We've just returned from Normandy, after spending a week enjoying the 70th anniversary celebrations along the coast, and I managed to get some time running the BARV on a couple of the beaches.
First up was Gold Beach, at Asnelles:
BARV at Asnelles, with the Arromanches Mulberry caissons in the background
Video of the BARV is available on YouTube here:
I was very impressed with the way the BARV handled running on the beach - it ran well on soft dry sand as well as hard damp sand - and even over the pebbles.
I didn't have the heart to actually run it in the sea , mainly as it still has all steel axles, and I didn't want it to seize solid in the back of the car
Lots of interest from the public though
Adrian.
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:37 am
by David Skeldon
Fantastic to see it on the beach.Do you have any photos?
David
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:51 am
by Maarten Schutjes
Fantastic sight!
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 11:43 am
by Ian Rodney
Now that's a 'first' Adrian,
Great to see your BARV machine churning up the Golden sands on Normandy.
Would be good to have a Armortek show in Normandy on the beaches next time?
Cheers
Ian
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 12:50 pm
by David Skeldon
Having seen the Barv in action again i am so tempted to remove the bridge from my Cent and turn that into a BARV.
David
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 1:26 pm
by Adrian Harris
NNOOOoooooooo....
Buy another Cent and make that one into a BARV
Adrian.
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 5:27 pm
by dennypatterson
very good adrian, you must be some chuffed,, beat that, and it did,nt break down!!!! see you at T.F. denny,
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2014 10:03 pm
by Steve Stuart
D Day Museum Portsmouth Sherman BARV
Another one tucked away.. found in a corner at Portsmouth when I visited on the 5th
Steve
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:01 am
by Adrian Harris
> you must be some chuffed
Yep, it's not often we can run these tanks in their historical surroundings
> and it did,nt break down!!!!
As if ! That must be someone else's tanks you're thinking of...
Adrian.
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2014 12:07 am
by Adrian Harris
> found in a corner at Portsmouth
Yup, been there, didn't buy the tee shirt
It's my ambition to get a photo of this model BARV next to all three (intact) survivors in the UK. I managed to get next to Rex's at the last W&P show, and the REME Museum is just up the road, so it shouldn't be too hard to achieve.
I would like to repaint it though. The REME one is a kind of gloss dove grey, whereas Rex's and the Southsea one seem to be light blue to me.
Adrian.
Re: Sherman BARV back at Gold Beach
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:51 am
by Adrian Harris
Here's Rex Cadman's BARV having a paddle at Arromanches.