The FV 214 Conqueror, also known as "Tank, Heavy No. 1, 120 mm Gun, Conqueror" was a British heavy tank of the post-war era. It was developed as a response to the Soviet Joseph Stalin IS-3 heavy tanks; its 120 mm gun was larger than the 20-pounder (83.4 mm) gun carried by its peer, the Centurion, and the same gun carried by the US Army's M-103. The Conqueror's role was to provide long range anti-tank support for the Centurion. Conquerors were issued at nine for each regiment in Germany, usually grouped in three tank troops. Though superbly armored, it was also incredibly heavy and so was mechanically unreliable and was quite limited as to the bridges that would support it. 185 were built and later the chassis was used for a very successful ARV.  

Dragon's Black Label kits are pretty much all post WWII subjects that, so far, seem to have been built in relatively small numbers. We can now add the Conqueror 2 to this list of kits. There were other variants so you can be sure that we will see other uses of these sprues.

WIth only 200 parts, this is a great kit for those who are a bit squeamish about 5-600 part armor kits. Most of the parts are dedicated to the suspension as you would guess, but the kit does not have individual track links. Instead, there are two seats of DS tracks for each side as in the earlier M6A kit previewed.

The kit provides a one-piece lower hull and one piece upper section. The lower section includes the fendersThere are various tool containers, lights and pioneer tools for the upper hull. A driver's hatch is included and shown modeled in the closed position.

For the turret we have the Conqueror's neat rotating commander's cupola. Hatches are provided for the turret and can be posed open though there is little to see. An equipment basket is provided for the back of the turret bustle. A fine representation of the long barrel is also provided and there are sand shields for the upper section of the fenders. Two markings options are provided that differ only in serial number. Both are from the 7th Armoured Brigade, British Army of the Rhine in the 1960s.

This is a great kit for those who want a model of this neat looking heavy tank. The reduced parts count will be a real plus for those who prefer their builds to be relatively quick. It will not be a small model so be sure to have lots of room on your shelves for this one.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conqueror_tank

May 2015 

Thanks to www.dragonmodelsusa.com for the preview kit. You can get yours at your local hobby shop or on-line retailer.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact the editor or see other details in the Note toContributors.

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