ArtistsRifles

Ah well - can't have everything Looks like there's a vacancy on the web for a similar site dedicated to the Mk 2 - he says dropping unsubtle hints.....

Just spent an time googling around (waiting for a wrecked server to be recommissioned) and turned up this site: http://www.fv432.com Quite informative!!!!!

SFOR was the NATO-led Stabilsation Force in Bosnia, was similar to KFOR in Kossovo.

Seem to recall reading somewhere that the 432 can be driven onto it's tracks when work on them is required - is this true or another myth??

Thats the place!!!! Would love to be able to go there one day and have a good look around

There's a museum in Russia - forget where right now - that has the only complete collection of all the tiger variants for the Tiger 1 up to the Tiger (P) Elefant and Shturm Tiger. Very impressive!!!

Thanks Chris - interesting as to why that should have been on the side of a Spartan!!! Think I'll ask a question of the Assoc. to see if they can shed any light on the whys and wherefors

Some interesting photos there Chris. One caught my eye going through the Whitham Tender folder - image #237 (http://www.sirhc.co.uk/gallery/album/Withams%20Tender/Withams-2004-4.JPG)##Probably asking a lot - but can you recall what vehicle the Regiments alternate crest was on? In my day none of our vehicles carried any markings other than the reg plates amd maintenance stencils....

Out of curiosity - and following a lead from Clive as to keeping the missus quiet - how often do the ambulance versions of the 432 come up for sale???

Read this one years ago - definitely agree with the recommendation. IIRC the author was a French volunteer too .....

No probs - be a boring world was we all the same!!! Swinging back to reality - just over 9 more months and then - with luck and the anbitions of the Fourth Reich - I'll have my own MV

Hmmm - given the Stalwarts tendencies to go anywhere at any time - despite the intentions of the driver I'd have plumped for "Die Valkerie" too!! Mind you - given the afinity the beasties have for filling stations and tracta joints/bevel boxes maybe the Flying Lizards "I want Money" would be more appropriate???

Far from it It's in the odd-ball world of Science Fantasy and relates to events on the mythical Disk World See here for details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_Postal Provides good escapism from the real world wherein wheel statiosn get damaged , tracta joints get creamed and the vehicle drinks fuel almost faster than the refieneries can produce it!!!

Some one been reading "Going Postal" by Terry Pratchett then????

Good luck with the job hunt Paul. Must have been a right bummer coming without warning like that... At least we've known the Fourth Reich take-over was coming for some time so when they announced all Ford manufacturing operations would be in The Fatherland by Q4, 2010 it wasn't a shock. Good news for me actually as it will give the chance I've wanted for ages to get a Stalwart!!!

Mick, Not sure about the gear box - but a B81 engine in running order went on eBay recently for £280. C&C Military Services have a 40' container of Stalwart parts up for sale as they are moving to new premises - inside the container are: I was told about between £50 to £200 to fix a wheel station depending on whats wrong with it (i.e. tracta joint, bevel box or?? ) Working on that basis the bare bones for this one would be £300 for an engine, assume £300 again for the box (rounded up values) and £600 for tyes as I've seen these advertised for £100 each making £900 plus a worst case cost of £200 for a wheel station gives £1100. Go with your £700 for miscellaneous other parts as the eelctrics will need a complete overhaul as will the hydraulics inc. the master cylinders and brakes gives £1800 and add tothis £1500 for the vehicle and we're up to £3300 if my maths is right. Still a lot of money but it's at the point where the vehicle is still saveable - just. Much longer left there and she'll only be fit for whatever spares have survived..... Groaning gearbox might just be due to lack of oil and a drain and refill operation mgiht be all thats needed. Left in the damp though it's odds on, unless the pedal was secured in the down position using the clamp in the cabin, that the multi-plate clutch will have got well & truly stuck together and be a mammoth task to release. The other big question is what state is the sheet metal work in inside the cab and on the drop-gates and air intakes. IIRC the hull decking is aluminium as are the bracing struts in the hull itself so they should be OK. Can you not suggest to the owner that either he or yourself undo the hull drain plugs and let that water out?? Else his "investment" is going to be worthless very soon.....

No problems

Whereabouts - couldn't see them under the vehicles for sale section?? Must be a popular item though - I'm now getting an error message to the effect: Error: Unable to connect to MySQL server: : '' :Too many connections

Yes - this is the problem with storing a Stalwart outddors and without any cover over the whole vehicle. The air intake is immediately behind the cab, full width by 6 to 8 inches wide and feeds straight into the hull and onto the fuel and oil tanks. Air outlet between the two rear tailgates feeds straight down onto what would normally be the front of the engine and the radiators. A few years of rainwater collection at these points starts equalling heft bills - UNLESS - the hull bilge plugs are out and allowing it to drain away..... Can you get a crafy look at the Mk 1 to see of the bilge plugs are undone?? If they are then you're in with a fighting chance; if not then look elsewhere.... Wheel stations aren't that hard to fix (so I'm told by those who know), it's just the sheer size of the parts involved and the complexity of the seals and Tracta shafts/joins. Getting back onto the Ferret s of the ooriginal topic - there's a Mk 2 on Milweb today, "Unrestored, stuck engine, very good rebuild project, most parts present. Pre 1960" - no price given if anyones interested!

This one should make you cry http://www.frappr.com/stalwartowners/photo/843529 :cry: Indeed - there's me dying to get hold of one and then theres all these just sitting there :cry: :cry: :cry: It just ain't fair!!! Note though that they've all had the swim-boards removed by cutting the hinges off ('cos the bottom half of the hinges is still welded to the hull!!)

There's one here: http://www.frappr.com/stalwartowners for owners of Stlawarts - only got 3 entries right now though....

Other thing worth thinking on is if you have, or some one in the same storage are has something like an RL or Miltiant or even, dare I say it, a Stalwart these all have airline points normally for use in pumping up tyres and this can also be used to spray the vehicles with. Somewhere around here I've got a picture of an MK up on ramps at the Duke of Yorks with a REME fitter painting it using the MK's own compressor.....

Can't speak for the WW2 era vehicles 'cos I'm not that wealthy But from research done thus far on Stalwarts the concessions to modern traffic are much the same as for Richards Militant - viz. beacons and rear view camera (one chap told me he has fitted 3 - on at the rear and one on either side on the drop side because the rearview is so bad. Personally I think a fourth under the nose would be a benefit as the hull shape means you can't see what directly in front of you if it's Fiesta/Mini-size but then it would cause problems when swimming). Also I've heard of removable boards being fitted to the tailgate (outer one) carrying hi-viz markings and warnings as to vehicle performance. Not much more you can do to enhance road safety on these on that respect....

Any one recommend a good firm in South Essex?? Wouldn't mind driving a Stollie to Coalhouse or even to Beltinge but any further would be probitively expensive on fuel at about 3mpg....

Thats it!!!! Now- somewhere in the house or garage are a full set of those for both Landrover and HGV (RL-W & Militant Mk 1)............. Wonder if they will still be useable after nigh on 30 years.... Gawd - I'm feeling old again... :cry: :cry: