GoranWC51

The GMC CCKW 353 was probably an early closed cab one with a replacement open cab. Seems expensive with 13.500€ even if it was restored. Now every one with a GMC CCKW 353/352 for sale will want 13.500€/PLUS for theirs, regardless if they're complete and/or restored..... Goran N

For us who are not as well informed: What was the dispute about? Has this been covered elsewhere? Goran N

Not a far fetched idea, actually. There's work going on in different parts of the world to construct vehicles, tracked and otherwise, for us who are unable to walk about much. Good luck with finding a mobility scooter for your dad. I have scooters for sale, but I'm situated in Sweden and the transport cost to the UK is prohibitive. Goran N

"but was it supposedly adopted by all vehicles of all the Allies except the Soviets?..." The answer to that is: no. The only other allied unit NOT using the five pointed star (to my knowledge), with and without a ring around it, was the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, which landed in Italy in the fall/autumn of 1944. All their army vehicles sported the "Cruzeiro Do Sul" marking, five small stars in a cluster, with a ring (broken in four places: north,south,west and east) around them. The stars origin was from the Brazilian national flag. The Brazilian air force units in Italy had their own, very special, star marking as well. Brazil was the first South American country to declare war on Germany, as early as August 1942, due to German submarines sinking a lot of civilian ships with loss of life. In August of 1944 the first units of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force landed in Italy. They arrived with Brazilian uniforms, its design inspired by French army (they also had the French "Adrian" helmets). They were re-supplied with US arms and most of their uniform items and received US vehicles, etc. The heaviest vehicle the FEB (Forca Expedicionaria Brasileira-FEB) used was the Ford M8 Greyhound. The Brazilian Expeditionary Force or BEF/FEB was a force about 25,700 men and women arranged by the Army and Air Force to fight alongside the Allied forces in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II. Brazil was the only South American country to send troops to fight in the Second World War. The FEB was placed under the command of General Clark's 5th army. The FEB received extensive training by the US 10th Mountain Division. This air-land force fought in Italy from September 1944 to May 1945, while the Brazilian Navy as well as the Air Force also acted in the Atlantic Ocean from the middle of 1942 until the end of war. During the eight months of the Italian campaign, the Brazilian Expeditionary Force managed to take 20,573 Axis prisoners, consisting of two generals, 892 officers and 19,679 other ranks. During the War, Brazil lost 948 of its own men killed in action across all three services during the Italian campaign. We're planning a homage to the FEB in June 2012 when we will be driving from Holland (Best) to the battlefields around the Gothic Line, called "To The Gothic Line And Back". Interested parties can contact me on goran_noren[at]yahoo[dot]com. A website is in the planning stages. Goran N

" Personally I would always buy a winch truck, rather than a plain front, but I'm sure others here would have exactly the opposite opinion." - I'm one of those who think differently =) The non winch Dodge WC is not as heavy to maneuver in confined spaces, and it's short enough to fit, lengthwise, in most modern garages. The winch weighs a "ton" and how often do you need a winch anyway...? The non winch WC's used to be slightly cheaper to purchase, until people realized that it had other advantages. Goran N

A link to the auction site would he helpful. Thnkx Goran N

The C15 was used post war by both Denmark and Norway. Tomas Terrang Surplus Center in Gothenburg, Sweden, had one, a bit the worse for wear, for sale a number of years ago. That one was missing a number of parts, engine/gearbox for example. But they did have me mechanical parts from the regular GMC CCKW, the 270 engine for one, so not impossible to find parts for. Goran N

This is a late model Dodge WC51 ambulance (note the red cross marking on the side of the rear body) belonging to the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (Força Expedicionária Brasileira-FEB) hospitaL unit. Photo was probably taken at the FEB hospital outside of Livorno, Italy. My WC51 had this marking before it was shipped down to Holland for restoration. I still have to decide for a marking once it's done. But it will be of the FEB, that's for sure. Goran N

I did a quickie job, really. Removed the caravans in the background in the right hand side of the picture, removed the folding camping chairs and the butane gas flask beneath the trailer. Tweaked contrast and colours a bit, turned it into B&W, added the Signal Corps logo and added the numbers in the RH corner. Added a frame, made to look like old tape stains, and a few scratches. Presto! I do this for a living too, apart from being a photographer. I do the whole thing, from taking the photograph to delivering the finished photo. Usually I restore old family photo's that been hit by the ravages of time, with scratches, spots, fading, etc. But going the other way around, turning a modern digital colour photo into a 1940's look-alike is something I enjoy doing. A large format print, with the underlying job of removing artifacts from the image etc., costs from 15£-30£ for a print in A4 (21x29,7 cm / 8,27 x 11,69 inches) glossy/semi glossy or matte. A print on canvas add 15%.A3 (297×420 cm = 11,69x16,54 inches) and A3+ (33 x 44 cm = 12,99 x 17,32 inches) 30£-50£. A print on canvas add 15%. Prices are aproximate and covers cost of 30 minutes retouching work. Intricate and involved work costs more. Removing cars and people from a messy background may take hours. Goran N

