Phil P

Tony B. Just having a read through this one about leaf sorings and spotted your question about washers. I thought is this a chance to sell one of our £250K inline machines and then realised it must be one of the Polo mint shaped washers. Could it be using hardened washers under head bolts and nuts to stop them squashing and backing off the torque load under use? If so that's the answer..er if you know what I mean. I did the original posting on the WW2 Dodge Forum about 12 months (?) ago. Hardened washers do exist even though some folks tell you different!

The 6 volt units work fine with an impressive jump in performance on Jimmies and that lump ain't far off a Bedford. I've done 2500 miles in my 1942 Dodge WC 51 since fitting one and it's superb. It has been converted to 12 volt. I have to admit when I took the unit out of the box I thought Hmmm I've just been ripped off. Half an hour and I e mailed Frank Jolley to say the performance was brilliant since fitting it. On the Dodge I set the advance at 7 degrees before TDC and the plugs (NGK B6BS) at 50 thou'. It was all set up on a Crypton Tuner in our workshop. The immissions were not far off a modern car and the idle can be turned down to 250 RPM!! Floor the throttle and the pick up is instant. The 'Dodge cough' is a thing of the past. Fuel consumption on a 75 mile run was 16mpg at 45 MPH. Even the transmission is quiter (not a lot) because the engine runs smoother so it isn't shaking the guts out the gearbox. I am a 100% convert. We have a couple of j**p owners and a Jimmy that want them fitting and setting up on the Crypton. It does just what it say's on the box. Just like Ronseal and cyanide! I should be on commission for this. Phil P.

The Funeral for Pete Base will take place on Monday 29th September at 12-15 pm St Bedes Church Kings Heath. The vehicle convoy leaving Pete's home at 12-00 noon. From St Bedes Church the Convoy of 7 WW2 vehicles and reenactors will travel to Lodge Hill Crematorium for 2-00pm. The convoy will be lead by a Military Police marked jeep. Military uniforms would be nice but wear civilian if you prefer. This is just to show a really great guy our 100% respect. The thoughts of everyone in this MVT area are with Sue and family at this sad time. May I offer a big thank you to all those who have posted and their kind words and to Steve (Chappers) Chaplin you deserve the highest praise for your efforts. Phil Palmer Chairman, Birmingham & West Midlands Area MVT.

When I was 17 and an apprentice I used to go for a cycle ride at lunchine with a lad who worked in the stores. His name was Neville Holder. If it was raining he used to practice on a guitar. He played in a group called th 'N Betweens. His knickname was Noddy. I wonder what happened to him.

Is there nothing that this country won't try to flog. What will they do with the money? chuck it up the wall on some barmy idea or another. Certainly nothing useful. Are, just thought, it will fund the consultation paper on what to with the money raised. Whilst we are at it why not get shut of Stonehenge it is in a poor state, or Buckingham Palace after all it's a big house for a couple of pensioners and the kids have got there own homes. Oh and then there's............ If you ever fancied visiting a third World country soon you won't have to travel, you can stay at home...assuming it hasn't been repossessed!

Tyre Foam made by Armorall ? It comes in a big orange and black can and is sold in Halfords. One can cleans up 6-1400x20 bar treads with some to spare. I wiped the loose crud off the tyres first and then sprayed it on. Tread as well. Shake the can well. I did the ones on the Hippo and they look the dogs! I did both sides on the front. Nothing looks worse than front tyres that are clean on the outside and light grey on the inside. It contains a rubber preservative to protect the rubber from ultra violet rays if the sun ever appears and stops mould growth if it doesn't. I have used tyre paint and have a 5 gallon can of it but it does give the tyres a bit of an Arthur Dayley car lot look. I know I did the tyres on my Dodge and it looked like 'Pimp my Dodge' when it dried. The wheels looked like plastic and the brush marks were an embarassment.

