Interview with a Chieftain veteran

A former Chieftain crewman has accepted an interview for the blog. J. served in Chieftain, Challenger, and Challenger 2, and last year he acceped an interview on his Challenger experience (link). So far he is the only veteran tanker I have talked to that he used the multifuel capacity of a tank engine.

2. What do you think were the strong and weak points of the Chieftain tanks?

Firstly, I have to admit that I started my career in 1987 for the 16/5th The Queens Royal Lancers, a reconnaissance regiment with CVR (T). I trained on chieftain along side the Chally 1 before our amalgamation with the MBT regiment the 17/21st Lancers. Our new regiment was equipped with Chally 1.

I first saw, (and heard) a Chieftain in January 1987 in Catterick (where all recruit gunnery training was being carried out at the time). One can never forget that distinctive tubular roar as they headed off the tank park in the rain and off into the misty Yorkshire dales to scare the sheep. On their return, the drivers (who had to drive ‘opened up’), always emerged from the cab, faces wrapped in goggles and ‘headover’ scarf, steaming damp from the ample rainwater that poured on them from the turret sill every time they braked! Protected by army waterproof overalls, affectional known as a ‘crisp packet’.
The tanks strong points were its accuracy, and being able to get rounds off accurately even if every system in the turret had failed.

It's weak points (according to seasoned drivers) were having to change the clutch springs, and its ability to drop it’s oil and stop at the most inopportune moments! Something that struck fear in any commander taking part in televised VIP parades!

In hot weather the turret batteries behind the operator in the bustle used to get hot and occasionally gas off. To cool them down you could wedge open the battery hatches on the turret roof. The operator/ Loader could then see daylight from his position via the hatches.  The trouble is, you didn’t want to do this on a live range with infantry behind you! Oh how they loved sneakily shooting the tanks on an assault! Because of this, we never put anything nice in the thin side bins like sleeping bags and weapons!

3. When training, what was the typical distance to the objective and speed of the tank when you fired? And the longest distance at which you ever fired?

Much the same as the Chally 1, (after all, it was pretty much a chieftain in new clothes).

We generally trained from emergency short range targets at about 600m, firing on the move at 1000m to 1800-200m. Occasionally we would do long range shoots using the Quadrant Fire Control (QFC) at around 5km+. You could throw them further but ranges were hard to find and the commander, or someone, had to physically see the target impact and make corrections. This awesome simple bit of kit attached to the gun next to the gunner (which consisted of two rotating drums/ wheels representing the angle of sight, the range to target and a bubble level), was worth its weight in gold, but sadly not included in the Chally 2. It’s still in use on the Scorpion 90’s in Indonesia as I witnessed in 2021.

4. Chieftain tanks use a human autoloader and 3 piece ammunition. What was the maximum rate of fire you achieved? How did it change as you used the different ammunition bins?

As has probably been mentioned before, officially it was 6-8 seconds but a well prepared loader could get an average of 4 seconds for at least 6 to 8 rounds. After that, retrieving rounds (as the gunner laid onto target) became slower as the 6 round ready tray was empty and other rounds and charges were in ‘slower’ locations. It was actually an incorrect drill to pull the loaders safety shield closed (that completes the firing circuit) before retrieving his next round, however it speeded things up to get the round AFTER the shield as long as you didn’t go behind the gun while doing so.

5. What was the typical ammunition configuration load (% APDS/HESH/Smoke)?

This depended on the mission and the type of tank you were in, command tanks typically had less ammo to naturally accommodate extra radio equipment in the turret bustle.

A troop would be issued some measure of smoke which was given or spread to vehicles relevant to a task on a mission. If you were expected to face heavy armour then we would be heavy on the APFSDS. During my last operation we were actually carrying blue SH/P (a practice round full of concrete). This was used to good effect in urban areas for specific targets causing minimal collateral damage.

6. In terms of maintenance, was there any component or system that was more delicate? Were there any issues with the supply chain?

I can’t recall anything being really delicate on the Chieftain, it was pretty robust and “soldier proof”. If anything broke on the move, there wasn’t much that couldn’t be fixed with gaffer tape and green string until you got attended too by the REME following close behind.

7. What was the maximum distance you covered in a day during deployments or exercises? Did the tank cope well or needed extra maintenance?

Some would say, not far as it regularly broke down! To be fair, a good attentive, well-trained crew would do well. It’s for this reason a regiments reputation was always on the line when performing on ranges and exercises. Stories, scores, and rumours flew around the higher echelons of the Royal Armoured Corps and filter down to the lower ranks, resulting in much toilet wall humour wherever we congregated!  

8. The Leyland L60 engine was an issue in early Chieftain models. Were the problems solved in the variants you used?

I personally have no real experience with the ‘bottom half’ of the Chieftain as I converted on my drivers course on a Challenger 1.

9. One of the theoretical advantages of the Leyland L60 was that it was multifuel. Did you ever use this feature in training or manoeuvres? Is there any procedure that needs to be followed if different fuels are used (clean filters, purge components)?

In the Balkans, (on Chally 1, a different engine, I know) the temperature in the mountains got down to -24. The squadron of tanks were stored in a huge barely heated tent. We had to start the engines every 4 hours in a failed attempt to stop the diesel turning to sloppy paste. In the end we drained the fuel bags and filled up with aviation fuel delivered from a nearby RAF fuel dump. Eventually, with the GUE (Generator Engine) running, we got them started without any mechanical wizardry.

10. Chieftain used a Horstmann suspension, while other tanks of its era used torsion bars. What is your opinion on its advantages and disadvantages?

Sorry, I wouldn’t know, (me being a turret monster! However, I’ve helped change a few CVR(T) torsion bars and it was a bit of a lengthy task, also the bars have to go through the hull interior where the turret cage sits, so this loss of space has to be accounted for in the design.

11. What was the maximum speed you managed to get in a Chieftain? And in reverse?

It was quite slow when compared to modern tanks, around 20-25mph/ 32Kmh cross country and a little faster on the roads. In reverse, you never wanted to go too fast, unless you were sure your driver knew 100% his left from his right!

12. Did you practise NBC situations? What was the approach? How did it affect the crew performance (especially loader)?

We practiced NBC conditions quite often on exercise, and a lot during Desert Storm on Chally 1!

Comms were sometimes an issue when trying to understand the warblings of radio operators talking through a respirator microphone! Both Chieftain and Chally 1 were issued a large hand held microphone (like the sort sports commentators used) it had similar 1920’s sound quality and was never used. But during regular tool and equipment checks on the tank park, (where all equipment is laid out and accounted for), when this item was called out, the man closest would always pick it up, put it to his mouth and in his best Richard Burton voice shout “Broadsword Calling Danny Boy!”

The operator had the best time of it closed down in the turret, with room to stamp about, sit or slouch. The rest of the crew were pretty much stuck in their seats. The commander got to elevate the gun and stretch his legs over the breech ring. Gunners stamped their feet and drivers slept.

There was a time in Canada in 1996, during the Mad Cows paranoia when all troops (eating beef product rations) were forced to crap into double lined mylar bags and save them on the vehicle, (so as not to contaminate the prairie) then hand them over to an unimpressed soldier at Replens who suffered much jibing and mickey taking! The art of rotating through to the operator’s side and depressing the gun for privacy to take a dump was good practice for NBC conditions!

Despite being in mylar bags, there was a definite aroma emanating from the external bin where they were eventually stored!

13. Some Chieftain tanks were deployed in Berlin. Did you consider urban scenarios in your training?

Yes, but not predominantly. We all had our pre-planned fighting positions to engage the masses of the Soviet vanguards in surrounding fields and forests, that offered a modicum of manoeuvrability, and as far away as possible from any major enemy urban strikes.

They were called our “crash out” positions, or in Reconnaissance, jokingly known as our “grave positions” with a life expectancy of 20 minutes!

Urban expertise came much later by necessity, from a new generation of troops, in the busy streets of Basra and Al Amarah.

14. Chieftain was operated by other countries (Oman, Kuwait, Iran). Did you get any feedback from their use or reports from combat experiences?

I knew a ‘Kings Own Hussar’ who served under the Sultan of Oman. He had nothing but good things to say about his time there.

I found that when oil rich countries bought our tanks, they always got nice upgrades like a .50 Cal pintle mount that the MOD wouldn’t consider.

15. Vickers developed more advanced variants of Chieftain that were never bought by the British Army (Khalid). Did you have a chance to familiarise yourself with them?

No, unfortunately not, I just read journals of the time. I am now lucky enough to be in a job that tests and sells to such countries, so I still get to play with the latest ‘big boys toys’ at 55 yrs!

16. Do you think Chieftain could have been developed more or it was better to move into the Challenger series?

I believe it served well for its era. The Chally 2 was a massive leap in the right direction. But we all live in hope that BAE and Rheinmetall don’t bleed the taxpayer dry with the upgrades.

Other interviews:

I am always looking for more veterans, active members or people related with the defence industry to accept interviews. If you enjoyed reading the material and would be happy to accept an anonimous interview you can get in contact with me. My e-mail can be found in this link at the heading. Otherwise leave a message in the comment sections.

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