+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Rapier tracked launch vehicle

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:54 PM

    Rapier tracked launch vehicle

    The following information is my understanding from the information board for this vehicle at the Muckleburgh Military Collection, North Norfolk.

    This interesting vehicle was originally intended for export to Iran but a sudden change in government of that country, in the late 1970's, meant that the order was cancelled by the UK government before any were delivered. They were used for some years by UK armed forces before being made "surplus to requirements" and sold off but, in true Britishicon style, it was realised that a mistake had been made and some were required for the first Gulf war. Amends were attempted, by the repurchase from private ownership of some vehicles, followed by reconditioning, only for it to be realised that the vehicles were not required after all. Therefore, they were sold off, as surplus" for a second time.
    Information
    Warning: This is a relatively older thread
    This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    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. #2
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:54 PM
    Nothing amazes me anymore, when I see brand new kit sold off even today at rock bottom prices to whoever wants it.........................MOD should be held accountable for all this waste of tax payers money.

    Brand new armoured Range Rovers for £20K when they cost over £300K to build as an example..............hanging offence in my day, appalling and probably why 5000 civilian employees were laid off at MOD Abbey Wood a couple of years ago!!
    When you consider you can buy an upgraded Land Rover "snatch" vehicle for £6K when almost £40K was spent upgrading them for Afghanistan is an indicator!!! Who wants an APC cheap loads for sale?
    '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

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:54 PM
    What chassis is this vehicle built on guys, M113?

    With you on the eye watering waste of money Gil.

    I've a mate working as a traveling engineer, his company makes very high end measuring and calibration equipment for industry, lots of defence contractors among their clients.

    The MOD throw tax payers money away in very large quantities indeed.
    One great example he relayed to me was a sub contractor company manufacturing certain component parts used in the refurbishment and overhaul of Tornado GR4's.

    This batch of parts was manufactured ... and not picked up ... Calls made, no one remotely interested at the MOD.

    Time passed....

    The upshot was a second batch were ordered and delivered...!

    A 'lot' of waisted tax payers money, no one at the MOD interested, no one taking responsibility or showing any initiative...

    They wouldn't survive for bloody 5 minutes in the private sector without getting sacked!

    One of many examples he has seen on his travels.

    Back to the tracked Rapiers, I would imagine they were sold under the export credit guarantee system, so Joe taxpayer underwrote the total cost anyway when the arms ban to Iran came into force, so the Army might as well have found a use for them!

    Just like the 12 Jaguar fighter bombers we sold to Nigeria ... And we paid for them too ... You couldn't make it it up...

  6. #4
    Legacy Member matthanne1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Last On
    09-16-2023 @ 10:41 PM
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    214
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    11:54 AM
    That RACAL Jaguar in the background brings back memories. Had them in our M557s in Berlin so that we could keep things hopping.

  7. #5
    Contributing Member Flying10uk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 10:53 PM
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    5,075
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:54 PM
    Thread Starter
    The Muckleburgh Military Collection have quite a reasonable and interesting collection of small arms, even in the canteen. Before anyone gets too excited, captions in the display cases state that all are certified deactivated.

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Today @ 11:07 AM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    29,838
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    09:54 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Flying10uk View Post
    all are certified deactivated.
    Doesn't matter, I think that's the direction of it all eventually anyway. At least they're there to see. I'll bet you'd have that one...and the others.
    Regards, Jim

  9. #7
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:54 PM
    UKicon Policy I'm afraid. All our weapons in our museum at IWM Duxford are ALL deactivated and rightly so IMHO.
    They are behind armoured glass but it is to only way to go when all they are really are objects with a history never to be fired again...........so why not?
    '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

  10. #8
    Contributing Member mrclark303's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2012
    Last On
    Today @ 11:11 AM
    Location
    The wild west of England
    Posts
    3,401
    Real Name
    Mr Clark
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    05:54 PM
    Does the same go for IWM London Gil?

    I guess it's only the MOD controlled collections,
    (Leeds Royal Armoury too) that keep live collections these days.

    Both with very strictly controlled public access by appointment, and quite rightly too in this day and age.

  11. #9
    Contributing Member Gil Boyd's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Last On
    02-28-2024 @ 11:09 AM
    Location
    Home of The Parachute Regiment & 16 Air Assault Brigade
    Posts
    4,772
    Real Name
    Gil Boyd
    Local Date
    03-28-2024
    Local Time
    04:54 PM
    Yes ALL weapons in their possession including artillery are spiked in accordance with Firearms policy nationally, but I am sure there will be some pieces through logistics and cost have slipped through the net, due to their secure location which are accepted as such!!
    '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

  12. The Following 2 Members Say Thank You to Gil Boyd For This Useful Post:


+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. WW2 UK Military Vehicle paint.....
    By bigduke6 in forum Vintage Military Vehicles and Aircraft
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 05-26-2016, 11:39 AM
  2. Need help identifying a vehicle
    By TinCupChalice in forum Vintage Military Vehicles and Aircraft
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 09-13-2015, 09:20 PM
  3. What is this vehicle?
    By 25-5 in forum Vintage Military Vehicles and Aircraft
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 04-15-2015, 06:17 PM
  4. Vehicle Buy Sell Trade
    By Randy A in forum Vintage Military Vehicles and Aircraft
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-11-2014, 06:55 PM
  5. "The Lee Enfield" Book Launch at Lithgow
    By Son in forum Book and Video Review Corner
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 08-01-2007, 09:34 AM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
Raven Rocks