Inside the Chieftain's Hatch: BDX

[@ibalrog]

I don't think you're giving the designers enough credit; that space was admirably shaped to fit your own head exactly.

[@VekhGaming]

I mean, at least it means his head can't really smack that badly forwards or backwards, only need to wear a padded helmet to be safe and secure against whiplash.

[@alltat]

If the padding is thin enough to fit into that space, I'd say it's really just a hat.

[@westtex3675]

Exactly. His head fits perfectly, like a Tetris block. Who needs visibility anyways?

[@SonsOfLorgar]

​@@alltat perfect for a tankers beret 😂

[@kortexsirvasil]

When the vehicle fits you like a glove

[@andersjjensen]

I laughed so hard at Nick chuckling at the absurdity that my GF came running demanding clarification. I just turned the screen so she could see nick dead-pan stare into the front bulkhead, and she started laughing too.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

Hi girlfriend!

[@spacedmanspiff1543]

Lol

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Same for me and my spouse this morning 😂

[@jasonm949]

​@@SonsOfLorgarHyuck hyuck! Ain't that a knee slapper!

[@jordanlawrie8331]

Same situation buddy

[@Valkyrie9000]

I think this is the first armored vehicle that made Nick genuinely claustrophobic. There was a little tinge of "can we get out now?" at the end

[@pontimin4173]

I felt claustrophobic just watching it.

[@dyingearth]

Forget the "Oh God the Vehicle is on Fire" test.

[@haldorasgirson9463]

I was sorta hoping he'd get stuck.

[@haldorasgirson9463]

The French have a lot of experience dealing with urban riots.

[@seanmalloy7249]

He was probably already unsettled by the lack of any track-tensioning system.

[@silmarian]

I love how the L/33 was no problem but this moderately modern vehicle was too small.

[@joedingo7022]

The M22 has a better driver's position than this thing. Let that sink in.

[@Pilotmario]

@@joedingo7022American vehicle ergonomics for you. I recall Japanese cars sold in the US and Canada are modified to accommodate American and Canadian drivers and their increased size and differing tastes. The modifications between the two are identical.

[@lostalone9320]

I would venture that it's not even a "modern vs old" sort of discussion. It's just purely cost, size and ease of production. There's no problem in creating more leg room if there is just empty space on the other side of that panel. It's not even that hard to create some adjustable pedals. But if there isn't empty space, and you're talking about adapting a drivetrain and transmission just so you can get big boys like Nick into the vehicle, then you definitely start to ask whether it's worth the hassle.

[@martinrose2833]

So we have found a vehicle into which the Chieftain won't fit and oh the irony , it's Irish

[@SnakebitSTI]

He did technically fit inside. Technically.

[@martinrose2833]

It's me , I'm just a bitter twisted Firefly fan 😃

[@cmck472]

I'm laughing my head off at the sight of Nick in the drivers seat 😂😂😂

[@dantreadwell7421]

The Short is just bloody hilarious.

[@SynapseDriven]

same here lol

[@Nightdare]

One really had to be below military standard to be designated the driver for something like this

[@Sydney559]

Same!!!😂😂😂😂

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Truly one of the moments of all time!

[@junibug6790]

The BDX: When Ireland looks at Soviet armoured vehicles and says, "Look at how roomy they are! We certainly can find better use for all that empty space"

[@yoloman3607]

Honestly the driver’s area (and the main hull if the belly wheels are removed) of a BRDM-2 armored car is pretty roomy.

[@mrrobg61]

Just looking at how tight the driver's position is gives us an idea as to why there weren't that many of these vehicles made.

[@DrBunnyMedicinal]

I admit, I'm mildly disappointed that there was a "Oh bugger, the vehicle is on fire" for this one, *especially* for the driver's position in the turreted BDX. 🤣🤣🤣

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

A country full of racing horse jockeys might want one 🤷

[@metalwolf112002]

Oh look, bumpy road *neck crack*

[@henrya3530]

There have been many ingenious attempts to render military equipment unusable if captured by an enemy - usually it will be something like using a proprietary calibre/ammunition. Since this is an Irish design I think it is a stroke of genius to have a vehicle intended to be driven by a Leprechaun!

