Mark Ellis

2 hours ago, 10FM68 said:

Mark, you're just being tiring and pedantic.  I don't give a damn who it is whether civilian or military - someone has to take responsibility.  But, no more from me on this subject.

There's a difference "between being tiring and pedantic" and "attention to detail". Not every MOD site has a regiment at it, or a squadron, or even a permanent unit.

I think you'll find that anything that doesn't move of it's own power on MOD land these days is under the umbrella of Defence Infrastructure Organisation - but it's been a long time since I wore a green skin. But Gate guardians aren't necessarily on MOD owned land.

25 minutes ago, 10FM68 said:

So are you saying that the Commanding Officer of a unit and his RSM have no say in the appearance of the infrastructure of their establishment?  If they don't, then who is it who does?

You're presuming that the location of the Gate guardian has a military Commanding Officer and RSM, and that they're responsible for a vehicle or vehicles on military land which might have no relevance to their unit

If a simple sloped roof is installed 2 meters above a Gate guardian vehicle -

Is a 1 meter overhang on each side big enough to protect it from normal rain? Lets forget the rain that rarely comes down horizontal to the ground due to winds.

1 hour ago, 10FM68 said:

They used to say that a unit could be judged by the state of its guardroom and, frankly, this applies to gate guardians as well.  Gate guardians in a poor state of repair reflect very badly on the unit - particularly the commanding officer and the regimental sergeant major (or equivalent) whose responsibility it is to ensure everything about the unit is looked after properly.

I think it's all changed now, with regards to who looks after what

Knowing how our weather, and especially the rain likes to eat its way into steel vehicles - should our Gate guardians have some protection from the weather?

I saw this on Facebook the other day. The Panther of Houffalize, Belgium was a rusty damaged relict for decades. It's now been restored, and a shelter erected.

https://www.tracesofwar.com/sights/140/Panther-Tank-Houffalize.htm

At Leconfield, they purchased an Alvis Stalwart, did some work on it, and popped it on some stones.

2011

2017, and the bottom of the front windows is rusting out

2023, and the side windows are on their way out as well

I'm sure if there was a cover over it then it would last a lot longer, and the same of all other Gate guardians.

Your thoughts on this theory?

1 hour ago, ted angus said:

That is all correct. Most stations had a cross country driving route which also had the desired effect.  Movement of  the mk 6 variants was always by low loader between units and to and from the regional 4th line workshops.  Ted.

This is referencing rollers or sleepers right next to the crash bay, rather than away from the crash bays, somewhere on the air field

I read on a couple of Facebook groups today that the RAF installed rollers in the Crash bay floors, or just outside - so that the Salamanders could disperse the transmission windup.

Another person told of railway sleepers being placed on a quiet road or trackway behind the Crash bays. These sleepers being placed at set distance so that the the Salamander could be driven at speed to remove the transmission windup.

Would really appreciate any info that anyone has on this please, including pictures or documents on their use.

Many thanks

Apparently this is Unison 67 Land Day, held at FVRDE Chertsey.

Wondering what the seats are? Possibly the old gym benches for the first row?

I think the RAF chap is saying "We have one of these in the Maldives you know. Much warmer there, old chap."

51 minutes ago, Alpina said:

This company has a good reputation……..

Thanks.

Waiting to see if this UK company responds http://www.vintagsuk.com/ 

3 hours ago, wally dugan said:

The new box keeps on giving items of ROYAL  ENGINEERS interest and has helped to fill gaps in vehicle documents so now some are complete

 

Aww. Armoured Farmers would love that   

Would anyone know who makes Vehicle Identification plates please?

Examples of the Real thing includes - mark 1, so used 1963 to 1965. Appears to be pretty much a flat plate stamped straight into.

Mark 2 has distinct raised areas, so from end of 1965/66

Crane versions have the additional Description line

Many thanks

Almost like something to go on an aerial mast.

What's the diameter of the pole clamp, and what's the minimum / maximum diameter of the adjustable clamp.

I always thought Stalwarts had been fitted with Bar grip tyres from day one, because they had bar grips on when I drove them in the 1980s.

But I knew that all of Alvis' Saladins, Saracens, Salamanders and even Stalwarts sold to other countries were all fitted with Track grip tyres.

Then I noticed that the early photos of Stalwarts in Aden, in 1964 also had Track grip tyres.

I'm advised that the Stalwarts did indeed arrive in Aden with Track grips, but the rocky roads were ripping them apart and Sand tyres were first tried.

Plenty of photos of other vehicles in Aden with Track grips, such as Ferrets with the wings still on. But later photos show the wings removed to reduce the amount of metal flying around after hitting a mine - and sand tyres.

The last photo shows a Stalwart with the familiar Bar grips. I could never quite put my finger on why this photo looked so "fresh" until I realised the tyre situation - and it's got 6 brand spanking new Bar grips on.

I guess there's a report somewhere of the trials, and the changes to Bar grips. If anyone has a photo of a Stolly on Sand tyres I'd appreciate a copy for the website. Thanks

7 hours ago, REME 245 said:

I work for a Unitary Council and I am not aware of us retaining any large stocks of anything.  We would make use kitchens in Schools or other buildings we own.

