AlienFTM

The museum were advising people to load their pictures up to a (presumably the museum's) Tankfest Facebook account. Find that (I haven't looked) and you should find a treasure trove. I didn't take any photos myself, I had four people with me for whom I acted as tour guide: they took plenty of pics. Actually, whilst showing them around the Warrior ARRV, my son asked about the "INERT" boxes all over the sides. I was about to start when a very nice young REME lass from ATDU walked up. I told them to ask the expert. She commented, "No, no you have been doing a fine job so far. You explain." Damn. Gotta get this one right. So I explained about reactive armour. "Word perfect. You should apply to be a tour guide." I told her I'd love to retire and do it every day, but it's a little far to commute every day from Southampton.

Most likely. My deceased uncle served in 25 LAA Regiment in the Western Desert, then three D-Day beaches into Sicily, Italy and Normandy. He actually volunteered in September 1939 for the Nothumberland Hussars and was posted to A Squadron, who were promptly converted to be a light anti-aircraft battery. This was common for Yeomanry regiments (which the Northumberland Hussars were, not being a regular cavalry regiment. You may wish to read the history of the South Notts Hussars who followed exactly the same route, ending up being destroyed after being ordered to fight to the last round during one of the retreats across the Western Desert (if memory serves, it was at Knightsbridge). 25 LAA survived until the end of the war because they were in an active role, but the breakout from Normandy cost so many infantry lives that many other units were disbanded to provide more infantrymen for the meat grinder. If you are interested, feel free to PM me and I can send copies of the booklet issued to all members of the battery at the end of the war, describing the wartime history of 25 LAA (not the regiment you are looking for, but it might give you a flavour of the life. I'll warn you, I grabbed these with the scanner during a brief visit to see my cousin. There is a lot of it, in single pages rendered as JPEGs because that was what the scanner defaulted to.

Been looking again at that. The website and the watermark suggests this website is B Sqn 3 RTR (who wore a green flash). Since 3RTR lived two barracks down from us in 1977, it's quite possible that their B Sqn took over from our A Sqn in September 1977 and maybe, just maybe, I am completely wrong and my identifications have been driven by wishful thinking. But if that is not Barry in 22A, I'd say it's his brother. Except that his brother Pete was driving 29 and a week later I took over as 29's driver. If I am wrong, it must be B Sqn 3RTR about September 1977 (but the grass is wrong because it's there) and they took a photo just because they could, presumably a day or so after arrival and before scattering the length of the Green Line. The other possibility is that the man who stuck the picture on the website identified the picture as RAF Nicosia and, finding it attributed to B Sqn, got the year wrong and assumed it was B Sqn 3RTR. But then again, I think if I dig out Armoured Farmer by Malcolm Cleverley (a friend of mine who served in 3RTR over the same period I served next door in 15/19H: he had a stall at Tankfest at the weekend. Did you buy a mug or a tank print? That was him) and check, I am sure his narrative stated that they did their UNFICYP tour around a four-troop Orbat. Because we had had six-troop squadrons in Omagh 74 - 76, We took a five-troop plus GW Troop Orbat in Tidworth allowing us to retain the six-troop orbat for UNFICYP.

