1.
C.U. SIGNBOARD 221 BASE VEHICLE DEPOT
2 ft

2.
L.S. CENTURION ON MOVE
8 ft

3.
C.U. CENTURION ON LOGS
21 ft

4.
MCU. OFFICERS WATCHING
23 ft

5.
M.S. TANK DIPPING GUN IN SALUTE
28 ft

6.
M.S. JOURNALISTS LOOKING AT TANK
31 ft

7.
C.U. OFFICER WITH MEGAPHONE
33 ft

8.
M.S. SMOKE EXHAUST
36 ft

9.
MLS. STEEL FRAME OF COCOON
38 ft

10.
C.U. WELDER
40 ft

11.
C.U. MAN ON ROOF
41 1/2 ft

12.
C.U. PAINTER
43 ft

13.
MLS. PAINTERS FINISHING
45 ft

14.
M.S. CROWD WATCHING
47 ft

15.
M.S. CENTURION IN HALF FINISHED COCOON
53 ft



Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: BRITAIN FAR EAST LAND FORCES RECENTLY DEMONSTRATED FOR THE FIRST TIME A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR THE PEACETIME PRESERVATION OF TANKS IN THE TROPICS. SIX CENTURION MEDIUM TANKS HAVE BEEN SEAT TO THE ROYAL ARMY ORDINANCE CORPS 221 BASE VEHICLE DEPOT FOR TRAILS UNDER THE NEW PROCESS POPULARLY KNOWN AS COCOONING. BUT CALLED BY THE ARMY PLASTIC SPRAT PACKAGING. THE IDEA IS TO KEEP THE TANKS IN A STORE THAT WILL CUT DOWN THE HUMIDITY AND THUS STOP RUSTING. THE TANKS WILL BE COCOONED FOR SIX MONTHS TO TEST THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PROCESS.

BEFORE BEING DRIVEN INTO A LIGHT STEEL FRAME, THE TANKS HAVE CYLINDER PRESERVATIVE BLOWN THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE AND WHEN THE ENGINE IS REVVED CLOUDS OF EXHAUST GASES SHOOT OUT.

THE STEEL FRAME IS COVERED WITH MOSQUITO NETTING WHICH IN TURN IS SPRAYED WITH PLASTIC FOLLOWED BY BITUMEN TO PRODUCE A SKIN THAT'S COMPLETELY WATERPROOF AND RESISTANT TO WATER VAPOUR.

WHEN THE EIGHT DAY PROCESS IS COMPLETE THE FIFTH TON TANK IS TOTALLY ENCLOSED IN WHAT AMOUNTS TO A SILVER PLASTIC GARAGE.

THE ARMY HOPES THAT THE TESTS WILL PROVE THAT TANKS CAN BE STORED INDEFINITELY YET BE AVAILABLE IN SERVICEABLE CONDITION WITHIN TWENTY FOUR HOURS IN AN EMERGENCY.

THEY HOPE TOO THAT THE NEW PROCESS WILL SAVE THOUSANDS OF POUNDS A YEAR IN NORMAL MAINTENANCE COSTS IN THE FAR EAST WHERE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS RUST PREVENTION.