Dougy FV432

Hi All, On my Santa list is a GPMG to go on my 432. It seems that a real one is getting further and further from my pocket money budget! I have seen landrovers laden with replica ones over the last show season, so if they can have a couple, maybe my pocket money may stretch to one. I have seen a company "ukfire" i think, but they only seem to do wooden stock or sustained fire ones the last time i looked, plus you seem to have written permission from your great great great great grand parents! Has anyone had any dealings with them? I know there are articles on the VCR Act but how does it affect me if i want a replica GPMG, in idiot terms please! Regards Dougy

Hi All, Hanno, I think you well find none of the landrovers have any room in them at all (apart from the discovery). When you consider the type of people that are expected to use one, you would have thought the designers would have taken that to the drawing board. I work on a large electric utility companys 110s and they seem to live in theirs. They are all large burley blokes and they carry a lot of kit in the cab with them as they can be out for undetermined amount of time. You have to wedge yourself in and try and get the door shut before you burst out! As for a lightweight, there is even less room on a left hand drive. Mine was LHD and the best thing i did was convert it to RHD. And a 101, You would have thought you could swing a cat in there, but you can't! Regards Dougy

Hi Sharky, Sorry I don't have any access to any records. I was told you can try this address that i was given when I asked the question on this forum a few weeks ago courtesy of Chris Sirhc, ES (Land) Cencus Team Chetwynd Barracks Chilwell Nottingham NG9 5HA Just as a matter of interest what is the reg? Regards Dougy

Hi All, Yes it would be good to see the set up. any chance of a pic of the interior of your Bedford? Another question for you all! How many people would operate this system/ vehicles. How many would be in the Radio Relay, MSG and the Auto Exchange? Would the driver of the 439s be an operater aswell? Regards Dougy

Hi All, Just to let you all know the latest update of the fv432 site is up and running, yes I know there seems to be a few link probs again, too many late nights. Seem to get one thing sorted and something else goes astray. Shame the videos didnt embed. Barry, that was the only pic on their site. Shows how sad I am when I start to recognise registrations! One day I'll come across mine. Regards Dougy

Hello again All, Yes the dreaded Ptamigan topic has reared up again. Have seen a couple of pics of the interior of the Redio Relay version of the 439 now. Has similar set up as in the Bedfords down the right side. The 1st webpage is up and running on the 432 website now. Just a couple of walk around shots at the mo, hoping to get some interior pics up soon. http://www.fv432.co.uk/wwwfv432couk/variants/Fv439%20ptarmigan.htm Thanks for the Bedford pics Stone. Didn't think they allowed you to rob other vehicles up there. Regards Dougy

Hi John, Yes! another 432 owner. Welcome to the forum. Please visit the fv432 website and let us have a pic when yours lands, so we can get it included on the owners page. Regards Dougy

Thanks for the fab pics again Alan. And Nooooo!!!! Paul you cant cut up a 439!!!!! Regards Dougy

Oh dear! Barry, happened to come across this pic of a 432 on the 2nd Queens Regt Website. Hope they fixed the oil leak before you got it. The caption says one of our 432s leaking oil at Senelager Training Centre. Corresponds with the copy of the service card you gave me, that it served with 2nd Queens. Latest update for the website is imminent! Regards Dougy

Hello All, Barry, Would have thought you would have to watch axle weights. You would prob end up overloading the rear axles, and end up with not enough on the front axle. Would have looked good though! Regards Dougy

Hi All, Robin, are there any 432's with the K60 over there in Canada. Would have thought the 432mk2s a safer bet, more parts seem to be available. Have been contacted by a couple of Mk1 owners in Canada and USA through the 432 website and they want to convert them to diesels!! At least with the mk1 they will have a rarity value. Regards Dougy

