See Inside the Last British Heavy Tank | Conqueror | Tank Chats Reloaded

Conqueror; last of the British Heavy Tanks.

After the shock appearance of the Soviet IS-3 Heavy Tank, NATO armies set about designing their own heavies to deal with the threat. For the US Army, this was the M103, for the British this tank – FV 214 Conqueror.

In this film, we explore Conqueror inside and out and talk to ex-Sgt. John Chappell, a former tank commander about his experiences as a Conqueror crewman as part of the British Army of the Rhine in the 1960s.

00:00 | Introduction
02:58 | The FV 200 Series
04:51 | Conqueror
11:35 | See Inside
20:48 | Success? Or Waste of Resources

This video features archive footage courtesy of British Pathé.

#tankmuseum

[stevechappell]

So proud of you Dad "John Chappell" cant believe you got on youtube before me 😢
Great video, love you ❤

[Veritas.]

Thank you Mr. Chappell for taking the time to give us a bit of personal experience history. And thank you, as always, Tank Museum, for preserving this insider's look at the Conqueror.

[nigeh]

I honestly didn’t think you would be able to find a presenter to compare to David Fletcher MBE or David Willey but in Chris Copson you have proven me wrong 👍🇬🇧.

[TX-biker]

I truly appreciate the colored highlights of the portions of the tank under discussion.

It takes ALL the guesswork out, and we can follow along without distractions 👍🏽

[sidm]

I think Mr. Hewes should have a go at that gate guard.

[tomdamoose]

Rest well, Stanley The Cat
And thank you Sgt. John Chappell for the interview, absolutely awesome

[reubensaunders]

So proud of my grandad (john chappell) getting to talk about his experiences in this video! Have always admired him and looked up to him since i was a child. I never tire of hearing his stories and I'm incredibly thankful and proud to have someone who served in my family.

[technonoises]

Really enjoyed this video in particular interviewing an actual commander was fantastic. I think the conqueror was almost more like a test bed in some respects and you end up with innovations from its design being implemented in what would become the MBT standard.

[robrockatansky]

As a former Abrams crewmember, it is really cool to see this technology from it's inception, a lot of these innovations make their way to modern tanks we still use today. Very good video.

[wbertie]

An uncle was a medic in the British forces in Germany in the 1960s and treated a Conqueror driver who had taken one for a jaunt when drunk and drove it through ruined farmhouse which fell onto the tank. He survived, thankfully, but I don't think he was in the army for very long after that event.

[kieranholland]

One of my favs at the museum, she's huge and just looks right. Compared to the tanks we produced during shows we learned our lessons!

[afs]

Given what the 120mm hesh did in 1991 to soviet tanks which were as well armoured as IS3, I think we can safely say the IS 3 would have been melted at at 2600m. The HESH and its trajectory would totally undo all the protection from the shaping of the armour.

[roderickmacgregor]

My dad done his National service on Conqueror in Germany he turned up at his squadron they took one look at him and was told he was a loader /radio op ( he wasnt that tall but had huge chest and shoulders ) he loved his time in the Conqueror and spoke fondly of the guys he served with i have his photo book of his time in Germany some cracking photos of Conquerors on exercise ….

[neilwilson]

"If you drove a Conqueror, everybody got out of your way" I love this chap's happy expression when he said it. Anyone who has driven a heavy tank knows just how that feels.

[andrewmoore]

My Dad was the trials officer on the Conqueror at 7 Armoured Workshop Fallingbostel Spoke about the problems including the case ejection on live firing that set the camouflage net alight! Also all the final drive bolts sheared off and had to be drilled for bigger nuts and bolts. Still have pictures of me on it as a very young lad at the Dust bowl on the ranges!

[RamenNoodlePackets]

You guys just keep getting better and better, I've been a tank nerd for most of my life and I'm so glad to have you guys on the net, best regards.

[HopefulJoe]

Get Mr Hewes on that Mk2 Gate Guard! Let’s see it looking beautiful just like Spud!

[LouisAmateurArt]

Very interesting overview, Chris. Thank you. It's always great when you have a chance to interview someone who actually crewed the machine.

[jmc]

I love the way you highlight the parts you’re talking about

[thetankmuseum]

Hey Tank Nuts! We hope you enjoyed our latest video. What do you think of the Conqueror - an impressive Cold War warrior, or an overcomplicated piece of kit? Let us below