Chieftain No. 34

[John Clarke]

Very nice, taking orders?

[Charles A Stewart]

Hi folks.

Inspired by what I see on the forum I have persevered with the basket box. Although the latches(the wire bit) are wonky they are the least of the issue and can be redone anytime.

My original catches were all over the place . So hopefully when the second one is made it should look a lot better.

That will properly mean I will build a third one and retire the prototype.

Take care all, seeing some wonderful stuff going on.

Cheers charles

[Charles A Stewart]

Good evening all.

Sorry no tank building stuff, sorting out garage/workshop and ended up rigging the following, so in due course I have a painting platform. The red bit moves back inside, close the door and paint: Clean garage/workshop .

Don't hold your breath though, as I am only just starting this seasons work and the Panther(non Armotek) is the practice target for spraying.

For the curious, the platform is some of the deck from a vessel I used to skipper/helm/drive/steer .

Have a good weekend.

Charles

[Phil Woollard]

That's just what I do! Thousands of pounds worth hanging in the air. Keeps you focused.

[Charles A Stewart]

Hi all.

Should have mentioned the whole caboodle will be clamped down, level, before ones expensive model is trundled on

Charles

[Richard Goodwin]

I can't look

[Charles A Stewart]

Hi all

Apart from new smoke units, of which I am very interested, Chieftain wise anyway.

Could any of you most knowledgeable folk out there tell me why there is this cutout in the basket liner?

I have noticed there is a bracket fitted under this area too. This basket is fitted directly behind the search light.
my reference for this is Richard Kent's : Chieftain.

Cheers for now.
Charles

[John Clarke]

Pure speculation Charles, and since the baskets could be changed from one older or newer to another vehicle. So it may not be vehicle specific, I think this is a mod that was designed for the export market. Most commentators say the baskets were for general items needed by the crew to maintain and camouflage the vehicle. The one behind the search light in British hands is pretty much the same.
As we all know, some (a lot) export Chieftain Tanks didn't actually make it to their purchasers.
There are pictures of a large box situated behind the search light in the basket which some have said in the text, could be for extra main gun ammunition charge bags, along with a projectile box on the upper edge of the basket. Well you don't want to run out of projectiles if your in the middle of a nowhere desert.
The shape of the basket is all over the place to suit the turret, but the little side skirt sort of fits what could be the bottom edge and corner of the large box. I have only seen this mod on later models, mk5 onwards with or without the search light.
There's so many mods on Chieftain with 30 years+ service. I could be right, could be wrong.
Very few Chieftains were identical just like the Armortek Chieftain
The picture shows a British army built test model prototype, the projectile box and charge box in position if that's what they were used for in the field.
(Speculation)
Also, There's also a skid plate attached to the search light and basket fitted on some pictures, same on commanders side. Which makes sense if you don't want branches poking holes in your gear.

[Charles A Stewart]

hi all.

Thank you John, to add to the confusion(possibly), I found this at Elvington yesterday:-

This Basket covers the whole floor, no cut out, it also has a depth of half the height of said basket. This Chieftain also has a different backend, is pretty rusty, but still a useful reference. I'm sure its shown in one of the books I have.

Cheers Charles

[John Clarke]

Certainly is confusing, just to add to the pot. What's that rectangular bolt on plate above the basket on your picture for?
A secret MOD development, war gaming equipment
or just another tripping hazard

[Charles A Stewart]

Good afternoon all.

Hope you don't mind my sharing these photos of the Chieftains dozer thingy-me-bob, I hope can be of help. I couldn't see any to measure when I visited Bovington recently.

John, thanks for pointing out the box, suppose it is another bit to scratch build: anyone know what is for?

Cheers

Charles

[John Clarke]

A definite Tripping hazard, get your boot caught on this and your going to have a reverse forward with a half pike over the wash board.
Every operational gun tank supposedly got one. And if unlucky you got the dozer blade to go with it, so the books tell us.
I can only imagine the extra roles the Dozer Tank got to perform before being able to settle for the day.
Ps I love pictures and clips.

[Charles A Stewart]

Hi Folks.

May I pass on my solution (IMHO) to a conundrum, the commanders basket.

I know some are considering the fitting of a lower bar/frame. Externally it does improve the look. However, pictures paint a etc. etc.: -

Soldered quite well

Not forgetting the easier loaders basket. Modified after seeing the Elvington Chieftain.

Work still on going as I sort out the blemishes.

Cheers Charles

[John Clarke]

Definitely a basket case. looking really good Charles.
You'll soon fill them up with this and that.
Love the box, great addition.

[Charles A Stewart]

Evening all.

Apologies, I don't wish to be boring. Chieftain is a myriad of small kits in one box with all the consequential detail to be added, if so wished.

It is a challenge that I am willing to have a go at, one step at a time. How are other Chieftain owners getting on?

Test fitted baskets; by heck makes the turret look huge

Happy building

Charles