3 minute read
QDG LAD – National Recovery Tow Show Visit
Scribe: Cfn Limehouse
On Wednesday 28th September 2022, 1st The Queens Dragoons Guards (QDG) LAD deployed to Telford International Centre to visit the National Recovery Tow Show. The purpose of the visit was to learn about the various recovery vehicles and techniques used by the professionals in the civilian recovery industry, to reflect upon what we learned so that we could implement and improve the techniques and procedures used within the QDG LAD.
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The event consisted of large halls filled with a huge variety of recovery equipment old and new, and multiple displays of vehicles being recovered utilising a variety of specialist recovery equipment and techniques used by civilian companies. The displays showed how different
‘a winch too far’
Slide back recovery vehicle demo The QDG LAD on the visit
lifting/recovery equipment and techniques were used depending on the size, weight and position of the stricken vehicle. There was also a demonstration on how multiple vehicles could be used simultaneously to right a vehicle that had been carrying hazardous goods and how coordination is key in the safe recovery of such vehicles.
The huge variety of recovery equipment on show was great to see but the biggest issue for use in a military environment was the lack of off-road capability (bar one vehicle). The SVR easily would hold its own against the equipment available off-road, with civilian slide-back recovery vehicles a cut above the SVR for ease of on-road recovery. The most
Window shopping
high-tech equipment we saw was the Electric Vehicle (EV) recovery system. Basically, a 50kw battery in a van, EV recovery is an interesting aspect to consider as the Army weighs up use of EVs in future.
There were many hands-on and engaging activities for people to take part in, including a recovery truck racing simulator, where everyone at the event had the opportunity to compete against each other racing remote control recovery trucks for a place in the final. Hundreds of people took part in the competition with the top ten being selected to take part in the final. Four of the top ten in the final were from the QDG LAD and resulted in 1st, the EME, Captain Selka, 2nd Cfn Hall and 3rd LCpl Blunt. The 1st place prize was a £100 voucher which was spent on a double J hook recovery strop which is now displayed in the LAD restroom, and a day’s civilian recovery training for four (Cfn Article to follow).
It was down to our Workshop Sergeant Major (WSM), SSgt Wright, and his work with “Driven to Extremes” that we were afforded this opportunity. Driven to Extremes, is part of Max Adventure which provides Overland Expeditions for Veterans suffering from PTSD and other mental health issues. With expeditions running across the globe, from -60°C in Siberia to +50°C in the Taklamakan Desert. Their latest rally took place in Oct 22 in the Sahara, re-tracing the original Paris Dakar Rally route.
In summary, this event was a good opportunity to learn from those in the civilian industry how they implement their different recovery equipment types and for us to adapt and improve our techniques in our job roles. This provided us with a visit to a unique, event while also allowing us to participate and socialise in team-based activities. This would be a recommended event to go to if you have an interest in vehicle towing and recovery.
You can’t park that there mate!
Finding out the fastest in the LAD
