Diana's Perentie FFR 48-852

[FFRMAN]

Army Aviation??

http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-army-today/rar-sasr/army-aviation.htm

[THE BOOGER]

With the 48 and 1 div tac sign its defiantly 8/12 but an FFR could belong a forward observer they have changed the regt make up recently so don't know who they come under in the unit

[Mick]

Hi all,

As I said earlier, I reckon it's 16 Aviation Regiment.  How they operate within the Division I don't know. They might have a liaison offer with 8/12 ?

Mick

[THE BOOGER]

From Dianas 2nd post the coloured arty tac was still in the holder how many units leave other units tac signs when they take over a vehicle not many I know of

[Mick]

That's true. But the art of stencilling other units vehicles with your Own unit stencil may still be well and truly alive and kicking.

Mick

[Barefoot dave]

My guess is that it is an Eagle for the reasons diana stated. I think some may understate the artisitic ability of some diggers.
My Guess: ISTAR. IIRC, STAR developed from the Arty FO role. Seems to fit.
Guess what UAV they operated? Scan Eagle.
http://www.army.gov.au/Our-work/News-and-media/News-and-media-2012/News-and-media-May-2012/ScanEagles-final-flight
I know someone in 20STA. Will make some enquiries (if they are contactable).
PS, The atypical brackets and bolt holes are consistent with the fitment (and removal) of AMSTAR Ground Surveillance radar. Further indication of employmetn within the ISTAR world.
Check and see if there are additional seat mounting holes in the LR area of the tub and indication of a ~40x40mm square leg resting 150 forward of the rear and just inboard of the RH galv load protection strip.

[THE BOOGER]

That sounds pretty close then the vehicle would most likely come from 132 UAV battery.

[Welby]

I think some may understate the artisitic ability of some diggers.

you must know a different bunch of diggers to me

[Diana Alan]

just to remind people the serial 48 is on both a removable coloured Arty tac and also painted in the front and rear holders.  The only unit I can find for 48 is 8/12 but the latest reference is 1982.  I have nothing to say the serial 48 hasn't been allocated to another unit more recently.

Thanks Dave for your information.  When you speak of a radar unit mounted in the rear, are you saying that a radar unit may have been mounted in the rear?  Would the antenna array have been removable and ground mounted or operate through the roof of the vehicle?  (That may explain the absence of the cam net rack +/- tarp)

[Diana Alan]

Going back too the stencils, the one on the other side has the same details as the one shown earlier. Although mirrored so the bird is in forward flight on both sides.

[Barefoot dave]

Diana, the AMSTAR unit is man portable. The VM is simply for carrriage and operation in comfort. The Antenna is tripod mounted and set a distance from the vehicle. Strangely, the VM kit included a different operator seat to the std FFR rear seating.
Piccies here:
http://www.aipm.com.au/3G/P/pmaa05_dmo_ground_surveillance_radar.aspx

[Diana Alan]

I don't know if you have to have a login however all I get is the Land 53 Project NINOX Phase 1E project overview page.

[THE BOOGER]

That's the right page it has a pic in the middle with the parts of the radar set up

[Diana Alan]

That's the right page it has a pic in the middle with the parts of the radar set up

Very small graphics including the old Bendix Technica 24V charging sets, I thought I was looking for the setup in a Perentie

[Barefoot dave]

Diana, the GSR VM kit is equivalent to a Raven rack. Secure storage for the Array, Tripod, Cable reels, manpack harness, Signal processing unit and external power supply.