Should I Buy A Chieftain Tank ?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ส.ค. 2024
- Important update : The gun is not live , it has many of its important components removed and it is no longer capable of firing anything.
In this video we look at another military vehicle restoration project, this time a Chieftan main battle tank.
These have been parked up outside for a number of years and now require extensive work to get them moving again.
Should i buy one? The obvious answer is yes but as you will see in this video the restoration required to get these moving will take many years and cost a lot of money.
In the past I have bought a couple of smaller vehicles from this same seller and they have restored fairly well but this chieftan is a different beast all together, and one which I’m not too familiar with.
Thanks for watching and dont forget to subscribe.
There are several videos on my channel of previous military vehicle restorations, if you are interested. These include an Abbot self propelled gun, Scorpion CVRT light tank from the Gulf war and a 6x6 Stalwart high mobility load carrier.
Cheers. - บันเทิง
I think Joe Hewes might be helpful with this tank, good project though 👍
We have been chatting !
It`s in pretty good nick compared to some of the ones he`s had :)
thats the sillest question i have ever heard!!!! YES!
Just checked it's No. made in Barnbow crossgates Leeds, about a mile and a half from were I live. Loved the sound of them on the test track , when I was a kid.
I saw them from the train going into Leeds ...this is some time ago..😋
So what was its reg number
I saw them being loaded onto trains to shipped out the Shah only for them to return from the docks for a repaint to green..
Not only do I believe whole heartedly that you should buy that tank. I believe with equal enthusiasm that you should buy two of them and give one to me!
Buy one get one free deal this week on chieftain main battle tanks !
You should definitely buy a chieftain tank! When I was growing up in helston, you'd hear these start on occasional Saturdays, we used to climb in and around the accessible ones in the rear yard
Mostly all gone now. I bought the Abbot from out the front and a Scorpion. Those that are left are pretty rough !
@@BenoCam that's a shame, it was quite a while ago now, possibly 20 years ish
You’re not allowed a penknife in the uk but an operational tank is absolutely fine 😂😂
Mental isn’t it 🤣
You are allowed a pen knife. I had one. You aren’t allowed a locked blade is all.
You can legally carry a Swiss Army knife (Victorinox guaranteed for life!) other knifes you might need to demonstrate to plod that you were a gardener going to a pruning job, a cook about to cook some meals etc.
definitely buy a chieftan tank
Sometimes it's best to walk away 😢
i'd run ,,,,, fast ;
I drove a chieftain at some outdoor adventure place in Norfolk about 20 years ago. We were there for scuba diving on the coast and got blown out and tried our luck and they let us pay just for the tank driving (you were supposed to book a package of things). Their T72 was broken so we got the Chieftain. It was a very tight fit even with the drivers hatch open (so the bloke could tell you what to do) and quite hard to keep it going….had to keep the revs up or it stalled. It was a blast but very physical the two big steering levers needing a strong pull. After a couple of goes around a circuit of berms you got a go as passenger in the turret. It was a really great experience. Can’t even remember what we paid.
These guys? www.youtube.com/@tinkeringwithtanks
@@Daniel-S1 It was a long time ago but the place we went to was aimed at parties for stags and hens with quad bikes and other things as well as the tanks. Could’ve been connected I honestly can only remember how hard it was to drive the thing but awesome at the same time.
Looks like that one was fitted with the IFCS ( Improved Fire Control System). Control panel fitted underneath to the left of the Laser Power Supply Unit that had the 3000v warning. Spent many a happy hour repairing and replacing the fire control systems and sights on Chieftains in the 70's and 80's. Pity no gunners sight fitted but at least it's got the auxiliary telescope, a proper barsteward to get out.
That's a massive undertaking but wow that is very complete!
The needles from those trees make the water acidic, which is why there is that much corrosion...
There are 3 though and they are all very bad, I think it might be the sea air. I know it’s a bit inland but it’s always windy up that way !
If that's where I think it is down in Helston then that was the best part of the Helston town service bus route for me driving past there and seeing the tanks. Coming from Colchester I did get to see and look inside quite a few military vehicles when they held public events.
Helston Gun smiths or something like that, they have been rotting for years.....amazing that they won't sell unless deactivated, which I would say the weather has already done! Been years since I was inside one of them, I have 'grown' since
I think there may be some kind of “end user agreement “ when they had they off the army that they cannot be sold on as working gun tanks incase you decide to sell them to some African war lord or something . But that is only a guess but I think there is a rule like that. The gun is the best bit too… greased right up !
@@BenoCam not when Chieftain left service…… now they have to be though. I ‘certified’, through seeing photo’s, a Chieftain in Canada!!
