Kit Review: Dragon Models Limited 1/72 Scale Armor Series Kit No. 7222; Challenger 2 KFOR; 109 parts (103 in grey styrene, 4 in black vinyl); price $8.95
Advantages: "Straight" C2 compliments the earlier kit of the "TELIC" one from Iraq; nicely done kit
Disadvantages: Perhaps one kit with multiple parts would have been a better choice
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: For all modern armor and UK armour fans
DML continues to build up its "stud" of small scale armor kits, and following on the recent release last year of the "Operation TELIC" Challenger 2 with all of the modifications made for Iraq is the "straight" model as was used in the UK and Kosovo with the British component of the KFOR peacekeeping mission.
The model comes with its three main components ? upper and lower hull and upper section of the turret ? partitioned off in a sectionalized plastic bag. These are the specific parts for the earlier model of the C2 and as such are unique to the kit. The other two sprues of parts are the same ones as used in the "TELIC" kit and have some discards on each one.
The kit comes with the short "sawtooth" skirts mostly attached to the upper hull, with only the last section separate. The rest of the kit is identical with the previous one, complete with screw holes and their "covers" (rear engine deck bits and driver's hatch) but no screws. The turret hatches are positionable and the gun can be elevated once installed. There is no way unless the modeler uses a drill and scrap plastic, however, to open up the big TOGS sight over the gun barrel. Markings are included for two vehicles of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, one with KFOR and one during exercise "Ulan Eagle 99".
Overall this should be a popular kit, as it is a big sleek tank and impressive in this scale.
Thanks to Freddie Leung for the review sample.
Cookie Sewell