Neil was kind enough to send us these photos in early 2014 to add to our photos of vehicle trials at the Tropical Trials unit between 1968 to June 1969 (possibly 67 to 68 from the vehicles on trial).
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Accommodation at Cowley Beach
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
A warning about driving in the area. This happened just before I arrived. I understand the driver was OK, but suffered fairly severe injuries to his knees
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The land Rover I drove. Note the air conditioning.
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The LARC trials finished and being loaded
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The LARC trials finished and being loaded
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The reason for being in the Tropics
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The Safety Boat being launched by what we called the “bombardier”. It was steered by stick and powered by an old side valve petrol engine with virtually no muffler. One took one’s life in your own hands to be in it. I don’t think it was used for anything else while I was there.
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The Sheridan tanks arrive. Note the “bombardier” and other vehicles in the background.
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The Sheridan tanks arrive. Note the “bombardier” and other vehicles in the background. Also note Scimitar painted on the side of the vehicle.
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Sheridan with Sabre painted on the side?
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Sheridan named Scimitar
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Sheridan recovery
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Sheridan flotation tests
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
M113 flotation tests for comparison.
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Recovery from track trials. Forward and back over the same stretch of ground
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Divers in to clear snags
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The track into the Tully test site
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
The track into the Tully test site
Copyright: Neil Abrahams
A Rapier missile in static test.