sirhc

Time for an update. Last weekend we were finally able to get back on with this Sabre. I hadn't seen it since December, but I put some batteries on it and connected up a jerry can to the fuel pump and it fired straight away. We did have a small problem of a wasps nest to deal with first. We needed to move this one back home as we can work on it much easier when we have electricity and water. Ready to leave for home Back at the house and on with the cleaning The first job was to start preparing it for some paint. We had already removed the old exhaust heat shield material as it was mostly falling off anyway. I used a wire brush on an angle grinder to clean up the glue, then finished off the new material we started making a while ago. I found some very good high temperature contact adhesive for sticking the new material back on, it seems to have worked a treat. I am planning to use this to stick the interior padding and hatch pads back on. I went round the rest of the hull and removed the surface rust and the last few bits of paint the sand blaster missed with a needle gun and wire brush. Then on with some primer. I am going to do this in 4 stages, first the hull, then the turret, remove the wheels etc and do the running gear, and finally the front decks once I've finished walking up and down them all day. With the primer on, it was time for some top coat. Sadly most of this paint will be covered up by bins etc once it's assembled, but at least now it's green we can start to put the bins back on. Here's the finished and painted heat shield material. The last job for today was to sort out some new headlamp guards and front bins. This vehicle seems to have been convered in a hurry, the headlamp guards were only held on by 2 bolts each so we had to line up and drill a few more holes. I put some new halogen lamp units in at the same time. Next weekend I'll do the turret. Eventually I have a new exhaust to put on, but it actually sounds very quiet with this old one on for the time being. That's all for now!

John, If Andy doesn't see this, you can find his details at http://www.livesteammodels.co.uk/ Chris

Cive, Some photos for you... Firstly a Champion RSN12Y with an identity crisis.. Lodge SRL14L Lodge SRL14L marked as RTC4732. Chris

Mark, Have you tried posting an advert here? http://www.shiply.com/ Chris

I have some more SRL14Ls in the garage, I'll dig them out over the next few days and see what's written on them. I think some are in Land Rover boxes.

Clive.. No I don't, but they seemed to be identical to the 12Ys so I stuck them in and they cured the problem!

I have used the Lodge SRL14L in our J60s with no issues. Can't imagine it would be a problem in your B60.

Mark, I wasn't trying to put you off, just factor in around £4 per mile for fuel and other running costs. You will need to collect spares when you see them as they can be expensive and hard to find when you need them. Remember that they are current in service vehicles, and although the MoD use diesel variants, everyone else is still on the petrol ones. This means when things like exhaust manifolds etc do come up for sale they are expensive. Withams are scrapping lots of J60 engines, so you would be best buying 3 or 4 for parts, even just for carbs and ignition modules etc. You can drive one on L plates, I did for a while before taking the test in my own vehicle. That way I knew it well enough to book a test myself and do it on the streets around my house, saving around £600. Spartan is probably the best entry level vehicle, they are cheap, plenty of room, easier to learn to drive as you can see the instruments and controls... you can't in a turreted variant. Chris P.S. also remember that a Stormer is more than 2.55m wide.

The guy who took this video is on the forum

PM sent.

I think you will find there are not that many avaliable, and the turrreted variants do sell very quickly. There was a Sabre on milweb on Friday which is sold already. Engines - make sure you have a spare. Track, Roadwheels etc - if they are worn out you will have to spend a lot to replace them all. You will need spare wheels anyway. Gearbox - Expensive if it goes wrong. Chris

In 2009 my Sabre was runner up in the Best British Tracked Armour category. The winner was an M3 Stuart built in the USA and imported from Brazil. I think the judges need reminding what they are judging.

You could be forgiven for mistaking it for the caravan show.

They are Ferret. LV9ASC/2520-99-815-6789 Housing, Inner Tracta Fork.

The show is officially open Wed - Sun, and arena events etc take place all day every day. Movement around the site is limited during the day (9 till 6) to vehicles going to or from the arena. After 6 it's like the M25, with vehicles driving round everywhere. Monday and Tesday are very chilled out relaxing/setup days.

Nope, just safari.

No such problem on my iPhone 4.

Let me know if you ever hear of it coming up for sale!

What's the story with the CVR(T) Samson in the background of the hedge photos? Chris

I might just park a CVRT on top!

Looks like we've lost our usual spot too due to low loader issues, I will be annoyed if the people who have taken it turn up with just one jeep...!

They are AFV crewmans coveralls! There should be handles on each shoulder to aid casualty evacuation.

There's a few about!