Kev in Deva

Hallo Megan May I ask why a Court-Martial ?? or even a dishonourable discharge?? If its with regards accepting money for their stories, they were given permission at first to sell them. If its with regards being surrounded and captured by a larger group of Iranian Guard, they were under a UN mandate which typically states they can only fire in defence of their own lives or a comrades life, surrender was their the only option. (here it must be asked how come they had no air-cover or were so far away from suitable back-up, clearly the Iranians were able to exploit this poor security having obviously been monitoring how the R.N. patrols operate. Also it must be remembered they were operating under slightly differant rules as say a British soldier in downtown Basra or in Afganistan, at the moment there is no war with Iran. If, its because they allowed themselves to be used by the Iranians, (without seemingly putting up much resistence) then the training methods employed by the British Military should be reviewed, these were not R.A.F pilots or SAS / SBS who have undergone the escape and evasion survival courses. Probably if it was just Royal Marines alone the picture would be somewhat differant, there being a woman amongst the patrol, probably had some bearing on the circumstances as well. Ordinarely seamen tend to be far removed from the normal rigours of war, and have no preperation for being captured or indeed the stress involved with it, today, very suttle methods of interregation are employed, by people who have had lots of practise. The buck stops with the Officer / Patrol Commander, who lead them and whose job it would have been too look after the welfare of the men and woman in his charge. Till all is made clear lets hold off with the "Firing Squad" Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Carol I with regards the men who served in WW1 and probably all were in the "Regimentului cezar si regesc Nr. 64 Orastie." as thew were headquartered in Orastie, or at least were called up there for service, before ending up on various fronts. (The old Austro-Hungarian Barracks remains today but is the headquarters of the Jandamarie (?) and taking pictures of the location are strictly forbiden for security reasons.) I will take alook through a book; "Regimentului cezar si regesc Nr. 64 Orastie." I was given by Mr. Dorin Petresc one of the authour's (the other Mr. Ioan Lazarescu, sadly deceased), about the regiment, strangely this book was printed privately and given to selected persons, however, I believe there are ongoing negociations with an American publisher for an english version to be produced in the near future. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Carol I many thanks for translating the upper section on the front, before I got around to it I presume this name at the base was the designer / maker of the monument Kevin in Deva

The WW2 Section: 1941 - 1944 Vasilie Danila + Rusia. Vasilie Andrei + Pesta. Ioan Cugerian + Turda. Ioan Stanciu + Calimaniesti. Nicolae Gramesc + Rusia Ilie Gramesc + M-Tatra. Ioan Spinian + Rusia. Andrei Ioan + Rusia. Andrei Gh. + Lapadia Mare. + + + + MAY THEY REST IN PEACE + + + + Kevin in Deva.

But the really interesting bit was on the rear: WW1 Names & Locations. Orastie / War Monument. Monisie Morar + Italia. Vasilie Gramesc + Polonia. Nicolae Dubles + Viena. Danila Doian + Galitia. Nicolae Rosca + Galitia. Ioan Stanut + Serbia. Samoila Samailesc + George Criznic + Danila Lazar + Bucovina. Nicolae Lungu + Viena. Iacob Criznic + Viena. Ilie Maniut + George Samoind + Polonia. Ioan Strane + Italia. Petru Simerian + Nicolae Curea + Italia. Ioan Udrea + Galatia. Nic Fenisan + Ioan Mosie + Rusia. George Tomesc + Polonia. Ioan Trifan + Galitia. Savu si Ilie Simion + (Two Brothers). Vasilie Popovici + Ioan Lungu + Galicia. Ioan Danil + Serbia. + + + + MAY THEY REST IN PEACE + + + + Kevin in Deva.

