I plan to build a Challenger 1 tank in BATUS two-tone camouflage using Academy’s model kit. However, I’m having trouble finding sufficient historical reference images. I’d like to ask fellow enthusiasts about the operational history and color scheme of BATUS Challenger 1 tanks—any historical photos would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
I couldn’t find a photo of the Challenger 1 tank in BATUS, so I substituted it with an Armoured Engineer Vehicle. Additionally, here’s my recently completed 1:72 scale BAOR Challenger 1 tank model.
Give me 5 minutes or so and I will get some info for you ok.
1 Like
Here you go …
From a ref book for reference use only.
Standard BATUS 2 tone cam for that period. Cr1 went over to BATUS about 1992/93 so crews wouldn’t have to retrain back onto Chieftain to take part in the MedMan exercises.
Anything else you need to know, just ask and I will try and help … And welcome to the forums, and nice 1/72 Cr1 above.
Welcome to the site! That’s an excellent job on the Challenger. I was scrolling through your pics and did a double take- thought the model was a real pic! The background photos are perfectly done, the tank looks excellent against the background.
1 Like
Welcome aboard!
Thank you very much for your reply! Also, let me introduce myself: I’m a hardcore scale model enthusiast from China, especially passionate about British tanks and armored vehicles. I’ll definitely consult you again if I have more questions in the future. Thanks again!
Thank you very much for your reply! Also, let me introduce myself: I’m a hardcore scale model enthusiast from China, especially passionate about British tanks and armored vehicles . I’ll definitely consult you again if I have more questions in the future. Thanks again!
1 Like
谢谢您！完成这个挑战者1号坦克模型后，我使用人工智能工具向其添加了背景照片——结果是爆炸！
Thank you sir
这是我最近的一些1/72比例和1/144比例模型作品
[正在上传：IMG_9062.jpeg…](
]（）
正在上传：IMG_8563.jpeg…
正在上传：IMG_7960.jpeg…
正在上传：IMG_7840.jpeg…
——与大家分享！希望与爱好者交流想法！
Johnnych01，
I have two more questions . First, regarding the Challenger 1 tank turret left-side toolboxes used at BATUS, were there any instances where they utilized the Chieftain tank hull toolboxes instead—similar to those used by the 7th Armoured Brigade during Operation Desert Storm? Or were the vast majority equipped with the mesh-like metal storage racks, as seen in the photos you previously shared?
My second question is whether the camouflage nets used at BATUS differed from those deployed during Operation Desert Storm or by BAOR. The BATUS camouflage nets appear denser and lighter in weight.
1 Like
Yes, the left hand turret basket was usually the mesh type. Reason being, the BATUS Cr1 fleet were run, and owned by the BATUS permanent unit and "loaned/issued to exercising troops who visited. All add on equipment like the stowage baskets would have been done by the maint team. Things like the Chieftain long bins were done by UK/BAOR units on an individual/Sqn choice within units.
BATUS cam nets were a lot lighter in colour and had far less scrim (if any) on them compared to GW1 or normal issue cam nets.
Also, ref your Cr1 builds, for realism try and avoid putting any large stowage on top of the turret. This was never a thing really. You would occasionally get a cam nets rolled up around the top edge and sometimes we would have our webbing around the 2 ABAs at the rear, that was about the limit usually .
1 Like
(post deleted by author)
Thank you very much for your reply. If possible, I would appreciate it if you could send more reference images of the Challenger 1 tank from the BATUS area.
Images from same source for reference only.
That’s about it for images. BATUS Cr1 pictures are pretty few and far between. Cam schemes were painted over there up at crowfoot camp and some would seem similar, but most would of had a few differences..
Main things are the call sign plates, the zap plates and the white 45’s on the turret and the white stripe on the rear side skirt and usually a white fume extractor.
You see some wagons with just green side skirts, these are replacement ones for ones that got damaged and would come straight from stores unpainted.
Anything else just ask ok.
2 Likes
Johnnych01, thank you for your reliable responses and information. Additionally, I have two more questions for you.
First, as shown in the picture, is the item mounted on the side skirts of the tank hull a tarpaulin bundle or a camouflage net?
Second, do all Challenger 1 tanks in the BATUS area lack the large box-shaped object on the turret’s right side as seen in the image? This seems to be a feature that distinguishes the MK.2 model from the MK.3 model?
Its a tarpaulin (usually a biege/sand coloured synthetic type of hessian (or normal hessian sometimes)) it can have part of a cam net rolled up inside but not a full one. In the images, they have been folded into the middle and then rolled up and secured. When fully unrolled, they would run the whole length of the wagon, and the primary use was to hide the wheels and prevent seeing a silhouette form distance.
This is simply a stowage bin used from Ferrets. It is not present on all Cr1’s. Some units had them, some didnt. You would also see the small mesh baskets on that side. It would usually be either of those 2 types fitted. It has absolutely nothing to do with being a Mk2 or Mk3.
Mk1 - TOGs barbette fitted but no TOGs
Mk 2 - TOGs system operational and now fitted.
Mk3 - no real external difference. Armoured charge bins inside and a new internal layout.