Tank Chats #82 Challenger 1 | The Tank Museum

David Willey, The Tank Museum Curator, discusses the development and deployment of the UK's Main Battle Tank from 1983 - 2001, the Challenger 1.
Challenger 1 was in service with the British Army and saw action during the First Gulf War. It remains in service with the Jordanian Army.
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[@stevebettany8778]

Great video I’ll bet you were ready for a cuppa after that.

[@InternetEntity]

There should be a -kettle- boiling vessel just behind you, Mr. Willey.

[@InternetEntity]

@Brad Johnson No, no: it simply must be hot!

[@FureyinHD]

@Brad Johnson No probs man the Challenger has a hot water boiler built in, so our crews get hot tea like it's a 60 ton vending machine.

[@oneenglishbastard87]

@Brad Johnson It's the source of all our power. We won't fight a war unless there's tea involved.

[@user-ed6cf2ib7d]

สวัดดีคับ

[@ODD_NUT]

I was a young REME Corporal in the Royal Hussars LAD when we received the first Chally 1's, in 1984. It Had a few problems with pack reliability or at least understanding it. The gearbox controller had issues as well , but we had full support and loads of VIP visists including Maggie Thacher. A few years later I was attached to the TOGS program next door at 7 Armd workshops, Stripping Chally 1, mk 1 and converting them to Chally 1 mk 2. Later and still posted in Fallingbostel, I went with the Scots DG to the Gulf war where the Chally 1, mk 3 with upgraded armour and extra fuel tanks and loads of extras really came to life and proved itself. A wonderful time to be a British Soldier, chally in the cold war theatre!!!

[@allotment3275]

As a cadet, I drove a challenger 2 for 2 minutes at the age of 15. Amazing vehicle - thanks to the queens own hussars

[@alucardtherealvampire6470]

Nice

[@Dalroi1]

Excellent, absolutely loved the amount of historical detail in this one. Probably the best tank-chat yet.

[@thetankmuseum]

Thanks Ste, glad you enjoyed it.

[@coolminecraft1457]

The Tank Museum I didn’t really think about how Challenger came but now it might just be one of the most interesting stories for the development of a tank. Thank you definitely the most interesting Tank-chats yet keep up the great work 👍🏻👍🏻

[@RichardHinds-qs2mi]

Roger that, it was a great episode! I was an Abrams tanker (a1) after GW1. Always loved challenger 1 and 2. Thanks to the tank museum.

[@jamesmosley1549]

This has been my favourite so far. So much history and info 10/10

[@thetankmuseum]

Great to hear you enjoyed it.

[@user-ed6cf2ib7d]

ไม่ใช่เทคโนโลยีนะคับมีคนไทยไส่ร้ายผมคับไม่ใช้มันมาจากพลังงานในตัวผมและความสามารของผมจะว่าไปก็1เดียวในโลกคือผมคับทำได้

[@davidpotter6564]

Great video thanks. My uncle commanded a Challenger 1 in Iraq and I remember as a child visiting him in Lulworth and sitting in his tank. My favourite thing was looking through the Thermal Imaging sight, that was a great day!

[@Chino56751]

I'd feel pretty secure going into action in one of those. Challengers are built tough.

[@mew357941]

Was it turned on? How was it? Need to know for research purposes.

[@Chino56751]

@@mew357941 " Enemy Prius spotted ! Fire ! "

[@mew357941]

@@Chino56751 on the way!

[@Chino56751]

@@mew357941 "Target destroyed, tango uniform ! "

[@gusgone4527]

Superb video! As a veteran of the 1991 conflict, I'm very pleased to confirm that those tanks give everyone cause to hold our heads high. In many ways it outperformed the M! Abrahams. A huge thank you not only to the folks who built it but also the civilian contractors who deployed alongside the troops and helped maintain the vehicles in the harshest of desert conditions. Some of whom became very ill as a consequence.

[@Cloudman572]

Thanks for the info and your service. Always good to have a personal view added.

[@jakem834]

Thanks for your service, Gus. The challenger 1 and its crews performed admirably during the 1st Gulf war - just showed what excellent training and courage can do.

[@stephen9869]

David Willey smashes another belter in the back of the net

[@Defenestrationflight]

Very nice to touch upon the rifled/smoothbore reasoning, so many people out in the wild come up with the wildest theories.

