64EK26

Hi All I have just realised that I havn't made an introduction. I found this out as I wanted to post that I have a free B60 Dizzy base in the "For Sale" area. I have been a forum member seince Dec 2008, but have not posted many threads. I have recently retired early so that I can spend more time with my "toys". I own a 1963 Land Rover 88" FFR which is fitted with Larkspur C12,C42 and B47 radios, all of which work, this project is nearly complete only really needs to be re-sprayed. A recent acquisition is a Sankey Fish Fryer Radio Repair Trailer that is undergoing restoration, as far as I know it is only one of two in existance. Pictures of my "toys" from Solent Overlord Show I am also a licenced radio amateur and a member of The Series 2 Club, EMLRA and Solent Overlord Cheers Richard Location Fareham, Hants

Chris Thanks for the advice and links, I missed these on the WS19 site (I have asked the gnomes to send me a link and password in the normal way). For those not aware of WS19 site and forum has loads of useful information relating to military radios as well as a wealth of manuals on these and other topics. Like this forum, the members are very knowledgeable and helpful. If I decide to go down the deconstruction/reconstruction route, I will post photos of how successful or not it was. Just to put your mind at rest, I am very conscious of the materials within a lead/acid battery and how they should be handled. Richard

Great News, thank goodness it wasn't torched, which makes me think it the thief realised that he would soon be caught with all the publicity it has had on the forums. On a lighter note ... an appropriately named place to find it Richard

Thanks for the suggestions I agree it would be better to resurect them. A bit of clarrification, I have two 12V 75Ah batteries that are potted into metal containers each of which have NIPHAN battery connectors on them. These are connected in series to give a 24V DC supply in my Radio Repiar Trailer. The batteries are NSN 6140-99-500-5599 and are described in DefStan 69-1 (Part1)/3 Supplement No.3 ftp://ftp.iks-jena.de/mitarb/lutz/standards/dstan/61/009/01000203.pdf. I have not come across a desulferation method before and this looks like a good way start along with getting a hydrometer. Fortunately I have access to some battery acid so I can get the specific gravity correct. Has anyone used this type of desulferation http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/24V-High-Power-Battery-Charger-Desulphator-Desulfator-/190558357153?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item2c5e29c6a1 or http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-High-Power-Battery-Desulphator-Desulfator-/200699274367?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item2eba9be47f or got one I could borrow in the Portsmouth//Fareham area (for Beer tokens of course) Thanks Richard

I have acquired a battery box complete with battery for my trailer, unfortunately the old lead acid battery is not holding charge. I want to remove it from the metal battery box so that I can put a newer battery in. The idea is to use the top of the old battery as a cover to hide a newer battery. Has anyone got any tips for removing the old battery without too much damage, or how these are actually constructed. The six individual cells are potted in what appears to be bitumen and the only way I see of getting them out is to slowly dig out the bitumen. Richard

Hi All I went down on Tuesday and came back today ( these are the only days I could make it). Although I have been a visitor several times before this is the first time I have taken my Land Rover and camped. Yes it was muddy and I got to our spot in the Americas field with no problem. There were places that would be very difficult to get to in some of the other fields. Traffic movements are restricted, and this is a very good idea, the ruts and mud in roadway outside our pitch the a good 6-8” deeper in a couple of days , and in a dip it was about a foot. If there was no restriction on movements, the vast majority would soon become impassable to all bar ‘heavy’ vehicles. Parts of the traders area are unused due to flooding, but still plenty of traders and many bargains (well I thought so). It was a amazing what a day of sunshine does, all the soil firming up, if it stays sunny , we have people complaining about dust ! As pointed out in an earlier post, a bit more sign posting would be useful. So quick summary Was it muddy – Yes (no drying out) Was it worth going – definitely Will I be camping again – Sure will (by the way it is a good idea to hire a portaloo, saves your legs!) Sign Posting - could do better Staff helpful and doing what they could – certainly were Will the organisers learn some lessons – hope so Richard PS the searchlight at night is awesome (I want one), would be fun to put a bat symbol onto the clouds

Hi All Thanks for all the updates, it is nice to know what to expect. It will be the first time I have come with a vehicle and I looking forward to it. I will be joining a small convoy near Petersfield tomorrow morning with other Solent Overlord members, looks like we chose a good day to travel. Just checked the route to make sure we dodge the Olympic torch relay Richard

Hi I believe that the two 12V batteries in my trailer are fitted into boxes that have lids on them (with the appropriate holes for venting and cable entry/exit). These will fit into battery trays 13.5" x 8". Does such a box exist as most of the ones I have seen seem to be much narrower about 5" wide ? Richard

Hi Went down to the Signals Museum at Blanford last week, great place to visit if you are in Dorset. They have a set of 7 photos (accession number 422.52) that shows a fish fryer with two C41/R222 sets installed, photos also show how the aerials were stored in the lift up sides. I cannot post the photos on the site due to copyright restrictions. Richard

Hi Just started stripping paint off my comms trailer. What is this logo that I found on the back (appx 6"x6") (2 of them, but under different layers of paint , the number in the white box is 12) also on one side found the logo SWD , what does this mean ? On one of the door lockers "BOOKS ?????????" any idea what markings should be on the four lockers Also found the following stenciled on the back RDN 45462 it does have some words above it, but I cannot make them out, any ideas anyone ? By the way, I now have a copy of "user handbook for signal centre/cipher office trailer mounted" , Army Code 60084 (supercedes Army code 13953). I can PDF it and send if anyone wants a copy Thanks Richard

Thanks for the information. With regard to the C41/R222, how was this mounted in the trailer (on some sort of brackey arrangement I presume), are there any drawing around ?. In any case I will have a close look at one when I amm next in Blanford (Signals Museum) Thanks Richard

Hi I am now a proud owner of a 3/4 ton comms trailer. So far I have only manage to find a few photos of them in service and the following manual "User handbook for Radio Repair Installation in trailer 1/2 ton (FV2308(U) Army code 13945." Has anyone got any in-service photos or manuals ? I am also after the canvas penthouse and penthouse lights for it. Thanks Richard

Hi I have been doing a bit of research into the history of my vehicle a Rover8 64EK26 (Contract WV1327) which was built late in 1963. The EK series of registrations is for Class B vehicles (1962-63). I have found a photo of a ??EK2? in service with the right regiment at the right time whilst in Northern Ireland in July/Aug 1970 and at that time I understand that they only had 4 landrovers (and one of the others is a DM registered one). I hope to arrange to go to Deepcut to look through the Class B records so I can determine if it is mine by a process of elimination. Does anyone know what the EK registration range for landrovers is ? Obviously there could be a lot of EK's i.e. 00EK00 to 99EK99 = 10,000 vehicles ! Even knowing one digit still makes it 1000 records to go through, and I was trying to narrow down the amount of searching I would need to do. Contract WV1327 was for 5060 RHD and 3556 LHD vehicles if all the chassis number range was allocated. There are a lot of other contracts for Rover8's. I don't know what years these were placed. Thanks Richard