M1 Mine Plow Compatability

Devildog · Post by **Devildog** » Sat May 24, 2008 2:53 am

I see the catlogue has been updated to show that the mine plow provided on the M1A2 also fits the M1 and M1A1 - but what about the British Chieftan? I am working on a BAOR force and I wanted to model a Chieftain AVRE with a mine plow and wondered if this version would fit.

Any one tried it?

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:40 am

Hi,

just had a look at my Chieftain and "dry-attached" a TWMP. I would say it fits quite well.

Cheers Ben

JasonAfrika · Post by **JasonAfrika** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:30 am

Yes it will fit any modern tank. I've used it on Russian, Chinese, Iranian(the Chieftain) Tanks. But the original AVRE had a regular flat dozer blade. Good Luck

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed May 28, 2008 12:47 am

JasonAfrika wrote:But the original AVRE had a regular flat dozer blade.

From what I know that is not exactly the point. I learned about Chieftain AVRE deployment that they were in general deployed in pairs, one equipped with the TWMP the other one with the BEMA (Bulldozer Earth Moving Attachment). There are also lots of photos showing vehicles without any of the attachments.
Furthermore two different TWMPs were deployed with the Chieftain AVRE - the first one looks rather different to the GHQ model, the later model is matched by the GHQ model very good.

Kind regards,
Ben

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Wed May 28, 2008 2:13 am

Ben wrote:From what I know that is not exactly the point. I learned about Chieftain AVRE deployment that they were in general deployed in pairs, one equipped with the TWMP the other one with the BEMA (Bulldozer Earth Moving Attachment).

From this link:http://plain-military.tripod.com/id174.html it looks like you get your choice. I'm not sure if each picture is of the same vehicle or not but there is one picture with the BEMA attached at the front and the TWMP stowed on the back and another with the TWMP attached at the front and the BEMA stowed on the back. Pretty cool really - time to do some kitbashing.

Paul

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed May 28, 2008 1:44 pm

Hi Paul,

that is absolutely right, you have the choice and often both attachments were carried. The plot with the pair is, that in combat situations there is mostly no time for a quick change of the attachments. Having a pair of vehicles with BEMA and TWMP offers the needed mission flexibility.
As far as I know the approach (regarding the attachments) is the same with the new Trojan AVRE.

Cheers Ben

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Wed May 28, 2008 6:53 pm

Ben,

Do you have any good pictures of the Chieftain AVRE chasis without all the topside gear? I've got a pair of surplus hulls that I think I would like to convert and I'm curious how different they are from a stock Chieftain - without its turret of course. Always good to hear from you.

Paul

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:48 pm

Hi,

I will have a look what I have at home.
The first Chieftain AVRE model (also referred to as AVRE Mk.1 or Willich version) were converted by REME workshops. If I remeber right, Pat (Ferret701) did this conversion.
This model was followed by 48 Chieftain AVRE (Mk.2) built by Vickers, which are a bit more complicated. There are some nice photos at Prime Portal, including some details - but with topside gear

.

Kind regards,
Ben

Devildog · Post by **Devildog** » Thu May 29, 2008 11:22 pm

Thanks for the info - I will definately do some kit bashing - also want to convert a Chieftain or two into AVLB's.
One additional question - it appears that the bulldozer blade on the Centruion AVRE is part of the casting - not a separate piece - is this correct?

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri May 30, 2008 3:00 am

Good to hear that the information was helpful.
The hull of the Centurion AVRE is a one piece item and I was a bit unhappy with this as it is more difficult to fit a TWMP (in fact I dropped the plan).
Furthermore it is not so easy to use the Dozerblade for other vehicles...

Cheers Ben

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:28 pm

Ben, et al.

I think the dozer blade from the BPz-2 ARV should work nicely, at least that's what I intend to use. I've found them particularly usefule in a number of conversions like the Biber AVLB and my current project which is the Leopard 2 PSO version.

Paul

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Fri May 30, 2008 6:42 pm

Hello Paul,

any chance to get some photos of the named projects?
Especially the Biber is of interest.

Cheers Ben

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:52 pm

Ben,

I'll check my photobucket archives for the Biber when I get home. I don't have any pictures on this computer at work. My fear is that there aren't any and the bulk of my micro armor is in storage for the next two years while I move to Japan - it may be a long time before I can post any pictures. In any event I used an old GHQ Leo 1 hull (no side skirts) as the basis then I took the bridge sections and launching gear from the M-1 Wolverine kit cut to fit the Biber style launcher and finally attached a dozer blade at the frot of the hull. I made four of them and wish now that I had a good picture.

The Leo 2 PSO is a current project. The spare parts are some of the few micro armor things I did ship over to Japan, I'm just waiting for my last order from GHQ to arrive and I'll mail them or hand carry them with me. The Chieftain AVRE has piqued my curiosity and I'll bring a couple of hulls with me to try the conversion.

Paul