recymech66

In certain circumstances they did, for instance when I used to go running, getting dropped off at Helens bay then running back to Kinnegar I had to carry a Browning in my daysack, it was a pain in the backside but would've rather had it than not. In contrast, shopping in Belfast city at the weekend there was no requirement to be armed.

Recovery mechanics from Cfn rank upwards operating on Armoured vehicles have been issued Browning 9mm pistol for years, they also used them in NI (along with other REME tradesmen) when out on the ground carrying out covert recovery tasks. Presently Recy Mechs on current operations are still issued pistols to compliment other weapon systems.

Don't forget the one under the sea at Dhekelia that they use for the try dives.

No Saxon's in Cyprus anymore last ones went at the beginning of this year, Bedford/Dafs are slowly being reduced to make way for MAN SV.

Have you tried 9/12 Lancers PRI shop? (0049) 05051 913890

Not quite the same, but Fox, Ferret and a few others wagons sunk buy the British Army in Dhekelia Cyprus to be used for diving, they've been there for years and are almost unrecogniseable.

Spotted this uparmoured MAN wrecker today in a Rastplatz on the A7 just north of Kassel (Germany) I didn't have my camera unfortunately so have had to steal this pic off another site. Wish I knew what Army it's destined for as it has some obvious differences to our SVR.

Yeh go on post the pics I didn't see them, sad way for Foden to go.

Faults such as your describing are easily rectified with swapping one of the ECUs around in order to get the recovery task completed then the recovery device stowed. Easy to fault find as long as the guys know what their looking for, blokes are learning all the time and as it's very new into service will take a while before everybody becomes MAN ninja's. Good to hear the blokes ok and only a couple of damaged vertebrae to worry about, testament to the wagons crew survivability, and yes it's a bloody awesome truck.

Used for spares.

I don't see the point with a SF version, definately defeats the whole concept of an armoured box on wheels. Thats what WMIK, MWMIK (Land Rover/Jackal) are for. I think all the Panthers are fitted with a RWS (remote weapons system) with cameras and a screen for the gunner to operate from within the protective confines of the vehicle.

I can't say too much for obvious reasons but they can be a nightmare to work on, X country capability is quite good and the onboard tyre inflation/deflation system is impressive especially when crossing bad ground. Your knackered if the air con packs up, imagine squeezing yourself into an oven in full kit then switching it on.:cry:

I'm not to well up on Pinz but BATUS now have hundreds of Pinz they use for the Brigade Recce Force now they aren't used as much in Afghan. Yes your correct that's the rear of the Iveco manufactured Panther, currently in use in Afghan, and here's a pic of one on tow.

Not brilliant pics but just a few of current in service Pinz used in BATUS by the BRF.

BATUS

Looks very similar to the new Husky manufactured by International and now in use with the British Army in Afghanistan, some obvious differances but looks very similar.

We had some "electrical gremlins" in Canada on PT2 but we have some excellent VM's who know SV inside out and sorted the problems in no time.

He hasn't posted pics of anything you can't find elsewere on the internet, so no OPSEC issues breached.:-D

Sort of agree on the tyres, they could have a more aggressive x country tyre fitted however when that rain started on PT2 there wasn't much that wasn't getting stuck, I had no real dramas with my SVR and I put a lot down to blokes unwillingness to get out of the wagons and walk the route. SV/SVR fleet left on the road??? I take it you were CSS then as the roads were the last place you wanted to be on during that rain, I always advised the drivers of bogged wagons to pick a route X country in order to complete their journey as the roads/tracks were often impassable. I also pulled out a few IM Fodens as well so swings and roundabouts, that said I always been of the opinion that if they had based the Foden 6x6 recovery around the drops 4 axle chassis then things could have been different.

Just spent 2 1/2 months in Canada and put MAN SVR through it's paces and it's a quality wagon as is most of the other MAN variants, MAN SVR has excellent cross country capability for a 32 ton wagon and the recovery capability is second to none, winching bogged vehicles from Land Rover to Crarrv and Challenger 2 with no dramas. Old tat???? I think not, definately a step in the right direction from MOD procurement.

For starters in no particular order. 1. Wear a helmet when inside AFVs, it bloody hurts if you bang your head. 2. Ensure you get somebody to guide you when reversing your AFV, and ALWAYS check behind first. 3. Always lower the decks under control and keep feet etc out of the way. 4. Always use 3 points of contact when mounting/dismounting your AFV. 5. If the engine is running only mount/dismount your AFV from the front, to ensure your driver knows your getting on/off. 6. Always wear ear defence when running up your AFV.

A7 heading south near Fallingbostel I spotted a Schwimmwagen on the back of a trailer unsheeted and in show condition, lovely looking wagen. Not the actual one but thought I'd include a pic.

Polis is lovely, so is Paphos have a great time I can't wait to go back.

How long you going for? were you staying? Have a look around the scrap yards at all the old Military vehicles theres hundreds of the things, theres some photos on here of some of them. Do a bit of the cultural stuff. Enjoy I'm jealous. Get yourself down to Chris's blue beach at Curium it's a gorgeous beach with gorgeous views and a really great Restaurant. Also have a look down Lady's mile beach and get yourself onto Akrotiri strip for the best Kebab in town at Chris Kebabs or Sylvanna's. Go and see abit of old Cyprus with a visit to Omodos it's a wonderful place. Make sure you have a drive up to Troodos mountain you wont regret it. Have a Pork Souvla (my mouth is watering now) with some BBQ'd Halloumi. There is so much to do you wont have enough time, have a great time though while your there. http://www.triptocyprus.com/blog/2007/12/omodhos-village-in-cyprus.html http://www.windowoncyprus.com/cyprus_food_forum.htm http://www.exclusively-cyprus.com/photos/061010.htm http://www.ultimatecyprus.com/places-of-interest/5-aphrodites-rock http://www.limassolmunicipal.com.cy/kolossi/index-e.html http://wikitravel.org/en/Nicosia http://www.visitcyprus.com/wps/portal

It's a container handler in Iraq which "fell off" an Oshkosh tank transporter.