[@polygonalfortress]

lmao

[@peternicol3439]

Oh Bugger! The Chieftain is Stuck 🧐

[@ZGryphon]

It's like they designed it and _then_ remembered that it needed to have a driver.

[@1337flite]

This kind of stuff happens with the manager idiots at my work all the time. Like they didn't specify the driver had to fit or be comfortable or might be 2m tall, but the did specify a centre mounted engine. So that's what they got.

[@denisvermeirre1024]

25:26 A bright rear foglight has been manadatory in Belgium since the 70s. The country gets very foggy in the winter and because Belgian drivers are notoriously fast and careless (Belgium only introduced driver's tests in 1969) it was seen as a necessity.

[@andersjjensen]

"It's to prevent civilians from coming to an unexpected and particularly abrupt halt, behind the armoured vehicle, in foggy conditions" is probably how Nick would have phrased it :P

[@DeeEight]

Swedish law has a rear light requirement also, on Saabs (and presumably volvols) there's a switch on the dash which activates one rear brake light and leaves it running.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

​​@@DeeEight it's actually usually a separate light, not one of the brake lights to avoid risk of confusion if any of the actual brake lights are out of order. That said, the EU automatic DRL rules is the worst piece of traffic legislation ever. It allows car manufacturers to design cars with ambient light level activation for lazy drivers, only the rules doesn't require the rear lights to be on in daylight, and the light sensor doesn't differentiate between clear sky direct daylight and the diffused daylight as filtered through dense fog or heavy smoke like drifting snow... Causing white and light grey cars to become invisible in day fog until they brake for something as their rearward position lights stay off due to ambient light levels...🤬💀

[@DavidCowie2022]

"Belgium only introduced driver's tests in 1969." My parents went on holiday in France in the 80s and 90s, and they quickly formed a low opinion of Belgian drivers. I'm beginning to get an idea of why.

[@odin1899]

​@@DeeEightWhich Saabs? I've owned a fair few and sat in other but have never seen such a feature. DRLs yes, but brake light as fog light I've never encountered.

[@Yuzral]

I can only presume that the Belgians take height limits for vehicle crews a little more seriously than the US Army does.

[@pguth98]

Look no further than the Pandur SLEP saga for this kind of attitude. Or lack of measuring.

[@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowski]

they probably don't. i think you're greatly underestimating the chieftains ingenuity in circumventing guidelines that are unfairly prejudiced. seeing that chieftain keeps getting promoted they obviously value his contributions and would rather let him skirt the height restrictions, that isn't very applicable to an an Abrams anyway, then trade him for someone who meets the height restriction but is a less skilled commander

[@josephahner3031]

​@@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowskithis is almost completely irrelevant to an Abrams, especially for an officer who will almost certainly never occupy any position in the tank other than the Commander's seat. Once you're over 6' the driver's seat starts to become a little tight but that's about it for height becoming a problem until you hit around 6' 5".

[@hughgeeraerts738]

Indeed ...as a veteran Belgian Gendarme I can tell you that they requirements for the driver was to be not to be taller than 1,73 m.😊...

[@grahamstrouse1165]

@@josephahner3031Except he’s about 6’6”…

[@dirk6001]

I was a BDX driver in the Belgian Airforce.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

How did you enjoy it?

[@derfeschebub8678]

you must be very small

[@evh1734]

Are you a smurf?

[@dirk6001]

​@@TheChieftainsHatch It was not that bad, I'm 1.73 m/ 5.67 feet tall witch was more than the maximum height for the driver. We also needed to be able to exit the vehicle through the window in case of an emergency 😀 The Air Force BDXs were sold to Mexico.

[@derfeschebub8678]

@@dirk6001 They sold them because they couldnt find enough dwarfs in belgium

[@Einwetok]

Seeing you and Battleship New Jersey"s host struggling through tight spots should be a competition!

[@AnimeSunglasses]

... The Colonel and Curator Show! I want it.

[@Riceball01]

Now there's a crossover/colab that I never thgouth that i'd needed until now.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

They could do one on guns that are used or originally were intended for ships and ended up also used in AFVs (or AA guns that were/are used on both)

[@TheArchaos]

The Locking Picking lawyer has never been confronted with the potential of being ventilated by fully automatic small arms fire while attempting to lockpick a 3$ lock on a tank, the prospect of gaining entry vs the consequence of discovery don't entirely add up in my eyes.

