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I have a WW2 radar trailer which has a post-war Royal Artillery arm of service square (red over blue) with a 45 on it. This identifies it as a radar location battery. Does anyone know if this number was also used wartime, most order of battle lists miss this number out of the 42-47 number range. There are two references to it being a 'spare number' from "15 Army Group, July 1943" and for 'medium regiments' from "1st Army, Dec 1942". Could it be that the secret nature of gun-laying radrar prevented it from being identified in order of battle lists ? My trailer also has the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division insignia along side it, can anyone identify this battery from the 1950's ? I would be very interested in any known WW2 vehicle markings for a radar battery. [attachment deleted by admin]

If you go to the hmrc website it is all in black and white ( if you can understand it ) the webpage is at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000164&propertyType=document'>http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000164&propertyType=document'>http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageVAT_ShowContent&id=HMCE_CL_000164&propertyType=document Or do a search for "Fuel for road vehicles, Notice 75" at http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk

Also seen at Rush Green, a pair of step-frame trailers which I believe were towed behind Dragon Wagons. Can anyone confirm their identity ? [attachment deleted by admin]

Here is a picture of a 1943 No3 Mk2 radar which was one of a pair I bought from Rush green Motors. [attachment deleted by admin]

Saw this Matador behind a Tweed Mill on the Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides a few years ago. It was quite rough due to the poor climate there. [attachment deleted by admin]

Can anyone identify this sight. It has a plate with the inscription RL (could this be Ross London?) Reg No 4270, Power 20. There is a selector knob with the following settings to change filters : "Neutral", "Clear" and "Yellow". It has a Government "broad-arrow" but no date. [attachment deleted by admin]

Re Rush Green Motors, a few years ago there was an Albion FT15 low silhouette artillery tractor minus its rear body. I bought 2 WW2 No3 Mk2 radar trailers which were 95% complete inside which I am waiting to restore.

I have done a display for Poppy Day for the last ten years independant of my local MVT area ( they couldn't be bothered to get involved) . Just contact your local RBL secretary for advice. We have a number of car park spaces kindly allocated by the local council( parking fees waived) to enable the display, consisting of vehicles, equipment, artillery, photo displays etc,even WW2 era music but be careful of copywright ! usually something different each year. Due to Health & Safety regulations the council have always asked to see some public liability insurance and/or a risk assesment but normally this is no problem with vehicles. We have had a group of local ATS or Army Cadets at the display for the collection so we actually haven't had to get involved with that side of it. WW2 uniform is the usuall dress, it attracts attention hopefully with sale of a Poppy. Its so easy, our local branch usually raises about £10,000 so its worth while. You also get to meet lots of locals who served and can tell you stories of their exploits, you will always find ex-servicemen who drove your type of vehicle !

Polsten Quad engine is actually a Wisconsin AK with 2.7/8" bore and 2.3/4" stroke.

You could also try the Canadian Register http://www.canadianregister.co.uk You can download sections from the MBC maintenance manual as a PDF file free of charge. There is also a database of surviving CMPs, you can add yours to it, if it is not already there.

Rlangham - I would appreciate very much some pictures of 3.7s in North Africa. Larry - Yes, I am aware of dehs.org, they are very heplful. Are you going to the MVT show at Kemble this weekend ? There should be a 150cm searchlight belonging to the Garrison LHG. Its a superb restoration, and they use a Lister JP4 to power it ! Could you write an article on your experiences for the web-site ?

I have set up a new web-site devoted to Anti-Aircraft. It has a forum and various detailed articles about all aspects of anti-aircraft including guns, radar, searchlights and other related equipment. I require budding authors to submit articles and photos as I can't manage the site by myself. If anyone is interested have a look at ; http://www.anti-aircraft.co.uk Alan Brock (webmaster) a.k.a. ackack

The width of the page is a little too wide, I can't quite get it all in. It would be easier to read if it was a bit narrower.

My Polsten was originally a mid brown colour before the Portuguese painted it Green. The easiest way to tell to the original colour is to remove the lubrication chart from the rear door by knocking off the rivets and have a look at the paint underneath. You may have some other samples elsewhere but its difficult to prove originality. The trailer may be a different colour because it may have been replaced at some point. A lot of the hydraulic parts are all different colours (not service colours) because they were sourced commercially and there was no need to repaint them. There are greys, whites and crimson to name a few. Engine was a darkish green in mine. Black dynamo and starter. They may have been whitewashed but as far as I know most were operational in the UK except for those around Antwerp. Winters were very short here painting white wouldn't have made much difference, a net would have probably been the best method of concealment. Alan Brock

Well, when I am not restoring vehicles I design web-sites ! So absolutely no spare time !

The Company in Rugby who do Cadmium plating is; AF Surface Engineering Ltd, 72 Somers Rd, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 7DG Tel 01788 552515 sales@afse.co.uk The Company in Leamington Spa who do chemical black (glossy finish) and zinc phosphate black (matt finish) is; Leamington Spa Plating Co Ltd, Althorpe Street, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV31 12AU. Tel 01926 426213 The zinc phosphate black is what had all my Polsten gun parts done in. Alan

A lot of war-time vehicles and certainly up to the 50's, had nuts and bolts Cadmium plated. Zinc plating was not so common. Due to Health & safety issues, cadmium plating is virtually extinct however there is a company in Rugby who can plate items in small orders if you want to be authentic. I had a batch of nuts and bolts done for my Polsten Quad restoration. Another popular finish at the time was chemical black and zinc phosphate with a black finish, these still being available. Alan Brock

Hi everybody, This is a new forum for me. My present restoration is an Albion CX22S, a 1944 Heavy Artillery Tractor. Previous restorations have been a 1944 Dingo, 1942 Chevrolet CGT and 1944 Polsten Quad 20mm AA gun. Future restorations lined up after the Albion is a 1943 Radar, AA, No3 Mk2 and a 1944 15kVA Lister Generator. I would like to hear from anyone with similar interests. Alan Brock.

I think War & Piece show is too far, the Albion has a top speed of 26mph and fuel consumption about 7mpg even though it is diesel. I will take it to Kemble in 2007 and other shows around the Midlands.

Yeah ! She will have eventually a Radar, AA, No3 Mk2 in tow behind her, weighing about 9.5 tons. There is a 15kVA Lister generator which will be placed in the rear body to power the radar, and it only just fits ! I am hoping the CX22 will be ready for show towards the end of the year.

Well, I think the Albion Archive have about 22 on their Register, and in practice I reckon there are about 30 in existence, I do know of 4 that were scrapped last year. I have one which I am restoring presently. I have attached a couple of photos of the Albion. and and a picture of the Polsten

Well, I think the Albion Archive have about 22 on their Register, and in practice I reckon there are about 30 in existence, I do know of 4 that were scrapped last year. I have one which I am restoring presently.

I restored my Quad Polsten a while ago and you can see the pictures in my we-site http://www.anti-aircraft.co.ukIt took about 6 months, but it was in very good condition to start with. I have an illustrated parts book which is available as a free PDF download from my other site http://www.canadianregister.co.uk Alan Brock.