I drove one of those Ferrets. In fact, looking at the date, I am almost certainly IN that picture (somewhere). Since it's entitled "B Sqn United Nations Tour 1977", I assume it's B Sqn 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars, who did UNFICYP Force Reserve Squadron September 1976 - March 1977. The only other End of Tour medal parade that year would have been our own A Sqn (who took over from us in March) in September. I don't know who took over from our A Sqn, but their medal parade would have been in 1978. Besides, there is clearly grass growing: by September it was burnt off. That is evidently the runway at Nicosia Airport (closed to air traffic since the invasion in 1974) looking west (midday sun from the south). There were only two occasions when we gathered like that, the Medal Ceremony very close to End of Tour in March and the rehearsal. Since collars are clearly not fastened, I suggest (it looks like) they are all wearing green woolly pullies and so it must be the rehearsal. No 2s were worn on the day. I'll surmise that the picture is taken by 1st Troop sergeant (second Ferret from the left in the pic; second from the right as we drove) which means we are looking at 2nd, 3rd, 4th 5th and 6th Troops, which adds up. Which in turn means that I am driving the third Ferret from the front in the left-hand file as we look at it, 4th Troop leader. Pretty sure the front left Ferret, c/s 22 is commanded by a certain Sergeant (whose name escapes me) and next to him, c/s 22A, a Corporal whose name I know but Persec precludes me from telling you. Implies that the Troop Leader had left early, probably to attend a course. Sadly the pic is just too small to identify anyone else for certain (and it's 36 years ago), but the man commanding what must be mine does indeed look like Rommel (not his real name: he had a penchant for wearing goggles up on top of his beret) and what must be 24B does look like our Troop Corporal. Looking again, commander of 24A (behind 23A, leaning to one side) does indeed look like our Troop Sergeant. So, it went like this. On the right (and back down the runway behind the camera: this looks like the end of the runway) is the airport terminal. Between runway and terminal building was a grandstand and saluting base. On the day, commanders did not wear (Larkspur: C42 / B47 or C13 / B47: there weren't enough C42s to go round) headsets. Instead of working on IC, drivers were on VHF on standby. The frequency iirc was 48.000MHz. The Squadron Sergeant Major was on the airport terminal roof out of sight of everyone except us who knew where to look. He controlled the squadron as one vehicle. The actual parade comprised the OC (Major) in the SSM's Mark 1 followed by six troops of four. We drove on and parked up on the southern edge of the runway facing the terminal in sequence (from the right): 29, 21, A, B, C 22, A, B, C ... 26, A, B, C. 1 times Mark 1 and 24 times Mark 2. Iirc we had our placings marked a bit like a simple starting grid. We drove on in single file from the east along the north edge of the runway, in front of the terminal, swung through 360 to where we are now (but still in single file, not when this pic was taken) then drove eastward along the runway and turned left into our own grid position in a single line facing the terminal. Because we had radios on, I suspect we didn't turn off the engines until just before the parade: we needed every Ferret to start on the first turn of the starter. No doubt Tankie (the SSM, c/s 29C) gave the drivers a radio check before it all happened. I suspect we were sat there a while while the guests took up positions, then Britcon (an infantry company which might have been B Coy of one of the Para battalions but it was hard to tell when we all wore UN kit) marched on and took up position. The VIP taking the salute drove on and took his place last, then the parade could start. A fairly typical parade. The VIP inspected the infantry, who then marched past. If memory serves (Bazz might remember), the infantry left before we moved. Our Commanders were stood to attention in the turret for quite some time (luckily, being March, while sunny it was not unduly hot. We drivers just had to sit fairly still (no motion to be observed from afar but that was unlikely) and listen for our cue. Istr just watching Tankie on the roof. Tankie gave a warning order, which was a cue to tap my commander's leg so he knew we were about to happen. On his word of command we started up the Ferrets (they all started!). Then he got us rolling. We all turned right into the formation shown in the picture with 29 front and centre. We simply drove round in column of troops, commanders saluted as they passed the VIP (I think Tankie might have called the salutes by troop. Did commanders elevate the Brownings as per the pic? Cannot remember: maybe) and drivers just concentrated on staying in line and column. Drove back to where we'd started (see pic) then drove straight off and back to camp. I think we left Cyprus about 18 March 1977, so this would be sometime about 13-15 March 77.

Don't tell anyone. In 1976 a Scorpion was smuggled into Lisanelly in a container so that gunners could do conversion training (15/19H went to Omagh from Falling Barstool in 1974 as a Chieftain regiment and left Omagh for Tidworth to rerole in recce). But nobody knows this, so keep schtumm, ok?

It that bottom picture really of 33BA78? Astonished. 33BA81 was my Ferret, of which tales regularly pop up here.

The radio you will want will be a "C" radio. "A" radios, eg A41 were manpacks; "B"s were for short range A and B vehicle work, eg B47. The C sets, notably VHF C42 and C45 and HF C13 were the beasts to be used as vahicle main sets and had a crew IC circuit built in: this latter is what you require. I wouldn't like to say whether a C13 High Power or a C11/R210 have IC circuitry: they are high power control station radios, found in ACVs, which would generally run their IC off a C42 (C45 in the RA I believe - slightly different frequency bands) or a C13.

Very welcome. Having given you the link to the SRS, it might have been clever to give you its more-applicable peer: http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/parachute-squadron-royal-armoured-corps

Not A Para Squadron: THE RAC Para Squadron. Replaced the short-lived SAS-trained Special Reconnaissance Squadron RAC (see: http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/special-reconnaissance-squadron-royal-armoured-corps ) Which was coincidentally based in the barracks where I spent the longest posting of my career. The Para Sqn served with distinction in NI during Op Banner and in Nicosia during the 1974 war. As for the Mark 4, well it's a revelation to me. I didn't know any had ever gone into service (haven't seen any pics of them on active service, before you ask). The only other example I ever saw was on Castlemartin Ranges a handful of years ago as a target. So you have something that I consider to be well worth looking after. Congratulations.

