F1 SUBMACHINE GUN

[Peter Laidler]

We had Owens and F1's but I don't remember seeing F1's for long at all, maybe a year at most. Because we also had AR15's and the first M-16's and the SMG's were culled quite quickly as were the Sterlings that the poms had (I think the KSLI were the last poms to leave in 1968) and AR15's ruled the roost. I am sure that the 8 RMR of the FMA (Royal Malay Regt/The Federation of Malaya/Malaysia Army) had some on loan and one of the Inf Trg Sgts from the Mil Trg wing was pushing them for sales. Someone remind me whether there were any foreign sales...... I know that NZ had some with a view to sales but they also had AR15's so the F1 went by the bye. It was overtaken by events. I have a picture somewhere taken by the P&PR / press and public relations scivers during the regular keep-you-on-your-toes military training days crossing a river with an Owen on the approach to the jungle walk where the targets pop up left and right and you let fly while you crap yourself and the DS throw thunderflashes. Did you do these Muffer? I don't think we ever had one of these 'walk - watch and shoot' ranges in England unless you had or saw one Gil