CHIEFTAIN

[John Clarke]

Hi John,
I am not sure why but it just looks wrong.

Hi Mark

I'm pretty sure it's right, It's called the Census plate found inside the tank, describing the date of build, the Mk and all the things you might need to know at a glance.

I clambered over this Mk5 some years ago, finding out from the Census plate it was an interesting Mk5p.



Hummmmm Mk 5, nice. No ugly extra appendages, sorry Stephen

[Mark Heaps]

Hi John,
I saw enough of them on every tracked vehicle during 22 years service in REME. That one just does not look right for some reason.
Mark

[John Clarke]

Sorry Mark just a Civvy, I took it for granted it is what it is.
Memories of the Mk 5p are pretty good, I took lots of pictures, but sadly not of the census plate.

Then, I remembered there's a picture of similar plate in one of my many books.
On page 63 of Photo Sniper Chieftain by Robert Griffin, there's a clear picture of the census plate. It's exactly the same as the one I have, down to the Chieftain name in italics. The only difference is that the one in the picture been stamped with the Mk and history of the tank in the walk round.

Mine is a Virgin plate, probably destined for the Middle east but became a memento. I guess the bulk of the discarded stock went back into the smelting pot when the orders dried up.

This old girl was apparently in running condition and in pretty good condition.

[Mark Heaps]

Hi John,
My work on Chieftain was fairly limited, just experiencing them whilst trade training as an ECE and then for a few months at my first unit in early 1987 when we were getting rid of them and receiving Challenger 1. Possibly the Census plates on later vehicles was so different that your one just seems odd to me. Or maybe it is my memory, I left the army in Feb 2007.

What seemed strange to me were the following points.
1) Position of the WD arrow "pointing" at the vehicle name. My memory was that it was positioned top left.
2) The word spacing between NATO and STOCKNo , also not STOCK.No
3) CODENo and not CODE.No
4) WK SPS and not WKSPS. The Census plate would have been updated when going through a base overhaul at one of the base workshops ( abrreviated Wksps)
5) CLASS OF REPAIR - spacing between CLASS and OF

It could well be genuine but just looks wrong to me.

Regards
Mark

[andymusgrove]

Here's a video from my day out at Juniper Leisure, showing that Chieftain doesn't always smoke like a steam train, even when driven by rank amateurs



Adrian.

Rank AMateur sounds about right Adrian - shocking gears changes.... and over revving is shameful..

Andy

[andymusgrove]

Had an inkling you'd be chuffed Stephen.
Apologies in advance, my model will have to be Household Cavalry...……. am I still allowed one?

Regards
Kevin

Hi Kevin
Another Household Cavalry man i see, Blues & Royals i hope

I have also been a good soldier and signed up for this one..

I was Blues and Royals in Detmold on Chieftain so love then to bits..

Cant wait for it to arrive now.

Cheers

Andy

[Kevin Hunter]

Hi Andy,
Yes you can relax..... nothing to do with those Life Guard oiks
However, to be totally clear, I never served - merely the proud son of a former Blue, (RHG as you will know) as opposed to the Royals. I did spend time in Detmold, but as a much younger child than I am now ..........
Your path may well have crossed with Dads. Always happy to hear of old comrades, by all means PM me anytime
Best regards
Kevin

[Mark Heaps]

I would be interested to hear from Armortek what the response for this model has been, after all a lot here on the forum had said they would purchase it if produced.
I seem to remember they reported that within 24 hrs of it being announced, 70% were reserved. How many were reserved in name only, and how many have been truly reserved by paying the non-refundable deposit ? People putting their money where their mouth is ?
Mine has been reserved. I informed Monique by email that I had ordered, and transferred the funds but it may not be viewable to them till the following day. Within an hour, I had a reply from Monique that the transfer had been received.
Mark

[John Clarke]

Hi John,
My work on Chieftain was fairly limited, just experiencing them whilst trade training as an ECE and then for a few months at my first unit in early 1987 when we were getting rid of them and receiving Challenger 1. Possibly the Census plates on later vehicles was so different that your one just seems odd to me. Or maybe it is my memory, I left the army in Feb 2007.

What seemed strange to me were the following points.
1) Position of the WD arrow "pointing" at the vehicle name. My memory was that it was positioned top left.
2) The word spacing between NATO and STOCKNo , also not STOCK.No
3) CODENo and not CODE.No
4) WK SPS and not WKSPS. The Census plate would have been updated when going through a base overhaul at one of the base workshops ( abrreviated Wksps)
5) CLASS OF REPAIR - spacing between CLASS and OF

It could well be genuine but just looks wrong to me.

Regards
Mark

Think I may have an answer this conundrum or one of them, I've had the magnifying glass out on the Photo Sniper book photograph, and all the points you make are. ..... incorrect. So either the book Mk11 Chieftain has a dodgy Census plate, which I doubt ......or....There are two types of Census plate for the Chieftain.
The Mk11 was often an upgrade of a very early Mk2 version, the Census plate could be a early version casting and later updated/upgraded into the plate you have described.......or.... Even more enticing, could it be that the Manufacturers ROF at Leeds, and Vickers at Elswick had slightly different Census plates fitted to their vehicles. Same details, slightly different look.
Spooky.....Unless someone knows differently



Now that's patina

[Stephen White]

Chieftain at work and play. 4th Royal Tank Regiment, 1980s.

Two living VCs: Maj Gen Bob Foote VC and Capt Pip Gardiner VC. Both won their VCs serving with 4th Tanks in North Africa as part of 8th Army. Bob Foote was recognised for gallantry in command and Pip Gardiner for the rescue of a crew under fire.

Ernie Wise tries his hand as a driver

Bang.

Chieftain Mk 11 with TOGS and STILLBREW - 4th Tanks was the last regiment to serve on Chieftain, converting to Challenger 1 in 1993.

Night firing with white light. The IR capability was rarely, if ever used.

[Adrian Harris]

Thanks for the pics Stephen.

In the one with the two VC recipients, it almost looks as though that Chieftain is wearing some form of Zimmerit.

Was that just the basic texture of the cast parts, or does is it wearing some form of textured paint/covering ?

Adrian.

[Kevin Hunter]

(un)educated guess..... non-slip texture? Doesn't look to be much clambering space other than "slippery when wet" steel.
Kevin

[andymusgrove]

Thanks for the pics Stephen.

In the one with the two VC recipients, it almost looks as though that Chieftain is wearing some form of Zimmerit.

Was that just the basic texture of the cast parts, or does is it wearing some form of textured paint/covering ?

Adrian.

Hi Adrian

No idea what the texture is made with but it is only a non slip finish - we just painted them again and again on top of the finish.

Andy

[Stephen White]

I checked with Dick Taylor and he thought it was a sand and thick paint mixture, certainly applied during manufacture and not, contrary to some comments on other groups/forums, a crew task done in unit lines.Dick also thought the early Mks 2 & 3 might not have had it to start with, which would mean it was applied during upgrades at base workshops. It was essential. The turret top was lethal when wet if you didn’t mind your step. One foot either side of the barrel wasn’t funny - well not at least to the victim.

[Phil Dawe]

Anyone have images of Chieftains serving with 4th/7th RDG in the 1970's? That will be my choice of unit markings when my Chieftain turns up late summer!