Challenger 2: The British Main Battle Tank: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives (Puhakötésű)

Until the 1980s, the Royal Armoured Corps relied first on the Centurion, and then the Chieftain for its main battle tank needs. The question of the Chieftain's replacement became urgent in 1980 when the MBT80 was cancelled. While the Royal Ordnance Shir 2 was acquired as the Challenger, it was as a stop gap with design limitations which quickly became apartment. Vickers took over the Royal Ordanance tank building facility as the Cold War ended and, against stiff foreign competition, developed the Challenger 2. This superbly researched and illustrated book tells the story of the evolution and service career of the Challenger 2. It is a tank that has seen distinguished service in war and peace since 1998 and which has proven itself one of the world's formidable fighting vehicles. The authors have evaluated the Challenger 2's technical merits and development path, and what has set it apart from its competitors. The result is an objective and authoritative work written with the help of many who have lived the Challenger 2 story. It will delight military equipment buffs, model-makers and wargamers.