Andrew Hills
@fwdpublishing.bsky.social
Writer and publisher of books of historic interest. Author of Tanks of TOG, British Zimmerit, Striding Ashore, The Semple Tank, and The T.O.G. Amphibian amongst others.
'The Atomic Centurion' has been mentioned online before. This is a compilation of IWM clippings from Op. Buffalo, 1956 and along with other equipment, more than one Centurion is visibly used during the trials. #tanks #history #Nuclear youtu.be/fcDvtJRST98
January 19, 2026 at 3:53 PM
'The Atomic Centurion' has been mentioned online before. This is a compilation of IWM clippings from Op. Buffalo, 1956 and along with other equipment, more than one Centurion is visibly used during the trials. #tanks #history #Nuclear youtu.be/fcDvtJRST98
In 1916, the British considered a new faster type of tank. Ready in Feb. 1917 it was known as the 'Chaser' and with more work it entered service as the Medium Mark A 'Whippet'. A reprint of the provisional handbook for the 'Chaser' is available from FWD.
www.amazon.com/dp/1791962424
www.amazon.com/dp/1791962424
January 15, 2026 at 3:29 PM
In 1916, the British considered a new faster type of tank. Ready in Feb. 1917 it was known as the 'Chaser' and with more work it entered service as the Medium Mark A 'Whippet'. A reprint of the provisional handbook for the 'Chaser' is available from FWD.
www.amazon.com/dp/1791962424
www.amazon.com/dp/1791962424
If your mind is asking your eyes if you are seeing what you are seeing then the answer is yes. This really is a WW2 PIAT mounted on an old wheeled 19th c. gun carriage. This unusual contraption was done as part of the testing for the weapon in WW2. #WW2
January 14, 2026 at 4:04 AM
If your mind is asking your eyes if you are seeing what you are seeing then the answer is yes. This really is a WW2 PIAT mounted on an old wheeled 19th c. gun carriage. This unusual contraption was done as part of the testing for the weapon in WW2. #WW2
AFV of the day is the Vickers Carden Loyd artillery tractor (Type III). One of 20 made for a Belgian contract 1934-1935. Featuring the classic VCL running gear it had an armoured body to protect the gun crew. This vehicle served as the basis for the Belgian T13 tank destroyer. #tank #WW2
January 12, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Original 1965 Vickers battle tank artwork. Carrying a 105 mm gun it was substantially lighter than either the British Chieftain or American M60. Wiring for the optional anti-tank guided missiles was also included as standard. The flotation screen is also shown fitted. #Tanks
January 12, 2026 at 4:35 AM
Original 1965 Vickers battle tank artwork. Carrying a 105 mm gun it was substantially lighter than either the British Chieftain or American M60. Wiring for the optional anti-tank guided missiles was also included as standard. The flotation screen is also shown fitted. #Tanks
A new find as far as I can tell is this draft blueprint for a light tank made by Vickers Carden Loyd for the Belgian Army. Contracts were signed in 1939 with deliveries scheduled for 1940 although the work was not complete by the time of the outbreak of war. 1/2 #tank #WW2
January 10, 2026 at 1:53 AM
November 1881 was not unusual for shipping losses, with dozens of British vessels lost. On 21st Nov. alone, 6 ships; Gem; Ocean Monarch; Saturn; St. Olaf; Useful; and the Culzean were lost costing over 2,000 tons of cargo and 20 lives. 1/4 #safety #sea www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCZGKZ6B
THREE WORDS HERALDING DISASTER: British Shipping Losses – November 1881
THREE WORDS HERALDING DISASTER: British Shipping Losses – November 1881 [Hills, Ian, Hills, Andrew] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THREE WORDS HERALDING DISASTER: British Shipping Losses – November 1881
www.amazon.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:30 PM
November 1881 was not unusual for shipping losses, with dozens of British vessels lost. On 21st Nov. alone, 6 ships; Gem; Ocean Monarch; Saturn; St. Olaf; Useful; and the Culzean were lost costing over 2,000 tons of cargo and 20 lives. 1/4 #safety #sea www.amazon.com/dp/B0GCZGKZ6B
In 1945, Allied intel interrogated the masterminds of German armor: Kurt Arnoldt (King Tiger), G.S. von Heydekampf (Henschel), and Heinrich Kniepkamp (Wa Prüf 6). These reports help reveal the reasoning behind tanks like the Tiger, Maus, and E-100. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY2WDW39/ 1/3 #WW2 #History
