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Sorry Bill - don't agree (but I don't know a lot). Right now you can do a FFR with a fair bit of basic kit around the Manpack - cheap due to it being dumped on the market , if I am off on pricing - somebody please correct me as several months since I first checked out. For instance - I purchased this here (and it is real quality construction and brand spanking new) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Military-Army-Clansman-carrier-adapter-plate-PRC351-/360267378652?pt=UK_Collectables_RadioTelevision_Telephony_SM&hash=item53e19befdc And then found it on eBay being sold with the frame (on previous pic) - both together for about the same price. From what I understand a good working Clansman Manpak is under £200 (sometimes £100) - display non-functional - £40 to £50. ------------ In US - factories / warehouses must use grey slotted Dexion (as the common UK manuf. is called) stuff by the million miles - and you don't have any rivet counter nit-pickers who know better on minor details. You can get a pair of sliders for rear antenna for about £15 on eBay. To fill the Dexion there are a few cheaper items such as chargers and of course the boxy switch thingy for the tuners, can look quite impressive at low shipping cost too because nothing big. ======================= The other alternative - - but I don't know the full details (somebody may provide a photograph) is fitting of the ManPack frame in the cab centre seat position. There will be a bit of variation on this depending on Shunt/ammeter position etc.

This is the starting point :- http://www.militaryrover.co.uk/'>http://www.militaryrover.co.uk/'>http://www.militaryrover.co.uk/ After that - you need to read up where others have offered assistance , I am lagging behind. I am doing a Unitary a unitary kit with Clansman (plenty dumped on market just now but prices can be high or low for same stuff). I am also doing a unitary for a earlier truck - so it will be Larkspur. Again a area I have neglected , collected all the misc. stuff but no radio - I need to swot up. Check out here :- http://www.militaryrover.co.uk/ http://www.land-rover-lightweight.co.uk/Clansman.html -------------- johnhughes from NI has done a lot of beginners guides on Ex-MLRA , read all up and by others - after that you can only come to HMVF and ask specific questions .. http://forum.emlra.org/viewtopic.php?t=6313&highlight=idiots+guide http://forum.emlra.org/viewtopic.php?t=6542 Larkspur will not be so easy , more so where you live..

The two holes drilled through the galv. top capping would probably stiffen the bracket up sufficient for antenna mount.. On a civvy bodyside it is only the alloy panel - that is why the military spec. tubs have reinforcement steels affixed along the insides (also often caused dissimilar metal corrosion to alloy panels).. If they used a standard Dexion kit on a Lightweight and required rear mounted antenna - then they would just mount the sliders off a Unitary Kit and use packers to position for the tilt (this is what many M.V. Collectors do now to keep the tub space free). A support like this could also be used to mount a beacon (as often was / is the case). I suppose it depends on what limited role radio TX & RX they were using , a modified bracket like that would be more than adequate for a Manpack remote aerial..

You can't compare any Dutch Rover against a British FFR Apples/Oranges. I think British FFR front wings left Solihull pre-wired according to era. for Tuners - up to inner wings , this is not so easy to determine on Parts Lists for harness , as said previously - it was a bit messy in this area until the later wings with spade lid terminal box covers appeared. ------------- What they did do was use a GP Dexion kit :- This is a earlier S2A era kit . I suspect somebody took Item 36 Stanchion and hacksawed off the crank , drilled 2 extra holes in and bolted it on the upper body side. Not a good idea because a FFR 2A Mk. 8,10 88" or 9,11 109" had heavy reinforcement steels in behind the rear wings from when it left Solihull. However ISTR having seen it done ! It was done when a hard-top was fitted but probably a special kit intended for hard-top mounting. The clue for Dexion kit use in a Lightweight is the later Dexion S3 kit , this has a mounting bracket looking like a bit of angle iron with 4 qty. bolt holes drilled in (you find these left bolted on the galv. capping rails). They have a long part number branded on and these have defo. been traced back to the kit (this gives a pukka mounting for Diagonal brace Item No. 40 on diagram.. You do find holes and often they are never identified (actually I tried toavoid bodywork with extra holes - other than a good truck that had VPK at some stage), Probably the most rare of CES kit to find on a Lightweight is this tube in the terry clips :- That is the rear grab rail - for the brave !!! ===================================== Your holes are in the main so unusual - I doubt you will ever determine what was fitted (esp. the tub) , ---- these are my mystery holes , I lifted a centre seat base and found this extra ally plate bolted down. It is a KB GS. that it was fitted with VPK , history shows the VPK was fitted but then held in NI reserve. At the time I pondered on mounting frame for Manpack - but I now have one and don't think so. The 4 qty. holes are not for a winterized heat exchanger that would be fitted on a similar extra plate. Being VPK - I now suspect some sort of culvert mine detection , possibly the cab side of Claribel radar bullet detection ???

