robin craig

Having had a minor fire on the steel work that surrounds the exhaust tail pipes I know what you mean about heat. I would say that perhaps if you were to make an improvement that isnt orginal ten think about ceramic coating them. Sorry to hear about the welding woes. Speak to any good supplying about joining Corten to mild steel, I can see your problem. I will make an enquiry as well for you. You will never have to eat humble pie on my behalf, you have real balls doing the restoration, so relax. Robin

Yes Andy, 3 minutes on average is the battery time in your camera isnt it?!!!:dancinggirls: Robin

Far be it from me too offer help, as I live in the Colonies you know, but me thinks a fixed object and a snatch block may be the key to your problem solving Sir. R

Cromwell engine sounds sweet. R

Mark, Thanks for the reply. I guess, because of the experiences I have with the collection I am involved with I had to ask the recovery question as it is always in my mind and not having a plan for such an event can leave one in a bind. I guess if the traction was good and considering the rolling resistance of a tracked vehicle in neutral I guess the Ward would do the job with relative ease on a flat surface. In fact I was surprised when first towing a CVRT on an A fame with a New Holland TS90 how smoothly it did roll. Having all the kit on your ARV is very cool and also will be very useful. R

According to a recent issue of a UK tractor magazine at least 3 County Forward Control tractors, likely 1184s were purchased by the MOD. A picture in the magazine shows a unit coupled to an artic trailer coming off or going onto what I believe is a Mexefloat raft. This indicates that it was after the end of the war phase and in the garrison build up after. There is also a mention of some remote control ones being used for de-mining. Does anyone know:- -The army / navy / air force registrations of the units? - Are there any other pictures of the tractors apart from the one in the magazine? - What was the fate of them? R

Mark, Congratulations on the purchase by you and Hans. I still say that the roar of the engine on those machines while non tactical by any standard is such a blast to hear. So when it breaks down, what will you use to recover it? R

Mike, what are the two vehicles behind the Stonefield in your last post, are they Auverlands? R

Those things were the most miserable excuse for a load carrier I have ever had the misfortune to use. They were worse than throwing a potatoe sack over your shoulder. The straps cut in to you with every stride. They were only made bearable with much modification using foam and gaffer tape. R

Mmmmmmm looks a great kit, I know that I would give such a kit a glowing review if I ever got one. . . . . R

Ah yes, simple answer. Household Cavalry Officers batman wine bottle carrier, hold 10 bottles R

Mike, if used in enough quantity use motor oil is very good, kill two birds with one stone. R

There was NO offence taken, I appreciate you are working with what you have. Talk to you welding supplier for careful selection of the appropriate welding rod and size, some are better than others. I think you chaps in Europe have changed the designations of electrodes but from my point of view a 3/32nd E 7018 or E 7014 in some areas using step welding technique will have best results for minimal clean up, good penetration and ease of welding and structural strength. Am very interested to see how you make out. There are others here from the UK who may also chime in with their experiences of stick welding such gauges and types of material. Robin

Chris, as a model maker (on hiatus) I truly appreciate the level of detail and work, wonderful and thanks for sharing. It makes you nt want to close the vehicle up because of all the work involved. Some how a vignette of of a workshops scene seems to be the only way to sensibly show of the interior when a vehicle in is in for base overhaul. Once again thanks for sharing R

Sir, you obviously have strong beliefs about welding. As a welder I have strong experiences. Good luck R

While I hugely like the look of the Fox, they are an orphan for a number of parts and awkward to work inside. The CVRT family obviously have appeal because of tracks, my favourite being the Spartan because of space and ease of driving, the gun tanks are nice but claustrophobic in my view for the driver. The second generation of the CVRT in the form of the Stormer are really nice, if you can find one buy one. As to whether to buy the one with the firing post or the Troop Leaders Vehicle thats your choice. They are so much nicer than the first generation, better seats, better and safer engine. Robin

Impressive project, I take my hat off to you. My humble opinion. Buy a MIG welder and do a proper job and dont play around with sealers. The whole unit is a structure and doing and by not doing full welds I think you take away from that. Any flex may make the sealer come out eventually. Your also taking some of the value out, as any purchaser down the road likely will be reluctant to touch a bodge repaired or one that looks that way. My 2 cents worth. Its your truck to enjoy Robin

Ahhhh The genesis of the PTPC littoral class patrol vessel, also known as the "Pledge Top Patrol Class" Great work there chum, amazing what a bit of imagination and some Grandt Line bolt heads some decals and some paint will do to make it look pukka. Really enjoyed the posts, thanks R

Tony, when will you be adding a call sign and its army registration? Nice to see you having fun with your kit, even if I could not make it. Robin

Adrian hit it right on the head. There are a couple of most elementary principles that civvy owners of tracked armour seem not to understand, most likely as they have no previous military experience. The first one is "the driver drives under the direction of the vehicle commander" and the second is "ground guides are to be obeyed". I know when I am guiding people the first thing I do is to fold the wing mirrors in so they cant see, second I tell them to look at me and do as they are told after reviewing the signals I will be using and the third thing is I walk away when they start swiveling their heads and wont take direction. R

Garry, how old are those signals? are they current uk mod? R

Brilliant that you have passed the 3 minute mark on video taking! Can only look forward to more footage. Sad to think that place wont be there in this form in the coming years. R

Just do a google search, it comes up quickly. New event to me, but going anyway. Sounds like the Uniform Police are going to be in attendance, I dont do dress up so that will be interesting. Pictures after R

will be the same as a Ferret, search the forum for same and you will find info. Butchers method is small pair of needle nose vice grips i believe . . . R

Clive, may thanks for those numbers. We have spoken with Dave Abbott down at Maidstone KIA who was very helpful and very quick to provide a quote. Regretably he is bound by the lack of an export licence to send parts out to us. This is a public forum . . . . . If you have an electronic parts manual I would be happy to buy a copy from you or anyone who has one as we don't have that in our library. I'm thinking we should look at vintage vehicle manuals site . . . . . . Oh well Thanks everyone R