This review is not going to be an in depth what's wrong what's right, as there are better people out there who are far better qualified than me to do that.

The kit:
On opening the box you will find it full as the kit contains nearly 400 parts, moulded in a dark olive green plastic. Also in the box are the two lengths of vinyl track, poly caps for the wheels, a large decal sheet and instruction book.

The Lower Hull:
The lower hull tub is a very large piece of plastic with some very nice weld detail and even the door for shell ejection moulded on the side.

The Suspension:
The suspension is made up of lots of individual parts, shock absorber, axles, return rollers, and the front idler mountings. The road wheels are the worst part of the kit, being misshapen were the moulding the part attaches to the spare and some very anaemic looking bolts. The hub is a separate part and does not sit in the centre of the wheel (this could be hidden with lots of mud?). The drive sprockets are surrounded by flash and have a nice sinkhole in the rim. The idlers are also poorly moulded and will need to carefully clean up.

The Rear Hull:
The towing shackle has some nice ejector pin marks that will need cleaning up. Two types of jerry cans are supplied and the frame for them is quite fine. The tail lights are moulded in one piece so look quite poor and the external fuel drums that attach to the rear come with separate ends, and will need to be carefully assembled will look okay but the securing straps are moulded onto the barrels.

The Upper Hull:
Again this is another large piece of plastic moulding. The centre part of the engine deck is a separate part with nice detail, and with the myriad of hinges, handles and storage boxes they will keep you going for a while, Trumpeter have also provided the Thermal Exhaust Cowls that are suppose to reduce the heat signature The driver’s positions gets a couple of nice sink holes that again will need to be dealt with.

The Tracks:
The tracks will need to be fitted before the hull is joined together and the side skirts are fitted. The tracks are of the rubber band type and are quite stiff but will look OK when fitted as only a small part can be seen.

The Turret:
Once again we have a large moulding with some nice bolt, weld and cast number detail. Both of the sights have separate doors but the optics will need to be added if you leave them open. The main gun barrel comes in 4 parts but lacks the securing straps around it. The smoke canisters on the front of the turret are a bit on the soft side.

The Decals:
The decal sheet is huge being just over A5. On it you get unit markings for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in KFOR. Markings for BATUS Canada in 1999.
Gunze Mr colour paint numbers given for colour reference.

Conclusion:
Overall this kit has its good points and bad.
Good its a Challenger II in plastic, it is well priced allowing for after market add on's.
Bad poor wheels, no anti-slip coating on the hull or turret

After Market:
Accurate Armour now do replacement road wheels (A073) and replacement Tracks and Drive Sprockets (T68), and more sets on the way.
Eduard now do a Photo Etch update set (35 565).

Obtained from SB Models.