Oh yes, I had one of those in NI.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

If I remember correctly Kevin, Oz built a shortened version of the L1A1. I loved my old L1A1, she was somewhat battered but very accurate, the only problem with it, it was too long. Mine was a very early type with the early type wood stock and forend.

Your memory serves you well, the rifle in question is the L1A1-F1 SLR. So while we adopted the L1A1 essentially unchanged from the British model (hence the unchanged designation even though we built them here for our own use), the shorter version was given the Australian 'F' designation.

There's a smallish but decent comparison photo taken at the Lithgow small arms museum available here
http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/vie...p?f=44&t=68375

While it doesn't appear obvious because the Oz L1A1 underneath is fitted with our version of the BFA, you can still see that there is a difference between the L1A1 and the L1A1-F1

Edit: Just found a larger pic with the -F1 in the middle http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...cture34271.jpg
Note that the L1A1-F1 flash suppressor is quite different to that found on the standard rifle (we used the same suppressor as the Brit model)

Never seen the -F1 model myself, they're as rare as rocking horse sh*t and I'm still yet to go to Lithgow to see one in the flesh. Lithgow is the other side of the country from me, a trip of about 3800km (about 2300 miles!) but it's on my "must do before I'm too old and silly" list.
P.S. I meant to mention that the 3800km/2300mile is just the one way!

The rifle above the L1A1 F1 looks more like an FN FAL.

3800km is only up the road Kev

As I've stated before, the AK series is a conscripts weapon...The M16 series and M4 are a professional soldiers weapon.

Most of the kinks have been worked out of the M4/M16 that plagued the platform during Vietnam. A bullet to the heart or head will kill as easily with the 7.62 as it will with the 5.56. BUT, with the 5.56 I can carry twice as much ammo. Great for staying power in a fight and for target suppression. Isn't that the name of the game? Aimed shots while rounds are cracking inches from your head are hard to come by. But target suppression while another element maneuvers is much easier to accomplish. Modular design comes to mind too. With the "M" series I can keep my weapon pointed at my target with my firing hand and trigger finger in place while I take the weapon off safe, conduct immediate action for stoppage, or conduct a mag change. Pretty freakin important things to consider if I get into a fight from one room to another. Accuracy is also important, but that hardly goes without saying.

But, these are just opinions of mine.

Originally Posted by BritinAfrica

The rifle above the L1A1 F1 looks more like an FN FAL.

3800km is only up the road Kev

And you'd be right again, according to the blurb on the website for the first photo, it's the South African R1 rifle - basically the FAL manufactured under licence.

And yeah you're right, 3800km isn't too far. If I start walking now I'll be there by let's see... typical walking speed is about 6km in an hour... should take me... oh about 630 hours... that's what, about 26 days as long as I don't stop to sleep, eat, piss and so on.
So yeah, I should have a report at the end of next month.


On second thought
F that for a game of soldiers! That's 26 days without my computer so all bets are off!
Either that or I start investing in electrical extension chords

Originally Posted by KevinTheCynic

Either that or I start investing in electrical extension chords

That's a lot of extension cords...

Instead of buying all those extension cords wouldnt to be cheaper to buy an airfare?

Originally Posted by captiva303

Instead of buying all those extension cords wouldnt to be cheaper to buy an airfare?

Oh pfft to that, I'd have to book two seats, one for me and the other for the computer but come to think of it, there's no 240V power sockets on an airliner so I wouldn't even be able to plug it in.

Besides, I've already handmade a backpack to carry the tower with a nice little extension at the front for the keyboard and mouse. And with all those extension chords I can always make a rope bridge if I need it, or a hammock...

Computer... network connection... hammock... wimens... sounds perfect.

Then may I suggest a generator on a pull cart. For your journey ?