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paulbrook

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Everything posted by paulbrook

  1. I did wonder about "corps troops" recognition numbers (or even Div Troops ones for that matter) - Wallys document shows those for brigade(d) units and capbadges so there could theoretically be duplication of numbers at Corps HQ or more general corps level support units. But insofar as the numbers were there to simplify recognition, duplication at the 3* level sounds a bit daft to me. But then militaries throughout the ages have done daft things! I think there is more to know and understand here.
  2. Thanks to ropey technology and a remarkable bit of cooperation between E Yorkshire and the wilds of Cumbria I now give you the page of the document that Wally refers to. You have no idea how much effort went into getting this to you all but it seems to me that it says it all really As we have said before there may seem to be lots of little anomalies kicking about - but it occurs to me that where there is a definitive guide (and as a precaution and in discussion today with Wally we should point out that this document refers to wartime markings ie up to 1945 but is at the same time is about as definitive as anyone could ask for) then the best thing to do is to bow to the contents therein, rather than something someone overheard someone else saying in the NAAFI queue. Anyway here it is, or at least the relevant page:
  3. There is a brace of FT15s advertised in my latest Albion register magazine - both are ripe for restoration and there is only one engine between them. They are located in Cumbria but I have not seen them (yet) although I would be happy to inspect them for a small fee should anyone be interested (I would also be happy to quote for work up to and including full restoration). Or contact me and I will pass on the owners details; he states in the ad he wants to sell them as a pair. No idea at this stage of a price. Mods please feel free to move this if you think its in the wrong place (which it probably is.....) They are nice trucks these and a bit unusual - if I didn't have lots of my own projects and lots of other folks work - oh and a wife - I might be very tempted myself!
  4. I did that - with 10 tons of derilict truck in the back of a Bloomingburg quarry in an auction that I won by a single cent.....Still it turned out great so have fun with the Landy. There are some good landrover sites - be sure to have a look a them!
  5. Snapping the tidal wave to show the world would be worth the effort. Then again....
  6. I must admit that I was disappointed not to see any pics.................
  7. Oh and by ordinary I mean standard commercial polyurethane rather than so-called engine enamel - the same breed of stuff I use on the rest of any truck............ Not ordinary as in woolies/dulux/B&Q.
  8. Funny that. Most of what I say is essentially correct. But folk must do as they please - thats one of the joys of this mullarkey!
  9. Woooo hoo! Pre tsunami bogs..................... Rudolf Hess was held there I seem to recall. The camp, not the toilets obviously. Dont remember any german graffiti in the heads though.
  10. Wally told me that early engines were eau de nil, but by the B series and thereafter it was duck egg blue. and if Wally said that then thats good enough for me! Not sure when the changeover took place though.
  11. See Marylin smile as she waits for recovery........................
  12. I dont want to sneer at the obvious risks but I had a little giggle at this thread having spent rather too long freezing my nuts off under Army (and more latterly Tri-service) canvas. I can smell it now! First (from experience) there is no shortage of ventilation in any army tent........ The standard heater was no heater - green maggot (extra large) and a hat. Things We Did To Stay Warm included split down compo boxes under the sleeping bag, stripping off as much as you dared so that when you did get up and dressed it seemed warmer and (where we could get hold of them) the old paraffin heaters. Tilly lamps were indeed good but only heater the top couple of feet of the tent.... As far as both the latter are concerned spare a thought for a couple of sgt tank transporter motorcylists who on one big exercise returned to find their 9x9 a sort of charred 9x9 patch on the field by the side of the old B3 at Gronau. Their tilly lamp had exploded, leaving them with nothing for the rest of the exercise bar that they were wearing at the time. Obviously they got lots of sympathy (none whatsoever...) although someone did make a "come home to a real fire...." sign. But my best keeping snug technique turned out to be a wall-eyed sheepdog called Difflock who accompanied us everywhere with the tank transporters. Fed up with finding herself cold and with no opposable thumbs to light a heater of any sort she took to climbing into my (extra long) green worm and curling up at the bottom. There is a lot to be said for a canine hot water bottle. She also single handedly saw off a dawn attack by Danish special forces on one exercise...no sooner had the lead viking ripped the side of the tent up to inform us that we were all captured then she shot from the bottom of my sleeping bag like an excocet missile and sank her teeth into his groin and did not let go. Talk about "shock action". His SF mates completely lost the plot seeing him howling and twisting - now being shaken in the trouser department by one very wild collie - and the whole attack descended into howls of laughter. It seems that regardless of nationality there is nothing funnier to a soldier than seeing one of your mates in trouble.... She let him go when told and sat and growled at him threateningly while he checked if he really would sire a danish dynasty. Luckily only his pride was hurt. Being Danish and SF they though this was all huge fun, even the victim took it all in good heart. They stayed for breakfast and a natter, and Diff even made a bacon-led truce with her victim. They then headed off laughing from wence they came, leaving us to get on with the important stuff. Difflock followed them out to the field where their chopper was going to pick them up from just to make sure they left. So there we go. The long term effects of exposure to Army canvas.
