Steve 82

Greets from Kidderminster ! Well, many thanks again to Paul and the organising team for creating what was easily the best `Wartime in the Vale` so far :thumbsup:. From the sheer quality and quantity of vehicles, re-enactors , exhibits and fly-overs (not forgetting the weather of course), this was a memorable event. As for myself, the Unimog comms display worked well and, I was pleased to receive so much positive and informed interest from visitors. In any event, the following four posts contain some random images we took during the weekend - including the sequence, my better half took of me trying to assemble the cammo net ! (see my profile page for the full-sized ones). Cheers Steve 82

Hi All, Mobilised last evening - lovely weather and ground conditions at the site (see image taken at 5am today). The warmth and humidity certainly made it a thirsty venture ! Getting the power and radio and systems into operation by this evening and looking forward to a mix of military vehicles and radios (+beer) for the next few days :-D Hopefully see some of you there, Cheers Steve 82

Many thanks for your suggestions guys, Cheers Steve

Having a devil of a time locating a (very) small quantity of spring steel ! The simple U-clip holding the cranking arm on my 1950`s German generator has snapped and I need to re-manufacture a replacement. Have tried stockists but the do not want to know once they realise all I want is a small off-cut. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Cheers Steve 82

Clive, From the web site < http://ashdowncamp.webs.com/events.htm > and email exchange with organiser Paul recently, the dates are 21-22 June 2014. Cheers Steve

M0MOG – My principal activity revolves around a 1964 Unimog Radio-teleprinter rebroadcast station, from which I operate valved Rohde & Schwarz and Siemens gear on HF (AM speech, RTTY and Morse - learning). Also operate an SEM 25, SEM 35 and SEL 52 on VHF when at shows. The reality of not having too much hobby time these days means I am on-air no more than once a fortnight. Always looking for others to try-out RTTYon HF. Well, maybe not British radio kit...though it was on occasion used by BW liaison teams supporting Harrier ops in Germany! Cheers Steve

Hello all, Have been watching the thread with interest. I did not attend as an exhibitor this year for family reasons. However, having attended the previous site some 14 times, I thought attending as an MOP this year would at least be better than not at all. Firstly, let me say that I consider Mr Cadman and the team pulled-off a superb feat organising the event , with several aspects better than the previous venue. Like it or not however, there were other aspects of the show which just did not seem to work - for me anyway. I can fully sympathise with the scale of the challenges and pressures faced by the organisers however, after 30 or so years of practice at the other site, it would be nice to see key aspects of the show being safeguarded (easy access around the show, arena size / viewing etc). However, what is needed, is to provide as much constructive feedback / suggestions as possible. This thread is a great start and am sure the team are already considering the lessons learnt. I will certainly be back for second-helpings next year J

.....and a final few : The back row Classics too...... The steam propulsion system of the Green Goddess revealed ? Landie ambulance Mercedes ambulance More Landies: Big Trucks Landie FC

And now some general pics around the site. So much more Living history (most welcome btw) this year. Busy, busy, busy... Can we have one for the Tesco - run.....? Great scenarios Lots of public interest.... Champs ! Full public carpark... Landies 1 He assured us the pidgeons were real..... Lovely bikes... Zeltbahns... ...and yet more zeltbahns........ A couple of kubels...... Nice truck.... Keeping warm on the Saturday..... Yet another display...... Nice truck... Volvo More to come...........

Great show and, hats-off yet again to the organisers and landowner for putting-on such a grande show ! Much better weather than last year and, despite a few showers, the surface never muddied up the whole time ! So many aspects of the show are developing that it is difficult to do justice to all. However, here are a few random pics for starters....... Several more to-come..... Cheers VMARS Radio Camp Radio Camp - Rons K9 Radio Camp - inside of Ron`s K9 Radio Camp - looking South Radio Camp - Mog and K9 Radio Camp - Mog set-up Arena The boys having fun...... Paras on the move..... Germans on the move

Partially set-up last evening and had great difficulty getting the tent pegs into the hard ground ! Great sunset though. It did rain a little overnight but, agree with Paul, ground conditions are quite solid. Weather forecast seems to be improving every few hours. Looking forward to a great show ! Cheers Steve 82 Image - camp @ 04:45am (yes, really !)

Thanks for the responses gents. Cheers Steve

Dear All, I am looking at taking-on a 7T recovery vehicle for transporting my green machines around UK - probably no more than a couple of thousand miles each year (if that). Speaking with VOSA this afternoon, I understand that for the purposes of personal, show-related use, a vehicle under those circumstances does not come under the Operator Licencing Regulations although, it would require a tachograph (if operating more than a 50km radius from base) and of course, an MOT. However, the 6-week checks would not be required, nor any of the other related requirements. The helpful lady I spoke with indicated that VOSA would be willing to confirm that interpretation in writing (and she also recommended carrying the ownership documents for my vehicles at all times so as to avoid the spot-checkers thinking I was running a business on the side ).. My question is, has anyone else any experience with this matter, as I would really like to know what I am (potentially) getting myself into. Thanks Steve 82

Hi Rrobin, Did you sort this afterwards ? Cheers Steve 82

Hi Rom, Welcome to the forum ! Would be great to have a chance to learn how you are tackling the BV202 project. Any chance of a chat sometime ? Cheers Steve

Gents, Thanks again for the spot-on assistance. All the best, Steve

Gents, Thanks for your responses. Robin - appreciate your candour - I am becoming increasingly aware of the potential for rot with these vehicles and will make doubly sure before acquiring anything (except for mechanical spares). Agreed on the storage also - I always store my vehicles under-cover. Clive - thanks for that comprehensive list. Do you have any thoughts on sources for these books ? Regards Steve

