L42A1 and the Swift Spotting Scope

[Gil Boyd]

Here it is from a different angle in colour. Can't be sure of the unit as his mug isn't familiar, regardless of the M16 in use, possibly a Patrols section.

[bigduke6]

Still no takers ........ Look at the PLCE, non (UK) standard issue water bootle........... anyway I'm just wondering if they may of been from the M&AW Cadre ?

[Strangely Brown]

Still no takers ........ Look at the PLCE, non (UK) standard issue water bootle........... anyway I'm just wondering if they may of been from the M&AW Cadre ?

The 44 pattern water bottle cover with 58 Pattern bottle?
That would have been me in Germany!

[Gil Boyd]

Geoff,
Thats where my money lies as the guy with the headset looks like a good friend now dead sadly, Stevie Groves RIP who was an ML RM. He went on thier Freefall Team for a number of years before breaking his back as he crashed through a hangar roo. On recovery he became the Freefall Pilot. Died last year of cancer, sadly missed. Great friend and soldier.

I also think those two photos were taken above Top Malo house, just before they tried to get the Argentine SF out under control.
They burst out and fired in all directions catching Stevie in the shoulder, as he stood up and called in support.

Sadly Wikipedia and others automatically call the images SAS when they can't be identified properly.

I also think the photographer was Tom Smith Daily Express who I spoke with last week to authorise some of his pics during the conflict for my book which is being released on Goose Green Day 28th May 2020 in aid of SAMA and Airborne Forces Museum.

He took the colour one so one has to assume he also took the B/W one.

The book is as last year finalised and called:
FALKLANDS WAR - SNIPERS DOWN SOUTH all about the L42A1 and latterly the L96A1 its replacement which myself and my co-author C/Sgt Frank Fletcher, 2 PARA's Master Sniper have finally completed. He worked on the L96A1 with both Daves of AI.
Price & Postage to follow. There thats done it, advertised the book at the same time as answering the thread

[55recce]

To be picky my understanding is that AR15s were in use at the time not M16s but I am no expert.....

[Gil Boyd]

55recce,
Old school I'm afraid, same beast slight mods.

[GeeRam]

The son of a good mate of my Dad was in the MAW Cadre, can't remember now whether he was with them in the FI though....we used to hang around a bit as kids/early teens in the 70's and he joined the Marines about 1979-ish IIRC. Was probably the last time I saw him. I know he qualified as ski-instructor with the Marines at some point as well, as remember Dad telling me.

[Gil Boyd]

Certainly the Cadre in Norway do all those things including Skiing, which we in PARA Reg did for a while to supplement the Northern flanks under 16 PARA Brigade during the days of the Cold War.
Thank God we finally gave that one up and left it to the Royals. If God meant us to be pulled along by a tracked vehicle on skis for miles freezing our "preverbials off" he wouild have made our feet paddles

[Mk VII]

The 44 pattern water bottle cover with 58 Pattern bottle?
That would have been me in Germany!

Me, too. I've still got it, somewhere.

[bigduke6]

The 44 pattern water bottle cover with 58 Pattern bottle?
That would have been me in Germany!

Thats it Mick, my post should of read water bottle carrier..... I thought it was a US one at first until I got it up on a bigger screen.