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

Maybe we can make it a simunitions challenge...

[@adlerarmory8382]

I've never seen a BN Staff Duty NCO armed, with loaded magazines, performing the motorpool check, CONUS.. or even OCONUS.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Tbh, with a pair of fixed wrenches, opening a padlock of the sizes used on military vehicles is a 3second job... They are more for deterring the lazy and unprepared opportunists than anyone actually motivated to get in and to make some noise that might alert a nearby patrol or sentry. It's a slightly more robust version of the wire tamper seal indicator on fire extinguishers or untility services meters (water/electric/community central heating)

[@VosperCDN]

@@SonsOfLorgar I got through a padlock, similar to those, in a few whacks of a k-bar (not a marine, just had one of those knives) to help a buddy in barracks when he lost his keys to his locker. Same sort of lock we used to secure our wheeled vehicles that didn't have ignition key systems. Always surprised we didn't "misplace" more vehicles.

[@ab5olut3zero95]

@@TheChieftainsHatchwhere do we volunteer as the security force for that video?

[@p_serdiuk]

I wonder if LPL becoming a household name at this point is actually impacting the security of the locks that the military and police are using. It's kinda weird, I used to watch him back when his channel was more niche.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

We can only hope! ...well, actually, we could start a letter campaign or petition...

[@bmac1629]

"3 minutes flat" no no that was the length of the video...the picking only took 38 seconds.😂

[@moosemaimer]

It really does open your eyes, though... I just bought myself a Covert Companion for Christmas and the first padlock I attacked popped open in roughly three minutes. I had only a vague idea of what I was doing and the "clunk" came as a complete surprise. If a total novice can do that, just imagine what someone with any degree of competency can do.

[@cpt_nordbart]

Since Bosnian Bill has retired he's basically the only one left. At least he's the most well known.

[@josephahner3031]

Locks have only ever been a deterrent to honest or particularly lazy people and a minor inconvenience at best to dishonest people.

[@bcgraham3512]

I was taken on a visit to Professor Timoney's workshop in the early 70's. They were building a prototype APC. As far as I can remember he was associated with University College Dublin at the time, and it was more like a shoestring Faculty of Mechanical Engineering project than a well-funded development project. However, I believe he was an excellent engineer and in a previous employment had been on the team that designed the British Saracin APC. There were two somewhat novel (for APC's at the time?) features in the design that were pointed out; the use of so many glass windows and, I'm pretty sure in that prototype, a gas turbine engine. Maybe entirely wrong, I was still in school and it's a long time ago. No doubt many design compromises had to be subsequently made due to tight funding. I remember one of the design constraints was 4 road wheels.

[@OscarOSullivan]

You are right he had helped design the Saladin and the prototype APC in question became the Timoney APC/BDX

[@JJAmes-mb4du]

The two smallest guys in my Army detachment were notoriously not good drivers. If we'd had these things, we would have been in trouble.

[@benwilson6145]

Serves you right for recruiting 9 year olds!

[@OscarOSullivan]

Ben just select the smallest who apply for the Calvary

[@gvii]

I can see it now. All the engineers high fiving one another after finishing the design, getting ready to send the plans off to the factory, when the janitor walks by out in the hallway. Looks in to see what the commotion is, looks up at the blurprint on the wall, and simply asks "Where does the driver sit?". All the engineers get really quiet, look at one another... Then the panic sets in as they quickly dash about looking for a pencil(Cue the Benny Hill theme...) so they can cram in a half-arsed driver's compartment as the the company execs call to ask for the drawings to be sent over to the production hall. We've seen plenty of rather craptastic crew positions throughout these videos, but this one has to take the cake. It's kind of mindblowing to think someone took a look at that driver's position and thought "Yep. That looks good! Let's ship it!". I don't know, maybe they had an abundance of ten year olds that were trained APC drivers. I personally kind of doubt it, but I really don't know. Good Lord, that thing is special, hahahaha....

