Tootles

I suppose that if previous generations had thought this way, then there would be no Norman Castles, nor a Hadrian's Wall, or even many of the 16th century country houses we hold today as our precious birthright. That aircraft alone is probably worth a couple of castles. I went some years ago to see the remains of the very last Blackburn Skua, rescued from a Norwegian Fiord, fantastic. Much better, I think, to spend the cash on a project like that, then give it away to nuclear powers as so called 'foreign aid'??

The 'riot electrification device' was first fitted to our Mk2 Ferrets in 1970, whilst in Northern Ireland. A hole was drilled into the hull floor, just to the right of the commander, and forward of the .30 cal ammo box container. A pipe led through this hole, and a 2pt oil bottle, filled with water, was mounted upside down on the ammo bin side. A tap replaced the normal small capped hole on the bottle. Chain was affixed to the outside of the hull plate, attached to a cord, which also led through the hole in the hull. Operation was then thus: Drop the chain, open the water bottle tap, and switch on the coil. In theory, any person touching the Ferret would get a 55 thousand volt shock....(very low amps). We never used the thing, mainly because the upturned oil bottle leaked the water away long before it was ever needed.:nut: Memory failing, excuse, age. I think the hole was in the floor, however, it could have been in the hull side, very close to the floor. If you have a Mk2 with an unexplained hole leading outside, then it will probably be for this kit.

I always thought that all the RAF 2As had hard tops??????:-X

Maybe 1st Canadian Armoured Div?? The Scammell following suggests a RASC unit, or early REME. It has a walking frame lift on the back. The 'A' Sqn triangle on the cab door also points to an armoured unit. On the bumper is the 'Raging Bull' emblem of the British 11th Armoured, who were re-equipping at the time, the Canadians ending up with a lot of their vehicles. Pretty sure as well that the pillion rider is an American, or a Canadian in parade issue shirt and tie, and with the hills in the background, plus the scrub foliage used as cam, this could be Sardinia, or the far South of Italy?????????? Just an idea.

They wouldnt let me climb in.....However, I did take a peek. Some small smoke damage, all radio cables seem intact, gunners controls, nav aid etc, still in there.

Considering the 'stick' she has had on the range, she is very much complete. Most of the fighting compartment is complete, including all the gunners controls and the breech..(still in pres grease). The drivers compartment has been locked down since delivery, and is reportedly complete. Some damage to the roadwheels, but all the hatches are intact, and, she is only twenty yards from a made up road........ Alas, I have no space to put her, but, these hard targets are no longer used, and therefore not needed. Maybe someone will rescue her one day. No power pack, but the aux genny is still there, and the uprated Merrit-Wilson gearbox.

Today, I had the great pleasure to visit my old Chieftain Mk2 at Otterburn Range. I signed for this tank, which was brand new from ROF Leeds, in 1969, and last saw it in BAOR April 1970, 43 years ago. It has taken some time to trace her, and with the kind assistance of the MOD team at Otterburn, I was able today to see, and visit, 04EB68 again, maybe a little bit 'aged' since we last met, but hey, so have I. Dave.

Yes, your right. HRH The Princess Anne had just become CinC, and was on a visit. Padderborn, 1969.

Well, I suppose that the common denominator between this and Wally's post is China???:angel:

Just to finish this thread off, the museum contacted me today, and we are arranging a mutual agreement whereby full ownership is transferred to them Many thanks for all those who helped me with this, and also to those who sent suggestions. Dave.

I think these photos were taken in BAOR. We had exactly the same in Padderborn, they were all built pre war to the same German design.

Had this in the shed for years. I was told it was issued for taking water samples from deep wells in the desert. It has a heavy lead plug in the base, and is un-issued, the stopper is still in its pres wax paper. Any ideas as to its real use?? Dave.

Many years ago, I attended an air show with the NW MVT at the Vauxhall plant at Ellesmere port. Cant remember all the details now, (it must have been around 1984), but I do recall a Vulcan doing one of the last official flights. There were loads of those ammo tins lying around everywhere, discarded from the factory stores. One chap loaded his Hippo up with them. I think Antar was also there that weekend, and might remember it better.

