cheers, will do what I can to get better asap.

In the meanwhile. to those who know about things antenna on Alsav, a question. I cant find any pics of the large thick antenna attached to the back right of the vehicles associated with the box with no names, in the pulled down position with the guy rope. I know the tie downs and cord are used for the VHF antennas (jacks fig 5 the right one) lots of pics of that - but the fat antenna I see alot in half. Is it common to instead of tie them down to unscrew half the antenna? why do so many pictures have them in half? vhf and the fat one. Obviously I have two vehicles with the no named boxes on them and each has the associated fat antenna, and is travelling in urban environment so all my antennas have to be tied down. I want to know if instead of tying the fat one down can I "unscrew" the top half?

will post pics if people need em.. but those hwo know what im talking about will probably not need them..

Adam

I would go with it tied down.
As seen below it is just placed under the middle rear Bar Armour support.
.50cal link tied to "Hootchie" cord works well to keep the antennas in place.

Cheers Jason

Hi Adam.

Pesky things antennas. I'm not sure where the vehicles are in your pictures but it sounds like they are still inside the compound. Crews only take off the top of the antennas for a few reasons.
1. Its quick and easy to only have to put on the top plus one element is easier to stow,
2. If they could they would leave the top on, but in SECDETs case their vehicles had a carport to park under so to prevent damage when hitting the edge of the roof they'd remove it,
3. Leaving the antenna bottom on reduces wear on the AMU thread and more importantly protects the electrical connection, and lastly;
4. All vehicles are fitted with the Shakespear as it is a different system to the one with the boxes on the front. The Shakespear is also supposed to be lockwired onto the AMU so it doesn't rattle loose.





The antennas should be vertical especially the Shakespear as changing the angle reduces its effectivness. Hence we had the hook on a pole system for it. On the turret we had hooks on each side so the turret crew could quickly hook the antennas down and the hooks were made from 18 gauge wire. The PC, F, CV, and A usually had a cord set-up so the commande could pull all the antennas down at once.
I really can't comment to much because I am not familiar with SECDETs SOPs. For that you'll really have to take a close look at the photos from SECDET.

Hope that gives you another piece for the puzzle.

Cheers, John

Sorry, phots aren't clear.

Resized them so hope it works.

ok ok saving the technical photos for last eh ?

Ok, so I guess I keep treading a grey area between what "Boggie" calls 'OPSEC' and what I need to know. As a model builder I guess it doesnt matter what the various antennas are used for. What I need to know is that I have the correct configuration in size, length and quatity per vehicle in the patrol. My absolute very first post on armorama was about patrol order of the Alsavs. We have come so far on this journey of discovery and the end is so close can taste it. But first a few final hurdles that harken back to my very first post and certainly ones that have elicited guarded answers along the way.

Antennas.

the above pictures have both confirmed things I thought, and broken the rules I thought existed in the same post. Where did these wires that clip onto antenna come from ? I guess it was always thre before me but I never saw the detail or asked the right questions. Shakespear? this is a term not heard before and if it was it was probably by accident and forgotten.

nonetheless for those who understand ASLAv configuration, just let me know if the following is acceptable. I have drawn as best as I can with the time I have, the 3 vehicles in my patrol, and the Antenna configurations as i plan on building them. Exact names are not important. the generic terms are fine. I do not need to know th radios their hooked up to anything that may offend "opsec". thats the disclamer.

So once and for all i want to get this straight for what I am modelling - 2006-2007 era patrol in southern IRAQ OBG(W) I know there is a "anything goes' caveat to comms set up, and different patrols and tasks might necessitate various rigs. All I need to know is that mine is plausible.,

generic or agreed terms. All have been used freely in forums over time but not gruoped together.
vhf antenna - (usually seen in pairs)
shakespear (the fat long one on a spring flex base)
hf (short swivel based ant)- uncommon (forget wich thread that was explained in)
alternative GPS - the short short antenna (about 30cm long?)
gps - the short one with the green ufo cup on top.
shark fin

My patrols comms rules: ie. IS this plausible?

