andym

Were you at Tankfest Bob? I loved your replica! Andy

Brilliant! I see that US journalists aren't any more accurate than the ones in the UK when it comes to "tank". Andy

Looks to me like it's on its last legs ... :-) Andy

The book says width overall 3.66m or 12' 0". Andy

When at RNEC Manadon in the 1970's one of my friends went to the Plymouth branch of Halfords and asked for an AC battery. The unfortunate assistant looked all through the catalogue but each suggestion was turned down because they were DC batteries. In the end he offered to order us one for collection the next week ... :-) Andy

A special tool of some kind? Andy

Incidentally, to answer the question we were being asked about the Abbot's range, I've just looked at the map. 17km from Bovington puts Dorchester and Weymouth well within range, you could probably have a good go at Ringwood! Andy

Some more dust, courtesy of the ACAVP "plastic tank" ... The MVT contingent in the marketplace area ... And what everyone's engine bay should look like! :-) Andy

Ditto! :-) Andy

Big things, the AS90. You don't quite realise how wide they are until you see something like this. Andy

Is it something to do with buildings? I'm sure I've seen it somewhere but can't remember the circumstances. Andy

I thought the classic reply was "Of course you can't have it - I'm a storeman, so my job is to store things, not issue them! :-) Andy

Ah - thanks Clive, the red corner makes sense now! Andy

The delivery address? Andy

This way up? Andy

I saw the Spy Guard one too this morning and thought it rather inappropriate. Scaremongering and probably completely inaccurate to boot. Andy

One might argue that £41k for a decent unmangled Chieftain is better value than £10k for a Bulldog ambulance with no engine or gearbox! :-) Andy

Hmm - sampled for batch testing, perhaps? Andy

There's a distinct difference between the assembly cost of the individual vehicle and the all-up cost including the original design and testing, so you need to understand exactly what anyone means when they give a "cost". There's also the argument that MOD doesn't help itself by setting odd standards and requirements that don't necessarily increase the value of the vehicle, although they do affect the cost. Many years ago the MOD decided to do an experiment by putting a frigate out to refit in a commercial shipyard. There was an article in a MOD magazine where they told the story of a windscreen wiper blade. The yard rang the manufacturer of the blades and got a quote for price and delivery. A couple of hours later the manufacturer rang back and said "We're confused - that part number is for a blade used by MOD". The shipyard confirmed that's what it was for, whereupon the manufacturer gave a revised quote with increased price and delivery figures. This was quoted as an example of how suppliers inflated costs when dealing with the MOD. In the next issue of the magazine there was a letter from the wiper blade manufacturer, who said that if the MOD were prepared to have exactly the same blade supplied to commercial standards then they'd hold to the original quote. On the other hand if they wanted all the certification, paperwork, packing and other stuff that MOD specified, then MOD would have to pay for it! Andy Andy

Something to do with dropping or crushing, perhaps? Andy

The Withams tender description said "reserve stock" if I remember correctly. Andy

But only if they are legally considered to be a "weapon" :-) All discussions aside, it's nice to see that the guidance has been recently updated (April this year) and now includes what several of us have been told by letter. In the end only the courts can decide, but hopefully it won't ever come to that. Andy

It's a Bulldog, but even so the price seems a trifle excessive without the important bits! I hope they've asked permission to display the Red Cross symbols ... Andy

This subject keeps coming up time and again - try doing a search. In common with several other people I have letters from both the Home Office and ACPO expressing their opinion that smoke grenade launchers are pyrotechnic devices, not firearms. Andy

Thanks - not the one I was thinking of. I'll give him a shout! Andy