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43rdrecce

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Posts posted by 43rdrecce

  1. Clive, 

    I would certainly be interested to see that.

    Shirts were made in nine sizes, certainly into the 1950s and early 1960s.

    This was reduced to just four sizes when the wool mix combat shirt was introduced in 1971, sizes 0-3 were issued. Size 3 was around 48" chest. Anything larger than that was a "special measure" and had to be ordered. Outsize garment were usually named to an individual on the label. 

    • Like 1
  2. Z-Kasten accessory box. I think it's this one Jon. Good news is it looks like a standard ammo box externally, presumably stowed on its side. Contained sub assemblies for the the gun. There was an E and V- Kasten too. 

    Screenshot_20200720-214554~2.png

    • Like 1
  3. 4 hours ago, Chris Hall said:

    Ferretfixer may be able to confirm this, but I think that gun has the crackle finish as it’s not an L2A3. It could be a training installation as I think that gun is an L2A2.

    Chris,

    I don't know, the photos show various weapons, L1A1 with SUIT sight, IWS, riot gear etc. Said to have been taken in Northern Ireland but not sure of the location. The captions are a bit vague. 

  4. 1 hour ago, Chris Hall said:

    British contract L2A3s only ever had a Sunc finish and have different markings to the commercial offerings. The serial numbers are also US or UF prefixed rather than the commercial KR or S prefix. Some MOD spares were salvaged from broken up commercial guns (because the commercial gun was not to UK spec) but I believe they were refinished to MOD spec.

    Here is an interesting press photo from a sequence taken in 1972. Crackle finish paint on this L2A3.

    EEBGBA.jpg

    Screenshot_20200522-095116~2.png

  5. 26 minutes ago, Enfield1940 said:

    I believe almost all of them were scrapped sadly.

    This also explains why ex-British military Sterling SMGs are almost non-existent on the UK market. The ones you see for sale are commercial guns sold abroad in the past which have different markings and a different paint finish.

    Seems that is the case. With the Sterling, as you say most have foreign contract serial numbers.

    Not sure about the paint though. The crackle paint was originally on early British Sterlings too. It was removed and replaced with Suncorite in the course of their service life on most if not all weapons.

  6. Chris,

    did any of the Interarms guns enter British service before the cancellation of the FTR programme then? I assume any that did went to the RN/RM, as I understand they were the only users of the L4A3.

    Are ex British guns few and far between? 

    Paul

  7. I believe these are made up from parts bought in bulk. However, it seems that few genuine L4s have ever been released. Maybe a 'bitsa' is the only option.

    Genuine L4A3s were RN weren't they?

  8. 3 hours ago, johann morris said:

    Maybe, just maybe, I am going over the top on the detail but I am enjoying it and it really brings home how cramped these tanks were.

    I wouldn't have wanted to be in this one when it met it's end.

    Destroyed_Panzer_II_ausf_C.jpg.07f7b8023578baf0626c0f2bf3b0c130.jpg

     

    Thanks for commenting,

     

    Jon

     

     

    Jon, no the detail makes this project special. There are plenty of external lookalike vehicles running about. Few have taken the trouble to completely replicate the interiors.

    Keep up the good work!

    • Like 1
  9. Not all users were Royal Marines. These reversible green/white suits were issued to 2 Para who were also part of 3 Cdo Brigade for most of the campaign. They were also used by Gunners of 29 Cdo Regt, Royal Artillery, who were also part of 3 Cdo Bde.

    Your first and third photos show 2 Para, not Royal Marines. See the attached photos. Both show men of 2 Para in these smocks. In the second photo is Major General Chip Chapman (then Lt. 2 Para)

    1.jpg

    2.jpg

  10. Re the Cascelloid and F&G water bottles, there was never a green mug issued with these. They were black from the introduction in 1962. I have an as new example of the bottle and mug dated 1962. Cascelloid only seems to have made the first run. I have not yet seen a 1963 dated bottle either by Cascelloid or F&G. It may well be that there was a break in production before the contracts passed to F&G.

  11. 14 hours ago, Old Bill said:

    Computers make this a lot easier but I need to be careful to pick a font which doesn't look 'new'. There are a couple of very nice vehicles out there spoiled by the style of the lettering which is a great shame.

    I quite agree, a particular bugbear of mine. Modern style lettering and numerals or even worse sticky back vinyl letters....

    This is how it was done in the wild. Check out the Lyle's golden syrup tin and 'paint stirrer' Don't be afraid pick up the oversize brush with five bristles and have a go. It's more authentic!

    The original caption to this photo in an album I have is ' 'Razor' Gilette paints up his armoured car' It's a Daimler AC.

    P1010391.JPG

  12. That's absolutely fine. It's the later pattern of belt. They are a fraction wider than the first type and apart from the diagonal loop straps are near identical to the early type. Funnily enough I have one with exactly the same repair, on d ring replaced in metal, the other is the original plastic. 
    Must have been a stress point on the belt.

  13. Simon,

    There are two patterns of frame and two patterns of waist belt. Silvermans have the later type with diagonal loop straps added.

    On the original frames the shoulder yoke loop straps attached to d rings on the bottom of the frames. On the post 1980 variation the yoke loop straps just wrapped around the bottom of the frame but also passed through the diagonal loop straps on the waist belt to anchor everything together.

    The original waist belts are tricky to find and often in poor condition. 

    Regards

    Paul

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