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Deathwing

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  1. Got one of these and trying to find out if it works. We noticed it has 2 power sockets - does it need both powered to go or not? We had a cable to power 1 socket but that didn't seem to make it do anything. If anyone has any cables that fit these let me know!

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  2. Outboard shaft of steering box put disc brake & fit disc caliper was also suggested as an idea.

    However, I've discovered the issue is that this counts as a modification, which means the vehicle then requires new approval from VOSA or a similar entity (alongside disclosure of any modification to the insurer) which is probably a non-starter or very hard to get.

    So we have the odd situation that it is safest not to make a modification to improve safety because that could invalidate the vehicle approval or be an issue itself in the event of an accident. At least I tried!

  3. We are thinking about attempting this, for general increased safety. I was curious if anyone has done this before and knows the best way about it?

    We considered trying to upgrade the braking system to a more modern FV430 system e.g. Bulldog, but (a) it looks like that might require replacing the engine and other bits as well, and (b) not sure Bulldog parts are on the market yet?

    Another option we are considering is a bit more creative. Big rubber pads above the tracks and a piston to push them down onto the rubber track pads (like a giant car brake) if the emergency stop brake is pushed. If someone has installed a secondary braking system in an FV432 before though, it would be great to know how they did it!

  4. The TV system (TV/Soundbar) in my FV432 frequently either has the sound drop out or the picture goes then comes back a few seconds later.

    We padded around the back to reduce vibration impact and used bungee rope to keep it reasonably in place. Going to try replacing the HDMI cable.

    If anyone has a TV setup in their tracked vehicle I'd be interested to know how it was done!

  5. FV432 ARMOURED PERSONNEL CARRIER - RADIO DISTRIBUTION UNIT
    Box No 1 Mk 1 Unit
    F.V. 494582
    Serial No 352
     
    I have two radio distribution power boxes for an FV432 armoured personnel carrier. Bought as an accidental purchase recently from MOD auction. They are untested; I assume they work but they are being sold without any warranty as to functionality as I have no easy means to test them. If you have means to test them you are welcome to come and test them before purchasing! Alternatively, if you purchase them then find they do not work I will accept them returned within 30 days for a full refund less postage cost. XMod sells untested radio distribution boxes for £780 so I'm looking for around £100 for the well-used one and £200 for the pristine condition one, including delivery to you via Parcelforce. Let me know if they are of interest!

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  6. If you're in active service I imagine your FV432 has been upgraded/modernised unlike mine. Assuming REME is correct that means any dangerous asbestos would have been removed. You might still have some in brake bands etc but that's a lot safer than loose fibres flapping about the engine bay like they used to.

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  7. I was told that the engine heat shielding was indeed asbestos. There's also asbestos in the engine itself I believe (as marked with a big red "A" on it). 

    On a side note we had the asbestos removed from ours (and replaced with a modern equivalent) and I did an asbestos test in the vehicle interior. They found 1 hair or strand or whatever they call it but they couldn't confirm whether it was asbestos or something else and said in any case it was below the risk threshhold (i.e. safe).

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  8. I finally found a company that supplies NBC filters for military vehicles/nuclear applications who would be willing to manufacture smoke filters to fit the FV432. The pressure drop is 300pa and the fan should cope with this. The only catch is they are 1250 euros a unit with a minimum order of 20 units.

    So I thought I would post here to ask if anyone is interested in purchasing some. I don't want 20 myself so I won't place the order unless I know I can sell at least 16 units at cost price or otherwise find a way to split the cost. I suspect no one other than me is interested in this wacky venture but it doesn't hurt to ask. If you want to Putin-proof your FV432, let me know! :)

  9. Hi Bob. Sure, that would be great. A photo of them would be helpful if possible, as I have the external air filters but apparently there can be a second filter stage which does particles for NBC which I am told is out of production these days!

  10. We embarked on a project of getting the NBC system working in an FV432 however am told the NBC in an FV432 doesn't actually work. It looks from the manual like they used to have inner particulate filters but no longer do. We are looking into possibilities to get NBC functionality and I thought I would post here and see if anyone has any constructive thoughts? 

  11. Dear All

    I had people asking if they could hire me to take them to proms etc in an FV432 so I asked the council (private hire licensing) and they asked the DVSA which wrote back to them apparently claiming that FV432s are not permitted on the roads, i.e. not road legal. Rather makes me wish I had never contacted the council! Given that numerous people drive FV432s on the roads without issue and the media/Google research all says they are road legal providing they are road registered, does anyone have any legislation they could point me to which confirms they are legally permitted on the road? The full text from the council is below:

     

    The registration number indicates the vehicle concerned is a FV432 armoured personnel carrier.

     Assuming this is correct the vehicle width of 2.8m would exceed the 2.55m maximum for C&U.

     Other reasons where the vehicle may not meet C & U requirements

     Regulation 18 – Brake efficiency

     Regulation 16 schedule 3 – Braking system

     Regulation 54 – Silencers

     Potentially because of the increased width the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989, in particular the positions of the front lamps, rear lights and reflectors  

    Following further questions I raised the DVSA has advised as follows:

    Unless the vehicle has been modified the width, braking system, lights and exhaust system would not meet the C&U or lighting regulations, therefore cannot be used on the road.

     The Road Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) (General) Order 2003 (STGO) allows wider vehicles to be used, but I don’t believe there is a category within those regulations to cover this vehicle.

     Just because a vehicle is taxed doesn’t mean it meets C & U regulations.

     I can only give this as a general opinion as I haven’t seen the vehicle.

    I then further enquired whether it was possible for the vehicle to undergo an assessment to demonstrate whether it complies with the relevant regulations and received the following response:

    No a tracked vehicle is exempt from MOT testing, I think the only course of action would be to apply for an individual vehicle approval (IVA) but that is highly unlikely to be granted if the vehicle fails to meet C & U

    It would therefore appear that, at present, your vehicle is unlikely to be permitted to be used on the roads, either as a licensed vehicle or for your own private purposes.

  12. I have to confess following advice I recently greased the tracks of my FV432 - not where the wheels run but where the links join and rub between each other at the sides and on the sides of the teeth where they run in the links. The internet is confusing as there are articles on soldiers greasing their tank tracks. The plan was to reduce wear (as the wear is visible in the shiny metal).

    However, I got a friendly telling off as someone in the industry told me I shouldn't do that as it actually increases wear with grit sticking to the grease. I am now facing 5+ hours removing grease, so before I embark on that adventure I thought I'd just double check on here if grease is indeed a bad idea, i.e. should I go ahead and remove it all again?

    If it makes any difference, the vehicle is exclusively driven on road (I don't drive it on fields/off-road).

  13. Unless the DVSA reply to me otherwise then (I have emailed them as they don't often answer the phone) I will keep someone with me as tank commander on trips just in case.

    I'm puzzled why it could be considered dangerous not to have a commander in an APC though but it's safe to drive HGVs and PCVs without a commander on board? I don't know about the bigger/turreted tanks, but FV432s are not far off driving a loaded van. Having driven both artics and APCs like you John, I find APCs are decidedly easier to maneouvre!

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