SPTA team

Just a quick heads up on this years Plain Invasion, Things are now starting to move in the direction we would like it to move. First of as from the 1st Jan 2009 all requests have to be approved by SPTA ATE HQ, these are the big boys and to be truthfull I didn't think we stood a chace but no, they have given us the green light to run this event. There are curtain guidelines we now have to follow by the book but nothing we can't handle. The drive outs are in the final stages and will be sent forward ASAP. One thing I will say is Saterday morning maybe a no run for reasons that will become clearer nearer the time. We do have two EX running back to back the same weekend but neither our or there paths should cross at the moment. The driver training area is still a bit of a sticking point but working on it. My last throw of the dice for this is to tell HQ everyone wanting to try there hand at some surious off road driving will have pay for the opitunity. All the money will be for the ABF charity. I have been over to Bulford and got a very nice banner for this year, Same as last year, there will be a card for every vehicle turning up that needs to stay with you at all time while you are on the ranges. These cards will only be handed out to vehicle that are on the list, If you are not on the list you have one month to go. after that we have to stop taking bookings. No one will be able to join if not on the list. Once again it has been said that if we need it HQ are happy for us to have a bigger site but this will not be the case for this year as long as we all squeeze up a bit. Again the area will be the hard standing at the front, the grass camp site, the wooded area and hard standing to the rear. The MOD have a few worries about the size of the convoy but again we are working with them on this matter and may result in the vehicles being split into groups of ten with timed departures. Road crossings will have to be manned by our group so any help on this will be greatfully recieved. Thats about it for now, there are few other things but that can all wait till you get here. All the usual rules apply TAX, full licence, MOT blar blar blar.

All the best and see you soon.

Tony

Had a bit of a get together over the break and it has come to light that we don't have any motobikes in the convoy this year. Anyone with an old Army bike please feel free to bring it along.

i saw 4 yaks in formation these were heading to middle wallop for the music in the air concert they have big radials

Nice pics Adam, good to see the old cheiftains are still in the area. Should be up there sometime tomorrow on our anual recce of the place. Shame all the FV432s are now being removed from the west area. One question mate just how far out on the ranges did you have to walk to get a close-up shot of the Pigs? The ammo dump is a normal place for collectors Rambo, only a few years back some guy got stopped by the plod and was found to be carrying a very large live round in the boot of his car.

Great news peeps, Saracen ey not seen one of those vehicles on the ranges for a few years. Like I say Dave you can bring the Cent but it will have to stay static. We can set up a S.A at the front of the camp site if you wish to bring it along. Come to think of it we have a great wooded area you can set all tracked vehicles up in. I know we have a few ex tankies and some still serving popping over at some point during the weekend.

Hello all, may I just take this moment to wish you all a very merry Christmas and happy new year.

All the best.

Tony and the rest of the SPTA team

Finally got hold of West Down today and it's not good new. Anyone wishing to bring a tracked vehicle will only be for static display. I have been told to let you know that on no account will tracked vehicles be permitted to drive on the ranges. The reason for this is the same as this year, tracked vehicle corse a fair bit of damage which the MOD are not perpared to pay for. At present all wheeled vehicles are allowed, They still can't give me any dates for the MRXs at the moment so we will carry on organising for this weekend. If the worst should happen and the weekend is cancelled I will let you all know ASAP.

Tony

Chris you scallywag. Don't get to attached to that trophy mate, it's coming home with me next year.

I will pop you on the list Robin.

Paul, don't worry to much about breaking down mate. If it's going to go it will be during the valley run. Some of the guys have done this run and it's not for the faint hearted. Don't let me put you of, it is fun and a challenge all in one. Paul you will be fine mate.

Hello Madcow I am still waiting to here back from the guys at West Down mate. I did try Saterday but he had gone to a Regiment party. I will give him a shout midweek and see if the Cent is a go or not. If you wish to bring your other vehicles please do so. The way its going we will have as many Stollys as Landys.

