Markheliops

I'm sponsored by Vodaphone John!

Go for a Chieftain ARRV. They aren't silly money like the gun tanks. Far more interesting and at least you can do something useful with them. Gun tanks! (oh look at me - what a large gun I have)! Yes, but it's pretty useless and it makes working on them a pain! My ARRV - Two winches, anchor blade, 6 1/2 ton atlas crane and in my humble opinion - more impressive than a gun tank! One ARRV went for scrap last year (Ex Gulf war too) because the chap couldn't sell it. And how much was he asking for this serious piece of hardware? A measly £6500. Why couldn't he sell it? Because people get all silly when a tank has a big gun. Bill, it's not the size - it's what you do with it. lol Markheliops

Hi Bill. No. no, no and once again, no!!!! Don't be put off from owning a Chieftain. Here's what you'll going to need if you want to own a Chieftain: Space to keep it under cover - Chieftains don't like being out in the elements. Every single manual (EMER) ever produced for Chieftain - If you can follow a manual, you're 3/4's of the way there. Willing friends - Most tasks on a Chieftain need at least 2 people for ease and safety. People who know Chieftains - Most faults with Chieftain can be solved easily, if you have prior knowledge of what goes wrong and how to fix it. A crane - Chieftain parts are heavy and you will need more than muscles to carryout everyday servicing tasks. Parts - Find out what goes wrong on a Chieftain and be on the look out for those parts. Get them whilst you can. A spare L60 pack and gearbox sits on my workshop floor. Special tools - Again be on the look out for special tools. Owning a Chieftain MBT is no more arduous than owning a WWII truck or a Saracen. The difficult bit and by far the most expensive thing about owning a 55 ton battle tank is moving it if you want to take it to shows. I have been lucky in that I have just purchased an 82 ton 4 axle low loader so I'm sorted in that degree but movement of an MBT is still, in my opinion the most expensive part of owning main battle tanks. Maintenance is the key to hassle free ownership of a Chieftain. They are no more prone to breakdown than say your average wheeled armour. Markheliops

It depends on what you class a project Bill. Minimum would be scrap value minus over-sized scrap price. I guess around £6500-ish. A running Chieftain would be somewhere around the £18k mark. A good Chieftain will go for around £35k upwards. A fully operation chieftain ie, working turret, etc can go for upwards of £35-£50k, mind you, a decent Chieftain is hard to find. It's amazing that a pretty paint job can fool people into thinking a Chieftain is in good, operational condition.

Hi all. A friend of mine has forwarded a picture on to me of someone he knew who recently passed away. Does anyone know of the history of this vehicle and indeed if it still exists? I believe the chap was REME. Thanks Markheliops

Scary. You can see my little plot in full view. The M76 Otter, The Ward Lafrance, the love trailer and the S26 with Tasker is all there. Check out the blue barrel. lol I know exactly when the picture was taken as the Artic parked up was Andy Long. He had just popped in for a brew. This was before he delivered the Chieftain ARRV. Next to me is Sean and his crew. Markheliops

Mortar Investments are supposed to be reliable. Personally I think a lot of these Czech dealers are hit and miss. I was looking to purchase three vehicles for someone so I e-mailed them. We swoped a couple of mails and then they went all quiet.

As requested Tony. https://www.military-odyssey.com/index.php?ix=1&iw=251&iz=0 If you ring James on the mobile phone number listed - he will be able to get passes organised despite the lateness.

Hi all. Is anyone from here attending this year? I have spoken with James (the new organiser) and he is very pro-military vehicles unlike the previous organisers. He would like to get more MV's to attend the show (static display and living history). I have always ignored this show due to the attitude of the previous organiser but it is refreshing to see a change of direction in regard to vehicles attending. I am taking the Chieftain ARRV and Ward Lafrance M1A1 and James is more than happy to have more attending. If you're doing nothing this weekend, give the new organiser a chance as with the right attitude to our pride and joys, this really could be a good and interesting show. Markheliops

Excellent show. Very chilled out and well organised. For me too, the BBMF was the highlight but I must say those radio controlled planes were very impressive. Will go again and hopefully get Shrek there next time. Markheliops

Happy Birthday Neil - have a cracking day. Markheliops

I'm taking the Ward and love trailer. Markheliops

Cheers Paul. That's the best video of Shrek I've seen for the 2013 show. I was wondering if you'd captured the ARRV at revival. Thanks mate. Markheliops

Hi John. I'm not entirely sure what the ARRV has in it. It's not a red top so I'm presuming it's somewhere between the 450hp and 750hp upgrades. I'll have a look next time I have the engine decks up. Mark

