11rjkg

Not Op Grapple, but Op Resolute 1996.

Modified DROPS and TM (?). 

DROPS recovered to Kupres, whilst TM shown being recovered from somewhere near Kamensko (can't recall MSR name). 

Some interesting additions. 

Fox certainly had an impressive turn of speed, though I seem to recall that standing orders stated that it shouldn't be driven in excess of 40mph.

As Richard says, if driven sensibly it shouldn't be particularly susceptible to overturning. However, if driven at stupid speed around a tightbend it would 'flip' easily. 

I like the pics of the prototype. I recall regularly travelling on the  train past ROF Leeds in the late 70's, and there being a discarded prototype Vixen  decaying just inside the perimeter fence. 

I guess two of Barry's pics of NH Sqn QOY show CES (complete eqpt schedule) checks, whilst one shows Fox being driven in the rain. Creature comforts were negligible; with physical discomfort combined with the natural elements entering straight thro' the dvr's hatch and into the fighting compartment.

Perspex windscreens were issued at some stage, but were rarely used, aas they weren't very user friendly. 

I've attached a few more pics; one of QOY & RY parading with guidons unfurled in front of the Queen in Imphal Bks, York. The other two show Fox on Crusader 80 in Germany ; one showing a maintenance day, and the other at Endex (sigh of relief), with the usual accompaniment of German kids! 

The scale of those exercises could never be replicated now. 

37 minutes ago, Pzkpfw-e said:

What are they like when they run over a mine? Not that the Jackal's any good from that point of view.

 I would guess that the under-hull armour is comparable to Scimitar, which was deployed in Afghanistan: although I must admit that I don't know how either compare with Jackal in this respect.

Obviously the wheels and tracks of any vehicle would be vulnerable.

It goes without saying that the IED protection afforded by either Fox or Scimitar would exceed that of 'snatch' Landrovers which were initially deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, though even a Challenger sustained severe damage, and its driver severe injuries, when detonating an IED in Iraq.

A couple more pics of Fox on the ranges at Warcop. 

Am I alone in believing that Fox was retired prematurely? 

Whilst admitting that it had its share of mechanical problems; was top heavy and had limited off road capability due to its four wheel configuration; it was also fast, quiet, well-armed; relatively well protected against small arms fire: highly manoeuvrable; easily transported and deployed, etc, etc. 

I can't see where a vehicle like Jackal wins over Fox. Surely in a theatre of low intensity ops, like Afghanistan, Fox would have been ideal suited? 

In an effort to beat coronavirus boredom, thought I'd post some pics of Fox in service with 'A' (RWY) Sqn, RY. 

I've had the below poster since I was a kid in the 70's. I can't even recall where I got it from, but probably from cadet service. In the bottom left hand corner it's marked 12/61, so I'm guessing it's dated from 1961.

I'm not particularly after selling it, but was wondering, purely out of interest, if these are now collectable, and, if so, what an approximate value would be ?

It looks like it's a GEW (Gewehr) 98G (WW1), not a KAR (Karbine) 98K (WW 2) bayonet. The blade on the latter is 26cm long.

Thought I'd show this Alvis FV brochure, which I recently dug out from the attic. I've owned it since at school in the 70's, where a fellow pupil / CCF member (whose name is still on the front !) gave it to me. I'm not sure how he came by it, although I think his dad was in the Army.

Not only is it packed full with technical data, but the artwork is of its time, and quite attractive.

`I just can't think of what the truck is , something from the 1970's methinks , fibre-glass based on VW Beetle floorpan ?`

 

Sorry to dissapoint, but the vehicle is VW181. Over 50,000 were produced between 1969 and 1982 for certain NATO armies and, sold in lesser quantities on the civilian market in several countries. Utilising none of the WW2 panels, the build quality of the VW181 was a big improvement over the original Kubel (VW82). Incidentally, the car was based on a VW Carman Ghia floor-pan, with a beefed-up suspension. The car in the pic looks in reasonable condition with only minor changes at the front (missing issue military bull bar)

 

As for the uniforms - the tunic and caps look almost modern Bundeswehr?

 

Was similarly stopped maybe 20 years ago driving my VW181 by 2 local cops who pulled me over at a roadblock (on the pretence of checking for escaped prisoners). Both wanted to know everything about my car and, we all had a good laugh with everyone taking it for the humour that it was meant to convey.

 

Sad times we live in where the guys on the front line cannot even have a laugh without risking being reprimanded !

 

Steve 82.

 

 

Names (repeatable - in public anyway) for the vehicle:

 

VW181 = LH drive model and called `Thing` in the US, `Safari` in Mexico, `kubel` in Germany and other continental countries

VW182 = RH drive model and called `Trekker` in the UK

I think you mean Karmann Ghia! The chassis was essentially the same as a Beetle chassis, but 185mm wider. These were then delivered to Karmann in Osnabruck (founded by Wilhelm Karmann), who built and fitted the Karmann Ghia bodies to them. You're right, of course, that this chassis was also utilised for the VW 181.

