Going home...

[Apache]

Looks like I'm going home a day early. Seems the Warrior set up for tomorrows test is an ex-warrior. It's checked out. Shuffled off this moral coil. It's no longer doing warriorly things. Its dead!

Going in tomorrow, but they think its a 'pack-lift' job. I didn't know what that was either, but apparently it means 'engine out' which is no small job on a small tank!

[Predictable Bob]

A lot of armoured vehicles have the engine and gearbox mounted in a single frame and the resultant lump is called a power pack hence removing it is a "pack lift".

The overall objective is to simplify replacement enabling dead vehicles to be repaired in the field - it usually involves a significant amount of time and effort but is still far quicker than transporting the dead beast to a workshop and doing it there.

The most memorable one I've done was way back in 78 - three of us worked through the night by the side of a really bumpy tank track in north Germany. Just as we were finishing the job a a little air portable Land Rover came flying down the track at a ridiculous speed and slid to a halt in a cloud of dust. The unit's RSM jumped out and asked us how it was going and when we told him he said "Right, as soon as you're done come up to the top of the track for a wash up and a bite to eat".

We duly rolled up about 10 minutes later to have one of the Regimental Police hand out three bowls of hot water for us to have a wash and shave. When we'd finished one of the prisoners dished up a monster fry up (Even the bad boys had to go on exercise) and then the RSM handed us a cold beer each ...

This doesn't sound particularly special BUT the RSM was a real stumpy git with a hard nosed attitude that made him as popular as a turd in a swimming pool - a thorough died in the wool batsard !

[John h]

Good old FV434 lift out the pack , drop the new one in off you go and break it ! The Jocks were good at pack changes in Chieftains !

[Surfer Ross]

We manage it quite well in the Warrior, Scimitar and FV432 (yes they're still around). The prep before the REME arrive to get the packs out is a hellishly dirty job.

[Predictable Bob]

###### hell - we used to dream of having the crew do the prep !!!

We'd roll up in the 434 and they'd just bugger off and leave us to it - then they'd moan about having to hang around while we checked it all out after the job was done ...

[Apache]

I did the job this morning. Didn't need the pack out, and they fixed it last night. Lift the rads and the deck plates and there's the genny! Easy-peasy!

Tell you something though. I had my equipment set up at the side, and with that thing on full load at nearly 3000rpm, its aint half loud!!

[Surfer Ross]

###### hell - we used to dream of having the crew do the prep !!!

We'd roll up in the 434 and they'd just bugger off and leave us to it - then they'd moan about having to hang around while we checked it all out after the job was done ...

Our REME det would be less than pleased if it wasn't ready to lift when they arrived. We're good like that though, do it right, do it once

[Surfer Ross]

I did the job this morning. Didn't need the pack out, and they fixed it last night. Lift the rads and the deck plates and there's the genny! Easy-peasy!

Tell you something though. I had my equipment set up at the side, and with that thing on full load at nearly 3000rpm, its aint half loud!!

They rock the windows, thats for sure. Far louder than the Challenger 2 MBT.

[Apache]

Hey chap, do you still work with Warrior? Not an electrician are you? Happen to know the model number of the genny on the warrior? Couldn't find any legible markings on it, and the guys at the ITDU didn't know / had no schematics.

[Surfer Ross]

Hey chap, do you still work with Warrior? Not an electrician are you? Happen to know the model number of the genny on the warrior? Couldn't find any legible markings on it, and the guys at the ITDU didn't know / had no schematics.

I work with them but I break them rather than fix them. I can try to find out through the QM(T) chain if you want? The guy who works next to me is a Warrior DMI and very very knowledgeable on them. I'm not in work tomorrow as I'm picking up the new Surf but I'll ask some questions on Friday if you want.

[Apache]

Might be easier than me trying to get it out of ITDU. Its not really their field and they're very busy guys.

Email me on my hotmail account below if you get any joy, and I'll email you back from my desk cos there might be other questions, and if your oppo is an expert...

[Surfer Ross]

Might be easier than me trying to get it out of ITDU. Its not really their field and they're very busy guys.

Email me on my hotmail account below if you get any joy, and I'll email you back from my desk cos there might be other questions, and if your oppo is an expert...

I'll do that on Friday for you. ITDU are very busy with a lot on their plates. We have a REME Close Support Battalion co-located also so somebody will have the answer.

[surfenstein]

hey andy i take it the going out for a beer is off then.

[Apache]

I texted you and smelly bum. Smelly replied, you didn't.

[surfenstein]

I texted you and smelly bum. Smelly replied, you didn't.

i didnt receive any text????????