jchinuk

Martyn, According to the UK tank production figures, the Archers (and Valentine DD tanks) were new production, the Valentine tank production stopped in May 1944 and the production of the Archer started the same month. Production of the Valentine DD lasted a little longer, till August 1944, though only a handful each month. The wheels on the TM's Archer seem to match those in the kit, which look like the 'late production' Valentines. Hope this helps. jch

Perhaps I should have said "perceived" improvement? jch

No idea, sadly there is little published on the Archer I'd be happy to follow AA's research, so you might have a point on the use of the MiniArt wheels I assume it was a local fitment by that unit, perhaps they wanted something heavier than a BESA? jch

I think the build details of real Archers requires further research :embarrassed: The problem with the wheels is going to be that currently preserved vehicles are restored (so might any wheels that were to hand during the restoration) or ex-Egyptan (refurbished before export, in the mid fifties). No photos I'm afraid, perhaps the TM could be asked to open theirs up? (Assuming it has an engine anyway) jch

I have this kit, there is no engine, but a transmission, fans and radiators and a complete fighting compartment The interior is quite different to the Valentine, the fighting compartment is open and has to provide space for stowing the ammunition. The real thing was developed in around nine months, so I'm guessing there was not much more to the process than you suggest, mounting the gun and relocating the driver's seat, which is much higher (and he has a sort of roof!) Yes, all SPGs were operated by the RA I'm not sure if the Archer (which was not the official name) was built on old hulls or were all new builds, I suspect the latter. The British Army had these in the inventory till the mid-50s, though both Egypt and Jordan has some, the former providing the ones in Israel. Incidentally, the maker's plate on the vehicles on display in Israel have "Valentine (Carrier)" as the name. The Bronco kit uses the MiniArt hull and suspension, and there are reports of an issue with the MiniArt wheels, Accurate Armour do a couple different styles in resin. Hope this helps jch

Minitanks are available in the UK, here http://www.keaygroup.co.uk/mdr/category.php?id_category=138 Postage probably cheaper jch

I'm old enough to remember when FV432s were nearly 'Trojans'...:-D jch

The effect of helium in tyres...? jch

Lidi (of all places) had a R/C amphibious wheeled vehicle a few Christmases ago, I think it was branded "Dickie", which is a line of German toys. It was in "military" colours, though really an explorer vehicle, but it was not based on any real vehicle I can recall. Just missed one on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOXED-LARGE-DICKIE-RADIO-CONTROLLED-AMPHIBIOUS-CAR-/290503964617 jch

According to a thread elsewhere, it's at A+S in Suffolk, being restored for unnamed (and rich) customer. Apparently has an FV432 engine & gear box. jch

I think the LRs are intended to compliment the Merlin chopper in 1/48th, though modern stuff is rare in 1/48th. jch

It's not Rudolph, it does have a red nose...

Some pictures of Airfix's 2011 release list http://www.airfix.com/2011 The QLs and other recent kits are produced in India! jch

I believe the Land Rover "Funnies" were ex-Beverley. The oddest thing I remember seeing on one of several visits to the collection was a 4x4 Austin Maestro van, it was used as a development 'mule' for the Land Rover Freelander. jch

That is usually for the element of personal cover within the insurance, the insurers calculate that once one of a group of friends gain a license they will be the "driver". There is a statistical link between groups of youngsters in cars and risk taking. Even a relatively minor accident can result in three or four claims for injuries, in a major accident the insurers are looking a covering three or four deaths and punitive damages against the driver. One way of reducing insurance costs is a curfew or fitting a 'spy in the cab' gizmo. jch

I visited the depot at Luggershall back in the early 90s and there was a whole field containing the turretless Fox CVR(W) hulls. The turrets had gone to create Sabres. I was told (at the time) that there was a plan to put ex-FV432 GPMG turrets onto the Fox hulls, but aside from a couple of prototypes nothing came of that plan. I understand that one of the reasons that the 76mm 'Scorpion' turrets were removed was the fumes inside the turret caused by firing the gun, so the turret and gun was effectively useless in service. jch

How true, a car will usually stop at a kerb, the Ferret might not... jch

I must admit I was unaware of Belgian units fighting in the Ukraine, I assume during the Russia civil war? Good photos. jch

There are Cold War tales of the Soviets holding stocks of restored Panthers and Tigers in warehouses ready to use as reserves in the face of a NATO assault. On the basis that some of these would have emerged in the aftermath of the break-up of the old USSR, I suspect these were tall tales. On a more practical level, with the numbers of T-34/T-55s readily available, I can't really see it as a practical plan anyway and would a Tiger or Panther be any more reliable with a Red Star on the side? There are occasional finds in Eastern Europe, perhaps most notably the FW-190 (a winged thing) which was "found" in the location were it made a forced landing in 1944 and has been restored to flying condition and is due to take to the air any time now. Tanks have been dragged from marshes and rivers, though in some cases the wrecks have been known for years, it's just that permissions to extract and access is now possible. This site (which I think is a metal detectorist's site) seems to have details of some of these recoveries, http://www.detektorweb.cz/index.4me?s=show&lang=1&i=28369&mm=2&xb=2&vd=1&PHPSSIDWx=c86fb576e29e85158bbe7762113896f1 jch

Tilt is strictly not a "military" term, it's the canvas cover over the load bed of a truck (not specifically CCKW trucks). It's also used in civilian trucks, though it's an uncommon feature these days (in the UK anyway). The Oxford English Dictionary tells us that tilt is an Anglo-Saxon word for a canvas (or other coarse type cloth) covering, tent or awning. Later in the middle ages it extended to covers for small boats and later still covers for farm wagons. Similar to a tarpaulin. jch

The majority were part of the National Army Museum collection, apparently there are plans for an NAM North (at Catterick I think) which will provide a home for these. Some vehicles and railway items are at Locomotion. More of the railway items, for example Kitchener's coach, are at Chatham Dockyard, under the RE Museum's care. The narrow gauge exhibits were moved to a railway in Lincolnshire (I think). Some of the vehicle exhibits are at the REME reserve collection at Borden (not open to the public) and some vehicles are at Bovington (notably the Churchill Mk.II and Rhino). jch

Being a simple bear, I'm confused, this one is claimed to be "unique" and "the only one in preservation", so how come there is another, albeit in civvy colours? jch

Accurate Armour make excellent kits, but as it says on the box, they are intended for experienced modellers. It's a little unfair to dismiss plastic models as "cheap", a decent Sherman kit (in 1/35th scale) will cost something like £45 - £50 these days. If you are considering having one built, remember that a professional modeller should be charging something like £50 / hour and we are talking 20+ hours to built one of these kits. jch

I was driving along the A127 near Dunton yesterday and there appears to be a AEC Militant FV11008 Cargo Truck for sale. It's parked on a field near the London bound side of the A127 near the Dunton junction, the place seems to sell old plane & machinery. The truck is still in green/black and has a HIAB crane. I did not stop and I could not see a price, but bearing in mind it was some distance away and I was driving it looked in reasonable condition. jch

I hope it's off the Kremlin's target list? jch