Bilbo42

OK, I thought just the opposite. But it makes sense that the mag would be closer to the outside. You get the prize! Thanks Bil

This is not a big deal, but I was just wondering what the extra tab and closure is for on this holster. I have circled the area in question. Is it for a cleaning tool. Holster is dated 1984 with broad arrrow and manufacturer. Also, was there another pistol or revolver (besides the Browning) commonly issued for this holster. Thanks, Bil

WOW. You really have some time and money involved in those vehicles. They look great! I have seen the Llwt on the net somewhere before-what color is that? You are so lucky to be in an area where all that stuff is located. It would take me forever to collect all the kit you have hanging on the vehicles, more less the vehicles. I am shooting for a 101 as my next purchase, but it will be awhile. I have another lightweight that is more an everyday drive, but ya know if I had to get rid of one it would be the good one because it doesn't look mil any more. Thanks for sharing the pics with me. Cheers, Bil

Yea, I know about hte civvy cross member. At some point I will get around to changing it. It is funny how many coats of different paint the crossmember has on it. And they all seem to be NATO green/black camo. My pintle hook was frozen from all the paint so I took it off and completely redid it. Under the pintle hook was the bare metal of the bumper and a single coat of NATO green. I need to post whether or not, at some point in its life, 1974-1997, the military may have fitted one for some odd reason. I don't think so, but I have been told that near the end of their life, at depot, they did that??? I'll go back and look at the tires. When these wear out I do want to get some that are more military in comparison. Hey, thanks for looking and for your comments. If you get a chance send me a pic of your mil vehicles. I once owned a 1942 GPW and sold it. I was younger and just didn't have the funds to do it right. The guy I sold it to completely resoted it and uses it for parades, etc here in town. To this day, I still say, "there goes my jeep"! Best regards, Bil

I just opened a bottle of Newcastle to you guys. Great stories. Cheers-bottoms up. BIL

That is really fascinating guys. You have seen and done a lot! Cheers, Bil

I found the ARSSE forum and posted there for anyone that had served in the 212 to reply. Maybe I'll get lucky. I found the artillery cap badges on ebay.uk Very neat looking! Thnaks again. BIL

Hi Barry. That would be really great. I willlook forward to it. BIL

Now I need to start trying to find all that stuff and get it shipped. Best regards, Bil

I drink that quite often here. I kinda like it! I really am learning a lot. The history that you and the other folks are giving me is really interesting. I just wish the pound was not twice the dollar and shipping was not as high. I would really have a field day ordering stuff. For instance, I found a TUAAM protective box for 35 pounds...that's $70 plus shipping. That's stout. Bil

Wow! You guys know your stuff! OK, so as of now (today, this minute-may change tommorrow) I think I will portray my Lightweight's mission with BOAR. That seems it would have been its most interesting time. Since I have a range of service from 1974 to the 1990's, would the the 212 have possibily been deployed other than BOAR?

Thank you all for your suggestions about uniform and kit. As I mentioned earlier, I have the Pattern 58 web gear already. What pattern of combats would have been used , say until the Berlin wall fell (or were most promineent during that period)? waht abou a helmet, what pattern?

I think I will try to stick with Clansman protective boxes, because I ca

n put the empty box on the wing and still look good. I assume since the Larkspur is open to the rear, I would have to have an ATU in the box to look right. Anyone have a spare clansman protective box?

AlienFTM, Iknow what you mean by the LARKSPUR BEING AN OPERATOR'S RADIO. i HAVE SEVERAL wwii FIELD RADIOS AND THEY ARE REALLY A JOY TO WORK WITH. Sorry for the all caps but I am not going back to correct! BTW, I read your interview and it was really something. What is Dog? And i also shot at our National High Power Matches in 1982 and 83. Shot an M-14. Really a great weapon!

Lightweight, I don't know if I said it earlier, but GREAT VEHICLE! Thanks again to all of you. I eagerly await more good info. Your humble student ,Bil

A little recap and then questions: My Lightweight FFR Series III served with 212 (Highland) Battery RA (V) from its issue in 1974 until out of service in 1990s. In the RA (V) in say 1975, what would the uniform dress be in the field if you had been called up to go to some of the places that may have had engagements during say 1975-1986? Also, since i don't yet have the service record of the vehicle, would it possibly have been used in Northen Ireland? Sorry but being from the US, I just don't know these things? Being with the TA, would it just have been used in training manuevers. When our National Guard is called up, which they are often, as in Iraq now, their equipment goes with them. I know this last part is a little off topic, but you guys who were in are as likely to know as anyone!! Thanks, Bil

Oh, I want the TUAAM boxes and the antenna mounts bad. Are yours Clansman or Larkspur? I have one of the little cable holder boxes mounted on the right wing but thats all. It would be great to get all the radio gear but there is no way I could ever afford it. Not over here. There is nothing for sale in the States as far a s British radio gear except manuals. About the closest i will ever come is i have a Canadian transceiver (handheld)-CRP-26. I think you call your version the A40 but that is just from memory. I do need a web bag for it, if you see one around (like the one in the pic).