The breach block and the barrel on that one will be rusted so much that the gases would leak all over.
They can cut the breach so that it is useless, except as a balance weight for the barrel.
The barrel just needs a hole gassing in it to stop the sealing of the projectile.
So what was its army reg number I noticed it was ..eb.9
I bought a T34 about 30 years back. It was a good tank in size and weight. That looks some project to take on…..but good luck if you decide to take it on.
Awesome . Do you still have it ?!
No I sold it probably 25 years back. Used to do some demo’s and car crushing with it. I have some video from back in the day so if I can transfer to digital can probably post some on here. Have you found any other tanks to look at?
I already have an Abbot Spg and a scorpion cvrt but I would like a main battle tank to complete the line up. Don’t see many about though so I have not looked at any others just yet. I don’t mind a project but these may be a little far gone 😬
@@BenoCam yes agree I think the one you viewed would take some work to put right. Hopefully something else will turn up, but you have a few nice toys to play with till it does.
my neck of the woods haha drive past those tanks everyday, would love one
They do look awesome don’t they
Where is this?
Crikey it looks like a Russian submarine in there! So you were or people have fought in these? Great respect to tankers. Much respect to these guys wanting to restore it.
Yes...you want it!
Haven’t seen the video yet, but given the opportunity to have a chieftain, I would not turn that down
That's a silly question. Of course you should.
Judging by some of the electronics in that turret, it’s quite a late Chieftain that had the later computer ranging system installed - forerunner to the Challenger systems.
Ooo interesting. It’s good to see inside and see all the kit in there although some of it is in very poor condition.
@@BenoCam I sure wouldn't just stick a set of batteries in it & hope for the best 😳 It's certainly taken a battering by being closed up like it was. No air circulation etc. A massive undertaking, a massive money pit for anyone taking it on. Oh, it was nice to see the breach block in place 👍
never ceases to amaze me that you would pay a large amount of money for an item like this and then fail to cover it up.
He had about 20 vehicles at one point so would have needed a big shed !
After owning many of these this is the worst I’ve even seen. Outside rust I have no worries but the inside is bad. I guess it all depends what you want to do with it. I see it as a parts machine.
It’s a shame it’s been left get so bad. I have an Abbot and Scorpion so it feels like I need a chieftan to complete my line up ! Maybe one that’s already running though … 😬
It's just a shame it wasn't covered up with a tarp all this time to keep it something like.
Thanks for the video.
The proportions, like a Spitfire, are perceivably 'right' (I had a Tamiya kit model when i was ten). And nothing sounds like a Chieftain; the L60 motor may be thirsty, underpowered and unreliable, but it has that flat six wail - like a Porsche on steroids!
I can’t help wanting one. Even though it’s a ridiculous project to take on. 😬🤣
Being a supercharged two-stroke was what made it sound so great.
Looks a lot of work . But inside is pretty well complete . A lot of the rust looks cosmetic. The electrics will need a lot of sorting . Be a good project if you can afford it.
I can afford to buy it but I’m still not 100% I can afford to fix it 🤣🤣🤣
@@BenoCam I bet it would be worth restoring. They cost about 70k in nice condition. And probably only go up in value like most vintage vehicles
It would be a start if you get buy it, clean it up, spray the insides with industrial quantities of WD40 (or whatever) , get it watertight (maybe dry stored) and move it forward as a project that maybe one day someone else takes to completion. If nobody buys it then one day it will be too far gone other than for parts.
Go for it and buy one 😃
I purchased a Chieftain MBT MK10 tank over 3 years ago to restore and yes it was a mountain of work but it was a journey I very much enjoyed. The only remaining job to do is to remove the Leyland L60 13a engine pack, GUE Coventry climax H30 generator engine and TN12 David Brown transmission so I can paint engine bay area and she done :) I have put up some videos on youtube search GLEED and take a look! it might help you make that all important decision.
Awesome cheers I will take a look. If you hear of another runner for sale give me a shout !
Yes will do Ben, not a problem.
I would buy it I know it needs a lot of work but after serving on these steel brew chieftains they hold a special spot in my heart most of the work looks cosmetic the only thing I could see missing was the main sight as it is classed as a weapon I would not risk firing the gun as I bet the breach block rings will be missing well I hope they would be
It looks in rough shape. No others to choose from elsewhere? Cool tank but a lot of work as you already know. Good luck either way. 👍
Tempted by it because of how close it is to home but maybe I should look further away for a bit before making a decision
Buy that and make videos and watch your subscribers and views fly.... done right and TH-cam income would finance a good proportion of the build.
