00FD89

Notes

Chieftain Mk5/3(C) — export variant hull, contract FVP/37/70, entered service 1 June 1972. The (C) suffix denotes a Khalid/Shir-derived export configuration hull, built to the Jordanian order specification but remaining in or returning to British Army service. Merlin records service at SEE (School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering) from December 1985, SEAE June 1995, JSCS Ashchurch April 1998, ABRO Bovington Lulworth Detachment November 1998 (RCP 999 — accounting write-off during repair), DERA Malvern October 2000 (RCP 999), JSCS Ashchurch April 2003, then sold through WITHAM (SPECIALIST VEHICLES) LTD May 2004 (RCP 999) — confirmed commercial disposal route to private ownership. No cast flag set in Merlin. Referenced on preservedtanks.com as passing through Witham. Believed to be in private ownership in the USA based on a March 2013 post to the Chieftain Tank Appreciation Society Facebook group showing a Chieftain Mk5 with matching characteristics in a snowy Midwest setting, owner described as an aerial lift equipment businessman; identity not confirmed and ERM attribution remains unverified. The vehicle in the 2013 photos retains the single centrally-mounted headlight arrangement rather than the twin headlight configuration fitted to standard British fleet Mk5s — this is consistent with the (C) export hull specification derived from the Khalid/Shir programme, where the headlight arrangement differed from the production British Army standard. This single headlight feature may help confirm identification if the vehicle can be inspected in person. Engine number recorded in Merlin as 9708.