Mike C

Gents, Been a while since I posted on this forum. Can somebody with access to a 25-pdr (Short) please make a measurement for me? I'm interested to know the vertical height of the saddle from the lower edge where it meets the trail to the centre line of the gun trunnion. Inches or mm - I might live in the USA these days, but I can work in either/both forms of measurement! Thank you in anticipation. Mike

There you are: said it all in the title! Can anyone please enlighten me as to an approximate date when the 'L' prefix (like 'Fuze, PD, L17A1') came into use in the British Army for equipment, ammunition, etc? Thanks Mike C

Errrr, think I forgot to say that it was a HAR-1 Heavy Tipper, as I'm sure we all already know its a HAR-1! Mike C

Hi, Your truck is an FWD HAR-1 taken on charge by the RAAF in August 1944, and disposed of by public sale by the Commonwealth Disposals Commission in August 1946. It has/should have chassis number 103736. Regards Mike C

Thanks, Chris, I'd appreciate it very much. Mike C

Gents, A query: there are/were two (at least) steel ammunition liners for .30cal ammunition: the (early) M1 and the (later/current) M19A1. The M1 went out of service in the late 1950s, and was replaced by the M19A1. My question is: what is the exact measurement of the exterior dimension of the M1 ammo liner without the lid/with lid open? I'm trying to find out the depth of the liner as it would fit into the ammunition box mounting on the side of a Mount, No.5 Mk.1, mounting an M1919A4 flex MG, before the modification for the M19A1 liner was fitted. Thanks: I'm sure someone out there has an example of this earlier liner and won't mind putting a ruler over it. Mike C

Hey, Sam: ref the 'fuel tyres', better known as the 'Rolling Fluid Transporter', in Australia: see my previous post: only 2 imported in to Oz. Ref the RAAF roundels on the sides of the HAR-1: what was its RAAF regiostration number, please? Mike C

Actually, it's called a 'Rolling Fluid Transporter' (ie not just for fuel), and two were trialled in Australia during the 1960s. They were not adopted for service. Designed to be towed behind a GS truck, either singly or as a 'trailer train'. See my article in Army Motors several years ago for details of the transporters and their Australian trials (including images). Interesting that one has survived. Desertman: what is the RAAF number of your HAR-1? I may have some details. Mike C

The biggest users (ie had the majority) of FWD HAR-1 trucks in Australia were the RAAF's Airfield Construction Squadrons. They were configured as Dump trucks in Australia, and continued in use until the early to mid 1960s. Suggest you might like to look for the remains of a RAAF registration, and/or any sign that a hoist was fitted to the chassis, with control levers in the cab. Best of luck with the reno: long way to go, but it will be one of just a few when its finished. Mike C

Thanks, Gordon, much appreciated. I have not accessed with the MLU forum at this stage, but trust Nigel will have ther US ordering glitch corrected shortly. Thanks Mike C

Now Nigel Watson may be wondering why he's not getting too many sales of his third volume into the USA. The 'Roman Cart' ordering system on his site has a state selection button ... but no drop-down US state list. But if you bypass this entry, it pops up at the end and says to enter a valid state (which it won't let you do!) and you cannot continue with the order as a result. Can someone who has an email link to Mr Watson please let him know? I wish to order the volume, but ...... well, see above. Mike C Colbert WA, USA

That would be Gary McKay's book 'In Good Company': possibly the best Australian veteran narrative of the experiences of an infantryman in South Vietnam. He has gone on to write many more books, but this one is clearly written 'from the heart' and is by far and away his best. The Infantry Tank Telephone cable was 'self retracting', so the length was restricted by the size of the box and cable retractor mechanism. To achieve a longer cable, a complete re-design with a larger 'box' and reel would have been necessary. It didn't happen. In most instances in South Vietnam, the water and moisture had detrimental effects on the connectors, shorting them out and cutting out the tank's I/C. For that reason, most were disconnected, usually where they joined the tank's intercom circuit in the driver's compartment. Note that the Inf Tank Telephone box is mounted sideways: a late variation to reduce the possibility of (1) water/dirt ingress from the tracks (thrown up by: the guards were shortened) and (2) combined with an additional steel screen and re-routing of the cable, to protect the cable between the box and the tank hull, in order to reduce the effects of mines. Paul is doing an outstanding job: I hope to see it in person in late October! Mike C

Hi Paul, Didn't realise the original post was from you (duh!): should learn to read more closely. The Sight is made up of about 50 individual components, including the nuts, bolts washers that hold it together and to the turret roof: quite a work of art, but if all else fails..... Don't remember any crewmen I have interviewed ever commenting on using it, or how useful it was. Must ask! Mike C

Hi, Desertman, What was its RAAF registration number? Was it a HAR-1 Dump truck, or Prime Mover (5th wheel)? - the RAAF operated both, with most as dumps. Regards Mike C

