At the exploding of a thunder flash the gun is raced from the start position

down the side of the arena and manhandled over a five-foot wall.

Men and equipment pour over; within seconds, wooden spars weighing

170lb are erected and wires rigged across the 28 foot chasm.

Whilst the gun and limber are rapidly dismantled, the first men are hauled

across, some carrying 120lb wheels over their shoulders. The gun carriage and

gun barrel follow; the gun barrel, which weighs 900lb, is dropped into it’s

carriage as it was a toy. The remainder of the crew, wheels and limber are pulled

over and, having raced through the opening in the second wall, which is too

narrow for the gun and limber to pass through with wheels on, the crew

engages the enemy with three rounds.

The Run Back
( Average time 1 minute )

Photo courtesy of Don Oliver

A bugle call “Retire” is sounded. All the men and gear have to be withdrawn over

the wall and back across the chasm. The combined weight of the gun barrel and

gun carriage is 1,250lbs and it goes over in one piece!! The steel wire over the

chasm is tested to some 12 tons and it sags each time these heavy awkward

shapes are hauled over. As soon as the last man of the crew, nicknamed the

“Flying Angel”, is across the chasm, the rig is collapsed and three rounds

are fired in a rearguard action.

Photo courtesy of Paul McCabe

The Run Home
( Average time 21 seconds )

Photo courtesy of Mick Holdsworth

At the sound of the “G” on the bugle the Gun and Limber are taken

through the Home Wall, re-assembled and raced over the finishing line.

Photo courtesy of Anon

On completion of the run the times for all three phases are added together to give a

 “Running Time”.

However penalties are awarded against crews if the drill is not carried out

correctly and these still have to be taken into account.