Chieftain build by Phil Woollard.

[Mark Heaps]

Now if I've got the correct information ( or rather the information correct) the metadyne compartment and it's contents provided a very consistent reliable and infinitely variable dc current for the turret traverse and gun elevation/depression control.
The system seems to have been very troublesome in service, I would think that the access to the system compounded any problems, and looking through the armoured hatch/plate you can see why, I shall attempt to reproduce the basic components, although a fair bit of guess work will be required!

Hi Phil, the chunky cabling on the photo is actually coming from the Control Cubicle which was about 50 cm deep before you reached the bulkhead to the Metadyne compartment. The GCE Gun Control Equipment in my experience was quite reliable and the metadynes themselves extremely so. I only changed one and it had to be the lower of the two which meant first removing the upper one. An awkward and heavy job which I only did under protest as I was sure the metadyne could not cause the fault exhibited. However at the time just coming out of training, I had to follow the orders of those more experienced. As I expected, replacing the Metadyne did not rectify the fault.
IMHO detailing the parts under that cover is a waste of time and effort, having that armoured lid unbolted & removed would not reflect the typical Chieftain.
Mark

[Phil Woollard]

Many thanks for the advice Mark always the positive!

[Phil Woollard]

The learning curve reference the 3d printing is steep, Steve gave me some good pointers yesterday as he's been doing it for yonks. I thought that I would need to purchase a scanner but it looks like my smart phone and some remote software will be the way forward, referred to as......"Photogrammetry", now that's a big word.
I can't wait to get started!
I may start a new thread, "3d printing" ? I know it's been covered before but I'm an idiot with tech ( no unhelpful comments thank you guys) then we can all post interesting projects with lots of good advice.
Now that brings me on to the cannon and that humongous breech, ( see where I'm going with this) would anyone have the dimensions of that monster as I need to build it or possibly print it! Just the basic figures would be great, this maybe a good excuse for someone to ask the guys at Bovington for permission to crawl inside one of their Chieftain's with a tape measure and camera. I suppose the bloody pox may hamper this request for a while.
I reckon I should be able to print the entire breech with this anycubic mega machine.

[Vince Cutajar]

Phil

Sent you a new stl file with holes in the bottom.

Now you have two files you can play with. Hope they work for you.

Vince

[Phil Woollard]

Thanks Vince.

[Phil Woollard]

What a day tricking out the interior. My back is killing me!

[Richard Goodwin]

Awesome stuff Phil!

Not sure if this may help with your quest on the inside:

03 EB 20

[Richard Goodwin]

Awesome stuff Phil!

Not sure if this may help with your quest on the inside:

03 EB 20

[Phil Woollard]

Many thanks Richard it all helps, kind regards Phil

[Mark Heaps]

Awesome stuff Phil!

Not sure if this may help with your quest on the inside:

03 EB 20

Those photos bought a few tears to my eyes, a few from nostalgia and bringing back memories. Most of them were due to seeing the neglect and abandondness. Electrical boxes missing, cables missing or not connected, and the state of that breech-block.

As REME our job and ethos was keeping fit equipment in the hands of the user. We could have regenerated that tank to take part in future battles but it would have taken a lot of time and effort.

Mark

[Phil Woollard]

I'm heading toward the workshop in a mo but just thought this little warning label on one of the turret systems cabinets was interesting!
On the subject of the turret control boxes, ammunition racks etc (as there's currently no alternative), i plan to clone a selection of the units printing them out in various sizes for the Chieftain build, I presume that the software will let me simply plus or minus the size of each and any scanned box I wish?
Let's see if I can make half decent scaled boxes first and then move on to the ammunition racks and shells. I hope I'm not going to stand on anyone's toes....Dave. I promise not to clone/copy your hard work mate, well not unless we have an agreement first!
Lots to think about.

[Phil Woollard]

The finished turret interior padding colour, I have now removed the seam covers leaving the section joints a bit more like the real thing which was not very tidy. Next job, while the turret is upside down, is to add the wiring for the interior lighting and various other dodads.
Then we are onto the various interior fittings.

[Mark Heaps]

I'm heading toward the workshop in a mo but just thought this little warning label on one of the turret systems cabinets was interesting!

That box with the warning sign had nothing to do with the metadynes which provided high current for the turret and gun drive motors. It was the power unit for the laser in the TLS Tank Laser Sight. No danger to the crews as positioned away from where they would put their hands apart from when switching it on, and only a danger if the output cable was disconnected, but something for us who maintained & repaired the systems to be aware of if we were working on that area.

Worst "bite" I got was 300V DC from a damaged fuse cap on the control cubicle. After that I always checked the physical conditions of the fuse caps on any vehicle before I touched them.

Mark

[Adrian Harris]

> braced sledging

Sounds like a new Olympic Winter Sporting event.

Adrian.

[Phil Woollard]

Bloody predictive text lol.

Mark, what was strapped in the cradle on the turret side wall just to the right of the crew light? Also is that a grab handle just in shot on the turret roof?