But what happens when there's no electric or gas? Have a look in the back of the furniture warehouse, or ask the Emergency planning department.

I've worked for a unitary authority, and staff don't even know what people do in the office next door. I live in a county where Council managers don't even know what their own department is supposed to do.

I'm not saying that you're wrong, I just hope that someone somewhere still has a bit of savvy, just in case.

1 hour ago, REME 245 said:

Regarding your comment in your first post, I would be very surprised if MOD still kept any of these stoves in storage.  The days of vast Storage Depots all over the country are long gone.  The Treasury is also meat to have changed the way it accounts for items some years ago so if the MOD decides to keep items in storage the amount they get in new funding is reduced.  In 1940 the War Department were able to bring something like a million Rifles out of storage to equip the expanding army.   All of the perfectly serviceable SLRs and 7.62 Bren's  were cut up not long after coming out of service.  The MOD would now have difficulty in giving everyone a rifle if we mobilised tomorrow.  

Yes, I understand that.

But one would hope common sense prevails for emergency planning at civilian level. I know that Civil defence was shut down years ago, but councils still have a certain responsibility for Emergency planning.

57 minutes ago, fv1609 said:

Looking through Regulations for the Equipment of the Army. Part 1. 1942 the only stove mentioned is Soyers in J1.

 

Thanks, Clive.
Every time I think I've found an answer it raises new questions.

I guess Hot feeds was a special pot for cooking the horse oats

I'd never heard of the Soyers or Triplex stoves until I recently wondered why there was a gap between No. 7 and No. 12 - and still don't know why that is.

Does anyone know when the No. 4 Field cooker first came into service? And were there other manufacturers?

I'm guessing that there's still some Soyers and Triplex stoves in storage, in case of nuclear war, etc.

I found this entry at http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Tipton/industries.htm?

"Triplex Foundry
Triplex Foundry was founded in 1918 at Toll End by Charles Robert Horrell to make Triplex grates. Production began in 1919 and Triplex Foundry Limited was formed in 1920."

 But this photo is said to be from WW1, and shows a Triplex, or at least a No. 4 field kitchen in the background.

I've redone the Triplex instructions

Thanks

Wondering if anyone has an early version of AESP 7360-J-101-xxx, for the Field Cooking Outfit No. 4, Mk. 1 trlr mtd 7360-99-139-1502. The petrol fuelled cooking trailer - compared to the Mk. 2 LPG trailer.

I guess the AESP will be dated late 1970s or early 1980s

I have the Mk. 2 AESP if anyone wants it, dated 2002/2003.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EVxohLMYhQEEgmc8YSstEELsjKJJmmDI/view?usp=sharing

5 hours ago, Niek Baecke said:

The GMC CCKW352/353 used 2 types of axles during the production run.
Banjo type and split type. 

Another possibility could be a GMC ACKWX-353. Some of these trucks were made for lend lease.
These models do seem to have had the higher sideboards.

That be the one then. Many thanks

https://www.o5m6.de/redarmy/gmc_ackwx353.php

Found this, which is a GMC CCKW-352

https://soldat.pro/en/2018/12/03/drygoi-lend-liz-gmc-cckw-352-ili-prosto-djimmi/

The only image I've found so far of the GMC rear axle is this one. Admittedly, it's off Wikipedia - so it's probably wrong. But this is nothing like the axle in the image in the original post.

Also note the height of the side and tailboards. Not the shallow sides preferred of USA.

I went to the Mapleleafup post, and it's full of broken links because people don't like to share the photos or text that they're talking about - which kills forums.

Could anyone identify this 6 wheel truck, please? Probably by the rear axle.

It was with 27th Lancers in December 1941. The reg appears to be L445849 or L4458491

Thanks

@Rangie this truck or trailer body appears to have individually controlled cooking units for each 6 gallon container position. It's not a MEXE shelter.

Do you think these are the same gasoline, controllable units used on the 1930s Cooker Trailer, and the No. 4 Mk 1 trailer, please? 

Thanks

On 9/28/2023 at 2:31 PM, Threeracers said:

Good afternoon all, away from my truck at the moment but travelling in it through France on Sunday and it occurs to me I don't have any spare bulbs on board.  

Could anyone please advise what headlight / side light /  brake light / indicator bulbs I should grab for the trip?

Many thanks

Regards

Mark

All the M type 4x4 files are here, which will include the bulbs and oils
https://sites.google.com/view/alvis-stalwart-hmlc-files/bedford-commercial-vehicles-section/bedford-files-m-type-4x4-4-ton 

3 hours ago, MatchFuzee said:

No rear hook on these 2 bowsers. 

The first photo is supposed to be the 180 gallon bowser. 

I think the 180 gallon is more obvious by the wide Brockhouse wheel arches.

I seem to recall that some trailers had a stowed tow hitch, that could be swung down by removing and reinserting a pin in the relevant hole.

The problem with the 200 gallon bowser was that they weren't balanced. Having nearly taken my chin off when unhitching once, I know it's always important to drop a rear leg before opening the tow jaw. Because there's not a chance in hell of a single person pulling the towing eye back down again on their own.