Adrian Barrell

1945 (approx) It's an M4 (105) HVSS, one of only a few sent over for us. There is one at the Tank Museum and another on Kirkcudbright range.

Not Stuart tank based but M4 high speed tractor.

Though best not to try it on your skills test.....

Well done Jack, I see you have the white knuckle grip of death! Try and relax as much as you can and enjoy it, it gets much easier. I'll take you up in the RV, the contrast will be surprising......

You're not supposed to eat the packaging........

A good rule of thumb is your age plus 30....... Are you going for an EASA PPL, an NPPL or a LAPL?

But what is needed to get you in a position to use your licence?

I do, PPL(A). Fly a Vans RV9 we built ourselves and restoring an Auster IV, MT243, to fly in its original colours. I fly from Horham, the former home of the 95th BG.

No Jack, the most I've ever pulled in a PA28 is about 2.5G! I'm not a fan of aeros tbh.....

Rather you than me..... At least you won't have to worry about pulling 9G in a Warrior, the wings will detach long before then!

Hmm, lets see.... missing wheel..... could be!

Would be interested to know how many.....

Indeed, they also only have one door and it's on the instructors side..... I look forward to a full report!

So when is your first lesson and what will it be in?

Recently?

More than you might imagine. Many are in civilian colours but there are a few restored to original. Since Austers can now move from CAA C of A to LAA permit, they have seen a bit of a resurgence. Still not worth a great deal though.

I suspect the need for it was not appreciated before Normandy and the wading trunking precluded fitting it anyway. It is clear from pictures that originally the solution was very ad-hoc but presumeably the 'official' design came in quite quickly.

Indeed, but not in Cromwell! (unless the air cleaner flaps have been opened in which case engine induction air is drawn from the fighting compartment)

It wasn't chosen at random.

The 'Normandy Cowl' is the deflector that Cromwells had on the rear of the tank to deflect the exhaust plume backwards. As built, the exhaust goes out vertically, not very tactical amongst the hedgerows! It is often written that the cowls were to prevent the exhaust from being sucked into the hatches and gassing the crew when the tanks were lined up. I do not accept that as the likely origin of the cowl though as no air is drawn through the hatches, unlike Sherman and directing it backwards merely gasses the crew behind..... I believe it to be for tactical reasons in that the exhaust plume, particularly on starting up is very visible and gives away your position. Initially, the deflectors were 'home made' from anything available, I have even seen pictures of cut in half jerrycans used. Eventually, the official cowl was adopted and starts to appear in action by late summer 1944. Comet had one from the start, though with a slot in the centre for the gun when in it's crutch.

I have an original Normany cowl and track adjusting bars in stock............. Other tools on the trackguards are standard. Shovel g.s, crowbar 5', pick mattock etc. I also have the correct tow ropes.........

Seems a bit high to me, what is stamped into the chassis? It should have 969(A or B)-XXXX

Now then Bob, you do like your black tanksuit........:coffee:

Bob, the spring does not project the bomb, it fires it. The bomb has a propelling cartridge in its base, like a mortar bomb. In actuality, the spring is sufficiently powerful to throw the bomb a short distance, though I think the idea behind the spring being so strong is to absorb some of the recoil.

I spy a 155 mm howitzer M1 under a sheet......