Gents, That is the 'Sight, Vane, Twin Blade, No.9'. Assembly (part) number LV1/VSM34421TS. As I undersatnd it, issued black, but painted along with everything else in the colour of the vehicle, at least, that is the case with all the Cents I have looked at in Australia. Mike C

Thanks, Reccymech: your contribution and experience is appreciated. Seems 'commonwealth' armies no longer issue sewing kits. My latest info is that the Australian Army DPCU kits were still being manufactured in 2000 and issued for some time after that date, but are no longer on issue either. The NSN is still listed in the Australian stores list, but annotated 'withdrawn from Service'. They were costed at just over $3.00 AUD each, with contents. It would appear from your and earlier posts (eg Ferretfixer) that the British Army has not issued housewives for many, many years (we are apparently a bit slower in the colonies!:laugh:) Again, thanks to all for the responses. Mike C

Gentlemen, Thank you for your replies, which are all most illuminating indeed! The 'latest' Housewife I have in my modest collection of same is dated in the mid-1990s (Australian issue), and my recent inquiries indicate that the same type was also issued in AUSCAM pattern, but has more recently been withdrawn from Aussie service. Clive: do you know if the kits you quote the NSNs for are still on issue, ie are the NSNs still 'live'? This is great stuff: thank you. Mike C

Now Gents, The humble Housewife - not the sort you have at home cooking your dinner (oh dear, I think that was politically incorrect these days!) but the basic buttons/threads/needles et al issued to soldiers in a handly little carry roll. What is it called these days (I'm sure its not a 'Housewife' a la WW1), and I mean exactly, as per the NSN designation What's its NSN? Indeed, are they still issued? Are they issued in 'cammo' cloth or still the nice bleached white cotton? Be very interested to hear, please. Thanks Mike C

Hi Paul, Nice job: very nice. Can you contact me off forum please, re your excellent images? mike@krystiimelaine.com Thanks Mike C

Gents, Have been told that the British Army did not up-armour (applique armour kit) the upper glacis plate of their Centurion Dozer tanks. This was said to be due to the unacceptable increase in overall weight on the front suspension units, when added to the weight of the dozer attachment kit. True or false? Supporting evidence? Does anyone have any documents relating specifically to the Centurion Dozer kit, please, that they would be willing to provide me with copies of? Mike C

Gents, A few posts back someone put up an image of a jeep and a KFM trailer: the latter is of interest. 'Kitchen Field Mobile' trailers made in Germany replaced the earlier steam field kitchen (4 and 2 wheel: known as the 'Wiles' after the inventor/developer and manufacturer of the majority of units) in the Australian Army. Were KFMs used in the British Army, and if so, when did they go out of service, please? Mike C

Gents, I was fortunate to drive a Brit Mastiff while on an official visit to Iraq in 2008, registration FF 62 AB. Can anyone tell me about (1) the vehicle, which I think was a Gen2 version, (2) the date of the registration, (3) contract or supply details (4) and if it is still serving, and where.... Tall order I know, but you gents are soooo well connected, you might just be able to shed some light on 'my' Mastiff! Thanks Mike C

The really BIG hole (blown outwards from the inside) beneath the conning tower is where the main 'self-demolition' charge was located. One of the three that attacked Sydney Harbour, Australia was blown open in the same position, but the blast effect was different. I'd say the one pictured had the charge go off in the position it is in now, ie out of the water. The one from Sydney Harbour was detonated under water (by the crew, who remained with the sub...) These are an incredibly cramped vessel with no 'reloads': the 2 x torpedo tubes are 'muzzle loaded' before entering the water. There is also a complete(ish) one on display at the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg (sp?) Texas. The US captured one hours before Pearl harbour, and the USS Ward (I think) sank one, also just before Pearl Harbour. The technical report about the captured one is fascinating. See the book 'First Shot' for a really good analysis of the Minisub component of the attack on Pearl Harbour. Mike C

Happy birthday, Cobber! (well, it's a little bit Aussie at least....) Mike C from Colbert, WA, USA (yes, I'm an Aussie.....)

Gents, Getting back to the original question, I think you'll find that this bore sight is for the .50 cal Browning L6A1 Ranging Machine Gun (RMG, also abbreviated to RG, since you ain't supposed to use it as a co-axial 'machine gun', but only for ranging) as fitted to British (and Dutch?)Centurion tanks from the early 1960s (with the 105mm L7) and Australian Centurion tanks from the mid-1960s (with the 20-pdr). Not sure if there were any other applications of the .50cal in a co-axial or 'remotely' sighted mounting (ie gunner not located behind the weapon making direct sight down the barrel/sights) that would require a bore sight. Comments on this from the better informed welcome! Mike C