[@ZGryphon]

I love how the thing about equipping Challengers in '91 is exactly like someone was sitting at the loadout screen in _World of Tanks._ "Hmm, we might run into T-72s. Better pack a few rounds of premium ammo." :)

[@Vespuchian]

"Fair old bit of wellie behind it" is my new favourite description of engine locomotive power.

[@WeirdSeagul]

lots of great footage of the challengers in combat. most gulf war docs are full of Abrams footage.

[@gunner678]

A better truck than Abrams by far. I have operated with both and the absolute pain with M1 is the constant fuel resupp problem. It's been said that it fights with one foot in a bucket and despite its excellent technology (much of which is British and German) this is a big weak point. Still there are lots of them and that's reassuring I guess.

[@elliswatanabe]

@CAVKING19DELTA TEXAS wrong

[@gunner678]

@CAVKING19DELTA TEXAS it's good to have pride in ones armed forces, but it should be tempered with a bit of research. Realistically, the crown has to go to the Israelis for that title. I have a bias other than that objective fact so it would be unfair to squabble with you. We are on the same side, thats the main thing.

[@jacquesstrapp3219]

Matthew Dobbs Tank crew efficiency is a product of training and experience. In the late 20th century, the Israelis were definitely the most experienced. In the 21st century not so much. The US and UK armored force's experience in the Middle East has closed that gap. When considering training, a huge factor to consider is budget. The US has by far the largest training budget. The UK has a small professional military so the disparity in budget allocations is somewhat mitigated. A huge military budget should not be underestimated when considering training though.

[@gunner678]

@@jacquesstrapp3219 indeed good points. The old Russian saying 'quantity has a quality of its own' is quite true. Also the small professional part, very true. British armoured crews are pretty good, I have to admit.

[@joebudde3302]

Excellent production, solid thumbs up, thank you.

[@thetankmuseum]

Thanks Joe!

[@Cycling-through-cancer]

Former Chally 1 full crewman here. We ( QDG) did the last op deployment in the CR1 in Kosovo over the Millennium. A great wagon .

[@leftnoname]

As someone with the eastern block background I’d like to point out that Chieftain and Challenger (as well as Leopard II) were considered the most dangerous adversaries to our (Soviet tanks). In real combat conditions 3-part ammunition of the L11 gun was very fast to load and eliminated loading mechanism failures. It also added a crew member. Crew comfort level was a dream. Someone try to spend more than 15-20 minutes in T64 or T72 gunner or commander seat and tell the impressions :-) By the way, rifled cannon is a good thing.

[@brucemacallan6831]

As an MBT crewman (Chieftain & Challenger 1) in BAOR in the 80's/90's we had been told our life expectancy in combat against MBT's of 3rd shock Army was 6.5 minutes. I certainly believed that. I guess it's a good thing we didn't actually have to find out!

[@josephglatz25]

Assuming of course that the Chieftans have a functioning engine at the time.

[@malcpaul996]

I served in The Lifeguards LAD as C Squadron Tiffy in the late 80s and early 90s in Sennelager on CR1. During the Gulf war I went to Saudi with 8 Armd Wksp. Just before the war started, I was in charge of a great team of 4 to fit the extra Chobham on the sides and reactive on the front. I had something like six weeks to upgrade around 40 odd tanks, maybe more, I can't remember. Anyway, we worked our b*llox off and finished it in three weeks. And all I got was a lousy tee shirt!!! LOL

[@flick_shot_5625]

had the pleasure to meet David at the Dutch National Military museum at the Summer Offensive event. great guy, cant wait to go to bovington sometime!!

[@davidbigwood8450]

This guy really knows his subject. I love this Tank Museum. Shame not to get there on my recent UK trip.

[@frypan3315]

David Bigwood definitely worth a visit

[@TheCrowsClaw]

Incredibly detailed and interesting story. Also, as much as I appreciate mr Fletcher, for a foreigner like me listening to mr Willey is just so much easier. The embodiment of an Englishman. Keep up the good work, Gentlemen!

[@thewomble1509]

Lovely comment Marek. Well put.

[@roygardiner2229]

Thank you. The tank's performance in the first Gulf War was, it seems, very, very impressive.

[@ReticentArc]

My step father was 2IC of the Queen's Royal Irish Hussars during the 1st Gulf war. He spoke highly of the Challenger tank and it's effectiveness. Hard to make out but he is in one of these photos.

[@robdeathe]

I loved that tank. Was a gunner with 2 RTR in the late 80's.

[@rpm1796]

Hey Robbie Compare her to what you think it would be being crewman in the Leo 2.........

[@rayhan_2k841]

@@rpm1796 what a completely analog tank which was the leopard 2 in the 80s?

[@homer14lange28]

hi from germany I love youre videos (and the British english just sounds amazing) nice video the Challenger I is one of my favorit tanks at the world thx for youre work :)

[@EleanorPeterson]

What a lovely Comment! Have a hug! :-)

[@frypan3315]

Homer14 lange :D

[@ebperformance8436]

Challenger 2 and m1 abrams are my favorite tanks...the challenge 2 is damn near Indestructible. And the British is very good with their cannon creation.

[@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333]

It's wrong to call the Challenger 2 'indestructible.' A Challenger 2 driver lost a foot to an RPG-29 round.

[@ebperformance8436]

@@AethelwulfOfNordHymbraLand2333 a challenger, and M1A2 Abrams can run over a land mine, and have little to no damage.. A javelin probably can take one out. Abrams took a direct hit, and the shell didn’t do anything, I believe one was hit by a T-72, and it did nothing. The Only armor lost was 1 Bradley. This tank battle took place in Iraq.

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

21 minute video about my all time favourite tank? But my birthday isn't till January!

[@danieltsiprun8080]

Lucky you

[@Masada1911]

Happy Birthday in advance

[@martingardener90]

We were told that the Rolls-Royce designed Perkins built engine was derated from 1500 to 1200 bhp - as is customary on military vehicles to make them more reliable. On a reserves VM update course at Bordon we were shown this engine mounted on the back of a Bedford TM 8 tonner, for health and safety reasons we were made to wear ear plugs with ear defenders over the top - apparently due to the high pitched Turbo whistle. I remember when the throttle was "Blipped" the whole body of the TM twisted on it's suspension - there was so much torque!

[@mtodd4723]

Still is a Beautiful tank , A work of Art ! Great video , thank you .

[@ianblewett3118]

Great stuff. I was deployed on Ex LIONHEART as an umpire to the 1RH BG. I was given a Mk 1 FV432 crewed by 1 RGJ. The new CR1s were very impressive and often left me in my petrol driven Mk1 miles behind!! The CR1 was markedly more capable then the STILLBREW Chieftains and ushered in a new aggressive era for Armd Corp regts in BAOR.

[@paulhedges8490]

just a shame that on Lionheart we were kept in the woods for the first 9 days and our CR1s were tucked away....

[@stephengiles2873]

These tank chats just get better and better. The knowledge and enthusiasm are impressive please keep them coming

[@WayneMoyer]

Funny that you mention his enthusiasm. It did seem like he was more excited about this one than the others. It's not like he is bored in the others. It's more like he has more of an emotional investment in this one.

[@keithmitchell6548]

I can confirm the lethality of Challenger 1. They knocked out 2 of my troop's cvrt Spartans in Iraq...

[@kurgan4656]

What happened Keith? I'm genuinely interested.

[@EleanorPeterson]

@@kurgan4656 - Er... that's still classified. Come back 30 years from now for the answer. ;-)

[@frypan3315]

But Challengers are British too? I’m assuming it was a captured Challenger?

[@tunazzz__677]

@@frypan3315 probably a Blue-on-Blue Incident

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

@@frypan3315 No challenger has ever been captured or lost to enemy action. It would have been a friendly fire incident.

[@tankdriver67m64]

Saw the Challenger when we deployed for gunnery at the British range at Bergan.

[@BlairMaynard]

Wow, no idea the Chally had such a complicated history.

[@ritchie799]

Again, a brilliant video with so much information on the development, technical advancement and detailed history of the Challenger 1 and 2. Outstanding presentation David. Hat doffed to you.

[@thetankmuseum]

Thanks Ritchie

[@XCMRM80]

Very fond memories of this vehicle and it’s successor. Great video, thank you 🙏

[@willmarcheselli1986]

Couldn’t refuse the tank chat on one of my favourite tanks!

[@russwoodward8251]

A fascinating development history. Thank you for producing this, for all of the research and for the great narration.

[@stanmarks3950]

Just.... another great story. Great detail, fantastic. Thanks to the whole team, especially to David W.

[@georgejudge6437]

Thank you for this amazing presentation! I really enjoy them. Take care!!

[@workingguy6666]

Awesome presentation! Edit: Just finished it - possibly one of the best presentations ever given on The Tank Museum's YT channel. Wow.

[@1337flite]

Yay! So looking forward to the modern generation videos!!! Thanks.

