LongJohn

What was Windsor Boys School is alas no more. The whole site has been flattened and redeveloped and part of it is now a fire station. Quite the best school I ever attended.

These pictures bring back a few memories. In 1961, my father was posted to 113 Coy, RASC as their CSM. When quarters were arranged, my mother and I joined him, and my new school was Windsor Boys School at Hamm, a couple of hours or so away. My father hadn't a car of his own, so one of the units Beetles was pressed into service to transport me to myfirst term at boarding school.

Excellent job. It really is wonderful to see these old buses come back to life.

Seen those piccies somewhere else, I think, Kenny.

An ex-REME half track complete with crane, beds in the back and room for the petrol cooker...................heaven!!

A fascinating series of pictures, I understand the Germans used a lot of forced labour during the manufacturing process which was counter-productive due to the fact that the labourers took every opportunity to sabotage their own work. As a result of them, for example, introducing a foreign body or two into the final drives, the Tiger gained a reputation for being less than perfect mechanically, a situation compounded by the fact that it wasn't what might be termed mechanic friendly.

The Centurion ARV shown in the first clip, 00ZR27, was at Hohne in the sixties and in 1967 whilst attached to C Squadron 11th Hussars, I signed for it on a couple of occasions when our Recy Mech was away on courses. It is currently sheeted up behind the workshops at Bovvy museum and was saved from the ranges by the workshop boys some years ago. We were re-acquianted a couple of years ago, on a visit to the Museum.

Have a look at http://www.lanarkshirehardwoods.co.uk Wood used internally should be kiln dried as it won't split. As a wood carving hobbyist I only buy kiln dried wood and have found the specialist sawmills go out of their way to be helpful and advise on the best use of various types of timber. Hope this is of use for your project.

Interesting thread, one I will follow with interest, best of luck.

Welcome Oggy, always room for a Recy Mech or 2

Thanks for the welcome, everyone. A little on my background, I spent a total of 11 years in the REME as a VM, for most of that time working on Centurions and Chieftains, with a 3 year spell in the middle with the Royal Artillery fixing Abbots, 432's and a few Stalwarts. When I was demobbed in 1973, I worked in Iran for nearly 5 years in support of a large export order to the Shah involving some 800 Chieftains. Champs were dealt with in training, but were out of service by the time I joined my first Regiment. While it was all a long time ago, if I can help in any way, I will, and if I don't know the answer, I am still in touch with a whole load of former Comrades who may. Christmas went well with 4 generations attending and I would like to wish you all a very Happy and prosperous New Year.

Hi, just joined the forum and although I'm too poor to actually own any of the vehicles described on this site, the very first vehicle I drove 'seriously', in the Army was a K9. A vehicle I regarded with much affection, plenty of poke, no sychromesh, and quite good looking in its time.