A tribute to the TA 873 Movement Light Sqadron (V) RE

[McColm]

If you passed a long Horn Lane Acton West London between 1961 and 1993 you would have come across the TA Royal Engineers barracks and peered through the railings, to wonder what was going on.
I did the same back in March 1984 and signed up for 13 weeks. This was home to the 873 Movement Light Squadron- Searchlight Unit for battle ground lighting duties using WW2 equipment and pre-war 90cm carbon-archs which could be carried on the back of of a British Army Beford 4 tonner.
In 1977 the unit was re-equipped with American 30" Xenons used by the US Army in Vietnam. These were twice as powerful as the previous Searchlights, rated at 800 million candle power. They could be towed by a long-wheelbase LandRover with a transverse engine to provide the power, or be linked to a generator carried by a 4 tonner.
Some of the older Searchlights were kept and used at Wembley Stadium, Horse Guards Parade and Buckingham Palace.
The idea was to locate the enemy's tanks, then wait until darkness fell. With British tanks or artillery behind you shine the searchlight beam down the sights of the facing tanks thus blinding them. Shut down and run away . This worked until the heatsinking missile was invented and infrared/night sights were introduced.

I've come across Z.Z. Exclusive Modell Czech Republic that manufactures military post war kits in plastic, resin and photo etching in 1/87, 1/72 and 1/35 scales. Also Scale Vehicle & Extras. Matador Models, military kits do the British 90cm Searchlight in 1/76 scale.
Airfix do or did the Bedford 4 tonner truck and LandRover.Should make an interesting setting.