All vehicles have a the two GPS - the alternative and the ufo one. (being vague for a reason here)
the front and rear vehicle has a shark fin pair and comms boxes (with no names)
All vehicles have 2 vhf antennas
all vehicles have a 'shakespear" antenna.
No vehicles to have a hf antena

the vhf antennas will be tied down as vehicle is patrolling through low cabled urban area.
the shakespear antenna must also be tied down - Jason I dont like that pic of the one folded completely forward onto the deck - If I model that it will bring a dilemma of what is real looking fake when modelled ( a whole theoretical diorama discussion thread there in that pandoras box) but i know that the antenna tie down surely cannot foul the rotation of the turret. This might be the only license I take in having it bent forward but not to the deck.... tba on alternatives.

heres some sketches.

the type 1 hull (guncar at the front of patrol)

the fitters type 3 hull in the middle of patrol

the pc type 2 hull at the rear


This assumes its a 3 car patrol. And this configuration is not normal - 3 vehicles of this type probably not seen together in 3 car patrol, 2 pc and gun car or vice versa, and for fitters in the patrol would be 4 or 6 car ? doesnt matter - what matters is in the snapshot frame of what I have as diorama boundaries - the configuration is plausible - thats the key word.

As always any help appreciated. If some things appear 'vague" it may be by design, of course thats the reason i'm in this mess - Its basically hard to nail anyone down on specifics when it may affect their job. And rightly so too!

I am not fussed about the different AMU mounts - thats looks to be such a pandoras box on its own I'll play it safe and go with stock. (much like I did with vehicle callsigns minus names)

Adam.

PS I think my keyboard is about to die - every second keystroke must be hit twice as their just not registering - so sorry for typos.. its a real downer having to proof read several times and correct.

these two pics prevously posted show the type of look I want.

the pc although does not have the shark fin extension bracket with shakespear attached, I like the crossed antennas fore and aft.

the guncar has the two vhf tied forward onto the bar armour. I will do this too. Pity cannot see what other kit he has on the back.. or how its stowed.

Adam

And the worlds dumbest question. Orange FOF markers on the roofs - I havent put a single one on yet. SHould I have? (gonna be a lady to retrofit to those tyres if I do)

Okeydokey,

Your Gun car drawing is spot-on for antenna configeration. The only suggestion would be to put your antenna tie downs as close to the centre of the antenna as possible. The Shakespear should be tied off to the rear of the stowage bin so as to give some more turret clearence as you indicated.

Your F is theoretically correct. You don't show any sharkfins fitted but don't dispair because the early version had only the Shakespear. The period that you are depicting was the point in time when the upgrades were being done so it is extremely feasable for the F to have the older fit. Once it was upgraded the Shakespear would have been moved to the rear as per the Gun and PC.

The PC is also correct in my book. As you said the antenna fit was left a lot to the crews. Some had them all on the left or right and others as you have yours.

Normally the antennas are tied back so it looks like you're going really really fast. Only joking they're normally tied towards the rear whenever possible so if you do go under something you don't snap the bloody things off. But like I said your drawings are correct as crews did what ever was possible using what ever was to hand. How are you at making .50 (12.7mm) link as that was used the most for tie downs. The two sided link was slipped over the antenna and the cord tied to the single. They're more reliable than the issue ones and easier to find and slip on/off.

I am going to go out on a limb here though and say that I believe SECDET cars didn't tie down their antennas for two reasons. One was when escorting the diplomats to appointments they constantly rotated the turret to face any possible threat. I have seen videos of them and the turret never stops moving. It would have made me violently ill if I had to do it. Second they used the most open and secured routes which meant that there was very few if any low wires. They used different routes all the time so as not to set any patterns. But you can't give that impression in a dioama so the antennas tied down will look 100% better. Unless you feel like fitting a small electric motor to the turret.

With the Air Ground Panel Markers forget them. They where mainly used in southern Iraq. The photos you have of the antenna set up that you like are southern vehicles as well. Different terrain, different missions, different SOPs. If you look closely at the patch on the diggers arm you can just make out it is an AMTG2 patch. Hence the issue style tie downs. As it was the second rotation they hadn't learnt all the tricks of the trade so to speak in regards to making the hooks. This was gained through experience.

