The vessels boiling electrical was used by soldiers of 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles when it was equipped with Centurion tanks 1966-71. A boiling vessel fitted to British armoured fighting vehicles that permit the crew to heat water and cook food by drawing power from the vehicle electrical supply. It is often referred to by crewmembers (not entirely in jest) as the most important piece of equipment in a British armoured vehicle. The "Vessel Boiling Electric" or "BV" was an innovation at the very end of World War II, when the Centurion tank was introduced with the device fitted inside the turret. Previously, British tank crews had disembarked when they wanted to "brew-up" (make tea), using a petrol cooker improvised from empty fuel cans[4] called a "Tommy cooker". Use of the BV enabled the crew to stay safely inside the tank and reduced the time taken for breaks. The first version, known as VBE No 1, began to be replaced in the early 1950s by the stainless steel No 2 version. A VBE No 3 had improved electrical sockets and was less prone to leakage. The principal use of the BV is to heat ration pouches or tins; the hot water is then used for making drinks or washing. The BV is cuboid and accommodates four tins; typically matching the crew numbers of an armoured fighting vehicle. Ration tins are supplied without adhesive labels so the surrounding water is not contaminated. A vehicle with a defective BV is declared unfit for purpose. It is common practice for a junior member of a vehicle crew to be unofficially appointed "BV Commander", responsible for making hot drinks for the other soldiers. Example of article which improved efficiency and well-being of tank soldiers.Cilinderical metal vessel with close fitting lid, folding handle and electrical socket on side.military, tank, centurion, meals, boiling

The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Members of the Women’s Royal Australian Army Corps (WRAAC) were posted to Army Reserve units in the 1980s and 1990s. They were rarely posted to Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) but were invaluable in the A1 Echelon driving fuel, ammunition, ration and water supply vehicles. Colour photograph of soldiers of ' A ' squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles on parade at Buna Barracks Albury 1986. Sergeant D. Reynolds ( WRAAC ) at left; Corporal B. Lewis at right.

Three military operation and maintenance handbooks including Mechanical Vehicle Training, Tractors, Artillery and Tyres Care and Maintenance.1. "Notified in G.O's, dated 31st July, 1942/ *NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/The information given in this document is not to be communicated, either directly or indirectly, to the Press or to any person not holding an official position in His Majesty's Service/ MECHANICAL VEHICLE TRAINING/PAMPHLET No.1/DRIVER'S ROUTINE MAINTENANCE/1942/Crown Copyright Reserved/*A.M.R. & O 1588 B./Allied Land Forces Headquarters,/May 1942/ By Authority: W.A Hamer Pty. Ltd, Printers." 2. "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED Notified in A.A.Os, October 1939/AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES/ Mechanization Pamphlet No.2/Tractors, Artillery, F.W.D., L.P (Ford V8)/DESCRIPTION, OPERATION/AND MAINTENANCE/1939/ (Reprinted with Amendments, 1940)/ Prepared by the Directorate of Mechanization, Army Headquarters, October 1939./ *A.M.R and O. 1588 B./ Bu Authority: The Specialty Press Pty Ltd., 174 Little Collins Street, Melbourne" 3. "NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/ (A.M.R. & O. 1588B)/Notified in G.O's dated 31st July, 1942/ AUSTRALIAN MILITARY FORCES/ TYRES/CARE & MAINTENANCE/ Including Tyres used on Armoured Fighting Vehicles and other Vehicles with Split Wheels/ MECHANIZATION PAMPHLET No. 19/1942/ Prepared by/ DIRECTORIATE OF ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES PRODUCTION/in collaboration with/DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY"handbooks, maintenance, mechanical, training

An illustrated directory of major battle tanks used by the world's armies in World War II. Included photographs, illustrations and specifications.ISBN 0 7018 1488 8world war 2, military history, tanks, armoured vehicles, christopher f foss, world war 2, military history, tanks, armoured vehicles, christopher f foss

Bibliography, ill, p.175.non-fictionDescriptions of tank types from the earliest days to 1969armoured vehicles - history, tanks - military science

Index, ill, maps, p.238.non-fictionAn illustrated history of tanks and other wheeled and tracked vehiclesarmoured vehicles - history, armoured warfare

The world's major combat vehicles described in 160 fact-packed pages.tanks (military science) - history, armoured vehicles, military - history

IN April 1964, 8/13 VMR attended a 3rd Division Camp in the Mansfield, Eildon, Jamieson area. Regimental recruits received basic training orior to advancing to mounted training. Sgt. Doug Benstead serveds in Korea before joining 8/13 VMRCollection of photographs showing an armoured regiment of the Citizen Forces in the 1960s as it transitioned from wheeled armoured vehicles to tanks to M113 armoured personal carriers.Black and white photograph of two soldiers without shirts, but wearing basic webbing; both wearing black berets and 8/13 VMR badges. One soldier is instructing the other in bayonet fighting. 7.62 SLR rifle and bayonet." Sgt. D. Benstead, Trooper Hall, Recruit training, Jamieson 1963. "

Centurion Tank Mark V

Universal / Bren Gun Carrier

Stuart (Honey) Light Tank

8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles along with other Royal Australian Armoured Corps units were equipped with the British made Ferret Scout Car from late 1950s to 1970s.A representative example of a check list used by Ferret Scout Car crewmen to operate and maintain an armoured fighting vehicle. It is well provenanced, complete and in good condition.Soft covered booklet of 10 pages, saddle-stitched with two metal staples. Allocates duties of crew members of Ferret Scout Car Mark 1 and Mark 2.On back cover "3/455 526 / 455 527"scout car, ferret

Battle runs were a live firing exercise designed to test capability of all members of Fighting Vehicle crew.The 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles was raised as a regiment of the Royal Australian Armoured Corps on 1 May 1948 with Headquarters in Melbourne and squadrons in Sale, Benalla/Wangaratta and Albury. In 1955 Regimental Headquarters moved to Wangaratta and a second squadron was located at Albury. The Sale squadron transferred to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse. In 1977 8/13 VMR Regiment was reduced to an independent squadron A Squadron 8th/13th Victorian Mounted Rifles and in 1991 was linked with 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse forming the VMR Squadron of that regiment.Colour photograph of M 113 A1 Fire Support Vehicle about to begin battle run during ' A ' squadron 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles Annual Camp 1986 at Puckapunyal.fsv, vmr, armour, puckapunyal, training, military