05FA97 — Chieftain Archive

Notes

Chieftain Mk3, built by ROF Leeds. FA prefix confirms 1970/71 manufacture. Not in Merlin — registered as a Special Projects vehicle outside the main fleet. Also carried SP plate 03SP15, assigned at MVEE/FVRDE/DERA Chertsey, indicating use as a trials or research vehicle. Photographed at DERA Chertsey (probable) circa 1998 (tankmuseum.com Chieftain list). A second SP-series Chieftain Mk3 alongside 00FC51 (SP plate 03SP01), confirming the SP numbering series was used across multiple Chieftain trials vehicles at DERA. Current status unknown.

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Data source: Service history and last known location are sourced from the British Army Merlin Archive, the official vehicle inventory system covering records up to 2012 when the archive was declassified. Survival status has been assessed from the last recorded unit — vehicles may have changed hands, been restored, or been scrapped since then. The last Merlin record for this vehicle is from 01 Jan 1998 — information about its current status is particularly welcome. If you have current information about this vehicle, please submit a correction.

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Service History

Movement records from the British Army Merlin Archive

01 Jan 1971

Entered service — Special Projects registration, MVEE/FVRDE/DERA Chertsey (SP plate 03SP15) Receipt: 01 Jan 1971

01 Jan 1998

DERA CHERTSEY (probable) — photographed circa 1998 as SP plate 03SP15 Receipt: 01 Jan 1998

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