Hi All,

I started this a while back (2 years maybe?). Anyhow, still not doing a lot of 'extras' like etch and all (have a Mk 11 Accurate Armour conversion I will do someday). I decided that I would put 'backs' on boxes, etc that would be hollow otherwise, plus just put on sponson covers with sheet plastic.

Before:


After:



I am also filling the backs of the suspension parts which are hollow too, which you can see a little in the above pics.

It got knocked off the desk where it was, so in fixing the couple things that got knocked off, figured I should finish it.

Still doing a little more work. Bit by bit, right?

Anyhow, I have a question. I know the early Chieftains had a ranging MG. In the photo below (pointing at it with paintbrush), is that it?



Thanks,

John

Yes it is.
The Co-ax. MG is in the slot above, co located to the main armament.

Keith.

Thanks for the quick reply Keith. Then it was good that I drilled the part out!

John

John.
You can see the location of the 7.62mm Co-ax in this picture. it has its own opening in the canvas mantlet cover and is secured by a hosepipe type clip.


Keith.

Keith,

Thanks for the follow up message. Sorry that I am a bit poor eye-sighted, but it looks like that there are 2 items (besides the main gun) sticking out of the mantlet cover. One to the right (if you were on the turret facing forward) and one to the upper left (with a decent sized bore). Do you have a close up?

Thanks,

John

Keith,

Well here is my attempt to add the canvas and a 'replacement' MG. I used some .080 rod that I drilled out and then some apoxy sculpt to make the mantlet. Hope it looks okay, because it gets REALLY hard!





Cheers,

John

Does the chieftain have any 'head-pad' or anything like that in the center of it's commanders hatch?



Otherwise have a fun sink mark to fill. BYW, the top of the copula is not glued down yet.

Thanks.

very nice work, like the mantlet cover & ranging gun treatment.

If you are using a replacement barrel, you will know of Commanders & Accurate Armour conversions.

I did my MK5-ish conversion (commanders models I think), similar (but not as good as) this one Mil Mod

A good Tweaks List which covers most things, such as the slave mg to the left of the barrel being plated over in the later marks.

The Chiefy was subject to loads of different Marks & re-works, often resulting in 'hybrid' mark no's Mk5/7 etc, with a mix of early & late features/upgrades/cupolas, etc.
(eg, use Tamiya Challenger 1 or 1/3(!) commanders cupola)

The pad(s) in the commanders' hatch are the padding, green/khaki or red-brown leather, Have fun.

Jon,

Thanks for the info. Those are nice links too.

I am keeping this one 'somewhat' simple, since I have an AA set in the stash that I will do at some later date.

Just want to finish it, but if I leave the hatch open, can't have a sinkhole right in the middle!

Thanks again,

John

Just a quick update. Used some Epoxy Sculpt and made a pad. Not painted yet, but here goes.

John,
Nice work on the Chieftain so far. I did one last year for the British Armour Campaign, so there are some 'before and after' shots there - also some in my gallery. If I recall correctly, there was more than one Chieftain built in that campaign, so you may get some help there - or in my case What not to do!

Stephen (Minas-Ithil)

Stephen,

Thanks. Trying to keep it as OOB as I can. No photoetch or metal tracks at this time.

All,

So I have been working on turret details and worked on the smoke dis-chargers. I drilled out the wholes and deepened them, then thinned the walls of the tubes. Please let me know if you think the time was worth it (about 30mins for the first one, much less for the 2nd).

Here they are mounted on the tank.


One closer.


Thanks,

John

Ready for the paint shop!





A little cleaning then, paint.

Got a decent amount of time on the kit this weekend! Got the primer coat of Vallejo Bronze Green on the tank, painted the wheels (wish I did not have them mounted already) and painted the tracks. Then sprayed the barrel thermal wrap with Vallejo Canvas.

Well, she is finished! Thank you Armorama for getting me motivated to do so. Here are a couple pictures I was able to take outside in a little sunshine.

nice build, and good work on recovering this one, stalled builds are a pain!

nice build John ! love the clean lines of the Chieftains turet

Your chieftan is great John, definately one of my favorite British tanks. It was also really cool to meet an armorama member in person.
-Seth

Seth,

Was really nice to meet you in person too. Thanks for the nice words!

James,

Yea, stalls are kind of annoying and I must really thank Armorama for the idea to restart it!


Jeff,

Thanks. I have always loved the looks of this tank too! Looked so futuristic to me as a kid. Well, what am I talking about? It still does!

Also, I wasn't trying to hide the other side of the tank, posted the wrong pic! Here it is.