N.O.S.

"Don't let any of the enemy think that walking around on stilts is any defence against this

Gonad Spear, Motorised, Mk1" :shake:

Have any of you trench map experts had a chance to look at what we've got here?

Is this what you expected?

Do you think it is worth me trying to search for better maps at IWM archives?

Yes, certainly simple, but the unit for the McClaren, itself nearly the size of a ferret, is quite large and you stand with your head about 6" away from the two accumulators :shake: A pipe burst would not be good for you :shake:

Think it was 80 pumps to get enough for a start :sweat:

Or the Bryce Berger Hydraulic starter :shake: :shake: :shake:

Have one on a McClaren 5 cyl engine off MOD Grain Discharge Unit. They also had one of those 4cyl air motors in place of the starter motor.

Crankshaft has a gear wheel on front, engaging with a gear rack powered by hydraulic cylinder which, once an accumulator is pumped up to 6,000psi by a hand pump, moves across pretty smartish and spins the engine.

A truly frightening piece of kit which I have replaced by a Centurion (?) starter motor - much better thank you!

Happy Xmas to you all!

This was at the Rocket Site... I don't know where it is now.

 

The only one I ever saw (early 90's, nicely restored) was in the posession of John Firth who was involved in the Norfolk PW group in late 80's/early 90's - if pic was taken late 80's, this could be it. He moved to Scoland so might be there? :dunno:

My Matador had a reinforced front axle as fitted to these armoured units, centre section was cast with bolted outer sections.

I like my AEC's here is an O854

 

I'm glad you do - great pics.

Any idea what this box body 6 wheeler was - looks like an original body :dunno:

That last pic is a gem - trust you washed the salt off afterwards? ;-)

Possibly body is from same maker, but fitted onto a different chassis?

Sure about that?

Differences are - Front axle and hubs, rear lower body shape, windscreen/roof, bonnet top, front overhang.......

Sorry, but I've recently been pulled up for certain Saab identification irregularities and I've got to get my own back somewhere :evil:

OK what I mean't to say was that you are of course correct,

my knowlege of Saab matters could best be described as "modest" :whistle:

I couldn't remember the model name, I thought it was 83 but wrote 80, so 93 is the probable answer.

I'll ask my friend who is now in USA when I send a xmas card (which will now be late)

And I failed the Saab club site's pre-registration entrance test anyway ;-)

Don't worry then, my HMVF overalls will be keeping it warm :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

1) It wasn't my car, it was a mate's

2) I only drove it once (that was enough, thanks), like I only had a lift in his Heinkel (allegedly) bubble car once - he rolled it on a downhill bend and all the perspex glass popped out, only took us 2 minutes to right the thing and pop it all back in again

3) I reckon it was a '66 (ish) Saab 93 (ish) anyway looked a bit like the pic (which is shown as Saab 80 (?)on a Finnish website :yawn:

4) You get a similar feeling going downhill in a Ford A62/64/66 loading shovel with a full bucket :shake:

5) I'm off to post something derogatory about Stalwarts on the Saab Enthusiasts' website now :-D

Mark - I would not have thought that the imbalance in rear tyre pressures would upset the steering at all.

Have you checked balance of front tyres yet?

If anyone is interested, HMV are currently offering the Band of Brothers boxed DVD set for £20

Clive - I imagine the set gave enough extra weight (for those of us who, unlike R3, don't have a shed load of camping / flamethrowing equipment to cart about) to improve the ride noticably? :dunno:

I cannot confirm by experience, but would be totally gobsmacked if it were not :schocked:

Surprising fact - new truck screens are significantly cheaper than car screens......

Actually, thinking about Ki Gas, the same hand pump is used to squirt a drop of neat diesel into the inlet manifold of Perkins P6 engines. This effectively 'ups' the compression ratio as well as providing something combustible. Not seen that an any other engine :dunno:

There have been some pretty tasty pictures posted on this forum recently too!

 

As an aside, there is another brand available in Australia called...........Start Yer B*rstard.....I kid you not :-D

 

 

System also known as Ki-Gas or Ky-Gas

Yes, a friend was sent an advert for this out of a trucking mag by a mate in Oz - I call it by this name now, and keep meaning to make up some labels for my various cans of starting fluid.

Just imagine the public outcry if someone tried to market it in this PC counrty :-D :-D :-D

My parents had a caravan with a couple of ancient propane gas bottles with the brand name BOTTOGAS - an unfortunate choice of name I thought :whistle:

So was this one!!! But it was the best of the 4 - another had a civilian AEC cab (the best looker), the other two had original army cabs. There was also a 6 wheel tanker chassis-cab for spares, all got cut up in the 70's. I know, don't rub it in.........and this is the only photo.

This is the modern map of the area.

 

Interesting that some of the WD light railway earthworks (running EW just to south of cemetery) have survived.....

One thing is for certain, you need to have either a full size copy of the original map, or a CD quality file to enlarge on screen, in order to get much from these trench maps.

These were taken from the CD of 175 maps available from http://www.great-war-trench-maps.com Do you think there will be any more of these areas in the archives?

Not such good plans as the sample posted by RickW earlier, that was a "S" for secret one which showed enemy trenches, other maps did not often show German trenches (until 1918 when most maps did).

I wonder if it is worth enquiring with IWM archives and paying a visit down there in the new year - I confess to having little experience in interpreting these things. Anyone more experienced in these maps (and also the campaign) interested in a joint visit? We might be able to come away with some better maps :dunno:

These are the maps as given to me on A4:

1. Beugny 57CNW4 07.02.17

2. Beugny 57CNW4 04.07.18

3. Hermies 57CNE3 20.09.17 (immediately to East of Beugny)

4. Richebourg 36SW3 12.06.16

5. Richebourg 36SW3 02.07.18

6. Sainghin 36SW4 02.07.18 (immediately to East of Richebourg)

Note that these originals are to 1/10,000 scale.

German trenches change colour on some maps.

Can you expand upon the circumstances?

Surely nobody cut it up at dead of night? Crane/lowloader job? Did an unscrupulous developer whisk it away? Unbelievable :schocked: :angry: