Humber FV1600

[fv1620]

Rich, I am surprised you didn't know - given your location

All is revealed here:

http://www.hmvf.co.uk/pdf/WWWFV1620.pdf

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Clive
Obviously a subject close to your heart. Loved the concept of aiming a missile at a friendly ferret, then having them take over control, sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Never even heard of the Malakara (did I get that right), as you say Aboriginal dialects vary tremendously, have heard of at least 4 different meanings for the place I live in (Barnawartha)(also means place of big messy shed with just enough spare room for a Humber).
Thanks for the info
Rich

[fv1620]

Rich

The motor in the Malkara Mk 1 was a "Kawana" & in the Mk 1A a "Marloo". The High Commission gave me a translation, I can't remember which was which but one was a bunch of flowers & the other was a kangaroo or a clay pipe!

One of the GAF missile projects was Toolandoo meaning a swampy marsh which sounds a bit odd for a missile. This was in a book "Fire across the desert".

This book was presented to our county fire service by a visiting Australian dignitory. I think he thought the book was about fire brigades but actually related to the missile projects fired at Woomera!

I think you still have a prototype Hornet over there, P3 I think. I was in contact with the owner some years ago but have since lost contact with him.

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

The Hornet is a way-out sci-fi machine that would not have looked at all out of place among the '60s & '70s UFO SHADO toys produced by Dinky.....

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Wow, look at this.

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

I mean, seriously, this is a good deal more crazy than the 'sci-fi' Dinky toy......

Until now I had not really realised that this was an Australian project that we bought.....

So we shipped the Humbers out to you, you lot did some crazy stuff with them, we bought them back off you.

I am sure that Clive can give you a more accurate account.

Pretty cool machine, though.

Regards,
Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Found this copy on a Japanese book sale site....about a million yen or something....I don't really get the currency but I am sure you could work it out.

http://kakaku.ecnavi.jp/item_info/20479923370825.html

Regards,
Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[fv1620]

Tom, well that doesn't look too out of place!

Being tracked & the single missile on the roof (20 malkaras inside) looks like the proposed Heavy Tank Destroyer FV410 weighing in at 46 tons.

Although the waterproof cab & tracks looks like the proposed FV426 Orange William launcher, except the missiles swing out from behind shutters on each side.

So not such a crazy toy after all & remember in the end that it was going to be Hornet that fired Orange William, Malkara was originally only a second option.

[fv1620]

Ah we were posting at the same time. The PC didn't like the link, get wanting to instal a Japanese character programme, I kept declining that it took me to some dating site shall we say. So missed what that was all about.

No the Hornets were made in UK, by Wharton Engineering of Elstree. There were 12 operational, 12 in reserve, I think 4 prototypes & 2 wooden ones. Cost by 1963 just for the Hornet project, which excludes the missile development, was £90 million.

BTW that picture of the Hornet firing was taken by a friend Capt Peter Russell was was EME for Cyclops Sqn 2 RTR, the troop trials unit.

[waltz]

check this out i want one

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowP...4&product=2069

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Nice stuffz Walt
Bit pricey though, you can just about buy a real one for that... In fact I think Tom did..
Quote from site
"Today it is one of the most sought after MV's for private ownership."
Not over here it ain't ...(apart from me, that is, still looking)
You will have noticed that that "British Classic" the Champ is also available.
Cheerio
Rich.

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Wow! - That's the baby - I want one too. That is a NICE model.

This is easier to post than a real one...
Everyone here should buy one - just to make it worth the guy's while to have made such a cool kit.

Just imagine a sun-bleached model, with no glass, stuck out in the bush - or a mouldy wrecker with Harvey Frost crane stuck behind a garage, burried under tyres & old bumpers...

I will wait until mine is running before I get one..... ( but this has gone onto my Crimbo list)

Nice one Waltz.

Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

On e-bay UK at the moment, item 230185372868 , as discussed above, but missing a couple of pages. So they are out there. Just need to get around to getting a credit card, otherwise I would not be pointing this one out!
Rich.

[Humber-One-Ton Tom]

Hi all you Humberites! - You may be interested in looking at this truck on ebay at the moment - not sure if it is all original but a nice truck all the same. The truck looks familiar and may be one we have seen on this thread before... it is on ebay uk http://www.ebay.co.uk, item no. 110235754436. Pic attached.

Regards,
Tom
Portsmouth
UK

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

This is the Bandiana army Museum Humber that was restored by the Altmanns at Stawell. It is a runner if not run very often. Tried it on for size over the weekend, and it fitted very well. Seriously looking for one now, but the visit raised some more questions. What are the little ball things on the roof that look like Martian antenna's, and is the engine off set to one side? If so is to allow for the transfer case? Used up too many favours to get a play in the engine bay, but noticed the starting handle socket is not central, and from underneath the sump appeared to be towards the passenger side.
Cheers
Rich.

[fv1620]

There are four of those ball things in all. You can see the front two, but there are another two to the rear of the passenger's hatch.

They are mountings for a gun that has a frame to engage these mountings. The roof on the passenger's side is reinforced to allow for this extra weight.

The engine is no doubt centrally balanced but you are right has the effect of being offset.

[Richard Coutts-Smith]

Thanks Clive
This system of mounting on the roof is new to me, can't remember seeing any pics of it in THE book. Just what the Humber needed, more weight.
Rich.