[@thewomble1509]

This vid is going on my "saved" playlist. I will watch it again and again. I was about thirteen and already a tank nut when the FV4211 project and Chobham armour were starting to get the odd ,discreet mention in the press. Those pictures of it are gems! Many thanks to all involved.

[@neilwilson5785]

I'm no expert, but these tank chats are just wonderful to watch.

[@adamjohnson6642]

Most excellent overview and presentation. Really enjoyed this film and the history provided, thank you.

[@Corristo89]

1:01 "Britain and Germany get together and they form an alliance" Probably the strangest words coming from a man talking in a museum full of vehicles the British and Germans developed, built and used to kill each other.

[@GARDENER42]

Historically the UK & Germany being on opposing sides is an anomaly, apart from the 1914-18 & 1939-45 conflicts we've invariably been allies, with France & Spain being the usual opfor.

[@keithmitchell6548]

An alliance that worked well enough against Napolean...

[@typxxilps]

I can remember german units fighting for UK for example in defending Gibraltar. Therefore this unit got famous and got a band. This unit later fought in autumn of 1914 in belgium against british units...

[@billycaspersghost7528]

KGL ."Kings German Legion" a long standing unit of the British army in the 18/19th centuries. Hessian units were employed in the American war of independence. The sad history of the 2 world wars has skewed peoples views of Anglo-German relations.

[@jacquesstrapp3219]

BillyCaspersGhost Excellent post. History is often ignored.

[@AdamMGTF]

Excellent video. Odd thought....but if the tank museum were to field all their tanks, on the list of the world's armies. Where would they rank as an armoured force (based just on numbers) If you were to include all tanks back to the MK1 and all AFVs

[@target844]

If you take the number on the web page "over 300 vehicles" and compare to www.globalfirepower.com/armor-tanks-total.asp I have no idea how accurate the numbers are. County number 54 of 137 listed have 300 tanks that is a shared number for Angola, Chile and Libya. If you estimate that 33% of the vehicles it not tanks they are equal with Italy at #63. In a combat situation the the tank museum likely have a huge disadvantage because I assume that the amount of live ammunition they have is likely zero. Even if the had crews and ammunition only a small amount of the tanke they have would be a serious threat to modern tanks so even Denmark with only 47 Leopard 2 A5 in service would certainly wing but poorer countries that might still operate only T-55 at similar number might be another have a more uncertain result. A thing to not is that the last 21 countries in the list have 0 tanks even relative large and better off then a lot of other like Mexico but a lot of poorer still operate quite old equipment is larger number then you might expect.

[@jc-d6179]

A fantastically well-structured presentation.

[@hecciethump]

Every time I heard the phrase 'Hydrogas Suspension' I instantly conjured up an image of the Austin Maxi.

[@bubba9r]

Fabulous video, great information about how this tank came into service. Keep up the great work.

[@anumeon]

God bless fridays. God bless Tank Chats!

[@XxBloggs]

I visited the museum on a day trip from London last week. Absolutely love my day there. It’s in a beautiful setting in a nice part of Dorset. The museum was astounding and interesting. I can’t wait to come back.

[@grahambaldwin9801]

I worked with Chobham armour plate in a small way in the early 70s.In some ways it was the best job I ever had.It was much lighter than I previously thought of as tank armour due to the titanium content. It took a lot of processing but was beautiful material to work with.

[@kimepp2216]

Great presentation, thanks for putting it together.

[@rvail136]

Brilliant as always. Well done one and all.

[@gunner678]

Great tank to have in support when on live ops. It has helped me on two distinct occasions, and I am grateful! Patrick Cordingly is a very nice chap and a great tank commander!

[@Lintary]

The Challenger 1 shall always be my favorite tank, it just looks right and the whole history behind it I always found intriguing.

[@GARDENER42]

I've been waiting for CR1 to be covered for some time. Thanks much for producing this video.

[@adamskinner5868]

Excellent as always, much appreciated.

[@nobbytang]

All done off the cuff .....very impressive !!

[@shadowraith1]

Quite a convoluted history. Tank evolution and variants are very interesting. Thanks for the presentation.

[@davepearce6359]

Superbly interesting film. Thank you. 😊👍🏻

[@michaelsalt4565]

Challenger 1 has a very interesting history and this video explained this well

[@brucemacallan6831]

I remember the ‘muff coupler’ problems we had on Chally1. We used to get visits from the boffins from Vickers trying to sort it out. A 2RTR chally 1 ended up inside a pub at Fallingbostel because of the problem. I saw it.