Congratulations Joris! My "little" one turns 13 tomorrow. He'll be asking permission to drive the Dodge WC51 anytime soon..... Goran N

I worked my Photoshop magic, Howard. Hope you like it. Goran N

Hi Howard, I managed, just by chance, to find a photo of exactly the same unit from WW2! (hehe) Looking good. I wish I had a similar setup to keep dry and warm during rallies. Goran N

Replica Small Wall Tent for 399£: http://www.zib-militaria.de/US-small-wall-tent-WWII Goran N

Hi Trevelyan, I'd go for a "Tent, Small Wall" Pathfinders web page: http://www.pathfinderdistribution.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=50&category_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=64 Extract from the Pathfinders web page: Small Wall Tent. WW2 USA officers tent or for two junior officers when in the field. When necessary, this tent may also be used as a small storage tent. Rows upon rows would be seen at military camps and these temporary camps were nick named tent city or company streets. Benefits: Made from 13oz Waxed Duck canvas – identical to the originals. Hard wearing, waterproof, quick to dry. Side walls can be rolled up – identical to the originals. Easy ventilation and can be turned into a storage shelter… Jointed poles – for ease of use. Can fit in to the back of a family car or Jeep. Hand cleft pegs – identical to the originals. Superior pegs that will hold your tent hard to the ground… Manila guy ropes – identical to the originals. Will not rot or mould like sisal rope, Hand spliced for total strength. Characteristics: This tent is 8’ 10” wide, 9’ 2” long and 8’ high. The floor space is approximately 80 sq feet. The top, side walls, and all reinforcements are made of 12.29-ounce duck and the sod cloth is made of 9.85-ounce duck. This tent has a ridge height of 8' and a wall height of 3’ 3”. There are two stovepipe openings built into the tent, one at each end. This allows you to use the M1941 stove at either end. The tent can be ventilated by rolling up the side walls. Improves your display. Attracts the opposite sex… The specifications of the Small Wall Tent: Qty 2 – 2.4m upright poles Qty 1 – 2.7m ridge pole Qty 10 - 9" pegs Qty 10 - 13" pegs Price, around 500 £. Originals can be found off Ebay and other sources, but prices for originals have risen. You can easily put the tent and auxiliaries in the back of a Dodge WC, or in a 1/4t Jeep trailer. Other tents are the CP tent and the M1934 Pyramidal Tent (see pic's) Good luck, Goran N

I bought it not too long ago. A cracking book on a quite specialized subject. We're considering having replica sun compasses made and this book is a treasure trove of info for us. Goran N

I thought we could have a thread with anything connected to the special forces, such as SAS, LRDG and PPA. Photographs of vehicles, uniform items, anything really. I'll kick off with some photo's of different PPA Jeeps: Goran N

Hi and welcome here. I'm also very interested in the special forces. I'm a member of the "Friends of Popski's Private Army" in the UK. Great group who honor the guys of the PPA. Their website: http://www.popski.org I am also interested in the LRDG and SAS/SBS, of course. To attach a photo; scroll down to "Attachments" and download you picture there.' Goran N

One of my favorite pictures. Loads of extra stuff added by the driver/co driver. G.I.'s were very resourceful =) Goran N

They also stick out quite a bit in the rear. It's a handy piece of kit of you want to help your mate lift out an engine of his Jeep (seen it done at a show). Goran N

Can't help but remembering the Humber Scout Car that someone dug up a number of years ago. It had only the front body work left and the frame broke in half when they lifted it out of the hole. It's been lovingly restored and is now for sale?? Anything made of metal that's been underground for 60 years+ is due to have corroded badly. Goran N

I'm afraid paint batches do differ, sometimes quite substantially. Best bet is to get a sample taken from parts that you already have painted and let a paint shop match that. This is why it's best to order enough paint to last for the whole vehicle, and have some left afterwards.... I'm sorry, Goran N

Welcome, I'm so glad that LST 325 was saved and restored for future generations to see. The LST's were quite extraordinary vessels, built for just one purpose. I have to plan a visit to her next time go to the US on holiday. Goran N

Welcome Jarek. Can you tell us about any future models you're working on? 1:35? Goran N

- Och Dodge WC-fantasten från Lidingö! Skall vi starta en tråd bara för oss svenskar? Så förstår de engelsktalande här inte ett jota, hehehe Goran N

Välkommen hit Alan, Kul att ha en jämnårig här (Fun to have someone my age here) Blev 60 den 2 januari (Turned 60 Jan 2nd) Are you a member of the MFHF (Militär Fordons Historiska Föreningen)? I helped start that club in 1981. I live on the island of Lidingö. Göran N