Armoured Corps in New Zealand DPR/TV/290

Beneath New Zealand's snow capped Mount Ruapeuhu members of the 1st Armoured Regiment, RAAC training at Waiouru camp with 1 Armoured Squadron (Queen Alexandra's) New Zealand Army. The Australian troops are taking part in Exercise Tasman IV. Waiouru camp is situated in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. The troopers are training on the American M-41 tank, which is known as the 'Walker Bulldog'. The training is consisting of a conversion course of mechanical knowledge and driver instruction. The Australian troopers are familiar in the handling of the British Centurion tank, also in the use in the New Zealand Armoured Corps. The troopers were shown through the New Zealand Armoured Workshops and saw a M-41 fully broken down awaiting assembly, as well as the reconditioning of the M-41 'Continental' engine. During the exercise the Australian troops will be training in tussock grass in the Makiokio valley just below the great snow covered slopes of Mt Ruapeuha.