steveo578

The T10 was designed by the NDRC (National Defense Research Committee) as a evolution of the Aunt Jemima(shown in post #3) into a Self propelled vehicle, using a spare M4A2 75 sherman, it was tested briefly during June 1944 and was found to be unaceptable, by that time the T1E1 Earthworm and T1A3 Aunt Jemima were already in service and were ready to be deployed in the ETO, both type were used sporadically from September 1944 to January 1945. The gun of the T10 had timber protection around the barrel during tests as irrespective of it position it was vulnerable to mine fragments, whereas the T1E3 could traverse its gun aft to protect it. T1E1 was based on a M32 recovery vehicle.

In addition L4s have a revised flash eliminator similar to the SLR otherwise they are Mk3 build standard. With regard to the mount for the Bren on the Ferret perhaps there are some in the stock recently mentioned in Scrap Yard Relics thread.

Probably one of the most useful sites to aid ID of found cartridges is stevespages.com/ nothing to do with me :-D, it has probably every cartridge of production weapons since about 1880. shows drawings of cartridges with accurate measurements. For example the three types mentioned in this thread US 30-06 .308 7.62 nato and 556mm Nato. note the difference in taper of the 30-06 and .308 -this gave problems when rechambering weapons, there were convertors for M1 rifles to 7.62mm comprising a chamber liner -but it didn't work well -often being ejected with a spent cartridge. Steve

I 've never seen a De-ac 7.62m Bren most De-ac are Mk1 (with the drum site) and a few early British Mk2 and these were not converted to 7.62. The 7.62mm Bren was based on Long Branch models (Canada). Long Branch production was modified to 1) simplify 2) facilitate use of an interchangable breach block for Brens in 7.92mm X 57 mainly for China and a few 30 06 (30cal x 63mm). In the Chinese and US calibre guns the breach block was modified to extract rimless cases - a back mod as ZB 26-30s were chambered for 7.92 x 57. In the end most Brens made were from Canada. Some Brens are supposed to have been modified to use the 7 x 43 round which briefly replaced the .303 in 1950- and then to 7.62mm x 51 so if there are any L4 pattern De-acs out there they may have novel proof marks showing 3 calibres- 303, 7 x 43 and 7.62 x 52. I don't know of any SA80 as De-acs as it is still an in service weapon it is unlikely- although there were some SA80 available in Canada as movie props.

As far as the smaller L1A1 5.56mm cartridge the SA80 and its derivatives are correct. The 7.62 x 51 also known as 7.62mm nato and .308 Wincester(U.S. Commercial designation) was used in SLRs and Envoy rifles. Bren Light machine gun conversions L4A1, L4A2, L4A3, L4A4, L4A5, L4A6, L4A9 and all GPMG derivatives. The Browning M1919A4 designated L3A1, L3A2, L3A3, L3A4 were chambered for 30-06 that is a U.S. 30cal x 63 cartridge this is totally different from the 7.62 x 51 cartridge And although Canada,Australia and Israel to name just 3 nations converted their M1919A4-A5 to 7.62 x 51 cartridge Britain retained the original cartridge, probably due to large existing stocks. I had a rummage around for some cartridges and pictured are L1A1 Blank and 7.62 Nato when describing a cartridge always in addition to a photo and whether it is rimmed rimless or semi rimmed, give a length from base to mouth and an approximate mouth diameter -approximate is just that, for example 7.62mm russian is actually .311in (7.89mm) the same as the British .303in. A good starting reference for cartridges is www.quarry.nildram.co.uk.

The larger one is 7.62mm Nato and the L1A1 blank is a 5.56mm

It's not that bad -at least we can all walk off at any time -it certainly a long way from Hellmand:-(

I scaned a few pics from an old tanks illustrated book -nearly 30 years out of print -I'm getting really old! Showing a staged photo of a Southern command jeep (from the fighting in the Bersheba area 1948) showing 2 MG34s mounted on a standard local manufactured mounting. Second shows a improvised truck armoured car mounting MG34 in ball mount- the same mount was used in M3-M5 half track co drivers visor, note the No4 T rifles and Handi talkie radio set Third photo of a Tel Aviv parade (probably independence day) 1953, not imediately apparent is the MG37(t) (similar to 7.92 Besa) as a A/A mount- whether these tanks used besa in the co-axial and hull mount i don't know.

Possibly it was threat specific to a particular type of mine- or perceived threat of a mine- in WW2 the germans spent alot covering AFVs with ribbed zimert paste to counter a none existant Russian magnetic A/T mine, based on the logic that if "we have one so will they". As to curent anti mine technology -they are anti IED electronic devices supposedly deployed on vehicles in Afghanistan but whther it is based on a system that you refer to is for good reasons not in the public domian. Steve

SAAB J29 tunnan (Barrel) AKA Flying barrel.

