I did the same with the spare tracks on the rear plate.ĭetailing the upper hull went smoothly.

I left off the running gear and tracks until after painting. The difference won’t be noticed on the inner wheels. The outer wheels comprise four parts to properly capture the undercut rims of the real vehicle. Ammo of Mig Jimenez paints are referenced in the guide. Instructions are provided in large, uncluttered illustrations, along with a separate color guide and decals for seven vehicles. Separate pads for the tracks increase assembly time but make painting the tracks easier.Ĭlear lenses are provided for the periscopes and major lights. Cleanly molded individual-link tracks come loose in a small bag and require only minor cleanup before assembly. Takom’s kit features excellent detail on light gray plastic.

Given the Chieftain’s widespread service, it’s surprising that only two plastic 1/35 scale kits of the vehicle have been released previously (by Tamiya and Academy). Large numbers of Chieftains were exported, and many served with armed forces in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait. Later marks designated major upgrades or rebuilds of Mk.3s and 5s. The primary versions of the main battle tank were the Mk.3 and Mk.5, the latter being the final production version. Two paint schemes are provided.When the Chieftain entered British service in 1967, it was the most powerful tank in NATO’s arsenal. Clear lights, observation ports and optical sight parts and fine PE parts are included. All crew hatches can be built open or closed. Easy-to-assemble single-pin workable tracks are included. The infrared searchlight has internal construction. The horizontal spring suspension and shock absorbers are accurately replicated. The gun mantlet cover and gun barrel thermal sleeve are designed by digital sculpting. The breakdown of Stillbrew composite armor follows its installation on the real vehicle. This MENG TS-051 1/35 British Main Battle Tank Chieftain Mk10 model kit is an accurate replica of the real tank. The later installation of the 750 hp engine also improved the weak mobility of earlier variants. The tanks starting from Mk10 received the Stillbrew add-on armor for extra protection. The hull front and turret used thick cast armor. The gun’s excellent performance made Chieftain famous. As the priority was given to the firepower and protection, this tank was equipped with the then-most advanced 120mm L11A5 rifled gun in the world. It was the main equipment of the British Army between the 1960s and the 1980s, and it had many variants. The Chieftain was a second-generation British main battle tank developed in the late 1950s.

British chieftain main battle tank