schliesser92

Weren.t the springs on the Bren mags weaker than the SLR mags? We were taught that we could use SLR mags on the L4, but NEVER vice versa, as they were designed as a gravity feed, and thus not as strong as SLR mag springs. As for the pouch issue , never noticed any problems. As a technician, I was supposed to carry an SMG, and there was a stowage issue with their magazines! As it was, whilst in NI, I preferred to trust my life to an SLR.

Could that be a Horch? It looks very unlike the MB 170V saloon shown above.

That looks like a 1st Infantry Division tac sign, with an RA one with the "6" on it on the other side. The Jeep next to it looks like R Signals.

I rather liked the Estonian one on the same Youtube page.

Some Mokes are available in the Caribbean and South of France as hire cars. Weren't they also used in the TV Series "The Prisoner" ?

I'd say a locally-made armoured car for a bank (American Savings & Loan). Probably in Central America, where they had little respect for bank opening times!

That's why it was used for interiors, because it was more restful for the eyes. As for radios being painted that colour, I don't think that they came out that way, and were probably locally repainted when the appropiate colour was unavailable. Most signals equipment, particularly in the radio-relay field was deep bronze green, with panels sometimes in other colours. ie SR C70 - light grey ACT1+4 No2 = grey casing with panels in a horrible shade of purple (hence the nickname Purple People Eater, why is another story!) TTVF 4/12 - grey casing (can't remember the panel colour) I seem to remember that WS62s were light grey.

These were general service vehicles and were used for everything, especially on airfields. They were rarely fitted with cabins on GS chassis as boxbody versions were available, and used as command and control vehicles for fire/crash-rescue teams and as ambulances. Some GS vehicles were fitted with snowblowers, and there were also specialist fire tenders.

I would suggest a standard NATO model, based on the US helmet. It were used by a considerable number of NATO countries. You'd have to look at manufacturers' details inside to get a good idea who used it.

I must admit, for me it's going back some 37 years! How time flies! I'm aware that units rotating on Op Banner from UKLF or BAOR did some pre-NI training. Unfortunately, specialists (such as myself) were on detached duty and were thrown in at the deep end! I wasn't on Op Banner, my detachment was Op Northern Shot. This was the operation and (in my case) maintenance of a secure radio-relay link between Lisburn (HQNI) and Stranraer with a relay station at the rebro site on Divis Mountain. Ther was also a "spur" to Stormont Castle (office of the PUS for NI).As is usual in the mob, I was continuously "abused" and misused, ending up doing a mass of other jobs, and still managing to sit my T2 upgrading exam. Despite the stress and overwork and the inherant dangers of service in NI, I quite enjoyed myself. with the added satisfaction of knowing that I did a good job of supporting the guys at the sharp end. I was also involved at fitting clandestine radio/electronic kit to vehicles used by NITAT, intelligence and sometimes the RUC Special Branch, and the radios to the two protected fire appliances at Girdwood Park. I did a couple of RS2000s, but can't remember a gold coloured one. Maybe a respray?

No. I filched it off an ex-pats website in Gemany. But feel free to use it, I assume it wasn't an original piece of work on there either!

Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It was shortly before Christmas when the FAA examiner arrived. In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all he reindeer. Santa got his logbook out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear and Rudolph’s nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa’s weight and balance calculations for the sled’s enormous payload. Finally, they were ready for the checkride. Santa got in and fastened his seat belt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa’s surprise, a shotgun. “What’s that for?” asked Santa incredulously. The examiner winked and said, “I’m not supposed to tell you this, but you’re gonna lose an engine on takeoff.”

very droll!

Warning. Anyone planning to dash through the snow in a one horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are advised that a Risk Assessment will be required addressing the safety of an open sleigh for members of the public. This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we would request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance. Benches, stools and orthopaedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night. While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all users of this facility are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that, prior to shining his/her glory all around, s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory. Following last year’s well-publicised case, everyone is advised that Equal Opportunities legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr R Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence. While it is acknowledged that gift bearing is a common practice in various parts of the world, particularly the Orient, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded, while caution is advised regarding other common gifts such as aromatic resins that may evoke allergic reactions. Finally, in the recent instance of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly. N.B. a) Per the case of Blake v DPP [1993] Crim LR 587 'God' is not a 'person' capable of giving permission or consent* - as such, despite being called 'the angel of the lord', he/she/it would remain solely accountable for any damage/destruction of property belonging to another caused by the effects of the aforementioned Glory and would likely be charged with criminal damage were any such damage/destruction to occur. B) Should the operators of this vehicle wish the practise to continue beyond the sole event, perhaps on an annual basis, it is suggested that the correct formalities should be followed for the creation of a quasi-easement. Furthermore it is suggested that the landowner discharge the Common Duty of Care provided in the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 by requiring and ensuring the provision of written notice by the sleigh-riders as to their willing acceptance of any risks posed by the land itself.

