Richard Farrant

Coca Cola ?? Is'nt that some kind of derust solution ? :-D

Hi Denver, I use Morris Liquimatic 1 hydraulic oil in Saracens when working on them. The army oil is known as OM-13. The civilian specification/ grade of this oil is ISO 10, incidentally, ISO stands for International Organisation for Standardization. Hope this is of use to you. Richard

Mike, That is true, our information was that the unit should not be drilled or cut open, otherwise it is safe, who would want to cut one open anyhow, not much you can do with it if it does pack up! Another component for CVR vehicles, with a Beryllium warning on the packaging, was a nodescript metal washer used on one of the wiper arm linkages, for sight or periscope, think it was a sort of shim or wavy washer, but put the fear of God up me when you think how easy it would be to cut yourself on it. Another hazard warning I recollect, was Viton, if it had been in a situation where it was burnt or charred, then handling it could burn your flesh away. Some of the fluid flywheel seals at that time were made with this material and were quite often burnt where they had leaked and overheated. Hope this has not scared too many people, but engineering has more hazards nowadays than you may think! Richard

Lee, That reminds me that the Lumenition ignition unit in J60 engines contains Beryllium, the warnings about it were quite scary. Richard

I know that a film company in Australia, is at this moment, searching for authentic landing craft and amphibious vehicles, so this is no doubt for the film in question. Richard

Clive, Off subject but in answer to you comment on Humber Pigs in use by police, here is one for you. It belonged to the SWAT team of San Mateo County Sherriff's Office, in California. I helped them out with some technical issues back in 2004, when the picture was taken. Richard

Neil, Another very common source of a knock on the Land Rover 2 1/4 litre engine was the bolt securing the crank pulley being loose. The pulley clamps the timing sprocket on the crank and if loose, the sprocket "rocks"on its key, making it sound like a worn big end bearing. Richard

Back in the late 70's I think it was, while working in army workshops, a check was done on instruments and guages in the vehicles. It would have been at a time when we were awash with AEC Militant Mk1 wagons, amongst loads of other stuff. But I distinctly remember the AEC's because their air pressure guages were found to be radioactive, so a yellow warning label was stuck on the glass, with net result that you could not read what the airbrake pressure was. Richard

Paul, Check to see if you are in four wheel drive, if not sure, jack up one front wheel to see if it turns. Richard

1/ Battle of Britain 3/ The Great Escape Richard

Dave, Just had a thought.........try contacting Bedford Genuine Parts, down in Kent. They are the official source of parts back up for the MoD's remaining fleet of Bedfords and took over the parts business from predescors, ERF and Marshalls. One of my ex-colleagues from the MoD works there and I believe they have very good records available. A letter from them would be very good proof for MVT verification to approve. info@bedfordgenuineparts.com Also, just found an army parts list for RL cargo and MT repair models with a specific reference regarding a batch of vehicles, number 48CL88 to 49CL36. Book is dated June 1961, so that puts your RL before that date. Richard

OMD75? No thanks.......but a pint of shandy in the searing heat of Beltring would not go amiss ;-) Richard

Dave, Of the top of my head, I think CL range of numbers is around 1958-60, but cannot find proof yet. The chassis number looks reasonably early (ie 1950's). Two suggestions, first, John Pearson, who comes on this forum, had or has a RL recovery and using his numbers it could give an indication of age. Secondly, there are two Yahoo forums covering Bedfords and the one I look at is Bedford vehicles (I think) with a lot of knowledgable people on there regarding dates and serial numbers. The other forum is something like Rsoles, which is apparantly dedicated to RL trucks! Hope this may help. Richard

Clive, I found 8 mistakes. The author knew very little on the subject quite obviously. Just goes to show you should not believe everything you read.....unless it is one of the excellent articles penned by a Mr. C. Elliott, whom I know has a vast reference library to refer to. I think you may owe me a pint, Clive? ;-) Richard

If I read the clues correctly, this is an explosive cord around a post, tree, pylon, whatever and it is showing the correct way to pay out the cable to the detonater, walking forwards, no running, etc. Cannot quite see where the hooks come in though.

It would be Terry Brooks, prototype Challenger 1, most likely, as he is organising the weekend event there.

OK Jon, I stand corrected, it is now 11 years since working for the Army, and Land Rovers do not feature in my normal workload anymore, so a case of brain fade! Richard

Ah, I see now. All the military Series 3 used static belts, thats why it was unfamiliar. Richard

He is walking on scaffolding without a safety helmet and flourescent jacket.

Neil, That kit you have looks nothing like any of the seat belt kits that I ever fitted to Series 3 Rovers. Richard

taking a dog for a walk?

Just had closer look at one of the original pics and can read part of the Stock Number label, saying "Battery, Power".I think, cannot read the NSN though.

Paul, When I was rebuilding a huge batch of SLR rifles once, the metal work was painted with a special coating called Suncorite. A very, potent smelling stuff, it was also good for motor cycle exhausts and cylinder barrels ;-) Richard

Neil, It could also be that the swivels are tight. If it has not been driven for some time the top swivels in the housings could be dry. They are fibre material bushings and could perhaps do with some lubrication. Eay enough to draw out and check. Richard

Neil, It is very many years passed since I worked on Mk1 Militants, changing engines and renewing clutches was a common job, but I though the clutch linkage was pure mechanical. Know it was bloody heavy on the leg, because getting in to our workshops was often like an obstical course and your left legs was like jelly by the time someone had directed you in to place. Richard