[@darson100]

Fantastic video, not only did I really enjoy it, I learned quite a few things. Particularly around the history of the program.

[@hydorah]

What a great machine. A lot of info packed into that video!

[@nadtz]

"Sometimes you dint get what you want, but get what you need" Hadn't known half the story behind this tank, this was excellent. Thanks!

[@McRocket]

Wow...TONS of interesting info. Thank you for this video.

[@andrewnielsen3178]

Absolutely the greatest vids full of information and well told.

[@Bradonomous]

Amazing solid talk, great production. Well done!

[@geordie1032]

Very well presented. Thank you.

[@malcolmtaylor518]

Tank museum please keep these excellent lectures going, they are very interesting and informative, and bring the exhibits alive. Thank you lecturer, don't know your name, for concise and well delivered presentation. Would love to see a lecture on the development of British tanks in the between war years 1918 to 1940.

[@BattleshipWarspite]

My favourite tank ever ❤challenger 1❤

[@tbwpiper189]

Very informative and detailed, David. Thanks.

[@Fastidious1970]

Brilliant! Thank you.

[@marcosacosta8109]

Always the best channel of tanks on KZbin, amazing video! Love it

[@jarink1]

I remember seeing some of these rolling around the desert back in '91 (I was with the US 1st ID). I do want to note that Challenger only had a range advantage over Abrams when using the external tanks. Of course, it's impossible to mount similar tanks on the back of an Abrams due to the high heat in that area.

[@mitchellmilbourne4861]

Great production and editing, and very interesting 👌🏻

[@alanwoods2010]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@LeoLeentvaar]

Although my main interest goes to older stuff, I enjoyed watching this bit of more recent history. Thanks of rtaking the effort making those stories. I suppose a 20 odd minute talk probably requires hours and hours to prepare the narrative. All I can say: keep them coming David and David.

[@TheFreaker86]

Excellent presentation and outstanding detail! Mr. Wiley, did you tell all that from the top of your head? That would be amazing!

[@suryia6706]

Wow!! Great video. Thanks

[@matthayward7889]

Fantastic presentation 👌

[@timothymarchant9079]

Top stuff! Really enjoyed this video.

[@WadeJones-iu3uo]

My Dad was in REME. He worked on Challenger 11-B in the Gulf war.

[@SportbikerNZ]

Very interesting and my compliments for an excellent delivery.

[@garethfairclough8715]

Ooh! Chally 1! My favourite tank!

[@DetailedFour]

this was great commentary

[@rileygifford1596]

This channel has to have the best like to dislike ratio on there videos that I have ever seen! The proof is in the pudding, well done again on another great story / review! 👍

[@dpb1997]

Excellent!

[@oryctolaguscuniculus]

Good to see footage from the TOGS fit there. Probably the outstanding feature of the tank. The thermals on Abrams at the time were practically stone age in comparison.

[@erik8231]

Still one of the best looking tanks ever made!

[@bremnersghost948]

Curious if Bovington has/plans to get the Tank that holds the longest kill record in the collection? I think that would be a very cool addition

[@iatsd]

Only if Jordan sells it back to them.

[@wekker090]

Thanks for the great video on the Challenger 1

[@thetankmuseum]

Not to worry, glad you enjoyed!

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@garyneilson1833]

Loved the comment, that challenger is built for war not competition. It has been battle tested and it passed which is the sign of a good tank

[@joeblow9657]

This video was excellent!! On target I must say

[@1961kickboxer]

What a beauty tank.

[@sinisabalentovic9617]

As a non british person i can confirm that chalenger is best tank in the world and also best looking one also!!!

[@bolacapoeira]

Those 12 extra rounds are the Number 2 Key ;)

[@Pincer88]

Aha...a WoT player? 😁

[@StaffordMagnus]

Filthy gold spammers!

[@bolacapoeira]

@@Pincer88 yap ehehe

[@bolacapoeira]

@@StaffordMagnus absolutely eheheh these days, it's not 12 but the full set of ammo

[@Deltaguy447]

We all know the Tog 2* is the ultimate peak main battle tank. Great vid btw lads, loving Davids chats as well.

[@TheLesserWeevil]

It's been all downhill from TOG 2. Give it some Chobham Armour, a modern engine and a 120mm gun and TOG is back in business.

[@thewomble1509]

@@TheLesserWeevil hey don't give Rheinmetall ideas!

[@paulgreen7906]

Brilliant!