Certainly when I was in NI, what was the NITAT component wasn't involved in training, but was hard-core intelligence gathering. Maybe they were an offshoot of the UKLF/BAOR based organisation. Nothing like using existing organisations to muddy the waters. The NI component later became SOTAT. They certainly had priority tasking for E Troop (Girdwood Park) and access to Channel10. It was also at this time when we were stopped from talking to MI6 officers. There were security concerns, whereby Moscow and PIRA were getting assimilated information before London was.

It's going around Germany as well. I used a naughty Punjabi expression, and he hung up! Makes a change from the e-mails from those nice west-african gentlemen who seem to be keen to "borrow" my bank account!

Northern Ireland Training and Advisory Team 1) they never did any training courses 2) they never handed out advice 3) Northern Ireland was correct most of the time. It was a covert intelligence-gethering outfit. Membership consisted of soldiers (incliuding SAS), RUC Special Branch, SIS (formerly MI6) and some specialist tradesmen from the army, THEY NEVER EXISTED !!!

The RUC had some unmarked RS2000s back in 1973, so not unusual. I've a feeling that this one was used by NITAT.

also towed behind 3t and 4t trucks. There were also water bowser and generator versions (generator version held 2 6kVA Onans)

I don't know about the last "snatch" series, but the predecessors had Pye Westminster fitted in NI, so I assume that the ones in NI used the same kit. The one's deployed in Iraq and other far-fliung places would probably be fitted as to unit requirements and location. For instance, in the more mountainous parts of Afghanistan, you can forget VHF/UHF sets, HF has a better chance of getting through. You could probably fit what you want, the great unwashed public wouldn't know the difference, and probably don't care anyway! With your luck, an "expert" will idle by and tell you where you went wrong, and "back in his day..."

Germany had a number of Saladins, issued to the Bundesgrenzschutz (Federal Border Protection Service). Designated FV601D, they had the co-axial MG deleted and German smoke dischargers fitted. They were replaced by the Luchs (Lynx) armoured car. Colour scheme was overall "Tannengruen" (Forest Green).

Those wily West african gentleman have got a new phishing scam going. At the moment limited to Germany, but coming your way soon! It's an e-mail supposedly from PayPal, suggesting that there are difficulties with your security code, and asking you to check your details. There is a link provided. What happens is unknown to me, as I didn't touch it with a bargepole! Why? 1) I ain't a Paypal customer! 2) I have an appalling lack of trust in my fellow man! Paypal are aware, as are the local law and regional crime squad. Hints to these mails: 1) a good internet/e-mail provider has a good spam filter, and if it ends up in the spam folder, and if it looks like a ...... 2) PayPal don't send such e-mails out 3) the German version was from "Bestaetigungs" (German for confirmation, only there ain't no S on the end!) 4) At the bottom it came from PayPal Germany Pty Limited German companies are GmbH or AG or KG. Pty (Proprietry) is an identifier used in Africa (surprise, surprise), India, SE Asia and the Australian/New Zealand sphere of influence (wot there is!) Be careful out there!

judging by recent pics I've seen, it's apparantly alive and well and appears at the odd show.

Humber 8cwt light ambulance, same chassis as the staff car. About 1,000 were built. It was, I think, a 2-stretcher ambulance with the bodywork built by Thrupp & Maberly.

The use of Bez. Koeln on the plate suggests pre 1949, as Bez. (Bezirk or district) was used after the German Federal Republic was created. This definition of an area continued in rhe GDR. Certainly, looking at the date, if it was used, it wasn't by the Bundeswehr (first formed in 1956). So it was more than likely a post-war civilian item. The logo certainly isn't in use today, the crown could be an indication of where it was manufactured depending on what the crown looks like. It may be a foreign-built trailer fitted with a German axle assembly and used in Germany. The little, low towhook suggests agricultural use, ie towing another smaller trailer, which was then still permitted with a speed restriction imposed, or used for manouvering the trailer.