plainmilitary

Hello Steve Thanks to Andy I have a full spec sand blaster version (ASTAN) up as well for you. The 206 is a rare one for me, not to many of these about. Tony

Well done Steve, you spotted the deliberate mistake HEHE. I didn't have a picture of a front shot of the Viking RRV so thought I would stick a standered one on. was hopeing no one would notice, how wrong can one man be.... Replacement now posted.. Tony

Behind all great Military vehicles is a greater recovery and repair vehicle. With-out these guys and gals around most Armies would soon come to a grinding halt. The following pictures are all modern British and cover all the current stock of tracked R&R. MLRS - RV. CRARRV. Warrior MCRV. Warrior MRV ® FV434. Samson. Viking- RRV. BV206 - RRV Tony

Just a few of my pics. The following pictures were all taken in 2009, They were all part in Ex Recovery Anvil. The Regiment is 6BN CS REME based in Tidworth, along with the four Fodens were two Warrior RVs, four CRARRVs and a mix of Toyota pick-ups and Land Rovers. The whole Ex is based around the next step for the rookies, after all the class room work is done they then move into the field. We spent three days with the guys as they went through the different recovery procedures for the different vehicles. The recovery aids ranged from your bog standard 110 LR right throught to the more heavier Cheiftain MBT, CHARV, Centurion ARV, CVR(T)s and Trucks. What you see in the pictures are the training aid team placing the wrecks in there recovery positions. There were about ten different types of recovery for the guys to get there teeth into. Sunken FV432, Cheiftain on its turret, CHARV tipped in ditchs and many more.

New to the British Army, much much larger than the old Foden. Tony

Eddy, If it were that easy I would have one hell of a collection. We can always go over and have a look if you want. I think one of the stops planned for this years Plains weekend is down at the bombard area again.

Did't give Trojan a thought. Well solved that man......

Paul you is the man mate. Sounds a great collection and will look awesome with-in the convoy. I know we have a few truck drivers with us on the team Bonk, Steve and Spanner are all HGV drivers if you need drivers....

I don't think so but you never know. Can't say I have seen one with double block tracks. I know the CRARRV has had a revamp but that is far bigger than the Terrier. I will post a CRARRV up for you, it could be that you saw. Tony

Hello agripper, not knowing to much about the CET, but I'm sure it's a one off piece of kit. The engine might be shared with other AFVs but I think thats about it. FV1604A, you are more than welcome mate. Tony

Just a few more CET pics. Taken in 2005 and all part of one of the biggest Battle Groups seen on the SPTA. Tony

I do have a few more pics from of the ranges, West and center. I will dig out the discs one day. I know what you mean about getting hold of one, West down no longer deal with wreck recovery, I think it has all been passed over to Bovington TM. Thankfully some good people have maneged to rescue a few of the old bits of kit from certain distruction. I would be very interested in knowing what happened to the 6 WW2 German Artillery guns. According to a small booklet writen by Mark Khan, there were 3x 105 (15cm Schwere Feldhaubitze 18) and 3x 105 (Schwere 10cm Kanone 18). The guns were layed out in a simulated battery position. Tony

Here you go then, not the best quality but you get the idea.. There are loads more wrecks down in the bombard area but these one's are with-in easy reach with the 200mm lense. Hope you enjoy. Tony

Defo the bombard area just up from V9 Bustard site. This was one of the area's we visited on the last Plains weekend. There used to be a Sherman hull in there a few years ago. Was down there back at Christmas and it had gone. There are a few more wrecks in there now as the west range wreck seems to be moving to the centre. The wrecks with-in the bombard are Chieftains, Centurions, I think M48s, some FV430 veriants and a saracen. I will big some pics out and bore you with them if you want.. Tony

Hello John, It's always sad to find out that these local vehicles have been scrapped. We never got to see them very often. I have some pics of LWC CETs here somewhere, I think the pictures were taken around the same time. As like most total new builds, the Terrier is having a few minor problems here and there. Most of the trials work is almost complete and from my view point, it's a monster of a vehicle. I have watched this machine dig through solid chalk and flint as if it were sand, the power it amazing. It's like a little Swiss army knife unlike it's bigger brother the Trojan which is a massive Swiss army knife. Can't wait to see this vehicle in service..... Tony

Hope you don't mind me sticking these snaps up for you. They were taken at the RETA at Perham Down back in 2005 I think. The vehicle was part of 22 Regiments arsenal. The last three pictures are of the new Terrier. Thought you might like to have a gander at what will be replacing the poor old CET. The vehicle in the snaps is a SP VRN so still an on going project. Terrier Tony

