A30 Challenger cruiser tank

[Neo]

Hello! I think I should post here one of latest works. This model is completed on 45-55%. I will post in brief what I have already done.
This is A 30 Challenger a very rare tank. I won't speak about history of development cruiser. All you have to know that A30 was a military necessity, because Cromwell wasn't so good to battle with Tiger and Panther. So A 30 is a the next step after A27. The hull was lengthened on one roller, rivets and bolts were replaced by welds. Turret was new with more powerful gun.
I have had two kits. A 30 from SKP Model and Cromwell from Tamiya. SKP kit is terrible and inaccurate with a bad plastic,useless resin details. So I have decided to to merge two sets.
What sources of information do we have?
Two books:
Petr Brojo - Army Wheels in Detail: Challenger A30
P.M.Knight - A30 Challenger Tank A Technical History
One good walkaround from Overloon.

A30 tracks were different to Cromwell's tracks. They were wider,so I have had to do some spacers for the wheels to have some space between hull and a track link.
I have bought SKP movable resin tracks. Now they are no longer at stock. They are......censored..... Quality is very low. I have drilled all tracks by myself and put on MC flat rivets to fix the link. MC flat rivets were drilled too to make them alike the real one pin.

I have a lot of materials and I will post it here until the moment I have stopped in this build. I hope it will be interesting

 

[Neo]

Part 2. Idler tensioner, driving wheel from A34 Comet, hull welds and work with rear.

 

[papa 695]

First of all welcome to the forum Artyom, what a project your doing and a great start too I'm watching with interest now.

 

[Neo]

First of all welcome to the forum Artyom, what a project your doing and a great start too I'm watching with interest now.

Hello, Ian! Thank you!

 

[Jakko]

Nice work. I built an A30 in 1/72 scale a few years ago in much the same way, with two Revell Comets, and I’m not sure I’d want to do it in 1/35

 

[scottie3158]

Neo,

Glad this has continued on here. Looking good.

 

[Neo]

Nice work. I built an A30 in 1/72 scale a few years ago in much the same way, with two Revell Comets, and I’m not sure I’d want to do it in 1/35

Hello,Jakko! Good work! And very nice work with plastic!
Indeed in 1/35 it is a very hard work to do.

 

[Neo]

Neo,

Glad this has continued on here. Looking good.

Hi,Scottie! I think this project will be interesting for modellers.

 

[Steve Jones]

Neo
Great to see your build again. Up to your first class standards I see. Looking forward to the next update
Steve

 

[Neo]

Neo
Great to see your build again. Up to your first class standards I see. Looking forward to the next update
Steve

Hi, Steve! Nice to see you here! Indeed. I like to work with brass and copper

 

[Neo]

Next stage. That is how model looks like at the present moment.

 

[Neo]

Well, after six years I restarted this project. I will try to find or get new photos. All photos in previous post are gone.
Hope this will be an interesting topic. Not much A30's have been built so far.

 

[scottie3158]

Good to see this back on the go.

 

[Jim R]

Hi Artyom
Nice to see another of your super detailed builds. Already lots of wonderful added details.
Jim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Superb as always. Nice to see you back as well buddy.

 

[JR]

Good to see you back Artyom.
Some beautiful detailed work .

 

[Jakko]

Hope this will be an interesting topic.

Most definitely! I’ve now got that SKP kit in my stash and the IMA track set should be making its way to me from Hong Kong, so I’m very interested to see what corrections you make to it. My model won’t reach that standard (when I eventually get around to it …) but at least it gives me something to aim for

 

[Mini Me]

Hiya Artyom good to see you back in the saddle.........this resurrected build should be just the thing to get us all back in the groove!
I look forward to your verrrrry detailed progress. Rick H.

 

[Graeme C.]

Hi Artyom, it will be interesting to see what you do with this one, I'll be watching with interest.

 

[Neo]

Thank you,friends! I also glad to back to works with models. MS-1 won Model show in Saint-Petersburg. I am glad. I have many photos from that show.
Unfortunately I can't upgrade my account. All my international cards doesn't work. Paypal also is blocked.