January 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
In 1945, Allied intel interrogated the masterminds of German armor: Kurt Arnoldt (King Tiger), G.S. von Heydekampf (Henschel), and Heinrich Kniepkamp (Wa Prüf 6). These reports help reveal the reasoning behind tanks like the Tiger, Maus, and E-100. www.amazon.com/dp/B0CY2WDW39/ 1/3 #WW2 #History
Back in the good old days if you wanted to test your latest torpedo you could just launch it in the river by the factory.... 21" (533 mm) diameter torpedo trials - Vickers 1929, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
January 5, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Back in the good old days if you wanted to test your latest torpedo you could just launch it in the river by the factory.... 21" (533 mm) diameter torpedo trials - Vickers 1929, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Pilot model of Canadian Ram tank chassis modified mounting the 3.7" (94 mm) AA gun. Photo taken in Canada during trials in 1942. The side armour is still in the 'up' position. You can read more on this project in Mark Nash's TE article tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-canada-o... #tanks
December 30, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Pilot model of Canadian Ram tank chassis modified mounting the 3.7" (94 mm) AA gun. Photo taken in Canada during trials in 1942. The side armour is still in the 'up' position. You can read more on this project in Mark Nash's TE article tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-canada-o... #tanks
Brand new reprint of 'Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry, 1898.' is now available from FWD. This is a reissued reprint of the only known original surviving copy of this book published in India in 1898 by the Regiment. 1/2 #History
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD148W2P
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD148W2P
Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry 1898 : Borton, Arthur Close, Hills, Andrew, Hills, Ian: Amazon.co.uk: Books
Buy Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry 1898 by Borton, Arthur Close, Hills, Andrew, Hills, Ian (ISBN: 9798299232110) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible or...
www.amazon.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Brand new reprint of 'Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry, 1898.' is now available from FWD. This is a reissued reprint of the only known original surviving copy of this book published in India in 1898 by the Regiment. 1/2 #History
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD148W2P
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GD148W2P
How deep can a Matilda wade? - rather deeply is the answer. Here, one prepped with just canvas over the hull deck and sealants, exceeds the 6' (1.83 m) depth. The turret wasn't even sealed but the tank still came through. The crew conversation is not recorded. 1/2 #Tanks #WW2
December 28, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Labelled as a Vickers MBT Mk.3, this model was presented to a delegation from Venezuela in September 1970 looking at Vickers' products. Its actually a Mk.2 identifiable from the rounded hull front and other small changes but still using the RO 105 mm gun. #tanks 1/2
December 27, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Labelled as a Vickers MBT Mk.3, this model was presented to a delegation from Venezuela in September 1970 looking at Vickers' products. Its actually a Mk.2 identifiable from the rounded hull front and other small changes but still using the RO 105 mm gun. #tanks 1/2
Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases
May Book-Santa bring you many fine volumes to keep you busy over the festive period.
- Winston, FWD
May Book-Santa bring you many fine volumes to keep you busy over the festive period.
- Winston, FWD
December 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmases
May Book-Santa bring you many fine volumes to keep you busy over the festive period.
- Winston, FWD
May Book-Santa bring you many fine volumes to keep you busy over the festive period.
