Tamiya 35068 - 1:35 Chieftain Mk.5 British Army

1:35 plastic model kit of the British Chieftain Mk.5 main battle tank

Tamiya 35068 depicts the Chieftain Mk.5 – the tank that formed the backbone of British armoured forces in Europe for two decades and carried, for many years, the heaviest gun in NATO. The model is produced from 1975 tooling and measures 308 mm when assembled.

The kit captures the vehicle's distinctive, sloping silhouette with its long 120 mm barrel. The side skirts are optional, so you can either show off the running gear or build the model with skirts fitted. Hatches can be assembled open or closed, and the three figures (busts) man the turret positions. Decals cover three sets of 1970s markings.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts for the hull, turret and fittings
• Vinyl band tracks
• Optional side skirts
• Hatches that can be fitted open or closed
• Three figures (busts)
• Waterslide decal sheet for three marking options: BATUS Suffield training area, Canada; 1 RTR (“Al Capone”), Tidworth 1975; 17/21 Lancers, Fallingbostel 1975
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Product number: 35068
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: 308 mm
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The build is simple and progresses smoothly – the vinyl band tracks close up the running gear quickly. The decision on whether to fit the side skirts is worth making early: if they are going on, the road wheels can be painted more sparingly, since much of them will remain hidden.

British Chieftains of the 1970s were finished in dark bronze green, while vehicles training at BATUS in Canada wore different training-area schemes. A dark brown wash brings out the cast detail of the turret and the stowage on the hull, and pigments on the tracks and skirts suggest dust or mud. Decals are usually applied over a gloss coat, with a matt varnish as the final finish.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash to accentuate detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments for dust and mud effects

About the vehicle – Chieftain:

The British designed the Chieftain around a single priority: firepower. The 120 mm L11A5 gun with separate-loading ammunition – the propellant charges were stored apart, in containers filled with fire-suppressing fluid – was for years the most powerful barrel in NATO. Armour was the second priority, and the price paid was a weight of around 55 tonnes and modest mobility.

To keep the silhouette low, the designers placed the driver in an almost reclining position, which allowed the front of the hull to be flattened dramatically. Power came from the 750 hp Leyland L60 multi-fuel engine, an ambitious design that caused reliability problems throughout the tank's career.

The Chieftain became the mainstay of the British Army of the Rhine, where for years it prepared for a clash with Warsaw Pact forces. It was exported to Iran and Kuwait among others – and it was in foreign hands that the tank saw its combat debut. The decals in the kit reproduce British markings from the mid-1970s, including the famous “Al Capone” of 1 RTR.

Original vehicle specifications (Chieftain):

• Length with gun: approx. 10.8 m
• Width: approx. 3.5 m
• Height: approx. 2.9 m
• Combat weight: approx. 55 t
• Crew: 4
• Main armament: 120 mm L11A5 gun with separate-loading ammunition
• Powerplant: Leyland L60 multi-fuel engine, 750 hp
• Suspension: Horstmann type
• Service: British Army of the Rhine; exported to Iran and Kuwait among others

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The company started out in the timber trade, but by the late 1940s it was producing wooden models, and in 1960 it released its first plastic model kit. Two years later came a 1:35 tank kit that established the worldwide standard scale for military modelling. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The Military Miniature Series, to which this Chieftain belongs, runs to hundreds of items and is one of the most comprehensive catalogues of 1:35 military vehicles in the world. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable names in the hobby.