Warrior FV 511
Comments
19 14 June 2020, 17:14
Martin BishopNo, salisbury Plain, circa July 2006. OP Telic 9 Pre deployment training.
21 December 2020, 12:15
Martin BishopDavid, no question, the Warrior. Much nicer to drive, easier to fix and more comfortable to sleep in. And a 30mm has a nice punch, even if you have to wind it up to get it going.
22 December 2020, 21:16
Grumbledier GuardI would agree with you Martin except sleeping in the back of the infantry version of the 432 was more comfortable for the 'seniors'. As two people could sleep fully outstretched on the longer seats with no turret and the floor did not have that cross beam on it that Warrior had. So in my wagon the Driver and NCOs slept in the back and the bods were outside in the tent tethered to the side of the vehicle.
23 December 2020, 19:31
Martin BishopI have slept in the back of a 432 a few times. But i still don't think it beats a Warriors drivers seat. Most times i didn't even bother with a gonk bag as there was that much heat coming off the engine. Can't beat laying there looking up at the star filled sky of the Candian Prairie.
23 December 2020, 19:35
Grumbledier GuardAhhh yes true, I forgot about the Warrior's Driver seat - that was something else. Those night skies on the prairies were amazing as there was no ambient light for miles and miles. I did BATUS in a Mk1 432. Warrior on the prairies must of been a lot fun.
23 December 2020, 20:02
Martin BishopO yep, it certainly was. I did my first couple of med man's in the back as part of the AT Platoon. But i much preffered the ones i did as a driver. Even the whole night i spent with my engine out was a pure joy with the northern lights overhead. Being the Coy 2 i/c's driver did have one draw back, having to start the engine every 4 hours. But i soon dropped back off with the engine rumbeling away next to me.
23 December 2020, 20:07
Grumbledier GuardGood times. Some of the dismount work was a bit hairy though. I got shot at more than once, which was due to bad visibility due to all dust the vehicles kick up. I also remember a DS Land Rover got run over by a Chieftain as the driver could not see anything battened down, luckily the DS were OK. I note your Warrior is the Command Version obviously detailed from your first hand knowledge. Did you guys name your Warriors?
23 December 2020, 20:51
Martin BishopI was there in the late 90's and early 2000's, so the tankies had Chally's by then. I always loved going over there.Yes, in fact this is the Warrior i drove for 6 years, starting in early 2001. It was built mostly from memory, and it has been 13 years since i have seen it, so its probably not exact. Unfortunatly the only photo's i have are the ones i took from my seat on TELIC 9. Normally we didn't, but when we got to Iraq all the vehicles got named after our battle honours, placed above the rear door. We also placed large yellow gliders on our rear bins. I think mine was named Arnheim, as the Coy Commander swicthed to my vehicle when we got over there.
The glider patch i added to the base was taken from one of my jackets.
23 December 2020, 21:03
Grumbledier GuardNice touch with the glider patch and excellent detailing on the Warrior. The unit I served with (The Grenadier Guards) was the first unit in the British Army to get Warrior back in 1987. Moving to Warrior from the 432 was like moving from an Austin Allegro to a Ford Sierra Cosworth with a 30mm cannon. It was really revolutionary back then. We had to learn gunnery and whole load of new tactics. My Company named its Warriors after Regiment battle honours. Mine was Chiclana (A Regiment battle honour from the Napoleanic Wars). I believe the British Army is finally upgrading Warrior with a fully stabilised 40mm cannon, upgraded turret and a load of other upgrades. One of the first upgraded Warriors shown in a news clip, was one of the first Warriors we were issued back in 1987. I look forward to seeing some more of your work on here and a have good Christmas.
24 December 2020, 18:03
