gazzaw

I was issued OGs with the double buckles same as desert and KD shorts/Trousers (when in Para Regt) in the early 70s and If I remember correctly were dated late 50s, and were they not used in Suez as I remember early photos with paras wearing them. They were popular in NI as they didn't melt same as the OG lightweights. Gary

Having had an original one until a few years ago (been in family since WW2) this one looks repro and new- the writing and lower blue part looks different and my one had the rear threads incorporated within a layer of backing and not completely through it. Hope it helps Gary

Pete What price is it going for? Regards Gary

For what it is worth we have just backloaded 20 Harley bikes from my unit and 4 servicing trailers (the ones used in the field to lube and service vehicles by REME) the bikes are all very low mileage 4 to 7K and full servicing history- coming to a Withams auction real soon - other RLC units have done the same so there should be loads -spread the word.

Members being the operartive word

Re HG COLL TRG GP is it def a G and not a Q as HQ collective trg group? which I believe it may be a pool vehicle for battle group trg exercises run from some of the battle schools- Warminster, Brecon etc Also re RLC in 1992 - RLC was formed on 5 April 1993 - prev was RCT

A fuel pipe blanking plate similar to the pipelines used across channel or a hubcap for a tank lol

Just my twopence worth re 70s exercises and W&P etc..... Yes there were casualties in the big exercises (Bold Guard, Crusader, Keystone,etc) but a lot of it was to do with sleep deprivation (no drivers hours then) a lot of armour and other vehicles passing through high concentration of troops, often in darkness, low light, rain etc, bad comms between opposing umpires and armies-some radios were not compatible with each other. In some of our formations we had Sceptic tanks(Yanks) Danish Life Guards, Foreign Legion and Italians as part of orange forces all trying to muster, move, fight through and play to the serials or scenarios given (total nightmare with yanks blatting everything in front of them, Danish rally driving over positions, Frogs trying to steal all the kit and the Eyeties trying to retreat rapidly all in the space of 15 minutes of the first wave going in) We had crown immunity then, loads of dosh -remember the Damcon cards giving prices if you took out a barn with a tank or ran across a beetroot field or knocked over a fence etc? Risk assessment were never heard of but risk taking expected up to a level of casualties before NODUFF endex was called. Then to cap it all we had to put up with the Ruski Soxmis cars trying to get info..... no wonder there were accidents. I have never been to Beltring, but have been tempted in past, but from all of your posts above it sounds hellish.... Easy way is to risk assess the event to death (no pun or detrimental meaning here) re quad bikes etc- make the parents rersponsible to take a local period of liability insurance, produce paperwork and references to their sprogs abilities (or lack of) and accountable if they are unnacompanied or not properly supervised. Yes if there is a seperate area they can use make sure this is the ONLY area they do and if they infringe on local rules and regs (or break the law- RTA, speeding, uninsured etc) throw them out after doing the walk of shame off the site. With loads of re-enactors about why not invite or form an MP company who have sole responsibility for silent hours (is there ever such a thing at W&P?) policing under auspices of chief marshall/ owners etc- with everyone KNOWING they are the local law and although no power of arrest etc they will report incident asap to head shed to deal with at earliest opportunity. MP Re-enactors would actually be doing what they should be and in real time scenarios, not as unpaid labour but with some recognition, gratuity to their group etc and publicity it would be a nice carrot for wannabe provo sergeants. Failing that me and some of my Para colleagues can go round up the offenders take them away and punch utter S**t out of them (only joking:rofl:) Ok nuff said just my thoughts after following every thread of W&P over past couple of weeks (puts on kevlar and body armour for the incoming...) Gary

Yep, Minelayer, Mechanical, Towed Equipment, Mk 1 commonly known as the beast was primarily for laying Mk 7 Double Impulse (DI) fuzed mines. Single Impulse and mines with anti handling or AD fuzes were laid by hand. The mines were passed along from man to man -one opening cap up , next placing fuze then arming and replacing cap before sliding it down the chute to be covered over etc- used in large minefields with long mine rows and mainly at night. Ok in good weather but bl**dy freezing just sitting there in rain/snow etc. Good card table too when not laying lol gary

Catterick, Otterburn or Thetford Trg areas or one of the large US airbases lol

Yes guys, you are right it is divided wheels(combat rims etc), two halves one slightly deeper than other with about 10 bolts/studs around it. Not like the split ones with a locking ring etc that req a cage etc. BTW does anyone have a contact number etc of the guy from beltring who has them? Regards Gary

Re: Assistent etc Ideal but are they available or a modern equivalent? Gary

and again, might start up another thread re mil vehs on trains

Thanks for that, never been but would love to go -if it is on next year might try and get some of our vehicles down but would need to transport them or it would take another 2 weeks to get there and back at 40mph, and a fuel tanker to follow us + mortgage broker to pay for it lol. Gary

So how much does it cost to camp there, show/exhibit a vehicle etc? It seems there are different tariffs and are you offered them on booking or is it more expensive the closer you get to the event? Whatever happened to those excellent car trains that used to run from north/Scotland to deep south ports etc? Now there's an opportunity for Mr Branson and Virgin to offer this service for big vehicle shows with collection stops up and down the country. Or does anyone own an ex MOD troop train and flatbed carriages who could apply to run them on a rail operators/goods service lines? I remember some good times on the troop trains taking days to get places being shunted up and down into sidings to let higher priority trains pass- party time all the way lol Gary

thanks guys Gary

The tyres are scrap and we have a set of 5 new(er) ones that are all good and not perished(unlike the ones coming off) Normally would have thought about cutting them off but need to do it properly as we will no doubt be replacing these a few times in the desert once we get there (expedition Saharan Saunter www.wdrg.org) Gary

Just a photo showing the drop down stabiliser leg between fuel tank and rear wheel gary

Nige here are some photos taken today of SA80 and fire ext mounts in our GS Rovers, the FFRs are similar but attach to dexion racking behind seats Gary

Thanks Guys, for all the input and advice This morning we sprayed 1 wheel with WD40 and in the absence of a JCB (the guys weren't there this morning) I jacked up the Chevy wrecker placed the wheel under one of the adjustable drop down stabiliser legs. The wheel rim was supported on wooden blocks and a batten was between tyre and leg foot. Dropping the vehicle on the trolley jack brought the foot down onto the bead and with a few hits of a chisel edge around the bead it came free- so one down and 4 to go- the inner tube needs replaced as the bottom of the valve was corroded just as it goes into the tube. Regards Gary

Good idea much easier than the similar bottle jack method will see what is avail as we have a load of Civil Engrs in doing groundwork Gary

Re truck tyre dealer etc- our local one wants £200 just to remove them and we would have to do the rest and rebuild etc a bit steep on a limited budget Gary

Thanks for reply, We are about to jack down on it with a bottle jack between chassis and tyre- had a 4 tonne bedford on sidewall and sledgehammer and wedges wouldn't budge them - got new tyres to fit so might end up cutting them off with an angle grinder but will soak overnight first and try the wedges etc again. Gary

Hi Anyone got any good tips or methods for getting the two halves of my split rims (for 11x20.00 tyres) out of the tyre beads- I have tried force, big hammers and a 4 ton bedford over the walls - manage to get the smaller side out but the larger side of the rim is a real booger and I have 5 to do....help where is my REME when I need them? Gary

As above too far from Scotland, I would love to go but a day to get there and a day to get back with joy of M25/busy trains or airports etc - wish it was a wee bit up the country for a change -even midlands