This one's mainly for Gil Boyd to see if any of these are his mates from that time. 1 Para Regt
at Dhekelia Ranges in Cyprus after winning rifle team shooting. 1973...
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This one's mainly for Gil Boyd to see if any of these are his mates from that time. 1 Para Regt
at Dhekelia Ranges in Cyprus after winning rifle team shooting. 1973...
An interesting mix of wood, plastic and laminate there Jim...
Wonder where those rifles are today?Quote:
Originally Posted by mrclark303
Jim,
Thanks for that mate. Can't remember 1 PARA doing a UN tour in Cyprus in 1973, I know elements of 2 PARA were there in 1974 during the Turkish Invasion filling sandbags on route back from Malaya and Jungle warfare courses, cos I got knobbled.
The photo may have been taken in 1976 as they definately did a 6 month UN tour then at the end of the year. However, it could have been a typical Army con to get the best shots into the shoot regardless of whether they were there "officially" or not, it did happen like that sometimes !!!
I don't recognise any of the lads sadly although the one on the left looks like me lol.;)
It's come up on a group you should have a look at. Check PM for a link...
Yes, thanks for that Jim. Timelines and our memories often go crazy and I often mix tours in NI up as we did so many like lots of Regiments.
Shooting teams were selected dependent on where the relevant lads were, who would normally get just a couple of days notice.
You were given a lot of rounds and a range to zero, in preparation especially in the 70's it was very slack, but the reason for getting involved was to beat others for primarily recruiting reasons using your issue rifle!!
I suspect the dates attached to the pic are out of whack...Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
You might be right there Jim, 73 is early for a plastic forend to appear...Quote:
Originally Posted by browningautorifle
Gil came back (PM) with an answer that the pic had been redated to '76.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrclark303
Yes definately a UN tour by 1 PARA in 1976.;)
I thought 73 was very early for plastics, 76 would fit with the transition to plastic...
John,
Have to agree 1973 was pre plastic crap.
We started to identify CROWS...."new" lads as we called them, by their black plastic issue rifles, cos they couldn't get any of us sensible lot, (who had only bounced on our heads 30 times) to change from wood.
Thats why wood is to die for these days, all matching!! :lol::lol:
We never did change from wood until we changed rifles.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
Always taught to hold the rifle firmly, you certainly can't do that with plastic, especially in wet weather:madsmile:
Never had a problem with plastic on the R1. Might be different plastics LEW used.
Daan...............probably just as the Chinese came into the MOD supply chain:D
No gender confused lads in that photo.
Gil, long before Chinese. Locally manufactured, didn't slip in wet weather.
Daan,
Must have been my soft Fairy Liquid hands then. :lol:
I thought you were in the 'Maroon Machine' Gil, not the cook house rifles mate!
:surrender::dancingbanana::yikes: