Edd

I think if you are after a carrier, half track or armoured car then they have now become expensive enough that they are not first buys for people. But you can still buy things like Morris's, Bedford's, Scammell's etc... for a lot less money. We've got a few vehicles that have been bought over the last 6 or 7 years. Each one bought when we had the spare money to hand. If we decided that we wanted to go for a carrier or a tank we could sell all of the vehicles and get one. So the best advice I can give to anyone is buy something that will be fun and will take you to a few shows to start with. You will then make the friends and can build up the knowledge to go looking for whatever next step you want. In terms of prices dropping, I think the medium expensive stuff will probably drop but the really expensive stuff will probably stay at the level it is. You only have to look at how high the prices are in the classic car and steam world are to see that high prices can be sustained. Ed

I think that there are still a number of reasonably priced WW2 and 50's vehicles out there but you need to stay away from the most popular vehicles. Jeeps have always been popular and at the moment Scammell Explorer's are also very popular. Both have seen prices rise a lot. But I've seen things like Morris C8's and some of the Bedford's going for reasonable money. Rarer than a jeep and will still fit in a garage. I wonder if some of it is down to what people see on the rally field and in films. If you haven't seen a particular type of vehicle it probably isn't going to be on the shopping list. We do try and encourage people in to the vehicles. Taking time to chat to people at the shows and if they show interest going through the different options. Also letting people have a go if it is feasible. One of the biggest problems I have heard from people is not knowing where to look to buy a vehicle. Most people go to ebay and no further. Pointing people in the direction of this site and milweb helps a lot in encouraging them. Seeing the support that is available and the depth of knowledge. And I completely agree with Andy's comments about prices rising based on the last one to be advertised. Especially when something is put up for a lot of money then doesn't sell but the next seller bases their price on it. Ed

I think it has got more specific. I've seen some vehicles selling easily and others that look like good prices struggling to sell. In particular projects seem to be struggling to sell. I think people have less time on their hands and would prefer something finished so the gap in price between the two is getting bigger. But I think most importantly people are after specific vehicles. If they are going to invest a reasonable chunk of money in a vehicle, plus the cost of storage and maintenance, then they want a particular vehicle. Before someone who wanted a Morris might have bought a Bedford if it had come up for sale and then waited for a Morris. Now they are more likely to wait for the Morris to come up before spending their hard earned money. For instance recently a local guy approached me about Scammell's at one of the shows. Had a long chat and showed him over mine and he said he wanted a Pioneer. He particularly wanted a recovery. I did point out a very good tank transporter that was available but he was adamant he only wanted a recovery. We found him one that he snapped up immediately. So I think it is a case of waiting for the right buyer but the price may well be lower than a year ago. Ed

As we are starting to venture further afield we are looking at recovery insurance to cover the vehicles. The three vehicles we need to cover currently are Unipower (5.4 tons), Scammell Rigid 6 (8 tons) and a Kraz 255b (15 tons). All three having different storage locations etc... Does anyone know of a company that would cover the three under one policy? Don't mind if it is up to a combined call out limit or similar. I've tried Autohome but their policy is per vehicle. Thanks Ed

We don't tow a caravan with ours but yes it is legal to and you can modify a tow bar to suit. You need to make sure the tow bar and bracket you make up are strong enough for the job. I would think that a similar set-up to a Landrover Defender one would be a good starting point - vertical drop plate bolted to the rear cross member then a couple of braces coming from the bottom up diagonally to a further forward point on the chassis. Depending on the strength of the drop plate you might not need the diagonals. Dixon Bates do an off the shelf sprung hitch that will bolt on to their drop plate. HTH Ed

Hi, We are based around Gloucester and Cam. Currently we are restoring a Unipower (ex RAF), couple of Scammell's and there are a couple of 432's etc... based near us. At the moment we are doing relatively small jobs but will give you a shout when we are doing some bigger stuff. Also have multiple other vehicles to work on. Ed

We used MS Ellis to move one of our Scammell's last year. They were very good and used a winch equipped trailer with long ramps as we knew it wasn't the easiest of things to move. They are based on the A38 between Bristol and Gloucester. Ed

