Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 7:53 pm

You live and learn. I always thought they were referred to as "wet" stowage because that's where you stowed your wets, ie drinks. They certainly kept beer cool. "Herforder, tank, on, loaded, fire, firing now......."

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Thu Apr 23, 2020 8:25 pm

K kill?

Ivano Costantini · Post by **Ivano Costantini** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 11:31 am

Hi Phill
i don't know if my engine will "live up" to your tank,
Fantastic!!!

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:02 pm

I'm sure it will Ivano your work is great!
I've been busy to, what do you think Vince.

Vince Cutajar · Post by **Vince Cutajar** » Fri Apr 24, 2020 6:16 pm

From here it looks good Phil. Those new containers seem to fit like a glove.

Vince

Mark Heaps · Post by **Mark Heaps** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:23 pm

Hi Phil,
I may be misinterpreting them but from the photos you have posted, it appears like you intend mounting the large charge bins on the turret floor so that they will rotate with the turret. Only the 3-charge triangular bin forward of the loader was mounted so, the rest were securely bolted to the hull.

For info, the rear charge bins were shaped such that you could access the generator panels that were behind them by unbolting the center bin and tilting it forwards ( wedging it securely so that it could not fall back into position whilst your arms were in that space, as although they looked light due be being fibre-glass, with the coolant filling, they were effing heavy.). Only experienced two repair jobs where I had to get the outer bins moved, one was a HDJ (Hull Distribution Junction ) replacement, the second was a cable replacement that went through the rear bulkhead to the engine compartment. Both times, moving the outer bins involved the ARRV crane and lifting strops down through the loaders hatch to shift them to get me access and putting them back when I was finished.

Mark

Phil Woollard · Post by **Phil Woollard** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 6:15 pm

More progress, the breech is now fitting nicely, while it's out I need to carry on with the loaders side of the turret, so that's what I am doing. The awkward shaped coax storage bin is a tricky bugger.

Vince I measured that muzzle dimension that you asked about and it's 23.88 , that's the male part as in the end of the barrel, the female piece is a nice slip fit at 23.98.

Vince Cutajar · Post by **Vince Cutajar** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 6:51 pm

I never tire of looking at that breech.

Thanks for those dimensions. Actually I was looking for the inside diameter of the front of the barrel (the big hole you see when you look at the front of the barrel). But not to worry as I don't need it anymore.

Vince

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:02 pm

Phil, I have to say you've done a stunning job. It goes to show that something doesn't have to be totally accurate to be very realistic. Your turret interior has the right atmosphere for me and I lived in the b.....y thing for years. Yes, you can spot things that "aren't quite right" but I don't think that matters too much, it feels right. Well done, power to your whatever (and to Vince too).

For added realism, a couple of easy points. The slanting bit to the left of the breech opening is the FNA (Firing Needle Assembly) and the bit sticking out at the bottom is the Vent Charge Autoloader. They were both silver.

John Clarke · Post by **John Clarke** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:10 pm

I was waiting for the paint job.

WOW

Mark Heaps · Post by **Mark Heaps** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:26 pm

Stephen White wrote: ↑
Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:02 pm
For added realism, a couple of easy points. The slanting bit to the left of the breech opening is the FNA (Firing Needle Assembly) and the bit sticking out at the bottom is the Vent Charge Autoloader. They were both silver.

I seem to recall they were unpainted and so bare metal, rather than being coated in the non-drying silver paint as other parts of the turret were.

Mark

Stephen White · Post by **Stephen White** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:28 pm

ie silver

Richard Goodwin · Post by **Richard Goodwin** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 7:43 pm

WOW...put two artists together and what do you get......almost total perfection! Absolutely stunning job chaps; well done to the both of you!

Vince Cutajar · Post by **Vince Cutajar** » Sat Apr 25, 2020 8:58 pm

WOW...put two artists together and what do you get......almost total perfection! Absolutely stunning job chaps; well done to the both of you!

I believe kudos should go to Phil. He did the planning, assembly work and the fine details that went into the assembly. Basically all the work. I just assisted him.

Vince