Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 698
My Iraqi D3 and Armoured RR
I was looking through some old SD cards last night and came across a few photos that I thought I'd share..
The D3 was mine in Iraq for just over a month while I fitted some [cough cough] equipment to some vehicles belonging to a special [cough cough] unit near Baghdad.
I drove it from Basra to Bagdad a few times and surprisingly it only let me down once
I also had this Armoured RR for a week while the disco was at the dealer in Kuwait for a new compressor..
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 698
Those with eagle eyes will notice that the RR is on a slideback recovery truck after a suspension issue on that too Disco4 MY16 SDV6 Landmark Black
Disco4 MY12 SDV6 XS Orkney Grey (Gone)
Defender 90 200tdi Completely rebuilt.
9th Aug 2019 8:13 am
thepurser
Member Since: 07 Aug 2017
Location: Lindfield
Posts: 128
Did those vehicles not stick out like a sore thumb backlit in neon out there?
Especially with a Union flag in the windscreen of the RR?
9th Aug 2019 8:52 am
Browny90
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 698
That's half the point..
The majority or modern war isn't fought sneaking around, but showing a presents among the people..
one of the biggest issues I found with this was the fact we had to stop using Challenger and Warrior tanks around Basra because they 'looked too aggressive'
So had to resort to Snatch which were completely inadequate for the role they were doing..
Eventually we got Mastiff which I guess is their mid ground as it's built like a tank.. but has wheels..
You can see the vast difference between the Snatch and Mastiff here..
Member Since: 19 Jul 2016
Location: Ashbourne
Posts: 698
thepurser wrote:
Did those vehicles not stick out like a sore thumb backlit in neon out there?
Especially with a Union flag in the windscreen of the RR?
Also.. we spend I assume millions on changing snatches from the green they were in Northern Ireland to Desert brown.. then we put an orange reflective strip across the windscreen of all of them
Ah, orange markings. Gives American pilots a good, clear aiming point I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
9th Aug 2019 9:41 am
Stevepd
Member Since: 06 Mar 2018
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 392
Re: My Iraqi D3 and Armoured RR
Browny90 wrote:
The D3 was mine in Iraq for just over a month while I fitted some [cough cough] equipment to some vehicles belonging to a special [cough cough] unit near Baghdad.
I too was on that detachment over a period of different times and when it moved north. Drop me a pm for a chat if you want.
Steve.
9th Aug 2019 9:58 am
RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1730
I remember having 1 of only about 3 Snatch LR left in theatre in Gornji Vakuf in late 90's. Beautiful V8 beast that made everyone on the camps we went to wonder who we were escpecially as we wore no head gear and no webbing, just magazines in pockets and personal weapons. Didnt have the heart to tell them we were only mere Signals guys
some great pictures there btw
9th Aug 2019 10:14 am
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
I forgot we had LR3 in Iraq, really odd being picked up at the APOD by a Disco and wondering why we didn’t have something a little heavier. When we got to SLB we were given soft skin open back LWB defenders, mine was called “Lucky”. When I asked why Lucky, the 26 Engineer chap told me it was because it was blown up by an IED.....and that’s lucky how? They all walked away!! Fair one.
After a little fast track training and a bit of hands on we moved up to Camp Abu Naji at Al A, using the crap SNATCH, having been trained on the Armoured LR EPV.
Going outside the wire up there was a reality check but the Inf guys were marvellous guys who looked after us crabs like we were their off spring. My ideas of the British Army infantryman changed thanks to these guys and although most were only kids they were unbelievably mature and professional.
4th Sep 2019 7:01 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
This photo was taken on Sparrow Hawk airfield at Al A, shortly after this we had to put the dayglo strip and Union Flag in the window as our American friends kept getting nervous. Can’t blame them as their convoys were getting targeted every few miles every day. It was quite shocking to be on the ground and hear a detonation that wasn’t one of ours. Hats off to those chaps and chapesses to.
4th Sep 2019 7:21 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15264
The armoured D3/4 had a special armoured wheel.
The RR in the pic doesn't appear to have this (or is that one indeed armoured), one would've thought LR would've shared the same wheel.
Btw, great job you did there Browny
Click image to enlarge
...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
4th Sep 2019 8:41 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
The Disco 3s we had weren’t armoured but can’t comment on Brownys. The only protection they had was us and 4 L85s plus some ECM.
4th Sep 2019 9:42 pm
M3bobby
Member Since: 21 May 2018
Location: Sleaford, LINCS.
Posts: 857
In fact looking at Brownys Disco 3, it’s not Armoured as the windows are down. The FFRR is armoured though judging by the thickness of that door window.
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