Recent Posts

61

Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Saladin R

« Last post by Old Wombat on April 16, 2026, 11:16:37 PM »

Of course it came down to cut-price politics.

Smart-money commonsense never enters into military procurement.

 

62

Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Saladin R

« Last post by Claymore on April 16, 2026, 08:29:28 PM »

So, the Saladin R turret issue (Scimitar-like v Fox) is solved.  When the contract for the production run for the new FV721 Fox CVR(W) was being put to tender, it was more of less assumed that it would go to the Leyland Group, which comprised Jaguar/Daimler and Alvis.  The design was theirs and they had produced the initial prototypes.  Indeed, the contract for Alvis to mass produce the new turret had already been awarded - their design was loosely based on the Scimitar turret with a common weapon (30mm RARDEN) and sighting systems but in a new bulged square turret rather than the Scimitar's octagonal shape.  At the same time as Jaguar/Daimler were submitting their tender for production of the hull, the Royal Ordinance Factory (ROF) in Leeds also submitted a bid which substantially undercut their competitor. 

With no experience of producing wheeled armoured vehicles, the ROF bid was a political and financial gamble which, not surprisingly, didn’t pay off.  The production FV721 Fox which entered service was beset with mechanical and stability problems that were never wholly rectified.  Indeed, the only component that seemed to fully function as advertised, was Alvis’s turret.

With the CVR(T) production line in full flow, this perhaps explains why Alvis's Saladin R proposal offered the alternative Fox turret rather than the Scimitar's and might also have been influenced by an expectation that the FV721 Fox might even have been cancelled after a number of new turrets had already been produced.

63

Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Life Extension and Upgrade Inspiration

« Last post by apophenia on April 16, 2026, 10:22:51 AM »

Like your SBDJ    Late-War Dauntlesses could use that extra bit of oomph 

64

Stories / Re: Canadian Golden Eagles

« Last post by apophenia on April 16, 2026, 10:20:32 AM »

Errr….what the?  Trust me, the F404-GE-102 most definitely is ITAR controlled.

And therein lies the dangers of relying on the rumour mill. Thanks for the correction ... always better when wishful thinking is curbed by reality.

65

Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Life Extension and Upgrade Inspiration

« Last post by finsrin on April 16, 2026, 05:15:54 AM »

Some years back did SBD Dauntless life extension and upgrade to SBDJ (jet) Dauntless II configuration.  Includes replacing cowl .50 cals with 20mm and ordnance upgrade. 
Since pictures added right wing IFR probe to extend range because three engines can be thirsty.
See attached.

66

Stories / Re: Canadian Golden Eagles

« Last post by GTX_Admin on April 16, 2026, 04:20:53 AM »

Exactly. In this case, the engine apparently doesn't fall under ITAR.

Errr….what the?  Trust me, the F404-GE-102 most definitely is ITAR controlled.

67

Other / Re: fendt-f20-tractor-impressive-weathering

« Last post by apophenia on April 16, 2026, 02:31:29 AM »

Dang! What's been lurking at the back of the barn?

68

Upgrades and Life Extensions GB / Re: Life Extension and Upgrade Inspiration

« Last post by apophenia on April 16, 2026, 02:22:38 AM »

Phantom makes sense. It is a good look for that Arado nose.

69

Stories / Re: Canadian Golden Eagles

« Last post by apophenia on April 16, 2026, 02:20:51 AM »

Well, if it is ITAR controlled, all of it.  And even if not, with the current regime…

Exactly. In this case, the engine apparently doesn't fall under ITAR. But, if DC decides to interfere anyway, they can.

There are people (both Canadian and European) demanding immediate and complete solutions for reversing decades of global industrial integration. It is probably better to think of the current situation as if it were a messy divorce.

Both sides will get emotional but, viewed one way, closest to a 'win' will be the one willing to walk away from that dysfunctional relationship with empty hands. (Letting the less-well-adjusted side think that they have 'won' will also reduce the number of testy tirades and tearful tantrums.)

Short version: There are no easy alternatives to US military tech at the moment. Even if you get around major components, as you say, there are still all those widgets that fall under ITAR. Before getting to a desirable outcome for former allies, this will be a long and often painful process.

70

Other / Re: fendt-f20-tractor-impressive-weathering

« Last post by Kerick on April 16, 2026, 02:05:31 AM »

That is impressive! Thanks!