What is this box thing?

[Peter Laidler]

I wonder when the Canadian and UK MIlitary stopped using 40mm Bofors (we called them 40/70's). I remember that the apprentice Gun Fitters at Carlisle were trained on the radar controlled bofors and they were in service until.............

[browningautorifle]

Correct me if I am wrong but don't we still use the 40 Bofors on the MCDVs?

Yes, armed with one. But we don't have them in the other roles anymore...So Peter, we still have them. There would be a gun you worked on from your earliest apprenticeship and still could be pinching fingers in.

[Peter Laidler]

The Bofors were a Gun Fitters job, The Armourers didn't touch them except that in our second year we spent a week or so (?) looking at the work of the other apprentices trades being taught there. In addition to the Gun Fitters and Armourers there were vehicle mechs. and Instrument techs.

Incidentally, Borors barrels and other gun parts were made in a secret woodland factory at Tubney, about 3 miles from here. It was sort of laying derelict for many years and the site was recently developed as a small hi-tech site, named appropriately Bofors Park. When they were developing the site they found that some of the perimiter supports fences were made from old barrel lengths. Many years ago I went to a beautiful little thatched country cottage, also in Tubney and recognised a 3" or so machined-off length of 40mm Bofors barrel, complete with rifling being used as a back door stop. The bloke was amazed that I recognised it and it did indeed come from the factory where his dad - or mum - worked as a wartime machinist