A parcel arrived from FC Model Trend that enabled me to progress with the filter box on the rear of the hull. I have added 3D printed exhausts a review of which can be found at the link below:
I feel they improve on the kit parts and are easier to use and offer some small details missing on the kit parts.
I used these on my Mk10 Accurate Armour one, as the AA ones were woefully underscale. The FC ones do look nice but I personally think they are slightly over scale. They almost hold the correct position, but not quite, and they are not easy to modify as you would probably end up losing the flange. When I say over scale, it is a tricky one as it’s either the exhaust elbows are slightly to big, or the kit scale and shape of certain things is slightly out. The AA Mk10 is I think suffering from both those issues.
Would be good to see the Meng and Takom exhaust elbows.
One of the big differences (that is very small) is the way Meng did the attachment rail for the wading skirt on the front hull. They are the only one to show it correctly
Johnny: These are a tight fit, but then the fit on the real vehicle is not exactly ease of access. As such I believe them to be correct or damn close.
They look good to me, as with everything armour there are going to be differences from vehicle to vehicle and as these are cast items in real life there will certainly be issues. How many times Johnny have you gone to fit a brand new part only for it to need some fettling for it to fit?
Yeah I have had to do a fair bit of fettling or redrilling to get something’s to fit. It might me my eyes or the picture angle but the LH elbow still just looks like it’s overlapping the LH mudguard to much. Might look better with the rear bin on …
I will test fit the bins later and let you know.
The fit is as tight as a gnats knacker but then scale wise that is about right.
I have added some 3D printed engine deck grills and I am curious as to what you all think?
Despite the vents not being open I rather like them and I suspect with careful sanding to make them even thinner than I have.
Regarding tolerances of the exhaust system and the rear boxes I provide the image below.
The track guards are a little difficult to install on the model once assembled due to the fit at the front and rear and getting passed pre fitted parts. I also advise against fitting the wing mirrors until the end of construction as they are very easily damaged. But once assembled and added they do look the part.
Please ignore the cat hairs as that is the price of 5 cats and they do get removed before painting; on the plus side when they shed whiskers they make great scale aerials.
It’s building up nicely from the images above, however I am seriously not a fan of those 3d bits of resin … From the images they just look flat with no detail ? Can you see or are there deck louvres on the resin ? If there are no details for the deck louvres then they are unrealistic and I can’t see the point of them. The ones with the PE deck screens are 100% and they should be.
Thanks for showing that image Darren.
Honestly, from knowing those hideous decks intimately lol… I still think they are unrealistic if you can’t see the louvres under the mesh grill …
I will go back to the original pic when you showed them side by side. I think the ones with the PE screens look totally the part without question. Your call though matey.
My main reason for liking them is the ease of use but I do understand your point.
The Chieftain chief has spoken… 
Lol … I would not go that far…
However I was asked once while on the regimental recruiting team when we were at a county show if I could help one of the display guys (collector) get his Mk 10 going as the FIPS was playing up and he couldn’t get it started… Annoyingly I was in my Blues at the time, and had to get into coveralls to help him !!
For who is inerested in nice footage on Chieftains including some nice camoscheme’s.
Just an information for all Meng Chieftain owners: My kit had only 188 links included. Parts overview states 195 and you need at least 192 (2x95 plus two spare on the rear hull).
I see another detail missed by Takom - the holes in the support of the rubber side rails on the rear deck. I was thinking of drilling them out but did not know the placement as they are mostly hidden on the vehicle.