That has been the hardest thing for you. Getting references for SECDET vehicles as opposed to southern ones. The net has more of the latter plus more soldiers went through the south as compared to SECDET so it recieved more media covearage. To me your setting and vehicles tell the story of Baghdad. It could also be any of the hundred or so towns that SECDET and the south went through. Your plaque says where and when and only those who have been there will be able to say other wise. Your street scene is not based on any particular street and as such neither are your vehicles. You only have callsigns not vehicle names so no one can tie the scene down to an exact time.

Sorry for the long winded responce but I just wanted to reassure you that you have done nothing incorrecty that I can see and my only suggestion would be to tie the antennas from the middle and give the Gun cars Shakespear some good thought.

Mate I am always happy to help and if it is a more technical question I wiil happily PM like I did before.

Cheers, John

Thanks muchly for the fast response!

to be honest the decisions as to how the things would be arranged has long been decided - but when it comes to putting glue on, I get jittery - no joke the numberof times I have paused and researched for a few days, then made decision to glue down and someone comes along with a new pic or piece of unequivocal information that changes what I should of done is uncountable!

So confirmation of plausibility suits me fine.

I have done the guncar as it seems the most "standard", but will move my tie down to the rear of the stowage bin (those footman loops behind it are good for something finally!)

the.50 cal link --- total fail. I bought the mission models .50 cal link and rounds a few years back, used the rounds on another diorama, and kept the link for no reason in particular. well I think you got like 12 links or something and I wasted every single on trying to bend it to shape. forget it too small. Im just tying them on and the will glue a piece of PE or paper square to the tie point that looks like the old m113 tie downs cleat. By the way we used 'paracrord' as a general purpose cord as it was alot stronger and versatile than hutchie cord, and easier to replace then proper issue tie downs. The picsI see dont look like paracord anymore !..

motorise the turret.. ..... ... .. .. .. a slap for you.

Adamskii

"Shakespear" or the thick antenna, is the brand name of the company that make the antenna and is a generic term used instead of the correct name around persons/media who should not or need not know the correct name.

Cheers Jason

Antenna hight comparison.

Another great picture saved till last.. Its sometimes difficult to get a good picture that includes the whole ant length. Surprising that some of the best shots are quite cropped. That helps alot and it introduces a great idea - the tie between the starport vhf and the shakespear half way up - as they use the hooked rod to pull the vhy forward to the barely visible wire hook, the tie pulls the shakespear along with it - genius - no need to tie old shakey down anywhere that can foul the turret movement!

NOW for those of you who dont really care much about ASLAvs but follow this thread for the dio updates.. I got my dogs today ! I was getting worried too. They arrived quite damaged and several legs are broken as are ears and tails. Thankyou for playing football with my parcel whomever it was. However I shall become a mad vetrinary surgeon tonight and make fidostein rise from the ashes.

Good thing this is almost over - the trailer for modern warfare 3 came out today. I of course will be getting BF3, but I can see how I am going to kick back and relax after this project...

Adam

heres the dog with the first coats of paint... (surgery was success)

heres the guncar with the tie downs before I qualified the above information--

and what it looks like now (havent photographed this change, but its what I did)

tomorrow night will do PC and F. just have to stretch sprue the same thickness .....

Adam

the camera is playing up again - so heres some update pics from the Iphones camera. sorry for the lack of quality

All antennas are loaded and pulled down. not a bad job - I give myself a 7.5 out of 10 - a couple little dangles to tidy up.. Also now playing with figure placement. And loaded the already cocked dog....






Adam

I don't think I'll make it to the Expo this year but you have my vote for Best of Show and Peoples Choice.

Seriously.

If you ever decide to find a home for it that will give people a chance to admire it give Crazy Joe Lindford at the Tank Museum a ring. I'm sure he would love to have it to display with the MEAO exhibt. On loan only of course.

A bit over two weeks to go. Just to give some more pressure.

Thanks for the vote, but I think u have to be there to cast it ? lol...

Finding a home for this... a diorama dilemma that one. I am sure several fine institutions be happy for me to loan it, but damm it makes me nervous just thinking about it. I do want the public to see it though.. maybe I ougt charge admission to my games room bar?

pressure... well let me put it like this. If i had a piece of coal and placed it where the sun dont shine, I could crap diamonds for a week. yeah the pressure is on.

thanks for the reminder....

Loving the dog! Good result of the surgery! How about something for the dog to do his business on? A newpaper with a fitting picture on the front?

