Darren Baker shares some pictures from Salisbury Plain where a large number of Chieftain Tanks are used as targets.


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Thanks!

SWEET pics Darren!! Thanks for posting them.

Very cool pics, thanks for the link!

Great photos. Question though, isn't this a military range? In the US, I do not think a civilian just walk around and take pictures? Different in the UK? Isn't there also unexploded ordnance to worry about?

Cool piccies of an unusual subject. Thanks for posting. Some people would die if they saw the pics I took of the light anti tank weapon range at Ft Bragg in the 90s because it had 2 Japanese WWII tanks that had been written off as surplus by the Army. Not wanted by museums? I don't know.
J

Firstly thank you all for taking the time to reply and I am glad you found these pictures of interest.

Salisbury Plain is a huge area with all sorts on it, yes there are area you don't go and there is a lot of ordnance around (We use to play with all sorts when we were kids) but the public is allowed on most areas and are made aware of whats about.

Darren,

Thanks. This is the area around where Stonehenge is, correct? If so, was close on my one visit to the UK the month before 9/11. If I am ever able to get back would love to tromp around those fields and see all those Stillbrew Chieftains!

John

Imber village is near Warminster which is about 20 miles from Stonehenge. There is a lot to see on Salisbury Plain as it is a huge area of mostly unspoilt country side and we have the military to thank for that benefit.

Hi Darren,

Fond memories indeed, spent 4 years at Westdown Camp. There used to be a Conquerer on the way to Imber, now gone, plus others dotted around. SPTA West is indeed a closed range but the Imber Range road is opened periodically for civilian traffic. Centre and East are open most of the time apart from firing days. The area around Stonehenge is part of SPTA Centre, ni hard targets but impact craters can be found nearby. Hard targets are found on West.

The Western part is home to many special areas, not just targets, including some unique wildlife and plants that are protected from rampaging armour and lost officers. The range area is patrolled by the Range Staff and military or not if you don't have your 'Rage Pink' and map then you are in the deep smelly stuff.

Regards

Brian

I believe Brian that the spot you refer to is now occupied by a Centurion and I will add a pic tomorrrow for you to confirm.

I've been on Salisbury Plain a couple of times when I was working as a volunteer for the IWM at Duxford. We would go down there and hunt around for spares for our vehicles. The Army kindly opened up the ranges a couple of times a year to let people do that though looking back on it now I guess it was kinda dangerous.....lol

Great pics but sad to see those Chieftains rusting away like that.

Great to see again..... i remember this area, i was base in Kiwi barracks Bulford when i was with 1RGJ back in 95-97 use to train in and around Imber village There were some strange storys said about that place (Rumours of course) i wonder if the big white kiwi made out of chalk is still on the hill .I found it ironic comming over from NZ in 92 to join up and then moving to a barraks named after the kiwi troops who trained there in WW1.