Starfire

Awesome! Thanks for all the replies, we're making real progress here!

Chas, I didn't think you were a rivet counter, but I figure that they're out there and they will be judging. As long as I'm happy, I don't really care what they think though Clive, what I really, really need is the Saracen Service Schedule. I know what I need to check and how to check it, but I have not idea when I'm supposed to do it, nor what I need to top it all up with. Cheers, Terry

Thanks, Since my vehicle is fitted for a GPMG, I guess I don't need a browning cover. If anyone wants it, let me know. I knew that there was a special tool for the flywheel and figured I had to buy one, so that's a win Cheers Terry

Also, I would be interested in getting any and all Saracen manuals off of you, either printed or in soft copy. I'm happy to pay for materials and your time. Cheers, Terry

Thanks Clive, It looks like I'm missing the rather substantial platform that goes under the carrier set. Guess I'll have to make something up. Cheers, Terry

Hi All, The following bits and bobs were floating around in the back of my Saracen when I got it. If any of you can help me identify them, that would be greatly appreciated. The table lists the observable part numbers. [TABLE=class: grid, width: 500] [TR] [TD]Description [/TD] [TD]Part Number [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Tool [/TD] [TD]FV 55751 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Round plate, 5 bolt holes [/TD] [TD]5868-2 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Padded bracket [/TD] [TD]FV 639090 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Large curved bracket [/TD] [TD]FV 122851 [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Small storage bin [/TD] [TD]FV 55327 [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I think this may be a muzzle cover for a Browning. I'm pretty sure that this should be on my engine. This too. This is an actual product that you can buy in Australia. It does exactly what it says on the can and works a treat. I'm fairly certain that this panel is not for a Saracen. It appears to be a horn button and indicator switch and has a flasher unit on the back of it. I'm fairly certain that this is not a Saracen part either. I could not find any markings on this. This spring loaded plunger is behind the seats on the left side of the vehicle and appears to retain something against the rear bulkhead. Cheers, Terry

Hi Robin, I know that I can have an intercom without the radios, using the Clansman harness, but I want radios too Cheers, Terry

I've not been able to find anything indicating that Clansman was ever fitted to Saracens either, but I want a working radio and intercom system and I'll be damned if I'm either going to pay for, or mess around with, Larkspur. I'm happy enough for those in the know to silently (or not so silently) judge me when they see it as I plan for it to be a working vehicle and not a show pony. In any case, I have to get the existing rack installed and then work out how to adapt Clansman to it, so if anyone has a manual, EMER or photos, that would be great! The next challenge would be to get into the driver's seat with it there, maybe it's a good opportunity to shed a few pounds? Cheers, Terry

I assure you, they won't :laugh: Still want replacements though. Cheers, Terry

Hi All, I plan on eventually fitting some Clansman radios to my Saracen MK 5 and to that end, I need to refit the radio tray that goes to the left of the driver. Does anyone have any photos or manual excerpts that show how this was installed in the vehicle? I assume that I'm missing some brackets that go with it. Cheers, Terry

Hi All, I've been going through my Saracen, getting it ready for registration and conducted a bit of an audit of the fire extinguishers today: It is currently fitted with 5 of the BCF (Halon) bottles, NSN: 4210-99-881-4724, all of which were manufactured in the early 80s. [TABLE=class: grid, width: 500] [TR] [TD]Position [/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [TD]Status [/TD] [TD]Condition [/TD] [TD]Bracket [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Interior [/TD] [TD]Front [/TD] [TD]Right [/TD] [TD]Full [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Interior [/TD] [TD]Front [/TD] [TD]Left [/TD] [TD]Full [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Interior [/TD] [TD]Rear [/TD] [TD]Right [/TD] [TD]Full [/TD] [TD]Rusty [/TD] [TD]Does not release correctly [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Interior [/TD] [TD]Rear [/TD] [TD]Left [/TD] [TD]Full [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [TD]Good [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Exterior [/TD] [TD]Rear [/TD] [TD]Right [/TD] [TD]Empty [/TD] [TD]Dented [/TD] [TD]Broken [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I know that there are legal restrictions on using these extinguishers and I also know that I do not trust a 30+ year old safety device - what do you guys replace them with in your vehicles? I would prefer something that fits in the standard brackets, but I don't mind if they are red civilian type bottles, as long as they get the job done in the event that they have to be used. I am also considering installing a "fire bomb" fixed suppression system. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with these in AFVs? Thanks, Terry

I guess that I'm in a similar situation, being 33, not made of money and loving armoured vehicles. While I don't have much experience with them, having just bought my first one and not yet having it on the road (no real technical problems though, just licensing and registration and maintenance considerations), I would agree that an MBT is a bit much for a first vehicle. I would suggest (and went with myself) a medium wheeled vehicle, like the Saracen, or if it has to have a big gun on it, a Saladin. Smaller stuff like Foxes and Ferrets can also be a lot of fun. If tracks are your thing, maybe start out with a CVR(T) variant; they're affordable, fun and available. Armoured vehicles are bigger, more expensive and more difficult to work on than you might think and if you want something more than a gate guard, require massive amounts of maintenance. I hope you're good with a spanner. Whatever way you end up going though, have fun

Thanks Montie, I have an "A Vehicle Record Book" for it, covering the period from 1980 to 1992, but I have not yet found the ID plate to confirm that the records are for my vehicle, nor the chassis number to add to your register. I believe that I have to look under the back passenger seat, which I will be able to do over the weekend, once I get all the crap out of the back (it came with a heap of ammo boxes, spare parts, web gear, backpacks, tools, cable reel, radio components and stuff thrown back in there)... If it is correct, the vehicle is 82 BA 88. Regards, Terry

My Saracen. These pics are from before I bought it... And here it is in the driveway... Cheers, Terry

I'm not using it at all yet, but on the streets is the plan.

Hi All, I have been reading this forum for a long time, but now that I've finally bought myself an AFV, I thought I'd better create an account and introduce myself. My name is Terry, I work in IT, and live in Adelaide, South Australia. I've very recently bought myself a MK 5 Saracen (it arrived 3 days ago and I still haven't stopped grinning), which is in rather good condition, and am in the process of sorting out servicing procedures, club registration and a Heavy Rigid truck license to drive it before I can drive it on the road. I hope to have all of that sorted out in the next month or so, and certainly before Christmas. Thanks for having me on this forum and I'm sure you'll see me posting lots of stupid questions in the near future as I try to wrap my head around this crazy awesome purchase of mine (hell, it took me almost 10 minutes today to work out how to turn off the hand brake and that was after reading the user manual!) Cheers, Terry