10FM68

I agree, you're doing a fantastic job. I am simply awestruck by the skills some of you on this forum have. And the doggedness to tackle what often seem to be hopeless cases, or projects way beyond the capabilities of one man. There should be a special thread somewhere on here with just the words and photos of the restorer for us to scroll through on winter nights to appreciate the work done and enjoy looking at the finished result without the superfluous comments ,like mine! But, anyway, well done and, while I'm about it, Merry Christmas to you all on the forum.

That was certainly an interesting link Tony offered to the MOULD site, but, as Richard says, the vehicle above has no connection. The MOULD vehicles were, according to Fletcher/Taylor 109" CLs in the ERM batch 03HJ71 to 04HJ03. 22 were insertion vehicles and 11 repair vehicles. They were also supported by CL GS stores vehicles. He is correct in that they were fitted with jerrican holders on the front and, in the photo he shows of them in civilian garb, the holders are all visible. As are the civilian style chrome aerials on the front wings and the diagnostic roofrack which was of very substantial construction. I doubt they would have been winterised - they had no overseas deployable role (hence their being CLs) and vehicles were only converted where there was a likelihood of their being deployed to the NATO flanks - 3 Cdo Bde, the RAF Harrier force, AMF(L) and so on. No, I think the vendor is on the right lines - he has an FFR with the correct details - even the lifting rings on the front bumper appear in the "in-service" photograph and the roof rack is of a regular pattern. The ERM is right, the fact that it's an FFR etc etc. As for what was inside, well it would have been equipment sourced from a number of different places and they were very heavily laden. Here are a couple more photos of the troop on exercise in Norway - again credit to the copyright owner on the internet.

This topic cropped up a couple of years ago on this forum. As shown above, the mount was intended for the B vehicle fleet generally and a large number of short-barrelled .5" Brownings were procured. They were put in storage but appeared pretty much for the first time for OP CORPORATE. There are a few pictures floating about of their being used on ground mounts. The cupola ring was similar across the fleet identified by the little ball mounts. At some point the idea faded away as, for example, it was only the early batches of Bedford RLs which had them, the later ones having a simple plain cupola with no mounting. I think someone on the forum imported some of the mounts and passed them on to members.

If only he'd move his foot! But... it's close. These vehicles were very uncommon - a handful at most which, as can be seen from the spiel, were specially equipped by Racal and used by 640 Signal Troop for the out-of-area and NATO flanks role carried out in BAOR by 14 Signal Regiment (EW) - so had a similar role to some of their larger 1 tonne Land Rovers. This photo - credit to the owner via the internet - shows the same or similar vehicle with 640 on exercise in Norway - hence the winterisation. As I said, they were very rare and wouldn't have been held in TA centres. I suspect what Tony is referring to are the MOULD insertion vehicles which were used by TA R Signals units to support the MOULD VHF emergency network which entered service in the early 80s, or, if that is too late, to their predecessors. The MERLIN record shows that this vehicle in fact went on to serve with 14, probably after that regiment returned from BAOR to new barracks in UK. Quite what the connection with the Dutch Embassy is, though, I have no idea, unless it was involved in some demonstration for them!

You don't think it might have been this, do you? "Scientists find black sand-like dust and gas from distant asteroid Ryugu inside sample capsule from Japanese space probe Hayabusa-2" Courtesy The Mail Online.

Very unlikely. It was the wrong side of the A360 for the Imber ranges. The vehicles stored at "the Round" went out onto the Westdown and Larkhill Impact Areas for the RSA. The School of Infantry usually kept their doomed fleet at the top of Sack Hill.

I said I would look out the photo of the DAC on Salisbury Plain in the 1960s. I reckon this will be about 1968. The other photos show a Conqueror and a 155mm SP How at "The Round" on the road between the Bustard and Market Lavington at around the same time, I should think judging by my size. Pleased to see Dad wearing a jacket and tie for a trip in the country at that time! 10 68

Feel better now you've given the hobby-horse a bit of a gallop? 10 68

If it was rescued in about 1971 by a unit in Tidworth, then it probably came off Salisbury Plain. I spent a lot of weekends up there in my youth and frequently wandered into the impact area when the red flags were down, simply following my Dad's advice (and common sense) to watch where I put my feet and not to touch unexploded shells - of which there were huge numbers lying around in those days. There were dozens of old armoured vehicles set out there then, both as targets and for use as reference points, including a number of DACs. Where they were lying away from the public road they were usually in excellent condition with little damage from vandalism and, if they hadn't been hit, from anything else. Engines would be complete, as would instruments, seats and internal fittings, though, of course, anything removable would have been taken off. I have a photo of me in the turret of one of them at around that time. I'll see if I can find it. I can remember rotating the turret using the little handle - it still worked perfectly smoothly. One wood was stuffed with Conquerors straight from service and still in very fine condition. They were there for months before they were towed onto the range and positioned individually as targets. But the majority were Comets, Churchills, Cromwells and Shermans. I remember one old gun which had been dug in had wooden spoked wheels and I am sure there was a German 88 up there somewhere as well. Sadly, Salisbury Plain isn't what it was then - it was still wild and largely undisturbed. Now, there are specially-built military roads everywhere and much of the public access has been ended. In the 60s the soldiers were always happy to encourage interest from small boys and I was given several rides - in Centurions, Saladins and FV432s. I even got to fire the coax in a Cent one afternoon - something of a highlight for a boy interested in the Army! Still - the recruiting pitch worked - they got nearly 40 years service out of me!