Tony

Not for me thanks

Got one of the 2008 HCS rat packs and very good to. No more grotty hard biscuits but Tracker bars and Flapjacks, packs of cheese biscuits and Pretzels and thankfully got rid of the screech powder and replaced it with high energy drinks. Not sure about the Tina and sweetcorn and the Mediterranean Tuna salad. Bring back the beef stew. BEEF STEW ROCKS

Ash I had one of those but some pikey had it away mate, HEHE. Paul all done mate you are on the list

As you know Jack, got to keep the younger one's happy. We even let them win at skittles.

Thanks Chris, extra portions of pudding for you mate Dave you still want these Rabbits?

Nice one Chris look forward to chatching up with you again.

The kids where fantastic Rosie, next year we will have that game of football, promise. Just a quick add on, I have had a guy asking if he can bring his 101 Vampire for static only. Could he catch a ride with someone when we go out for a drive. If there is anyone else that would rather go static we can set that up, you don't have to drive around the ranges.

Tony

Yes mate sure is, what you wanting to bring? It is a charity event, raising money for the ABF and putting Dave the Cheff under even more presure

The list so far, if you don't see your name on here then please give me a shout. I have decided from the 1st or March no more vehicles will be added to the list. This gives me time to get all vehicle types and VRNs and alike into West down. Also this gives us a chance to get the event cards done before the event.

1... Jack..................Jimmy

2... R.cube...............Jimmy

3... Ashley................Jeep

4... H K Dave............Jeep

5... PhillB..................Matador

6... Neil.....................Stalwart

7... Poptopshed..........Stalwart / 101

8... ChrisG.................Austin Champ

9... Phill....................Austin Champ

10.. Richard...............Austin Champ

11.. Pete & Charlotte...Austin Champ

12.. Brian..................Austin Champ

13.. Sean..................101 LR

14.. Darren................101 LR plus 110

15.. Dave..................109 RMP LR

16.. Paul...................109 LR

17.. Rambo................110 LR X 5 waiting for vehicle list and VRNs

18.. John...................Waiting for vehicle and VRN

19.. Pete...................Dutch LWT

20.. Chaos.................LWT

21.. Chris...................Wolf LR pos

22.. Mark...................LWT LR

23.. Phill....................101 LR

24.. John...................Sumb

25.. Paul...................101 LR / Bedford TM

26.. Dave..................Stalwart

27.. Dave..................Stalwart

28.. Dave..................Militant

29.. Dave..................Militant

30.. Dave..................DAF GS

31.. Robin.................GAS66

32.. Kevin.................Stalwart

33.. Mark..................Scammell Pioneer

34.. Dave..................Champ

35.. Ken....................Champ

36.. Walter................Champ

I have at least 7 non HMVF guys waiting on the side lines. If you would like to come down for the weekend give me a shout. We are getting some, I survived the valley run stickers made up. Yes you guys that done it this year will have to do it all again next year.

Tony

Got you down Daren, both vehicles on the list, Chris I will put HK Dave down as well, R cubed you are on the list mate you are number 2 on the Plain Military forum. You are under RNR mate.

At this moment in time I will say yes about the Cent but I do need to contact West Down just to see how the ground lies on this matter. This year we where told not to drive tracked vehilces at very short notice due to the wet weather prior to the event. I was told that the guys could bring them but for static display only. I will contact West down Friday and put this to them, I will post any news I get ASAP. The only concern I have about the Cent is how the hell do we recover it if it should conk out on the ranges. Trucks and Rovers are ok but a 60+ tonne tank could be a bit of a problem. Anyone got a Cheiftain ARV..........Anyone else wanting to bring a tracked vehicle please step forward and I will get you on the list. If pos could you put your vehicle type and VRN, this will only be used for West down matters and vehicle cards.

Tony

The dates for the Plain invasion weekend will be from May 1st to the 4th 2009. If these date should change I will let everyone know ASAP.

Paul you coming with the FFR mate? if so I will get some bitz ready just incase HEHE. great to have you back on board.

Rich your cakes are tops mate and can't wait to try them again. Jack if you want Organic local produce you can have a handfull of leaves, grass and acorns YUMMY. Just remember, when eating grass those little brown ball like things are not currents jack, just put them on the side of your plate or eat round them.