sirhc

Robin, I have a letter giving an approx date into service. I will need to get it on the road and MOTd before I can register it. I hope to have it ready for the MOT within the next month. Chris

Another update. Now painted, and on with assembly.

He means this! http://www.marcusglenn.com/catalog/viewphoto.php?shoph=10623&phqu=1 Chris

Vince - Being a Belgian one, I suspect it has the older style drive shaft with UJs at the end, so a bit more difficult. Bruce - post a photo and I'll ID it for you. If you have the earlier one, I suggest replacing it with the later British one. Marcus Glenn did have some mod kits. Join the AFV Society forum, but I don't know anyone who's paid to join the club. Plenty of help and advice on here. Chris

Bruce, Yes - drill holes. We've done it on at least 5 vehicles, the Spartan came already drilled from the MoD. Expect to find some corrosion under the water, but hopefully it should clean up. The gearbox is removed by disconnecting the quill shafts which take the drive to the final drives. Remove the top hat covers from the middle of the sprockets, with the shafts in the correct orientation from inside the gearbox bay you should see a small plunger. Push this in and pull the shaft out from the outside to disconnect it. Nigel has done a how to guide on this here: http://afvsociety.co.uk/Forum3/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=866 I hope this helps! Chris

Hi Bruce, Restoring a Scorpion is not too difficult, I prefer working on them to anything else. We are doing 2 Sabres at the moment. http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?21491-CVR(T)-Sabre-49AT37/page2&highlight=49at37 Just do a bit at a time, little things like cleaning all the crap out of the inside make a big difference. I can tell from the engine colour that this is a Belgian vehicle, so has probably been stood for quite some time. Get a wet/dry vacuum cleaner in there and see what you can find under the floor of the turret. Let me know if you need any bits, I can usually help out with most parts. Chris

Bob, Have you seen the new ones on ebay? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Saracen-Saladin-Distribution-Box-/250789297254?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Other_Vehicle_Parts_Accessories_ET&hash=item3a6434fc66 Chris

The screw lens FV light fittings do not go back as far as the early 50s from what I've seen. For example early Ferrets, Austin Champ etc didn't use them at that time. The FV headlamp is used on the Champ, so that is a possible contender.

With the same part number?

We had a REME LAD FV432 from 2 RTR named Casino.

It is possible to do the seal without removing the engine. These photos should help.

I think the interior light might be a contender, I'm sure they are used in some ww2 vehicles.

Here is the horn we are talking about: http://www.thexmod.com/item_detail.asp?id=5073 and the convoy lamp: http://www.thexmod.com/item_detail.asp?id=1146

Robin, I'm not sure about the horn being used on Challenger 2, if one was fitted I would expect it to be inside somewhere. In the mean time, here's your friend the convoy light, fitted to the back of a Warrior as a number plate lamp. What vehicle was this first used on? Chris

It's still going on, just depends on the unit etc. Quite often you'll see Challenger 2s with names on the side, FV432s and even CVRTs. Sabres in Kosovo 1999 Chris

A lot of the FV pattern electrical equipment is still in use. For example the convoy light Robin mentions can be found on an Austin Champ from the early 50s, through to Ferrets, Saracens, Saladins, FV432s, CVRTs, Trailers, and they are still fitted to Land Rover XDs built in 1997/8. The FV pattern headlamps are still in use on CVRTs, FV432s and other vehicles, as is the horn found on Champs and Ferrets etc.

Enough to make a mess when you tip it up the wrong way!

Yes, careful with the air cleaner, it should be full of oil!

The first time I used it was on a Bedford tank which had been sat outside since the 70s. I had the rest of the kit for other jobs, but did use them. The second time was on a very good M151 tank which rusted from the outside in. Didn't use anything but the sealer on that one.

I've used this a few times with good results. http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=8232&frostProductName=Fuel Tank Sealer (US Quart, 946ml)

Try here: http://stores.ebay.co.uk/SPARTA He did have a complete ignition harness listed the other day, I know he has more. Chris

I think it's already crashed!

Scrap hulls have been getting cut up for a little while... http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Defence-Weekly-2010/CVR-T-family-to-re-enter-production-for-British-Army.html

FV432s have been being scrapped in large numbers for a while.

Only if someone buys it at that price, and is unhappy with it. Anyone know what they went for in the tender? I bet it was cheaper than that.