correct ground movement hand signals

[Lauren Child]

This one is clearer, from "Manual of Recovery (c) Recovery Technique Part 2; Practical and Technical Considerations" 7th August 1945.

The only thing I'd add is that :
a) many people use both arms for Advance
b) note the main difference for Halt is the elbows out and hands above eye hieght, while Advance/Reverse are elbows close to the body with hands at or below eye hieght.
c) to indicate a neutral turn bump your fists together twice with elbows out, before indicating direction normally, but remember not all vehicles can neutral steer/pivot steer.
d) some folks use a bent arm and fist (a bit like half of a halt signal) to indicate a change in direction - some would say it's safer as there's less chance of your hand going into something, and you can be more expressive with the fist for a tighter turn. That's probably why most folks use two arms for the Advance signal, so it's not confused.

Hope that helps.

[Jim Burrill]

For dusk/night movements, I have three of these Aircraft mashaling wands in the Humber stowage. Also whistles.

The guy in eye contact with the driver has two wands and uses them as expected to show hand directions. The rear guide uses his as so: a steady pointed up is "whatever you have him doing is fine , not about to crunch anything. A down is a "thumbs down" or stop. ALong with a whistle. (even if the driver can't hear it, the director can.) And then pointing sideways indicates which way the back end needs to go.

[Jim Burrill]

Here is where I got them.

http://www.mypilotstore.com/MyPilotS...n_AaAgFA8P8HAQ


Airplane Traffic Wand - Multi-Colored

This lighted traffic directing wand comes with 6 colored lenses discs that change the color glow of the white tapered top. The lenses (2-red, 1 each amber, white, blue, and green), as well as a spare light bulb are conveniently stored in the end cap.

It is GSA compliant for US military use, made in the USA of sturdy gray plastic, and is o-ring sealed for waterproof operation in rainy weather.

Total length is 15 1/4", and it requires two D-Cell batteries (not included).



List Price: $23.95
Now: $19.95
Add Airplane Traffic Wand - Multi-Colored To Cart

[kosbie]

This British Army AFV safety video might be useful? Lame presentation and a lot of it is pretty obvious but so are most accidents in my experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlnveNUd7KY

Rick

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Rick

This video has come up before, on other forums, and always raises comments, but it does get across a lot of points in a short time.

The young lady has one role in this video to hold the attention of the young men who are the intended audience.

Many, if not all the points raised about AFV apply equal to military vehicle with limited visibility from the cab. One of the reasons I like driving my Pat 12 with the cab top off you can actually see all the corners of the truck.

Also got a kick out one of the other videos that always comes up with this video it is BAOR British Army Driving in Germany.


Cheers Phil

[Lauren Child]

Originally Posted by Jim Burrill

For dusk/night movements, I have three of these Aircraft mashaling wands in the Humber stowage. Also whistles.

The guy in eye contact with the driver has two wands and uses them as expected to show hand directions. The rear guide uses his as so: a steady pointed up is "whatever you have him doing is fine , not about to crunch anything. A down is a "thumbs down" or stop. ALong with a whistle. (even if the driver can't hear it, the director can.) And then pointing sideways indicates which way the back end needs to go.

It's a good idea, although there's actually a different set of signals for night use that use a normal torch. I can't say I'd want to try them out though, as I'd rather have sufficient light that we can all see what's going on.

[Robin Craig]

There are many very talented and experienced people on this forum, some of whom I have met and many I respect deeply (but don't tell them).

Ground guiding is about communicating, this is a practised art form based around agreed signals.

I am involved with a vehicle collection at work and in my pleasure time other vehicle groups.

The merits of the various signals can be discussed 14 ways to Sunday. My favourite set of signals is becoming what ENFORM uses out west and is detailed here:- http://www.pistonwell.com/irp/irp12_...g_vehicles.pdf

I am responsible in the workplace as a supervisor and as a team member with the hobby.

I agree with others who state that they observe the most danger when owners who operate vehicles do not follow instructions, that hits close to home for me very deeply, I have lived that dream too often.

With the Cold War Collection, that I volunteer with, we hold training weekends and part of that time includes practices on ground guiding with each other to a standard and build the trust and skills needed as part of being a group. We use wheeled and tracked armour and softskins large and small.

Knowing how vehicles handle and what they can do is part of the exercise.

Anyone seen an M113 or an FV432 do a neutral turn?

Ever seen a CVR(T) take a corner in too high a gear and go wide and understand what happened?

Discussion on safety is always good and does the hobby good.

I have as a ground guide watched several people come close to being killed on a number of occasions, it is always distressing and avoidable.

Have a safe weekend

[eddy8men]

formal hand signals are a great place to start but everyone develops their own style after a while. the most important thing is trust between the guy driving and the guy doing the guiding. i always look the driver in the eye and give him obvious firm hand movements. these occasionally turn into a vigorous up and down motion if he keeps turning after i've dropped my hand down

[kevin powles]

Originally Posted by eddy8men

formal hand signals are a great place to start but everyone develops their own style after a while. the most important thing is trust between the guy driving and the guy doing the guiding. i always look the driver in the eye and give him obvious firm hand movements. these occasionally turn into a vigorous up and down motion if he keeps turning after i've dropped my hand down

Hey Rick, I remember a few years being a back stop when your were reversing the cromwell, I thought I'd signal your signal man to stop reversing 5ft early, glad I did as by the time I signalled, he signalled and you stopped was 4ft lol. End up perfect and you avoided crushing your own truck.