radiomike7

Unfortunately this was one area where the Americans beat us, the E3 Sentry AWACS was based on a Boeing 707 of similar age to the DH Comet and is still in use today.

Depending on where the information comes from there is some confusion as to whether they will be brand new vehicles or major upgrades of existing Challenger 2. Either way the budget suggests a unit cost of £5.4m and they are hoping to have them by 2030, coincidentally the year when we will all have to go electric.

If going down the generator route bear in mind you may need a larger amp rating than the full load amps due to the starting current which you should be able to calculate from the motor characteristics.

The main issue with common rail diesels is that the high pressure pump relies on diesel for lubrication and will generate a very fine metallic swarf if the lubrication breaks down. This swarf then travels throughout the diesel system and clogs the precision fuel injectors.

The simple answer is that few vehicles should be towed any great distance without the drive shaft disconnected as there will be no lubrication available for the stationary gears on the mainshaft while the mainshaft itself is spinning. When the engine is running with clutch engaged the gears on the layshaft will be slinging oil in all directions which will find its way to lubricate the journals of individual gears on the mainshaft. I'm not sure what the manual states for towing with the transfer box in neutral or even if there is a neutral available but the problem withe stationary gears and spinning shafts may remain. IIRC the ZF auto box used on DROPS vehicles has a rear oil pump which is driven from the propshaft and the vehicle can be towed providing the box has not developed a fault.

Absolutely correct John, I ran in to this with the S26 when it seemed like a good idea in case of failures but it is actually illegal.

32 page manual covering OSPB online if you havn't seen it. https://assets.danfoss.com/documents/49939/AX152886480610en-000201.pdf

Struggling to find a real one but this might it:

I think you might find it is a Houchin 60KVA Ground Power Unit chassis that has been fitted with a simple box body. They were used for ground power and starting V bombers.

No, 1979 J27.

Hi Les, coincidentally there is one from the Colt Car Company Heritage fleet in an auction this month, £12.8k atm.

Does the screened ignition and large generator not signify a 24V FFR?

Going off track a tad but POG 693G is a rare beast, an RL cut down to RS wheelbase and later used at Birmingham airport as a workshop tender. https://ccmv.aecsouthall.co.uk/p311606506/h1ccd102b#h1ccd102b

Why would the RLHZ fire pumps have been disposed of in 1971, I know the 4x2 versions were disposed of early as being of little use?

Brilliant work, but did you realise your copular is actually a cupola?😁

FYI FG dates from 67/68. See here: https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/32404-wampp-2015-unusual-10-cwt-trailer-wwii/page/2/

Did it not rip the side curtains to shreds?😬

Now why did I not think of that? Joking aside they often cross the belt when driving threshing machines and saws with a traction engine, reverses the direction and gives a better belt wrap.

I remember seeing inside a 3 speed chain drive gearbox some years ago, apparently they were quieter than the usual spur gears and put the casing in compression rather than tension. I don't remember how they managed reverse without reverting to spur gears but I am confident some one on here will know....

Presumably the second cab was for the maintenance crew whose sole job was to catch and refit the rear propshaft when it attempted to escape?

Good find.

That's a tad vague, does an ex military vehicle count as a military vehicle or do they mean serving military vehicles?

Glad it is not just me. The other design issue is auto dipping lights, they cannot see round corners and constantly blind you until they dip. In the good old days it was courteous to dip your lights on seeing approaching lights on a bend.

Good point and one I should have considered on a forum where many of us run older vehicles. I cannot find any relevant information but am almost sure that the sealed beam type units of 50 years ago were 'E' marked.

Don't forget it has been illegal to use non 'E' marked bulbs for many years which can attract an on the spot fine. One of the problems with LED indicators is that if following such a vehicle in a dark area at night the human eye is incapable of adjusting to the instant light from an LED compared to the short time it takes a conventional bulb to reach full brightness.