[@Cadadadry]

That blueprint was probably supposed to be sold by a double agent to the soviets in order to lure them, but some production guy was not aware and sent it to his own department lol

[@ecovictor2611]

In 1979, Argentina acquired five BDX Armored Vehicles. Arriving at the end of that year and the beginning of 1980, they were incorporated into the Argentine Federal Police within the "Mounted" Unit. One was a "command" version, equipped with a work table inside. The other four were used for personnel transport, also known within the Federal Police as VTT (Shooters Transport Vehicle). Two of these four had a special shovel at the height of their front bumper, enabling them to dismantle barricades or obstacles. Regarding armament, in addition to the two factory smoke launcher systems (76 mm with 3 barrels each), they had a domestically manufactured "Venturini" Multiple Launcher with six barrels of caliber 38.1 mm installed. Due to a lack of operational use and maintenance, they became non-operational. This led to a comprehensive review and general overhaul of the BDX vehicles. Out of the 5 BDX vehicles, only 3 were fully refurbished. They are currently in operational condition and still belong to the "Mounted" Unit of the Argentine Federal Police.

[@OscarOSullivan]

They were designed by Séamus Timoney and his team from the start to fulfil an Irish government requirement to be able to operate in an urban guerrilla warfare environment including the ability to cross over riot barricades

[@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785]

Funny that the Chieftain mentioned the Jane's Guide at the end, as I had marked this vehicle as one that I would like to have(I put footnotes in multiple entries throughout the guidebook), mostly because I liked the modern exterior design of the BDX and performance numbers and top speed. However, since seeing that I am about 6'2" tall, and that having one of these would never work, I am taking it off my wishlist...well, the improved version seemed okay, but I don't like the idea of an exposed engine right there, if the exhaust manifold gasket starts leaking, it wouldn't be any fun at all. 🤣 Thanks Nicholas, for being the guinea pig for those of us who would be too tall to drive the BDX!

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

I always knew these videos would have a practical use…

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

lol. Poor Chieftain. Thanks for the chuckle. I can't imagine having to drive that more than a few miles. Even a average height person would be all squashed up, and with all plate carriers and kit. Nightmare. Thanks for the vid. I like the weird and wonderful ones.

[@jakeg-shep]

This was during the 70's-early 80's so still the era of plain uniforms only for world military. Armor wouldn't start to really get good till around the late 80's-90's

[@eireman51]

I Served in irish army from 1979 . We used these Timoney APCs in our 27th infantry BN on Border duties for a very short time. The reason for the Timoney short deployment on Border patrols was that these APCs were to wide and bad turning circle, whilst on narrow Border roads. We had to revert back to the older Panhard APCs.

[@OscarOSullivan]

Thanks weren’t the Panhard APC’s part of the reason we adopted the Steyr AUG?

[@allangibson8494]

3 minutes would be a major challenge lock for the Lock Picking Lawyer - 5 to 15 seconds would be more typical for a good padlock (or one to two for a Masterlock padlock - faster than using the key).

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Yup, padlocks should be considdered as an upgraded tamper seal/indicator, not actual security. And that's all most military forces uses padlocks for anyway.

[@Hugmir]

Those camera shots of the driver's interior are beautiful - bot the cramped first one, and the really nicely composed second one, around 24-25 minute marks. Much congratulations on the esthetics of the presentation, it is some prime comfy material.

[@Masada1911]

I think I know why they designed the drivers position that way. Its to protect the drivers from ptsd because he doesn’t have to see the protestors he is running over.

[@maximelormant2102]

Gotta say two things, first of all, the camera man, doing also all the uploading and everything is great! I love the shape this is taking! Second of all, i have to say, I had an unexpected smile when you talked about the Lockpicking Lawyer, I think you mentioned him earlier but still, was a good surprise again. Thank you very much anw for the, as always, great, video, and the uncontrollable giggle about the driving seat 😂

[@falsemcnuggethope]

How did the camera man not burst into laughter? He must be a real professional.

[@nickl7488]

if those padlocks are made by master lock, lpl can rake them in 2-3 seconds. ones by paclock take about one minute to pick

[@stanislavczebinski994]

If a vehicle is so cramped even the Chieftain has to laugh - it tells you all you need to know😂

[@cronoros]

"What happens when a space marine tries to drive an imperial guard vehicle? Lets find out!"

