Striker before I purchased it

I purchased my FV102 Striker from Darrell Hazelton (MilBiz - Near Swindon) 

Darrell had, I understand, purchased 4 Strikers from a scrap yard (?) and mine was the last to be sold by him.   It was a none runner, had been stood outside for around 13 years, the engine was a rusty useless lump of metal and the hull was 8" deep in horrible oily water... !   on the plus, yes there was one, side it was complete.  Sometimes a restoration can struggle if an important item is missing and proves to be difficult to find... or worse parts are missing and you don't even know what they are or what they do !!

Photos from June 2009 at MilBiz...

Parking CVRT Striker in Garage

Parking Alvis CVRT Striker in Garage

Alvis Striker FV102 Restoration: Swingfire Missile Overview

Alvis Striker FV102 Restoration: Swingfire Missile Overview: A brief overview of the Swingfire missile system as fitted to the FV102 CVRT Striker.  Note:  The missile controllers Firing & Guiding arm s...

Swingfire Missile Overview

A brief overview of the Swingfire missile system as fitted to the FV102 CVRT Striker.  Note:  The missile controllers Firing & Guiding arm shown in the video is not correct and is a "mock up" ...  but is very close to the correct item.  My restored Striker is actually now sold & heading to Canada shortly. ATGW... "Anti Tank Guided Wire"  Video includes some actual footage of a missile firing.

Striker Sold !!

Striker was not for sale....  I didn't want to sell it as, after a two+ year restoration, I felt I had not really got to enjoy owning and driving it...  only covering around 25 miles on the road !!

But after being approached by Al Duffy from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada... and he making a very persuasive offer to buy... a deal was done !!   mixed emotions but tempered by the almost immediate purchase of a ALVIS SABRE project.. see new Blog just created.  

I will still complete the Striker Restoration blog because it all needs documenting and I'm sure many people will find it of interest.

So keep watching this space for more photos and videos ! 

Swingfire Sight Door Operation

Now this is riveting stuff...  hope you can contain your excitement !!
Video shows the CVRT STRIKER FV102 Swingfire Sight Door Operation

Swingfire Missile Bin Operation

CVRT STRIKER FV102 Swingfire Missile Bin - Operation

The Missile firing bin can be raised or lowered hydraulically.  

There is an electric pump to pressurise the system... or a manual lever if the pump fails.

Road Test by Prospective Buyer !!!

So... after over two years spending every spare hour restoring the Striker... I have received an offer from a prospective purchaser.... even though its not for sale !!

I originally purchaser the "Tank" with a view to keeping it for a long, long time...  slowly getting everything back to "as good as new" 

The value of these vehicles is rising so a good investment.... and the restoration process I find very enjoyable.

But...  I guess if the "price is right" then I may sell.

My buyer lives overseas so he sent a acquaintance, from the UK, to give the Striker a once over.  here is the short video of the "Road Test" 

OK...  straight away I have learnt something....   my last post should have been a new "Blog"   instead it went into the Alvis Striker blog.

Striker Overview

This will eventually be the full story of my 2 year restoration of an Alvis Striker.

First Time Blogging !!

Ok... really have no idea how to get this blogging thing started !!   I'm sure it we be useful and fun... but its a big mystery at the moment.


Still...  I thought I would just start typing and see what happens.


...........hmmmm.........  nothing has happened !