One of the reasons I never bothered for 10 years to get the history , In 1980 there was not even a handfull of books available with any info. on military Land Rovers - offhand - I think I had only 1 and small bits in another general book. No possibility of doing Goo0000gle searches. You relied on people in local MV clubs with better knowledge , often the ones who had regular military service could be trusted more, one of these (a jeep man) called to see the remains of the markings - looked and said "X7 field commanders car RA" - I just accepted !!! In reply to your question - from my 3 years experience with 34 Sig Reg. (V) - I don't think so , often we were on a weekend exercise and the rankers did not ever get the broad picture. We were once on a area with some RA in practice , we tried to get near the guns but were prevented - I don't think there was any connection ....

If you look at the photographs on the other thread , you will notice that there is black paint in middle of doors. Ruddington used to take a chisel to all markings and black them out, there was a mark on the rear also (probably union flag) - it was in factory DBG still and 1 year after I got it I used wet-n-dry and gave it a flash coat or two (well more than several) with celle paint. I was carefull sanding through the black paint but all I found was bits of two or three colours ///// see amd. ============== PS.. (amd. just remembered I have this noted in vehicle log) . Union flag on rear The doors were marked with X7 and front and rear were marked with 1.1/4. black and yellow badges front and rear. Yes , I should contact the 35 Sig. TA and get badge details for after next re-spray , X7 was I would say too small for a call sign , IIRC about 4 or 5" high at most , don't know what 1.1/4. means ??? ============== At Ruddington , loose items (nickable) were also numbered with Lot No. for security to check at gate-house - so seat base cushions, spare wheel & jack were marked with white paint !! I had it for 10 years before doing a history search :- M of AT now closed (apparently high stripping cost of asbestos roof etc. - hence "B" cards now at Royal Logistics Corp. @ Deepcut Bks. ---------------------- Nothing much to say for history - but bits I don't quite understand. 1. ASH = Ashchurch (CVD / Central Vehicle Depot) 2. Only one Regiment. BUT - I don't know what (TK) means ?? 35 Signal Regiment (V) RHQ – Coventry Squadrons: Birmingham; Newcastle-Under-Lyme; Rugby; Shrewsbury. ----------- I found this quite amusing because from 1968 to 1971 - I was with 34 Northern Signal Regiment (V) - based in N.E. England. Now when I was with them all the Rovers , Austin & Bedford trucks were in DBG , abt. 1969 permission was given for Regimental badges on the doors. There was a design competition and the winner for 34 Regt. was a white/blue sort of lightening (spark) flash and I put quite a few decals on ! Then it went to Ruddington for disposal - dates seen to be booking in date , auction date & Lot No. The TA in those days were well equipped with brand new Rovers (well what I saw of them) , washed down well before garaged. ISTR that officers never drove . There were drivers and ED's - I was a Electrician Driver , strange because I was a apprentice Fitter & Turner in real life - but I did have a ONC for Electrical , if I had not joined the Merchant Navy - I was destined for Electronics Technician but they wanted me to work through electrical first. Officers did drive them to a pub on a night , one got rolled on the NY Moors and he was sacked , don't recall if he was Court Marshalled first !! The record sheet for the financial , I don't think Deepcut give you a print off - quite a bit I am uncertain of so pointless speculating..

ffs Bazz - Tow Law , paintballing - just up the hill from me !!!!

theredkite - I see you live at Hexham , just one valley nearer the Tartan Curtain than me....

Hi StoneRoad - possibly your name should be MilitaryRoad ???? Past Haltwhistle this summer on the train from Hexham to Carlisle , about 5 to 8 miles east of Carlisle (north side of track) I observed some interesting restored WW2 vehicles in a garden. Sat at the correct side on return trip doing my best to spy and somehow I missed the place !!! Any idea what it was , forget now , possibly CMP - certain more than one ???

ISTR the Dutch had some transmission problems , as a result of choice of using their stock of larger tyres and the diesel engine. IIRC their axle mods. were not a success and Rover ended up sorting out. Only had a good look at one on the show scene - well kitted out woth correct Dutch FFR gear - very nice it all was for something different , the owners remark to me as I walked off was - but I have to live with the diesel !!! Made me wonder about my project ??

Never had a cloggie BUT I have this good 5mb - sometime I will know (but I have a Fairey OD to go on too). to drop into this FFR (converted by PO to 12 volt , not prepared to put back) - about 1976 , 43 GF 07 , chassis and body still rock solid ! It will then be rubbed down & re-sprayed in white/black DP , I intend using it as a winter vehicle so will be putting a full Williams winterization kit in. I don't want to hack the tub back corners out for starting battery boxes , the centre seat is claiming a pair of starting batteries but one may go under the present (modified to 12 volt) battery location to free up for the heat exchanger - or the heat exchanger may have to go in the tub ?? The alternative is to get another tub and I have missed two FFR winterized moded because they were to far away - uneconomic. I intend to line it all out with the pukka Plastazote "Hardura" stuff , not seen one of these RADHAZ linings , they are very cheap just now - but would I be able to cut up , re-stitch to size & fit ???? Too many project - as they say insufficient time available ...

