Recovering Chieftain ARRV Left Abandoned

[@jamesbowler3654]

As your previous commentator said, as a retired marine officer I have seen just that, a really great guy, with many years of seafaring experience, sadly cut clean in two with a cable whiplash, so it all came back to me seeing these boys gathered around these cables under tension…. Please take notice! !

[@simoncampbell3144]

None of them could possibly have ever been trained by the British army (I hope) been involved in many dodgy recoveries but that was just stupid

[@HorsleyLandy88]

my thoughts exactly. Once worked with a guy who saw a shackle fail when a ship was being winched in to a dry dock, hit a guy on the back of the head, was like a divot of turf from a golf shot he said.

[@maakamakana7007]

glad you said something..I am ex ships winchman of 13yrs and my father before me was 30yrs experience...I first thing I noticed with this video and other of their videos, is the lack of thought to safety..The guy in green with the remote is asking to be cut in half should a cable snap, and they do snap...seen a guy cut in half like knife thru butter...had my own close calls.....so to the guys in this video, learn safety of one or two of you will be killed one day@@simoncampbell3144

[@gregedmand9939]

YT and other social media has led to hundreds of serious injuries and dozens of deaths. They seem to revell in exposing themselves to all kinds of dangerous practices. Eye protection... Naw! Pulling a tank or Cat through a bog while standing or operating within range of snapping cables and chains... Makes for great clicks! The military only takes these chances when lives are at stake and they deam the risk to life and limb manageable. This recovery would be hazardous enough with properly serviced and inspected recovery equipment. There's a reason why thIs ARV it was abandoned here. These rusty old Fodens are a disaster waiting to happen, when using them for jobs that are high stress on even the best gear - operated by self-taught guys out to entertain.

[@hanovergreen4091]

Yep Yep Yep. Made my gut twist.Best Regards and Best Wishes!

[@MrSpesh1]

Honestly at this stage. I was interested in the tanks but this has became a Foden channel and Im all in for it.

[@marknewell7355]

Can we all just agree that the foden is the best wrecker ever and I definitely think the army should give you that tank now as payment if they haven't already

[@nicholasperry2380]

Brought one of them at Ruddington many years ago and never found anything it couldn't shift - lost track of her now but was still going strong then. Marvelous bit of kit.

[@welshwizard55]

Definitely agree the Foden was a great Reccer

[@0skar9193]

My 1 tonne landy broke down on the autobahn on route to an exercise. I had just arrived in Germany fresh out of SEME in 1991. Foden recovered me & the landy. An impressive bit of kit and despite the piss taking about Reccy mechs, they are professionals.

[@welshwizard55]

@@0skar9193 gosh 91 nice to be young!! 1 tonnies were horrible to drive unless you had a shoe size of 5 or less.🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@davewilson7565]

Definitely

[@Anolbea]

A wonderful recovery and a lesson for the Diesel Brother(Again) in resilience and determination. Only equipped with a Foden and the will to succeed and overcome any problems with piss taking,ingenuity and a man with a megaphone. 100000 lbs of British steel shifted. Job done. Bravo.

[@user-rh9mh5kh3p]

What are you talking about

[@nodisalsi]

My old boy was an instructor at SEME, retired 1983 - teaching wreckies with a Chieften ARV and the Foden. This was emotional. Thanks.

[@MrLennyshep]

Noddy McLaughlan ??

[@TK-Touring]

The Foden is such an amazing machine. I have absolutely zero need for one... but I desperately want one. Awesome work guys.

[@keithbottomley7372]

My god this brings back memories, I was with the Royal Hussars on Chieftain's and Challengers. Lost a REME friend on Ex Lionheart when he was trying to recover a busted Chally in his ARRV. Error when the Emergency gear override was in forward when they should have been going reverse. Unfortunately Joe Joseph was guiding the reverse and got caught between the two vehicles. He died soon after. God be with you Joe.

[@WeirdSeagul]

from knowing nothing about it the Foden is now one of my favourite vehicles.

[@kevinmoore9196]

3 months ago, neither did I. But now I want one....

[@justinbelshe]

The Foden sounds like it's powered by a Detroit!

[@robertrich663]

@@justinbelshe The Foden is powered by a Rolls Royce, later Perkins & now Caterpillar 12.17L 4 stroke engine The FV434 giving assistance is powered by a RR K60 opposed piston 2 stroke, a smaller version of the L69 powering the Chieftain, which also had a Coventry Climax H30 aux engine to complete the 2 stroke line up.

