jasper

Hi,in reference to blue lights being used on Saracens in Northern Ireland.They were used on 321 EOD Coy bomb disposal saracens and Saracen ambulances.However they were beacon style flahing lights which were fitted to the top of the vehicles and had like a metal cage around them to protect them from misiles which might be thrown at them.The lights you have were definately not used on Saracens or Pigs but were used on all other vehicles.If you were interested in putting a blue light on I could post some pictures for accuracy.Regardes,Jasper.

Hi,I was just wondering if any body new where I might be able to gather information including photographs of the Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Transits used by 321 EOD Coy.RAOC. Also does anybody know where I might be able to see one displayed.An even longer shot is that I would love to own one but where to buy one is the question.Many thanks,Jasper.

Hi Dave,the pig was stationed at the Grand Central Hotel,Belfast in 1979.I have put a pic up of it now and then hopefuly you can see it clearly,Jasper.

Great pics,any idea what role 02 CA 30 played.I have never seen one before,cheers,Jasper.

Various Saracens used on Operation Banner in Northern Ireland.

Hi,just a few more 321 EOD airportables.

Hi,I don't know the exact year but I served at the Vehicle Depot Ludgershall from 1976-79 and the Saracens had already been uparmoured then for use in Northern Ireland.Regards,Jasper.

Daktari belfast 1978

Saracen ambulances used in Northern Ireland at first had turrets but as time went on they were removed.I dont know the reason for that though,regards,Jasper.

Hi,I am looking for any info that can be given to me with reference to a 3/4 ton Land Rover used on Op Banner in Northern Ireland.The vrn is 02 GN 29.I just wondered if by chance anybody knows where it served in NI and where I may get a picture of it.I know this is quite random but thanks for taking the time to read this,Jasper.

Hi Simon,although I wouldn't remember this specific no.plate I served as a Vehicle Specialist in the RAOC and during that time I was at the vehicle depot in Ludgershall from 1976-1979.I notice your vehicle was there on two occasions during that time.If you wish I could tell you the procedures carried out by us charting the vehicles general history from Reciept of a Vehicle to the Issuing of it to another unit.I worked in the vehicle storage section and we had 10 teams of two guys whose job it was to take all servicable vehicles (which this would have been) and give them basically a first parade check then take them out on the road around Tidworth Garrison to check all was well with the vehicle.At some point one of my mates would have driven it or even though a remote chance may have driven it myself.As I said if you wish I would be glad to tell you the history of a vehicle during its time in a vehicle depot.Kind regards,Tony.

Hi Dave,thanks for your email and your reply.I found out from Clive Elliot that the registration was 23 BK 96.Me and a couple of other lads who served with 321 EOD are trying to find out where it was located in NI. Between us weve trawled through loads of EOD photos but to no avail.It is currently sat outside a gun club in Texas and is in a pretty bad way with lots of rust comig through.It was spotted by one of our lads whilst on his holidays.If I can I will get one of my kids to post a copy of the photo on here if I can find a copy of it.Once again thanks for your info,Jasper.

fv 1609,thank you very much for the information you have provided.The only picture I have seen is one of it parked up outside a gun club in Texas USA.Sadly it has started to rust and is looking quite neglected.The chap who stumbled accross it is an ex Army bomb disposal officer.As it still has Felix stickers on it we assume it was last used by one of our bomb disposal units in Northern Ireland.We will now be looking through our section photos to see if we can see where it was actually used.Once again many thanks,Jasper.

Hi,A friend as come across a Humber Pig in Texas and it still has FELIX(EOD) stickers on it.The vehicle no is YF O864 which is clearly incorrect.Does any body know that if we get the chasis number will we able to trace the vehicles history somehow.Many thanks,Tony.

Hello everybody,A friend has come across a HUMBER PIG in Texas,America.It is in a pretty bad state but it still has Felix (EOD) stickers on it.The problem is the number plate reads YF 0864 which is not correct.Does anybody have ideas where we can get vehicle records from and would the chasis number be what we are looking for to pursue that.Thanks for any help,Jasper.