If you use the search facility at the right top side of screen -write in A.F. Budge and you'll get quite a few references to the Budge collection (In brief it went into administration ie went bust in 1996). regards Steve

In the period 1945 to 1967 the Israeili used many ex Wehmacht weapons. In the first instance they received/obtained surplus weapons from Europe by various method. for example they obtained with the compliance of the Czech (pre 1948 Cummunist takeover) Avia fighter aircraft, these were ME109 airframes with Junkers (licence built) motors. They also received from the Czechs numerous types of ex Nazi small arms (MG34-37t, 26-30t machine guns were common), by 1950 the standard rifle in Isaeli service was the Kar98 with No1 mk3 as reserve. These Kar98 were re-tubed to 7.62 x52 nato in the late 1950s. The most enigmatic purchase attempt by Israel was in 1949 of a number (about 80) of 7.5cm Pzjg Hetzer. As to the P4s it is unlikely that any were automotively intact when the Israelis took the Northern Golan in the last two days of the 1967 war. Many were those tanks knocked and abandonned during the early 1965 War of the Waters- and some of the 1965 war vehicles were still in place after the 1973 war, the Israeli Army used to take tourist groups to see them in the DMZ for financial contribution - it was ironic to see " all tourist pay" signs on the wire next to restricted signs dealing with mines and use of cameras. Any use of P4 would be similar to the odd Centurion, M50, T34 and IS tanks used a strong points, only Cents, M50 and t34 retained their weapons as ammunition was available. most of the few shelters made from P4s would be used for farm shelters by crop pickers -often Arabs. Steve

If it's British it will always have a PC swing on it:shocked:, however one mueum in Suez has a photo of a T34/85 captioned "tank abandoned by the retreating english":wow: and as far as I know the british never used T34s:undecided: Steve

Jim Rae Probably not this yard, but one of the scrapyards had several Churchills on it - I even saw images of an FT-17 Not in Afghanistan -it was Iraq, while two Ft17-18 were found in an Afghan dump AFIAK no Churchills ever got to Afghanistan, whereas Iraq had them as their tank cadre when the British left in !949. There were at least 2 complete Chuchills in the Iraq army historical collection whan the Americans arrived in 2003 in addition there was a turret on a stand which had been used as a test target. All were mk7.

Hi Eddy Pirbright is South of the M3 near where it bisects the A322 bounded by B3015 A322 A324 B3012, you may know other camps in this area- Deepcut the RAMC Staff college, pirbright camp and of course the Pirbright ranges share an overfire with the Bisley centre. There will be a little stuff hanging around, but it has been well picked over in the last 30years. It is a closed range for no other reason than even when not in use it is the safety area for bisley. Steve

Yes it is an improvised Israeli military truck from the 1948-49 era (not used in the 1956 war) remember the Eygptians moved into southern Israel territory around the Gaza strip during the fighting in 1948 and left behind several AFVs including MK6 and M22 light tanks, no doubt they captured Israeli equipment. The fighting ranged around various desert areas in the South and around the Mediterianan and Red Sea coast. Eygptian museum are not that good regarding modern history- politics can get in the way! Steve

I think you're thinking of a Nuffield A13 Mk2 same turret as an A10 but with Cristie suspension and a liberty engine. photo from the.shaddock.free.fr There seems to be only one A10 in existance today A10 CS at bovington 2 A9 one at Bovington one in Ahmednagar.

Thought that might be expected. When I first saw it I thought a Chinese T69-2 fitted with a 100mm smooth bore similiar to soviet U5T of the T62, possibly an ex ROF trials vehicle (used to develop the 105mm package), exotic I thought however after getting permission to examine it more closely it turned out to be a standard T55 the fume extractor had been dislodged by a missile. Just shows how easy it is to see something that isn't there.

thanks Adrian pretty bad then? Steve

So how much of this A10 is left? Further does anyone have a photo of the early model A12 hull that was on pirbright that they might like to share. Steve

Pretty sure the thing in the right foreground is a Centurion rather than a Conqueror. The Cent chuck port is visible on the left side of turret its on the right side on a conq. dont think you missed anything else of significance although there is a saracen too. Steve

doesn't matter it's all good stuff and at least it's still relevant to the Warsaw pact sub forum,- thanks for the information re the BMP internal fuel tank capacity. Steve

could be they placed a bedford cab wing etc onto a ford chassis, however not that what's written in books is necessarily accurate but Tank Scandal has it as a Bedford so probably the photo has that on the back.

most likely Bedford MSC or 2nd choice Bedford ML, with civilian wheels

It's designation is a T40 light tank, however I can't be sure if it is genuine or is a well made movie copy.-the rear idler seems high but otherwise looks correct.