The Chieftain did have a fuel issue that was effecting it's performance. I over-took him in the arena, bearing in mind he had a 750 red top in the Mk10. I spoke to Mark (the owner) and it nearly conked out a few times. He knew what the issue was and I think he sorted it by the end of the show. Very nice MBT though. Markheliops

I would suggest the height issue may be with a high point of gravity, as your average rigid truck bed will be 1 meter plus. I would go for it Bill, but organise a recovery policy in case. The £150 spent of breakdown cover will be well worth it if you get stuck. I purchased a Mk3 Militant Recovery from Withams some time ago. I drove it from Withams to Lymington (180 miles) then back to Kent (140 miles and then back to Lymington a couple of weeks later (140 miles. I then used it around the estate. I moved it once and the steering pump seized. I had that repaired and then sold it to a chap who came to see it and wanted to take it home straight away to Essex (180 miles). I said in all honesty the truck was in good condition but a trek to Essex is a fair drag for a 1970 vehicle. By all accounts he nearly got home when the water pump decided to let go. That just goes to show with these old vehicles you never really know what, if anything is going to go bang. By the way, I felt a bit for the chap who purchased the Mk3 and tried to help him out with bits and info to effect a repair but I sold the truck in all good faith. Markheliops

Hi all. I have been reading this thread with some interest. First thoughts must go out to the Scammell driver and lets hope he has a speedy recovery. No one wants to see anyone get injured in what was a nasty collision. In saying that, there are a lot of people on here quick to condem the other party. It is very easy to point the finger at the other driver as it was a rear end collision and looks to be a fairly straight case of not paying enough attention. HOWEVER - Details are going to emerge about this accident that are at present unknown by the vast majority of people. I would suggest this thread should be kept to wishing the driver well, suggesting useful tips on how to avoid some incidents and less about hanging the other party or pointing the finger of blame. When the full details of this collision emerge, there will be some people having to re-think their views and having to admit they were a little quick to shoot the other party. Anyway lets wish both parties well and await the final version of events. Markheliops

No worries Barry. I only let him use it so I could present him with an award. I'm not saying anything else!

Erm excuse me young man. That's my truck - the Rugged Boys! I let tootall use it. Mikes truck is the yellow Ward - the yellow peril!

There are no kids on quads flying around. The organisers are well aware this has been a problem and have promised to stamp it out. There is going to be a Police presence at the show and I'm quite happy in this respect. If you're doing nothing wrong, then it's not an issue. There has always been a Police presence at the war and peace shows of past, the only difference was you didn't know it. There is also going to be a mobile cell unit on site for those that need a cooling off period. I think the new show looks great. Yes there will be some teething problems but if everyone follows the rules and follows the marshals instructions, everyone will have a great time. It's only those who think they can do what they like who are in for a rude awakening. Markheliops

As long as it's not silly o clock. Evening shoot perhaps? Markheliops

That rings a bell. I remember reading a book (can't remember which one) about a unit receiving a Chieftain for trials or training whilst they were serving in Northern Ireland. I have seen the bloody picture but can't remember where - that's going to annoy me now. Still Peter - If I can remember where I saw the picture I shall put it on the forum. Markheliops

Are you sure Peter? I'm sure I have read a Chieftain MBT was in Ireland at the time? Markheliops

Hi all. Very short notice I know but: The New Forest Centre in Lyndhurst is opening a permanent WWII display at the museum. The opening day is on Thursday 27th June at 1100hrs and will be officially opening by the broadcaster and historian Dan Snow. I am taking the Ward La france M1A1 down as we have been asked to provide some WWII period vehicles plus appropriatly dressed personnel for the media. I plan to be there from 1000hrs. I am asking if anyone can attend with a suitable vehicle (Jeep, Halftrack, motorcycle, car, bike etc) and dress in period clothing. Even foot sloggers without vehicles will help to set the scene. It's not a show so just two or three extra vehicles would be great if anyone can spare the time. The museum is a charity so no payments I'm afraid. I may be able to get some cash for fuel but please bear in mind any monies paid out, means less to the charities involved so I won't be taking any fuel payments. The museum is located at the New Forest Centre, Lyndhurst, SO43 7NY. If anyone can attend please PM me or e-mail markheliops@aol.com with what you are bringing and the approximate size of your vehicle for car park space reservation. Thanks chaps and chapettes. Markheliops

Hi John. You're right in regard to the red top. Widely regarded as the best, most up to date engines for the Chieftain. I think the first engines were rated at 450hp where as the red tops came in at 750hp - some difference. A red top engine should have the full list of mods fitted to them. Markheliops