😮 I like your thinking. Possibly a tad optimistic. My TH-cam revenue only just covers the amount of go pro cameras and video lights I destroy each year filming them 🤣 this one was fairly risk free filming I have to say 🙂
@@BenoCam good luck with it!
Simple answer
Yes
Yes and money from the YT video views should more than pay for it and of course, we, the viewers, will be entertained and most appreciative...
My TH-cam videos earn about £1 a day 🤣 so it might take a while
If I could, I would buy it ,sadly not gonna happen so if you can save this tank sir ,go for it 😎😎.
Looks fairly complete
Complete but very neglected !
helston gunsmiths I've driven past this tank For years ever since they were put there theres also Abbott's and scorpians there aswell It would be a shame to see it gone but it would be great for it to be Rescued and put back into working order. I live very close by so if you need a hand FOC I would absolutely love to help. Ex mechanic and panel beater sprayer
Cheers Robert. I bought the Abbot 5 years ago and that has now been fully restored. I also bought the gulf war scorpion as it had a load of interesting history and thought it should be saved. I’m still not sure if these chieftan are too far gone though.
Almost scrap, all doable but just so much of it, hope it get saved but one for a brave man
Brimstone armour enhancement, and Warrens pasties - some combination.
All depends on how much money the owner wants. But it will take alot of money and time to restore. But i have seen worst ones restored. Good luck 👍
It’s not cheap ! I bought the abbot from him and restored it over 5 years which I was able to revive the engine/gearbox but it’s possible I just got lucky. The difference being with that was that engines and gearboxes were readily available unlike chieftan which cost a fortune
@@BenoCam An acquaintance of mine in Canada bought one. with 105 mm gun.
@@BenoCamthe price tag was what I kept wondering about on buying one of these. I’m retired from the US Army and one of my hobbies (besides gun smithing) is MV restoration, I’ve owned and restored 31 MV’s to date since 1993 but I always stayed with soft skinned wheeled MV’s, the closest I came was with a WWII Bren carrier for $5,000 USD back in 1997 but I passed on it, the previous owner installed an engine/trans out of an old Ford Pinto in the carrier but, it did drive just fine but I’m a purist on my restorations, I,like factory new condition. So to see you bring the Chieftan back from the dead would be an incredible effort on your behalf and I commend your dedication. I’m in my mid 50’s and there’s no way I’d be able to work on a tank these days, lol. I miss living in Germany and going to the events and militaria shows in Belgium and Luxembourg.
something different ben ,,but hey what a blast ...
Awesome video Ben. Im in Falmouth and Ive seen those tanks a few times driving past. You should definitely buy it!!!!!!
Would love too all depends on what kind of deal I can get
A great vid Ben, What a project though. I guess the best way forward is to just preserve the electronics and stabilise the corrosion but forget any idea of getting them working even if you knew how and what they did. Guess it all comes down to the the mechanical side and the engine . I'll stick with my 1920s bikes !!
Comes down to how much he will sell it for !!
Absolutely!
Yes
Might be good for spares!
Of course you should...👍
😍
I used to work in a factory repairing Chieftan Starter Motors if you need a hand. Sure they are Cummins engines.
Leyland engine in a chieftan ! Unfortunately!
@@BenoCam was it the Challenger then. We did 2 sorts of tanks. I used to test the 500 amp generators on a test rig for one sort. I`m old now so forget lol.
yes i love tank restorasion videoss
That's out the other side of reasonably saveable, maybe with a well funded team of fellow tank folk you could do it justice but the bits you cant see will be worse than the bits you can !
That’s what I’m worried about 😬
@@BenoCam I happen to have a hefty low loader... And know a chap who used to drive chieftains...
Yep buy'n Ben 👍. Stick the bugger on our side of the Tamar bridge , with the Piran flying on the turret wand, and a big sign; white letters on black, fixed to the glacis-plate, " 🏴☠Stand and deliver. Hemm yw Kernow" 😉 He'd go viral on YT.££££
Be fun trying to get it around a McDonald’s drive through
when someone ask if you want to buy a tank, and you have the money, you say "YES!" !!!! when you dont have the money, then you sell your soal. just one gun nut to another.. every amarican's dream is to own a tank man.
Haha I like your thinking .
Crouch Recovery for the haulage.
Long way for them to come we are down on Cornwall … but then there is none down here who can tow that weight ! 😬
@@BenoCam they've got a network of agents throughout the UK including Kernow and Devon
Big project... would make for many videos lol
Apart from being a nice ornament it looks like a chunk of scrap metal.
