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How Long DId British Pixie Suits Serve?
long_tom
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Illinois, United States
Joined: March 18, 2006
KitMaker: 2,362 posts
Armorama: 2,005 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 - 10:57 AM UTC
I heard they went into the 1960's, though unlikely they would have been the WW2 design.
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 978 posts
Armorama: 965 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 - 12:01 PM UTC
I am no former AFV Crewman but there is certainly photographic evidence of them in use on Conqueror which would take us up to the mid 60s certainly. I don't recall seeing Chieftain crews ever wearing them but I do recall seeing a motorcycle escort rider belonging to a Tank Transporter Squadron here in Wiltshire in the (roughly) mid 80s sporting one. A good piece of kit will always be popular with troops if they can get hold of it and transcend normal kit issue longevity.

From a modelling perspective I would suggest Pixie suits for Centurions and Conquerors and the armoured cars and scout cars of the same period.

As far as I am aware there were no design changes throughout the suit's life. The camouflage version was also in service more than most think.

I am sure former British Army crewmen who populate this site will come up with more definitive answers than I.
iamheaminot
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Invercargill, New Zealand
Joined: January 03, 2004
KitMaker: 265 posts
Armorama: 185 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 - 02:10 PM UTC
Still being worn by at least one nco instructor at the School of Armour at Waiouru (New Zealand) in 1966. M41/Centurion and Ferret scout Car.
He was an ex Centurion crewman in Korea.
LeoCmdr
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Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 - 02:40 PM UTC
Canadian tankers wore them into the late 1960s on the Centurions.
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 978 posts
Armorama: 965 posts
Posted: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 - 11:18 PM UTC
Apropos the camouflaged version you might enjoy this small clip; probably best with the sound turned down but a typical film of its time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7HnKmT2WgM

Of course, it doesn't really answer the question as it's taken in 1959, but may be of interest.
BootsDMS
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England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 978 posts
Armorama: 965 posts
Posted: Wednesday, December 05, 2018 - 09:12 AM UTC
While I think about it Ultracast do a fantastic range of figures in 1:35.
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