Artifficer

Tell me I might not understand, show me I might not remember, involve me I will learn!

Tony

Great for uninformed adults and ill educated kids. Lots of interactive screens and very few Historic objects.

I was describeing to a ferien how a rotary engine worked. ie crankshaft bolted to the airframe propeller bolted to cylinders, breath in like a 2 stroke via transfer ports & hollow crankshaft & out like a 4 stroke via valves. She brought to my attention not only did I have her attention but a whole bunch of adults & school kids. One teacher asked was I an offical guide? I explained I knew because my Granddad told me about his time in the RFC and it sparked my interest and I read a book about it & looked at a WW! Sopwith Pup inA musuem where I could see it up close & personel. Now they hang it 20 feet above our heads to show off the million of pounds worth of concrete that has been crammed into ths spaces.

Architecture great but not a musuem as we know it. But what would I know I'm only 69 and only been a soilder for most of my life. As far as teachers go I know nothing!! As for involvement I do talks to schools and they get to handle all the artifacts even Dac weapons shock horror!! Funnyly enough I get invited back!!

Rob REME

Artifficer

Hi Can anyone suggest the best company to Insure my Bike with please?

I already have a modern bike - should I add it to that Insurance do you think?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Gary.

Try Hagertys, they include recovery, even from abroad. They recovered my mates F30 Ford truck from Normandt at no extra cost.

Regards

Artifficer

Chris, thats a good shout! I'll give them a shout and see what they can do. Top man! Jay

Hi Easty100

Best place for EMER's would be the REME Musuem at Arborfield, after all they are a REME publication and not issued to users.

Timbo's advice is a good call Rob Nixion knows about all there is to know on Arty. I've worked on Bofors 40/70, 25 Pounders, Light Gun, FH70 and some of the SP Guns like Abbot. Pity I'm now retired from REME and can't help you with the job.

Regards

Artifficer

Hi All' date='

 

Thanks for confirming the census number. Haven't had any luck on finding any formations signs or markings but i'm not giving up yet. Any places i should specifically search? All hinges are now working properly again with the help of some WD-40. :-D

Did find out it had been registered in the area of Bordeaux.

The dataplate states this trailer is a No1 MkII. I believe the trailer is from Mid-late 1944? can anyone confirm this?

The Bins are an all metal construction riveted together and then bolted on to the chassis. I don't know if the later types without front door might also might have been rivited or would have been welded?

I am planning to go to War & Peace show, so will be sure to drop by. Could you send me the photo's you used for your trailer please? Do you happen to have any idea what the front brackets were used for? or are they a later addition?

I believe most of the Lightweight machinery trailers were fitted with the mudflaps, don't now if they were used on other trailers too. The mudflaps are made of canvas with a cross stitched pattern a small weight (lead i believe) stitched in the lower section.

 

Regards,

Niek[/quote']

Hi Niek

If you look at the attached photos these are all I had to go on. Tha flat plate fittings where on the chassis when I got it and I kept them as standard, they take a small shackle to assist movement without a vehicle.

numbers X6146399-X6153024 were issued under contract S7945 for TRAILER 10CWT 2WH VERIOUS TYPES by Orme and Evans . So it looks like you numbers are original

Great find Neik, apart from Richard Breretons relic trailer and my repro, it's the only one in existance. are the thinner shelves wood or metal?

I built my repro from 2 photos and the drawing in the manual, I belive some later binned store trailers had the end doors deleated as they couldnt be opened when the trailer was still attached to the tow vehicle. It is normal practice not to unhitch a trailer unless you realy have to as the unit might have to "bug out" in a hurry, you know "shoot and scoot". Richards trailer has no evidence of a front door. Some veteran REME guys I served with told me their version had no front door and was fitted with central steady posts.

The "binners" where used for spares as you thought, but engine replacement in WW2 was a rear area workshop job, I doubt that such replacement would be performed by an Airborne Light Aid Detachment.

