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Chieftain

It isn't a Mark 12 and I am uncertain what to mark to give it. The registration points to being a trials only MBT. signified by the letters SP (Special Projects) and never issued to any regiment if that is the case. There doesn't seem to be a Light Source box next to the gunners sight? yet it does have a MRS shroud on the end of the barrel and the canvas cover on the turret for a .50 Cal ranging gun. It has a strange antenna mount on the right side of the turret that clearly shows it never received a Clansman radio suite and indicative of an early mark, yet is fitted with a Mk.6 NBC pack. Many bins are missing as well. This may have been a vehicle from Shrivenham or Borden used for training purposes? Or one used for testing bridging and BAARV recovery. I would imagine the Museum can answer the questions but the registration is not listed in Rob Griffin's book Chieftain which contains the most comprehensive listing of all Chieftains built and issued to user hands (regiments). Keith.

Thank you for the detailed assessment Keith and you can see wjy I had problems.

Well I was close. She is/was in fact a Mk 5 but many items have been removed and she wasn't converted to accept Clansman, here is a little more information about her. The record card for this Chieftain indicates it was built as a Mark 5. (00 FD 69) The record also shows it was built at Royal Ordinance Factory (ROF) Leeds and had an in service date of 27 March 1972 at Ludgershall and stored. She was then re registered as 06SP71. and was then sent to the School of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Arborfield in September 1973 as a teaching vehicle for the REME. no further details are given. It was put on the museum books in 2011. This explains why many items were missing and only certain items remain. REME mechanics and gun fitters used her for learning and upgrading their trades. Keith.

Isn't the that the later rear engine grills and travel lock?

Certain items like the 'Gun Clamp' would have been updated on the vehicle in order to keep in line and up to date with what the soldiers would find and work on after graduation. What they didn't need, bins etc. were removed and put to better use by those in need (regiments). Keith.

Is any model company working on a new mold / CAD design for an updated Chieftain in 1/35 scale? Is Tamiya's old kit the only one out there?

Tamiya is the only injection moulded plastic offering of which I know of, but there are several resin offerings and conversions.