Eduard XT161 - 1:35 Challenger Enhanced armor wheel masks

Eduard XT161 mask set – road wheel masks for the Challenger 2 Enhanced Armour model (Trumpeter) in 1:35 scale

Eduard XT161 is a set of self-adhesive 1:35 masks for masking the rubber tyres of the road wheels during painting, tailored to the Challenger 2 Enhanced Armour model from Trumpeter. The masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper, giving sharp edges without hand masking with tape. The kit is not included.

What's in the box:

• Sheet of self-adhesive masks made of yellow Kabuki masking paper shaped to the model road wheels
• Mask placement instructions

Set specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: XT161
• Manufacturer: Eduard
• Dedicated kit: Challenger 2 Enhanced Armour from Trumpeter
• Accessory type: road wheel masks
• Material: yellow Kabuki masking paper, machine-cut

Road wheel masks – even edges on the rubber tyres

This set contains self-adhesive masks shaped to the model road wheels, letting you paint the rubber tyres separately from the hubs. The masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper, giving a sharp, even boundary between the metal hub and the rubber without freehand painting.

The masks are applied to the wheels, the tyre or hub colour is airbrushed, and the masks are removed once dry. The set greatly speeds up one of the more tedious steps in painting a vehicle.

About the vehicle – Challenger 2 (British main battle tank):

The Challenger 2 is a British main battle tank developed by Vickers (later BAE Systems) and introduced into service in 1998. Its main armament is a 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun, backed by two 7.62 mm machine guns. Hull and turret are protected by Dorchester composite armour (second-generation Chobham), whose exact parameters remain classified. Power comes from a twelve-cylinder Perkins CV12 diesel of 1200 hp.

The tank is the main fighting vehicle of the British armoured forces and is also operated by Oman. It took part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, where its resistance to hits was highly rated, and from 2023 examples transferred to Ukraine have seen combat. About 447 were built. Modernisation programmes are under way, including the Challenger 3 with a new 120 mm smoothbore gun.

Original specifications (Challenger 2 (British main battle tank)):

• Hull length: 8.3 m (11.5 m gun forward)
• Width: 3.5 m (4.2 m with skirts)
• Height: 2.49 m
• Combat weight: 62.5 t
• Crew: 4
• Armament: 120 mm L30A1 rifled gun, 2x 7.62 mm machine gun
• Armour: Dorchester composite (classified)
• Engine: Perkins CV12 V12 diesel, 1200 hp
• Max. speed: 59 km/h
• Range: 550 km
• Production: 1993-2002, approx. 447 units

About the manufacturer – Eduard:

Eduard is a Czech manufacturer of scale model kits and modelling accessories, established in 1989 and based in Obrnice. Besides plastic kits, the company offers an extensive range of upgrade accessories: photo-etched parts, resin components, decals and painting masks. Eduard masks are die-cut from yellow Kabuki masking paper and designed either for specific models or as universal marking sheets, making painting easier and shortening finishing work.