PAY ME!!!!!! No, on second thoughts, I love the damned things so much, as they say in Lancashire, Eeeee lad, I'l do it fer nowt!!:wow:

The difference in the driving experience between the Saracen and the Saladin is so great, that you wouldn't think in a million years that they were based on the same module. With the Saracen, you get the B80 screaming at you full blast, but with the Saladin, you have to keep your eyes flicking over the tacho, just so you know when to kick the GCP. Also, you feel that your hanging out of the front when driving the 'can', you can count the cats eyes as they pass under you, whereas in the Saracen, you could run a few dogs over without even seeing them...(got a 'T' shirt for that). Braking hard with the 'can', and the whole weight coming forwards makes you panic a bit, feels like the bl**dy thing is going to tip right over! On saying all that, personally, I found the Saladin much more responsive to drive, and a load easier to steer around tight left handers.As for 'kipping in the can', no probs, plenty of room in the fighting compartment, you just have to struggle a bit getting into your maggot! :nut:

You always have to bare in mind that they were made to be looked after seven days a week, and have a really good crew of mechanics around for when they went wrong. Brake problems matched with faulty accumulators, drive belt issues, (they have eleven under the hood), and wheel station stuff. All common service problems, but yes, they are a joy to drive. See if you can get a go in a Saladin before you make your final decision. A tank on wheels is always a traffic stopper. Dont know how many there are around now though, compared to Saracens???

Spent most of Sunday trying to get this chap, but he was always 'going to phone me back', but never did......However, plenty more weekends left. To be honest, I would gladly have donated said missile, IF the museum had contacted me at the end of the loan period. (Got a photo of the damned thing somewhere, will post when I find it). I'm afraid that my charitable side has been worn flat a bit about this, and under the original loan terms, they did agree to return it after the set time. I just want to reach an amicable position with them. They may have a load more of them now. Dave.

Never saw one in service with anti-slip engine covers.

Some years ago, I became a fanatical collector of ammunition, bombs, grenades, and some really odd stuff. Anyway, there was at the time a company in Denton, Manchester, (now sadly gone), called Pass & Co, who manufactured bomb trepanners for the MOD. They always had a constant supply of all types of bombs, empty of coarse, for testing their renowned hole cutting equipment and of coarse, I was constantly on 'the sniff' around the factory, becoming quite friendly with the manager. One day, he gave me a large shell, supplied for cutting by the MOD, made from wrought iron, no good to them at all. I quickly identified it as an 8" RML, a rare beast. It had come from Shoeburyness trials range. Reading up on it in the Ammunition Treaties, I saw it weighed 68lb empty, but hey, mine weighed 74lb. With great difficulty I unscrewed the base plug, and out came 6lb of black powder...........:-X

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.......Thats when young nigs had to brave the perils of the wooden huts!! Then they built Cambria Barracks, for softies like me..........

Top left, in your pictures 1/2, under the flare parachute, is, I think, the tail of a PIAT anti tank round.

My great uncle was gassed on The Somme, and struggled on until 1928, before his lungs finally rotted away. Struggling a bit to see how a supermarket could be built on consecrated ground, I always thought it was forbidden to erect a building in such a place??????

So many thanks Stu, really indebted to you. I have returned your PM. Aeroventure have constantly refused to return my calls over a long period, and in a way I sort of gave up. Now I must discuss with them it's future. Failing that, I will put it on the market, cant be to many around. It is the same type as was used in the Falklands Vulcan raid in '82. Thanks again mate. Dave.

Many thanks for that, and I will do as you suggest.

Indeed. I remember the Military Museum at Cave, in North Wales. The premises were inside an old wartime ammunition complex, and very interesting it was as well. Then one day....gone, and gone too a lot of the vehicles. A Cambridge Carrier I had a part share in just disappeared.... And so with Beverley. There was, in the grounds, one of the only two Mercedes water cannon used in Northern Ireland during the early period of 'The Troubles'. The last news I had of it was that the local youth had vandalised much if what remained of this very rare and historic vehicle.