- Winston, FWD
Vickers offered a Centurion upgrade as part of the Centurion Retrofit Programme (CRP), 1970. A pair were sent for Swiss trials. Upgrades included a V800 power pack, TN12 gearbox, 105 mm gun, new gun control equip., laser rangefinder, an improved commander's cupola... 1/2 #Tanks
December 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Vickers offered a Centurion upgrade as part of the Centurion Retrofit Programme (CRP), 1970. A pair were sent for Swiss trials. Upgrades included a V800 power pack, TN12 gearbox, 105 mm gun, new gun control equip., laser rangefinder, an improved commander's cupola... 1/2 #Tanks
1/2 Original trial footage of a NZ Semple tank, WW2. Armoured with heavy manganese plate over welded steel it was a technical success making tractors into tanks. Big and heavy, it carried machine guns (a 37 mm gun was planned) but only 3 were ever made. #WW2 #tanks #History
December 19, 2025 at 4:13 PM
British tank index no. 776 at a repair workshop, Spring 1917. Per the Landships index, 776 was a Mk.II of C Bn., 8 Co. C22 commanded by Lt. Kann knocked out April 1917 wounding the crew. The damage behind right sponson certainly supports a hit from an explosive shell. #Tanks #WW1
December 17, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Vickers Value-Engineered Abbot Self Propelled 105 mm Gun. This is the cost-effective version of the British Army vehicle offered for sale overseas c.1967. Same gun, same basic vehicle but without the refinements. Examples were sold to both India and Libya. #Tanks #Coldwar
December 17, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Mk.IV Female tank 'Lotte', formerly 2879 Flaming Fire II (F Bn. RTC) captured Nov. 1917 and reused by the Germans. Abandoned at Fort de la Pompelle June 1918 and was still there in 1940. This image was taken earlier than the postcard images before the regrowth. #Tanks #WW1
December 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Not my area of interest but a random press shot I found of Polaris and Poseidon missiles showing their relative size from the 1950s Polaris A1, to Polaris A2 and A3 (which was in service until the 1990s) and the big brother - Poseidon, replaced with Trident in the 1980s.
December 15, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Not my area of interest but a random press shot I found of Polaris and Poseidon missiles showing their relative size from the 1950s Polaris A1, to Polaris A2 and A3 (which was in service until the 1990s) and the big brother - Poseidon, replaced with Trident in the 1980s.
Ford Windsor Carrier (Pilot Model) seen during trials in Canada towing a 6-pdr. Anti-Tank gun - a task it performed very easily. A small lightly armoured tracked vehicle is always going to be useful for some of the less glamorous work for an army. #WW2
December 14, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Ford Windsor Carrier (Pilot Model) seen during trials in Canada towing a 6-pdr. Anti-Tank gun - a task it performed very easily. A small lightly armoured tracked vehicle is always going to be useful for some of the less glamorous work for an army. #WW2
GM (Canada) 1945 Pilot-model of their Armoured Command Post (ACP) design based on the GM Armoured Truck. Despite its promise, the project was not taken forwards. #WW2
December 12, 2025 at 2:19 PM
GM (Canada) 1945 Pilot-model of their Armoured Command Post (ACP) design based on the GM Armoured Truck. Despite its promise, the project was not taken forwards. #WW2
British Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Delaunay-Belleville armoured car (rear deck incomplete, no gun, no driver's side window, & Union Jack is upside down) c.1915. What is the armed vehicle behind it with the open top and sloping sides? Could it be a modified Talbot? #WW1
December 10, 2025 at 5:01 PM
British Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) Delaunay-Belleville armoured car (rear deck incomplete, no gun, no driver's side window, & Union Jack is upside down) c.1915. What is the armed vehicle behind it with the open top and sloping sides? Could it be a modified Talbot? #WW1
The Vickers Falcon Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Equipment, 1980. Based on the Abbot hull it was armed with a pair of 30 mm HS cannons (650 rpm) in a stabilized turret it could be used for both AA work and against ground targets including light armour. #Tanks
December 10, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The Vickers Falcon Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Equipment, 1980. Based on the Abbot hull it was armed with a pair of 30 mm HS cannons (650 rpm) in a stabilized turret it could be used for both AA work and against ground targets including light armour. #Tanks