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UNIQUE ID 1164: FV4201 CHIEFTAIN TANK

(Model: Prototypes)

The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Britain

(Location: Storage)


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Sample Photo from Tank with UniqueID 1164


Unique ID: 1164
Added to Database: February 2010
Last Edited: 24 March 2012
Type (ID): FV4201 Chieftain (3570)
Model (ID): Prototypes (3571)
Location Category (ID): The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection (3016)
Location (ID): Storage (3016)
Serial Number: P6 pilot model.
Registration: 99 SP 23: “99 SP 23” painted on nose and right rear mudflap.
Name:
Other Identification:
Collection Reference: E2011.1645.
Links: Museum Vehicle Record
Earliest Chieftain Saved From Scrap
References:
Associated Tanks:

Location History:
(see map)

1: Leyland Motors, Farington, Lancashire, North West England, Britain (Chassis design parent)
2: Directorate of Tank Design, Chertsey, Surrey, South East England, Britain (1960 – ca2011)
3: The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Current location)
4: The Tank Museum - Tankfest Arena, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Static display at Tankfest 2011)
5: The Tank Museum - Reserve Collection, Bovington, Dorset, South West England, Britain (Current location)


Text in original Preserved British Tanks publication:

[No entry]

Text in Preserved British Tanks Update:

[No entry]

Text in original Preserved Tanks In Britain publication:

It is believed that this tank is P6, one of the first six Chieftain prototypes to be built. P6 was delivered to the Fighting Vehicle Research & Development Establishment (FVRDE) at Chertsey, Surrey in January 1960. Although this tank never entered regular service with the British Army it remained at FVRDE Chertsey and was used for a variety of experiments. For example in about 1965 it was adapted at FVRDE to drive under water. This was done by sealing all the hatches, totally enclosing the gun and turret in a huge rubberized cover and erecting a waterproof tower on top of the turret. This tower was large enough for the commander to climb up and down inside so that, when the tank was moving under water the commander remained above the surface, at the top of the tower, and guided his driver via a microphone. The tower also provided fresh air for the crew and a means of escape if anything went wrong. FVRDE had their own deep water testing tank although more realistic trials could be conducted in The Fleet, a stretch of sea water inside the famous Chesil Beach in Dorset. (Source: Museum Vehicle Record).
This Chieftain ended up on display on a concrete plinth outside the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) in the mid 1990’s.
A Tank Museum news item of 4 May 2011 reported: “The Tank Museum has added what is believed to be the oldest Chieftain tank in existence to its collection of armoured vehicles. The FV4201 Chieftain prototype (99SP23), built in 1959, was rescued from a scrap yard where it would soon have been broken up and lost forever. But the vehicle was spotted and tracked to its destination by someone with close links to The Museum, who contacted staff to alert them to his discovery. The tank, which was last recorded as having been a gate guard at Chertsey, had been sold to merchants who were unaware of its significance. Tank Museum Curator David Willey said; ‘On this occasion we were fortunate that we got there on time – and that the scrap dealers were both understanding and willing to help us. Of course, we are also very grateful to have received such an important tip-off.’ With time running out for the aging machine, a ‘stay of execution’ was negotiated, a deal completed, and the vehicle was released to The Tank Museum soon after.
This Chieftain was on static display at Tankfest 2011.


Images - Photographs and NavPix (click to expand or browse)

June 2011

Front right view
1: Front right view

Taken: 25 June 2011
Contributor: Peeteekayy
Photo ID: 6783
Added: 26 February 2012
Filename: 58853502...
Views: 351
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

    

    

October 1995

Front left view, with permission © British Crown Copyright 1995, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
2: Front left view, with permission © British Crown Co...

Taken: October 1995
Contributor: Crown Copyright
Photo ID: 2693
Added: 21 February 2010
Filename: Scan_Chi...
Views: 329
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    

 

Front right view, with permission © British Crown Copyright 1995, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
3: Front right view, with permission © British Crown C...

Taken: October 1995
Contributor: Crown Copyright
Photo ID: 2694
Added: 21 February 2010
Filename: Scan_Chi...
Views: 262
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



 

Rear left view, with permission © British Crown Copyright 1995, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
4: Rear left view, with permission © British Crown Cop...

Taken: October 1995
Contributor: Crown Copyright
Photo ID: 2695
Added: 21 February 2010
Filename: Scan_Chi...
Views: 1637
Select/Has Priority: 21/0
    



Front view, with permission © British Crown Copyright 1995, Defence Evaluation and Research Agency
5: Front view, with permission © British Crown Copyrig...

Taken: October 1995
Contributor: Crown Copyright
Photo ID: 2696
Added: 21 February 2010
Filename: Scan_Chi...
Views: 274
Select/Has Priority: 21/0