Tank Chats #156 | Bulldog | The Tank Museum

Hey, Tank Nuts! We hope you enjoy this lasted Tank Chat on the Bulldog. Let us know your thoughts about this particular vehicle below.

I drove the 432 ambulance variant for a couple of years, I even invented a tool to remove and replace the rubber bushes in the tracks, sent off my invention to the M O D who wrote back saying they were going too replace the track so my tool was not require, my colonel however gave me an Regimental Reward of 250 quid as the tool was being used by the Regiment and worked a treat, it set of a lot of the lads on the inventing path with some wierd ideas.

Ex 432 driver here, used to be in the Royal Engineers Hameln Germany. One of the lesser known things about a 432 is the sheer number of bottle opening points inside the vehicle. We were spoiled for choice!

Beats me why David is not knighted. Man is the Attenborough of Tanks. Been always listening to chats since I got introduced by Paul(Jingles) way back in the day.

My 432 is 50 years old. It has only had 5 new engines, 6 new tracks, 7 new machine guns and 5 sets of upgraded armour. Plus 25 new paint jobs.

There is a couple of FV432’s that have enough of my DNA via skin or blood the barstards got out of me while doing maintenance to be classed as a living relatives

This thing will do some serious work in 38,000 years time!

Who remembers putting tinned compo rations in the 432 exhaust to heat them up.? Had to be careful not to over do it otherwise you’d have exploding baked beans coming out 🤣

I remember these, mobile oil leaks. Coming back after washing them down and painting them yet again. I think it was 1cm armour with 10cm reactive paint armour on top!

As a Detachment Commander with Recce Troop, 7 Sigs in the 1960's, I was issued a 432 to replace the Saracen FV610 Command Post. The fist thing we did , after driver training, was convert it to Signals spec which I believe effectively destroyed the NBC effectiveness. At first, we were a bit miffed at the change because we loved the old Saracen but, through time we began to appreciate the improvements the 432 brought to the job. One obvious bonus was that we never ever got bogged down again in soft standing. Also, apart from, the tracks, maintenance was also easier and they were generally quite reliable although I did suffer a couple of electrical fires and on one memorable occasion, ended up in a river after the steering failed. All in all, a good design which endured the test of time. Great video.

The amount of stuff and uses that the Royal Engineers put this vehicle to use with was never ending.

M O D: "432, you have to go." 432: "No. I don't think I will."

The 432 is one of those largely unsung successes yet hugely important vehicle for the British Army. Another great success are these Tank Chats all of which are packed with great information on the subject vehicle imparted brilliantly by the staff. Another great chat thanks everyone.

Drove and Worked on 432s for many many years. My undying memory of this is climbing up the front and slipping then hitting your shin on the front edge. Go on how many of you recall doing that, oh my god the pain.......

I work with a 432 at my local museum. Usually for "tank rides" during events. Thing is a beast. Most customers were shocked with the speed. Especially the kids lol

Bulldog. I remember hearing about these coming in. All the while, my unit was still chugging around with early 432s and bedford RLs!! I ended up not seeing a bulldog until just before I left in 2011.

The Bulldog; While the Centurion and Chieftain had nose jobs and facelifts, the FV432 went for the a reverse lipo

I drove the diesal versions of the 1980's while serving in the REME in BAOR. I'd love to try the newer version. It's wonderful that this vehicle has given so much service. Huzzah!!!

As a tracked instructor I both loved and loathed these things the old steering/braking/ handbrake system (yes all the same system) was both ingenious and terrifying because an oil cooled friction brake as the only way to steer or brake was insane the overcomplicated heavy underpowered K60 multi fuel engine needed a lot of TLC and the less said about the 240V charging system the better but even with all these flaws it's ability to chug stubbornly through any terrain was impressive and a well trained driver could get places even Warriors feared to go.

This vehicle will serve the Emperor into the 40k.