"Binners" where issued to Armement Artifficers (my old job) in Recce and Artillery units for small arms and gun spares, heavy items would be transported in heavy sea tail transport.

If you come to War & Peace my repro will be on the Summer of 44 display so come along and compare notes.

Regards

Robin

Artifficer REME Retired

Never said it was a blank round.. was just making an observation that from the of photos I've seen of all types of BAT's firing the Back Blast is a lot bigger than that shown in the film.. it may of just been film speed or something that made it look that way..

 

I certainly get a more impressive bang when I fire my MOBAT..

True You didn't mention blanks my old Marmite but in the service there usualy 3 types of basic rounds "ignoring AP, FSAPDS, APDS, Illuminating, Smoke ETC". Live, Blank or Subcaliber as in 105 Light Gun in 14mm, the old LAW66, SLR "in .22". plus others. The heads of sheds took a dim view of useing unorthorised pyro/charges in weapons, it would at least mean a charge of Negligance Misuse and Damage or a Courts Marshal and a visit to Colly MCW.

Regards and I didn't mean to offend

Tiffy (Rob)

Have NEVER seen, & was not aware of ANY blank rounds for any of the 120mm Recoilless rounds in British Service.

I aggree with the old Ferretfixer, to my knowlage there's no such thing as BAT blank and I can't imagine them used as saluting guns, the usual use for blank. I have some knowlage of blank as I command the troop of 75mm Pack Howitzers fireing the Noon Day Gun salute at the W&P Revival and have served with several RA units. As the BAT is recoiless and relys on the principle of opposite and opposing forces cancelling out any recoil, what point blank? In one part of the film you can clearly see the tracer going down range to hit the target. But what would I and Ferretfixer know as long serving REME Armourers/Gunfitters?

After many other distractions over past couple of months, today was the day to make a determined attempt to start the Austin engine on the MUREX trailer.

 

I'd built and fitted an exhaust system a couple of weeks ago:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]84625[/ATTACH]

And now with welcome assistance from a retired BAE Systems electrical engineer, the IMPS Chairman with EasyStart and a Financial Advisor (to operate the starting handle), we struggled for some time with it not quite firing correctly.

Checked the firing order and plugs leads....and corrected it to be 1:3:4:2...and it burst into life.

 

Very rewarding as everything had been dismantled over the past year, so there were a myriad of potential problems. It was good to see the mechanical governor working smoothly too, as that was the first one I'd ever tackled:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]84626[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]84627[/ATTACH]

 

With the welding output box connected, the main Voltmeter showed 50v output.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]84628[/ATTACH]

 

 

I now need to find some suitable welding leads and I suspect the large Ammeter will then register an output.

 

Engine running smoothly, good oil pressure and electrical output, all in all a very satisfying day!

 

I've uploaded a couple of videos to Youtube:

 

 

 

 

Thanks to Ian, Anthony and Ross.

Hi John

Great job, I thought this one was going to be on the back burner for a while? I notice that strong drink always seems to lubricate the work whenever TL is involved.

Regards

Rob

Yes, I think I probably will find somewhere , but probably not too local. South London doesn't have much left in small engineering shops in comparison to the Midlands, which is still renowned for its engineering industry. We here in Lewisham on the other hand, are now recognised as an international centre for crippled chicken fast food stores and drive by shootings. If you were to ask a local about getting your nuts threaded round here, you may well end up in casualty!

It may take a little longer to search out, but will carry on, as you say its all part of the fun!

Cheers,

Sean

Hi Sean David and All

I know of a small company who has made several pins and studs for airborne trailers. They specalise on refurbing shockers and stock Andre Hartford parts and complete units.

they are:-

Vintage & Classic Shockabsorbers

203 Sanderstead Road

South Croydon

Surrey

CR2 0PN

0208 651 5347

I hope this is South London enough for you,

Regards

Artifficer

Thanks Guys for the info,

 

Brown Cow that is exactly what I was looking for, though I must admit I'm a bit stunned to see a lathe in the back of a jeep. I really didn't expect to see that, LOL!