As its been a while since this thread was aired I decided to add some interesting information that I found yesterday, Friday April 13th 2007, Location: The village of Castau, 4 kms from Orastia town, Hunedoara County, Romania. I had gone there to help my neighbour Ema, (from Deva) with a small job, he was born in Castau, before the family moved to live in Deva 50kms away. In the village center is located a small monument, things like this always attract my attention, particularly with the dates 1914 - 1919, as Romania proper didnt get into the war till 1916, but at this time this area was under Austro-Hungarian management. The dedication to the front make reference to the stone being erected in about 1930 the same time as work was being made on the nearby church. Kevin in Deva

Great Medals gentlemen I, must confess they sadly lacking in my own collection, and which I must remedy very soon. Looking at some of the prices the 1914 & 1914-15 Star go for I will pobably look for an issue outside of the regular U.K. Regiments. Any advice greatly appriciated with regards current prices. Kevin in Deva

Dave, while you to are very welcome to make a comment just as I am, I am afraid I just can't agree with people wearing swastikas, wether they are old veterans, who served in the political Military formations such as the ss, or in the German ww2 Army, Navy, Airforce, Police. It has to be remembered that many Europeon as well as Americans, and Russians gave their lives to defeat hitlers mob. It seems its becoming all to easy to try and lump Russia in with the Nazi's as being just as bad as if not worse than hitler, however for the course of WW2, Russia was a recognised ally of the west in the fight against the nazis. I niether condone the communist mentality, or nazi one. However, I do have great respect for the people who had the guts to fight against Facsism, and the large group of skin-headed louts seen at the unveiling of the statue in Latvia were no doubt raised on grandads knee listening to the stories of how it was in the good old days. (As were many of the neo-nazis in the old East Germany, there has been a large resurgance of this in many of the ex-communist countries, and it is scary). With regards Theo I know him outside the forums having been in contact with him over some ebay purchases, and am very surprised to hear him using the words "Wonderful to see," with regards Nazi decorations being worn in public today, again this probably stems from young members of post communist countries not appreciating the horrors of WW2. With regards the Finns, they have tended to go their own way and do as they like, it seems to be in their nature. but they did at least stand up to hitler and his cronies and state they would have no part in the siege of Lenigrad, apart from securing their side of the line (no doubt anticipating what the Soviet reaction would have been if they did come involved.) I dont see any of this being a Political rant, I am against the displaying of the swastika in public, and if certain countries enforce this thats ok with me, but I believe the E.U. maintains a certain policy against racism, and this symbol offends many races who had to endure the jackboot rule in ww2. Kevin in Deva (Romania, where there are regulations forbiding in displaying of swastikas, and the hammer & sickle !)

* I feel the group does not relate to this, again because I am nearly sure it was strictly an Officer commitment. ** U.N. Observer Group In Lebanon, can be ruled out as the guy is not an ex-Irish Army Officer, (Only Officers were with this group). *** Again, all Irish Officer Club. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Chris, my quess is a Royal Coachman from one of the Prussian or German States, the guys who take the Kaiser and the misses for a public jaunt around town. Kevin in Deva.

Jacky, at first they were given permission to sell the stories by the Ministry of Defence, after the flare up, the Government quickly changed its mind. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, Personally I find it disgusting that Estonian & Latvia to name but two of the former Communist states, totaly disregard regulations concerning the Nazi awards, it seems Fascism is alive and well and promoted in these countries. Quite recently there was a statue dedicated to Latvian ss scum and a Latvian Army Band was sent along to play some music for the large crowd of old Latvian nazi veteran & young Latvian neo-nazi's who attended. Ok, so they were occupied by the Russians and controled by Communisum, but you dont rewind the clock back to 1944 and continue like nothing happened. And whats with the "plonker" at WAF "Quote Theodor: Great pictures!!! And I find it wonderful to see German WWII awards been worn today, something extremely rare to see, I believe! After all these are not political, but real bravery awards... End of Quote.) Kevin's Non Political Rant is now over!! Kevin in Deva

Hallo Jacky Their is no problem with these people talking, they did enough of it for their Iranian hosts the problem is that many families of service men killed in Afganistan and Iraq think that being offered hugh sums of money 150,000+ British Pounds by the "gutter" press is appaling and somehow degrads the memories of the people who gave their lives (after the funerals the sacrifice and the memory of the dead are soon forgotton by the public). Kevin in Deva

