andym

From the Illustrated Parts Catalogue for CVR(T), 1095-99-820-5398 is Cap, Discharger, Smoke Grenade; Rubber, 3in OD x 0.060in Nom Wall Thick. Note that this is for a No.12 Mk 2 launcher, but there also seem to be Mk 1s mentioned. Perhaps both types have been fitted but the cap only fits the Mk 2? Andy

... and the cooling system has big hinges above the crew compartment? :cool2: Andy

In a way, this seems fitting and sympathetic timing: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12037973 Andy

I don't know about the caption, but shouldn't this be in the Recovery thread? Andy

This seems pretty definitive: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cold%20enough%20to%20freeze%20the%20balls%20off%20a%20brass%20monkey.html I like the reference to CANOE at the end .... :cool2: Andy

Lee beat me to it! Note that (as far as the Norfolk Chief Test Examiner is concerned anyway), "resilient material between the rims of its weight-carrying rollers and the surface of the road" means rubber pads on the tracks. It's a standard question for the H test. The 1960 Act would have allowed you to do 12 mph if you had sprung suspension but no pads, but unfortunately you're now limited to 5 mph. Andy

Going back to the track question, there's no real point in swapping to 430 track unless you're worried about vehicle speed. As all H Group licence holders should know(!), steel tracks are allowed on the public highway but are limited to a maximum of 5 mph. Rubber pad tracks have a speed limit of 20 mph. Andy

FV432s always had provision for a diesel-powered crew heater, but I've only seen them in some of the late 432s that were reconditioned by Bovington. You can spot them by the exhaust (with caution notice) behind the external air filter panel. As Chris says, a manual is your friend, but the ventilation system should fire up using the big black knob adjacent to the fan motor, just behind the bulkhead that's behind the Commander's right shoulder. Andy

As a late one it may also have the "optional" internal heater, which might be useful! Andy

It's OMD90 above -15 Celcius, OMD55 below that. There's been an ongoing discussion here on HMVF about a civilian equivalent for OMD90, but basically it's a semi-synthetic 10W/30 heavy duty diesel oil. Morris Lubricants suggest their Super Versitrac 10W/30 is suitable and that's what I'll be running my 432 on in future. The gearbox level should be checked cold, on level ground. Open the air inlet louvres and raise the radiator. The dipstick has two marks, minimum and maximum, and the level should be kept at the maximum mark. The filler is the hexagon-headed plug near the dipstick. Hope that helps! Andy

Unfortunately there's a good chance that the STOVL variant of JSF will either be cancelled or unaffordable, the two things being linked. Hence the interest in catapults for the carriers. There's an interesting discussion here on the pros and cons of keeping Tornados rather than the Harriers: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11997084 Andy

Off to Withams then? :cool2: Andy

Don't forget to check the engine governor oil level while you're about it! :cool2: Andy

Some more information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sturgeon_(73S) Interesting that in those days they referred to "First Group" rather than "Batch One" which we'd say today. Andy

This is presumably relevant to the recent confusing discussion about British AFVs in "Southampton"? Andy

That probably depends on who the present is for! :cool2: Andy

I've seen that one before - isn't it on a paintball site somewhere? Andy

Please also note the "Don't clog our postrooms with kindness" link on the front page of www.mod.uk! Andy

In fact I'd strongly advise against disconnecting the 6V battery, as it's the only thing that's stopping the 12V battery from frying the 6V electrics! Andy

There's a growing problem in the UK with uninsured drivers due to the cost of car insurance, especially for males under 25. The cost of insurance usually exceeds the value of the vehicle so many just don't bother. Of course, when they're involved in an accident there's only one place the money can come from - the driver who is insured, so insurance premiums keep rising and generate a vicous circle. The other problem is cloning, where someone takes an uninsured and untaxed vehicle but copies the number plates from a legal vehicle. They're unlikely to be detected unless someone has reason to examine the VIN or tax disc properly. It also means that the owner of the legal vehicle gets clobbered for any speeding or parking fines! Years ago it was possible to get any number plates you wanted made up by a supplier, but these days you have to have official paperwork to do so. Andy

Was that the one with electric motors in the wheel hubs? Andy

... or the "device formerly known as"? :cool2: Andy

Yes, about five or six inches in the garden here in Portsmouth, but melting now ... Andy

Let me know how you get on! Andy

Exactly - hence my thanks earlier on. Vehicle now duly SORNed! Andy