Great War truck

After drilling the holes from the Brass Plates “Jigs” in the two tanks, the next job was to locate and temporarily attach the Radiator side castings – these will be needed there to identify the correct final spacing between the two brass plates when the soldering stage is reached. A couple of the Gills were slipped on to one tube and inserted into the lower brass plate, just as a trial just to ensure that all spacing and clearances were satisfactory.

With the Scuttle mounted and out of the way, we then turned to the Radiator. The Brass Plates were used as templates to drill clearance holes for the bolts in both tanks and also some tapping holes for studs in the bottom tank. The top tank was a most awkward thing to hold but a simple wooden stand made up for that job helped considerably

The first thing that we wanted to do, this time was to mount the Scuttle but with the unavoidable absence of Tim, we enlisted the help of our willing neighbour, Rick who was pleased to supply the extra pair of hands that were required for this exercise! The scuttle was lifted into position and we were very pleased to find that the holes for the securing bolts in the scuttle lined up beautifully with the existing holes for them in the chassis – bear in mind that the scuttle came from a different chassis altogether and that these two assemblies had never been together before. However, we found that the Scuttle was sitting a 1/2” too low and that packing blocks were needed to get it up to the correct height. Some hard wood was cut and planed and two pieces of that inserted did the job. It did occur to us as soon as this was done – and now knowing the way and method that Thornycroft worked all those years ago, it was probably originally erected with similar packing blocks inserted when it was first assembled.

I liked that one as well. I don't actually think that it was in the run as I did not see it at the end and it drove past Madeira Drive along with a couple of others.

It was a great day out and met many old friends. Here are a few images of things that caught my eye:

I think you are right. It is a SUCOE. I am sure if you looked at the hubs they will have Four Wheel Drive Auto Corp on them.

Steve pulled the pump to bits and found that it was full of swarf. The grub screws in the collar were both loose and it had moved about 1/2”. Now we are thinking of the best way to secure the collar as both grub screws were loose. Any suggestions would be welcome. Interestingly, the shaft that we copied has a groove machined in it at this position which we didn’t notice before.

Painting completed and now ready for final erection on the chassis – and the arrival of the “Heavy Gang” from Leicester and Oxford to do it!

As usual, the metal parts were given two coats of Bonda Primer, two coats of undercoat and two coats of the finished matt colour.

On posting No. 2104 dated the 29th March, we showed some pictures of the Scuttle - as discovered – this has now been stripped down and separated from the constituent parts that were still attached to it – and sand blasted. The large “U” shape Bonnet Rest that is attached to the Scuttle is not directly attached to the Scuttle face to face but there are four shaped wooden parts that go between the two. As always, we like to use original parts as far as possible and whilst it would be easy to replace the four with modern wood, we cleaned up the original parts, filled the worst of the dips and hollows as they were inclined to be just a little sad but that they will now live to fight again!

Ians carpenter friend has started work on the seat box. I think he got to this stage in about 2 days. Looks like a great bit of work: Although not quite finished it is incredibly heavy (not surprisingly really).

The end result. Looks rather good I think.

Ian’s Liberty was unusual as it still had the switch panel in place and which was mostly complete. However, one of the switches was disintegrating. Using the surviving switch as a pattern a friend had a go at making one using a 3D printer. Unfortunately, they ran out of black ink, but I imagine it can be painted: It does show what can be done with 3D printing though.

Is the AML ex Argentinian?

Very good Tony. The guide at the Big Pit said he was a leek cruncher and had to be corrected. He didn't believe he was wrong, checked it on the web and came back to apologise.

Dad went there with his good friend Jones the mechanic and stirred up a disagreement. A question for all of you Welsh fellows (and without looking it up) where was Sir Humphrey Davy from?

I quite agree that the quality and variety of French military vehicle and history magazines (and books) is far superior to those in the UK. Really wish I spent more effort learning French in school. They can be quite expensive too, but the fact that I am happy to spend £10 on a magazine I struggle to understand says something (probably that I am daft or have more money than sense perhaps).

I have no idea. Take more photos of it and we can all have another go.

What me? I have not really thought about it. But I think you are right in saying that it is probably a four cylinder.

That is very helpful. I will let the owner know. Thanks Tim

That is great Richard. Thanks. Might there be a card for this one showing where it served or do only those used by the MOD have such a thing? Thanks Tim

I have been sent photos of this ex military Fergie tractor. The data plate has the following markings: MILITARY VEHICLE FERGUSON TED20 CONTRACT No: 6VEHS14175CB286 TRACTOR LAND UTILITY 4 X 2 VEHICLE No: 23BY28 CHASSIS No: TED 363288 YEAR BUILT 1954 On the bonnet are the markings MP BW although I have no idea what that means. Can anybody shed any light on its history? Thanks Tim

We took the Dennis out for a 34 mile drive today. Pleased to say that Steves radiator repairs did the job and we had hardly lost a drop when we topped up for the return journey. The Dennis performed faultlessly. Interestingly, those in the front seat nearly froze on the trip back which makes me wonder how the drivers coped during the war especially when they had little opportunity to dry or warm themselves. Not seen a Gary before: The Mack was nice and had an interesting winch mechanism on the back: Gotfredson is another name I know nothing about: New tyres: Something to play with in the garden: I think we were all rather taken with this Mack. Purposeful!

I have been following this thread and really struggled as to whether to reply or just to keep reading it and see where it is going. It does seem to be heading towards the buried Nazi train, buried spitfires, Jeep in a crate category. “If I believe in it enough it must be true”. The problem with this whole saga is that you have not provided a shred of evidence apart from your memories, supposition and what can be found on the internet. The only potential evidence is that you say that you found hundreds of “ident plates” that were taken from Whitehall to a Scrapyard for destruction. So, that raises a few questions: What were these plates off and what did they have written on them? What is your thoughts behind them being removed? Why would they go to the effort of removing them from a vehicle about to be buried? What were they doing in Whitehall? Not much money in a few pounds of light scrap like this so why were they taken to a scrap yard instead of dumped? If they were taken for destruction why did the yard sell them? If you did buy them why only buy 40? Did you keep any photos of them? You referred to the auction catalogue and lot number. Do you have a copy of it? I am sure that you won’t take this in the spirit that this is intended but you might be better off with the Daily Mail as opposed to the people that you describe as "who know they know everything".