1/72 FV4101 Charioteer in the Middle East

The FV4101 Charioteer was a British tank fighter developed in the 1950s as a temporary solution to strengthen the anti-tank capabilities of the British Army. It was created by installing the powerful 20-pounder (84mm) QF 20-pdr gun into a modified World War II-era Cromwell tank chassis. This solution made it possible to quickly and economically obtain a vehicle capable of countering the Soviet tanks of the time without having to develop an entirely new type. The Charioteer served in the British Army and abroad - it was exported to several countries including Austria, Finland, Jordan and Lebanon, where it proved its worth in Middle Eastern conditions.

The version deployed in the Middle East was characterised by operation in harsh climatic conditions - high temperatures, dusty and rocky environments placed increased demands on maintenance and crew. Jordan and Lebanon used Charioteers in the 1960s and 1970s, when the region was undergoing numerous conflicts and tensions. Of interest to modelers is this variant's ability to handle desert or field paint, service wear and specific markings appropriate to Middle Eastern users.

IBG Models' 1:72 scale kit offers detailed treatment of the vehicle's distinctive features - the turret with its long 20lb gun, the Cromwell-derived chassis and the typical tank fighter silhouette. The 1:72 scale is popular for military vehicles due to the good availability of accessories, figures and the possibility of building scenes or dioramas. The model can be finished in a variety of paint options to suit the specific user and period of deployment. The package does not include paint or glue needed for assembly.