[@justinbelshe]

@@robertrich663 I wonder if the Napier Deltic was ever fitted to a road vehicle...

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

It is truly the dogs bollocks, awesome, it doesn’t even seem to struggle. Amazing

[@fieryfredthebeaconlighter2259]

What a joy. 😅 Being a long term resident of BORDON, and former SEME employee, it’s lovely to see the Foden in action. Rough engineering made easy!

[@0skar9193]

Twist to Open

[@bobuncle8704]

Those Foden’s are an amazing vehicle

[@Calamity_Jack]

Indeed! And it was so nice of Crouch Recovery to gift them their Fodens!

[@TheSussexpillbox]

That Foden is worth every penny, especially as you were given it.

[@ashleybunch9872]

hello from America from myself I would like to thank you for saving the history of world war 2 to help our young children learn how a war don't solve problems

[@matthamann3007]

I love watching you guys and all of the comedy thrown in. Thanks guys and much love from sunny Florida USA.

[@Gibbo919]

Missing Ted but loving the live action. Always amazing to see a Foden at work

[@barryfoster4557]

Should have just kept on towing her back to the workshop and give her a second life. Excellent video one of the best yet 💪

[@JamesYoung61]

I love watching you guys put this machinery to work.

[@ianwilliamson7703]

Did my basic training at Borden, the Foden eka was a tremendous vehicle, got us out the preferable on many occasions. Brings back fond memories, great channel guys 🏆🏆🏆

[@wazza33racer]

That must be one of the most epic heavy machine recoveries ever seen on youtube, gg guys. I did make me cringe a little seeing people rigging cables and stiff bars with no riggers gloves. Sound of the chieftain blaring up that hill was full tilt ))

[@reddo84]

That was wicked. When the sun dropped, and the blue sky outlined the foden and the recovered vechial, it was amazing. Well done on the recovery, and the filming Jim

[@WreckerRyan]

When winching off the back like that get a 12-16 foot endless loop, attach it to both spades and run a master link in the middle of it. Then attach your line to it from the snatch block. You’ll be pulling against the earth and and you’re truck stiff legs will thank you for it! The floating master link will ensure even load on both legs.

[@making_randoms]

Good video. My only criticism would be the amount of people standing next to the winch line when it's under high tension.

[@seabeaver1771]

And no gloves when handling the,cable.

[@tonybarfield5148]

Mr Hewes this is one the best videos I seen on channel recently. As interesting as you fathers JCB tractor fire. You Foden tow tracks have been a very good investment. Thank you for making this video. Regards TONY

[@marcfournier823]

Another golden Foden episode! Thanks so much.❤

[@2sgblueredblue280]

For a couple of sugar fed lads that get everything given. You know your onions good effort well done love this bunch of mates doing lads stuff

[@Unknown1880]

The Foden is a beast of a truck! Also the sound of that engine is amazing.

[@DieyoungDiefast]

Helps having a stack exhaust instead of the under floor lateral silencer

[@nigelsears7191]

that was some serious recovery there guys and the cream de la cream was sound of Seb's chieftain at full chat was beyond awesome , well done

[@Beauloqs]

.....The most amazing part of that is chieftain managed to go that far without expiring.

[@andicog]

Brilliant. Fancy the army trying to recover it with modern MAN tat.... No wonder it wouldn't move for them, it was waiting for a Foden, AEC or Scammell 💪💪💪

[@Lou-f]

Well they were pulling it with the tracks locked 🙄

[@David-cv2jc]

The MAN SVR couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding! It's reputation amongst recy mechs who had grown up on Foden is sh1t!

[@materetisaqusaqu1019]

@@David-cv2jc 😂😂 SVR has to many electrics,thats why,when they first arrived in theatre and units,they had so many faults.A lot of us that use it daily are finally geting our heads around the quick fix to get her moving again.

[@Paddington60]

Those Fodens are powerful strong beasties! Thanks for sharing with us

[@enfield5847]

still cant get enough of these videos! you always manage to find the coolest stuff

[@abokhaled1579]

Man your Chanel is addictive do not change make your videos longer and no music if you can Keep up the good work 🫡😊

[@MrHewes]

I can have no music on drone shots with no audio I’d fall asleep

[@abokhaled1579]

@@MrHewes 🤣

[@Bias5]

"Will it start"

[@brianholding4357]

@@Bias5 eventually?

