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Combat and Survival TruePDF-2015 07 July
Combat and Survival TruePDF-2015 07 July
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P70 Scale
Models
TRACKS & P60
WHEELS
Ian Young reviews new
1/72nd & 1/35th scale
tracked and wheeled
construction kits from Revell
O
n 7th May, the day of the UK Gen- converted into rescue boats, loaded
eral Election, the MoD announced: with lifejackets, medical facilities and
“HMS Bulwark, working with the Ital- emergency supplies for this search and
ian Coast Guard, today investigated rescue mission – codenamed ‘Operation
a large rubber boat with approximately WEALD’. A total of five ‘Safety of Life
110 individuals on board. The individuals at Sea’ or SOLAS incidents have been
were rescued using Bulwark’s landing conducted concurrently today by UK,
craft before being transferred onto the Italian, German and Irish naval units
Italian Coast Guard’s vessel and taken to operating together in the area.”
land. Everyone was transferred safely and
HMS Bulwark remains on task.” At the end of May HMS Ocean, currently
the Royal Navy’s sole amphibious A Royal Marine from HMS Bulwark watches
Then, on 13th May, a formal press assault ship, was unexpectedly deployed as individuals are helped from their boat onto
release announced: “HMS Bulwark is to the Baltic on the massive NATO tri- a Royal Navy Landing Craft, 7th May 2015
conducting its largest tasking to date as service BALTOPS ‘15 / SABER STRIKE [Crown Copyright: LA Phot. JJ Massey]
part of the coordinated response to the exercises. At time of writing (1st June) it
migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. The is thought that Ocean might participate While working on former Warsaw Pact
Royal Navy flagship was alerted to four in a multinational amphibious landing territory we have had the chance to
craft in potential distress approximately in Poland, which it is believed will take talk to many soldiers, police officers,
40 miles off the coast of Libya. Each place following a BALTOPS landing in defence manufacturers and friends
30-foot inflatable boat were reported to Sweden the preceding weekend. about their perception of recent Russian
be carrying approximately 100 migrants, expansionism. There are a lot of rather
including a number of pregnant women C&S is doing its best to provide worried people over there, and if all
and children. Landing craft from HMS exclusive coverage of these wide- that new armour and equipment the
Bulwark and a Merlin helicopter from ranging Baltic exercises, which are Russians are now turning out is as
814 Naval Air Squadron are involved in aimed at reassuring NATO’s northern good as many suspect, they probably
the response. Over 225 personnel have and eastern European allies that they are have good reason to be fearful of The
been recovered to HMS Bulwark so far not on their own. However as plans and Bear. - BM
C
urrently 12th Armoured
Infantry Brigade, formerly
12th Mechanized Brigade,
is the lead armoured
formation of 3 [UK] DIV and as
such it is responsible for providing
Britain’s high readiness LABG.
Last November the C&S team
(Carl and myself) joined what
was then still designated 12th
Mechanized out in Poland on
the bilateral Exercise BLACK
EAGLE ‘14 during its training cycle
phase, which would conclude
with Exercise TRACTABLE in
southern England this March.
Just prior to 1st Battalion The
Yorkshire Regiment (1 YORKS)
taking over the LABG role as the
brigade’s Very High Readiness
component they, along with a Recce Left: Dismounted Ex. TRACTABLE drew to a close.
Group from the Queen’s Royal infantry from 1
Lancers (amalgamated 2nd May YORKS engaged These demonstrations not only allowed
2015 into the Royal Lancers), an the Battlegroup Headquarters (BG HQ)
OpFor infantry - this to rehearse procedures for the planning
Armoured Squadron of main battle
tanks from the Kings Royal Hussars
two-man fire team is and execution of orders but also gave
and an Engineer Group from 26 using a 7.62mm GPMG the reconnaissance, infantry, tank and
Engineer Regiment RE, carried (note no BFA fitted) engineer components of the LABG the
out three days of Combined Arms to take out long range opportunity to manoeuvre under live-
Demonstrations on Salisbury Plain as infantry targets fire conditions. The action, which took
With the OpFor blocked With OpFor retreating KRH Challenger 2 tanks pushed forward to
and pushed back the LABG the edge of the minefield and laid down covering fire as Warriors
went on the attack - here advanced behind smoke to pick up their infantry squads
a Royal Engineers column
moves forward from our
rear to commence breaching
operations
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The Mk3 BULLDOG is the most Main Image: In April
modern version of the FV432 2008 this FV432 Mk3
armoured personnel carrier, Bulldog Up-armoured
which initially entered service APC fitted with Enforcer
with the British Army in 1962; Remote Controlled
the first modernised FV432 Mk3 Weapon Station was
Bulldog APCs being fielded in seen during a mission
2006. Fitted with an add-on rehearsal exercise on
armour package and bearing the the Hohenfels Training
designation FV432 Mk3 Bulldog Area
Up-armoured, some of these
APCs saw combat action in Iraq
Right: Operated by 7th
under Operation TELIC. Currently
Armoured Brigade on
it is planned that Mk3 Bulldog
the Hohenfels exercise
and Mk3 Bulldog Up-armoured
APCs will stay in service with the
this Bulldog has not yet
British Army until 2030. Having
had its add-on armour
last month seen how the Mk.3
package installed except
evolved, this month we look at
for the base of the ERA
the Up-armoured variant of this
along the sides of the
long-serving vehicle.
vehicle
3: The Enforcer and Afghanistan and to improve its Camouflage System (MCS). These Bulldog Up-armoured APCs were
RCWS can be survivability against IED attacks,. modified vehicles were given the either fitted with the Enforcer Remote-
As part of the modifications, the designation FV432 Mk3 Bulldog Up- Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS)
fitted with the
vehicles were fitted with a version armoured APC. In December 2006 built by SELEX Sensor and Airborne
7.62mm L7A2 of the ASPRO-HMT add-on armour the FV432 Mk3 Bulldog Up-armoured Systems Limited in the UK, or the
GPMG, the 12.7mm developed by Israeli manufacturer APCs were fielded in Iraq under Platt MR550 Shielded Ring Mount
L1A1 Heavy Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Operation TELIC by the 1st Battalion, designed by the Australian company
Machine Gun (as Limited, which features passive as The Royal Green Jackets. W&E Platt Pty Limited. Vehicles
here) or the 40mm well as explosive reactive armour already deployed were refitted in-
L134A1 Grenade (ERA) components. The vehicles ENFORCER REMOTE- theatre with one of the systems.
Machine Gun were also fitted with an Electronic
CONTROLLED WEAPON
Counter Measure (ECM) system to
STATION IT IS STILL AN FV432
4: The protect them from Remote-Controlled The FV432 Mk3 Bulldog APCs and
Initially the FV432 Mk3 Bulldog Up-
IED (RCIED). the FV432 Mk3 Bulldog Up-armoured
Surveillance armoured APCs were fitted with a
APCs are much more capable
Target Acquisition The vision of the driver when driving
transparent armour gunner shield fitted
than the original FV432s. Yet all the
and Weapon with the hatch closed was improved
to the ring mount of the commander’s
modernisations cannot mask that
Sight (STAWS) by mounting an Indirect Vision
cupola. While offering some ballistic
the vehicles were originally designed
sensor unit of the System (IVS) that features cameras
protection for the commander when
in the 1950s and built mostly in the
Enforcer RCWS manning the machinegun, this solution
at the front and rear of the vehicle. 1960s, more than 50 years ago. A
was far from ideal.
features a thermal The vehicles were also fitted with soldier’s quote, given in Iraq to the
imaging system, an air-conditioning system, a wire
Therefore later modified FV432 Mk3
author of this piece, sums it all up: “It
daylight CCD cutter and the Barracuda Mobile is still a 432.”
camera and laser
rangefinder
5: The electrically
operated Enforcer
RCWS consists
of a control panel
mounted at the
commander’s
station and the
weapon station
itself, complete
with STAWS
sensor, mounted
on the roof of the
hull
Right: Operations
in Iraq - the
Cummins 6BTAA
EURO II-compliant
turbocharged
diesel engine is
mounted to the
rear of the engine
compartment and
the Allison X200-
4C automatic
transmission to
the front
1
Gebirgsjäger are experts
in the art of fighting in
difficult terrain and under
extreme climatic conditions.
