No you haven't misread the post title :)
I'm currently working on a restoration of a Mk6 Saracen which last saw service in Northern Ireland with 321 EOD Team.
I spent my day repairing the GPMG Mount and the telescopic optical unit ready for a fresh lick of paint before being boxed up whilst I finish the turret installations, repair work and repainting.
Brilliant! Photos at some point, please?
Won't you need an awfully big table, Nosher ? ;)
Seriously though.....Hope it goes well.....Let us see some piccies, as it progresses. (Curse you, Nobby.....You just beat me to the request for photo's.)
Cheers - Phil
Okay, I'm jealous!
I figured someone would ask if he was mounting it on a base or not by now!
Seriously though, sounds cool.
Quote from: Techno on 17 March 2017, 08:20:08 PM
Won't you need an awfully big table, Nosher ? ;)
The team will have a whole airfield to play on once its complete ;)
Photo's will definately follow as work progresses ;)
Awesome :D
So many questions?
How did you get involved?
Have you experience on the Saracen?
What the final look going to be?
What state is it in now?
Where did you get it?
How long will it take to finish the project?
How much of the history of the vehicle do you know?
What do you do with a Saracen when it's finished? (Always wanted to pop down to ASDA in an armoured vehicle.)
When I were a lad (actually, we didn't talk like that - I'm Scottish), I remember an Army recruitment exhibition in the local park where there was a new tracked FV432 on display and you were able to shoot at targets with a .22 rifle. I remember the recruiting sergeant talking about the FV432 and saying he thought it wasn't as good as the Saladin. What does that say about the Army's choice at that time?
p.s. I also had the Dinky version of the Saladin at the time. And the Centurion tank. Great wee models.
Well done that man =D> =D> =D>
How did you get involved? Through a friend who had stumbled across the team we are working with on the restoration
Have you experience on the Saracen? No, but a lot of experience of restoration and a career in REME prior to what I do now
What the final look going to be? As original as possible
What state is it in now? Non runner, years of neglect having being parked in a field for at least a decade
Where did you get it? Bought direct from the MOD who owned it
How long will it take to finish the project? We estimate at least two years
How much of the history of the vehicle do you know? Lots. We have the original logbook and have been able to source photos of the vehicle in action in Northern Ireland
The vehicles history is what attracted me. I served in Northern Ireland (three tours in all, one of which was in direct support of 321 EOD) The driver of the vehicle was killed during his tour of the province and this is our tribute to him. We intend to name the vehicle after him and have adedication ceremony on completion of the project.
What do you do with a Saracen when it's finished? (Always wanted to pop down to ASDA in an armoured vehicle.) We aim to keep it and show it at Military Fairs etc. The owner intends for it to be run on a regular basis.
Photos of some of my progress and Hangar 53, the Custom Motor Works owner and his business.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=hangar%2053%20custom%20motor%20works
Managed to strip and clean up the GPMG Mount and today strip and clean the telescopic periscope mount. later this week I will be stripping and cleaning a Mk4 Smoke discharger unit
Well done that man =D>
Well, you'll be able to make a memorable entrance at your next competition.
Quote from: FierceKitty on 22 March 2017, 03:01:24 AM
Well, you'll be able to make a memorable entrance at your next competition.
Single based model? I may struggle to fit it on the maximum base size allowed.... ;)
You could always pop a wheelie?
The word I used was entrance, not entry. A lexically significant difference.
Pleasant surprise today working on the Sarrie
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1940051146225791&id=100006627730232&pnref=story
If you've ever wondered where squaddies hide their beer on dry exercises, here is one of the few places we used. Perfect size for a stubby ;)
Smoke generators at 330ml again?
Quote from: mad lemmey on 24 March 2017, 04:25:21 PM
Smoke generators at 330ml again?
It wasn't me sir, I would never do something like that. Jober as a sudge me.
Today work on the Sarrie was a bad day but also a good day.
Bad in that I had forgotten how tough a job drilling armour plating is and good in that all of the turret ancillaries are removed, have been stripped ready for shotblasting and the turret itself is now bare ready for a marathon blasting session.
I really will be sad to see the hand-painted Felix insignia go, but thankfully we have been able to source a replacement which will look spanking when the turret is finished.
Sadly no photos, but I now have a week off so will look to compile a series of photos for people to mull over.
Quote from: Nosher on 30 March 2017, 04:44:43 PM
Bad in that I had forgotten how tough a job drilling armour plating is
Surely that's a good thing? :-\
I'm really quite envious, but the only skills I could offer to a project like this would be tea boy or possibly ... I could ... er ... no. Tea boy would be about it.
Looking forward to some photos!