ChasSomT.

Harry, thanks for that! We haven't taken it out since before Chrimbo, it needs a good clean and a 'grease-up'. I think we will just put up with it for now, and see if it gets worse. We did a lot of miles that day, so maybe things got hotter than it was 'used to' ! It probably had more use and less maintenance in the time since bought and Chrimbo, than it had in the last few years of Service life. We shall see, life is a 'learning curve' ! Cheers, Chas.

Thanks chaps, next time we 'play' I've got a few ideas of what to look at. Chas.

Just me 'Worrying', but if you hit a bump, 'Sleeping policeman' etc. when the first rear axle hits it, you have got two tonnes bending the chassis at the point the 'walking beam' attaches to it - the counterweight at the front, and the Hiab at the back. Anyone else care to comment?

Ace 1 - Tell me to mind my own, you obviously know what you are doing, excellent progress so far, BUT why have you stuck the Hiab behind the rear axle? I know you have put a 1 Tonne 'counter'weight behind the cab, but when you lift anything, it's weight, and the counter weight will be trying to bend the chassis over the axles, surely? Just my gut engineering feeling, I am no crane/lifting gear bloke, but that's what it looks like to me. Have you got a specific reason to rear mount the Hiab? The original Ford D Series installation has got it between the axles, I know it is up close behind the front axle, but that is still between them, and it doesn't need a 1 tonne counterweight to be carried everywhere you go! I know the Hiab has stabiliser legs. Just my 2 penceworth, I hope you don't mind Chas.

Just a thought, is there a reason that recent British AFVs are 'Left Hand Drive'? Daimler, Dingo, Ferret, Saladin and Saracen, all have the driver central in the vehicle, like most modern MBTs. But 432 family are 'Right hand Drive' and CET (If the dozer blade is the front!) CVR(T) and Warrior are Left Hand Drive, and I believe Saxon was available in both Left and Right Hand Drive versions Is it purely for hoped for Export sales reasons?

My grandparents lived the other side of the Wye from Rotherwas, not until a long time after WW2 though. Apparently, German bombers on the way back from an aborted raid on The Midlands, flew over, and at least one bomber jettisoned it's bomb load, right on the factory, just as shifts were changing - Many were killed. I am sure there is an account of this somewhere, but I'm sorry, I have no more information. Thought someone might be interested. Chas.

Yebbut, a Saracen isn't a Goods Vehicle, so, 'Logically'(?) you 'shouldn't' need a LGV licence for it. I take the point that since a few years ago, the weight limit you could drive on a car licence went down though. First, we need to find the Powers that be's classification of the vehicle - I realise that could jeapordise present owners, so I will shut up. It's a 'pity' they are not in current service, we could find out what licence someone passing their test in one would be issued with! Mind you, I can remember when RLs went from 3 to 4 tonners, so drivers then were issued with HGV class 3 licences under 'Grandfather's Rights' ! (and Stollies were class 2)

I drove Saracen/Saladin and Ferret in the R.Y. and wouldn't have given it a thought to drive one now with us Both as civvies! Lads who took their tests in them found they had a licence for an Automatic car (Which I always thought was 'odd' - A definition of an Automatic gearbox I saw, was "One in which there was no means to vary the engine revs to road speed - which of course you Can do with a pre-select gearbox!) My opinion is they are all 'Heavy Motor Cars' but I suppose that classification no longer exists! If as has been written above, recent new licence holders can drive 6 seater minibuses, I would say a car licence would cover it! Any 'Grey area' that exists has been created by ill thought out recent legislation IF ANY ! Chas. (IKBA and Bar)

Thank you for that, ferret fixer, a relatively quick and easy way to test brake adjustment. I will try that, next time we have a 'play'! Chas.

Thank you Clive. I just wasn't seeing anything to say my message had been sent. In fact it been, about 10 times! Doh! (Off to stand in the corner, wearing the pointed hat!)

Yes, I suppose it could be the Right brake 'dragging'. Would it get 'worse' the faster it went? I thought it went well (for its weight!) but then, I've got nothing to compare it to, the last tracks I drove was on my Army test, in a Spartan, 25 years ago! We'd better get some books and look at setting up the brakes. Thanks all, for your help. Chas.