What a fantastic find. After all, I don't suppose there are that many about at the best of times. I hope you are able to do a deal and get what you need. Of course, we all have you down as that spotty "urban explorer" wandering around with his iphone now😊 - the one I was whinging about earlier this week on another thread. Good luck!

All very fascinating, but taken by a trespassing toerag. I know I'd be bloody livid if I discovered someone had been onto my land with a video camera and uploaded the results to U Tube. The owner has every right to collect what ever he wants and to maintain it in whatever condition he chooses and not expect to find his collection advertised for tealeaves on the internet by self-styled urban explorers. I wonder how much theft and vandalism has resulted from this video.

All good news! How do the new springs feel? let us know. I was reading something the other day - can't remember what or where, but it said that, if the vehicle is not fully laden then the tyre pressures on the rear can be lowered from 30psi to 25 to make it more comfortable. I haven't tried that yet, but I can quite imagine that there would be some improvement. I have new springs which have seen very little use and are pretty hard.

Britool Chrome Alloy Steel Service Tools

That's OK, I'm glad you have that catalogue as it is so much better than the Brooklands copy of the earlier MOD one. If yours is like mine, though, you have to turn the computer sideways to read it! If your Lightweight is from that batch then, providing the running gear is original, you are from Contract no FVE22A/115 a batch of 390 RHD GSs. Mine is from the previous large contract of 300 placed in 78 and delivered into 1979. - so tax-free now - which is nice! Let me know if you want any of the other catalogues, if you don't already have them. 10 68

Larry, Regrettably it is considerably more complicated than that. You need a copy of the Parts Catalogue for the Series 3 88” ½ ton military vehicle (Air Portable – Lightweight) 12v and 24V Part Number RTC9968FA of June 1993. I offered to send you one in a PM, but I didn't hear back. I won’t quote everything as there is too much for one shortish post, but starting with springs: Driver’s side front either 562623 to Contract No WV11367 or 562627 from Contract No WV11367 Passenger’s side will be 562624 or 562628 respectively Rear springs are relatively straightforward: Driver’s side 562631 and passenger’s side 562632 Bottom Spring Plate Front Left Hand 559636 (note 1) or 624077 (note 2) or NRC3696 (note 6) Bottom Spring Plante Front Right Hand 559843 (note 1) or 624078 (note 2) or NRC3695 (note 6) Front U Bolts (3 of each) then go: 562640 (note 1) 562641 (note 2) 624030 (note 5) NRC5002 (note 6) Front U Bolts 1 of each) 562636 (note 1) 562637 (note 2) 624036 (note 5) NRC5007 (note 6) Nuts for the above: 251323 7/16BSF (note 4) 8 required or NY1120416 M12 (note 7) And so it goes on with the notes reading; Note 1 12V from contract no WV10787 to WV11367 item 1 inclusive Note 2 12V & 24V from contract WV11367 item 2 to contract no FVE22A/115 inclusive Note 3 24V from contract WV10775 to WV11430 inclusive Note 4 Applicable to U Bolts 562636/7 & 562640/1 Note 5 12V from contract no WV11367 item 2 to FVE/115 inclusive & 24V contract no WV11701 to FVE22A/95 inclusive Note 6 Vehicles built 1980 starting with front axle serial no RHD – 2010654E and LHD 20410264E Note 7 applicable to U Bolt 624030/6 & NRC5002/7 So there is quite a lot to it. You must, though, refer to the original rather than what I have just written as it is perfectly feasible I have written the odd number down incorrectly or transposed the odd figure as I was flipping between applications on my computer as I copied from the parts catalogue. But, although it is complicated, it is "doable" provided, as you restore your vehicle, you know what you are starting with and you can actually find all the numbers you need on the vehicle beneath the crud. The ERM (mil reg no) is only a guide now, as these vehicles have been so long in private hands many will no longer be on their original running gear, so you have to check everything - a pain, but, as I say, doable and, it is great when you get there. Good luck with your restoration and, if you want a copy of the IPC on a CD, PM me. 10 68

Actually, this isn't really a military item. Some years ago, it was realised by Greyhound owners that, as their racing dogs aged, they missed the track, they missed their friends and rivals and generally became depressed. But, chasing the hare proved all too much. So, White City introduced a veterans' day for retired racing greyhounds. It included some bottom-sniffing, a set of lamp posts were set up for competitive pi**ing (height achieved, quantity and colour were all judged) and the highlight was the closing event... the veterans' race. Chasing after a hare at their age would have clearly been impossible and so... thinking back to their childhood fairy tales the organisers remember the tale of the hare and the tortoise. This is one of the tortoises which were pulled, very slowly round the track in front of the old dogs.... I'll get my coat.