[@darrenhawken9766]

Great recovery, and teamwork, cant wait to see them ARV'S on the farm being sorted, thanks for sharing 👍💨💨

[@metatechhd]

I have to admit, the Foden has won me over too! It's incredible how my appreciation for this vehicle has grown from knowing nothing about it. The more I learn, the more fascinated I become. There's something intriguing and captivating about its history and capabilities. 🚛💪🔍 Keep exploring and discovering new favorites!

[@anthonywilson4873]

Be very careful of snapping cables, some guys standing in very vulnerable position. A snapped cable has the power to cut you in half. It only has to happen once. We used Matadors to recover trucks up to their axles in mud but this is a different level, good muddy fun.

[@jondavidmcnabb]

I have recovered many armored vehicles in dangerous conditions. These folks are asking for a bad day....

[@tclanjtopsom4846]

True that, even a cable winching a 4wd can break your leg or gut you like a fish.😊

[@berniepallett9837]

@@tclanjtopsom4846 I think every REME Recy Mech would have been hiding behind the sofa on the lack of recovery safety discipline; however the Foden did a great job. Why didn't they use the 434????

[@lubanskigornik282]

That is my observation too - amateur's

[@brianthesnail3815]

I used to work in shipping. Nobody goes on a tug boat deck when cables are under tension. The wheelhouses are armoured in some cases. I also used to be a farmer and towing tractors out of mud with chains you still stand a long way away, a broken chain link can fly like bullet.

[@Andy-qo6rq]

I get very emotional seeing the Foden I built up a very close relationship with mine when in the Army when I left I felt like I was walking out on my first love and there was nothing wrong with the relationship 😅😅😅 I think it was because I knew no one could look after her like I did 😅 I cannot count the amount of times I painted her.

[@baz9438]

Amazing. Proper men ,doing men's work. I'm seriously impressed 👏

[@maverick9895]

I just had to watch all of the vid. To get the vehicle out of the bog after 30 years was amazing. And the Army said they couldn't get it out! Oh my.

[@marklelohe3754]

It's ace seeing that Foden doing the business. It seems that you chaps have more ken than the Army to move the ARRV. Excellent work chaps. I hope the CO gives you it.

[@johnoldonekanole602]

WOW what a recovery. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas from USA.

[@slobmarley9070]

Foden saves the day again, what a hero machine!

[@MrGM10]

What a brilliant piece of viewing, your projects are very entertaining. Thank you.

[@toad424]

Very well done all and such a good production to watch 👍👍

[@timradford4393]

Who needs actual friends and an social life when you've got the Hewes battalion on the 'toob? Pure gold lads!

[@legbreaker2762]

Hope you get to keep it, fix it up and put it to work! Mind you, being a Chieftain, it might spend more time recovering itself than other vehicles! :D

[@LordInter]

depending on the engine it has ofc

[@einfachhonig6284]

now thats one beautiful piece of metal you found there

[@santiagor1970]

This brings back a flood of memories of my service in the US military in a tank unit on fort hood. It's a lot more fun when it's not in a military training and real scenario where you life depends on it. Do it while you can cause it is fun as much as it an experience that you value with time.

[@kensherwood4866]

Fascinating and truly entertaining video. Proof that determination, ingenuity, skills, the mighty Foden, lots of other hp, can move mountains and abandoned military vehicles, while having fun 😀

[@timbrocklehurst875]

That Foden is an incredible piece of kit!!!

[@simonwoodward438]

That Foden has some clout, an invaluable bit of kit

[@richardford4570]

That foden's a bloody beast well done lads .cheers from Australia 🇦🇺 ♥

[@kite7214]

You guys are terrific. Your hard work, cameraderie and knowledge are a pleasure to watch. Be careful standing close to the winch cables though. Great vid editing too.

[@KumaBean]

That made me nervous 😩

[@A-world-of-My-Own]

Talk about a challenge! and can't be done.. There you go. Even has the Bit from "Ice Cold in Alex," Where the Ambulance rolls down the sand dune. Great stuff.

[@PeterNissen878112]

A job well done, Lads. The Premier Restoration/Recovery Channel. Nobody does it better!

