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Thread: MALTA ARMED FORCES - PASSOUT PARADE

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  1. #21
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    I can only speak for myself and what I saw when I lived there in the sixties.
    The gun ALWAYS being towed around by the AEC Matador was the Bristol Bofors guns as per the picture. All in sand colour. I know as Peter said they did a stint at Dortmund BAOR and raised a few eye brows as most of their kit was 10 years behind the times, but very much operational and in good capable hands.
    The guns on the parade square look heavier agreed, but still think they look Britishicon.
    Last edited by Gil Boyd; 05-20-2017 at 10:20 AM.
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #22
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    This should help, they're 3.7 heavy AA guns. Apparently museum pieces. Read on... Times of Malta The Busbesija secret
    Regards, Jim

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  5. #23
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
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    Jim,
    Thanks for that. Knew we would get there eventually.
    Ta-Qali Airfield was a secondary runway near Mosta Town where a 500Ib bomb still sits on full public display where it landed through the church dome on the floor.

    Many AA units operated around Mosta and Mdina as clear line of site compared to operating with limited view in and around the walled City of Valetta on one side of the harbour, and St Angelo the other side where the Royal Navy were based.

    Albeit, many AA gun emplacements can still be found on the walls today erected by the Knights of St John's & Templars and have stood the test of time and against many invaders.
    Great island steeped in history and very pro Britishicon even now.
    'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA

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  7. #24
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    The 40/70 guns referred to in thread 21 were the 60's L7 automatic/upgraded 40mm Bofors that were joystick controlled and radar guided* for azimuth and height.
    *archaic radar control it has to be said!

    The guns subject to the original Q must be 3.7's less their wheel/transport platforms. It looked to me as though they had trails fitted - as per the old 5.5" heavy guns. but I can't get anything to come up with your prompt BAR.

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    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Peter Laidlericon View Post
    I can't get anything to come up with your prompt BAR.
    K, let's do this then. Also the stolen text as quoted..." The emplacements are safe for the time being and the four 3.7-inch guns held by the AFM at Luqa Barracks would be a perfect fit .The guns were kindly donated by Stan Fraser who had served in HAA in Malta during the siege; he had found them in a UKicon scrapyard."

    So, they're actually what we called 3" 70's... If you hunt up Luqa Barracks on Google earth you see the guns. Also there's the text package showing the museum and the 500lb bomb referred to.
    Regards, Jim

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    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
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    So would I be correct in thinking that this type of heavy AA gun would normally be placed onto a thick circular concrete base? In more recent years I have noticed one or two such circular concrete bases where I suspect there could have been an AA emplacement during WW2.

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    Legacy Member Paul S.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    So would I be correct in thinking that this type of heavy AA gun would normally be placed onto a thick circular concrete base? In more recent years I have noticed one or two such circular concrete bases where I suspect there could have been an AA emplacement during WW2.
    You are correct when the gun was in a 'fixed' or long term placement. More mobile guns - those that moved with the troops, i.e. during the Desert Campaign, etc. basically set up where needed.

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  12. #28
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  14. #29
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    Oddly, they don't look like the 3.7" AA gun on the sea front at Southsea............

  15. #30
    Legacy Member gsimmons's Avatar
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    The caption on the phot, said;
    Britishicon troops training. Firing with a 3.7 inch anti-aircraft gun. Probably late 1940.
    Of course that doesn't make it correct.

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