Hallo Leigh The list I posted of Irish U. N. Missions is fairly extensive but some of the Irish Missions need updating, for example I have no idea how many Irish are in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the moment, Also what must be remembered are the guys who served multiple missions I know a guy who had 14 trips in Lebanon thats just over 7 years on "mingy" trips, and it would not surprise me if some had logged more time. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Ed thanks for posting this, first Congo bar I have seen thats attributed to being original, last year (2006) a few silver "CONGO" bars were being offered on ebay, these I take to be repros? Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Ed, heading slightly off topic here, but I think you might find the figures of interest. From the Irish Defence Forces Website: http://www.military.ie/overseas/missions_list.htm Defence Forces Service Overseas. LIST OF MISSIONS UN Observer Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL). 28 Jun 58 to 18 Dec 58 Irish commitment: 50. UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO). Location: Middle East. 18 Dec 58 to date Irish commitment: 427. UN Operation in Congo (ONUC). Location: Zaire. 28 Jul 60 to 30 Jun 64 Irish commitment: 6191. UN Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA). Location: West N.Guinea (West lrian). 21 Aug to 04 Oct 62 Irish commitment: 2 UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). 27 Mar 64 to date Irish commitment: 9647. UN India-Pakistan Observation Mission (UNIPOM). 23 Sep 65 to 22 Mar 66 Irish commitment: 14. Second UN Emergency Force (UNEF II) Location: Sinai Desert. 30 Oct 73 to 06 Sep 74 Irish commitment: 573. UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Location: Golan Heights. Jun 74 to Aug 98 Irish commitment: 1. UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). 13 May 78 to date Irish commitment: 31,413. UN Headquarters New York (UNNY). 27 Nov 78 to date Irish commitment: 17. UN Inspection Teams (UNIT) Location: Baghdad and Teheran. 24 Jun 84 to 31 Jul 88 Irish commitment: 9. UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). 28 Sep 87 to 26 Jun 92 Irish commitment: 2. UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Location: Beirut. 01 Feb 88 to 30 Jun 92 Irish commitment: 2. UN Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan & Pakistan (UNGOMAP). 25 Apr 88 to 15 Mar 90 Irish commitment: 8. Office of the Secretary-General Afghanistan, Pakistan (OSGAP). 16 Mar 90 to Dec 94 Irish commitment 5. Office of the Secretary-General Afghanistan (OSGA). Dec 94o 30 Jul 96 Irish commitment 2. UN Special Mission Afghanistan (UNSMA). 01 Jul 96 to 26 Oct 99 Irish commitment: 3. UN Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group (UNIIMOG). 14 Aug 88 to 10 Mar 91 Irish commitment: 177. UN Transition Assistance Group in Namibia (UNTAG). 16 Mar 89 to 07 Apr 90 Irish commitment: 20. UN Observer Group in Central America (ONUCA). 03 Dec 89 to 27 Jan 92 Irish commitment: 57. UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL). 21 Jan 92 to 31 May 94 Irish commitment: 6. UN Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM). 18 Apr 91 to March 03 Irish commitment: 69. Second UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II). 03 July 91 to 09 Sep 93 Irish commitment: 18. UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). 20 Sep 91 to date Irish commitment: 120. UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC). 16 Nov 91 to 15 Mar 92 Irish commitment: 2. UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). 15 Mar 92 to 15 Nov 93 Irish commitment: 36. UN Military Liaison Office In Yugoslavia (UNMLO-Y). 12 Jan to 05 Apr 92 Irish commitment: 7. UN Protection Force ® Location: Yugoslavia. 28 Mar 92 to Jan 96 Irish commitment: 29. UN High Commission for Refugees-Yugoslavia (UNHCR-Y). 20 Dec 92 to 18 Mar 93 Irish commitment: 4. UN Operations in Somalia (UNOSOM II). 08 Aug 93 to 15 Jan 95 Irish commitment: 177. UN Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). 21 Sep 94 to 31 Mar 96 Irish commitment: 6. UN Military Observer Mission Prevlaka (UNMOP). 01 Feb 96 to Dec 99 Irish commitment: 7. UN Preventive Deployment Force in Macedonia (UNPREDEP). Feb 96 to 28 Feb 99 Irish commitment: 8. UN Transition Authority in Eastern Slavonia (UNTAES). Feb 96 to Jan 98 Irish commitment: 10. UN Special Commission-Iraq (UNSCOM) HQ New York and Iraq. 23 Sep 96 to March 03 Irish commitment: 5. UN Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). 28 Jun to 24 Oct 99 Irish commitment: 3. UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). 05 Jul 99 to date Irish commitment: 14. UN Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET). Feb 00 to May 02 Irish commitment: 181. UN Observer Mission in Congo (MONUC). 