TBH I didn't spot that until you raised it. I know that as my trade training came drew to a close and I was due to be posted over the water, I used the fact (it was posted on orders in the block in Catterick) to grow my hair. It never grew to obscenely long. I fronted up in Omagh and the third person I met (after the Provost Sergeant? Guard Commander? I cannot for the life of me think who was manning the Guard Room, and the squadron clerk) was the RSM. Who, to be fair, was quite restrained in describing the length of my hair. I had it cut once, on arrival on theatre then again on disembarkation leave. As I alluded, there was a Standing Order relating to the length of hair in NI, but local rules (RSM, SSM, troop sergeant) trumped them. Or did you mean the civvies? Yes, you are almost certainly right.

In 1980 I commanded 33BA81, a Mark 1 equipped as an Armoured Recce Regiment rebroadcast station, the oldest vehicle in barracks by number plate. During the course of Ex Spearpoint / Crusader 80, I was able to perform the only rebroadcast of my career, of an umpire net. It amounted to, "Corporal Alien, find a good site for comms in this grid square and rebro the umpire command net back to us here to save us having to move the whole of Command Troop for a couple of hours." So we bimbled off and stopped on a track in the middle of a field on a forward slope, ideal for comms both up and down and we didn't give a toss about cam because we were umpires. Twiddled a few knobs on a pair of brand spanking new VRC353s, give Zero a nickname to encourage them to change frequency as agreed in advance, didn't bother with authentication (they all knew my voice, it was an umpire net and it had all been agreed in advance anyway) and announced, "Hello all stations this is 4 Hotel 6 this is an automatic rebroadcast net. Out." Then I whipped out the book I was reading, sat with bum on edge of coaming and boots on the commander's seat and graciously accepted the cuppa that Jock my driver had whistled up while I was performing mumbo-jumbo on the radios. Headset on, half listening to the Umpire Command Net but otherwise just grabbing a few rays. Became aware that the squelch circuits were getting rather active on both sets. Did a quick retune on each. No avail. Radios died. Damn. Jock discovered that the brake lights were stuck on and had sucked the life out of the batteries. Damn damn. No way to raise help. Attempted to push start the Ferret down the slope. (Don't laugh: it had worked once before in UNFICYP in 1977.) No joy. Damn damn damn. Tried the crank handle. No joy. Then as if by magic Zero Alpha's Sultan pulled up alongside completely out of the blue. Accepted a roasting for losing the net, then a let-off when I explained the circumstances. Accepted a slave start and we were up and away in seconds. Zero Alpha continued on its way to the new location, whilst I paid a visit to our LAD in some central base somewhere which escapes me now, but I think Bazz may remember where they were cos I am sure it was at this moment that we discussed the cards issued to 2 US Armored Division which advised them against drinking, gambling or chasing women with the Brits cos we'd embarrass them with our superior skills at each. Istr being told we needed a new master cylinder but it would be a day or two before one was available, so we simply removed the bulbs and carried on.

Correct me if I am wrong (I often am: it was a long time ago). Wasn't the ARFAT part of the VRC321 installation? My memory suggests that 353 goes radio - TUAAM - antenna?

Long time ago. Istr there was an LMG stowage position along one of the drive shaft covers (LHS? ) even though every Ferret I crewed was fitted with a Three-oh. Maybe SA80 mounts could be fitted to the drive shaft covers? We always carried SMGs. To be honest I have only the vaguest memories of ever seeing the SMG mounts, but I suspect they were on the vehicle wall somewhere: we preferred just to bung them somewhere handy so we could grab them quickly on the way out. In NI I crewed a Ferret on a couple of occasions when I had SLR as a personal weapon. There was no sweat: again just park it where it was safe and convenient.

Memory tells me that the II night sight hummed or fizzed when in use. Maybe the power is cutting out? Something you must bear in mind is that (istr) the II sight would burn out if exposed to white light. For this reason, there is a shutter which activates when exposed to bright light (eg if the gun is fired). You'll need to test it at night, preferably under lots of stars or the moon. Or I suppose street lights. But I could be wrong.

I cannot imagine how I came to be reminded of this: Considered highly offensive by many at the time, the sketches primarily took the form of bizarre, sometime drunken streams of consciousness led by Cook, with interjections from Moore. Memorable moments from the records include Clive claiming that the worst job he ever had was (redacted for the sensitivity of readers), Derek claiming his worst job was cleaning up Winston Churchill's bogeys (leading the pair to conclude that theTitanic was one such bogey) from this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_and_Clive WARNING: the wikipedia entry is as close to the bone as were "Derek and Clive" themselves, and likely to offend.

Well isn't that bizarre? When I read the post two back, "yellow handbag" was highlighted and underscored and linked to a yellow handbag for sale. Now when I read my reply (one back) neither "yellow handbag" is so linked. Spooky. Sounds like a job for Scooby Doo.