Rich, It has been mentioned that a guy who writes for both CMV and MMI is interested in doing us an article for this event. I will be contacting a few freinds with-in Soldier magazine to see if they are willing to plug us a page or two as well. There are a few other idea's in the pipeline but we are staying stoom about them for the time being. Tony

I have just got an email back from the Parish council at Wootton Bassett. If we run with this idea we will be working with Ann from the WBPC. Basicly she has asked how may would like to visit the town? would we like members from the council in attendance? would we like Royal British legion members to be there? last but not least, would everyone want to lay a wreath. I have been giving this much thought today and I have come up with one more idea for this convoy. Not sure of the lagistics of it at the moment, but how about we try and get one or two members from as many clubs with-in the UK to come along and posibly lay a wreath? I will be contacting Ann with-in the next few days, if anyone has any idea's or knows of any clubs that might like to show there support for this convoy then please let me know and we can then start putting the plans together. Anyone with the know how in moveing large amounts of vehicles through towns, please get in touch. This should be a corker of a convoy, All I need to get started is some numbers on how many would like to join us and with what vehicles. All era's welcome, tracked I need to consult WBPC. This is a call to arms, our troops make history, we preserve it and support them....... ATB. Tony

Nice one Eddy, any idea what you might be bringing down if you come? We are working on a few more new idea's at the moment, once they are sorted I will post up for all to see. At the moment Imber Village is still going to be open for the August bank holiday, but going on the Easter holiday this can change. Back-up plans are being worked on as I type. I will be posting a list of all the vehicles that will be attending the SPTA bash very soon, there is still of time and room for anyone wishing to come on this weekend. Just a quick re-cap on this weekend. What we have for this year is a new campsite with around 20 acres of grass poddocks. The paddocks are split into two fields, one will be for camping and vehicles, the other will be for our times trials corse and what ever else you wish to do with it. Next door we have a 100 Acre corn field, if this is cut and bailed in time then there will be plenty of room to bring your tracked vehicles along for a blatt out with the rest of the vehicles. At the moment there is one planned drive out, this will be over Salisbury Plain. The drive will start in the West and work it's way to the East. Sadly there will be tracked vehicles on this run. One other drive is being worked on at the moment and will involve your vehicles driving to Wootton Bassett high street. this is not compulsery, if you want to do this then we will go for it. This will hopefully be planned for the Saterday afternoon and will involve us convoying through the town center and the laying of a wreath. We do have a pub near the campsite but we have been asked weather we could all go to the Bustard Inn at Shrewton for the Saterday night. This will only happen if we can get enough trucks together to transport you guys the 20 odd miles. I will be seeing Roy soon and organising the skittle ally and the function room. Sunday will be the SPTA run, not much to say on this. If you have never done this run before then you must give it a shot. The prices for the camping and food will be posted soon, It has been mentioned that we try and raise some much needed cash for H4H. All the best and hope to see some of you at the Raptors Claw weekend. Date are for the last bank holiday in August. Tony Hoare.

Eddy, many thanks mate, you are more than welcome to come along. With comments like that I will make sure Rambo cuts you a bigger bit of cake. I really should say, the biggest thank you should go out to the guys on here. With-out them we wouldn't have the event, the support is just great and makes the whole organising thing so must easyier. Please try and get down for this one, you really do need to try one of Rambo's cakes. ATB. Tony

LMFAO Chris, My LWT has no roof mate so you are not alone. Come to think of it, it's got no engine and raer tube neither. Defo going into the workshop soon, promise..... Tony

True, Chris hasn't even got a roof don't want to mess my hair up

Hello Chris, just back in from a day out on the ranges, I think you may need to drill a few more holes mate. All the snow and rain have taken it's toll on the tracks mate. Still, nothing we can't handle. I will be your co-pilot for the times trials hehehe..

Hello Dave, working on it mate, you and Roys warm beer. Tony

Nice one Younggun, I hope you can get down and join us mate. Over the three years we only had one break down and that was sorted on site and the boys got back home in one piece. What we try to do on this event is give something very different. The whole drive out will be self contained, We will have our own road crossing crews, out riders, MPs, convoy leaders, cooks, Guys with years of machnical experience and if all goes to plan even our own pub on site with skittle alley. Well when I say pub, I mean, a shed full of beer.... Hope to see you soon. Tony