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Balmae

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Posts posted by Balmae

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    Never noticed the difference in Comet hulls when I photographed them 2011. When in green working up there in the seventies the place was awash with old vehicles; three Churchill Toads, Centurion target tank, lots of Chieftains, four or five Conquerors, many Sherman and lots and lots of Daimler Armoured cars. We used to use a hull from a Charioteer as a high speed smoke generator for laser tests also an Austin Champ for the same. There was also a Daimler Armoured car in the park at Kirk also one in Dalbeattie. Both removed some time ago because of children falling off them. I think they were both cut up for scrap. >:(

     

     

    Just found some info on them playground Daimlers, seems they were saved after all. cheers

     

    http://www.daimler-fighting-vehicles.co.uk/page36.html

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    It's an early, A hull Comet which used a Cromwell style rear hull design. That featured internal fishtails that discharged upwards immediately in front of the rear plate. B type hulls used the armoured, external fishtails.

     

    Rarer than B types but then they always were! There are a few A types in preservation.

     

    To elaborate a little, early type A had a plain rear plate, lower on the top edge which was made up to full height with a welded sheet metal extension as per Cromwell. Later rear plates were full height and drilled for fishtails, though the holes were covered with square blanking plates. These may be B type hulls but lacking the external fishtails due to a supply problem presumably.

    True B type hulls have the external fishtails.

     

    Thought so, it's an early type B Comet from before the fishtail exhausts were available, so just at the point of transition for hull types. Whether that means it's a wartime one or not, I don't know.

     

    Adrian touched on this with some great info earlier in the thread. Cheers

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    Conqueror turret is later than the hull, the vehicle, 07 BA 74 was originally built as a Caernarvon; that is this hull with a Centurion turret. It was produced to give the user experience operating such a large vehicle until the Conqueror turrets became available. Once they did the Centurion turrets were swapped out and the vehicle become Conqueror. A good book on the subject is Bob Griffin's Conqueror; all you could want to know on the subject.:laugh:

     

    Thanks again for that, will check that book out, probably one of my favourite wrecks on the site and still fairly intact inside also.

     

    I see, so some other generation will maybe get the chance to rescue those...

     

    For the Khalid (I had to look that up), was that for trials or training?

     

    trevor

     

    Not likely to be any generations for thousands of years! ;)

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    No problem, iv'e enjoyed documenting them and finding out snippets of info on each. Anymore info greatly received. Challenger is correct with his explanation of the controlled impact areas. Fortunately the Tortoise is now exempt from targeting, i'm lead to believe.

    Couple of questions from myself if i may:

     

    Am i right in thinking the conqueror is an early model also that has had a a different turret fitted at a later date? The conflicting hull and turret FV numbers got me thinking.

    What type of variation is the Comet no 27?

     

    Cheers!

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    That concludes the visible range wrecks for Kirkcudbright although i am informed there are also two Daimlers and one Churchill buried in gorse and undergrowth in one of the controlled impact areas that i am not able to gain access too. Cheers!

    Range Wrecks

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    Some excellent info there fellas, anymore greatly appreciated on any of the wrecks. Balmae cottage and walled garden are still there and kept maintained due to an agreement it would be handed back to the original owner if ever the site was sold off. A lot of the old buildings have since been demolished. Still a few more wrecks to come. Cheers!

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