I see that you have two different antenna mounts-is that for different radios? I see that EMLRA has the TUAAM protective boxes sold separately, that would help me as far as shipping and I could get the antenna mounts there but i want to see who else might have them too before i commit.

That is pretty good about the wooden Brownings. I can see that! Well, I have just become a Major. How is that for rising in the ranks! If any of you know, in an Artillery Battery, in the TA, would it be understandable for an officer, say a Major, to be riding in a FFR (fitted for radio) Land Rover Lightweight. Being a comm vehicle, it seems somewhat realistic. Any thoughts? And thanks for everything so far. See pic attached. Bil

I thought that I posted this last night-so it must be somewher out in space! Where do I ware the Pattern 58 holster for my Browning? I am right handed. Also, what ranks got to ware a sidearm? BTW, the reason I want to know all this stuff is that I have a Land Rover Lightweight that I hope to begin showing at military shows here in the southeastern US. I am in the process of kiting it out and wanted to do the same for myself. At the very least jacket, helmet, pants, boots and web gear. My rover was delivered to the 212th (Highland) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers) in 1974, so I want to portray the mid 1970-1980s. Any help would be great. Best regards, Bil

Thanks everyone. I do have a PPG distributor about 50 miles from me. Now if I can only get him to understand what I want. I have the NATO numbers and the British standard numbers. Maybe he can cross reference something. Best regards, BIL

That answers it. That's why you are a General! ;-) Best regards, Bil

It does not need to be the IRR stuff. I just want a shade that is as near as possible to the NATO Green that was used with the black to camo Land rovers in the mid1970-1980s. Thanks, Bil

I am just looking for a Sankey here in the States that is not a million dollars. The guy who has the one that i posted the picture of is calling it a Sankey and I had never seen one like that befoe. Thnaks, bil

Thanks. I see you have a sankey for sale. Are u in the States by any chance? Bil

American or British?

OK all that makes good sense. Question: when I got this stuff from Sportsmans Guide it came with two thin green straps with buckels that were just loose. What do they go to in relation to what kit I have (see above post)? Bil

OK, I got it now what? I think I have most of it together ok but I sure would appreciate it if someone could pass on to me a set of instructions (with pictures) as to the proper way to assemble this stuff! I have the belt, the suspenders, the front two ammo pouches, the rear two pouches that are sewn togerther and the sleeping roll cover. I am having a little trouble on the bottom of the rear pouches and the sleeping roll cover. I could not find anything on the net. Thanks, Bil

what unit is represented by 58868600 written under "Unit Code"? Also has anyone here served with the 212 Battery Royal Artillery (V), or the 102nd Ulster and Scottish LAD Regiment RA (V) or the 105 (Scottish)ADR, RA? I have a Bunch of questions about my Lightweight's service there. . Thanks, Bil

I posted this on another forum but have not gotten an answer yet-I figure I would double my odds by posting here too. I am interested in getting a set of pioneer tools (shovel and pick) for the back of my 1974 RHD FFR lightweight. I have notice several pictures on the net that seem to differ as far as where the head of the pick mounts. On my RHD FFR LW there is the bolt coming out of the center of the tail gate that the pick head goes on. It is supposed to be held on there with a big butterfly nut (which I have). The shovel mounts below the pick head and the pick handle mounts above the pick head. I think that is the common arrangement. On my other lightweight, which is also a 1974, but a LHD and not FFR, it has all the hardware on the back to mount the shovel and pick handle, EXCEPT it does NOT have the big bolt for the pick head to mount on. I thought maybe my LHD was just missing that big bolt, but it seems to never had one as there is not (and never seems to have been) a big bolt mounted there for the pick head. I was looking at several sites on the net and came across a couple of pictures of LW that seems to never have had the big bolt for the pick head either but do have the other mounting hardware for the shovel and pickhandle. My question is... on these LW that never seem to have had the big bolt for the pickhead to mount on the tailgate, where did the pickhead mount? The first three pictures show the bolt for the pickhead and the next two never seem to have had that mounting??