  13. Oh and Wally Dugan gave me the BS number for duck egg blue (I have an Antar engine to paint) and when I come back from the workshop today I will post it. With the number any decent paint supplier will be able to mix it up.
  14. Interesting - once upon a time I was after "heat resistant" paint for some engine or other - to be told by a paint rep not to waste my time because engines dont actually get so hot that decent paint peels. In a way I sort of see his point - after all the engine (generally) is surrounded by water at 80-90 degrees and lots and lots of other components are even cooler. Anyway from that day to this I have just used ordinary paint and it has always done the job (not manifolds though!)
  15. I do - realise the thirst that is......... Would it really do 10 MPG with a diesel? Even my (modern) Iveco recovery truck only just about into double figures when it is working a little. I know what you mean about cost though. Even my much more modest toys can slurp it a bit. I put a thermoswine gas engine in a chaindrive Mack a while ago and completely recognise the can scenario. That said I am doing an Antar (diesel) at the moment that has a fetish for whole jerrycans of diesel at a time for little forward/backwards progress Just out of interest what did you have it advertised for?
  16. Irritating definitely - there is little worse than a fault whos cause is unclear. The compression test Richard suggests is a damm fine idea - I did a Tilly with a crack between the cylinders (see tales from a big shed), but unlike your comments about a quick start and smooth tickover the Tilly was seriously lumpy at any speed. Frustratingly though the compression tests at cranking speed were all on the money, it was only when it was actually running did the cracks (there were two in a wedge shape) open and cause chaos. If the valve went a while ago then I assume that the engine has been stood idle for the same length of time - and all sorts of simple things can happen. Could I clarify that when you say backfire you are talking about banging out of the exhaust (normally very retarded timing or a stuck exhaust valve or two) rather than popping back through the carb (very weak mixture, over advanced timing, plug leads on wrong (although i doubt it would run smooth at tickover in this condition) or crossover where a spark from one lead jumps over to another (cracked distributor cap or duff and leaking leads))? As an aside I have had tons of trouble from recent purchases of so called new items - particularly spark plugs. I did a 28hp non-running bedford recently that had all new ignition components - and it only ran when I put all the old stuff back on! So if you have spares of anything, including rotor arms, swap them out one at a time and give it a go.
  17. Pretend you didnt do anything and start (again) from scratch. Assume nothing (eg "its a new distributor cap so it can't be that...."). Check all the fuel stuff first up to and including valve timing. Make sure they all close too. Things to look for include a lazy pump (the seal around any sediment bowl is a classic failure), blocked jets, water or muck in the carb, leaky joints. Then do the same with the electricals; clearances, terminals, fit, leads, plugs static timing. What were the circumstances of the valve failure? Did it jump or was it pushed? This may give us a clue.
  18. Meanwhile a couple more MV related jobs are coming along quite nicely - a Diamond T cab and bulkhead and the Humber Heavy Utility.
  19. It already has the blower - but on the LH side. As for the stacks I just thought a couple of big steel pipes in a rude V shape up the back. Oh - hang on - thats how they were for real! Actually it sounds damm fine on open pipes. You need to watch out though as the seat box isnt bolted down at the moment so enthusiastic use of the clutch merely results in the seat going backwards. I must get a pic of it now I have got the bonnet back on. If it had been April I would be posting "Airportable Antar Found"
  20. Oh and notice the not one but two tins (now empty) of rust releasing fluid...................
  21. I know - good isnt it!! Wait till I get the ballast box off as well.................... I think it would then make a nice HMVF centrefold!!
  22. This is just a general observation and absolutley not a comment about the specific request here - as far as I am concerned owners are entirely at liberty to do what the heck they like with their own possessions and long may that remain so. But unless the gas motor is completely kaput I wonder what the advantages are of fitting a diesel? The obvious (or is it?) answer is MPG, but is it? With more expensive fuel and the cost of the conversion as well as the originality question I am unsure what I would say to anyone who came along and said that they wanted a diesel in their old truck, especially one that only does a relatively low mileage. I have, though, often wondered about offering gas conversions - maybe I should look again. So what do folks think? Just remember though that this is not any sort of comment on what owners want to do - that as I say is definitely up to them! PS I am a 100% certifiable petrol head..................and I mean petrol!!
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