!

Cheers!
Many thanks mate - I had doubts throughout much of the process but I'm pleased with the results :D
Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
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Jimster
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Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Jimster »

Great thread! I’m about to add all my Clark goodies, GBS etc to my Leopard and your earlier posts will help a lot. These products should include some sort of written guidelines or instructions. I also have to mount my TK 60 inside the turret as well. Seems to be a daunting task but you have inspired me to soldier on. Thanks for sharing your efforts with us!
Black Knight
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Posts: 242
Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 12:58 am
Location: Sittingbourne Kent

Re: My Challenger 2 journey so far

Post by Black Knight »

Jimster wrote:Great thread! I’m about to add all my Clark goodies, GBS etc to my Leopard and your earlier posts will help a lot. These products should include some sort of written guidelines or instructions. I also have to mount my TK 60 inside the turret as well. Seems to be a daunting task but you have inspired me to soldier on. Thanks for sharing your efforts with us!
Very glad to have been able to help some way mate. I will be finalising this when my control board arrives (had to be sent back to Clark for some repair work!) and try to include some videos of the wole thing in motion/action :D
Always on the search for Bootneck-proof kit
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