What is this tank?

maple_leaf_eh · #1 29-01-13, 03:24

http://s144.beta.photobucket.com/use...94326089511807

Found a link to a Photobucket gallery of range targets on Salisbury Plain. Phew! Lots of scarce examples splattered with bright paint like some urban underpass covered with graffiti. I see a late Ram, several Cavaliers and Centaurs.

chris vickery · #2 29-01-13, 03:36

Humber PIG as well

Yeo.NT · #3 29-01-13, 04:18

It appears some of these are a Chieftain, M41 Walker Bulldog, Cruiser Comet, Challanger I, FV430s, but I am no expert

tankbarrell · #4 29-01-13, 09:35

That is a Chieftain, there are also Comet, Centaur, M47 etc. There are no M41, Cavalier or Challenger on the Plain.

Frank v R · #5 29-01-13, 16:19

It appears almost all the Humber Pigs are ex Northern Ireland also a few Centurian ARV's, a Abbot SPG , FV432 ARV or Fitters vehicle , the old stuff should not be out there

tankbarrell · #6 29-01-13, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank v R

the old stuff should not be out there

There is very little of the old stuff left compared to 20 years ago. Not all destroyed, my Sherman came from that range.

maple_leaf_eh · #7 29-01-13, 21:19

Calling anyone who has chased around Salisbury Plain - what would codes painted on the vehicles mean?

As I was scanning the pictures, I spotted a few themes. Some vehicles are burnt and otherwise decrepit. Others are in green paint, or repainted to be highly visible. Most vehicles have a spraypainted code number too.

I have picked out codes like:
A, P, J, F, H, K
AM, AN, AG
W4
W74, W74/A, W176
etc.

Would the numbers identify West sector, "hard object" number 74?

tankbarrell · #8 29-01-13, 21:47

Terry,

the letters just identify the target as target Alpha, Kilo etc. My Sherman was Alpha Juliet. These were marked on the range maps and used as aiming points for artillery.

Those targets are on Larkhill (east) side of the Plain. The targets with a W prefix may be on Warminster (west) side but I'm not sure, it's been a while since I was out there.

The vehicles nearest to the tracks get painted more regularly than those in the moonscape!

Neil Ashley · #9 30-01-13, 18:18

Most of the Humber Pigs were put out as body only with the chassis and engine/running gear being retained by the range scrap contractor to sell.