Mark Ellis

In an attempt to one day get better images of the Alvis FV600 sectional hulls, I've set up a group on Facebook to encourage people to share any images they have of Instructional or Sectioned military hulls. If you do have any images of such vehicles, do please share them by winging them this way. The group is at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1148269459635844 Instructional Stalwart, which apparently was at Shrivenham. The Detroit Locker (side to side) differential is the white ball in the black transfer box 😉 The Alvis Saracen Instructional hull, which was at ASMT Leconfield The Alvis Scorpion Sectioned hull, which I think is at Shrivenham.

Apparently, this was at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham - which is just east of Swindon along the Oxford road. Now called The Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, they tell me that they have no record of it, but it probably went to a museum

Bit of a funny request. My Stolly/Bedford website is slowing gathering workshop and user manuals for various vehicles. I've been offered a row of truck workshop manuals, which takes up 32 inches of shelf space. This is from a closed truck garage. The problem is that I'm on the south coast of Dorset, and they're near Manchester. I wonder if there's anyone who comes down from Manchester area, or anyone who occasionally visits Manchester area - than could bring these south for me. Even getting them to Birmingham or Milton Keynes would be a massive step in the right direction. All the files on my website are free for anyone to download. https://sites.google.com/view/alvis-stalwart-hmlc-files It's about helping others to keep their old vehicles out of the scrap yard. Many thanks Mark

In 1974 the Swedish carried out a number of modifications to their Stalwarts. The Mk1 had hydraulic winches mounted on the front. The Mk 1 and 2 had FOCO cranes fitted. The cab roof spotlight was removed, and various things were welded on, etc. The Mark 2 dashboard had the hour timer removed, oil temperature gauges added for engine, gearbox and transfer box, and the lighting switches changed. The original dash The revised dash of 1974

I am advised today that "The lighting button has three positions: off, low beam, and high beam. You select the mode by pulling out the button." It is one of three switches that deal with lights

Well some people were clearly spoilt. Ours were all concrete, apart from the metal centre for the fuse - and a very short rope handle, designed to take your knuckle skin off on the concrete.

I've received the following from the RE museum today Good afternoon Mark, I have checked our records and can confirm that we no longer have the FV437. Unfortunately, there is no paperwork associated with it, though I did speak to several colleagues who have worked here for considerable time and they do not have memory of the vehicle being in the collection, so it would have been many years ago. You also requested any information on the FV432. This is the information from the catalogue and display that we have; unfortunately there is no paperwork associated with this vehicle: 200708.2: An FV432 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and Bar Mine Layer; fitted with bar mine layer (trailer) and ranger (roof) mine laying systems. On the roof is a Ranger anti-personnel mine-laying system. This rapidly throws down mines to prevent the passage of enemy troops. It could scatter 1296 mines in under six minutes. The APC tows a Barmine layer; these are mines designed to disable enemy tanks. It could lay around 700 per hour. Engine: Rolls-Royce K60 multi-fuel It would have been used in Germany (BAOR) but also in the Gulf War. Mines: L9 Anti-Tank Barmine, L10 Anti-Personnel Mine Weight: 15 tons Crew: 2 plus passengers Speed: 32 mph (unladen)

Could be. But the floor switch is still installed. And I don't think the Swedish would leave that if they had a new one. I think it's the vehicle lights, as in side and head. I just thought that maybe it's been used in Volvo army trucks or some other Swedish thing, and one of the members might recognise it.

But I'm wondering if it's a Hella 2 stage pull switch. Will try to get him to find a younger volunteer, to jump in the cab and see how it works.

Photo kindly provided by an 85 year old in Sweden, who climbed into the Stalwart cab for me.

Hi all, Wondered if anyone has ever seen a light switch like this. It's fitted to a Swedish Stalwart. Swedish Coastal Artillery appear to have redone the dash board when they did other works around 1974. The main Swedish forum I rely on appears to have gone off the internet. Thanks

Hi all, I wonder if anyone has any decent photos of Alvis' Stalwart Demonstration hull. This was dragged around numerous shows, Commercial Motor shows, etc. Or maybe someone knows what happened to it? Thanks

Well, back in those days the floating Centurion was still there - compared to when they dumped it on the ranges. So it might have been that one, or this one if they've taken the side skirt supports off. No idea if this one is still there

Just wondering if anyone has any drawings, or anything with dimensions for the Hydra cooking stands please? For the number 1 burner. Some people want to get some made now, as they seem impossible to find. Stands, Cooking, Mk. 5 - 2-Container (Cat. No. JB12755) Stands, Cooking, Mk. 5 - 3-Container (Cat. No. JB12756). Any help gratefully received. Thanks

Woolwich Woolich

As well as what David said, I shared a screenshot on Page 1 of the area next to the driver being flat plate

It's amazing that no one mentions the engine being in the middle of the vehicle.

They put a Stalwart up against a hovercraft, at that site near Matchams on the Dorset border. Someone said they had a copy of the film, but it's not materialised yet.

I wonder if the Alvis / Westland one is there as well?

This place ? https://www.hovercraft-museum.org/collections/

That's brilliant. Thank you for that, @Tarland

It certainly explains the canvas either side of the vehicle 🙂

Isn't that the M113 1/2, that's in the Mudlark film?

Thanks, @wally dugan So this is a 423 Command vehicle then

Is that the 402, Clive? This is the 421 off the video