 

 

woa2, thanks for the info on the chap at the centenary, I suppose that supports the theory that they did have some sort of mobile workshops on the back of jeeps. The REME museum is my next port of call but I thought you fine chaps could at least give me a steer in the right direction before I submitted a formal request... and that you have done!!

Hi OG

As you see the Aussies converted jeeps but I suspect that was late and post war. All Airborne REME workshops and light aid detachments used the dedicated purpose built airborne trailers such as John Cordons light weight electrical repair trailer, Agincourt44's Machinery trailer, Louie's saw benches etc and my Binned stores trailer. As you see several members have these trailers and they do appear at times. John Cordon's Elec repair trailer was with one of my old regiments (100 Regt RA) and in my time as a tiffy weapons REME I saw several of the old trailers still in use, veterans tell me they used the trailers a lot and couldn't do without them.

Keep your eyes peeled and a trailer will come up. I've just found a rotten chassis which is worth haveing just for the bits.

Regards

Tiffy

The reason I asked is that these pictures are of the markings I found on my 5.5's [ATTACH=CONFIG]74386[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74387[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]74388[/ATTACH]

Hi James, Matman amd all

The markings on your guns seem to be 201 Battery Herts and Beds Yeomanry which was part of 100 Regt RA (V) until 1996/7. In the 70's they had 5.5's converting in 1980 to Light Gun and FH70 in 1990, back to Light Gun and the dedicated TA battery as part of 7 RHA in 1997 The other batteries where 200 Bty surrey & Sussex Yeomanry, 202 Bty sufolk & Norfolk Yeomanry and in the late 90's 307 Bty South Notts Hussars.

I worked on 5.5's with 100 Regt as a Gunfitter,and via various promotions/postings worked on Light gun/Fh70 with 100 Regt until 1997. I have a 201 Bty sticker somewhere if I can find it, James, you are welcome to it.

Regards

Rob Grainger

pm sent

Hi Guys Great to see "T" plates still show up from time to time!

John, you might recall my "result" two years ago at GDSF, I found a stall holder who had some " T plates at home", when I phoned him he had 8 good plates and 2 tatty ones, I bought them all for £210 includeing P&P.Possibly my best ever result at a steam of military fair.

Unfortunatly I found homes for them all. so sorry they,ve all gone. I've got to get in touch with the dealer, if he has more I'll get them and let forum members know and pass them on.

Watch this space

Regards to all

Robin

I know it's an AA mount from early in the war and it has a specific name, but I can't remember it.

The gun looks like a .5 vickers, quite a bit bigger than a standard .303. a very similar mount to the twin Bren mount.

Regards

Rob

Wow, I've seen photo's of Jim Baxter's WOT2 on MLU, and it is magnificent. Thanks for the info

Hi Lauren

Take a look at Andy Neal's of IMPS Fordson WOT2 Canvas Office Body rebuild, it featured in Classic Military Vehicle some time ago. It's a "from the ground" rebuild that took many years and has won several awards. A first class job but I'm biased as I did some welding on it!!

Regards

Robin

(Artifficer)

There is a modern parallel in the type of asymmetric warfare we see in many trouble spots today - relatively small actions which cause minimal disruption in themselves but which have the effect of tying up large numbers of troops and large amounts of equipment to guard against them. It has proved time and again to be a very effective means of waging war when you dont have the capability to mount a traditional offensive.

 

But Bob I tend to agree with you the 6 month quote was rhetoric!

 

Either way they were heroes of the first order.