They all are until you get them running 😍
"Should I buy a Chiefta-"
YES
That one needs a lot of work ! Still might but it will need to be cheaper 🤣🙈
I volunteer but im in US. What a nice project
hats off sir, i love your video.. i think you should invest better camera or team maybe on your production video, it has more potential content than it should.. i do enjoy your video. thank you
Thank you. It was literally just me holding a go pro and lashing it together on my laptop in the evening 🙂
It's been there for at least 6 years, I have some photos of it when it was in better condition
Been there since the mid 90s!!
So how good are you with electrics and electronics? If you have limited experience this would be a long haul and you will want several EMERS and a deep pocket.
Not very good ! Think I’m going to save up and buy a runner
Differently worth saving
I'd love to work on something like that.
The ones I have done so far have been a bit of fun. Hard going at times, but fun.
@@BenoCam i'm a bit addicted to watching the guys who have Chieftan's and Centurion's over in east Anglia......oh, and a dog called Ted.
@@dirtywetdogboatsandsailing6805 Hewes?
hmmm, if every subscriber paid a tenner, then maybe proceed. personally i think it would cost too much to restore and i would look at 3 other examples, then decide or buy one off mr hewes that needs refurbishing
Ha I saw someone recently on one of the military vehicle groups set up a go fund me page to buy a vehicle… then get publically shredded online 🤣
I don’t mind buying the vehicle I wouldn’t expect other people to help financially. My concern here is that the initial purchase might not end up being the most expensive part and it’s not cheap either. Going to take my time and work out a solid plan.
I think I should go look at some others also 🙂
It will always come in handy for the zombie apocalypse. On the other hand, why not use it for the school run?
"Should I Buy A Chieftan Tank?"
Of course you should. Just the act of asking the question means that the answer is "yes".
Should I buy one of the number on offer.
Of course not. You should buy all of them.
If I had the space, I would have at least one.
She's bit too rough I think. I grew up in Budock and a guy near the church had a tank. Got to ride on it a few times as a kid.
I wonder who that was ?
@@BenoCam I don't remember their name if I ever knew it. It was around 1990. I know the house was owned by the owners of the Green Lawns but they may have bought it after or it might have been them.
It's within a mm or two from the point of no return, and would take one fuck of a lot of effort to make her well again, but I think it's worth it...depending on the price. It's just such a shame that whoever owned this machine didn't have the common sense to at least throw a tarp over her years and years ago.
Depending on the price I’s what everything’s coming down to !
Have you acquired this? It's complete but with all the water damage I yhougt the asking price is fairly high.
No. … not yet 🤣😬 needs a bit of renegotiation on the price to reflect condition
Stop asking stupid questions, buy the tank!
Got the reg now 04eb39
Mine was 04EB80 - last drove in the mid 80s 👍
@@SunsetSteve according to my chieftain tank files I have a pic of 04eb80
Suspension is scary to work on lol
Sad that it was left out in the weather for so long and suffered so much water damage. I'd pass on this one and go for one that's been better cared for.
The trouble is a better one is a lot more money but that might be the way to go
@@BenoCam As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. If one has little money but lots of time, buy a rusty tank and spend years refurbishing it. But also remember that the rust, water and corrosion has destroyed quite a bit of what you cannot see such as the electronics, and those things will have to be replaced or repaired at great expense as well.
Keep the gun live for blank firing, can be used a crow scareer then ...😂😂
Not knowing squat about these things, but could that still be a spent shell in the breech? 6:18 there's like a brass-colored rim just peeking out above the breech block.
The breech block is in the fully up position, so that different coloured ring you can see is the start of the main chamber ring which is a different colour type of metal I think.
I’m still not sure if the chieftan used brass shell casings. I know centurion did but I think chieftan you put the projectile in and then a bag charge behind it rather than a shell case 🤔
Correct.Bag charge ,
They have an urban camo Berlin Brigade one, why not spring for that one? if you're just planning for "restoring" one and selling it on then you would do better to buy and restore more of the smaller vehicle types and make more profit to get the best one you can find instead of going for a wreck because that's what the play money allows for - make more money buy a good one - or rather make more money and buy a Leopard 1.
They are all equally bad… I already have a few military vehicles and I prefer the look of the nato green/black camouflage. Of course I could still buy the the urban camo one which they refer too as being Berlin camouflage as they were stationed out there in the Cold War. However they are quite rare and it would be a bit of a shame to repaint that one in green/black woodland Camo I think. Leopards are huge money and pretty much un achievable to the normal person I think.
I’ll never understand why people buy these bits of kit, then just leave them to rot 🤷♂️.
