Just some quick notes on the LRDG; your comments about clear gun positions are right, Alan - one of the headaches in stowing an LRDG must have been the compromise between the two and a half tons of equipment, carried by each vehicle, and access to the armament. A fully loaded Chevy, at the start of a patrol, had very little room in the back - a gunner would have had to lie on top of the equipment to use the weapons.
The only times weapons were uncovered was when the unit was attacking or under attack; and each night, when the patrol camped, weapons were checked and, if necessary, cleaned.
More than any other unit, the LRDG prided themselves on keeping their vehicles in top condition, and able to run long missions at a moment's notice. On return to base each truck was immediately sent to the unit's 'light repair section' for overhaul and a spruce-up; although they weren't 'Turtle-waxed' and vacuumed the trucks generally looked reasonably clean at the start of a patrol.
The sand mats were made out of strips of 1200 grade wet and dry with ribbing made out of fine bamboo strips superglued in place.
'Nuff of the lecture; thanks for your comments guys.
