Training at Bristol Transmissions

Class 3-2 Training at Bristol Transmissions, 12 Regt RA Wksp

Scribe: Cpl Squire (12 Regt RA WKSP)

Cfn Middleton arrived at 12th Regiment Royal Artillery Workshops in May 21 having left DSEME with a Training Deficiencies Requirement (TDR). The most challenging of these was a Land Rover gearbox strip and rebuild. This came at a time when he was preparing to move from Class 3 to Class 2 and with an impending operational deployments looming, a solution was needed. DSEME were unable to facilitate this requirement within the timescales needed and an alternative solution was required.

SSgt Overland, 58 Battery Fitter Section’s Artificer looked to civilian industry, to see whether there were any innovative opportunities to conduct this niche training and find a solution for the TDR. After researching many firms, one company called Bristol Transmissions responded with positivity and a willingness to help from the outset. Land Rover gearboxes were their absolute bread and butter and they were excitingly eager to assist us.

On arrival at Bristol Transmissions Cfn Middleton and I were warmly greeted by the secretary Karen Hollister who introduced herself to us. A quick tour of the premises followed. It was clear from

Cpl Squire, Cfn Middleton, Simon (Owner) and Bob

Bob showing Cfn Middleton how to use the press

the varied transmissions they had already started work on, from a newer ZF8HP auto transmission to Pinzgauer automatic gearbox, that this was a perfect place to learn how to carry out the strip and rebuild. The mandatory H&S brief was next and Cfn Middleton was ready to go. Karen introduced us to Bob Lees, he was our mentor for the day. He had a Land Rover gearbox ready for the day’s activities. Bob has been with Bristol Transmissions since 1984, he was a company man and an extremely good Teacher as we were about to find out throughout the day. Cfn Middleton got to work stripping down the gearbox under instruction from Bob. All throughout the process Bob would explain in detail, as each part was removed, how that part worked and how it linked with the rest of the gearbox as well as how it might get broken. Bob ensured Cfn Middleton understood the importance of the finer details; from making sure the exposed parts of the gearbox were all washed down, repainted and presentable so that the customer would have a professional product. From start to finish he took us through every little detail. Cfn Middleton was not there to watch though, he was in the thick of it and when things became tricky Bob was able to guide him along his way. From taking a bearing apart, to rebuilding gears and pressing them onto the shafts, sanding, washing or spray painting he did it all. Simon Park, the owner of Bristol Transmission, checked in on us during the day and was keen to get a better understanding on how we operated and what life is like in the REME. As the day came to a close, we thanked all that helped put the day together and presented Simon and his colleagues with a small gift from our Workshop. The amount of knowledge that was gained from the day far exceeded our expectations and all thanks to the selfless help from those at Bristol Transmissions. With new relations formed and with Simon and his team open to further training opportunities this has created an exciting relationship with one of the leading companies in The weeks work ready to go Cfn Middleton and Bob stripping the gearbox engineering.