Some FM's left Ruddington after a very short service life ! 19 FM 65 in 1980 , perfect condition "Padre Wagon" - best of all at auction.. Still not worked out all the financials - IIRC cost me about £2000 plus inc. Nottingham hotel bill and costs getting it back home. Ran it until 1998 - on blocks awaiting full refurb.. Not many had all their service life with only one regiment !!

You could have had both Larkspur and Clansman tuner boxes mounted over the very long length of service, account the small holes in your front wings for the lead stowage boxes. I have a small box handy somewhere but don't think I have the larger size FV box. The other hole of course would be for the long stem wing mirror that yours would have left Solihull with :- GS. 19 FM 65 ( I obtained it from Ruddington in 1980 )

Holes in tub rear - most + don't know. The holes in the upper body side - a 109" FFR side mout antenna bracket could have been fitted , advise of hole centres - I have some around somewhere , so should be able to confirm. ------------------------- Front wing - truck your age would probably have had Larkspur , this shows the tuner box & antenna mount , yes the rear was open to the elements (you have drivers view). I don't know why anybody needs to open out such a large mounting bolt hole, the wing is double skinned to reinforce and is pre-drilled on under skin - ready to drill open out & file dress. A Larkspur tuner would have a universal surface mount "adaptable box" - no known Rover no. they are on a FV No., I have seen a large (common) and smaller - this is for lead stowage. Smaller & neater than Clansman From 1979 - this was tidied up with a box built in under the wing with a spade shaped access lid :- Ignore the crunch !! -

======================

A full FFR "Unitary Kit" requires no extra holes or work to be done to fit. It all lifts in and clamps down with quick release hooks , can also be used in a ground role under a tent c/w sliding operators seats that can also be used like a deck chair. Normally in this role it would have two more batteries in the tray , they would probably re-charge with a small Onan set if the truck was away and unable to plug the extension lead in... I doubt if many were used in a limited radio role using a Manpack and dexion - like collectors do now (just keeps the tub free to carry Thermalite blocks etc). I was in the TAVR Royal Signals and we did have some Pye sets but these were in 88" Rover 8 and 10's - never noticed one in a Lightweight.

They had far more FFR's than required for use with Unitary Radio kit - so many were used just as a 12 volt GS in a tactical role (there were not that many 88" CL's and they were used by MP's and driver training from what I observed around Catterick). For soft skinned radio trucks etc. I don't know how the TAVR RA sourced their radio operators , possibly attached from Royal Corps of Signals, if that was the case then probably the truck would come attached with them. This sort of indicates it was not used as FFR , there again it could have carried a Unitary kit for ground role - then it was released for GS. AFAIK forward controllers would be in a armoured tank or similar with a fake shooter ?? I would think it must have been part of the Regiment total logistics - convoy movement every two years for summer camp with BAOR....

I think what you are asking is - was it a gun tractor - no (but I suppose it would shuffle at the line). Did it go for the fish and chips - most certainly. Was it used as a ammo limber X country - probably to the line with a Sankey (or two) .....

The above shows the later vent control lever knob - you don't want that one ! - if you wish to remain period , (you could as same leverage - they just push on the crimp of the lever end)... The knobs on Lightweights came as part of a assembly known as "Dash ventilator control" - even at the UK / UK exchange rate - you don't want to be buying those !!!! As always - Rover use the "common parts bin" but sometimes there was a big run over , the S2A knob (the part No. I gave you) was used on S3 Lightweights for years (well after 1976 IIRC). ============================= Can't see the detail of your arms , the blades seem to have plastic centre for hook end arms , people do it for ready availability. Military wipers are single speed , sometimes people fit a more readily available two speed & switch. sometimes these have a slightly different wheelbox and sweep of arc. Sometimes the parking is changed over , I have a couple of minta left hookers but they are stored away with bad access . I am certain they are as Solihull built - you should be OK with arm left hand 575430 & right hand 575431 and a pair of PRC 1330 blades (or NOS s/s). The spline mounting bobbins (fit on spindles) the ones I suggested are after-market copies (cheap) , they come with a grub screw. Genuine would have a small hex. set-bolt so easier to check for security (in a strong wind - I have had the whole lot ripped off a spindle and blown away). You probably don't even have the correct spline bobbins - the small catch at base of arm gives quick release for re-position or you can release the bobbin .. Genuine blades are marked "Made in England" and have the trade mark sort of a box with a roof on that I am certain is Trico. Those copies on eBay are very good , no mark and no central reinforcement at hinge pin but they still work well - may be Chinese but I don't think so. Could be made by Trico , often a OEM will leave all marks off and there is always a slight difference. Likewise the arms - you would be hard pushed to tell the difference from genuine - no marks at all but I would say by a British OEM. There are Chinese about !!!! but even a genuine Trico rubber blade can have a short life on scratched glass ........