Their equipment and
training especially qualify
these mountain infantry
troops for operations in
winter and in mountainous
and alpine terrain. The
mountain infantry force
of the Bundeswehr is the
Gebirgsjäger brigade 23
‘Bayern’.
T
he standard weapon carried by
The marksmen at section level and the 1: Gebirgsjäger
the German mountain infantry
spotters of the sniper teams are armed use the MILAN to
with the 7.62x51mm G28 sharpshooter
soldier is the 5.56x45mm G36A1 engage armour and
rifle. This weapon is fitted with a Schmidt
assault rifle fitted with an optical
& Bender PMII 3-20x50 sniper scope and
field fortifications
sight with a x3 magnification and a
an Aimpoint Micro T-1 reflex sight. For such as bunkers at
reflex sight with x1magnification. The
night operations the weapon can be fitted distances between
G36A2 5.56mm assault rifle is also
with an L3-Insight Clip-on Night Vision 300m and 2,000m the G22 and the G82A1 can be fitted
fielded, this weapon featuring a Pica-
Device - Thermal 3 (CNVD-T3) thermal with the Nachtsichtaufsatz 80 (NSA 80)
tinny rail on the carrying handle and
being fitted with the more powerful
sight or a Qioptiq Merlin Long Range 2: One of the night vision attachment or the AIM HuntIR
RSA-S reflex sight.
Clip-on Lightweight Night Vision Adapter UAVs used by thermal imaging sight.
night sight. Marksmen and spotters also
the Gebirgs
occasionally use the 7.62mm G3A3ZF For close quarters fighting the
For fighting at close quarters and
marksman rifle fitted with a FERO Z24
aufklärungs Gebirgsjäger are armed with the semi-
under reduced visibility the assault
4x24 scope. bataillon 230 automatic, double-action 9mm P8
rifle can be fitted with a Laser Licht is the ALADIN pistol and the 4.6mm MP7A1 sub0-
Modul 01 (laser light module 01) and
The primary weapon of the Gebirgsjäger (Abbildende machinegun. The MP7A1 is fitted with the
the Nachtsichtaufsatz 80 (NSA 80)
sniper is the .300 Winchester Magnum Luftgestützte RSA-S reflex sight and both weapons can
night vision attachment. At section
level, two of the assault rifles are
Scharf schützen gewehr G22 bolt action Aufklärungsdrohne be fitted with a Laser Licht Modul 01. Due
fitted with a 40 mm AG 40-2/A1
rifle fitted with a Hensold AG 3-12x56 im Nächstbereich) to its small size and weight, the MP7A1
sniper scope. For long range sniping system which has is usually carried by members of vehicle
grenade launcher; with this weapon
and against technical targets the snipers crews, but it is also the weapon of choice
and the older Granatpistole 40 mm
use the 12.7mm G82A1. This weapon
an operational of the soldiers of the Hoch gebirgsjäger
AG40-1A1 grenade launcher, which
is a variant of the famous Barrett M82 range of 5km k zug (high altitude mountain infantry
is also still in service, different types
semi-automatic anti-materiel rifle. and is platoon), for example when they have to
of 40mm grenades can be fired.
fitted with a 6-24x72 sniper scope. Both lead in climbing rock cliffs and there is
5 3: Mobility for
the mountain
infantry
sections is
provided by
Bv 206 S
armoured
over-snow
and all-terrain
vehicles
armed with a
7.62mmMG3
general
purpose
machinegun
4: When
deployed to
Afghanistan
in 2013
Gebirgsjäger
bataillon 231
operated from
Gepanzertes
Transport-
Kraftfahrzeug
(GTK) Boxer
A1 wheeled
a possibility that the enemy waits at the engagement of point and area targets, Also still in service is the Schwere armoured
top. The P8 pistol serves as secondary including light armoured vehicles, out to Panzerfaust 84mm anti-tank weapon,
weapon of machine-gunners. a range of 1,500m with single shots or better known as the Carl-Gustav. Since
personnel
bursts, using high explosive fragmentation the mid 1990s, however, this weapon carriers
As light machine gun the Gebirgsjäger ammunition. has only been used for battlefield
employ the 5.56mm MG4 manufactured illumination purposes, firing illumination 5: 120mm
by Heckler & Koch fitted with an Against armoured vehicles, bunkers and rounds. With the change of purpose the ‘R’ mortar of
RSA-S reflex sight. It also can be targets behind cover the Gebirgsjäger name of the weapon was also changed Gebirgsjäger
fitted with a Laser Licht Modul 01, the use the shoulder-launched Panzerfaust 3/ to Leuchtbüchse 84mm illumination bataillon 232
Nachtsichtaufsatz 80 (NSA 80) and the Bunkerfaust anti-tank and anti-structure rifle. Also for battlefield illumination – the 6,350m
AIM HuntIR thermal imaging sight. If more weapon. Available in each Gebirgsjäger purposes, as well as for signalling,
firepower is required, the Gebirgsjäger section, this weapon has a combat range the 26.5mm Signalpistole SIG P2A1 is
combat range
use the very reliable and well proven of 400 metres and can be fired from available.
weapon can
7.62mm MG3 general purpose machine inside buildings. The weapon consists of be mounted
gun; a descendant of the famous World a Griffstück/Zielfernrohreinheit launch unit HEAVY WEAPONS on a M113A2
War II German MG42. This weapon can be with sight and projectile in its launch tube. AND VEHICLES EFT GE or
employed on a bi-pod or in the sustained Projectiles in service include models with a The mortar platoons of the schwere dismounted
fire role on a tripod. In the latter case single and double shaped charge as well Gebirgsjäger kompanien are equipped using a
the weapon is used with a 4x24 scope. as a special anti-structure ones. with the 120mm ‘R’ mortar. Usually this baseplate
Mounted on an anti-aircraft tripod the mortar is used installed into an M113A2
weapon can also be used to engage slow The MILAN anti-tank guided missile EFT GE mortar carrier, but it can also
and low flying helicopters and aircraft. sections are equipped with the Missile be employed in a dismounted role
Images ©
d’Infanterie Legér Antichar. This weapon using a baseplate. When deployed in Carl Schulze
The Granat maschinen waffen gruppen has a maximum range of 2,000 metres difficult mountainous terrain the mortar
(grenade machinegun sections) of the and, dependent on the type of missile and its ammunition can be transported
heavy weapon platoons of the mountain fired, it can penetrate up to 700mm of by pack animals. Targets out to a
infantry companies use the 40mm Granat homogeneous armour steel. By using the distance of 6,350m can be engaged
maschinenwaffe A1 grenade machinegun MILAN Infra Red Adapter (MIRA) thermal with the mortar. The Gebirgsjäger fire
manufactured by Heckler & Koch. This imaging system the weapon becomes fully high explosive, smoke and illumination
automatic fire support weapon allows night fighting capable. rounds with the weapon.
those in the valleys are executed by the vehicle with 7-tonne dump trucks, airmobile Ahlmann
AS 6 M multi-role wheeled loaders and
GEBIRGSPIONIERBATAILLON 8 armoured mountain engineer company. BAA surveillance snow blowers.
The Gebirgs pionier bataillon 8 is the system
only engineer battalion of the German The two mountain engineer companies The armoured mountain engineer
6: Gebirgsjäger dismount from signal team, a technical section, a veterinary team and (transport company).
a Bv 206 S armoured over three pack animal platoons. In total the Einsatz- und
Ausbildungs zentrum für Tragtierwesen 230 operates The logistic companies each feature a
snow and all terrain vehicle 54 pack animals, namely 16 Haflinger horses and 38 maintenance platoon, a supply platoon and
which can transport up to 12 mules. a transport platoon. Therefore each of the
troops, including the driver, companies is able to provide the full range
under armour protection GEBIRGS VERSORGUNGS of logistic support to one of the combat units
BATAILLON 8 of the brigade, for example recovering and
7: The primary sniper rifle used The Gebirgs versorgungs bataillon 8 (mountain logistic repairing disabled vehicles and weapons or
by the sniper teams of the support battalion) provides all manner of logistic delivering supplies such as water, fuel, food and
Gebirgsjäger is the 7.62 mm support to the units of the Gebirgsjäger brigade 23 ammunition. The transportation company is a
‘Bayern’. It is structured into: the battalion HQ; 1 non-active unit and its personnel is formed from
(.300 Winchester Magnum) Stabs- und Versorgungs reservists who are called to duty in case the
G22 sniper rifle fitted with kompanie (headquarters company is needed.
a Hensoldt AG 3 – 12 x 56 and support company);
sniper scope three nearly identically CONCLUSION
structured Versorgungs Gebirgsjäger brigade 23 ‘Bayern’ is a highly
8: Hoch gebirgsjäger zug of kompanie (logistic trained and capable light infantry force. It is
Gebirgsjäger bataillon 232 companies), numbered manned by well-trained and fit long-serving
practice winter warfare 2, 3 and 4; and professionals who show a well-developed sense
5 Transport of responsibility and esprit de corps - necessary
on skis - the 7.62mm kompanie attributes that are paramount for operating in
MG3 is attached to mountainous terrain, where even small mistakes
a UT-2000 transport made during training can result in life-threatening
and rescue sled situations or even death. The Gebirgsjäger are
carried by also well accepted by the local population as
one soldier a result of their countless employments during
and fired by his disaster relief operations.
comrade
Gebirgsjäger are troops you can count on when
things get rough.
In winter
Bombardier Nordtrac
Rotax Ski-Doos are
used for liaison
purposes - the
vehicles can reach a
top speed of 100km/
hr and are powered
by a 2-cylinder
petrol engine that
develops 45hp
T
he ASFC plays an important role
in Taiwan’s concept of a swift
5.56mm Multi-
response to any threat from the utilisation Special Forces groups containing some 10,000 streamlining in the past 15 or so
People’s Liberation Army (PLA). Rifle produced by personnel, as well as three aviation bri- years. The two Special Forces
Indeed, it is the Taiwanese Army’s the state-owned gades. The elite formation, as it appears groups (originally brigades before the
designated rapid reaction force. 205th Arsenal MPC today, was stood up in 2007. 2007 reorganisation) are the 862nd
The command is based at Tainan, in and trialled by the Airborne Special Warfare Group, and
southern Taiwan, and it falls directly ASFC last year SPECIAL FORCES the 871st Airborne Special Warfare
under the Army General Headquarters. [Hojiyi] Taiwan’s Airborne and Special Group. The former is headquartered
The Command comprises two Special Forces have undergone significant at Taoyuan, in northern Taiwan, while
Province in China.
Another female SF
soldier, this time
toting a 7.62mm
T75 machinegun,
laptop case and
camera case - the
yellow brassard
on her left arm
indicates she
belongs to a
combat camera
team
7: The most capable attack helicopter until the arrival of the Apache
was the AH-1W SuperCobra. Taiwan started receiving the first of
its 63-craft Cobra allotment in 1993
Below: A CH-47SD Chinook from the Air Transport Battalion
delivers supplies during a spring exercise - the Army purchased
nine Chinooks and deliveries commenced in 2002 but one crashed
in 2008 7
T
he new Russian Army equip- At first glance it is not apparent that Spekter-S variant. We
ment system consists of five both the jacket and trousers are were unable to take
inter-linked, inter-connected tailored from a special fabric which the Russian soldiers
integrated sub-systems, provides protection from small
outside to photograph
namely: the Attack system, which fragments and ballistic particles.
includes weapons, sighting The new uniform also includes
them in natural light,
equipment and ammunition; the special gloves which not only
so we asked them to
Communications, Control And facilitate good grip on the weapons pose for C&S in an
Navigation system; the Protec- but also provide ballistic protection atrium as this was the
tion system, which includes for the hands. When helmet and next best thing. Note
helmet, body armour in a tactical eyepro are also worn almost 100% that interesting blurry
vest and special anti-fragment of the soldier’s body is protected green halo effect. The
suits; the Life Support system, from ballistic fragments. shot to the right was
which includes engineering and taken in a conference
medical support; and finally the All elements exhibited at Eurosatory room with on-camera
Power Sourcing system for all the were part of the basic set claimed flash to bring out the
combat equipment. A modular to have already been delivered to two different camo
package designed to be used and in use by the Russian Army patterns
by Infantry, Marines and Special in June 2014. It was stated each
Forces, its most important goal element had not only undergone the Images ©
is to ensure the survival of the required tests but also had already Bob Morrison
soldier. been proven to be reliable and
F
or most of the time when cover-
ing IDET 2015 in the Czech
Republic my assistant, and on
this occasion translator, Jitka
wore khaki but when we worked with green lightweight Arktis Stowaway
the Brno Police Rapid Response Shirt (a prototype from 1998) in one
Unit counter-terrorist specialists she of the side pouches of my camera
donned and doffed even if
dressed in black Woman Avenger bag along with the black version of its
wearing boots. As the modern
Trousers from Arktis, a loose black current equivalent for Jitka to don as
police officer usually carries
Under Armour T-shirt and her Meindl emergency shower protection.
belt equipment at the rear, hip
Black Python patrol shoes. As the
pockets are superfluous and so
weather was warm but ‘changeable’ Turning first to the trousers, which are
these trousers have none, but
that day, I carried my old faithful olive specifically tailored for the female form
4 5
I
footwear aimed specifically at the
t was way back in 1997 that I first Lady Elite alongside one female police and military market,
put on a pair of Alt-Berg Desert Berg introduced their Desert Microlite of my size 10 Desert produced on a brand new last
Boots, which were essentially a boot, which many sensible British Microlites. The Lady Elite designed to better replicate the
derivative of the company’s suc- squaddies deploying operationally
marries 2.2 to 2.4mm thick feminine foot shape (see March 2012
cessful Jungle Boot, to tackle the best quality suede uppers
to desert theatres opted to privately with fabric panels and issue or the Footwear section on
very first annual Toyota Desert Raid purchase, and yours truly shunted combatandsurvival.com). Naturally,
in the Sahara and, believe it or not,
Cambrelle ultra-breathable
his old ‘97 model boots to the top fast-drying lining to a as many female soldiers were serving
I still have these boots to this day. shelf of the ceiling-high boot rack to Vibram Tsavo sole with with the British Army in Afghanistan
Times changed, the world moved make space for the new, and slightly micro-cushion mid-layer. at that time, one of the first three new
on, off-road vehicles became even lighter, kid on the block. To prolong the life of the female boot styles to hit the market
more sophisticated, and so too did uppers use Alt-Berg’s was the Lady Desert Elite in beige.
combat boots. In due course Alt- Roll forward to early 2012 and Leder-Bök spray In 2015, however, brown is the new
I
have been fan of Merino wool for
some years now and most gar-
ments quoted as being Merino are
often mixes that include this special
wool. In this case the Polo is pure Me-
rino. If you do not know, Merino wool
is not itchy so good next to skin, can
be worn in warm and cold conditions,
works when wet, and does not smell
nasty even after several days of wear.
Generally just very good material and
great for travelling. After all, it works
for sheep and they cannot ‘layer up’ or
wash their coats other than by rain….
No, not Op TELIC sandals. These are Flip Flops and very
good ones at that. The concept has, of course, been around
for many years but these are a seriously upgraded version.
I
passed this trial over to Milady, and she has been very impressed with
them. She took them away on a recent trip and they became her principal
footwear. Agreed, it was warm, but from the start it was a case of “These
are really comfortable, Mike”. Better still they grip well, especially on the
likes of wet boat decks and wet floors - okay, around the pool.
The Telics have a good foot-hugging shape, so the foot is well supported
but in a very gentle way. They are extremely light so easy to pack/carry
2 and as the company says they are a great “recovery shoe” for tired feet.