Hi Timbo

Small unit raids certainly concentrate the mind, constant pin prick raids tie up recources, troops & equipment. The IRA certainly got my attention!! All these operations added to the the Drip Drip effect untill we where ready to hit hard. Interestingly if you have the urge you can canoe up the Gironde to Bordeaux as Hasler & Sparks did then you can TAB down the Frankton Trail to Spain for some tappas. A couple of Marines did the whole trip a couple of years ago. Many canoe clubs in UK still compete for the Hasler Trophy each year in memory of Blondie Hasler.

Regards

Robin

(Artifficer)

Is this structure normal? I understand that the WOT2H shared the same GS back with the MW (it was made by Bedford) but mine has a large hatch in the floor to get to the top of the rear axle/diff. I'm not with it at the moment but from memory it looks bigger than the gaps you've got there. I may be going barmy though.

Hi Lauren and All

Happy New Year!!

In the last couple of years friends & myself have rebuilt a WOT2, A Morris 15 cwt compressor truck & are currently working to finish another WOT2. We also worked some years ago on Jim Baxter of IMPS fame's WOT2, this had a Bedford body it became appearent as we restored further WOT's, Morris etc the bodies varied in quite significant ways. the Bedford body never looked just right as the wheel arches didn't center with the wheels. all these bodies had the floor trap fitted but slightly different diamentions, this might just be various makers hiccups.

Regards

Robin

Artifficer

Hi RecyMech

 

I was a fitter-gun with LAD 47 Fld Regt, when they had 105 mm Light Guns in the late 70s. I worked on both the L118 (which the regiment was equipped with) and the L119 when 3 Bty borrowed some for a while. The L119 is a different beast compared to the L118. Not only are the breaches different so are the muzzle brakes, and the muzzle brake clamp when towing the gun (due to the shorter barrel). The L118 has an electrical firing box, where the L119 has a firing lever. Sights and things like the air pressure in the recuperator where not the same. I am not too sure if the balance springs were of different length again because of the shorter barrel.

 

Note about the firing platform. Firing platforms are placed directly on the spot the Battery Surveyor and GPO had selected, the gun is then wheeled on to the platform and fixed by the steel cables to the platform. This ensures the gun remains in the same spot when being given a new target. Not too sure if it is as important today with the on board gadgets but it was when the laying of the gun was done by using the coordinates from the CPO and TARAs in the Command Post it was. Traversing the gun was a lot easier using the firing platform, especially on an anti-tank shoot. I trick of mine was to pick the gun up by the gun spike and traverse it a full 360 degrees on my own. The new gunners to the battery were amazed that the skinny gun fitter could do this, none figured out that I had elevated the gun so it was balanced on its wheels.

 

The gun could be moved on sort tows using the A frame under the cradle. This was the main support for the barrel when being transported by Puma helicopter. It was introduced when the RAF still had the Wessex. The gun had to be split in two, cradle and recoiling masses in one load and the saddle and trail on the second lift.

 

To get the gun into the travelling position the right hand wheel had to come off. To keep the gun within the width to load on to one of the then RAF transports the saddle would have come into contact with the wheel when turning the barrel round. The whole trail would have had to be redesigned after the RAF only had Hercules left. I spent most of my time sorting out wheel knock from this wheel and found if the crews kept the face plates of the wheel and brake drum clean then there was less knock. We had some boffins from Woolwich come and investigate the wheel knock with our guns. When I told them that my batteries guns had less knock after we started to keep the face plates clean they poo pooed it and said I was lucky not to have as many problems as others were having. After leaving REME one of the chaps I worked with was in a TA gunner unit and he was moaning to me about the wheel knock so I suggested that they cleaned the face plates. He came back to work after an exercise and said that my method worked.

 

Lastly personal a note about the ammunition. As I had to be on the gun position when they were firing them I would often join a crew if they were sort of gun numbers. Spending a day lugging the semi fixed US ammo was more knackering than what appeared to be twice the effort with the British separate ammo.

 

If you feel I might be able to answer any questions please do contact me.