[@olejnik5165]

Aussie Bushmaster and it suspension isn't the only part made by Timoney, the entire prototype was Irish and was sold to the Aussies with Thales

[@barrythatcher9349]

I love to see the Chieftain do a review of Bushmaster.

[@OscarOSullivan]

And Singapore’s terex was co designed by Timoney

[@TheEjectorSeat]

“Thank god its an automa-wait what the hell is the clutch doing then?” I love that

[@Ironclockwork]

"Ireland is not known for being a weapons manufacturing center of excellence." I dunno, I would think irish whiskey might qualify just due to its venerable reputation.

[@AnimeSunglasses]

That's not a weapon, that's a fuel

[@andersjjensen]

Recommend me a good quality Irish Weapons Grade Whiskey, please.

[@cmck472]

@@andersjjensen Jamison Redbreast

[@adlerarmory8382]

Who was it that said God created whiskey so the Irish couldn't/wouldn't conquer the world?

[@Coconut-219]

Relative obscurity punctuated by brief historical moments of ingenuity and prowess when required by circumstance...

[@kennethkaczypenski6224]

WOW I am amazed that you even got behind the sterring wheel,heck I think even a jockey would find it a tight fit!

[@jonasvandenbroeck3789]

I'm a volunteer and guide at this museum, we have a way worse vehicle. The steering wheel is inverted and connected to the door which opens like the door of those old BMW bobble cars.

[@VosperCDN]

@@jonasvandenbroeck3789 There's worse than this ... way worse? What vehicle is that, if you don't mind saying?

[@justforever96]

Not really. He's like 6'2" or whatever, he only needs to lose like 6" to bring his eyes down to where he can see ahead. And at that point his head won't be jammed they'll into the corner either, although I would hope they have some padding on that bulkhead.

[@MrScottr1958]

I'm glad you started laughing when you were in the drivers seat because I was busting up.

[@lostalone9320]

In defense of the Yale lock - It's not really about actual security against enemies, it's about handling the low hanging fruit at a low cost; local likely lads who happen by. Which is important for a vehicle which is going to spend its life driving around near civilians but not shooting them. Yale locks are certainly pickable... But that's actually in their favour, because it means they are servicable by any locksmith. Someone at your depot can probably get the doors open eventually without a cutting torch, in the event of lost keys. Yale keys can also be master keyed or pass keyed, so your quartermaster (or whoever goes around to make sure they haven't been stripped for parts) can open every vehicle with his one master key, but your driver can only open his one. Again, useful for vehicles that spend a lot of time parked in a depot and not being thought about very much. If a vehicle's internals have been looted (eg, Russian logistics) then the one guy with a master can find out quickly, and the one other guy with a regular key is the prime suspect. Creating a minute or two of resistance to open the doors is actually very effective. There is a reason why we use Yale locks on houses! It is very very rare for burglars to pick locks, compared to smashing the door in or breaking a window. Thieves don't want to stand in the open where they can be seen.

[@barelyasurvivor1257]

Oh bugger the Armored Car is on Fire! Ok Chieftain Go!

[@jasonmcroberts5668]

I think the Motolita steering wheel is the nicest thing about the vehicle, although the conversion van rear air is pretty good too.😂

[@delurkor]

As a short person (5'4" once 5'2" now) I had to giggle watching the Chieftain trying to get in to the driver position. 👍

[@justforever96]

Yeah, we have our laughs sometimes. I'm not that small but I am pretty sure I would fit just about perfect in that seat.

[@PaletoB]

Love the combination of military and civilian off-the-shelf parts like the aircon 😂

[@neilbrown2948]

Looks to me like it was cobbled together from parts bought at a yard sale.

[@martinh2783]

Did you ever feel you might have to call the emergency services to get out of a vehicle?

[@s_vb2220]

never thought id ever see a decent video about these, let alone a video by the Chieftain!

[@willfrankunsubscribed]

Nick! Thank you for subjecting yourself to the driving seat, and having a sense of humor about it!