Your whole diorama is looking stunning! There is almost to many details to look at. I find new details to marvel at every time I look at your pictures!

Well done Adam, you showed a great dedication and accomplished a superbe dio!

Claude

Thankyou Claude - not quite finished yet... but very close.

So heres some better quality pictures, Its difficult to find new angles that I dont think have been over photographed so far...







Adam.

Holy. Freekin. Crizap.
Adam, in a word, amazing.
Really changes the whole game.
BRAVO.

There is not much more I can add to the superlatives already lavished on this build. I know you're not quite there, but from where I watching from it looks pretty damn close!

One thing I would like to say is "thank you"! It isn't easy or quick to run a detailed blog like this, especially when you have the build deadline as well, however I really appreciate all the work you've put into the blog as there is a lot of great reference in here.

Keep up the great work -- the end is in sight!

Cheers,
Ian

Adam,

This is really top class stuff. I also agree with Ian: the fact that you have taken the time to share with us as you went along and your openness regarding all the streaming of thoughts and doubts and the search for accuracy even in the most hidden angles multiply the value of what you did 100 times.

Too bad you are on the other end of the world, as I think it looks even better in the flesh.

If it ends up in a museum and I end up being able to come to Australia I will have to make my best to see it.

Thanks Adam.

What a fantastic journey you took us all through.

I'm waiting for the book! This is too good for a PC monitor.

Ahh yes the book - that old chestnut. Where are all these books from the dioramas that make mine look positively ordinary? I have never really seen a single diorama feature in a book.. maybe in a few years if i can knock out a trillogy of aussie armour ? Maybe round it off with an Afghan diorama, and a East Timor dio? nice blue UN cover... lol keep dreaming..! (and a encore with an ode to Somalia?) Now thats bookworthy.

Did someone say my next diorama (s)? ... I think my wife just dropped her cuppa!

Thanks for the accolades folks - even though I havent finished yet I appreciate the kind comments. However....

I have one surprise left in the diroama yet , something not yet discussed but a small detail that, like the dog, will be unique. Watch this space (not for long as I dont have any time to delay!)

On a sadder note I must once again voice my annoyance at myself for not doing a better job glueing the footman loops down on the sides of the vehicles - i have damaged both the pc and guncars ones badly and have to completely redo them - matching the paint/ weathering , oh yeah I have time for that little side challenge ... lol.. Big tip to anyone building an ASLAV, don't get into habit of picking it up from the sides.. No one picked up that there wsnt a picture of the guncar in the above photoset... because when I 'developed" the pics I was embarrased by how bad the footman loop blemish was = this must be fixed because i think one or two people will get close ups during the expo...

I am about 50% finished painting the Aussie figures. I love the desert Auscam. Its real easy to paint. The helmets on the other hand have 4 colours at least plus weathering and its slow going there. (and then have to add the mic's and leads). plus flesh tones plus gloss goggles..

If i get time I might redo one or two of the antennas aswell.

Just some musings for tonight.

-I should of put a .50 cal on the fitters, nah strike that should of put the RWS on there.
-I should of opened more deck hatches and loaded the heck out of the vehicleswith troopers armed to the teeth hanging out the back looking mean and ballsy.
-I should of painted the tie downs more than just yellow.
-I should of made the fruit cart have more than just oranges on it..
-I should of made an effort to source more water bottles (evian style)
-I need to go through about 30 figure sets from dragon/ trumpeter and find every single smoke grenade I can and an M79 blooper and load them
-I should of modelled the armoured lense covers at the 45degree position not fully open
-I should of put spall liner sandbags on the fitters deck..

anyways, could shoulda woulda.. bit late now.

Adamskii (almost free!)

Dear Adam,
Looks you are getting burried by your own idealism!
No need for that: you gave us a wonderfull time since weeks. Many of us not even nearing your level!
It looks great and if one of the decision makers on the exhibition comments, well, remember than that nobody is prefect and you have hundreds of admiring followers world wide.
From my side: you get a A1superplus note!

Thanks for all your effort and joy you gave me with this project.
And 'yes' I am waiting for the chesnut, sorry, book!!!

Dear Adam!

Thank you so much for your blog!!!!!

And if I could afford it, I would fly down under just to cast a vote!!!

Bravo!

Cheers

Romain