In Box: Takom’s Chieftain
MK 10
Product number: #2028
1/35th scale
Plastic kit with Photo Etched detail & clear parts
included
4 markings included
Movable gun & hatches
Individual track links included
Excitement reigns on the workbench today, for the brand new,
Chieftain Mk.10 from Takom in 1/35 scale has landed in my lap.
I will keep things simple for this quick review as I will be
building and painting this kit in the coming weeks, but I couldn’t resist the
urge to share with TMN my initial thoughts on this kit.
On opening the parcel, the now familiar box art of the urban
camouflage is unmistakable. It has been splashed about so often on social media
and modelling forums for the past few months I feel like I know it intimately. Mark 10 upgrade of the Chieftain had the addition of “Stillbrew” Crew Protection
Package to the turret front and turret ring.
Whilst Takom are releasing 3 boxings of the Chieftain, (the
Mk.5, 10 and 11), I was immediately attracted to this version of the tank
purely by the box art. I absolutely love the urban camouflage scheme. Those
straight oddly placed disruptive lines are like nothing I have in the modelling
cabinet and will be an exciting addition when complete.
The bulk of the kit is moulded over 13 mid grey coloured sprues.
The chassis and top section of the tank come as 2 moulded pieces, as is the
turret. You also receive a sprue of clear parts, a small bag of track links, a
small decal sheet and a soft plastic sleeve for the gun mask.
The kit also comes with a finely detail photo-etch set that
includes grilles and handles.
The typical Takom instruction booklet really has become a
style unto itself. For what it is worth, this booklet actually feels a little
more high quality than the previous instructions I have seen. I believe they
have added a celloglaze to the cover.
The colour schemes have again been complied by the team at AMMO.
The schemes in this kit to choose from are:
1. The Zombie
Tank – As seen in a ‘famous TV Show’ (news to me…)
2.
2.
As a note to this markings scheme – this tank is marked as C
squadron 14/20 King's Royal Hussars. This is incorrect. It was called the King's
Hussars, not 'Royal'. They were known as King's Royal Hussars, from 1992,
following amalgamation with the Royal Hussars, the 14/20th also being dropped.
3. Tank waiting
on Warcop Range, used as hard targets
4. A Squadron, 1 RTR, Batus 1991
4. A Squadron, 1 RTR, Batus 1991
Each of the schemes differs and gives the modeller real and
interesting options for the model. That said I’m not sure who would like to
build their model as a tank on a target range… but each to their own.
The Walking Dead "Zombie Tank" would appeal to a great deal of modellers out there as well
The tracks are supplied as individual links with the rubber
footing supplied on a number of sprues. I was hoping the links would be set in
a similar fashion to the tracks in some of the other kits Takom have made like
the Whippet or the Mk IV, but unfortunately they will need to be glued in
place.
The moulding however is very tidy and I can so no need for
any clean up on these pieces.
The chassis and the top section of the tank are supplied in
two pieces. There is a great deal of
detail in the moulding as you can see. I
do like the Takom way of thinking, in the fact that they seem to simplify the
building process. They can’t be accused of over engineering their kits. Why use 20
parts when it can be moulded in one? Well done I say.
Nice rear deck detail as well
The turret is supplied in 2 pieces. Again, most of the
structure is set and ready to go. Common sense engineering in my opinion.
Here you see the soft plastic sleeve that sits at the base
of the barrel. It represents the fabric shroud / dust sleeve where the barrel
enters the turret.
I have my concerns with this piece as to how the paint will
hold on it. It is very soft and very flexible. Only time will tell, but I fear
this will cause a few issues with paint down the track.
Clear parts, decals
and one of the smaller sprues.
Sprue D contains many smaller parts. The commander’s hatch and various parts that attach to the turret.
The detail on the machine gun looks to be very nice although you will have to hollow out that barrell.
Two sets of Sprue A for the running gear. Again, everything
looks to have a really high level of buildability coupled with a reasonable
level of detail. Nothing worse than spending half of your build time on
assembling running gear… Takom have
simplified the process here.
The side skirts, tow cables and barrel are all on Sprue F.
The sculpting of the fabric shroud on the barrel is very convincing and should
paint up beautifully. Hopefully the pieces align nicely to help sell the
illusion.
More bits! Nicely detailed. Lots of nuts and bolts that will
pop with an oil wash after the painting stage.
Finally, the small sprue G and the Photoetch fret. The PE
will cover the engine grills as well as form parts of the storage baskets. It
looks to be quite fine and should add a great deal to this model.
There has been a lot of excitement around this release. The
forums have been going wild and the anticipation has been growing. It is now,
with great pleasure I can tell you that the wait has been worth it, because
this kit really looks to be beautiful.
It looks to have the right mix of ease of build and detail. What that means is this kit should be
accessible to a broad range of builder on many different skill levels.
The individual link tracks may scare a few people off.
Perhaps a set of rubber band tracks may have opened Takom’s market even further,
but this is far from an issue, and it really shouldn’t stop the novice builder
from having a go.
Obviously I can’t comment of fit at this stage, but looking
at the production level of this kit I do have high expectations.
I will be putting together a build review as well as a full
painting and weathering guide in the coming weeks, so be sure to keep a look
out. That tasty urban camouflage of the Berlin Brigade is calling me.
These Chieftains will be a big hit for Takom, and rightly so. The Chieftain is a great looking tank, and with the 3 boxing options to choose from as well as multiple colour schemes, it’s hard to see how this wouldn’t please most armour modellers.
SO there you have it. A quick, in box review of the brand
new, Mk.10 Chieftain from Takom. So, how does the kit look? In a word, amazing.
I have built a number of Takom kits now, and on first look,
I have to say this has impressed me the most. If you happen to see it on the shelf, here is
the tip……BUY IT before it sells out!
Clayton Ockerby
Thanks to Takom for
sending this out to be reviewed, this, the MK 5 and 12 will be reviewed and built
right here in the next few weeks...
See more of Clayton’s builds on his website www.theworkbench.com.au
and his Facebook page .