robin craig

Grand job, do you have something to pull it with now? R

Mike, Thank you for posting all the pictures for those of us who can't make it. Still makes me shake my head, all the bling and time and effort to display a vehicle and the civvy registration plates still on it, oh well, each to their own. I'm sure some of us recognise a number of these very distinctive vehicles. The armoured dozer is different. The Irish UN kit is interesting and especially the pretty ACMAT . . . Thanks again R

I agree with a previous poster and would chime in and say that those who have seen vehicles first hand would tell you that they were in less than great or even reasonable condition. Many had been stored outside with no cover. The money they fetched was artificially high and from what people have been saying everyone was making a lot of assumptions or just didn't know what they were buying or the vehicle having come from the Littlefield collection made them desirable in some curious way. I feel badly for some purchasers, as they are buying a world of hurt and expense. The only positive thing is it pushed the value of those vehicles we do own up. R

John, do you have the manuals in Pdf format? I have some here I can send if you email me, they were given to me free so they are free to you. R

Tony, Were you asking me? I am a few parishes removed from where you live, so I can't answer. R

I agree with Chris 100%. Anticipation will be your friend. Right place right time and right gear. Rarely use the brakes. 4th to 3rd is the one when people forget what gear they are in and show it by standing the vehicle on it's nose. Don't forget the wiggle before moving off, in neutral give each tiller a small application to prove turning is possible. R

Tony, There is legend of a serial number list of what was built for MOD and as yet I have not seen anything to link it to VRNs. But, who knows. I would also like to find the same answers being as how I am soon to be in possession of one myself. Some one should start a gallery for them as well. R

For many years I sat over on this side of the pond reading tales of the heavy mob and Manby and silly antics with big green vehicles, Mario was always in the frame somewhere. Upon a visit to Beltring I finally met Mario. A larger than life character in more ways than one. I knew from reading between the lines and then sharing a few pints at night with him in person that he was a scallywag and an individual but a lover of things mechanical and not afraid of anything or anyone. I'm sure he had problems in life as we all do but who among us wears a halo? I know I have had my problems. A pleasure to be able to say I had met him and been thrown around the ring at Beltring in an M548 by him. Sad to hear of his passing, reminds us all that we will one day pass. Rest In Peace Mario Robin:saluting:

I see from 1973 to 1978 it was out here in Canada at British Army Training Unit Suffield. As others have said, it got about a bit. Welcome Robin

Dear Chris, I am glad that none of your initial indoctrination training during your visit to Canada last fall (autumn) has not been lost on you, and there we were thinking you were not special! For those of you not as lucky as Chris here is a link to what he is on about:- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons The towns and villages and cities across the land are a sea of red and white and fireworks tonight and we are all off work today. Here is us, in one of the Colonies, hoisting a pint for all of you who by now are tucked up in bed! Grand place to call home is Canada! Robin

Wishing all Canadians around the world and all those who call Canada home a very Happy Canada Day. R

Chris, The BATUS vehicles were and are in general a very sloppy crude paint job at best. That is the smartest zap number I have ever seen! Grand job as usual. R

They appear to have been vacuumed up as the MOD re-lifed them as diesel spec CVRT gearboxes. Buy one if you see it. R

Nick, That is a grand original to work from, the vehicle sticker as shown on the web link, I think that is the one most people remember from that time period. Have you made contact with past serving members of the unit? Judging by the results of others, facebook might lead you to some original photos that you wont find elsewhere. R

Terry, yes package arrived friday but im afraid I havent opened it yet, the Russian judge gave you an 8 but I say 10s all around on that job. I have the goo we used, let me look monday. We made a new paper gasket i think. R

Is that you Terry? Might help if you change your profile to include where you live. Is this what you want to see? this is mine when overhauling R

If I were you I would ensure that the gearbox is improved. Work didn't want to go for the improved gearbox when we did the 90 relife. I think longterm it was a mistake. That pesky cross drilling of the main shaft is worth it. I understand where your coming from. Great work, enjoy reading your progress R

Great photo documentation of what your doing. Question, if you are swapping axles to change the brakes does that void the description restoration? If you swap a different engine (ie tdi) in would that also add weight to that argument? I'm glad you found a use for your younger brother (clad in personal PPE clothing) nice to see the young ones being used for more than phone stand. As you say you wonder how blind the previous MOT inspector was, no hold down for the battery, awful structural welds. Keep it coming R

I knew I had a spare tyre bracket kicking around and found it last night. Somehow looking at the parts manual I think that this is one for a right hand drive vehicle. I must look at the truck at work and see if I am correct. If so I may be in the market for a left hand bracket. Talking of brackets I was looking at these tie downs on the upper side piece on the left and right side. To me in my innocence I think someone has added them to be able to tie down things like a cam net to the top of the canvas under way. Any ideas anyone? R

We worked some more last night. Gerry has the exhaust fabricated and bolted in place and jut needs to move the truck to the other bay with the hoist to weld the sections together. He does grand work, he cut the tips that go into the manifold and TIG welded them onto the new pipe, one of the only proprietary pieces one needs to save. I had received some mushroom lenses in a swap the other weekend and I spent the night cleaning them of the many layers of paint using a razor blade in a holder and not scratching the finish. I removed the ruby style glass lens for the indicators at the front and stored them for spares and put the mushroom lens on. They give off much more light. It is all baby steps towards a serviceable safe vehicle but on a budget. R

Welcome from your neighbour to the East. I see you only have one sand channel, is the other one part of the purchase? I am a few hours drive east of you, there are quite a few in Ontario, Canada. Happy to be of help if needed, drop me an email and I will give you my phone number for a chat some evening. Robin

Dear All, Being as I am the only witness to the event apart from Nick himself, I would like to confirm, it was a gnats whisker clearance by which his finger escaped getting squashed, he just about went white. Yes a very close call. R

That is some major freezing like a typical Canadian winter cold. We often see metal structures improperly built suffering damage like that out here. We had a Canadian Forces Supacat FLPT that had the data plate put on twice and the original rivet holes were not filled and water got in and froze and swelled the hollow steel section very nicely. R

Welcome from your neighbours to the North. I'm sure Nick from the Cold War Collection will be along to say howdy as well. R

Anyone here know much about them, fixing them, and finding parts for them? Robin