wetandmuddy

Ha! Thanks Cornishbloke, I like it. Opposite corners it is then. I'll settle for 'looks ok from 30 feet' too. I think I may have been overanalysing the situation!!

Many thanks for the replies. So it's time to get the paint brushes out! ...just can't decide what to tell me wife, since I've always said that I hate decorating!! :laugh:

Hello Folks, I hope that someone can help me with some basic advice about repainting an RB44 which is presently in single colour desert paint. I'm thinking about re-painting the truck to restore it to how it originally was. It's pretty clear that under the desert sand colour the vehicle was originally drab green and matt black (just 2 colours? I can't be sure, there may be a third - unless it's just variability in the green that they used). You can actually see the outline of the patterns in the original 'camo' paint. Incidentally, I've only ever seen one other RB44 in anything but a single colour (green or sand) - so is this 'camo' version that I have unusual? Anyway, my specific questions are very basic: 1. Is there an actual definition of what comprises British Army green-based camouflage painting (how many colours are used, what colours are they,...)? 2. What paints do I use (what type of paint are they, where do I get them from...)? 3. What prep do I need to do to the existing paintwork (do I just lightly flat it down - it's already matt of course, or do I need some sort of priming...)? 4. I assume that I brush paint it (although the finish on the original green / black looks like it was sprayed) is that right? 5. Are there any guidelines for the camo patterns or the balance of each colour to include in the patterns, or is it all just rack of eye? 6. What else do I need to know??!! I seem to be an expert at asking numpty questions... Hope you don't mind! Cheers, Andrew.

Ha! Thanks everyone for the replies - much appreciated as always. Looks like I'll just have to put my sea shanties on the iPod and hope for fair weather...

Hello Everyone, Some of you may recall my naïve postings several months back about getting an ex-Withams RB44 on the UK roads. Well, a steep learning curve and countless correspondences with DVLA, VOSA (and anyone else who would listen) later, I HAVE DONE IT! The RB is on the road - registered, plated, taxed and insured! And she's LOVELY And if I'd known what I know now, it would have been easy... But that's the nature of learning, eh??!! The process didn't go as I really wanted it to, for example despite presenting very clear and properly documented evidence to DVLA, I could not get exemption from VOSA testing. I intend to pursue this further. The good news is that the RB sailed through the test needing only a bulb. But, let's be honest, it's got <5000 miles on it since new, so there shouldn't have been too much wrong. Now for my question (I just hope it doesn't end up as being so clearly naïve as some of the ones that I was asking 5 months ago!!). The RB is obviously a truck, it's got a 4.0l Perkins 110MT Phaser in it. And I've driven a lot of 5-7 tonne trucks over the years. But this drives like nothing I've ever driven before!! It's sooooo FLAT. It's got so much grunt from tick-over, but there's just no boost available after changing up a gear. Every hill in Lancashire becomes a challenge, and if you're unlucky enough to have to start at the bottom in third, then you're stuck in third all of the way up. I've looked at the torque and power curves for the 110MT and they look more like they're designed for a boat engine than a truck. Apologies if I'm being rude to Perkins addicts! But the curves are as flat as flat things (to quote Black Adder). And this means that the RB is somewhat less than an inspiring drive! In fact it's like driving a canal barge - on the road..., except more noisy. So my question is simple: please does anyone know of a safe and straight forward way of persuading my beauty to be a little more spritely? With everything being mechanical, I'm assuming that concepts like remapping the injection are completely alien. I'm sure that there will be a fuel regulation screw on the pump, but I don't really want to start this game (unless it really is the right thing to do). I'd just like a nice, safe, sensible solution, which does not involve a new engine, or a bigger turbo etc., and which allows me to remove my sailor's hat when driving... I've got a feeling that I'm asking another naïve question...!!! Thanks in advance, Andrew.

Hello Folks, Not wanting to run before I can walk (or even crawl!), and bearing in mind that I haven't even taken delivery of my new toy yet, I still can't resist asking about a winch for the front of it... So, it's a 1991 hard top FFR RB44, and as such does not come as standard with the winch-bumper that is fitted to many of the GS models. Not wanting to sound sacrilegious, but having used front-winch-mounted vehicles all my life, I really fancy a winch on the front of my new RB. Am I completely out of order :angel:? Or is it within the bounds of acceptability and, if so, where can I get one from? Cheers everyone, Andrew.

Thanks Andy, Great advice. Many many thanks. The mud that I've been peering into is slowly turning into murky water! I've got the insurance in process (quoted £100 fully comp from Adrian Flux), and I have a query outstanding at VOSA with their Technical Officers re under-riders and due process. This 'getting it on the road' experience is a strange masochistic blend of frustration, anticipation and expectation... BBQ and beer now. Please have one on me - I promise I'll pay up if ever we meet! ATB, Andrew.

I'm intending to use it for purely for R&R, like camping trips with the kids, and attendance at the local shows (once or twice a year). We do live on a remote farm though, and last winter we spent more than 2 weeks unable to get in or out - even with a LR with snow chains on it! ...so it might have the occasional serious use too. Cheers, Andrew.

Hello Andy, Many thanks for this info. I intend to keep the vehicle as-is, and hence to register it as an HGV. Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly do I do? If Withams supply a cast certificate, then what is my first step? If Withams don't supply such a certificate, then I contact the MVT and ask them to do what? Sorry, but this is like peering into mud for me! Cheers, Andrew.

Hello Folks, I posted this earlier in the general forum - ooops, sorry - I think I should have posted it in here instead... Apologies for not knowing the basics, but I need some simple advice about how to get my yet-to-be-delivered 1991 RB44 on the road. Please can anyone explain the sequence of actions that I have to take? The vehicle is a direct MoD release and has not been registered for the road before. There is no accompanying paperwork, but I do know the chassis number and the basic parameters like engine size and GVW. VOSA? Number plates? DVLA? Road tax? Insurance? Where do I start, and then what do I do next?? Many thanks for any forthcoming advice! Cheers, Andrew.

Hello everyone, I just wanted to register my presence on the forum and to say that I look forwards to both contributing and receiving advice over the coming months. I've just purchased a 1991/2 Reynolds-Boughton RB44 Hardtop from Withams in the UK. Not cheap, I admit, but it was released from the MoD in April, has only 4000 miles on it, and is absolutely immaculate. I've attached a few photos taken at Witham's yard - the vehicle hasn't actually been delivered to me yet! So now the fun starts. All the best, Andrew.