Takom Chieftain Mk.5/5P - Inbox Review

Background

The British Chieftain(FV4201) was the main battle tank for the British Army from the 1960's to the 1990's.  The Chieftain was the further development of the Centurion tank, improving on many aspects, but maintaining many as well.  Some of the improvements over the Centurion included improved armor, sloping the front glacis and turret, multi fuel engine, and the use of the L11A5 120mm main gun.

The Chieftain entered service in 1967, and through many upgrade programs was final withdrawn from the British Army in 1995.  It also serve with other countries, to include Jordan, Iran, Oman, and Kuwait.  During the 1990 Iraq-Kuwait War, the Chieftain saw action against two Iraqi divisions.  In Iran, the tank continues in service today with local upgrades being done.

For modellers, Takom has brought not one, but three variants of the Chieftain tank to the market, including the this kit, the Mk.5/5P, the Mk.10, and Mk.11.  So you will have multiple choices.

Review

The Chieftain Mk.5/5P kit comes in a box loaded with sprues, molded in a light grey plastic.  Looking over the sprues, the moldings are done well with great surface detail and some fine parts.  The kit includes 12 sprues of parts including the hull and turret parts.  And additionly there are 6 sprues of track is included with a small bag for the track pads.  Also included in the box is a photo-etched fret, decals, and a poly vinyl mantlet cover.

Assembly of the kit looks rather straight forward, following the 'standard' flow of construction.  The suspension system looks to be a little daunting, and for some reason Takom let the rear of the springs hollow, though they won't be seem easily.  The individual link tracks look good, with each link in two parts having to attach the track pad separately.

The hull construction looks straight forward, and there is photo-etched included for the grills and basket bottoms. Some parts like the headlight guards are made from plastic, and might look a little bulking, which would have benefited from more photo-etched.  Speaking of the photo-etched fret, it is thin and flimsy, which should make the grills look good.

There is no interior details, including no interior hatch detail and no breech, thus unless you have figures, hatches will have to be built closed.  As for the barrel, it is a two piece side to side assembly, thus with the barrel cover, it could prove difficult to clean up the seam with out some care.

Clear parts are included for view ports and light lenses.

Paint schemes are included for 7 different vehicles using Ammo by Mig paint.  Markings for the kit includes:
- Unknown Unit BATUS, 1991
- Iranian, Battle of Shalamche, 242nd Battalion, 4th Brigade, 21st Infantry Division, May 1983 (2 schemes for this one)
- Iranian, Recaptured from the Iraqi Army by Iranian Revolutionary Guard
- Iranian, Army Day Parade, 2001
- Kuwati, Martyrs Brigade, Operation Desert Storm, 1991
- British 4/7th Dragoon Guards, D Squadron, Berlin, 1983

Overall this looks like a good kit of the Chieftain Mk.5/5P from Takom, and I would only presume shares many parts with the Mk.10 and Mk.11 kits.  The moldings look good, some fine parts, individual track links, and lots of marking options.  Unfortunately there are a few short comings to include lack of interior, barrel assembly, and hollow spring backs.  It does look like it will built a good looking model, and hope to get it on the bench soon.


Review Rating: ★★★★☆

 This kit is highly recommended, especially for fans of British Armor.