As for the uniforms, they look like a repro Werhmacht officer's (epaulettes not clearly visible, so can't tell rank), and a repro Waffen SS brigadefuhrer, or above (collar patches not clearly visible); definitely no Bundeswehr items. They might have been rather less controversial, and certainly a lot more authentic, to have attired themselves in BW uniforms. Look like a pair of Walter Mitties as shown !

I still have a few vehicle transfers from my time on CVR (W) whilst with 'Y' Sqn, QOY and 'A' Sqn, RY. Attached photo shows what I have.

The RAC sign and NE Dist badge were both from 'Y' Sqn, but I can't ever recall then being applied to the vehicles. What we did apply were regimental transfers of the yellow QOY fox badge on a black rectangle. These were applied to either side of the hull just below the turret ring, and to the front of the II sight cowl. Alternatively, they were applied to either side of the turret (as per the photo below).

I seem to recall that when I first joined in 1979 squadron symbols were normally stencilled to either side of the turret in red paint, and a squadron pennant attached to the antennae. The regimental transfers were then applied to the sides of the hull. This would have been late '70's / early '80's, but I think by then the practice of applying insignia was already on the way out.

The 'A' (Royal Wilts Yeomanry) Sqn transfers were periodically applied to the front of the II sight cowl, but by the late '80's I seem to recall that no unit insignia were applied except the black NZ fern leaf stencilled onto the reverse of the R/O/S wing.

Have attached a couple of pics; one showing the QOY parading in front of the Queen in CVR(w)'s during the inauguration of 2 Div in Imphal Bks , York about 1982. Note the transfers on the turret sides.

The other pic is just a random Fox on exercise with no insignia shown.

Commonly known as 'Tank bivvies'. Always used to smell of soil; oil; canvas and damp ! Don't know when they first came into service, but by the early '80's had Velcro fastenings.

I'm pretty sure that they were issued to everyone, but rarely worn. I know that when I joined the TA in '78 they were issued to all members of my unit, but can never recall an occasion when the order of dress stipulated , 'cap, combat'. However I can recall the odd individual wearing them on exercise.

I seem to recall that they were referred to disparagingly as Afrika Korps hats, and were often worn by recruits in the regular army prior to being 'awarded' their regimental beret.

Maroon beret ! The RMP (Royal Military Police) wear red berets !

I seem to recall that the nylon AFV crewman's coveralls were G10/98 issue, rather than personal issue, and certainly in the Yeomanry, were not particularly popular, and so rarely worn.

I think you'll find that the nylon strap under the epaulettes was incorporated to assist with the extraction of wounded crewmen from an AFV.

This is a bergan from the late 70's / early 80's. They predate PLCE and were contemporary with '58 pattern webbing shortly before the introduction of PLCE.

No idea as to whether they have any value !

Many thanks; that's interesting.

I was going to post this in the 'Jersey, heavy duty' thread, but the jersey referred to is obviously not HD, so probably deserves its own thread.

Anyway, I've attached some pics of a jersey which I procured from our CCF stores back in the late '70's. As can be seen, it's dated 1950, and I can't ever recall them having been issued (jerseys, HD, were standard issue by then), but seem to recall that I grabbed this one as they were being disposed of.

Could anyone tell me whether these were general issue, maybe prior to the general introduction of jerseys HD ? If not, to whom were they issued ?

Thx.

Interesting to see again that the parka is the same maker and contract. So far I have never seen a different one and this furthers my suspicion that this was the only run of them (unless anyone has a variant?). Did it come with that early 80's liner? No sign of the original liner? This parka was definitely a superior build and design quality to the heavy cotton one that became issue. Apart from the noisy material.

Yes, the liner shown came with the parka. The parka fabric was /is of the windproof type and was great for drying quickly after getting wet (with the exception of the quilted hood).

I've attached some photographs of my early DPM parka, which I purchased as Army surplus in about 1980 in order to try and fend off the worst of the cold whilst a CVR (W) Fox crewman with the TA. The totally inadequate kit issue of the time prompted most serving TA crewmen (I believe regulars too) to make private purchases, and I recall that Bundeswehr parkas; Barbour jackets and cut down old greatcoats were all popular items.

Anyway, returning to the parka, it was a great piece of kit for AFV crewmen and was made of a windproof type material which, unusually, was printed with a very light coloured DPM reminiscent of the old tropical DPM kit. The attached photographs clearly show this print colouring.

Hi,

I'm Roger, and live in S Glos. I have an interest in military history and ( a not very technical !) interest in military vehicles.

Although I don't posses any military vehicles I was formerly a CVR(W) Fox crewman between 1979-1992, firstly in 'Y' Sqn., QOY, and subsequently with 'A' (Royal Wilts Yeomanry) Sqn., RY.