fv1609

OK, how about mortar locating RADAR?

Lauren nope not that

Is this observation posts looking for the infrared/optical transmissions from a while ago? That would make sense for a telecoms-out marker. Or maybe looking for semaphore/aldiss-lamp relays?

Lauren nope but some good lateral thinking that is needed as there has been a lot of focus on artillery etc. These counter discs, as I said earlier, were in used mid 50s to mid 90s.

is as simple as to watch the opposition because up to now we have shelled them watched them move about the only other thing we have not done is report the weather

Troop movement and air strikes ?

Not that Wally.

So there Artillery observation posts?

Nope Tony not artillery related.

Does the white "C" indicate the arc of observed area? Artillery observation post maybe

(I had a good sleep thanks! :-))

red over run blue friendly

I've let the cat out of the bag now I'm afraid :-D

Would red be casualty and blue be logistics (reason for non-operational status)?

Lauren no not that. I think I'm going to have to say the reasons as it so difficult to guess then I think people would stand a reasonable chance of working out the units that used these OPs and the purpose.

Blue point - Nobody there

Red point - Telephone fault (should have stuck one of those on my house for 2.5 weeks!)

I have just had electronic ignition & a new coil fitted to my Lightweight Land Rover and it runs very well. However I read somewhere that if electronic ignition is fitted, as with most modern cars it is best to fit spark plugs to match i.e. those with a R for resistance in the designation such as NGK BR5ES. Is this true and why?

I assume you are talking about an unscreened 12v system rather than a 24v screened system.

You need to have some resistance in the HT circuit not just for RF suppression reasons but to limit the spark erosion taking place at the plugs and the distributor cap.

Some people are prejudiced against suppressed leads as they don't like the idea of any resistance reducing the voltage to the plugs. But because of the low current the average lead might cause a voltage drop of 10 volts which is nothing from 10kV or so.

The problem with these suppressed leads can be if the terminations get damaged or you try to change them. But if you use copper leads it would be foolish not to use resistive plugs.

Even if you have suppressed leads if you have suppressed plugs as well you will lose very little HT especially as it has more output now that you have electronic ignition. You will also have enhanced RF suppression as the resistance to be of benefit for suppression is much greater than for the spark erosion reduction.

position of OPs ?

Yes Wally well done spot on!

The next question would be, operated by what units & why?

Note that use of the disc indicates these OP are marked as temporarily non-operational

Could they locate airfields? Perhaps put out of action due to bombing? Red and blue indicating degree of damage?

 

Robert

Robert not airfields these are "posts" that are non-operational for one of two reasons indicated by the colour uppermost.

Location of unit command posts?

Red Infantry, Blue Armoured?

 

Alec

Alec "post" bit is correct.

Radio stations perhaps?

 

Andy

Andy nope but a good idea. Clue - The arm of service would be the giveaway.

are these the counters used to show position of red and blue armies when conducting a exercise

Nope Wally this are fixed things.

Could they be battery positions. Blue for operational. Red for not operational.

Alec getting warm not battery but both red and blue indicate not operational for different reasons.

Or forward position and rear position?

 

Alec

No worries Clive, I will not loose sleep over it :-D

But maybe when you have your Saturday lie in, it will start to tease & torment you.

Does it mark a cable ?

Nope not that Roy.

Going on the common themes of MO's, I think the C stands for Conveniences, and red symbolises Engaged, and blue means Vacant

Oh dear Richard we've sunk to this level of speculation then. Wrong on all three counts. After you have laid awake all night wrestling with this one, I shall look forward to a triumphant correct answer from you in the morning, like in the old days :-D

Start and end points?

Simon

Simon nope it doesn't move around. The position of the thing that one of these discs identifies is fixed. It may have no disc, or the red or blue bit showing depending on its status.

Not a Range Card is it? Marking operational radius of a unit.

Nope Tony not that.

Is the gap in the marker for a unit marker to go into?

 

This looks like it indicates direction as well as red/blue.

Lauren the gap is to allow what is on the map to remain readable. Not directional other the pointy bit identifying the location on the map.

Them and us? Friend or foe?

Simon

Good idea Simon, these are for us

Outgoing/returning missions with/without ammunition?

Good idea Lauren but not that

Is it laid down on a table for mapping or location,

Mike yes well done it is indeed a counter for map table plotting

Any ideas what it would indicate?