24 Hour Cheiftain

[PanzerWomble]

Ok had this old behemoth sat around a few years gathering dust. I've some much nicer Takom Cheiftains to build , so this needs zipping up and gone . I have built quite a few of Tamiya's venerable Cheiftain offering as, before Takom, is was pretty much the only show in town 

As a MK 5 ...it's a very early take on a MK 5 ( 1971/2 maybe?) , rather than the later mainstream MK5's  , main differences being the radio fit ( Larkspur instead of Clansman not obvious to non geeks other than the antenna mounts  ) and the NBC pack on the turret bustle . The early small unit portrayed on this kit week were quickly swapped out for the full width ones , which I'll scratch up . Oh and things like the MRS ( Muzzel reference system)  on the barrel .

And I'd like to have it all done an dusted in 24 hours or less

Ready Steady go...............

FUN FACT - the last one of these I built (00EB57), went as a gift to the gunner who had served on it , who contacted me after seeing it on eBay . He kindly sent me some pics of his time on it in 1988/9.

 

[Bomber_County]

Is it finished yet………..

[PanzerWomble]

5 minutes ago, Bomber_County said:

Is it finished yet………..

shhhh I'm glueing hard

[PanzerWomble]

This old kit is what I'd call a "dad" kit . Go to the hobby store , pick one up for under 20 bucks , some glue and a couple of paints and you're off. Every dad can make one of these, low parts count , they fall together and generally look ok when done .

Has aged well compared to the equally old Panther Ausf A, which for my money is terrible in shape and accuracy , & doesn't even look like a Panther to me, specially compared to Tamiaya 1990's Ausf G .

So Sprues - this is no Ryefield or Dragon and wubber twacks ..

 

[PanzerWomble]

And here we are 5 hours (plus dinner) in , all basic construction is done . Now it needs all the mods , filling etc . Back in the day I had to measure it all out from photographs and drawings, now I can just borrow my MK10 for the dimensions I need . So , off for various bits 'n pieces and then back for primer .

The limiting factor with this 1975 tooling is the engine deck as it is the right height for the early 650hp bus engine ...when they moved to the 750hp unit , the deck height increased , so portraying later marks is problematic. and yes the Takom is sooo in advance on this old nail . I've not seen the Meng Mk10 , can't really  justify three Cheiftains in the stash !

 

 

 

[PanzerWomble]

Ok mods done , quick blast with primer and see where we are .

 

[GazzaS]

Wham bam!  Nice and quick progress.  It's been so long since I did a build so quickly.  I always feel like I've gone wrong somewhere.

[BlrwestSiR]

You're not kidding on the speed build.

The closest I've done was my Bandai TiE fighter. 20 minutes and done but I didn't even use glue or paint. 

[Martinnfb]

[BlrwestSiR]

29 minutes ago, Martinnfb said:

Is that the new Revell 1/3 kit? 

[PanzerWomble]

Green Down !

 

[PanzerWomble]

[Martinnfb]

Nice!

[BlrwestSiR]

Definitely on the fast track. 

[PanzerWomble]

My hopes for a quick build have been somewhat dashed by other things I need to do over the next few days . Will be back to this later in the week

[Martinnfb]

You can still fit it into a 24 hour build time frame

[Jeff]

21 hours ago, BlrwestSiR said:

Definitely on the fast track. 

'Fast track " .............. I get it !!

[Peterpools]

Must be earning from John on including 'speed' into a build flawlessly.

 

[PanzerWomble]

Righty ho, daughter come and gone  , furniture moved 200 miles and back to the build .

Roooober tracks sprayed in varying shades of dark & light brown and hull red . Then track pads done with Vellejo German Grey

 

##

 

 

Some brush details of tyres 'n other parts

 

 

and a mish mash of decals.

 

 

Next up Oil Pin wash

[GazzaS]

Very nice!  Looks like a tank, now.

[PanzerWomble]

Pinwashed with oils. Decided to use pastels for final finishing , very Tony Greenland circa 1995 ...

As a bit of fun worked out ok , although given the better moulding around this is probably the last of one of Tamiya's I will bother with . 

Cammo netting looks ok in the flesh not so good in the photos so might have a another crack at it later . 

And technically aa 5 day build , although more like an afternoon and two fat evenings ! 

[Peterpools]

Looking good and at such a build pace. 

[Bomber_County]

Stunning PW, we can’t keep calling you that! That was JohnB pace. I must admit I’ve pretty much done with Tamiya armour. I have just a KT in the stash but have all the AM including zimmerit. They do not bother adding the detail of RFM or Dragon, shame really……..

[PanzerWomble]

17 minutes ago, Bomber_County said:

Stunning PW, we can’t keep calling you that! That was JohnB pace. I must admit I’ve pretty much done with Tamiya armour. I have just a KT in the stash but have all the AM including zimmerit. They do not bother adding the detail of RFM or Dragon, shame really……..

Thank you although I think thats a lil harsh for my money  . Agreed Tamiaya detail is softer , they have less parts, and often the tracks date them ,but I reckon a lot can still build up well as the dimensions are good , even this old chonker of a Cheiftain .

I built a recent tooling Tamiya Pz II and their PzIII , IMHO they were pretty good. I've also built  the Meng, Hobbyboss and Tamiya Kingtiger .....like to guess which one this is  ? 😂

 

[GazzaS]

Well done Guy.   My eye believes it's a peace time tank that has been out and caught a little dust and dirt.  Good job for a few day's work.  What's next?