I am looking at building one of these beasties, but, as only 2 were ever built pictures, info etc is a bit thin on the ground.

They were built as trials tanks for possible sales to the IDF, the British Govt. later pulled the plug in case they upset the Arab Nations.

I know the hull was extended to allow for a belly escape hatch, but that is about it.

1 ended up as a crane at Kirkudbright ranges.

Can any one on here provide any info or point me in the right direction as i think this would make for an interesting model.

Thanks

Malcolm

You will need to get in touch with Bob Griffin, you could try posting on Missing Lynx to get in touch with him. Broadly speaking you will need a set of AFV Club Centurion tracks for the MkIV (which used Chieftain tracks without rubber pads but that is the closest you wil find), and you will need to rebuild the back end of the Tamiya kit so that the rear sides are vertical to the same height as the engine decks (and the engine deck drawings would be the hardest part to come across). As far as I know the turret was the same as a Mk3 to Mk3/3. Two were built, one tested in the USA on Operation Dryfoot (and there is a PRO or National Archives file on those tests which may help your project) the NA File number is WO194/1278...
Regards

Merlin

Thanks for the reply.

I`ve got some info and pictures through the Plain Military site.

The Cent tracks are closest to what is needed but the holes for the sprocket teeth are in the wrong place because the Cent sprocket is narrower than the Chieftain one.

So with the info i now have the only problem in producing a model of this unusual Chieftain is the tracks.

I will have to have a play with some spare Cent track to see what can be done.

This is a back burner project as i don`t yet have the base kit.

Malc

I am very excited by this conversion, all you should need to do for the sprocket is adjust it to the Cent tracks in 1/35th. If you have any decent walkaround pics do share them, I have only ever seen 2 or 3 pics of the Mk4 and none of the decks (you can PM me if you don't mind sharing any new pics you have found). By the way Chieftain fans, a great new book from Kagero is coming up on the Chieftain in the next few months, written by Bob Griffin and edited by yours truly.
Regards

Merlin

http://www.network54.com/Forum/47209/thread/1332114078/Chieftain+Mk+4

A couple of pics on here of Chieffy Mk4.

Malc

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n128/chieftain900/MK4-1.jpg

Here`s another.

They are the only ones i have access to.

Malc

This also may help.


Malc.

Hi mate just seen your post, I like you wish to build the mysterious Israeli Chieftain and again like you have limited info. Did you manage to finish yours if so have you photos?.
Regards Ray.

Sorry Raymond - I know you're new here, but clicking on the OP's "profile" button reveals he hasn't been on this site since 2016, so he won't see your post. It's a perennial problem on long-running forums like this.