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andym

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Posts posted by andym

    latest dvla problem

    in Legislation, Licenses & Registration

    Posted

    With the greatest respect to all parties - I would suggest that any opinion the MoD express in technical matters isn't worth the breath used to utter it or the paper it is printed on. My dealings with the MoD in years gone by have shown them be a bunch of civil servants who's only interest is in £££'s - not technical/engineering matters.

     

    That's not entirely fair, it depends on who you talk to. If you talk to a paper-pusher you will get a paper-pusher's answer, but don't forget it was MOD civil servants who invented radar, Chobham armour and most of the other military technology we take for granted today.

     

    However, I agree entirely with you on the legislation question. There needs to be an outbreak of common sense for vehicles that can't easily be modified to comply with CUR without completely altering their appearance but are run by competent enthusiasts with a very low annual mileage. Otherwise we'll forever be dodging the latest clever idea from Brussels.

     

    Andy

    MoD cuts

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    What was the last Brit carrier to be fitted with a catapult ? !

     

    The previous Ark Royal, but don't forget who invented the steam catapult in the first place and then handed the idea over to the US ....

     

    Andy

    MoD cuts

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    The CVFs were always designed with conventional aircraft in mind, that's why they're as big as they are. The ship size is determined by the length of flight deck, which in turn is determined by simple schoolboy mathematics given a known takeoff speed and the maximum force you can apply to the airframe without it breaking. The carriers are currently fitted "for but not with" catapults and arrester gear. It would seem rather retrograde in an All-Electric Ship to fit boilers to generate steam for conventional catapults, but will MOD take the risk to go for electric catapults? There's already a UK electric catapult under development, by the way, so we don't need to buy American: http://www.janes.com/news/defence/jni/jni100726_1_n.shtml

     

    Andy

    MoD cuts

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    Whilst Para 2.A.8 talks about reducing Challenger 2s and AS90s, I can't see anything in the SDSR that suggests a decrease in the numbers of FV432s other than overall troop reductions. In fact they're probably needed as a stopgap until FRES (UV) comes along.

     

    Andy

    latest dvla problem

    in Legislation, Licenses & Registration

    Posted

    for my 2p worth- the MOD is in effect the previous owner -not the manufacturer -therefore they might as well say they got the opinion from "Steve down the pub"

     

    These vehicles are probably old enough to date back to the days when MOD was the Design Authority, methinks. But as I said above, it would be interesting to know exactly what advice was sought and given.

     

    Andy

    MoD cuts

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    I suspect the "strategic decision" regarding the new carriers would have looked somewhat different if BAES hadn't been so crafty with the cancellation clauses in the contract! :cool2:

     

    Andy

    latest dvla problem

    in Legislation, Licenses & Registration

    Posted

    My Gut feeling is they have been told not to register MV's do to the current terrorist threats. Current intel is that they are expecting a mombai style attack According the the local Mcr Manpad team.

     

    ... and of course, terrorists would be careful to ensure that their vehicles were fully road-legal before mounting an attack? :nut:

     

    I suggest that the answer is in the statement that "I have been informed by DfT that the Ministry of Defence have advised that the vehicle in question does not meet the full requirements of the Construction and Use Regulations 1986 and the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989." I'd go back to them and ask to see exactly what that MOD advice was.

     

    Andy

    FV430 Exchange Fuel Pumps - Warning

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted

    Where is the pump located on a 434 ?

     

    That's a very good question. I haven't seen one in the flesh, but it's supposed to be bolted to the front of the tank and accessible through a hole in the bulkhead. The pump is identical, but has a different outlet pipe arrangement, which may perhaps explain the different size fitting that was supplied with my pump?

     

    Andy

    FV430 Exchange Fuel Pumps - Warning

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted

    This is a quick word of warning for those fitting exchange fuel pumps to their FV430s. I've been caught out by this and Chas nearly has too, so it's probably worth repeating.

     

    Beware that exchange pumps may either come without the double-ended fitting for the outlet side of the pump, or, as mine did, with the wrong fitting.

     

     

     

    The fitting is the one you can see near the base of the pump in the picture above. I strongly suggest that anyone buying an exchange pump remove the fitting before returning the pump, especially if the supplier wants the old pump back before they send the new one!

     

    Andy

    IMG_1449aw-cropped.jpg

    Fake Barbed Wire

    in MV Chatter

    Posted

    While I abhor the Americanisation of Halloween, I don't quite get the connection between barbed wire and spooks and ghoulies! Unless they supplied REAL barbed wire to keep the little "trick or treaters" off the grounds.

     

    You make costumes out of it. I'm waiting for someone to ban fake barbed wire in case some numpty uses the real stuff instead ...

     

    Andy

    Solo Track-bashing!

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted

    The repair manual contains dire warnings about not disturbing the adhesive between the adjuster bracket and the hull. If you do, you're supposed to ensure that the adhesive facing and paper gasket aren't damaged when the bracket is removed. If it is damaged, there's a long and complicated procedure to replace it, including manufacturing guide studs out of steel bar and a metal pressure plate to clamp the new gasket and araldite to the hull, where it's supposed to be left to set for 24 hours. It all seems somewhat OTT to me and I don't understand what's wrong with just ensuring clean mating surfaces and bolting it all back up.

     

    Andy

    Solo Track-bashing!

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted

    So, out of interest, did you go through the whole brown paper/araldite procedure or just bolt it on? If my seized left-hand adjuster won't succumb to Sharky's lots of heat and grease idea I may end up having to change it ....

     

    Andy

    Solo Track-bashing!

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted · Edited by andym

    Question is it possible to fit the track without the track clamp . If so any tips

     

    regards dan

     

    There's a video on Youtube of someone replacing track on an MBT just using rachet straps, but I wouldn't recommend it. There's enough of the proper tools around - Marcus Glen has been mentioned and I bought a complete CES set of clamps, all three drifts and leaders from Sammy Clarke for around £60 at his recent yard sale. Failing that, seek out a friendly HMVF member with the correct tools!

     

    Andy

    Solo Track-bashing!

    in Tracked vehicles

    Posted · Edited by andym

    A few months ago, I twisted the track adjuster on my 432 while playing in sand... never again.

     

    I'm a bit confused here. What do you mean by "the track adjuster"? If you replaced the axle arm, did you just replace the arm itself or the entire assembly including the bracket that bolts to the hull? I was warned to look for twisted axle arms when buying a 432 as apparently they're quite common.

     

    Andy

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