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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film and get access to exclusive swag? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website This promotional film for the Challenger tank, “Firepower, Protection, Mobility“ dates to 1983 but contains footage dating back to at least 1979. The FV4030/4 Challenger 1 is a British main battle tank (MBT) used by the British Army from 1983 to 2001, when it was superseded by the Challenger 2. The Challenger was built by the Royal Ordnance Factories (ROF), entered service with the British Army in 1983, went out of production in 1990. Each tank cost around £2 million. Withdrawals of British Army Challenger 1 began in 1998 and it had been completely replaced by Challenger 2 by 2001. The last Challenger 1s were in service with Jordan, but retired in 2023. The film begins with footage from WWI of an early British tank, followed by WWII designs fighting in North Africa, and then the Centurion (:36) which went into service in 1948. At (:50) the Chieftan main battle tank introduced in 1968. At (1:07) the new Challenger is shown during testing. At (1:48) the interior design of the tank is shown in a diagram. The driver position is shown at (2:10), as well as the gunner and commander positions. At (2:25) the loader, radio operator position is shown. At (2:35) the 1200 HP Rolls Royce engine is shown being put through its paces. At (3:02) the 120mm gun from the Chieftain is shown being fired on a test range. At (3:17) the salvo shell is shown accurate at a target 1100 meters away. At (3:57) the ammunition suite for the tank is shown as well as the fire control system, which is compared to the earlier Centurion. At (4:55) the stabilization system and hydropneumatic suspension is discussed, which permits the tank to fire accurately while moving. The computer (5:20) is shown in action and a target firing sequence is demonstrated (5:40). At (6:30) fallback modes are shown, which would be used in the event the tank was damaged in combat. This includes a gunner telescope. At (6:48) the tank's Chobham armor is mentioned. This was by far the most advanced aspect of the Challenger 1 design, as it gave protection far superior to any monolithic Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA), then standard of western tank armour material. (This armour was later adopted by other designs, including the American M1 Abrams.) At (6:55) the APDS, Armor Piercing Discarding Salvo is shown as well as a shaped charge and other threats. Fire effects are shown against Chobham armor. At (8:45) special fire suppressing containers are shown for ammunition storage. At (9:06) troops are shown wearing nuclear, chemical, biological warfare clothing and gas masks. Challenger has an NBC system to protect its crew. At (9:34) the radio is shown. At (10:00) the tank is shown moving at high speed (it could go up to 55km/h) while the narrator discusses the drivetrain, transmission and diesel engine. The tank's power pack is shown being easily changed in the field. The film ends with a summation while the “tank of the nineties“ is shown moving and firing. We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: “01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference.“ This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
