C027
Chieftain Mk-11 ‘Stillbrew,TOGS’

Chieftain Mk-11 ‘Stillbrew,TOGS’

The Chieftain entered service in 1966, and was a remarkable step forward in tank design. The driver was placed in a reclining position to reduce the hull height and the massive 120mm rifled gun used bagged charges instead of heavy brass cased ammunition. Both hull and turret armour was very thick and well sloped. Chieftain replaced both Centurion and Conqueror, and was eventually replaced by Challenger-1 after 28 years of service, during which it evolved through many ‘Marks’ of vehicle.

We have chosen to make the last three significant vehicles using the Tamiya “Mk-5” kit as a basis. This particular 1/35th scale conversion by Jon Bottomley depicts the Mk-11 Chieftain ‘Stillbrew’, which is a Chieftain Mk-10 already fitted with the ‘Stillbrew’ Crew Protection package (CPP) and the Barr and Stroud Thermal Observation and Gunnery System (TOGS) replacing the searchight, and with revised stowage. This was the final mark of Chieftain with the proposed Mk-12/13 vehicles cancelled with the introduction of Challenger-2. The comments made in C026 also apply as the Tamiya upper hull is not suitable for a Stillbrew TOGS version and must be replaced.

This conversion includes new upper hull, hull rear, turret, gun and all hatches, stowage boxes and fittings. The gun barrel included in this set is also available on it’s own as B35011.Two etched brass detail sets are provided, one with mesh deck screens, mudflaps, handles and even scale bin padlocks! The second contains a complete scale thickness skirt plate system. Brass towing hawsers are also included. When finished the venerable old girl looks very smart indeed! And if you have ever heard a Chieftain running you NEVER forget that noise!

This product is a Conversion set and a donor plastic kit is needed to make the vehicle shown in the images.