Interested now? Made in the USA, these are new to UK, but there are some
other interesting items of footwear from this company and I am in contact
with the importer and will be getting some of the others to try in the future so
will let you know.
I think these will be of great interest for when those boots come off and the
feet need a rest, but also need support and protection.
1: The Telics are a snug fit and have a deep heel cup for security and comfort - sadly these
did not fit me so I had to pass them to Jean who was happy to have them
2:Remarkably grippy on most surfaces and foot-huggingly comfortable on the top side
makes these Telic Flip Flops a very good to wear item
T
he Kestrel Drop is a wireless data over time to check what was going on. For and still get
temperature on example we were camping on Dartmoor readings. I
logger that works in conjunction with
your smart phone. It is small, light
Dartmoor - the Kestrel in January and there was a discussion on got readings
and robust and very useful. You sim- Drop can be fixed to how cold it had been over night. Easy. The when in the
ply download the free App onto your smart any convenient spot Kestrel had been in my tent and quietly departure
phone and off you go, reading the info via to give a good reading logging away all night so in seconds I lounge and
Bluetooth. It can be used in real time but as required had all the answers they wanted, down to the Kestrel
also stores the info so you can go back exactly when it was coldest and so on. was in my
baggage -
3 4: A very different As well as temperature the Kestrel also somewhere
temperature to records Relative Humidity, Heat Index, en route to
Dartmoor - the data Dew Point, Station Pressure, Density the aircraft.
record here shows Altitude, Pressure trend. A lot for a very
the temperature small device. All this info is presented in I hope to be able to take a look at
peak during a recent various ways in an easy-to-use display some more of the very extensive
day in the sun in the via the App. The range of the Bluetooth range of devices on offer from Kestrel,
Mediterranean is impressive and so the Kestrel can be many of which are relevant to C&S
quite a long way from the smart phone readers.
I
t has all the features of the Venture range, such as the
front pouch (kangaroo) pocket with the latest additions of
the two small pockets for items such as compass/phone/
GPS etc. Attachment loops, Velcro patches, thumb loops,
and draw cords all make this a well specified top. Typically
for Snugpak, the Paratex Micro material is tougher than it
seems and is very weather-resistant so, as seen here in the
picture, I took it away with me and on boat trips, albeit in the
sun, where the wind was very chill and of course the spray
was wet.
T
he Bivouacs are also good and them
quite up-market. For a start they are
photo-chromatic so vary accord- 6: On the Bivouacs
ing to the amount of light, thereby the side sun
keeping the user comfortable and less screens are
likely to create eye strain in strong and removable - note but it is slightly flexible. The side ‘stem 7
variable light. They have side shields
to prevent light entering from the side,
the two small ends’ as they are called, are highly
but these are easily removable if not air vent slots to flexible and so adjustable to suit your
required; they are secured by small reduce misting head and ears as well as any headwear
magnets and a peg. you may use, so they fit well. The lenses,
and I really like the colour of these, as
7: The Bivouac well as being photo-chromatic address
The frame is made of a robust plastic sunglasses come the issue of misting by having small slots
6 in their own sturdy in the outer corners to allow airflow.
box along with
neck strap and soft All in all these are very nice and effective
cover eye protection and are ones to look
after. These Julbos come complete with
a removable, adjustable security strap,
Images © or via soft cover and very substantial hard case
Mike Gormley to keep the glasses protected when not
in use. Well worth a look.
8 9
F
OOD on the MOVE is a relatively new name to the outdoor scene. British
made, I was introduced to this brand by our Ten Tors Team manager,
Jamie, who is always on the lookout for good stuff for his teams. The
first thing that impressed me with these meals was the very small pack
size. Some similar foods have quite bulky packs, but these are vacuum
packed and look a bit like foil covered biscuits.
10
Carry weight for a sample day’s meal can be 325 grams and little space.
Add water, of course, but you may not have to carry that so far. I have not
had a chance to use these rations for real on an expedition, and have only
a quick taste of Jamie’s, but the signs there are good. So more to come on
these when I have had a day or two out in the wilds with them.