It must have looked great initially parked out the front. But it’s been let go so far now it’s starting to not look a good advertisement for the buisness I think
O.g my dream
He’s got 3 and I only need 1 🙂
The exterior is awful but the interior looks very complete
The exterior will be easy enough to clean up. It’s the electrics and the gearbox I’m concerned with, hard and expensive to get bits for ! If the engine is salvageable it could be viable
I cycle past these bad boys on water ma trout every weekday. Snap one up bey
I would love too. All depends on what kind of deal I get.
Who wouldn’t buy a chieftain if you had the opportunity??!!
Going to depend on price . Expensive pile of scrap if it won’t ever run !
@@BenoCam never gonna be cheap. The other option has a petrol v12!!
😎👍
I see its an eb but what was the full reg
We find it out in the vid. Look toward the middle it’s there somewhere when I go inside and read the data plate
Never seen anything that crusty on Mr hewes. Talk to him
Looks a bit too far gone Ben.. i'd give that a massive swerve.. they must have better ones there but i spose that one is less expensive,,
It’s finding another one affordable. But then I’m not sure these are economical to restore either 😬
Nothing worse the stored t55
Buy a slightly used russian model for 1/10 of the price??
It probs needs new batteries, an oilchange and some paint. But im perty sure youl be able to find a fixherupper that doesnt require too much..
/huehuehue
srsly tho. If its viable or not comes down to one thing eh. The price. Buy it if its cheap enough. I wouldnt pay much more than scrapvalue tho(like scrap + 15 %), its just in too bad nick. - And its not like its a ww2 german panzer IV. - Its still a somewhat common tank. You will get another chance for buying one down the road, if you decide not to buy this.
Yeah price is everything now. They don’t come up for sale that often anymore !
Aren't the russians buying them back themselves yet?
What a stupid question of course you should buy a Chieftan tank....
what about the cvrt restoration!!!!
It’s getting there. I have a recon engine and gearbox sat on a pallet . The turret is off and all cleaned out inside. Just waiting on some dry weather for sandblasting and paint ! Then put it all back together 😬
@@BenoCam oh nice, someone mentioned to be before that the cummings motor requires a lot of work to adapt to a scorpion compared to other cvrt models, I don't remember the reason why though considering the scimitars all got the cummings upgrades. I don't really like the J60 motor so I've been thinking of doing a cummings swap myself, looking forward to seeing how you do it.
Ben if you've got the room and you've got the money I would have it mate because these things are getting rare now m8
The choice is do I spent more and buy one already running 😮 and the trouble is you have to spend quite a bit more !
@@BenoCam if this one is a fixable then I would definitely go for it and just restore it when you can
you should buy it and make youtube videos on restoring it bud
I hear they are not very economical !
DON’T. There must be better ones out there.
😮 don’t see many for sale anywhere
@@BenoCam Well. Maybe switch to a simple T-72. Buy 2.
@@ai-d2121 Aren't the russians buying them back yet?
ooooof, she is bad!
I think you probably have a problem .
🤣
Buy one but not this one
They don’t come up for sale often. But your right in that it’s not an excuse to buy something that’s going to cost a fortune to fix. All going to depend on price.
@@BenoCam he does have others, are any of them in better condition ? this poor vehicle was left there for 30 years - without even a tarp for cover. As a result it probably needs a nut and bolt restoration. Given that this is more complex than a WW2 vehicle that will be a logistical challenge. This is probably a scrap/parts tank now
How much is it?
What a shame it was left like that. Even a misting of oil would have prevented most of that rot
Did you buy the tank?
Sadly not. Needs a lot of work
Yeah, only in England, can't buy a handgun, but you can buy a tank.
I might even be able to get the vehicle with the fully working gun on a firearm license 😮
@@BenoCam sleeve the barrel down to 2" smoothbore and you can get it on a shotgun ticket. Any bigger calibre is an FAC.
In Service Date
01/04/1968
This missing date from 1968-1988 is pre-Merlin computer and would likely be held by the MOD in paper form. Below is the current held data:
2 ARMY DEL SQN (VEH STOCK)
18-Feb-1988
18-Jul-1991
VEHICLE DEPOT LUDGERSHALL
DISPOSAL VDL
10-Feb-1993
Date Not Recorded
RHG/D
TANK COMBAT 120MM GUN CHIEFTAIN MK10
Cast Date
26/09/1993
I hope that helps
Just buy the engine and restore that.
Engines probably full of water and seized ! 😮
How much is the question ben.
Well it’s currently under debate !! Getting it home and deactivated is not cheap !!