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Unique ID:
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2125
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Added to Database:
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4 February 2012
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Last Edited:
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24 March 2012
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Type (ID):
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Chieftain 900 (3603)
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Model (ID):
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Chieftain 900 (3603)
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Location Category (ID):
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The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection (3016)
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Location (ID):
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Storage (3016)
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Serial Number: |
3474 (engine), L/4785 (barrel), L/4944 (breech).
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Registration: |
56 MS 09: “56 MS 09” painted on front right and rear right mud flaps. 53 MS 09 according to Museum Vehicle Record, 56 MS 89 according to Griffin/Chieftain.
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Name: |
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Other Identification: |
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Collection Reference: |
E1988.93. (Accession 9388, Entry 1988.1107).
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Links: |
Museum Vehicle Record
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References: |
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Associated Tanks: |
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Location History:
(see map) |
1: Royal Ordnance Factory, Barnbow, Crossgates, Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, Britain (Sole manufacturer of prototypes)
2: Aldershot Military Museum and MWEE, Aldershot, Hampshire, South East England, Britain (Presumed location – BAEE 1980)
3: Royal Ordnance Factory, Barnbow, Crossgates, Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, Britain (Returned to factory)
4: Aldershot Military Museum and MWEE, Aldershot, Hampshire, South East England, Britain (Presumed location – BAEE 1982)
5: Royal Ordnance Factory, Barnbow, Crossgates, Leeds, Yorkshire and the Humber, Britain (Returned to factory)
6: REME Museum Vehicle Store, Bordon, Hampshire, South East England, Britain (Allocated to SEME Bordon ca1986)
7: The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Current location)
8: The Tank Museum - Tankfest Arena, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Static display at Tankfest 2011)
9: The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Current location)
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Text in original Preserved British Tanks publication:
[No entry]
Text in Preserved British Tanks Update:
[No entry]
Text in original Preserved Tanks In Britain publication:
This tank was built as a Chieftain Mark 5/3P, the version used by the Iranian Army. Judging by dates on equipment in the turret it was manufactured in the mid- to late- seventies. In 1980 it was exhibited at the British Army Equipment Exhibition (BAEE) as ‘Chieftain 800’, re-engined with the 800hp version of the Condor CV12 and coupled to a TN12 transmission. In 1981 Royal Ordnance, Leeds, launched Chieftain 900, a Chobham-armoured tank with the 900hp Condor E engine. This vehicle was converted to simulate the 900 configuration, with tinwork instead of extra armour. The other prototype had a 900hp engine, but did not have genuine Chobham armour. The tanks were exhibited at BAEE in 1982, but there were no orders and the project was abandoned by 1986. The two prototypes were originally allocated to SEME Bordon in an attempt to reduce the number of Challengers diverted for training, but this vehicle was then sent to the Tank Museum, after remaining outdoors for some time. Specific features of this vehicle include: basic Chieftain hull, modified to accept CV 12, turret modified to 900 configuration, standard cupola, standard Chieftain running gear except for an extra rear support roller and shock absorbers fitted to rear stations. Fitted with H30 Generator No 4 Mark 10A, serial 3474, spec FV 468/17. Gearbox is a TN12 Mark 8/9, serial no G.B.G., List No. 500303.45. (Source: Museum Vehicle Record).
This prototype arrived at the Museum in September 1988 and was refurbished in October 1988. The British Army Equipment Exhibition (BAEE) in 1982 took place in two venues; there was a static display at Aldershot, and a Mobility and Firepower demonstration at Bovington (source: Jane’s Military Review, Second Edition). It is presumed that this Chieftain 800/900 prototype was displayed at Aldershot and that the other Chieftain 900 undertook the mobility demonstration at Bovington.
This Chieftain 900 was on static display at Tankfest 2011.
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