Just not the one that's been auto-linked! Unless there's something you want to share with us ... ?

What Bazz says. As I recall our regiment got Sultan about six months before Clansman (in 1979?) and had to fit Larkspur in Sultan (fun ... NOT!) then replace it with Clansman. If memory serves, Sultan before Clansman was deliberate because there was a reason (now long forgotten) why Clansman and Saracen ACV were incompatible.

CH came in in 83 (or maybe 84) while I was in Osnabruck, but I always kept a pair of DMS in good nick for running in (I was never issues with NI Patrol boots: I am assured that they were very light and comfortable> Plenty of discussion about them in here). I found that a single 3-mile run was enough to break in a pair of DMS, whereas the same action in DMS, I can still see the scar tissue around my Achilles tendons. I still have a pair of DMS (9L) but when I left in 1989, they were still so far up themselves that I could not hold on to a pair of CH (which annoyed me, cos I has specifically kept a pair brand new for after I left). You probably won't be too keen about this advice. On exercise (OUTSIDE OF CAMP!) I wore Bundeswehr Panzerstiefel (Tank Crewman's Boots, jackboots with a sheepskin lining for warmth). Many in Command Troop wore US boots but they simply did not make these wide enough for my feet. My commander wore helicopter crew boots.

There is a good thread about Brixmis / Soxmis on Arrse. Brotherton_Lad was with Brixmis other side of the IGB for years and tells it all. I remember being told once that Brixmis supplied Soxmis with very nice 3L Opel Rekords that Soxmis took with gratitude ... over the IGB, to return shortly thereafter with performance that demonstrated that these Opel Rekords were now more akin to MiGs than cars.

At 58 I would retire tomorrow if I had the money (that's what a decade and a hlaf in the Armed Forces does for your bank balance). When I do retire, project number 1 will be to finish A Tracked Armoured Car, describing my seven years in 15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars (now The Light Dragoons) from Basic Training at Catterick, through Omagh, Tidworth, Nicosia and finally five years in Paderborn. So far the squadron has just stepped off the RAF Transport Command VC10 at RAF Akrotiri, bussed over the hills to Nicosia and been issued UNFICYP uniform. But I haven't had the will for a good few years now. "Me" time gets more and more precious, but I promise one day I'll get the urge and no doubt with time on my hands it will be finished in short order. In the meantime I can recommend "Armoured Farmer" by my good friend Malcolm Cleverley, ex-3RTR who had a not dissimilar career, but on Chieftain, doing Tidworth and Paderborn in the same time-frames. I helped edit the final copy, though I'll point out I only had time to correct factual errors: my grammar and syntax pedantry would have had a field day given the time. Bloody Armoured Farmers. If you do get a copy, take it with you to Tankfest. When you walk up the ramp on the way in to the right, (past my name under 15/19H and Light Dragoons on the Wall of Fame), you'll certainly find Malcy selling his original artwork: T-shirts, mugs, whatever. Offer him the password "Bacon Rolls" and watch him be confused because that's my gambit. See if he replies "Razor Blades" *. Then you can get your book autographed. _____ * In Paderborn, 3RTR's close reconnaissance was provided by a big (8-car) troop of A Sqn 15/19H Scimitars. The Armoured Farmers from Devon, Dorset and Cornwall with their rolling brogue had the cheek to describe the Geordie Hussars as talking in Slidex! So the Recce Troop used to make a habit of singing "Bacon rolls and razor blades, doo-dah," in broad Pitmatic to the tune of Campdown Races just to wind them.

It's been over 30 years and the canvas is blank. but my memory is screaming that the turret ring behind the commander's shoulder had some narrow trays. I was going to suggest they had inserts, maybe for something like 1" signal flares, but second thought is "no insert: good place to stick a handful of boiled sweets." Not a lot of help. Sorry.

Judging by the way he has turned the steering wheel the right way around, stop anyone from ever getting in the driver's seat.

My father in law died in January. Among his possessions I found a signed copy of his Winkle Brown's autobiography, "Wings on my Sleeve". I commend it to the forum.

I see that the FSC bears a UN number plate, which dates it as post-1977 since we were still carrying UK plates during our 76-77 tour as Force Reserve Squadron. We provided all UNFICYP's Ferrets (unless Britcon's CSM had a Mark 1). Every Ferret, including our SSM's Mark 1 had all bins fitted. We had 24 Mark 2s and one Mark 1 on our Orbat and there was a rolling upgrade programme akin to Bargepole and Scorpole so that well in excess of 25 FSCs passed through our hands. I'll therefore suggest that FSC side bins were on the way out before FSC left service and I am not in the least bit surprised that side bins are nowadays as scarce as rocking horse droppings.