Thanks for that, Tony, you're quite right. The and/or is implied rather than actually stated.

That's a shocking experience and |I feel for you - it wou;d have been worth pursuing to get the money back. The one time I took a vehicle for an SVA at a VOSA station was rather better. I imported an Uaz 469. I went along to Avonmouth, frankly expecting to have the tyres kicked and be told to bugger off. Not a bit of it. He went through it with a fine toothed comb and it failed on 22 different items. I was amazed at just how much failed to comply with (the then) EU conformity. I thought I was going to be stuck with a pup which I couldn't use and wouldn't be able to sell. But... the tester then took about half an hour telling me exactly how to go about fixing every one of the points he had identified to enable it to pass next time. 21 of them I was able to do myself, the only one I couldn't was to re-profile the front bumper - cost a fiver. So I was lucky. But, coming back to Lightweights and MOTs... I see that the last MoT mine got before I bought it advised that there were: "Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay". Somewhat unlikely, I think on a bog standard Lightweight! The only other MoT annoyance has been on my car at a main dealer which caused a mighty row. I asked the garage to replace some discs and pads and THEN give it an MoT. So they gave it an MoT - failed it on discs and pads and then fitted the new ones. When I blew up about having an MoT failure on the record the service manager justified it by explaining to me that, as an MoT centre they were expected to fail a certain proportion of cars they inspected and, not in so many words, that this was a perfect opportunity to keep their numbers up! Needless to say, I now go elsewhere for all my MoTs - to a garage I know well and which is an expert on Land Rovers. But, whether you, Larry, have a case regarding "corroded, covered with oil and dirt" I'm not so sure as I think the wording is corroded and/or covered.... in which case, the likelihood is that, given the construction of a Land Rover, brake lines will nearly always be, at least part covered with oil or dirt. The key, sadly will be the "and/or". 10 68

You're doing a really lovely job with it. I've much enjoyed following your thread.

Yours is my favourite thread on this forum - I have read it from the very beginning - several times. The standard of workmanship you share between you is really impressive and, actually, so are your photography skills. I very much look forward, one day, to seeing your vehicles at a rally in the flesh. Really interesting. 10 68

That's really very nice, indeed. And valuable as well, now. What tyres are you using?

Go in the first week of April - everything should be in place by then. And then, best of all, buy your silver on black number plates! A Lightweight looks so much better with them!

Exactly. As I wrote above... I took my paperwork to the post office - they weren't interested in any supporting documents, but simply sent off the V5 and within a couple of days DVLA had changed the status on line showing the vehicle as exempt from MOTs. The Post Office, despite being small and with relatively new staff, weren't phased in the slightest - they seemed to be familiar with the process, which surprised me. The replacement V5 was back within about three weeks." The Post Office hadn't been open a year at that point, yet they still knew what was required. All perfectly straightforward.

This all cropped up a few months back. I had thought that a current MoT was a necessity. "Oats and Barley" assured me that that wasn't the case and he was right. Your vehicle does not require a current MoT. This was the exchange, " "You're right - but that applies from each April. So it won't change to 1 Jan 1981 until April 2002. But... and this is the more important point: it looks as though you are quite right regarding not requiring an MoT and, for that I sincerely apologise and thank you. Because, it seems there is a form V112 on which you can declare that the vehicle doesn't require an MoT when applying to register the vehicle as historic. I had previously read the guidance notes but clearly badly as under category "r" (perhaps I didn't read that far) it includes: "(GB only) A vehicle other than a public service vehicle registered or manufactured 40 years ago and which has not been substantially changed in the last 30 years." So, that means that, if you take your V5 and a V112 to a post office which deals with VED, with a cover note or insurance certificate they will send it all off for you and you're good to go. You may even use your vehicle prior to receipt of confirmation from the DVLA. I shall try this next week and see how I get on! " This is what I wrote back to Oats and Barley having done it, "I ought to have replied more promptly to this. I followed your advice, took my paperwork to the post office - they weren't interested in any supporting documents, (as you forecast) but simply sent off the V5 and within a couple of days DVLA had changed the status on line showing the vehicle as exempt from MOTs. The Post Office, despite being small and with relatively new staff, weren't phased in the slightest - they seemed to be familiar with the process, which surprised me. The replacement V5 was back within about three weeks."

Larry, Something was a bit odd about the first link I gave you for North Hants Tyres - try this link instead. https://www.northhantstyres.com/tyre-finder.php then look for 6.50x16. They seem to have just one in stock at the moment and, while not exactly Goodyear Hi Milers, they're about as close as one can get readily in new tyres https://www.northhantstyres.com/img/tyres/sta/STA-Super-traxion-650x16.gif