27 Jun 01 to date Irish commitment: 12. UN Mission Ethiopia / Eritrea (UNMEE). Nov 01 to Jun 03 Irish commitment: 630. MINUCI Jun 03 to date Irish commitment: 4. UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). Nov 03 to date Irish commitment: 971. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE). Location: Vienna. 16 Jan 84 to date Irish commitment: 21. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe Georgia (OSCE). Location: Georgia. 13 Apr 94 to Jun 99 Irish commitment: 11. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Location: Bosnia Herzegovina. Jan 96 to date Irish commitment: 39. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE). Location: Croatia. Jan 98 to date Irish commitment: 21. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE). Location: Albania. Jan 97 to date Irish commitment: 11. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe Verification Mission in Kosovo (OSCE-KVM). 09 Dec 98 to 30 Jun 99 Irish commitment: 5. Organisation on Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE - Kosovo). 01 Jul 99 to date Irish commitment 8. EC Monitor Mission (ECMM). Location: former Yugoslavia. 16 Jul 91 to date Irish commitment: 203. EC Task Force in Russia (ECTF-®). 29 Jan to 31 Dec 92 Irish commitment: 3. EC Task Force in Yugoslavia (ECTF-(Y)). 25 Feb 93 to 31 May 96 Irish commitment: 7. EU Mission South Africa (EUNELSA). 24 Jan to 31 May 94. Irish commitment: 2. International Conference on the Former Yugoslavia (ICFY). Sep 94 to date Irish commitment: 5. WEU Brussels. 09 July 96 to date Irish commitment: 11. ICC Mons. 12 June 97 to date Irish commitment: 3. Stabilisation Force (SFOR). 30 May 97 to Dec 04 Irish commitment: 600. Kosovo Force (KFOR). 29 August 99 to date Irish commitment: 1068. International Force East Timor (INTERFET). 12 Oct 99 to Feb 00 Irish commitment: 44 International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). 02 to date Irish commitment: 21. European Union Force (EUFOR). Dec 05 to date Irish commitment: 53. Goal, Concern, Red Cross & Tr?caire. 14 Apr 93 to date Somalia, Angola, Rwanda, Russia, Albania & Macedonia. Irish commitment: 44. Irish Rwandan Support Group (IRSG). Aug to 05 Dec 94 Irish commitment: 39. 1 Irish Honduran Support Group (1 IHSG). Jan to 12 May 99 Irish commitment: 27. Irish Refugee Agency Macedonia. May to June 99 Irish commitment: 2. 2 Irish Honduran Support Group (2 IHSG). 29 Jan to 13 Feb 00 Irish commitment: 21. 3 Irish Honduran Support Group (3 IHSG). 6 Jan to 10 Feb 01 Irish commitment: 15. Figures end at here, so this is somewhat dated and probably needs an update. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Ed, Just located this at: http://users.bigpond.net.au/kirwilli/unservice/unservice.htm Ireland's History with the U.N. Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955. In 1958 fifty Irish officers were appointed as observers with the U.N. Observers Group in the Lebanon. Since 1958 the Defence Forces has had a continuous presence on peacekeeping missions, mainly in the Middle East. On the 28th July 1960 Lt-Col. Murt Buckley led the men of the 32nd Irish Battalion out to the Congo. Twenty-six men died in the Congo, 9 died in one action, the Niemba ambush. However, in recent years, following the end of the cold war, Irish Defence Forces Personnel have also found themselves in many other parts of the globe as observers and peacekeepers. Personnel have served in the five countries of Central America, Europe, Russia, former Yugoslavia, Cambodia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Belgian Congo (Zaire), Namibia, Western Sahara, Somalia South Africa Cyprus Lebanon and East Timor Military Observer Missions are manned by unarmed military observers. In 1958 the Defence Forces made their first contribution to peacekeeping when some fifty officers were assigned to the United Nations Observer Group in Lebanon (UNOGIL). Since 1958 the Defence Forces has continuously had personnel overseas as observers on peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping Force Missions are manned by armed contingents from member states placed under the command of the United Nations. From 1960 to the present day the Irish Defence Forces have continuously provided an armed contingent to the UN, except during the period May 1974 to May 1978. These contingents were normally an infantry battalion of approximately 600 personnel or an infantry group of over 400 personnel. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Ed If I remember correctly U.N.T.S.O. was reserved exclusively for Officers with regards the Irish. In 1958, 50 Irish Officers were appointed as Observers with U.N.O.G.I.L Kevin in Deva