[@andrewcox4386]

Watching you get into the drivers seat I was reminded of the interceptor & Sky 1 crew slides in Gerry Andersons UFO

[@termitreter6545]

Chieftain in the driver seet is such an amazing image xD

[@erikverstrepen3373]

Gunfire museum in Brasschaat ! You were close to Antwerp indeed. Not bad, depending on volunteers that place. Visit it every year, future unsure so thanks for the mention ! 👍🙏🏻

[@MrEd01US]

I was really looking forward to the "Oh bugger the BDX is on fire!".

[@MrTylerStricker]

I do love the Belgians so. They have such a wonderful and fascinating Marshall history.

[@TheOriginalJAX]

15:30 Best clown car skit Iv seen in a while, the short doesn't quite do it justice, 10/10 would watch again.

[@electrolytics]

Excellent content as always. Thanks Chieftain.

[@patricksomerville8484]

Thanks!

[@TheChieftainsHatch]

And to you, Sir! Appreciate it!

[@WarmongerSmurfOnXbox]

Chieftain: Using a $3 padlock to secure a two million dollar tank Us: Leaving leaving our 64 million dollar helicopter unlocked, and the keys in.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Keys? A majority of military vehicles doesn't use ignition keys... They might have separate manual switches for master power, fuel pumps and ignition cirquits though, that setup also doubles as a kind of sobriety test😉

[@josephahner3031]

​@@SonsOfLorgari presume he meant the padlock keys in the lock or he isn't referring to a military vehicle.

[@WarmongerSmurfOnXbox]

Oddly the helicopters do come with something akin to an ignition key. Well at least for the Blackhawk and Chinooks, can’t speak about the rest.

[@jpc6235]

Greetings from the Old Country, Nicholas. Wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas !

[@rc8937]

Chieftain needs the jaws of life!

[@stijnVDA1994]

That was one of the best and most important refrences to another youtuber that i have ever seen!

[@Cancun771]

14:52 At this moment, he fondly remembered the German Kanonenjagdpanzer with its RV-sized fighting compartment.

[@MrViki60]

The US has already forgotten about the Ukraine as its Semitic masters are at war with brown people.

[@John-pn4rt]

that driver's position is incredible - and that's without you wearing anything on your head to be able to talk to the commander!

[@myk6694]

Good man Nicholas, the torture you put yourself through to educate us,... fair play to you

[@Real_Claudy_Focan]

Hoped you did the ACEC Cobra IFV review (it stood right next to it and was a unique design) Hull spotted at 9:38

[@SabreSix1980]

I wanted to ask that question since he said he was in a War Heritage site near Antwerp. My first though was ah, the Gunfire site at Brasschaat, 2d, what would he think of the COBRA?

[@SamGray]

Police armour having splinter protection would be good if one were dealing with possible IEDs, I suppose. I still look askance at my local department having a leftover Army MRAP, though.

[@VekhGaming]

I mean, its Belgium, together with France they STILL find tons of unexploded WWI ordnance, IED protection might be enough against hitting a random 110 year old 105mm German shell. Or some random rioting guy throwing a 110 year old piece of ordnance he found in in grandda's field.

[@JansenX12]

If your armored police vehicle encounters a 105mm gun...they ether crossed the wrong border or someone stored it in his garage for a long time for the right moment...

[@allangibson8494]

Or they are in the United States (although that probably ticks both your boxes).

[@liammeech3702]

It is possible that the Irish government wanted access to an APC for that *just in case wink, wink*

[@ThumperLust]

@@allangibson8494No, it’s too hard to reload the 105mm case with powder and shell. Besides that, if you take a 105mm deer hunting.

[@Lazarus7000]

It's like they were playing a video game, "Adding air con bumps the Crew Comfort score up to 75 even though the driver's folded up like a business letter, ship it!"

[@MLN-yz4ph]

The two really fun things was when he talked about the padlock and the fact that the driver had to be small. It was something that always kind of funny that all you need to take a vehicle was a big red master key. That is bolt cutters for those of you not aware of that term. As someone that is six foot some spaces were not as welcoming as others even in the US equipment but some countries had height restrictions for even being in armor. The USSR had a 5'4" limit for the T-74 so that is a thing.

