FAT Fast 17 pounder recovery

rnixartillery · #1 09-01-12, 16:41

Each 25 pdr carried one of these pumps in the pump box that was located in the No 27 limber stores tray !

Rob ..................rnixartillery.

Gunner · #2 10-01-12, 22:40

Hi Rob and Rob:

When the 25 pounders were first designed, the Gun Tiffy's were still Ordnance Corps or artillerymen. Arte and Marte, the RCEME twins, weren't born until 15 May 1944 (and, speaking as a "user and abuser", we're sure glad to have them around!

)

The 17 pounder used a similar recoil mechanism to the 25 pounder (the differences are for the most part, internal) so the same pump was issued on the same scale of one per gun. The funny round 4 inch(ish) bracket on the left trail of a 25 or 17 pounder was where the pump was fitted to the gun and topping up was part of, IIRC, daily maintenance (I'll have to check the manuals) so the pump would be a worthwhile addition to any 25 or 17 pounder collection. I wish I could afford it myself!

Congratulations on adding a 17 pounder to your ordnance collection, Rob F!

I was lucky enough to have one of our Aussie brothers mail me the 17 pounder manuals a few years ago. It will take me some time to dig them out of the mess I call my house (another construction project continuously delayed by frequent deployments overseas!) but once found I'll copy them and send a set along.

UBIQUE! Mike

rnixartillery · #3 10-01-12, 23:25

Quite right, but the no 5 pump was also used on a number of other pieces,the 3.7" mountain gun to name one.One thing should be noted that the pump socket on the gun trail should NOT be painted,it should be clean and greased otherwise the pump will not lock into position.
I have pump sets for all of my guns including my mountain gun which has a Brass socket riveted to the trail.
I have attached a pic of my 25 pdr with the pump fitted .

Rob..................rnixartillery.

rob love · #4 11-01-12, 01:14

I was just talking with an artilleryman today about the topping up of the recoil system. He mentioned that while every 105 is issued one of the little filling tools, and they would add as required when the recoil would be acting up, the weapons techs did not like the users topping up their own recoil mechs.

I stand corrected wrt the scale of issue of the pumps. I guess the operators performed a little more indepth maintenance than they do nowadays.

Gunner · #5 11-01-12, 21:07

Looking at this thread, I think I may have to change my name to Rob just to avoid confusion! (no apologies to Monty Python and the Aussie university faculty sketch!

)

Rob Nix: looks like I might be in the UK for a few days in March or April. Any chance of dropping in to see your collection and maybe swig a few at your local?

Rob Love: now that you remind me, the Tiffy in D Bty in the '80s would let the guys top up thier recoils on their own after he had trained them himself and was satisfied that they would religiously enter it into the Gun History Books. I have scanned the Canadian Gun History Book and will happily send you a copy for your superb 105mm C1. I will PM you about some bits I'm looking for for a M1942 Zis 3 Russian and some info on 105mm disposals.

Rob Fast: the same Gun History Book will be appropriate for your 17 pounder.

Cheers! Mike

rnixartillery · #6 12-01-12, 23:13

Mike,

Anyone who shares the same interest is welcome at my place,I do live quite away up North though.
You are more than welcome and the kettle is always on the boil !

Rob Nixon...............rnixartillery.

Rob Fast · #7 03-02-12, 00:29

See limber carriage attachment. Different than the No.27...Cheers Rob

Rob Fast · #8 07-09-18, 02:11

getting ready for the press Friday morning for a local article being done. First pics of Fat with Limber and 17 in tow. Cheers Rob

Hanno Spoelstra · #9 07-09-18, 16:11

Rob,

What a great line-up!

Hanno