9: Just this light compact handful would provide a day’s worth of tasty food
10: To give the pack size some perspective I have placed an Elliot Brown Bloxworth
watch beside a day’s worth to give an idea of the compactness of these meals
AND CONSULTANT.
reducing the amount of remote weapons systems have RPG warheads (to degrade their
MBTs they have, how much recently been developed for effectiveness) and is lighter than
of a threat is this? western protected vehicles (PPVs) composite armour (which detracts
in Afghanistan, the Soviets have from mobility). The new armour
T
he new family of vehicles used unmanned turrets for a long is designed to operate in Arctic
seem to be a transformation time on smaller armoured vehicles. conditions found during the Russian
of design, rather than just an This is the first time we have seen winter or if conflict arises over
upgrade to an existing system, an unmanned MBT turret though. resources above the Arctic Circle,
as we saw with the family of tanks For a long time the Soviets have where Russia is currently building
from T72 toT90. All MBT designs are used remote ammunition bases.
a compromise between firepower, loading systems which The crew are all housed within a
mobility and protection with some helped to reduce smaller protected area within the hull
countries building vehicles with less the height which reduces the amount of heavier
protection that are faster and have of the tank armour required and increases
larger calibre weapons or heavier turret and the mobility. Putting the crew within
but well protected tanks that have Russians have the hull adds to their protection
large calibre weapons but have installed one in but this does require all round
limited mobility, such as the British the new unmanned situational awareness which is
Chieftain. Traditionally Soviet tanks turret. The calibre of why the T-14 has 360 degree
were lighter and cheaper than West- the main armament coverage by cameras and
ern tanks and this is still the case. has remained the same as sensors.
previous tanks, 125mm, which
The new MBT included in the ensures it can fire old stocks and The sensors and a radar
ARMATA family is designated new designs of ammunition. system also provide the tank with
the T-14. It is taller than previous an active defensive system which
Soviet designs, but in the past their The 125mm main gun can also will be alert to either ranging lasers
conscript system allowed the Soviets fire AT missile systems such as from enemy weapon systems or
to man their tanks with personnel the Kornet D, which has a dual incoming AT missiles. Defensive aids
under a prescribed height. This warhead. Dual warheads can be can then do a variety of things, such
meant they could manufacture used to detonate explosive reactive as fire a multi-spectral smokescreen,
armoured vehicles that had a lower armour, allowing the second turn the turret towards the threat and
profile, which of course meant they warhead to detonate against the fire the main armament
presented smaller targets. Now the main hull or the roof armour which at the threat in a bid
Russian Army is trying to become is traditionally thinner to save to put the enemy
AT gunner off his
aim. The T-14, and
RUSSIA’S
other vehicles in
the new ARMATA
family, will also
be covered in new
screening material that
T-14 MBT
will reduce the thermal signature
of the tank to help defeat Western
thermal sights.
S
tarting with the first of the 1/35 kits (Ref. if you wish, though the kit only deals with the a set of beautifully moulded rubber tyres. The
03246), this replicates the good old Series military version. Decals and painting schemes amount of detail, especially on the underside
III 109-inch long wheelbase Land Rover for four vehicles are detailed in the instructions, and interior may deter the absolute beginner,
in GS (General Service) military soft top which relate to two British military vehicles and but anyone with a modicum of model-making
guise. Despite being boxed as Revell, sea- two Danish Army vehicles. The Royal Navy experience should have no troubles with the
soned model makers will no doubt recognise colour-scheme from the 1991 Gulf War featured construction. The interior is highly detailed, but
this as the old Italeri kit, however, there’s noth- on the box top is rather fanciful, but if you stick little can be seen if the doors are closed, which
ing wrong with this as it’s a nice enough model with plain sand you won’t go too far wrong. All is a bit of shame, and the complete chassis
RN Commando
Helicopter
Operations
Support Cell
(CHOSC) SIII
soft tops in
Sand and
Desert Stone
‘tiger stripe’
camouflage