johnwardle

As Levisham becomes Le Visham, a French village under German occupation, during the Pickering Wartime Weekend, it was probably built for that. However it must have been a lot of work and quite an expense, and where would they keep it? Is it owned by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway?

Have a look at this months Britain at War magazine, there is a very good article out this training model.

It's good to see the Allan Williams turret has been restored and replaced, the last time I was at Worbarrow Bay it was missing. On the walk from Tyneham to Warbarrow Bay there is a clump of bushes, before the moving target system, there seems to be something interesting in the bushes that look very much like a Comet! Does anyone know any more?

Yes all the Oshkosh HETs are owned & operated by a civilian company, I can't remember which as I didn't get their escort vehicle in any of the photos I took when they delivered the Challenger 2 to the Wiltshire Armed Forces & Veterans celebration. I did get a good photo of a copper on a push bike escorting the Oshkosh.

When my friend showed me these vehicles the owner was not at home, my friend has spoken to him earlier and he was quite amiable. This place is really in the back of beyond, you will need satnav to find it. There are 2 Commer Q4s, one marked up 'bomb disposal', 2 Saracens, 2 Ferrets, 2 Volvo Suggas, complete with bikes on the back, a Humber 1 ton truck & a strange bodied Land Rover, possibly a photo lab. The field opposite the house is very overgrown and there may be some other gems in there. Well worth following up.

I was shown these a couple of years ago by a friend of mine who lives in Cornwall, not too far from where these are kept, I remember the odd shortened front wings on the Ferret in the front (there was another behind the 2 Volvo Suggas). There were no sheets or gazebos covering the vehicles when I saw them, the white sheet is covering a Humber 1ton truck. I am surprised you didn't take any photos of the model ships & submarine that were near the house, or weren't they there anymore? This chap has a nice collection of vehicles, but unfortunately wasn't at home when we saw them. Next time we're in Cornwall we'll look him up.

It's looking good Lee, will you be bringing it to Lacock? I saw you & you dad at Trowbridge last weekend, but was too busy to come over and talk to you. Don't mention the mole!

This weekend 29th & 30th June, in The Town Park in Trowbridge Wiltshire. There will be 20 plus reenactment groups including The Garrison 4th Wilts MP8' and many more British, American, German, Russian & French re enactors from The Zulu war to the Gulf War. The Kings Royal Hussars are bringing a CHALLENGER 2 & a Scimitar, The School of. Infantry are bringing a Jackal & a R-WMIK. The Warminster Garrison Military Wives Choir will be performing on Saturday with many arena displays including a scaled down version of the Field. Gun Race with local cadet teams competing. On Sunday The Band of Her Majesties Royal Marines will lead a parade through town, which will be followed by a Drum Head Sevice and Beat Retreat. A veteran of the Arctic Convoys will be presented with his Arctic Star before the Drum Head Service. entry is FREE and parking charges have been suspended in most of the towns car parks. Anyone wishing to bring a military vehicle pleases enter the park off St Stevens Place by the Multi Storey Car Park.

I agree with Richard that this truck is an Austin FJ. According to the 1966 FVRDE catalogue it was fitted with a 5.7 litre 6 cylinder 4 stroke engine operating on the diesel cycle producing 105 bhp, and is suitable for multi fuel operation. This a very rare truck and should be saved.

Last Sunday a spitfire & eurofighter typhoon flew over together heading towards Warminster/ Salisbury plain, has anyone any idea what was happening?

Glad to see that he kept the bicycle headlamp brackets either side of the bonnet ( look closer at the photos) we had this jeep on the MVT stand at the classic car restoration show at Shepton Mallet a couple of years ago and it created a lot of interest.

That is definitely NOT a Land Rover. If you enlarge the photo it has a side valve engine & a cranked front axle, neither of which were ever fitted to Land Rovers, even the 2 wheel drive ones had a straight tube axles with swivel housings fitted at either end.

The Lady Penelope car was built on a 6 wheel Bedford bus chassis, I don't know what engine was in it, but it was rather big, I saw it on a transporter heading towards Coventry a couple of years ago

Hello Colin, the area secretary of Severnside MVT lives in Frampton Cotterel, why not contact him? His contact details are on the MVT website

I've got 11. Has anyone noticed the bush behind the chap with the pushbike? Am I the only one to think that there appears to be a pair of splayed legs pointing upwards?

A sneaky anti theft device for any petrol engined vehicle is to cut the low tension lead to the coil and wire in a hidden switch so that when the switch is in the off position the low tension feed is open circuit and the engine will not start. turn the switch on and it will start. Just remember to locate the switch where you won't accidentally knock it and spend ages trying to find out why it won't start

Thanks for posting a great photo of my Leyland Daf, you would never think that the L.D. Is as tall as a Scammell Explorer until you see them next to each other

I've just got back from Bovington, what a great show, thanks to Dorset MVT & the Tank Museum. I must plan the route a bit better next time, coming down the zig-zags to Cann Common in the Leyland Daf was a touch hairy to say the least!

I'll be there in the Leyland Daf, arriving Friday afternoon to make the most of it.

I was amazed at all those bronze cannons just sitting on concrete plinths with no fences, the pikeys would have them away in no time if they were over here!

It looks like they have added quite a few new exhibits since I visited 2 years ago, I must arrange another visit to the eldest son who lives in Vienna. Were the rows of bronze cannons still outside?

You could try one of the Pallet Couriers, as long as the pallets are no bigger than 4' x 3' or 1.2m x 1.0m you should be able to get them down to Dorset for sbout £50.00 + VAT each. All the delivery trucks have tail lifts & pallet trucks so off loading is no problem. Try to find a Pallet Courier near Withams to keep costs down.

I have seen Lees' Welbike replica, and very good it is too, what Lee doesn't say is that he is 14 years old and does all the work himself including the welding. just don't mention moles (at Lacock)

The organising comittee of West Wilts MVT would like to thank all the exhibitors, re-enactors & traders for making Lacock at War such a resounding success. the only complaint over the weekend was that there were not enough seats for the NAAFI! We would also like to thank the National Trust for all their help, the Red Lion for the beer tent & hog roast, the BBMF for superb fly pasts on both days.And most of all the paying public.

Of course we can fit your bike and family in, you will need an entry pass to park for free in the National Trust car park. Please contact me if you are coming and we will arrange one for you. Regards John