If still looking, you might find something at Owen springs.

http://www.owensprings.co.uk/

I recall going on Salisbury Plain to a Dems range back in 1980.

We were practising with various targets and some improvised charges as well. 

One of the targets was a Ford Capri that had been ordered to be destroyed by the RSM as it's owner ignored posted orders to clear the square. A mk7 didn't do it much good

Quote

MK7 Anti Tank.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mk7+anti+tank+mine&rlz=1C1ONGR_en-GBGB1003GB1003&oq=mk7+anti&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCAgBEAAYFhgeMgYIABBFGDkyCAgBEAAYFhgeMggIAhAAGBYYHjIKCAMQABgKGBYYHjIICAQQABgWGB4yCAgFEAAYFhgeMggIBhAAGBYYHjIICAcQABgWGB4yCAgIEAAYFhgeMggICRAAGBYYHtIBCjExMDc1ajBqMTWoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I have used a Broker here in York for the last 40 years plus.

I have no idea if your requirements could be covered, but you don't know unless you ask.

I was covered for my S3 SWB until I sold it last year as well as my day to day Freelander.

Other than being a client of the Broker I have no other connection with them.

Hope this helps.

Bryan

7 hours ago, andym said:

I know, I've been hunting for Abbot training films. 😞

Andy

I have been looking for anything to do with ADR and I know there's at least 1 film from 1980 as I was in it at Bruggen.

John would be interested in any documentation scans Chris can produce to see if different to what he has obtained, if different then can share with him the documentation he has.

Thanks for the reply, will pass it on.

Thanks for that.

Does anyone know  of a source for models of RE Vehicles from the 70's - 80''s?

As used in ADR Airfield Damage Repair.

In particular Allis Chalmers or Volvo 4400 wheeled bucket loader.

Aveling Barford Tipper and Aveling Barford Grader and Haulamatic tipper.

Michigan 275 or Terex 7271 Bucket Loader. D6 Cat Dozer.

Bedford MK and Bomb Mat trailer.

Liebherr Vib Roller and  Atlas or O+K excavator and a Lacre Road Sweeper.

 Saracen or Sultan Recce Vehicles.

Thanks.

A friend of mine has just bought an ex Military antenna mast, it is a "Racal MA 798/RA 477". It is designed to be erected via hand or pneumatically.

His still has the pneumatic coupling so helping him to source the various fittings and safety valve to pump it up via a car compressor. It is the type of mast that can be tied to the ground or clamped on the back of a Land-Rover.

Just out of interest, I have tried to source documentation/parts lists but nothing coming up on google,  does anyone have any scanned documentation on this model please?

What vehicles would be fitted with it?

Only info I can find is the link below, which lists his 9m model but not much other info.

RACAL RA477 (radiohistory.uk)

Thanks.

At RAF Leeming there was a monster road hump across one of the disused lengths of Peri track near the new control tower.

All vehicles used to cross it by driving at an angle at a crawl.

That is until we had a driver experienced in using a Saracen flat out.

The driver somehow managed to forget to tell the Commander what he was going to do.

9 hours ago, rog8811 said:

I worked on the design of those butyl covers, and made the hot bonding machines to assemble them.

I seem to recall that the final version had the vehicle driven onto a sheet of butyl, a tubular frame, sort of large conduit, with a slot in the top was assembled around it, the bottom sheet was pushed into the slot all around.

The cover had a tube formed around the base that was also pushed into the slot then inflated, this sealed it all up, the cover was then vacuumed down around the vehicle.

The covers we used, zipped the top to the bottom. No tubes used.

A 25mm ply board with a 25mm layer of expanded polystyrene on the upper face was laid down on the ground.

Then the bag bottom was aid followed by another 25mm ply board with polystyrene on the lower face sandwiching the bag  material.

I seem to recall 2 manufacturers were used for the bags. cant recall the names though.

Any repairs were done by REME techs from Villich workshops.

Found a couple of photos.

Michigan bucket loader at RAF Bruggen in 1982.

Note as well, at rear right in first photo, a bagged Lacre Road sweeper, and the backend of an Aveling Barford tipper at rear left in 2nd photo.

During my time in the RE's Airfield Repair Sqns we used to rotate our large stock of plant vehicles.

For this we installed vehicles into a large tailor made rubber bag, fitted dehumidifier and left it alone for up to 7 years that I know of.

Prior to this each vehicle was fully serviced, painted if required, batteries removed and stored, sharp edges padded, diesel vehicles fully fueled, petrol vehicles drained, vehicle driven onto insulated hard standing and mounted on axle stands then bag fitted and sealed.

Now I do know that the Diesel fuel may no longer be suitable for long term storage, but have all the Hydraulics, Brakes, Gearbox oils etc all been made unsuitable as well?

I know that vehicles are usually marked up for weight, but what is the correlation between vehicle weight and weight classification?

Such as on a Bailey bridge or Trackway designated as Class 30 or Class 60. Is that the max  load that item may permit to cross?

I believe that there were 4 Airfield Squadrons all initially based at Waterbeach.

About 1975 3 of the squadrons were then relocated to the locations you mentioned.

Not completely sure but, I think the capability for ADR was then relocated again back to Waterbeach with the actual squadrons remaining where they where.

It should also be noted that these units initially covered the BAOR Airfields of Wildenrath, Bruggen, Gutersloh and Larbruck.

Around 1985 it was decided to set up a TA ADR cover for UK airfields. Based out of Waterbeach and again acting as HQ. With Marham, Wattisham, Waddington, Coningsby, Leeming, Kinloss and Lossiemouth plus a couple of others I can't recall at the moment.

While the aims of ADR remained basically the same between Regular and TA units, manning levels decreed that the TA units could not cover all the same tasks, so they concentrated on the Airfield operating surfaces and became RAOS rather than ADR.

I was part of 52 at Perham in the 70 - 80's for 5 years and also in 234 at Leeming for 9 years until 1996.

Thanks again.

not seen this on here.

I believe this may be a gun oil tube out of a weapon tool kit.

Question is what weapon ? if my guess was right.

Also What are the makings on the End? Manufacturer and date 1913?

Thanks for any replies.

I had to pay the tax at nil rate with a receipt issued, at my local post office with a declaration of it being tax exempt.

Thanks for the replies.

I think it's an Ammo box anyway of some sort.

Approx 10"x 18" x 10"

Stamped in the lid   H  50 T with a few letters possibly indicating maker then 1945.

Flip over catches with signs of seals cut.

Any ideas as to what it contained?

Anyone want it?

Open to offers.

We used to have a couple of these, but fitted with Rotary Brushes for Sweeping the Airfield Repair area.

Thanks Wally.

Will try again.

York Area Group on the NYMR has amongst it's collection of vehicles an ex WD 0 - 4 - 0 DM shunter.
This loco is currently resident on the DVLR at Murton near York where it is being overhauled by the DVLR.
We are trying to put together it's operational history.
We have the date ex works from EE at Preston 29-10-41
From Preston it was sent to Penarth, presumably to the docks there for shipping to the Middle East.

Is there likely to be any record existing of what date it left Penarth?
Ship and Convoy detail?
Arrival in Middle East for delivery to the WD operations on the Suez Railway?
Where was it used out there?
Date of return to UK? in 1945 and route back?

I have tried the various Military museums at Chatham RE, Lyneham REME and Worthy Down RLC, who all responded as nothing known. The NRM at York Search Engine had some records that we did not know.
Thanks to all the Museums for trying anyway.

Can anyone else answer the queries listed above?
Thanks in advance.
Bryan

Link to photos of work under way.
http://tonysimons.me.uk/Drewry/