Luke131

Thanks Clive I might come back to you later with some more questions. The attached picture has my last model in it, the Comet. Luke

Clive thanks but I am concentrating on the reserve hornet with all its kit in 1/35th scale .The model is going to be a master for Accurate Armour. The attached photo is the model hull. The model is a bit more advanced now than this photo. Regards Luke

Thanks for your prompt replies . The Tank Museum have two in their collection, one being the prototype on display, the other a production version in storage. The Museum staff think the production version was brought down from the camp when the rest of them were retired. Still wondering what goes in that larger shelf/rack though Thanks Luke

Hello I wondered if any of you Humber Vehicle aficionados would be able to help with a stowage issue for a model project. The attached photo is of the inside offside wall of the Humber Hornet Malkara launcher vehicle. My questions are; 1) The small yellow tubes on the top right corner. I think they are probably for smoke canisters/cylinders for the exterior launchers. But does any one have a picture of what the canister looks like from a 1960s vehicle? 2) Below the five canister holders are three racks. I think the two smaller ones on the right are for GPMG ammunition cans. But what would the larger one on the left for? 3) To the left and on the end of the launching guide system ( big silver box with dial) are clips. What are these for FN rifle or bren gun ammunition clips? Thanks Luke131

Hello Bovington Tank Museum may be able to help they have a good relationship with the Army . About 5 to 10 years ago the British Army got rid of their remaining AVRE and ARVs. I saw most of them lined up waiting to be hard targets at Lulworth Gunnery ranges in Dorset just last week end.

Hello does any one know if the British army fitted extended end connectors (duck bills) to their M5 Honey Tanks during the lats year of WW2. I know the US Army did and that the British fitted them to their Shermans any one have an idea on this? Thanks Luke

Thanks Trevor For your detailed reply. I have been doing some further research onto the vehicles that carried the Malkara. It seems from a report That I read that a Comet chassis was used as test bed for a tracked armoured test on a forward indirect fire vehicle. The idea being that this vehicle goes forward to spot and target enemy tanks passing the target back to Malkara launchers futher back. If this worked then a Cent chassis would have been used as a production model I suspect that the Comet chassis at the IOW Museum was this test rig. The same report also suggests that not just the trailers with the launchers were built as prototypes but FV426 APCs were converted/Built to carry the launchers along with Centurion chassis being strong;y considered. Designs for them were drawn up, but later discounted instead the Hornet being favoured. It remarks on how the 426 were not up to the job in an exercise around Bovington and Lulworth and Salisbury plain. I would like know of how the seven Comets you mentioned were going to be used? Thanks Luke

Hello all I have been carrying out research at the Tank Museum and in an old magazine/book article was a grainy picture of a Comet chassis fitted with a new concept turret. The article was about anti tank missiles and was written about the same time the M60A1E1 Shillelegh and the MBT-70 was in use. The turret is clearly a fabricated set up and has a very similar shape to the MBT-70 with a rounded front end and a long turret bustle. In the centre front is a 76mm gun. Its very likely this was taken from the Scorpion then in service at the time. Either side on the sides of the turret are two missile launching tubes similar to the M60 design. The chassis looks unaltered save for the front end that is completely covered in a camouflage net. I'm guessing that this is an attempt I believe that this was a british concept so I hope that some body using this site would recall it, any ideas?

Great pics from Lulworth I see these from the range walks albeit from the boundry line. The Chieftain driver trainer looks a little forelorn. It wasnt long ago I use to see them drive past my house leaving trail of smoke! Got any more close up shots of targets? Thanks for replies Luke

Thanks , I think that the concrete was used for the anti tank practice. Plus when did they start painting targets. I have seen some painted bright colours, others have the edges painted white to show off their out line more easily? Thanks Luke

Hello all In the past I have noticed that WW2 period and early post war tanks pulled off firing ranges , chiefly Salisbury plain were filled with concrete to eek out the time they can survive under the gun as targets . Has any one any idea when this practice started? Thanks Luke

Hello folks Having the privilege of Living in the Purbecks in Dorset I regularly visit the Bovington area. What I have noticed recently are civilian transporters taking away stripped down chassis of Challengers from ABRO the organization employed to rebuild MOD vehicles. A while back I saw AS90s being stripped down and their hulls being shipped out. I learnt later that they were going for scrap. Does any one know if this is the same for the challenger or are they going into storage? If so it seems just the sort of stupid thing Mr cameron and his chums would allow, perfectly good modern front line vehicles to be waisted in this way.:-( Thanks Luke131

Not getting very far adding image try again later

Hello all the attached photo is what appears to be an electric three wheel articulated vehicle used in carrying radial engines.The picture comes from the Aeroplane Magazine. Any one any idea who made it?

Thanks for your reply, Would it be correct to say this is pretty much a cable operated system? And yes Tank Fest is a must! Luke