rob m

1954 Brockhouse half ton trailer on Milweb. Ideal for series 1 or Champ

Thanks Terry, that's helpful. Cheers Rob

Hi all, I really need to get started on the Champ. First job, get the engine running. The user handbook just states '38AH' batteries. Would I be better looking for something with a bit more heft, or a specific CCA? I know that I had 068 batteries - 70AH - in my Land Rover which had a smaller engine than the B40 in the Champ. Any advice or recommendation gratefully received. Cheers Rob 69BE99

Greetings all, I've just become the proud, but nervous, owner of Champ 69 BE 99, fresh from a field in Holland, I think. Much more serious proposition than my previous project, series 3 FFR Land Rover 75 KC 83. For a start it's a non-runner, and has 30 years more rust, muck and mouse sh*t to deal with than the Landy! Body work seems quite sound - yeah, famous last words - but I have no clue what the mechanicals are like. Managed to start it briefly, and sounded like it was firing on most cylinders. I need some bits and pieces- spare wheel bracket, jerrican carrier, rear seat base, steering wheel(!) so if anybody could point me in the direction of a possible source I'd be grateful. I've never been to War and Peace - do people think/ know if there's a chance of picking up Champ bits there? otherwise it's a long haul from South Glos I'll sell the Landy when the show season is over - two more to go - then make a start on the Champ before it gets too cold down the shed. Looking forward to getting the body off. Now a member of ACOC so looking forward to meeting local Champ owners. Cheer Rob

Hi There, I know it's a longshot, but do you still have any spare Champ steering wheels? I've just bought one - 69 BE 99 - and its been fitted with a very odd civvy replacement. Cheers Rob

Thanks Mark, that's really helpful. Seems the RAF looked after their stuff better than the army!

Hi Richard, Thanks for the response. I wondered what the captive spanner was for! It's obviously original, as it is broad-arrow stamped, and has the same abbreviations engraved on it as the genny. Cheers Rob

Can anybody identify the generator I recently got hold of? I would like to know the rough in-service dates, and who might have used it, and also what the stencils might mean. I am getting bits of kit together to display with my Series3 FFR which I have fitted out as a CP wagon. Back in the 70s/80s in my TA life we were issued generators (charging engines?) as part of the CP kit to keep the radio batteries charged without running the vehicle. I was not a signaller so I never took much notice of them. The one I have acquired seems much bigger than I remember though! it would be a challenge humping it in and out of the trailer on a regular basis. So, what I would like to know is whether this genny was the standard issue to infantry /RA units for this purpose. If not , who would use it, and what should I be looking out for on Ebay. Questions, questions.... all information gratefully received! Cheers Rob (1984 Series 3 FFR LWB 75 KC 83)

Good Evening All, When I signed up to the Forum last summer, I said I was looking for a Champ as a first project. None came my way, but last week I became the proud owner of a 1984 built 109" FFR, previously 75 KC 83. It's taxed and MoT'd, so I was able to drive it down from Manchester, at a steady 42 mph, which is as fast as it seemed to want to go! Must be nearly thirty years since I last drove one. It's been mucked about with somewhat, and converted to run on gas and of course the more you look, the more you find, but I think it's all do-able, even for a beginner like me. Priorities are:- 1. Remove the mother of all gas tanks from the back of the vehicle, just behind the driver/passenger seats. This is the whole width of the vehicle, and the benches have been cut away to accommodate it. I quite like the idea of the gas option, and wonder if a (much smaller) tank could be fitted instead of the passenger side fuel tank, which has already been removed. Any advice gratefully received. 2. Lower the suspension back to normal levels. New parabolic springs and shocks have been fitted, at both ends, with longer hangers, especially on the rear, where you almost need a ladder to climb into the back. 3. Fit a new rear cross member and NATO hitch. Looks like a previous owner has welded one up from angle iron. A new one is already on order from Paddock Spares. 4. Remove hard top - not original - and replace with rag top. looking out on Ebay for canvas and hoops, but any advice as to sources other than Exmoor would be welcome. The FFR canvas seems to be difficult to find compared to the GS version. 5. Do something about the paintwork, which in places looks like it has been put on with a trowel, and is a right mishmash of different shades of green and black. In the longer term I want to refit a typical radio installation, for an FOO's vehicle or an infantry company CP. I would prefer to have Larkspur rather than Clansman, but a quick scan of Ebay indicates that Larkspur kit is not readily available. Again, any thoughts or advice gratefully received. (I know that by 1984 Larkspur had disappeared, but my TA unit was still using it in 1981). Looking forward to getting started, in the next couple of weeks when I should be able to move it into a lock-up. Cheers Rob

Hallo playmates Having just retired, I'm looking forward to indulging my interest in military vehicles. I've made models of them since I was a lad, so now want to tackle the full size article. I spent many years in the TA, in a variety of units, but rather than a Saladin, Saracen Ferret or 1tonne LR which I have happy memories of, I'm looking for a Champ as a first project. I live near Bristol. Cheers Rob M