Hi, I am almost certain that the sign says DAKTARI(African for doctor). I was with EOD at this time and I recall that sign under the blue light.I have a picture somewhere and if I can work out how to get it on I will,cheers,Jasper.

Hi Loggy Driver,I was in Lisburn in 79where I was a No.2 and I went to Londonderry in 83 where my role was operator of the Eager Beaver,I was the last RAOC operator of the Eager Beaver there and the position as far as I remember was taken over by the RCT lads who also drove the pigs and saracen SWD.Nice picture of the saxon ambulance by the way.Cheers,Jasper.P.S. thanks for the info on the snatch.

Hi Loggy Driver,I did two tours with EOD IN 1979 and1983,we used transits and pigs on our sections,could you please tell me the role of the land rover on your section.Cheers,Jasper.

Hi George, your first vehicle tac sign is the correct colouring with the white sash on it,however the RAOC badge should not be there.I am not sure about the wording.I have listed below something you may find interesting.If I read it correctly you should put 1(BR)CORPS VEH.COY.the RAOC colours should be enough to say it is RAOC therefore not putting that on the lettering.Vehicles alo had command flashes on the front near and back offside.These sites may be able to help you with that. I went to google and put in british military vehicle markings and entered search.Iwent to british formation signs entered and went to 1st corps HQ an pressed additional details and read through.I also looked at painting and marking on post war british vehicles. With reference to vehicle depots I can give you a brief outline. When a vehicle is handed in to a vehicle depot by a unit the first port of call is Reciepts dept. the vehicle is checked for damage and to make sure that kit supplied with it such as,in the case of a Land Rover,wheel brace,jack,tool kit and fire extinguisher is all there.Any kit missing will lead to the unit being billed at a later date.The vehicle then goes through a flow system including,washdown,kit stores,mantanence,tyre bay,paint shop then going into storage.All vehicles in storage are servicable and ready for issue.They have an annual inspection of maintanence whilst in storage.When they are called for issue they go to issues dept.and are signed to a recieving unit. All depots have a REME detatchment to repair mechanical problems detected during the flow system. I hope you find this useful,cheers Jasper.

Hi George, sorry to say that I have no information that could help you with your Land Rover.I am sure you can appreciate that in my 9 1/2 years I would have dealt with thousands of vehicles.I really do wish you the best of luck in finding the information you are after, cheers Jasper.

Yes, sorry about not being clear.You drove manually to site,then set up the vehicle to become remote controlled on arrival, Jasper.

With reference to the remote controlled eager beaver,I served in N. I. with E.O.D. and I was the eager beaver operator in my section.The vehicle was remote control as stated using a 100 metre cable drum.It was indeed for moving suspect vehicles or getting wheelbarrow over obstacles, the CCTV camera was linked to a monitor which was obviously very useful for letting you view your intended target very well when close up. Driving to task sites was quite clostrophobic with very limited vision and being almost cocooned in the cab.You always felt very vunerable when getting in and out of the cab when at task sites because for just a few seconds you were very exposed.But,what an invaluable piece of kit to have at your disposal.Jasper

Thanks for a warm welcome,I am looking forward to being part of the site,cheers Jasper

Hi to everybody, my name is Tony"Jasper"Scarrott. I served for nine years in the RAOC as a Vehicle Specialist,I spent a total of five years at Vehicle Depot Ludgershall which used to be an armoured vehicle depot dealing with all armoured vehicles from Feret Scout Cars to Chieftan tanks ,it also held Antars and thier trailers.I spent the other four years at Recklinghausen and Ord. Depot Antwerp which were "B" vehicle depots ranging from Ford Escorts to Leyland Crusaders.I have just came across this site and I think I will enjoy being a member and hopefuly will be able to contribute to it.