Does anyone know what the 439 went for? was at £4000 when I looked at 18:00, but had to go out and missed the end, prob a good job as I would have been tempted. Don't think the 439 any of the variants, (there are at least 2 types at withams prob all 3 types) would be a bad buy. Some don't seem to have done a lot of work since refurbs. There's a couple of pics of the interiors on the thread 439 Ptarmigan on this forum. There will be a 439 section coming up on www.fv432.co.uk hopefully next week when I pull my finger out!!! Regards Dougy

Just when I thought I was getting there. Does anyone know if these photos of the radio equipment actually "Ptarmigan", what would "Triffid" and "Bruin" look like? Any pics anyone? Stone, is this the Radio Relay version of Bedford MJ Ptarmigan? This is a different one i think one generator and cabin one from the last post 2 generators Yes I have spent many an hour at withams mouching about. Have started share some on my 432 website http://www.fv432.co.uk/wwwfv432couk/supportvehiclepages/supportvehicles.htm Regards Dougy

Hi Barry, Wouldn't have thought a drops would be capable of it. Not only are you trying to lift a 432, but plus the platform, which is surely getting on a couple of tonnes. Plus you would end up with a vehicle with a high centre of gravity. Plus you would be getting close to 16foot high? Does anyone know what the Gross vehicle weight is of a drops is and its unladen weight? Regards Dougy

Hello All, Thanks for some more fab pics Alan. Does anyone know what the key looking thing to the left on pic 4 is ( the one with the straps). it is the 1st reference I.ve seen to this "tool", they are about 10" long, and some how I ended up with a few, just never known what they are for. Still chance for anyone to include details for website, hopefully be uploaded beginning of next week. Regards Dougy

The time limit for running is something to do with the transfer box lever i believe, the pack in the video was allowed to run for a while, we had the transfer lever engaged and in gear for what I can remember, no different to what it would do in the vehicle. But yes we took the prop of first, would make a mess!

Hello again, Roger, just to confuse matters, is this similar to what would be in a 439? This inside a Bedford Ptarmigan Cabin. Also there seems to be a generator type of Bedford aswell! Bet you wish I'd given up Regards Dougy

Hi All, Talking of strange looking 101s. This one that I came across at a disposal site a few years ago. It looks like it was built for fun!! It's amazing what the Army got up to. Regards Dougy

Hi Roger, This is fascinating stuff. Could we then say that the 439 was say at the centre of the hub and branched out? What side of the system did you have to repair, I remeber reading a log book somewhere related to the 439, there seemed to be a lot of comments about the generators going down, sound like they weren't putting out enough! Regards Dougy

Hi All, Think the marshalls needed to be more woorried about the monster truck in part1 and the disco driver in part2 must have needed clean underpants. Regards Dougy

Hi All, The Parralelling link only combines the two alternators, from memory, you remove it and reconnect it to allow the front alternator to charge system and rear alt to run the power tool socket. There is two types of wiring for the fuel solenoid, and dont forget it would normally run an electric fuel pump aswell. Also you wouldn't be able to monitor any oil pressure or water tempatures if doing it away from vehicle. Go to to hear the pack running outside, its not that load, honest!! Regards Dougy

Hi, Barry, It looks like they are Chieftains. i think they have been hidden away in their big hanger where the toilets used to be. I believe they have all sorts of interesting stuff tucked away. Regards Dougy

Hi Dave E, I know it has been a while since the last post to this article, don't know how i managed to miss this thread back then. How is the model making comming along. If you are still interested my 432mk2 is in the Worcester area. Please visit www.fv432.co.uk for some detailed pics. Regards Dougy

Hello All, No doubt this has been asked before, but what is the proper procedure to find out the military history of an ex-mod vehicle? I believe in the last couple of years all the records where moved. What is the current address? Does it make any difference to which type of vehicle you want to research be it say landrover or 432, is it all under one roof? Is there a period from release before the info is available? And how far do the records go back? Regards Dougy

Thank you both for the pics, they prove that this is certainly a very complicated set-up. A whole hobby on their own! Can i be as bold to ask what sort of "radio traffic" would these vehicles have delt with? Just a beginners guide for now if poss, to be honest not that familiar with the British Army's structure Regards Dougy