Brilliant ad, 'er indoors raves about it.(sad) I think that an advert for Johnsons Polish in the 70's (?) was longer. Remember it? "Johnson's are the polishes for furniture and floors, there're so easy ...shine so easy etc." The Hovis ad is far better quality there's more thought gone in to it. Rlangham are you carrying a rifle as well as being in khaki?, if so I spotted you on freeze frame.

I have just checked out the U tube video. That has to be the finest tribute to a friend I have ever seen. I defy anyone to see it with a dry eye. Steve Chaplin you are a true Buddy.

The Birmingham & West Midlands Area MVT has lost a true friend and gentleman. Peter ,or 'Little Pete' as most of us knew him, never failed to greet folks with a big smile and a hand shake. An active member of the BWMA MVT and re enactment groups we are all the poorer for his passing. All those I have contacted have been shocked and saddened by the news. One reply was common to all. 'How very very sad, he was such a lovely bloke.' That perfectly describes Peter. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. It was an honour to have known you Pete and call you a friend. Phil Palmer Chairman, Birmingham & West Midlands Area Military Vehicle Trust on behalf of all the areas members. Please view the link to photo's posted by Steve Chaplin. Thank's Steve.

Not quite on BBC News but Sunday 7th September 2008 I was out cleaning the play things at 16-15 when I heard this strange sound, though vaguely familiar. Was it the Police helicopter or air ambulance both of which 'buzz' the workshop? No, in the distance and flying directly at me across the field was a dark bat shaped object. Hairs stud up on the back of my neck. It was the Vulcan. Hellfire it was low and I mean low. 500 feet at most. When the shadow of an aircraft passes across the ground it is low. it crossed the M54/M6 junction 10A near us and off towards Brownhills. What a sight. Jees the hairs are up again just recalling it. Good to see the 'Big tin triangle' flying again. Well done to all those involved. I know one of the team is from Wednesbury and was a Vulcan guy in the RAF.

Hi 2agunship. The Midlands is a big area. Roughly how Midland. The best MVT areas are in the Midlands. Birmingham West Midlands is outstanding. Phil P

Now I know who I waved to. Phil P

I am Victor Meldrew!!! I do B*****y believe it even if I say I don't. All part of life's rich tapestry? More like travesty! I don't believe in holes in the ozone thats just some tosh by politicians to get you to take your off their antics in other areas. Global warming is just the green house effect with a spin. If you think it is warming up then how come the Romans had vineyards as far north as Peterborough. Professors at university's write reports supporting governments because that's where their funding comes from. You don't **** on your own dinner!! Must go that damm Warbouys womans turned up again to scrounge a lift and Margaret hasn't finished cooking my dinner. Regards Victor aka Phil P

I don't know how many are aware that the MVT has some high ranking officers in it's ranks. Thanks to the combined efforts of Simon Bromley and Preston Isaacs the previous attempt was rewritten. I know that the MVT have been in consultation with the Home Office over this matter when the Home Secretary made the remark in a speech. It is already known that it is easier to turn a BB gun into a 'live firer' than any of the de acts. In the original white paper even armoured vehicles guns would have been illegal. One of the problems with Knee jerk reactions they cover to many things. I don't have any de acts but I would uphold the right of genuine re enactors to have one. Phil P

Tony the Dodge canvas was 10 years old. I steam cleaned it first and when it was dry did the Weathersheild treatment. It was going dry and stiff and I thought well kill or cure and it was the latter. Like I always say I only post what I have tried with success. It even softened the leather straps. Phil P

Yep Thomsons Weathersheild is the dogs. Doesn't change the colour unlike one of the tent proofers I bought that cost 4 times as much!! I did the Dodge canvas with it and it improved the gallonage down my neck a hundred fold. New canvas shouldn't leak but it never hurts to give it a splosh over. Don't spray it on it water proofs things and I don't think waterproof lungs work so good. "I'm an engineer Jim not a Doctor." Phil P