[@MrHws5mp]

I suspect the primary inspiration for the Timoney/BDX was the Panhard M3, which also had a mid-engine design and was used by the Irish Army. The point of the exhaust pipes running along the top corners of the roof was to dissuade rioters from climbing onto the vehicle. The Valkyr that you tried looks like the prototype fire-support version, which had a two-man turret with a 90mm Cockerill (of course) gun and a lower roof. The APC version had a taller roof with the intakes above the driver in similar fashion to the BDX. Acoording to Jane's, two production Valkyrs were delivered to Kuwait just before the 1991 invasion, so it looks like the main problem was that the launch customer were suddenly unable to pay, and when they got their country back, they had the desire, budget and priorities for something more warlike. I hope you got poke around an ACEC Cobra while you were in Belgium: now THAT was an oddball vehicle!

[@jp18449]

Damn! All those Vickers armoured wheeled vehicles are just huge!

[@anthonykaiser974]

Small bit of trivia: the Bowling Green, KY Corvette plant originally was Chrysler's Airtemp division plant for non-automotive air conditioners. GM took it over in 1982. Yes, rear fog lights are a thing in Continental Europe. Really should be universal, TBH. For those not familiar, it makes your tail lamps brighter so you can be seen from the rear. On a side note, I was not aware you were doing the Chieftain's Hatch: Theater of the Absurd edition today. 😂

[@petesheppard1709]

I greatly enjoyed Nick's voyage of discovery, but the claustrophobic creepies started as he contorted himself into that driver's hole. From the back, it actually looked fairly roomy; Nick shattered that illusion rather thoroughly.

[@SpaceCoffee700]

lockpicking lawyer nemesis? the BDXs door lock

[@zackmuller2077]

When you talked about the engine placement, the South African Ratel came to mind with its engine offset to the right in the rear of the vehicle, allowing you to still have that rear hatch.

[@zalmezz7068]

That driver spot looks like a death sentence if you have to do a crew evac. I can imagine fitting in the driver's hole with kit.

[@louisl2829]

I love those suspense moments "Is he gonna fit or not ?" 🤣

[@Colinpark]

The driver position of the Valkyrie reminds me of the Malaysian Simba which I have been in. I recall us discussing the Valkyrie many years ago on Tanknet, as I recall even then we didn't have lot of good to say about it. If I win the lottery, I send you to Pt Dickson military Museum where there are lots of neat vehicles like the Simba to film.

[@wacojones8062]

Regarding military locks I have a 36 Inch master key that works on all unshrouded issue locks. Some call it a bolt cutter. I made quite a bit of money breaking into locker and such when drunks came back to the barracks then realize they locked their keys in the locker. Basic and AIT I used locker locking bars to break the locks.

[@wardnelen3140]

Did some work today and got this exact vehicle running! ( the BDX II)

[@Stukov961]

Pretty sure LPL's time on those military spec Master locks is closer to 3 seconds than it is 3 minutes. Unless I'm mistaken, they can still be comb picked, I'm which case you can open them pretty much as fast as if you were using the key. And it looks like using a key too, to boot.

[@ratscoot]

The Belgian army's Pandur's , a Steyr SSF variant received a midlife updated. They installed extra armour protection against IED's inside the vehicle but it's so cramped now that the crew can't be over 170cm high.😂

[@Cadadadry]

... so they can hide better behind grey elephants wearing black glasses !

[@genericpersonx333]

One wonders if the Air Conditioner was fpr "de-humidification," rather than "crew comfort," because when you have a bunch of sweaty guys breathing heavily in a confined space, especially in a naturally-humid and/or wet climate like Ireland and the rest of Northern Europe can be, the accumulated water vapor can do a real number on electronics and electrics, not to mention causing rust problems over the long-term. Sealing systems against water vapor is a lot more difficult than one might think, and for a manufacturer that didn't have decades of tank-building experience to fall back on to inform them how to cost-effectively proof their systems against the problem, a small AC unit would be a viable alternative solution.

[@FairlyUnknown]

I got a good chuckle when you got into the drivers seat and your head perfectly fit straight into the front armor staring into it. How horrible hahahah

[@SuiLagadema]

I swear, someday a museum will have to dismantle part of a vehicle to get him unstuck. Chieftain: Oh! Let's take a look at that iconic vehicle! Museum: We can't allow you in there Chieftain: Why? Museum: We might have to dismantle the whole vehicle to extricate you.

