Preview: A new Challenger & an Archer in April from Hobbyboss.

The Challenger II in 48th scale & the Swedish Archer wheeled artillery system in 35th are Hobbyboss' new items of April. We look at the colours, decals, & built-up kits in our preview...

Preview: A new Challenger & an Archer in April from Hobbyboss.

British Challenger II MBT 

by Hobbyboss

Model: 84852

1/48th scale

Further development of the Challenger 1 by Vickers Defence Systems resulted in the Challenger 2 MBT, of which 386 have been ordered by the British Army, with deliveries running from 1994 through to 2000. Oman has ordered 18 Challenger 2 MBTs. With the introduction of Challenger 2, all remaining Chieftain and Challenger 1 MBTs will be phased out of service with the British Army. Although similar in appearance to Challenger 1, the Challenger 2 MBT has many improvements, including a brand new turret armed with the latest 120mm L30 rifled tank gun firing a new APFSDS-T (Armour Piercing Fin Discarding Sabot Tracer) projectile with a depleted uranium penetrator. The new computerised fire control system, all-electric gun control and stabilising system, and stabilised sights for the commander and gunner give a high degree of first-round hit probability under both day and night conditions. 

The colour schemes presented in this kit

The decals in the box

Standard equipment includes a thermal camera over the manlet of the 120mm gun, which provides a picture for the gunner and commander, as well as an NBC (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) system, mounting points for additional fuel drums at the rear, and mounting points for a Combat Dozer Blade at the front of the hull.

Model Length: 235.5mm   Width: 76mm 

Total of  6 sprues, upper hull, lower hull, and turret

 The kit consists of over 190 parts 

- Newly tooled parts in accurate detail

The parts of the kit

Archer Artillery System FH77BW L52 

by Hobbyboss

Model: 84579

1/35th scale

The Archer is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer 155 mm designed and manufactured jointly by the companies Bofors and BAE Systems. The first technical studies of the Archer were launched in 1995. BAE Systems Global Combat Systems fitted a 155 mm FH-77 artillery system on the rear of a modified VME A25C (6 × 6) all-terrain Volvo truck chassis. 

The colour schemes presented in this kit

The decals in the box

Masks are provided for the transparent parts

The deployment time of Archer has been shortened, reduced from 10 minutes to only 30 seconds compared to a standard self-propelled howitzer. The first operational systems are expected to be delivered in October 2011, and production will continue over the following two years. The Archer each gun system will be staffed by 3-4 operators, which is a major improvement from its forerunner, which was manned by a crew consisting of 10-12 operators.

Model Length: 416.4mm / Width: 99.3mm  

Total of 11 sprues and tires

copper tube

The kit consists of over 490+ parts

- Vinyl tyres with very good detail

- Photo-etched parts included

The kit made up by hobbyboss modellers

These new kits are (or should soon be) available from Hobbyboss' distributors worldwide...