SPA Modeler

There are 2 British army vehicles i really have a thing for, other than the Warrior of course. Back in the 70's when i was 6 or 7, there was a large fair at a local park in Norwich, and the Army were there. I recall they had 3 armoured vehicles, and while i think one might have been an Abbot, the other 2 i am certain of, a Scorpion and Chieftain. I think it was from that day that my desire to join the Army started. So when i got interested in building modern British armour a few years back, those 2 were high on the wish list. Now i have both in the stash, and this is as good a time as any to build one of them.



I will be building it in the scheme of one of the BATUS training vehicles as shown on the box. The only extras will be an Accurate Armour resin barrel and some 3D printed exhausts from FC Model Trend.

I started a few weeks back while i was doing the Harriers so i could get the lower hull and suspension painted early.



These parts were assembeled on the sprue so i could get all round them.



And an armour build is not complete without a wheel forest.



Once the lower hull and suspension parts were painted, they got put together. I use my usual Tamiya mix here of NATO green and field grey. But i will be useing MiG paints on the rest.







These are the 3D exhausts, first time useing printed parts on an armour build.



And then last weekend i started on the rest of the build. For a well detailed kit, it goes together very easily and quickly. The hull is ready for primer. I left off the wing mirrors as tehse are not used in BATUS.







And the turret is just waiting for the TOGS on the left side. I left off the top of the comanders hatch so i can paint around it before fitting the clear periscopes.



The gun barrel was originally part of the Accurate Armour kit, now sold as a seperate AM part. A hole had to be drilled to allow it to fit on the Takom mount, but i was able to get a nice tight fit.





I should be able to get the primer on by the midle of the week. Then i can start on the tracks. I am useing MiG paint so i have a good match for the sand colour. But my LHS didn't have their field grey so i have ordered some which should be here by the end of the week.

Very cool! Is it me or does that barrel seem especially longer than most?

Can a tank be classy looking? Yes.

Nice subject Bish! I built the Tamiya Chieftain long ago, but these Takom Chieftains have been on my wish list since they came out. Especially the ones like this with the “Stillbrew” uparmored turrets. I will live vicariously watching you build this!

Pulled a season card.

I'm not a big fan of modern armor, but the chieftain, man that's a nice looking tank. Like most Takom kits it doesn't look like you had any issues with construction so far.

AWESOME!!!! I love the Chieftain, it was a great looking Tank.

Thanks guys. ye, it is a long barrel, the british army have tended to go for longer barrels on there last few tanks. Its actually looks a lott longer than the cahlly barrel, but when i put it up against the tamiya Mk 1 chally they are about the same.

Everything is now ready for priming, the only issues was the TOGS which was a tight fit, but i managed to squeeze into place. Everything else fit perfectly.

I wanted to get this later version with the intention of getting an earlier one later, so now i am waiting on the AFV Club Mk 6.

This is awesome and you've made excellent progress so far. I like these tanks as well.

I have this tank, a Chieftain Mk.10 and a Chieftain Mk.5 under construction in 1/72 scale myself. I'll be following along with this build; looking forward to seeing more.

Thanks Duke, will look out for those 2.