Peter4456

I thought it would be quite easy to record the 8 or so surviving MOBATS but more keep popping up all over the place! It could be that this is one we already know about - is it the one going to Evesham (now under restoration), for example. The carriage number would really help pin these down.

Thanks for the kind words Howard - we love the Champ / MOBAT duo too! Like you, weather permitting, I'm hoping to go to Evesham but the MOBAT will be staying at home (too much fuel!). That said, we're at Colchester and you'd be very welcome to come and photograph the MOBAT for your model - PM me for details/ date.

Thanks Dave! Perhaps Yvonne would like to rest and relax at Snetterton on the way up to Muckleburgh - you could then check out the MOBAT at the Battlefront Musuem! Sorry Yvonne - some big boys made me do it! Have a great time in Norfolk

Our latest acquisition - a very nice (but sadly deactivated) 1954 L4 120mm MOBAT which goes perfectly with our 1954 Champ! It's come with loads of useful goodies but I'm now on the lookout for a decent original User Handbook - any ideas? It seems there are only 8 surviving MOBATs and so far I've found these: 1. 1954. Carriage Number: CA189, Barrel Number: RCL 2327 Peter Hall, Colchester, Essex 2. 1954. Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Lee, Essex (HMVF!) 3. 1954. Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Harwich Redoubt, Essex 4. 195?. Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Aldershot Military Museum, Hampshire 5. 1954. Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Andy, Somerset 6. 195? Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Battlefront Museum, Snetterton, Norfolk 7. 195?. Carriage Number: , Barrel Number: Muckleburgh Collection, Norfolk Bovington? Firepower? Duxford? Can anyone add or confirm these details and are there any more out there?

Many years ago - probably mid to late 70s - I visited Heathfield Zoo / Wildlife Park in Sussex, with my parents. I don't remember anything about the Zoo but I do remember what I'm sure was an M10 Achilles (it had wire mesh over the turret) and what I called a Bren Gun Carrier in the childrens play area. Does anyone know what happened to them? Please tell me they didn't go for scrap!!

Vicente, Even though they are 'Hand Grenades', the No80 WP Grenades were fired from the smoke dischargers ('triple launchers') on Ferrets - see photo

Here's some more pictures of the writing on No80 WP Grenades - you might be able to get some decals made up from these:

I just KNEW you guys would know the answer - the wonders of this great forum!!

Mike, I can help with some of your card: VD (Vehicle Depot), Ashchurch, Gloucestershire ADPCON - I've not seen this before - someone on here must know! Your Land Rover was issued to 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Wales, based in Aldershot, sometime around 26th July 1977 (I can't read the Issue Voucher date). The Regiment went to Belize from August 1977 until February 1978 and your vehicle was part of the Rear Party that stayed behind in the UK. It went back to the Regimental establishment on 24th March 1978 when they returned home to Aldershot. CVD (Central Vehicle Depot), Ashchurch - same place, different name! Hope this helps

WOW!! Very nice indeed - what turret will you be fitting on it?

Welcome Rob! You'll find all the help and expertise you'll ever need on this forum! If you email me your Ferret's Vehicle History Card (s), I'll translate them for you!

No probs, you're welcome!

1) Tiger (well, it is a fantasy barn!) 2) Cent MBT 3) Chieftain MBT 4) Challenger I MBT 5) 02 EE 49, my old 432 and my first military vehicle 6) 03 CC 42, my Ferret 7) 78 BE 87, my wife's Champ 8) 120mm L4 MOBAT to go with the above 9) Schwimwagen 10) CVRT Sabre All I need now is to win Euro Millions!

Mark, Yes, that seems to have been the way with many Army vehicles - they stayed in the same location and the units took them over. It would be interesting to see if the RLC Museum at Deepcut has the history of your Lightweight from 1980 - 1987 (pre Merlin). It may have just been in storage but it could also have seen service in NI or elsewhere! Chris thinks your Lightweight may have been fitted with a Vehicle Protection Kit (VPK) as it has blanking plates in the right places. You're a very lucky chap - especially as 3 Royal Anglian is (was) my local regiment!

If you join the Austin Champ Owners Club, I'm sure John Mastrangalo will be able to help you - he has an incredible knowledge of 50s and 60s Div / Brigade / Unit markings and signs. Once you have the information, it's quite easy to replicate the markings - your local signs shop should able to help. Please post some photos of your Champ when it's finished!

What an interesting life these vehicle have led! The CVRT family have certainly served their country well!

The 'Ruddington' photo and Scott's of '78 RD 97' look like the same vehicle to me - and nothing like the Henley vehicle which you now own! The plot thickens............

A very interesting vehicle! 'Nery' refers to L (Nery) Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. This was a famous action at Nery on 1st september 1914 when the battery, armed with 13 pounders, halted the German advance and won 3 VCs in the process. The Battery still exists and was equipped with 25 pdrs and 4.2" Howitzers in the 50s and 60s when it was part of 2nd Regiment, Royal Artillery. During this time it was based in Germany, Malaya and the UK. Perhaps your Matador was one of the Battery's gun tractors. The RLC museum at Deepcut may well be able to help with the Vehicle History Card. Let me know if you need any more help

It might actually, but we may need Clive Elliott's expertise (again!) to know for sure Asset Code 0130 4231 = 'Scout Car Recce, .30in MG, Ferret Mk 2/3 (VHF)' - fitted with .30 Browning Asset Code 0135 4000 is not shown on the list I have, but interestingly 0135 4235, 4245 & 4255 are shown as being fitted with 7.62 GPMG, so perhaps your Ferret was too!! Previous Asset Codes ending in 4000 are all fitted with Clansman. I had a Relics GPMG on my 432 and it was superb but that repro barrel looks a very good alternative!

It's not easy to read your Ferret's Vehicle History Card but sometimes a change of Asset Code can indicate that it was fitted with a GPMG. It seems that GPMGs were fitted from the early 90s and so the vast majority of Ferrets were fitted with .30 Browning MGs. I'd go for a Browning - quite easy to find a deact (although they're becoming quite expensive now!), and there is a company in Colchester who make superb wooden copies - with a NOS canvas cover on the end of the barrel, you wouldn't know it wasn't a real gun!

Mark, Here's a translation of your Lightweight's history (supplied by Chris!) - at least 8 years service in Northern Ireland! 20 HF 93.doc

Chris, And the one for your Sabre if you've got it! Thanks, Peter

What a gorgeous Lightweight!! Any history?

The Vehicle History Cards are not always complete, as we know (my 432 card made no mention of it being on Op granby in the Gulf, but I know it was there!), but I think it should have probably had a 29 Cdo (Rear Party) entry if if stayed in the UK. I see where you're going with this - if there's no entry, it went to the Falklands!! This is supported by the card for Scorpion /Sabre 03 FD 66 that I translated - no mention of Op Granby but it was there with 14th / 20th Hussars! All very interesting

Wayne, Try the RM Museum: Eastney Street, Southsea, Hampshire, PO4 9PX 023 9281 9385