Superb pics chevpol number 23 was possibly the best or am I biased. We arrived late Saturday. Started out in beautiful sunshine and ran into the rain just before Telford on M54. Shame for Shropshire Border Counties guys and gals because the always put on a good show. The power cut on Saturday night meant we got off our legs by candle light! hic. Sunday was overcast to start with but around lunch time it became a summers day. Nice to meet Degsy and put a face to a posting. The Hippo ran like a dream on it's 'new' tyres. 120 mile round trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. Shame the weather forecast kept so many away. What ever happened to the hardy MVT members who turned out hail, rain or sunshine. Well done Shropshire Border Counties MVT. Book us in for next year. Phil P

Hi Clive. Just spoken to Peter Slater. (1-00pm 14-8-08) He said don't worry about the date send the form in anyway. So far over fifty vehicles entered from soft skins to tracked armour and 4 stalls. He expects to be approaching 70 vehicles by the show date. Sadly I can't go as 'er in doors is having a hip replacement on the 21st August and even I'm not that brave! Next year it should be back to the old formula but without the clowns from Haymarket running it. Yes fuel costs are horrendous. I did a quick calculation to see how much the Hippo had cost me over 25 years. That included insurance, fuel, oil etc and storage plus tyres and general parts maintenance. I wish I hadn't. £41,800-00!!!!! In 2005 I won the Wilkinson sword. It would have been cheaper to buy several. The cheapest part was buying the Hippo itself for £200-00 as scrap in 1983. I do average 2300 miles a year with it. Phil P.

Clive if you want to send me an e mail then I can e mail one back as I have one that Peter Slater e mailed me. Sorry I have only just spotted your posting. Phil P

Had an e mail tonight from Pip Robinson SBC Area MVT. There's 40's 50's & 60's music in the hall but no bar so take your own brain anesthetic.

I was told a wipe with grease on assembly was ok and to use graphite type grease. CopperSlip is for assembly of NONE moving parts. ie nuts, bolts, gears and pulleys onto electric motor output shafts etc. NEVER use it on sliding surfaces like leaves in springs and shafts in plain bearings. It acts as a mild abrasive. CopperSlip contains basically copper filings albiet 'hyper' minute. Use it on anything fixed you need to disassemble. The company I attend builds huge inline washing machines. They always had problems stripping hollow shaft gear boxes off stainless steel shafts. I suggested CopperSlip on the shafts and now we don't have a problem inspite of some very aggresive detergents and 80c tempretures the CopperSlip stays put. Get it on your overalls. It's a friend for life! Leyland suggest painting C600 oil which is now EP140 on the springs in the workshop manual for the Hippo. The other advantage of using CopperSlip on our machines is I've always got some. Lithium based grease is a good assembly grease on none moving parts. We use that as well now. I've always..... Phil P

We should arrive sometime on Saturday afternoon. You can't miss the Hippo it's got 6 wheels. I hope the ground isn't muddy I've used 2 cans of tyre foam! Anyway one doesn't do off roading. We're British. We leave that to the J**ps. Phil P.

Hi Degsy. Yes we will be at War Wheels. The Hippo will be there on 'new' rubber. Just wrestled the last one on tonight. On my own I should add!! The Hippo is in it's 25th year of preservation and still is as much fun to drive now as 25 years ago. My daughter might take the WC51 aka the 'Grey 'un' (US Navy) depends on what she is doing. She used to travel in a baby seat when I first restored the Hippo. Eeh it meks me feel old to see her drive the Dodge. Mind you I am .... See you there. Phil P and 'er indoors.

An American Holt. Hmm. But the steering wheel's on the right. Well ya' live and learn. Phil P

Hmmm. I've searched through a few of my books because that picture has appeared before in various publications. At the risk of ridicule (I'm to old to care anyway!!) I think it is a WWI Avellin Porter gun tractor but I am probably wrong. Come on Tony B you're a WWI man, er not by age I should quickly add. You should know this. Steam traction engines were used in the Boer War for hauling field artillery but I think workable tracks for military use came slightly later. If only I could find my referance book. Fowler built some huge steam traction engines that could pull a trenching plough big enough to produce a trench 5 feet deep by 5 feet wide in one go!!! Phil P