Almost as soon as the war in Ukraine began we started to see evidence of Molotov Cocktail manufacture. In this video we'll examine the scale of manufacture, how social media is playing its part, evidence of their use and discuss some historical context of this classic improvised weapon. Be sure t...

L21A1 .50 Calibre Machine Gun - 1960s Illustrated Spares List

We’ve previously looked at Ukrainian troops training with the British L85A2 and Chinese Type 56s AK-pattern rifles. In June, the first images of Ukrainian troops training with G36s emerged, shared by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video ...

In this final video of the Rhineland Campaign Weapons series we take a look at the little known role of the British and Commonwealth forces' Vickers Guns. With the help of the @vickersmg we recreated a platoon line consisting of 4 Vickers Guns to recreate the Pepperpot tactics used during Opera...

In this video we take a look at an original 1970s brochure for an Oerlikon 20mm cannon! Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - https://armourersbench.com/2021/06/09/so-you-want-to-buy-an-oerlikon/ If you enjoy our work please consider supporting us via Patreon, TAB is...

The war in Ukraine has now been raging for over two weeks. One weapon has become synonymous with Ukraine's resistance to Russia's invasion - Javelin. In this video we'll look at the Javelin ATGM's design, history and its use in Ukraine. Intro - 0:00 What Is Javelin - 0:47 History - 2:58 How Capab...

On 7 November, Alexander Borodai, the former leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic now a member of the Russian Duma for the separatist region, was seen in a video showing a near miss with a French HPD 2A2 anti-vehicle mine. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this ...

The PTKM-1R is a sophisticated top-attack mine which is arguably Russia’s most advanced anti-tank mine. It has been seen in Ukraine several times since April, with one recently captured in its transit chest near Kharkiv. In this video we take a look at how the mines work and at the imagery of the...

In this video we'll use some brilliant newsreel footage from New Zealand to examine how the Mills Bomb (or No.36 Grenade) was manufactured during the war. We also take a look at the design and history of the No.36 which served for over 50 years. Disclaimer: This video doesn't give any instruction...

In this video we dive into another item from the TAB Reference Collection. An article taken from a 1955 edition of the Illustrated London News which looks at the British Army's newest anti-tank weapon - The B.A.T Gun! The L2 B.A.T Gun was a recoilless rifle developed to replace the heavier 17pdr ...

This week marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Imjin River, the Korean War battle perhaps most closely associated with the UK's involvement in the conflict. Sadly, Korea remains a largely forgotten war and only one film has ever been made about the British Army’s experience 1956’s 'A H...

Back in July we looked at polymer belt links developed for PK series machine guns made by a Ukrainian company, the Kharkiv Plant of Personal Protection / RAROG. Now we have some more clips and information on their current projects. Check out the earlier video here: https://youtu.be/WQnaTrLROCE Be...

A couple of months ago I visited the UK’s National Army Museum in London. They currently have an exhibition exploring the history of the British Army in Germany since 1945. Titled 'Foe to Friend' it explored the British Army’s post-war experience in Germany first as an occupier and then as a NATO...

In January the first sign of M16A4s being issued in Ukraine came when the newly raised 47th Brigade posted several videos showing troops armed with them. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - https://armourersbench.com/2023/01/29/m16a4s-in-ukraine/ If you enjoy our w...

On Monday [17 Jan 2022] it was announced that the UK would send Ukraine several shipments of light anti-armour weapons. The weapons were taken from the British Army's stock of NLAW or Next Generation Anti-Tank Weapon. In this video we'll take a look at the situation that led to the shipments and ...

In this video we look at extracts for an early Second World War contract signed by Britain with a US ammunition manufacturer for the production of .303 ammunition. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - https://armourersbench.com/2022/10/16/ww2-anglo-american-ammuniti...

This month marks the 30th anniversary of what the British Army called Operation Granby, better known as Desert Storm or the Gulf War. So I thought taking a look at a Recognition Guide to Iraqi Ground Forces that was produced by the Joint Air Reconnaissance Intelligence Centre (JARIC) and issued d...

In August I had the opportunity to visit the National Army Museum in London and take a look around some of their current exhibitions. One of these was one titled “West Indian Soldier”. The museum described it as a special exhibition to explore the role of West Indian soldiers in the British Army ...

In this video we're examining some rare footage of a Covenanter Bridgelayer! Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - https://armourersbench.com/2021/06/20/the-covenanter-bridgelayer/ If you enjoy our work please consider supporting us via Patreon, TAB is a viewer suppo...

Footage of Brimstone anti-armour missiles being launched in Ukraine surfaced for the first time on 12 May. In this video we look at what the missile is capable of, how they came to be in Ukraine and how they have been deployed. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - h...

This copy or clone of a Sterling Mk4 / L2A3 submachine gun is believed to have been assembled during The Troubles by Loyalist paramilitaries. Although which group made it is unknown and its origins are unclear, it's a fascinating example of clandestine engineering which shows considerable skill i...

Over the past few months there have been a number of sightings of a relatively rare FN MAG variant in the field in Ukraine. The KSP-58B has been seen in use with Ukrainian Armed forces since September, in this video we take a brief look at the KSP-58B's features, history and look at who transferr...

On the 14th May 1940, the British Government announced the formation of the Local Defence Volunteers (later the Home Guard). But with few weapons available to equip the new militia force some units improvised! A Hampshire Home Guard unit appear to have improvised a remarkable and innovative incen...

Designed to combat the threat of Frogmen/Combat Divers, the DP-64 is a niche-role 45mm grenade launcher. In March it was featured in a Russian news report filmed somewhere in the region of the Kakhovka Reservoir. Be sure to check out our accompanying article for this video here - https://armourer...