The model comes with accurate markings, camouflage patterns.
Later this year Challenger II with up grade armour (really bid difference in tank appearance) should be released in this series.

Dragon Armor
This line features static pre-assembled, pre-painted models made of both diecast and plastic. Each item is fully detailed and historically accurate.
Dragon ARMOR 1:72 models are:
1. True to scale: Wheels, tracks, engines, hull accoutrements ... Dragon Armor are 100% true-to-scale -- these don't look like "model tanks", these look like TANKS!
2. Authentically detailed: Dragon Armor tanks are carefully researched for maximum authenticity in detailing ... color, camouflage, unit markings, and all the other little things which mark the difference between an authentic scale model and a "toy". Dragon Armor looks REAL!
3. Fully assembled: Each Dragon Armor tank comes fully-assembled and ready for display ... no glue, no paint, no worry about mistakes. An instant display piece or diorama centerpiece straight from the box!
4. Diecast Metal: This series is mostly of METAL! Each Dragon Armor tank is made from high-quality DIE-CAST METAL ... giving the proper weight and surface finish of the REAL THING.
5. Each WITH its own protective DISPLAY CASE.

Models are limited edition, the popularity of this series growing rapidly. They are sold out by manufacturer practically upon their releases or even pre-sold by manufacturer. It is a really good idea to plan your purchase in advance.

About BATUS:
Lacking adequate training areas for armored maneuvers warfare in Europe the British had long maintained a training establishment in Canada, called BATUS (British Army Training Unit Suffield). This area allowed British armoured units in Germany to fly over to Canada in rotation during the summer and test their skills against the resident OPFOR unit. The realistic training at BATUS was considered the best test of the skills of individual battle groups.

HISTORY of DEVELOPMENT
Over forty years ago the British Army accepted for service the Cheiftain and turned their sights towards the next generation tank. As the famous international project for a new MBT in 70’s fell apart in 1977 the low-key national project (that was as an insurance policy) moved into full gear.
Vickers supplied Shir 1 (developed version of Chieftain) to the Shah of Iran in large numbers and it led to the Shir 2, a much more advance MBT, which development was manly funded from the Iranian order. After Ayatollah Khomeini deposed the Shah all farther orders were cancelled. Vickers then produced a new version of this tank altered to suit British Army requirements, which was ordered in 1978 and entering service with British Army in 1984 as Challenger.
At the beginning of its service Challenger managed to earn bad publicity due to its big trouble with its original engine and transmission. However, CHIP – a Challenger Improvement Program was established and the tank and its system were considerably improved. It performed exceptionally well with high degree of mechanical reliability during The Gulf War. Its 120mm gun proved very accurate and more that half the engagement involved the use of High-Explosive Squash Head (HESH) rounds. During the Gulf War the Challenger (176 were deployed) destroyed some 300 Iraqi tanks and not one British tank was destroyed.
In late 1980 British started looking for a future MBT. There was an international competition for a Challenger replacement. Four tanks were considered Leopard II (improved), M1A1, Leclerc and Challenger II. The Challenger II was selected after an intensive evaluation.

ABOUT THE TANK
The project for a Challenger MBT replacement started in the mid 1980 by the privet company, Vickers Defence. The company - funded design led to a contract for construction of nine prototypes in 1988 with all of those were completed by late 1990 and in June 1991 the company received a contract for 140 new tanks, now named CHALLENGER II, (with original Challenger becoming Challenger I) with the formal type acceptance given in mid-1994. The production contract consist the order of 127 main battle tanks and 13 of a specialized driver-training version, which has fixed turret, full second driver control set and space for four trainees. It was the first time since WW II when the tank was designed and developed entirely by an independent industrial company.
Originally the British Ministry of Defense (Army) planed to replace only a half of Challenger 1, but in July of 1994 it had been changed and an additional 268 tanks were ordered (259 MBT and 9 more driver training tanks) now the entire Royal Armoured Corps would be equipped with the new tank.
Despite its name the Challenger II is in reality a new tank. With a driver sitting centrally in the hull that is generally similar to Challenger 1 and other three crewmembers in a new turret. Both are constructed of welded steel and new, second generation Chabham armor.
Its combat weight is 137,500lbs / 62.5 tons at 37’8” long, 11’6”/3.52m wide and 8’2”/2.5m toll to turret roof it performance is impressive 35mph / 56km/h with 280 miles / 450km of range.
Main armament is the new Royal Ordnance 120mm L30A1 rifled gun. British still believe that HESH is necessary as a complement to the high velocity rounds and since the HESH round depends on spin stabilization for in flight stability and can’t be fired from smoothbore barrel they still use this type. In fact it is the only MBT introduced in 1990”s that use rifled not smoothbore gun. The gun is fitted with a thermal sleeve and muzzle reference system, also a fume extractor, to reduce the amount of fumes passing into the turret. The barrel chrome-plated and is 55 calibers long (21.7’ / 6.6m). The gun control and stabilization systems are all-electric, overcoming the vulnerability problems of hydraulic or hydraulic/electric systems.
Forty-two charges are stowed in armored boxes below the turret ring for a maximum safety, there also 62 projectiles carried.
One Hughes L94A1 7.62mm Chain Gun is mounted coaxially with the main gun and one L37A2 remote-controlled 7.62mm machine gun is mounted on the turret roof on a commander side. Fife single barreled smoke grenade launchers mounted on each side of a turret.
It is powered by Perkins CV-12 TA Condor V-12 12- cylinders diesel that rated at 1,200bhp @ 2,300rpm and it has new model TN54 transmission, which has six forward and two reverse gears. This power train exceeded by a considerable margin requirements of very demanding In-Service Reliability Demonstration (ISRD) milestone.
First two Challenger II were delivered in January 1998 to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard (stationed in Germany), the first regiment to be equipped with the new tank, and their last 38th one was delivered in time to meet June 1998 in-service deadline. All existed Challenger 1 were replaced by late 2001.
Some Challenger 1 hulls are now used for specialist vehicles with a reminder eventually will be sold or scrapped.

The Challenger II Main Battle tank is one of the most advanced main battle tanks, and is expected to remain in service until at least 2020 under current plans. It is probably the last Challenger, which is built for the British Army

The only export customer for this tank is the Royal Army of Oman, which has taken delivery of 38 units. These tanks have a different build standard than those of the British Army. They are also optimized for operations at a high temperature, which is coming in the Middle East.