Hi Rick, there has been a ban imposed on them selling any details to the Press, if any paper has paid them money then I supose it will have to be returned Seems there was a rather large Public outcry from the families and relatives of British soldiers killed in Iraq and Afganistan. Kevin in Deva

IRISH CASUALTIES IN THE CONGO WITH (O.N.U.C.) FROM JULY 1960 to MAY 1964. Name. Unit. Cause of death. Date of death: Company Sergeant F. Grant 33rd battalion Died after operation, 3 October 1960. Colonel J. McCarthy. HQ ONUC. Traffic accident. 27 October 1960. Lieutenant K. Gleeson, 33rd battalion, Niemba ambush, 8 November 1960. Sergeant H. Gaynor, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Corporal P. Kelly, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Corporal L. Dougan, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Private M. Farrell, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Trooper T. Fennell, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Private M. McGuinn, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Private G. Killeen, 33rd battalion Niemba ambush 8 November 1960. Private P. Davis, 33rd battalion Accidental shooting 10 November 1960. Trooper A. Browne, 33rd battalion Beaten to death at Tundulu, after surviving Niemba Ambush. 11 November 1960. Corporal L. Kelly, 33rd battalion Accidental shooting 24 December 1960. Corporal L. Kelly, HQ ONUC Traffic accident 30 August 1961. Trooper E. Gaffney, 35th battalion Killed in action 13 September 1961. Trooper P. Mullins, 35th battalion Killed in action 15 September 1961. Corporal M. Nolan, 35th battalion Killed in action 15 September 1961. Corporal M. Fallon, 36th battalion Killed in action 8 December 1961. Sergeant P. Mulcahy, 36th battalion Killed in action 16 December 1961. Private A. Wickham 36th battalion Killed in action 16 December 1961. Lieutenant P. Riordan, 36th battalion Killed in action 16 December 1961. Corporal J. Geoghegan, 36th battalion Accidental shooting 28 December 1961. Corporal J. Power, 36th battalion Natural causes 7 March 1962. Captain R. McCann, HQ ONUC Traffic accident 9 May 1962. Corporal J. McGrath, 38th battalion Traffic accident 21 March 1963. Commandant T. McMahon, HQ ONUC Natural causes 28 September 1963. May They All Rest In Peace. Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Leigh, thanks for posting this set, I would like to say that even if he had prior service in the Irish Army before joining the British Army* the UN medal should rank after the British Service Medal as per British regulations. A total of 6,000 Irish soldiers served between July 1960 and May 1964, a very small number of these soldiers served twice on the U.N. mission and an even smaller grop of men actually managed 3 tours (Each tour lasting 6 months). I have also heard that the "Congo" Bar is unofficial and I have never seen it in wear by any serving Irish soldiers who were Congo veterans, during my 21 years 174 days service in the Irish Defense Forces. * One gentleman who I was acquainted with had joined the Irish Army as a young man, took an unofficial leave of absence because he was bored, and joined the British Army, eventualy he served with the elite "SAS" upon leaving the British Army, he returned to Ireland, surrendered himself to the Irish Military Police and faced his court-martial, as he was never heard to say he was going to desert the Irish Army, they, the Irish Military Authorities, could only charge him with being an illegal absentee, he pleaded guilty, served 3 months detention in Spike Island Military Prison, Co. Cork and came back to my Battalion as a Corporal, the man was a pleasure to work with, when ever you went on patrol with him it was done the way he had done it while away over the pond, and in warmer climes. The gentleman shall remain nameless for obvious security reasons, but I can say for definate he was not a spoofer, I spent some interesting evenings with him looking at some very interesting original pictures showing him at work overseas in a certain hot country and this was a very long time before the "Gulf" war, Kevin in Deva

