andym

I think that Alvis Stalwart owners might be interested too! Andy Figure G22.pdf

I did wonder that, but if people don't complete their "location" field ... 🙂 Andy

Jobell Engineering in Cornwall have re-rubbered several FV430 wheels for me. The prototype pair has now done over a hundred miles on the road without incident. They will need a decent or new one to make a mould. Andy

I agree and it's precisely why I think the DSA regulation I stated above is wrong. I can see their point about poor visibility, so perhaps in that case they should allow a "commander" during the test as you would when driving normally. Either that or take the test off-road, as I did with SVT in Norfolk. Andy

It will have to be registered, taxed and insured if you use it on the road. Andy

There's some confusion about the use of military vehicles for H tests, as the gov.uk website says: Category H - tracked vehicles Category H vehicles must have adequate all-round visibility to let the driver carry out manoeuvres and deal with junctions safely. Any vehicle needing a second person to help with observation, such as a military vehicle, cannot be used for a category H test. This strikes me as rather daft, surely it makes sense to take the test in the type of vehicle you intend to drive? Andy

Are you sure of the polarity of the connections? Normal MOD policy seems to be positive on Pin A, negative on Pin B. I've never seen it the other way round but stand to be corrected. Andy

It's essentially a summary of what went on in the various defence research establishments that eventually became DERA (and then DSTL/QinetiQ) up until 1990. It's pan-environment, there's a chapter on Armoured Fighting Vehicles and another on Ground based Air Defence, others on radar, command systems and thermal imaging, for example. Andy

"Cold War, Hot Science", a very interesting set of essays on MOD post-war research.

It looks as though it's from a Mk.1 FV432. The lower three gauges would be gearbox temperature and front and rear generator ammeters. Andy

Definitely a wonderful garden ornament! Andy

I'm not sure whether to put this here or the Classifieds section, but I'm after a heater matrix for an RB44. Mine is leaking and although I could just remove the failed matrix and wait to get it repaired, I'd prefer to have another ready to go straight back in. It doesn't need to be pristine as I'd have it pressure tested and checked over anyway. Andy

I just came across this and wondered if it may open any further avenues of exploration? https://www.deeperdorset.co.uk/torpedoes-running/ Andy

If you're charging a Hawker battery it's essential to use a smart charger designed for AGM batteries or you'll kill it. Andy

The current UK standard for diesel (BS EN590) is a maximum of 7% FAME. The main problem with FAME so far seems to the "diesel bug" where bacteria form on the diesel/air surface and lead to clogged filters. The effect is worse for vehicles that are sat unused for long periods, which us why it was first noticed by the boating community. I know several FV432 owners who have found the collector tank filter to be completely clogged. It seems that brake cleaner is the best solvent for cleaning the filter. Andy

Speedy Cables will do a good job but they aren't necessarily all that speedy ... 😉 Andy

They can be tow started but I'd be inclined to check that the engine is free to rotate first in case the starter motor pinion has jammed. Andy

Unfortunately then, it sounds like a pack out job to change the starter motor. 😞 Andy

The batteries are a bit low, should be nearer 28V if fully charged. However, if the battery volts aren't dropping noticeably when you operate the starter switch it sounds as though the starter motor isn't taking any significant current. That would suggest a duff starter motor, but only 20V at the junction box worries me a bit. It might be worth opening the DLB and checking the state of the starter relay in the lid. It looks like a cobbled-on afterthought, mainly because it is! (A modification to protect the starter switch from the higher solenoid current of the later type of starter motor). Andy

Is that 20V with the starter motor plugged in? What happens to the 28V across the batteries when you press the starter switch? Andy

If no-one on here has one it's worth trying a Freedom of Information request to the MOD. Andy

There are people on this forum better qualified than me (I'm an FV430 man) but I think you need the Scorpion User Manual, Army Code 60960. The title is misleading as it's actually CVR(T) in general and there's a Spartan-specific supplement at the end. Andy

I think that's called coming to terms with reality? Andy

What does the manual say? 😉 Andy

"Periscope, Sighting, AFV Mk.2" I'm sure someone on here will recognise it. Andy