[@richardthomas6890]

The start of this programme should show all those that watch, this is why the British are good at what they do….. They wing it and that’s what made an Empire As always lads, it’s always a pleasure to watch this blog, because of the enthusiasm you show to your jobs 👍🏻

[@LordInter]

"that'll do" is the creation and ruination of empires lol

[@mikeschillinger4427]

Reminds me of that old Hovis advert. "And Grandad always said it was a bloody long way up that 'ill" 😂

[@AndrewPayne]

An extremely well executed operation guys....well done! 👏

[@theplumbman7825]

Brilliant channel, reminds me of my R.E.M.E. Days .👍👍👍👍

[@markstott6689]

Well that's left a big smile on my face. All i can say about the Army in this instance, is that they couldn't have tried too hard seeing as the gang managed it from the off. As for the guys unwilling or unable to help, they missed out at their shot at glory. As per Bill Shakey "The fewer men, the greater share of honour." "And gentlemen in England now a-bed shall think themselves accursed they were not here....." Or some such. 😂😂😂

[@wes11bravo]

That's same as what I was thinking - the Army didn't try hard enough to recover or didn't care to, it was easier to write her off and leave her to rust. Did they claim it after this?

[@paoloviti6156]

To tell you the truth, I'm really impressed with the Foden that does a hell of a job and goes almost everywhere! Congratulations for doing a great job 👏 👍! BTW I just have looked on the data sheet on this excellent vehicle and I was surprised that it was powered by a Perkins 290 HP turbocharged 4 stroke diesel, considering it's performance I thought that it would have been more powerful!!

[@digitalradiohacker]

It's all in the comical mechanical advantage from the gearbox in low range.

[@Tuck-Shop]

Perkins diesel. That will have a lot of torque

[@jamesocker5235]

Love the panzer 58, excellent recovery using brains, when30 years of brawn didnt fly. You salvaged it you get to keep it

[@brownwarrior6867]

Engineers would have had that out in a couple of hours no danger. An Ex Sapper

[@peterjones4785]

Impressive work. Your recovery truck is worth its weight in gold too.

[@jz7692]

Awesome. Camo suits terrain on that Berlin Chieftain.

[@johngell4842]

Brilliant recovery I bet every one now wants a foden telehandler 🤠

[@kite7214]

I once 'rescued' a set of like-new tracks for an International Half-Track from a bombing range in Holland. The vehicle was partly hidden behind an M-47 Tank chassis and the sand-filled bombs had hit the front of the half-track, but the rear (including the tracks) were undamaged. They just fitted nicely in my Jeep trailer. 🙂

[@geoffcbr929]

Proper team work there with a few (the birds were bang on 😂)..good bit of leadership and bloody well done to you!👊

[@johnnunn8688]

The articulation on Mr Foden, Sir’s wheels, are a joy to behold 🤗.

[@edtheroverman]

I bloody love that Foden, and out of all the trucks I drove over the years, including Scanias, Mercedes, Volvos, they were my favourite by far. Not sure whether it's an age thing, but they felt the most solid and in my opinion the best looking.

[@weegrant1980]

Top work lads, epic sound from the chieftain and from the foden

[@fattmatt200]

The military training plains in the U.K. are covered in ancient sites that means you can't drive where you want, unless you are willing to pay for the rebuilding of the damage caused.

[@seanohalloran]

Love that Foden. One of the best vehicles ever made. Well restored and looking forward to more recoveries.

[@mipamat5804]

Glad to see somebody had their wits about themselves The inverted Union Flag at 17:08 had corrected itself at 17:48. Well done.

[@antiochman8222]

The emotional support Foden delivers again.

[@casto-]

I know the old Foden is a bit of an animal but she proves it out in the wilds! 😳😁😍

[@RobertAdam-e7r]

Brings back great memories from back in the late 70s when I was a young REME NCO in charge of an FRT in Osnabrück doing Main assembles on Chieftain, FV430 series, CVRT and other prime movers. Good job guys 😊

[@stephenbaker5593]

Great feeling to succeed, where others failed! Always good to see you and your teams can do attitude! Great videos! And the foden looks as good know as it did nearly 30 years ago when I first saw her, a good design never ages! Well done!!!! Ex drops driver (rct t.a). Always enjoy your videos!!

[@navigatorx1013]

Well..... there it is. Now I've seen a tank retriever nicked in broad daylight. Great vid.

[@graememorrison333]

I'm now slightly obsessed with Foden winches. How do they work and how on earth can they pull 100 tons??!

[@Idoall.myownstunts]

Snatch blocks!