Hallo Gents, I have a few of these, from various countries but, personaly feel most collectors will never get their hands on the Brazilian, as only approxamatly 2,500 Official issues were made. The Phillipines issue is another scarce item, Siam / Thailand are rare as well followed by the Cuban and Japanese one's. And there is the ever growing amount of Repros and Fakes. Anybody getting into these I recomend the book: "The Inter-Allied Victory Medals of WW1" (2nd Revised Edition), by Alexander J. Laslo. ISBN 0-9617320-1-6 Of course British Victory Medals both to S. African, Colonial and Indian Troops offer the chance of researching the man behind the medal being the only ones named. Kevin in Deva

Hallo JimZ the total list of countries involved with the Inter-Allied Victory Medal are: Belgium: official Types 1 & 2, Unofficial Type 1, 1a, 2, 3 and at least 4 Repros. Brazil: Official Type 1 & 2. Cuba: Official Type, & at least 3 Repros. Czechoslovakia: Official Type 1, 2, Reissue Type 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, Repro at least 4 types. France: Official Type, Reissue, Unofficial Type 1, 1a, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3, as well as 4 types of Repro. Great Britain: Official Type 1, Type 2, Repro 1, 2. South Africa: Official Type 1, Type 2, at least 2 Repro Types. Greece: Official Type 1, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, and at least 2 Repro Types. Italy: Official Type 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Reissue 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 4, at least 3 Repro Types. Japan: Official Type 1, Repro Type 2. Philippines: Official Type 1, 2, Reissue 1, Unofficial Type 1, 2, Varieties Type 1, 2, Repro: UNKNOWN! Portugal:Official Type 1, 2, Unofficial Type 1, 2, Repro at least 4 known. Rumania: Official Type 1, Unofficial Type 1, 2, 3, 3a, Repro at least 3Types. Siam / Thailand: Official Type 1, Repro at least 4 types known. United States of America: Official Type 1, 2, 3, Reissue Type 1, 2, Repro Types 1, 1a, 2, 3, 3a, 4, 5, So called "Dollar types" (without suspension device) Types 1 & 2. China* Republic of China War Commemorative Medal. Poland: Fantasy Piece, no evidence can be found to support the legend that boxes of these were recently discovered in Czechaslovakia!!!! About the most informative regarding these medals id Alexander J. Laslo's book the Inter-Allied Victory Medals of WW1. (2nd Revised Edition). Kevin in Deva.

Hallo Gents, what would be nice, would be if the regulation regarding the of wearing official issue medals to the left of the jacket and "Association" medals to the right, as is the norm in some countries. Would tend to seperate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. Kevin in Deva

Hallo Christian Have you thought of writing to Tamiya at the place of manufacture to see if they could supply you with a spare?? Would be good P.R. for them and what have you got to loose for asking. Kevin in Deva