How do I reply to a private message? I have tried for half an hour with no success!

Thank you for your replies, much 'food for thought' there! Robin Craig, I have tried to reply to your pm, but don't seem to be able to post! Let me know if anything has come through, if it hasn't, pm me your e-m@il address and I will send that way, with pictures.

Aimed at anyone with experience of maintaining 432 family , Owners, 'FV434 Instructor' maybe- If the vehicle 'pulls' to the Right, pulling more the faster you are going, is it the Right track that needs tightening? I've been 'pondering' this for nearly a month now (The weather has meant no driving) Am I right in thinking that there is less 'resistance' in the Right track, so the vehicle 'pulls' that way? It is the theory I am trying to get my head round. Or could it be the extra weight of the two roof mounted generators on the right side of the vehicle causing the 'pulling'? Got any ideas, anyone? Chas. (IKBA and Bar, but having loads of FUN!)

When I log in, I get the 'welcome, re-directing' message, then a new screen that tells me I have not logged in ! Help!

When I took my group h test (in the TA) in a Spartan, I am sure we were never told about the 20MPH limit on tracked vehicles (with suspension and roadwheels) It's quite hard to find, but it's there - Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (c27) Schedule 6 Part 111 Doh! We live and learn, dammit!

Had a wonderful 4 - 5 hours yesterday, 'playing' with the 439. I think we've got the gearchange 'sussed' ! About half of the Army's diesel gone now, but that's still 45 Galls. left (Isn't it?) Got some pictures, but the owner's got the memory card at the moment, and I forgot to get the hull No. for Dougy- Doh! One thing for you experienced in 432s, I read that they pulled to the left, but my experience is the opposite, and the faster I went, the more it pulled to the Right! Won't this wear out the Left brake, if it is constantly applied? Is there any adjustment we can make in the gearbox to compensate for this, or is it because of the serious 'top weight' on the right of the vevicle on this version? Oh, and we've got the whole Service History from Chetwynd for it !

Dougy I have just read through this thread again - fascinating! My mates 'Message centre' 439, 05FA53, is still on Withams website, with pictures http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicle/,37,/23166/FV_439_Tracked.htm The interior shot shows the two teleprinters, one on the right just inside the door, facing back, and the other further in facing left, on the left. The sales blurb says 'Direct from Service', complete with equipment INCLUDING 2x diesel generators, Electronics etc. So we hope the Onans still have their sump plugs and oil filters , we will see! My mate has managed to get it registered, Historic vehicle Tax Free, 'H Reg.' The DVLO chap asked its weight, 'Ooh, 15 tonnes . . .' 'Ah, I will put it down as an 'EARTHMOVER' then ! Army bridge Classification is 19, but I expect it has lost a bit of kit. I will take my camera next time, and will try and get the hull No. and makers plate. Anything else you want a picture of, let me know. My mate needs me - I have got group h on my licence, he hasn't! (Not that I have ever driven one of these, and he has!)

No Dougy, I don't have any pictures! My imagination, I'm afraid. Thanks for the video

Thank you both, Stone and schliesser92. (I Did find your previous post on the Onans, but I enjoy being spoilt!) Our 'Control Sigs. knew about BIDs, I did see a few, but that's as far as it went! Thanks lads Chas.

Cheers, I will have a look! I've only seen the vehicle once, and didn't get to look at the Gennys, so I don't even know what they look like. Chas.

For putting a 'Trip-flare' on, IIRC (Not 100%)

My mates 439 (Message Centre) has the two Gennys on top, presumably the Onans (They have the screw-on silencers) Has anyone got a link to any Instruction book for the Onans? While I'm here, I'm fascinated as to how these vehicles were used. I've got images of the three types parked together, Onans roaring away, loads of cables joining everything together. Was each Onan 'just' charging it's 'own' battery, or were each vehicles Gennys linked together, to share the load? (Or were all three vehicles 'Linked' powerwise? That would mean a common 'Board', with each genny being 'phased' as it was 'Put on the Board' - sounds a bit complicated to me!) As was said earlier in the thread, a fascinating subject, all in itself! Cheers, Chas.

Yeah, I read that! Makes me laugh, convoy/blackout douses the lot except the amber beacon. Must remember to unplug that, offroad.

Cheers!