We have done them sandwich boards with each side have 4 or 5 A4 laminated sheets. I preferred this option as we can update and change individual ones as we go. Just need to find a suitable way of holding the sheets on. The sandwich board is made of two sheets of ply and then hinged at the top. With a strap to stop it opening too far. Ed

We tend to have double sided display boards. On one side general bits about the type of vehicle and manufacturer if it is an unusual one. Including some photos of them in action and the type of jobs they are used for. Then on the second side the specific history of the vehicle with restoration photos, inservice photos etc... depending on what you have. Also the often asked questions - things like weight, size, etc...... I do wish more people would do display boards. Any time we have them out a lot of people stop and read them. And tends to mean you get more in depth and interesting questions. Ed

There are a few NM's in the county. I think Alan Oxborough has one that he is currently refreshing. Also an ex-snow plough. I'm not sure if he is on here but I can put you in touch with him if you want. He also has a well known Diamond T. Cheers Ed

I think it was part of them closing the holes in the legislation for MOT exempt vehicles. I think they are still consulting on eliminating some more of the loop holes. It would be nice if the prices sky rocketed! But I think they will stay reasonable as they are big bits of kit to take out. It's just a case of finding someone who wants to sell one! Drop me a line when you are free and I can give you my brothers contact details. Ed

Hi Matt, We have a Kraz 255 that lives with my brother in Blackburn. He would be more than happy to show you over it and probably use it as an excuse to take it out! It is a superb machine but there are a few issues with them. The first is that if you import one you can no longer register it for road use. This is because they are over width and there is no longer an exemption for them to fit in. The ballast tractor one was removed last year. We know of at least one that was bought in to the country that the owner has been unable to register. He is using it as an off road toy so not a big problem. There are we think 4 Kraz 255's in the country that are road registered. Our one, the one owned by Paul of the Cold War Museum (on hmvf), a radio bodied one (again owner is on hmvf) and one that has been converted to a heavy winching vehicle. There may be other ones but we don't know of them. So in summary the first issue is finding a registered one. If you do and the size doesn't put you off then they are very solid and impressive machines. Hope that helps a bit. Let me know if you would like to see our one. Cheers Ed

Ransomes did a range of the crawlers specifically for industrial use. These included tipper ones, some fitted with winches and used by the railways. Also ones that were wheeled instead of tracked. So I would have thought it is highly possible that the RAF or other military arm used them. The RAF did have a number of Fordson tractors (normal and half track) so a ransomes might have fitted in similar job roles. Ed

They were entered by Wayne Meadows but still owned by the army. Ed

Superb job! Look forward to seeing it out and about. Ed

Thanks. Sounds like a good buy. I'll keep an eye out ebay for a reel, I've got two Pioneers to do so a big reel would be good. Cheers Ed

That sounds very reasonable. On another supply question where did you get the winch rope from? I need to get a reel for mine at some point. And good to see that the amazon has gone to a good home. Ed

Would you have by any chance bought the one in the Keeley sale? Whereabouts are you located? I haven't got any spare parts currently but more than happy for you to have a look over mine and take measurements etc... I can probably also loan you some parts to copy. Cheers Ed

It was a good day out. Lots of people there. Prices ranged from very cheap to expensive and everything in between! Ed

Diamond T sold for £2200. Prices were all over the place. Some stuff went for peanuts some for a fortune. I think the T was about right as it needs a lot of work. But the much nicer (condition wise) Pioneer recovery only got to £1800. Ed

Superb! Look forward to seeing it. Cheers Ed

It seems to be very cumbersome and long winded if you want to enter more than 1 or 2 vehicles. Started doing it but I've got 11 to enter and couldn't see an easy way of doing it. Ed

It's worth trying Walker Midgley, they do liability insurance for stuff you have machined in your own workshop, steam engines, workshops and all sorts. And they are very helpful, they may do something suitable. Cheers Ed

So far as I remember to get the showman's exemption you have to earn over half of your leaving from fairs etc..... In fact it's probably a higher percentage. Also I think you need to be a member of the showman's guild. Better off keeping it all legal and straightforward and go the C+E route. Ed

I know of a very good welder who is based in Whitminster (up the A38/M5 from Bristol). He's done a few bits of welding for us and he is very reasonable as well as being very good. He's not full time so can be a wait before he can do it. Can pass on his details to you if you are interested. He also knows Landrover's. Cheers Ed