Hi Guys

I was also a Gunfitter/Armourer on light gun and had similar problems with wheel knock and wheel bearings. Larkhill dust caused lots of bearing problems despite replacement oil/dust seals. The knock was cured by cleaning the faces of the drum and face plate on the knock off wheel, I belive the Kremlin at Bordon sent out a fix for the problem. Comments on the gun platform reminded me that ROF used explosive forming removing the need for a top die, a water dam around the lower die, the part machined metal plate, some very technical explosive, BANG and plate formed!! Inoted Robmixartillary mentioned wire wound barrels, these seem to be used on some naval equipments, I saw some being cut up at Pompy in the 60's at what could have been Pounds Yard. Light Gun barrels are of monoblock constrection "one peice" and Autofrettarged the inner layers fo metal being stretched beyond their elastic limits while the outer lavers spring back gripping the inner layers, usualy achived by pressing a metal former through the barrel of by hydrulic pressure.

Great to hear the technical bit of guns being discussed on the forum Happy New Year to All

Regards

Robin

(Artifficer)

Thanks Brucie,

I've contacted Clive re the Vol 1; but suspect that much of the equipment info is in Vol 2. Will have to look out for one of those.

 

Re the vice mounting: I plan to start some dismantling of the MUREX over the Christmas break, so will investigate.

Hi John I've both vols 1 & 2 had them for years. You are welcome to borrow them

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to all

Regards

Robin

Bind barrel, say prayers and do not make the mistake of putting rifle to shoulder! The Grenade launching cartridge was loaded with Ballisite. Trouble was Cordite,was the standard propelleant. Cordite is a toned down version of Ballisite. The result was the rifle barrel can split and the wood work is shaken to blazes. The common answer was to bind wire or even string around the barrel and wood work to reinforce it. The launch procedure was to ground the butt of the rifle max range was about 150 yards.

Hi Tony

Very true but make sure you fit the 7 second rifle grenade fuse/detonator set as a 4 second hand grenade set might cause embarrasment or a day out with the undertaker.

Regards

Rob

Can anyone I.D this LBM,its dated 1956 and I think it is British Naval AA.

I cant quite place it but It is not 3.7 !

 

Rob...................rnixartillery

Just a thought Rob is it a top mounted lbm? It would be quite difficult to operate if it was side mounted?

Regards

Rob

For what it's worth here's my Nutshell Take on it!

 

A change was needed I feel, as do a lot of other attendees. W&P is/was always a good show, but was getting stale.

 

People are naturally opposed to change in a lot of respects, & that is understandable. But, Now Rex has the freedom to

layout the show the way he wants to. After gaining MANY years expirience, & listening & noting comments from attendees. Both positive, & negative comments can be collated to hopefully produce a better show. Geared up more to the MV exhibitor & Living History sectors.

 

I am SURE he has gotten fed up with complaints & grousing over the years! BUT, no matter WHAT you do, we are all aware of the old. 'Your dammed if you do, your dammed if you dont' Syndrome!

 

I have observed some of the comments from some of our collegues here on the forum. Who live great distances from the new venue, & state that they will not attend next year. Well, my two penneies worth is, OK, I understand your feelings on that totaly. You have the right to not attend if that is what you wish. I feel, that there will then be more room for vehicle movement & the choosing of good space for those that do attend.

 

When those that are not attending then later hear how good the show was. & how there will be plans to better it even further the following year. they MAY, well regret not supporting W&P Revival..............And then book in for the next years show!

 

We have all seen how W&P has grown to immense Proportions over the years. A victim os it's own success (Within limitations!) you might say?

The new show Should indeed do similar, grow bigger & better. As expierince gained from the new show brings up the shortfalls & Bugs inherent with any new venture.

 

Bottom Line: There is NO show WORLDWIDE, that draws as much attention & attendance in the MV Field as W&P!

Why else, do some exhibitors travel all the way accross Europe to attend?................

