fv1609

Yes I think you need to snap out of that one. "Crowd of cacklng ladies..", these fantasies can get the better of you when you yield to the influence of the vine.

Oh yes it is indeed! But I still don't know the song. "I'll get my coat" - So is that it GE? Surely not run out of ideas so early on & RF hasn't twigged this going on yet!

You've lost me there, I think that is a song. My sister was taught it at school, but not at my school which was for boys, probably.

Yes very good. So what is he doing? & I meant to ask what country is this & when?

Interesting choice of answers! But nope.

Oh no, no this is the era of gramophone records.

What's happening here?

Dougy it was definitely FV439 in two formats: Carrier, Personnel, Fulll Tracked, SAS/SMC FV439 Ptarmigan -Asset Code 0736-3000 Carrier, Installation, Ptarmigan/Triffid FV439 Radio Relay Access (Tracked) - no Asset Code quoted I am not quoting this from some military author, these are the deisgnations used in Army Code No.12123 Part IV 1999 Ptarmigan replaced Bruin. Bruin came into service in 1967. Ptarmigan design began in 1973. Prototype Ptarmigan was introduced in 1978 In 1980 the contract was awarded to Plessey to introduce the system over a 4 year period. Officially entered service in 1985. In 1987 contracts were awarded for the second phase of the system. Triffid was the UHF radio relay (RR) link within the Ptarmigan system & contracts were awarded in 1987. Given the complexities of the system, it was not going to all fit in a FV439. This would explain the different types, for the RR side or the line use & switching. I have to say I am rather overwhelmed by the complexities & versatlity of the system!

It's not actually a Gyro, but it seemed too pedantic to dismiss your overall answer which was pretty much there. This fluid navigation device, which I find hard to see how it remains accurate, was made by Martin Co.

Yes Tony well done, is that a first time for you as well? It is a ManCAN (Man-Carried Auto Navigator). Foot powered by puffs of air. The fluidic navigation device then tracks the direction & distance travelled by the soldier from a known point. "Three simple adjustments are all that are required to permit the operator to determine his position accurately in dense jungle".

Getting warm Yes

Nope.

Because at one time it was in that role!

This predates such ingenuities GE.

Sounds plausible, particularly with the use of tunnels by the Vietcong, but nope.

What's happening here?

Yes its funny how particular people get "into" a particular object & I can sense the feeling of frustration as all manner of suggestions come forth. Certain objects seem to trigger the humourists more than others. But I suppose a lot depends on who just happens to be around at the time of a new MO. Well in about a minute there will be a new MO, going to claim back your crown Richard? Show em all how it's done :-D

Neil that's 99 books with several hundred vehicles in each catalogue!

Well it was Neil that beat RF really. Ultimately I will always loose because someone gets it eventually & yes usually RF. I always feel I have failed totally if someone gets it before there have been 100 hits.

Well done Neil you have won, first time I think:) You have come as close I could reasonably expect anyone to get. They are improvised grenade launchers as you will see below.

Surely not Tony! You have been applying a good logic & making good use of all the clues as they emerge. Correct Nope, not really Nope

Interesting concept Neil, but nope.

Yes they make fascinating reading, it would be nice to put all that info on a data base & group vehicle types, ERMs, prices etc but life is too short! I have been collecting them for years, a year ago I sold off what I found were duplicates, triplicates & quadruplicates. It was tempting to keep the cleaner ones, but as you say the ones with the prices scribbled in make more interesting reading. I bought all the ones that Hirsts had. After my clearout I find I now have 99 Ruddingtons & 3 Branstons. Branston is interesting as a lot of Champs came out through there. There had been some head scatching as many released Champs didn't feature in Ruddington catalogues.

Nope not an air manifold, think it's a rod. The things are electrically powered by the cable that has been spotted coming from the cab.

Whats in the truck I don't know, it could be anything. Not important the truck was in use for ferrying any sort of stores. I think those things you can see are just handles. The spacing suggests there ought to be another one in the gap left of centre. I think they are just for lifting these boards with the things on to help support them while they are being fixed to the truck.