20mm Chieftain help

[Flinty]

Bit wierd sin't it - iconic Cold War AFV and so little choice in 20mm/1:72.
I have the Revell Leopard, Marder and T-72 and I want the Brits to match that sort of detail.

I have a couple of Grubby's version, but they aren't quite scratching my itch.
The Fabbri et al diecast look a bit soft.
Matador look good, but never tried or seen anyone use anything of thiers before - and I can't quite justify buying a couple (and a platoon's worth of 432's) without feeling guilty...
I have been eyeing the Takom kits (plus the 432 of course) - but worried they'd be a bit fiddly/delicate and if I want 4 x 432 that would run to £120, slightly cheaper than Matador I suppose.

This could be my OCD, combined with a frustrated 'Oh Shiney' syndrome of course, especially as I'll probably smother them in scrim and obscure the detail.

Am I missing anything or just too finickity?
 

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

Airfix have a 1/76 Chieftain
If you are patient, you could get them from eBay quite cheaply.

[Flinty]

Ah, thanks- I need to keep looking, I've been put of seeing the £25 Airfix collectors auctions.

Still think its odd the market is so limited...

[carlos marighela]

If you are going to detail them yourself, yet want something robust for the table then there are a number of 1/72 diecasts out there. Search for Amercom, Altaya, IXO etc. All seem to have acceptable levels of detail and there are even versions in the Berlin Brigade camo scheme, which would possibly save a lot of masking and spraying heartache should you wish to do Berlin. I’m still summoning my nerve to tackle a 1/48 Chieftain in that scheme.

[Harry Faversham]

'Harry's Chieftains', the first three are resin models, the one at the back without a base is diecast...

 

[SJWi]

If you can go with a "simple" kit, Battlefront produce a pack of 5 Chieftains in their "Team Yankee" range. Wayland Games sell these for £24 whihc is pretty good value . The mention of "Stillbrew" armour would make them quite late versions (Mk10-12?). IMHO these Battlefront kits are very nicely detailed but obviously not up the level of the best kits.  For other British kit including stowage look at S&S Models who produce quite a few models plus conversion sets.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

If you can go with a "simple" kit, Battlefront produce a pack of 5 Chieftains in their "Team Yankee" range.

I thought Team Yankee was 15mm (1/100) not 20mm (1/76 - 1/72).

[SJWi]

You are correct. Battlefront are 1/100. Early morning brain-freeze! Ignore my suggestion.

[Flinty]

Cheers Chaps

Carlos - true, probably worth a punt on one to see what they look like in the err....flesh. Dead right about the Berlin camo, hence Ive placed myself just east of Hannover.

Harry - spot on - since thats the look Im hoping for, seeing yours scrimmed up, I should stop being fussy.

[SJWi]

By the way, with reference to the Berlin Brigade camo I had he same trepidation but hand-painted it on some of my 15mm Chieftains and FV432/Rarden.  A steady hand seemed to work OK and I was surprisingly pleased with the result.

[sandsmodels]

we s and s models will have several chieftain models in 1/72 finished off soon.
most of it is done and moulded.

[Shahbahraz]

Hi, the Airfix kit comes out ok, but it is an old kit and the moulding does need a bit of work to get it acceptable, principally, the seam down the middle of the turret.

Here's one I did earlier..

[Flinty]

Seam or not they turned out nice!

But....

most of it is done and moulded

Yayyy, cheers Shaun, I shall keep my eyes peeled.

[bluewillow]

S and S models are now available, I used diecast ones, plus I picked up some old airfix kits recently

Cheers
Matt

[Gwres]

Sgts Mess Miniatures do a Mark V which are nicely cast in resin.