Bushing (plastic) , 335741 The knob comes as part of the control lever mechanism , there are early and late knobs , your description is early , this is the same knob as on a civvy S2A (late) 332327

http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9721/PRC1330F-WIPER-BLADE-FLAT-SERIES-II-III.html?search=575437&page=1 http://www.lrseries.com/shop/product/listing/9721/PRC1330F-WIPER-BLADE-FLAT-SERIES-II-III.html?search=prc1330&page=1 With all the supercession numbers , old Unipart etc.. Obviously at that price they are not genuine Rover or Trico (OEM) June 1988 cat. 575437 stainless steel type finish PRC1330 matt black You need to try cheapo against a good un , obviously dependent on your climate (cheap could be more cost effective) , wet days in year when used and hot sun that cream crackers the rubber ..... ----------------- You probably don't have the right arm. You may need to decide what crank is best for LHD & parking so not to strike the screen frame, there is a choice of SS or Matt black, straight or 20 degree crank. Nothing is ever easy , why not just try a set of these to make life easy (better cheapo) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330355899084&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp5197.m570.l1313%26_nkw%3D330355899084%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1 While you are on get some of these :- http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-DEFENDER-WIPER-ARM-SPINDLE-ADAPTOR-/270299637688?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3eef1d27b8 A PO over the pond has probably lost them , sounds like you have wrong kit on. ============================ There is another aftermarket stainless arm that is quite good (but sometimes hard to get) - it has a little spring clip to release the arm - then you can adjust the length for fine tuning...

Wiper blades , most you see by vendors or on eBay for £2.50 to £3 are going to be Chinese manuf. poor copies - probably all from the same factory. You will pay far more for a genuine Land Rover parts black or stainless steel finish , compare the construction of of the metal parts of a Chinese copy to a Rover (or OEM "Trico") and there is a big difference (for starter the copy does not have the reinforcement strip at the hinge pin). Does the rubber perform as well against the real thing - a cheap enough experiment to try yourself .... Probably the only fair performance test would be on new glass Beware of any Chinese fast mover part........ Or any Chinese part ....... Genuine Rover parts will be expensive , those sold as genuine Trico are more or less now unobtainium due to foreign dumping ,,,,,,,,

Your front lights - bedtime reading :- Riveting - you will probably not be interested in the rears.

==================================== There are some days you need to see fewer vehicles !!! In your ramblings you mention page 123 , Lightweight (Ex-Gurkas) 41 KC 50 as seen in December 1997. Well I remember the day very well - because I was stood right next to Mark Cook when he took that photograph at MVS (Lichfield). The area around the hangers was stuffed with Lightweights , but we asked permission to go on to the runway because there had been a arrival of hundreds more all parked in 3 or 4 long rows. I had every intention of buying one or two that day , but I had to say to Mark and his mate - I can't take all this in , it is just too much to take in - I have a headache that is almost a migraine. However that day I observed a few things I have never forgotten - In one hanger there were hundreds of Rover 4 banger new block castings built up in pyramids , the mate of Mark - IIRC a policeman with a Bedford (from Bedford) said I'am coming back with the truck for a few - I can always use them for flower pots. I thought to myself - next month when I come down I will have the Rover & trailer so will put two in exch tub - next visit every single block had gone - SOLD !!!

I think anyone who has renewed S3 headlamp boxes would agree , it is such a fiddly job changing the backing rims for a lens and then getting fingers in to a limited space to feed in the wiring and rubber boot that a REME mechanic is not going to swop things around for a whim. In any case on early ones the underseal spray often covered the rubber boot and water seal gland nut ! I think you are safe in saying that looking at the vehicle front and using FK & FL as a base-line - the fronts were clear over amber , by GF the fronts were amber over clear (and this is still with pressed glass lens). It is unwise to base any theory on the pictures of just one book , in particular the advert on page 46 (that is a very rough artists impression). To compare with S3 CL's or Defender positions would be wrong - apples / oranges. The sales brochure showing 20 HF 07 , don't trust the VRM as being correct - somewhere I have photographs of self sat in a L'wt FFR with sides rolled up at the 1980 Earls Court Motor Show and IIRC the plates are 20 HF 07 !! Most of the collection I have are both 12 volt & FFR's covering HF to KC where I went out of my way to obtain good low mileage unmolested examples . Lighting not something I notice - I need to take a survey !! More important rivet counting - why did they leave off the front bumperettes and rear lift eyes from KA , why mess about with rear axle casing spec. at HG - long before the start of "rationalized axles" ????