[@nigelcox7477]

Fantastic joint effort (although I still think the Might Foden would have pulled it up that hill single-handed). Great job to all involved - there’s no such thing as ‘Can’t be done’. 👍😎❤️✅

[@Scimiter1948]

Foden1-ARV 0. No contest lol, well done guys great video.

[@himaro101]

I have no idea who you are or how your video's started popping up on my feed, but it's pretty fun to watch you guys messing about while also getting it done. You should take some of your kit of Tank Fest!

[@MrHewes]

We will be attending 😅

[@leesaunders4891]

Thankyou MR hEWES,IVE WATCHED THIS VIDEO SO MANY TIMES,ive subbed and watched all your vids,it gives me an insight as to what is left out there,to be restored,keep it up

[@alanmoffat4454]

JUST WAITING FOR SOMETHING TOO GO TWANG 😮 ,NICE OF EVERYONE FOR THERE HELP LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR HILL CLIMB 😊 .

[@kettlekett13]

Hi Mr Hewes that plug you saw and had hold of on the back of the recovery Vehicle that's the remote control plugin so you can operate the recovery Vehicle in a safe distance out been in the vehicle just remember didn't have wireless remote controls or two ways CB radios either in was done by hand signals or sings 😊👍you got to remember old girls ways every equipment back those day was named after a girls name too dude 👍👍

[@ToBeSet.]

A recovery the Diesel brothers would be proud of! Well done

[@TaraMann-z8q]

That Foden is worth every penny, especially as you were given it.. The emotional support Foden delivers again..

[@DullJellyfish]

Great video, loving the flags on all the vehicals. Also, Tank Lady cameo!

[@Reaper4367]

A mongrel job with some 'piss off' moments, though it looked liked a lot of fun! Great recovery fella's. Cheers for sharing.

[@thomasgraham5842]

You guys are now the new old top gear . LOVE YOURE STUFFS . Happy Newyear . looking forword to youre stuffs in 2025 . keep her lit .

[@high1voltage1rules]

The power in them trucks is absolutely incredible 👍💯👏

[@billhartsfield424]

Hey there rubber ducky, looks like we got ourselves a convoy !

[@philcarver9025]

when i was on the Catterick moors , aged 15 back in 1968 i used to have a scrambler 250cc Frances Barnet motorcycle i came across a alvis 6 wheel truck stuck in the mud with some raf regiment soldiers in it. they were waiting for REME to send a recovery vehicle to pull them out. i talked to the RA F lads for an hour and a half, got board and went home a week later i was back and it had been recovered, i remember what a sunny day it was.

[@pauldawson6785]

When i was stationed in Cyprus, (!7th/21st Lancers) we had a Scammel wrecker, that was a beast of a machine, but i think the Foden just about tops it !.

[@sirmalus5153]

Always stand next to tow cables under stress when recovering a heavy vehicle, it helps so much in the tow to see up close, instead of standing a short distance out of the death zone. Nice recovery lads.

[@MrSimonfoz]

That Foden is the bollocks !

[@hillrambler2007]

That 6 wheel wrecker is a brute! I'd love to have one. BTW the cricket scene was brutally funny. Loved this video.

[@gilleyb1900]

Awesome vid guys, that Foden is a God!

[@juststeve5542]

That Foden is a bit of a beast isn't it! Got some pretty good axle articulation too from what I saw. I have no use for one, but I feel I need one, just in case...

[@ianb6595]

Well it might have been a foden recovery day but it shows that you all achieved what the army couldn’t, top job, I think they should give it you as a thank you and you can do it up!

[@billywindsock9597]

If Foden made tanks, the war would be won in about twenty minutes. What a beast.

[@centurionoomae1543]

I'd rather the Mechants and bankers didnt win this one. I suggest you do proper research on the topic, elsewise your children will become living sacrifices to appease Moloch and Baal. The clock is ticking, which way will it be western man?

[@billywindsock9597]

@@centurionoomae1543 what are you on about? You either like Foden, or you are dead to me.

[@centurionoomae1543]

@@billywindsock9597 Billy, don't act silly.

[@CombatantArms]

Send us a bottle of wine from the Beqaa Valley, you know, from Ba'albek. Need it to toast the Foden.

[@billywindsock9597]

@@centurionoomae1543 Baal said he likes Fodens too.

[@adrianflower3230]

Farm inspired ingenuity meets British Army problems, success 👍👍

[@tomunsworth7971]

The Tank Centipede @23mins cracks me.