jchinuk

Could be, but looks rather extensive. I remember a fairly 'standard' Chieftain in the film 'Realm of Fire' (standard aside from a ruddy great dragon making it toast!). jh

I have seen CVR(T)s modified for OPFOR use on Salisbury Plain and Suffield, but I've never encountered anything like this, http://shushpanzer-ru.livejournal.com/1519502.html#cutid1 I've tried translating it, but the text gives no details of the location or date, though it appears to have been there for a while. Any ideas or more pictures? Thanks in advance jh

The British Army did borrow a couple of 'S Tanks' from Sweden during (I think) the 80s and trialled them in exercises with the BAOR. Remember at the time the next battle was expected to be a defensive fight in German to slow the Warsaw Pact advance until the Americans could arrive, though doubtless tactical nukes would have been used on both sides. The concept of a low profile tank made sense, more of a self-propelled tank killer than tank in the conventional sense. jh

Finally for today anyway, In rural East Anglia.... Not sure where the rest of the tank is, I think this is ex-Iraqi, but not 100% sure Hope these are of interest. jh

Some more obscure vehicles, not on public display as they were in a secure site, No idea if they are still there, might be donated to a public museum or dispatched to the ranges. jh

Some more ex-Iraqi artillery, at Fort Nelson near Portsmouth, Meanwhile in South East London, And finally, in Essex

Sorry for the borders on the Beverley pictures, these were taken on slide film and scanned. jh

I'm not sure that '715' is ex-Iraqi, the IWM had several ex-Warsaw Pact vehicles. However, there is an Iraqi modified (a set of pipes to direct a smoke screen to the front of the vehicle) Type 69 inside the Land Warfare Hall. However, back in the day, the museum at Beverley had these: As you can see, some items are ex-Iraqi and ex-USMC! I'm not sure where these are as I don't know if they were part of the MoAT collection or owned by the NAM. jh

Thanks very much jh

A couple of years ago I visited a military museum at the Snetterton motor racing circuit, some of the exhibits were ex-Woolwich Rotunda, though sadly still outside. The place appeared to be family run and the entrance and a small display were constructed from some old shipping containers. There were posters suggesting there were extensive plans for the site. Does anyone know of the museum's current status? jh

I must admit I haven't thought this through, but surely a cheap smart phone could do much of what is required? You might need a suitable app, but a phone would seem to have most of the features required if linked to the vehicle battery to keep it charged. jh

I would agree, especially as the script on the winch / capstan is Cyrillic (sp?), so I assume that is Russian. I also think that the 'four rings' without the script was introduced fairly recently, pre-war it had 'Auto Union' written across it. jh

My Dad's Uncle returned from WW1 (he was an armourer in the RFC/RAF) with a Lewis gun, Dad remembers it sat next to the fireplace. It was donated to the local Home Guard (who had no ammunition for it) at the outbreak of hostilities second time around. I have a hand grenade (inert!) that Dad brought back from National Service, plus the tail fins of a German incendiary bomb dropped on Grandparent's house, so that was delivered rather than smuggled! jh

A bit "off the wall" and sacrilege to many, but is a Diamond T... http://www.chromjuwelen.com/de/magazin/blog/21/151988-deichkraft-tri-axle-two-stroke-diesel-godzilla.html jh

Could Priests really fire their main gun on the move? The script felt like it was pinched from an old Western, they (the "Germans") even put their 'tanks' in a circle! jh

Which normally look like this, when "new" anyway jh

There is at least one Churchill Crocodile preserved, albeit without the trailer, at the Muckleburgh Collection, the link to the trailer is still there. I suspect some others have been restored to gun tank configuration and preserved as such. I think the trailers were removed and scrapped, though I cannot understand why? jh

In view of the interests of the folk on this forum, can I propose an "adopt a tank" scheme, along the lines of those "adopt an animal" schemes at zoos? I think my garden could accomodate a C2, I'd be prepared to offer the space rent-free in exchange for letting me drive it a bit! :cool2: jh

The time before Mr. Palin became a traveller! There was also a civilian Model T in that story. The pictures are here, http://palinidle.topcities.com/mikepics/ripyarns/whinfrey/index.html I must be bored this afternoon, other Crossley film stars, In 'The Blue Max' And, In "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" And perhaps most bizarrely, In "Help" Cheers jh

Do you mean this one? Is it the Crossley currently at the RAF museum at Hendon? jh

I have no special insight, but if we are being charitable, it's just possible that the bloke was naive and over optimistic rather than fraudulent. jh

Does anyone know where the Sherman V is located? It looks like a military base. The Chieftain and Type 69 are (or at least are pictured) at the 'Combined Military Services Museum' at Maldon in Essex. The 'Cold War' vehicles and softskins might fall slightly outside the remit of the IWM, though I admit that is open to discussion. The Matador, for example, might be better located next to the Lancaster at RAF Hendon? jh

I'm fairly sure you are correct, it's the second Budge yard (on the old Gamston airfield, backing onto the A1), it's now called 'Retford Airport' these days. I saw the FWD there when they (Budges) had an open day in conjunction with a model show, the highlight was Bob Fleming running his Stug III around the yard, I'm guessing the date is about right. I remember the yard was fully of Stalwarts, as Budge had a plan to convert these to diesel operation, so had bought a stock of Stalwarts. Budge were also touting a diesel conversion for M151s at the time too. I might have some photos somewhere, though probably in film so will need scanning... Hope this helps. jh

From our boys and girls in the Royal Navy, jh

Sadly, the days of numerous surplus shops in the Tottenham Court Road and the Edgeware Road are long gone. Basically I don't think there are any at all. jh