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Transport tinkering! Yet another new British Army vehicle

Clone_Ranger — Sat, 10 May 2008 16:23:24 +0000

I have for a long time tried to champion - in my own modest way - the issue of procuring the appropriate vehicles for the British Army. The 'cheap and cheerful' approach, born of the mythical idea that Britain is 'at peace', just doesn't wash in my opinion.

The Janes's Defence News and the MoD News web sites have announced the purchase of yet another vehicle for the Army to test out. But far from being some new and cutting edge vehicular technology that some boffin has thought up, the MoD is looking at what amounts to a bit of a 'second hand' donkey that they probably found in the back of Autotrader!

If you haven't already heard of the General Dynamic's Piranha, then the fact is that this vehicle has been knocking around for some time and has been used by such nations as the United States and Canada in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So, it's 'combat proven' you say?

Er, well, it's been in combat. But the fact is that this vehicle has been pilloried quite harshly by American military pundits and even by the soldiers who have used it in action.

A quick Google for 'LAV III' (the US nomenclature for their version of the Piranha) will soon result in a series of links highlighting this vehicles deficiencies and vulnerabilities - so one has to ask, does the MoD ever think of using Google?

I won't rant on, as I think my distain and disgust are evident, but instead I will point you to the excellent 'Defence of the Realm' blog, which sums the Piranha up very, very expertly: 'The Generals get their toys'

MoD News article link: Design selected for future armoured vehicle for British Army (FRES)

Here comes the sun - Spring/Summer Milgeek trips out!

Clone_Ranger — Wed, 07 May 2008 07:35:36 +0000

I woke up this morning to glorious sunshine! A sign that spring/summer has finally reached Northern England.

This is great news, as it means that I can look forward to some lovely airsoft days, but also I can kick-start my Milgeek day's out - which have been in hibernation over the winter period.

There are loads of things to do in my region of the country, air shows, outdoor museums, re-enactments and historical parks and buildings to visit. In particular, our very own Scarborough Castle is hosting a fantastic schedule of historical re-enactiments and historical fairs over the summer season, and I will be recording most them I hope.

Scarborough Castle events include: (For information about the castle - click here)

'Medieval Siege' - Sat 26 & Sun 27 Jul
'King Henry's Joust' - Sat 2 & Sun 3 Aug
'The Power of the Normans' - Sat 23 - Mon 25 Aug

New UK Airsoft sites map

Clone_Ranger — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:30:11 +0000

The catchy titled 'wheresoft.co.uk' is a new site which hosts a useful Google Map of the airsoft venues in the UK. Always handy as airsofters like the occasional change of scene. Click on the image to go to the Wheresoft.co.uk map...

Afghan Army - High Times (and not in the good way!)

Clone_Ranger — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 11:53:21 +0000

Thanks to my favourite daily Blog digest - Boing Boing - for this glorious find. Here's a nice little piece on the 'recreational' military activities of the Afghan Army...

Thank again to Boing Boing (who's post resides here) and to Wired's Defence News where the article originally appeared as 'Getting High Before a Firefight? Bad Idea, Dude' - I recommend reading it.

Army Benevolent Fund - 'Big Curry Lunch' fundraiser

Clone_Ranger — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:47:55 +0000

I am annoyed with myself that I missed this brilliant idea until now - but am posting it up as many groups of lads, like my friends and I, have a regular 'curry night'...So this is a great way to turn a social event you do anyway into a fundraiser (no matter how small the donation)!

As the site says (link below) - although the main aim was to co-ordinate curry lunches with today's Lord Mayor's lunch, time isn't the main thing, so if you are having a curry meal with friends over the next couple of weeks, please consider having a 'whip round'!

I am off out for a curry with friends next Tuesday, and I will be passing round the hat after we've had a few beers!

> The World's Biggest Curry Lunch Website

RAF 'heli-snipers' - death from above (literally)

Clone_Ranger — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 20:03:16 +0000

Photo credit: © Crown Copyright/MOD 2008

This is something completely new to me - that the RAF Regiment (the infantry section of the Royal Air Force) has specialist snipers whose role is to acquire targets from helicopters!

These lads operate in Iraq from Merlin and Lynx helicopters. I personally cannot imagine how skilled you must be to be able to take a shot from a moving helicopter, and I imagine this must be completely demoralizing for the enemy.

Read the full account of this very special unit by clicking here: Airborne sniper squad targets Iraqi militia

Female Russian sniper of WWII - an amazing tale

Clone_Ranger — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:29:12 +0000

I found this interesting clip on YouTube - normally I would hesitate to use what is obviously a clip taken from a broadcast documentary - but the clip is short enough, but interesting enough, to show.

It highlights the work done by Russian female snipers in WWII. This is a subject that I am interested in, as my mother served in the Army and generally I think the role of women in WWII is highly undervalued and scarcely documented.

If anyone recognizes where this clip came from, please let me know as I would love to see the rest of the program.

Useful link: Wikipedia entry for Lyudmila Pavlichenko, highest ranking Soviet female sniper with 309 kills, including 36 enemy snipers.

College student makes his own paintball tank

Clone_Ranger — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 11:20:38 +0000

Student Builds Paintball Tank - Watch more free videos

Thehistorynetwork.org military history podcast

Clone_Ranger — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:30:16 +0000

If, like me, you are a bit of an iPod freak and you happen to commute and listen to a lot of audio books and podcasts, then here's one that should have your reaching (with your cursor) for that 'subscribe' button.

The History Network podcast is an excellent fortnightly 'taster' of all things military, from weapons and tactics to personalities and historic campaigns. I say 'taster', because the programs can run anywhere from between 10 and 20 minutes long - but pack a lot of information into these short commentaries.

It's just enough to give the casual armchair general an overview of the subject matter (like a 'Dummies Guide'), but also a good reference point for you to continue your own research if you care to.

My only reservation about this really nifty podcast is the rather droll and monotone narration, but that's just my personal opinion and it does not distract from the well crafted content. Highly recommended!

The History Network podcast can be obtained either through iTunes or by going directly to their website at: http://www.thehistorynetwork.org/

Day of the Jackal! Army get's new 'Landy' upgrade

Clone_Ranger — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:36:25 +0000

The British Army has - over the past few years - started to get some top notch vehicles to the front line. But with good reason - as until recently the Army's infamous 'Snatch' Land Rover was the topic of much concern due to it's lack of protection.

So it's very good news to hear that a brand new vehicle called the Jackal is being put through it's paces in Helmand province of Afghanistan. It's a stunning looking 4 x4, and packs a big punch, though I can't fathom - from the MoD News item - it's ability to defend against IEDs and mines. A factor that was a big weakness of it's predecessor, the Land Rover. The source article only says that the Jackal has "a fully-integrated protection system and reinforced armour plating"

From the photo I think I can see a shaped underchassis of the type designed to deflect mine detonations. But I shall look into this and post a follow-up item if I find out any more information.

Source: Ministry of Defence News - 'Awesome firepower and agility puts Jackal in class of its own'