 

NOTE: These views are my own, & expressed as Positively Contributed Information. They are NOT intended to invoke insults or negative comments towards our Northern Cousins! (I have a lot of Friends up North! )

Hi Mike, Richard & all other Forum members

As an old REME Tiffy who has often crossed Mike & Richard's paths proffessionly, I aggree with them. I feel that forum members should have waited untill the Boss (Rex) gave a full briefing, just like the Army, before jumping on the rumour mill. The premature press release has done more harm than good, I spoke to Jim Baxter (IMPS President) and was informed that no desision would be announced until Tuesday 4th December at 22.00 hrs. The members of the forum who have seen military service might agree with me when I say " stop winging it could be worse you could be in Afganistan".

It's just a show lighten up.

These are just my own opinions and I concur with Mike's note they are not intended to insult or elicit negative comments.

Regards to all, see you at W & P

Robbie (tiffy)

Just watched some footage on Youtube, of the show on Friday, glad to see it was all happening then. Looks like I went there too early in the week :undecided:.

 

Better luck next year.... maybe.

Hi Richard

We went on Wednesday as well, so wet I had to wring out my socks when we got back to our B & B. Great show in spite of the rain, lots of good bits. I managed to get out of the carpark without a tow, years of driving army trucks, both preserved and serving payed off, I obviously managed to learn something on Salisbury Plain. Thursday was better, I would suggest everyone should go to GDSF once in their life!!

Great display of green machines, but no vehicle movement on Wed & Thur! Great static displays especialy the saw benches & road making.

Regards

Robin Grainger (Artifficer)

For some time now I have been aware of this group of elite men and one of the gentlemen that live on Hayling Island has been trying for ages to have a memorial put in place to commemorate these brave soldiers. Luckily he has been given the go ahead and several weeks ago a very large lump of stone was delivered to the beach on Hayling and erected. Last Sunday 22nd July myself , the cubemeister and the cubelets walked along the seafront and took a look at the memorial. Its simple but poignant imo.

Funding has been made available for information boards in various locations along the seafront providing a heritage trail, telling the story of the COPP heroes and Hayling Islands involvement in D-Day

here is a link to a web site about the COPP

 

http://www.coppheroes.org/

 

I will post pictures up in a mo.

HiAll

Did you know canoe clubs in UK still compete every year for the Hasler Trophy in memory of Blondie Hasler of cockleshell heros fame and the Op Franklin trail exists from Bordeaux to Spain. I belive a Royal Marine party paddled the river and then walked to Spain for charity recently. Sore hands/bum and feet!!

Regards Artifficer

Job Done ....................... Just needs a lick of paint !

 

Rob.................rnixartillery.

Hi Rob

Great to see artillery being collected and restored by someone with obvious knowlage and enthusiam, as a retired tiffy weapons REME, armourer/gunfitter to non Reems, it looks like your doing a great job. I live in the rip off south east and finding artillary in scrapyards is a thing of the past, it would be great to see your collection and swop notes. You might have seen me on U tube with the 75mm Pack How's of the Summer of 44, I'm the bloke doing the BSM job.

Regards

Robin (Artifficer)

Hi Richard that's the trailer I have the picture of, I could do with some dimensions if you could suply them please?? I now have the hitch and the rear leg brackets but I still need the handbrake assy and the front leg bracket.

 

Thanks to Geoff and Ross for the bits

 

Dave

Hi Dave I noticed you have posted to Richard for info on the binned store trailers,Richard kindly provided me with info for my rebuild. I had to have the locker catches cast from an original as they are hard to find, especialy as you need 8+. It seems that the end doors might have been deleated as they cannot be opned when the trailer is hitched up with the legs raised. It also seems that late models where of monocoque construction like the normal 10 cwt trailer but with a No 2 type chassis. Unfortunatly info is scarce I can only pass on what I've been told by Vets who used John C's trailer with 100 Regt LAD REME and also had a binned store trailer.

Regards

Robbie (Artifficer)