andym

Thanks all! Andy

In my experience a proper ANR setup should be better than pure ear defenders - have you tried yours yet? Andy

Can anyone recommend someone with a lowloader who would be able to ferry some FV430s from one location in Devon to another about 30 miles away? Andy

I suspect there's not a lot of actual Ferret in that vehicle at all ... Andy

34V on a 24V system is asking for trouble, expect it to kill off the batteries and blow bulbs too. You should be charging at around 28.5V unless the manual says anything to the contrary. Andy

I've already found a couple of sources thanks, but I'll keep you on record in case they don't come good. Andy

We like simple problems! Andy

As Lauren has said, the Abbot is relatively easy to maintain. BUT - it's important to realise that running and looking after any tracked AFV is nowhere near the same as looking after a car. It will demand time and money to keep it going. Even if it has had the heat exchanger done (who did it and how well?) there is absolutely no guarantee that it won't go again and you'll need to lift two tonnes of engine/gearbox pack to fix it, they're a known weak point on all the FV430s. Think very carefully about what you're letting yourself in for and take someone with you who knows about the vehicle. At very least pull the gearbox dipstick, if there's any sign of "chicken soup" or froth then the heat exchanger is shot. Out of interest, what's this one's military registration? It'll have EB in the middle, I own 08EB10. Andy

It's 17.5 tonne all up with full fuel and ammunition load, 3mpg. Whereabouts is this, out of interest? (And it's not a tank! ) Andy

I'm using that in areas where it can't really be seen, like the engine bay. It gives a good approximation to how the proper aluminium paint looks after it's oxidised a bit. Andy

That's so you can tell it's the correct stuff! It's more aluminium particles in suspension than a normal paint, and starts off very shiny until the surface layer oxidises. Andy

I think that HMVF's Tapatalk feed died some time ago, it hasn't worked for me in ages. Andy

Highway Code Rule 169: "Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass." This was drummed into me as part of the H test and I'm bemused that it surprises anyone, especially a so-called "professional" driver! Andy

I'd have thought that the Kent branch of the MVT might be a good place to start? Andy

A picture is worth a thousand words, and whereabouts in the world are you? Andy

... why not give it a nice knitted jacket? :-) Andy

Ah - thanks Adrian! Andy

I can't speak for private individuals, but a number of the dealers closed their businesses for a short time while their stock was de-activated to the current spec. Talk to someone like Ryton Arms if you want to hear it from the horse's mouth. Andy

Yes, but only if it is deactivated to the current EU spec. Andy

There are two cross-shafts on an FV432/436, one near the driver's feet and another hiding under the plate that the gear lever is bolted to. Andy

That serial number looks right from what I can make out on the photo although the web page identifies it as a Mk.4. It also says "preserved", so where is it, I wonder? Andy

I hadn't really intended to become the SPG Education Officer! :-) Andy

It may have been Okehampton, but it was a l-o-n-g time ago! I'm hoping someone may recognise the vehicle. Andy

During a sort-out I came across this picture of my sister back in February 1974. I'd be interested if anyone knows more about the vehicle in question; the photo was probably shot somewhere in Devon (Plasterdown Camp?), where is it now? Andy

Sometimes it's just the simple things - is the throttle linkage sticking? There's a lot of it with assorted cross-shafts, when was the last time the bearings were greased? Or has the return spring broken or fallen off? Andy