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There wasn't much point washing my Sabre last week was there?! Thanks for looking after it Lee. Chris

Year 15 for me too, I really wish the weather picks up a bit. It's no fun having to pick all the mud out of the wheels and tracks... I remember doing that in 2007 and I think there's still mud in the Spartan from that year! Chris

I didnt realise I'd signed up as tea boy!

Lee, Is that a new tractor unit I see on Rex's low loader? Chris

I don't think that's bronze green, looks like Hammerite green to me.... I'd paint over it.

Buy it when you see it is the name of the game. Unfortunatley you need to keep a stockpile of things that wear out or go wrong. The problem with the FV432 is that nobody else uses them, any which have been cut up went straight to the scrap man. At least with the CVRTs there is a large end user market for the take off parts, which is why Withams stripped them and sold them off in bits. The good news is that they are still in service, so there are parts in the system which will come out eventually I guess. Chris

Final photo for this thread, here it is ready for collection which hopefully will be this week. Chris P.S. if anyone is looking for a Sabre project I am thinking of selling the other one, see the classified section!

Andy, I have another Sabre to do, and something else in the pipeline too! Chris

Mike, The numbers are from a local auto factors, you need to try the old backstreet places as Halfords wont sell them. Chris

Mike, You need the Merlin report to get the DIS. There should be a data plate in the rear compartment near the door but it will only tell you the registration no. and repair history. Chris

The final thing to add was the replica Rarden. This was manufactured by ourselves, the barrel is gas pipe. The troughs were cast from an original, and have all the part numbers, stamping etc as per the original. We chose to do it this way as we needed several of them, some of the replicas out there are not great and we have the knowledge and skills thanks to Andy!

The outside has been treated to a fresh coat of green and black paint, I think it looks rather good. The number plates have been added. My trick for these is to paint a gloss black rectangle, stick the numbers on and then clear coat. Should stop them coming off and makes them stand out against the black cammo.

The inside is now complete, although I don't have any photos... here are some before the nets and seats were finished.

One of these... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanonenjagdpanzer Chris

Andy, Those are chieftain bins. Chris

Hi Andy, this one is going to Canada.

The Sabre is now nearly ready to start the long journey to its new home. The inside is completed, with the seats etc all fitted and the electrical systems wired up and working. The outside is complete except for the replica Rarden. We are manufacturing some barrel troughs for this. The only major thing left on the list is the final paint job, but the weather is making this difficult at the moment. Not sure if anyone still reads this, but here are some photos from the past few weeks. I'll post some more once it's finished... then on to the next one! Chris

Looks like a workshop with a folding crane on the side? Chris

I'm planning on going again with the MW, all being well. Chris

We have done the bottle and pipe a few times, just to see if an engine will fire. The safest and easiest way though is to use an adaptor for a jerry can. Works best if you plumb it into the fuel pump, I've used mine loads of times when the fuel tank is full of water or rubbish fuel... especially on CVRTs when you have a 400 litre tank to drain and clean! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-JCA1-Jerry-Can-Adaptor-Single-Tube-/270929908116?pt=UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f14ae5194 Chris

Coke bottle and a piece of pipe!

Guy, I have them, I think a full set. I'll dig them out tomorrow for you. Chris

Hi Guy, The gearbox is shimmed under the bolt at the back in the centre. You need to put it in, then check it by measuring the distance from the top and bottom of the box to the bulkhead. I will see if I can dig out the manual. Chris

Tim, Do you have spares of any of the exhaust parts? If they've been on a while they may be stubbon to get off. Some new clamps for the flexy pipes, new ones if you have them as you may damage them removing them. When you take off the oil pipes from the heat exchanger to the gearbox tie them to the engine before lifting it out. Fit the exhaust Y branch to the new one before dropping it in. You'll need some long extensions for the bolts on the rear engine mount, some tape to stick the bolt to the socket, the socket to the extension etc always helps. You should be able to swap the engine in a day quite easily. Chris

I can't help with the markings, but that looks like very faded Nato Green paint to me. It does go that colour after a few years outside. Chris