[@nobodyuknow4911]

TECHNICALLY The Chieftan can in fact fit in the driver's seat... It's a bit like "Human Tetris", but he is capable of existing within the space provided, just not anything else. ^_^

[@slateslavens]

Nick in the driver's seat aptly demonstrates why Timoney left the vehicle design business.

[@MrBrewsterbuffalo]

That internal layout made me wince. Can't imagine trying to move around in there with a full load of passengers, let alone with all of them wearing riot kit. The driver's position is just absurdly bad.

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

And then imagine the engines running, and it’s so loud you can’t hear the person next to you,…

[@montarakid1943]

Then imagine how well that ventilation system actually works.@@extragoogleaccount6061

[@vladislavohremenco3472]

Man is a legend for the shoutout to the lock pocking lawyer😂

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video, Nick...👍

[@mckinleygoetz9855]

I really enjoy watching your videos. Always informative and factual. Yes, I'm the OH-58D mechanic.

[@Wastelandman7000]

You trying to get into the driver's position makes me think "THUNDERBIRDS ARE A NO!!!!!!"

[@M3chUpN8y]

"Geez, how cramped do you want your BDX to be, Timoney?!" Timoney: YES

[@aaronleverton4221]

Getting in an out of the driver's position gave me flashbacks to G-Force 2 Jason moving from the cockpit of the Phoenix to his rally/LM prototype car for independent operations.

[@stevechewning7741]

Honest with a nice bit of humor.

[@Adrian-qk2fn]

I had visions of you trying to do your 'Oh Bugger, the tank is on fire...' ...And then I collapsed with laughter.

[@patrickbureau1402]

Luv the retro ""NBC decom " air conditioner - imagine ten crew memberz 'sardenned' inside ... Is the can-opener-key ... mounted exterior with the trench stove & jerry canz !?!🇨🇦

[@IchwurdeHierzugenotigt]

Somehow that thing reminds me of a vehicle a friend of mine owns. A so called Sonderwagen 1. These vehicles were designed for small people with a height less than 1,70 meters and a weight less than 60 kilograms. As a former Leopard 2A4 driver, it felt really cramped compared to the spacious drivers compartment of the Leopard 2.

[@ptonpc]

That thing looks incredibly claustrophobic in the driver's position. I can't get over someone designing it and saying "Right, that'll do". Presumably there were length and height considerations that were considered more important?

[@Riceball01]

I don't think that anybody except a small child would be comforatble in that driver's seat. I'm 5'7" and while that means my head likely won't be jammed very high up and I could probably see out of the window, that steering wheel would still be jammed into my gut or just below my chest.

[@ptonpc]

@@Riceball01 "Ergonomics? Whassat?" Agreed, I would hate to have to drive that thing.

[@matusfekete6503]

18:40 I was hoping to see 'Oh crap, tank is on fire!' drill.

[@rod.h8064]

The Irish National Transport Museum in Howth apparently have a Timoney, but it's listed as a Landsverk Unimog. If the Irish Calvery Corp has a museum they should have one or two of the 10 built

[@coc_is_me]

They have both. I have seen them .

[@OscarOSullivan]

Irish national transport museum has a Timoney APC

[@americanpatriot2422]

Always an outstanding video and presentation.

[@janboen3630]

26:20 I had ride inside a BDX, during a military exercise, not enjoyable. The whining engine must generate hearing problems after prolonged use. Stuffed, getting hot and cramped. I'm 1.90m/6 ft 3

[@JimoftheSlim]

Nobody bought the Valkyr (except for a few test vehicles), but interestingly one sort-of appears in That Other Tank Game. The Vickers Mk.11, as called, is a Timoney 6x6 with an L7-mounting turret atop it. I don't know if that 6x6 is a *development of* the BDX chassis/Valkyr or a *hybrid of* the Valkyr's front end with another Timoney vehicle, but it's got the same snout as the vehicle we see here. Seeing the trucks here, it really puts into scale just how enormous that vehicle must have been in real life.

[@emiliodesalvo7024]

The Italian Carabinieri, which are a Gendarmerie force, used to have M113 and... Leopard 1 tanks.