Last time i visited my sister in Harnham there were swarms of them all along the A30 and back then there was a furore in the media about the shortages too.
Posted by chris Edwards at August 18, 2009 12:40 AMThere was a gazelle over town last night making small circles in the sky for about an hour. Damn thing whines like a mossie that's just out of reach.
I just hope his NVG was working so that he could see that rare occurance, a second moon.
Posted by nbc at August 18, 2009 9:54 AMPerhaps the militiamen are right and it's those dreaded Black Helicopters!
Posted by The Remittance Man at August 18, 2009 10:00 AMThe ZSU? Dreadful things, they overheated at the drop of a babushka. Now for a good and proper Bulldog, perhaps one of these might be on the used market? The Eminently British QF 3.7 Anti-aircraft gun:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_3.75_inch_AA
None of those pesky vacuum tube to overheat and replace, and I expect it makes a most statisfying thump when triggered. Blowpipes are for those that can't pull lead..
Posted by Larry Anderson at August 18, 2009 3:15 PMMay I respectfully offer the services of the 40mm Bofors Gun. The 3.7" AA is an excellent weapon but needs a larger crew and Mr FM cannot have gunners just hanging about and it is rather lacking of rate of fire. You could drop a few sizes and use 20-23mm AA there are a variety of good models with a useful ground capability for keeping the Pikeys down as well.
Posted by Michael at August 18, 2009 6:41 PMThis is what you want...
http://www.skylighters.org/quad50/index.html
Posted by Old Trooper at August 18, 2009 10:52 PMA Leo C1, firing Sabot, is quite capable against choppers out to 2500m or more. Generally, after the first two sabot rounds, you should be able to continue engaging with blanks, with equal success. Paraflares are useful as well.
Cheers
Posted by J.M. Heinrichs at August 19, 2009 11:52 AMMichael,
I agree that the Bofors 40MM is a legendary weapon indeed, probably the longest lived AA weapon out there. However, it too needs at least a crew of three.. Pointer, trainer, and loader. I was also thinking of Dear Mr. FM's usual preference for stout British designs first, before roaming abroad.
With regards to ground targets, the potential effect of 3.7 inch proximity fused rounds on say, a traveler caravan is a delightful if naughty thought..
Larry in Rochester
Posted by Larry Anderson at August 19, 2009 1:30 PMSexiest (black) chopper ever made:
http://www.ginklai.net/images/news/557_3822ka52.jpg
Posted by Brazilski at August 21, 2009 3:01 PM