Hi, Just evaluating a BV202 for my next project and wanted to ask whether someone can please point me to a potential source of maintenance data (I have the Norwegian manuals already). Cheers Steve 82

Happy New Year to all. The following is a short overview of our modest winter run along the Worcestershire / Gloucestershire borders last Saturday. Following weeks of heavy rain, it was with some trepidation that members with 6No military and 3No civvie vehicles turned-up at the camp last Saturday morning for our annual winter-run. Not suprisingly, the morning brought yet further rain however, all decided unanimously to proceed with the event in order to blow / wash off the winter cobwebs. The one advantage of the wet weather of course, the temperature was somewhat warmer than it had been – thankful for small mercies I suppose Before leaving, we met in the main Nissen hut at the camp to plan the route. Given the effects of water on ground conditions, We decided to avoid the forest routes and to focus on tracks / metaled roads. The intention was to follow the planned route and to stop for a light refreshment around lunch-time at the Toddington Railway. Any further activities would be decided at the time. At this point, we were ready to `go` with a Hotchkiss jeep, UAZ jeep, Austin Tilly, VW181 Kubelwagen and, civilian LandRover and Discovery. We were missing a second group due to a mechanical problem - which included a `snatch` LandRover, 6x6 Pinzi and civvie Honda 4x4 . However,we agreed with them to get started and, to meet-up along the route. This first half went without a hitch, taking in a very scenic route (or so I could tell when the wipers could clear the rain off the windscreen….). The tracks, whilst very wet and unstable, contained a high gravel content and so, driving these sections – whilst requiring some care, were not too demanding. The second group soon caught-up with us along the way. Around lunchtime, we reached Toddington station as planned and, after a photocall, adjourned for a well-earned cuppa. At this time, some discussions between members also revealed a desire to take-in some more challenging terrain for the return trip. A quick consultation within the designated planning group – Mike, Jim and Adrian identified the more interesting fords along the way and so, off we went. A couple of the fords, by nature of their physical location, were flanked by steep approaches and departures, requiring careful driving. In all cases, the planning group travelled down into the ford with the UAZ beforehand to recce and, the convoy then followed-on. The final ford – located in the picturesque Blockley village measured some 30-40m in length and presented the wettest challenge – especially for the lower vehicles (the ability of my Kubelwagen headlights to perform when submerged was tested to the full…..). Even so all, made it through – including up steep climbs out the other side. We eventually made it back to the camp at about 15:30hrs (that’s 3:30 Mr Mainwaring, Sir !) which made it one of the longest drives the club has undertaken. All were in agreement that the variety of locations visited enhanced the trip and, of course, having so many capable 4x4`s along (and a 6x6) minimized any worries anyone might have about recovery. Overall…. another nice quality event - would be so nice to have a Summertime one also (hint-hint Mr Chairman). Finally, I have attached a few images taken along the route - most by our photographer on-the-day Adrian Hodges and couple by myself. No apologies - some images are a little blurred – due to rain on the lenses ! We also have a number of videos taken at the fords (primarily by Paul Valides) and, hope to have a compilation of these on youtube, within the next week or so. Many thanks to all who conspired to organise this wonderful trip ! Happy New Year, Steve 82 Convoy 1 – UAZ Convoy 2 – Austin Convoy 3 – VW181 `Kubelwagen` Convoy 4 – Hotchkiss Convoy 5 – Hotchkiss crew Convoy 6 – Snatch LandRover Line-up at Toddington Ford #1 - Pinzigauer Ford #1 – VW181 Ford #1 – Discovery Ford #2 – Landrover Blockley - UAZ Blockley - VW181 (1) Blockley – VW181 (2) Ford #2 - Pinzigauer Ford#2 – Snatch LandRover

Hi there ! Im the chap you met at last years `War in the Vale` show. Did you manage to find out the info needed on tuning ? Cheers, Steve 82

​Greetings from South Midlands MVT. Just a quick mail to advise that the South Midlands MVT will hold their annual winter road-run on the 29th December 2012. Currently, the plan is to meet at Ashdown Camp, Evesham ( post code - WR11 7PA, http://www.freewebs.com/ashdowncamp/ ) at 10:30 hrs, for an 11:00 hrs start. Details not finalized yet but, the drive will likely include a mixture of forestry track, small roads and, a small amount of A-road driving – totaling 20-30 miles. Assuming the same format as last year, there will likely be a few stops along the way for photo ops and, break for lunch at a suitable hostelry (around the half-way mark). All welcome to tag along – ideally with a military vehicle although, am sure there will be spare seats for those wanting to be passangers. Please however let our Area Chairman, Paul: 0779 159 1528 (mail paul.valiadis@btinternet.com know before-hand in order that the numbers can be planned-for. Cheers Steve 82

Actually there are quite a few pics around of German light vehicles under `new ownership` - just need to know where to look ! The Americans clearly anticipated such a scenario and produced a manual for maintaining the VW82. From my understanding, Kubels and schwimms tended to be used in secondary roles - chaplains, press, airfield run-arounds etc. Most of the pics seem to validate this (with a couple of exceptions) Try www.vw166.com for starters. Cheers Steve

Sort of related to the stalls..... am trying to find a contact (name of company) for the dealer who was situated on pitch A45. He had some useful radio bits and I wanted to contact him to get some more. Any ideas anyone (or a pic of that location from which I can find their name) ? Thanks in advance, Steve 82

Hi all, After reading the conflicting reports on the show, I decided to visit today without my MV and see for myself. Here are my main observations: 1.Most of the area is a flat alluvial plain and prone to ponding – although the`pools` seem to be gradually soaking into the ground. The river level does not appear to be affecting ground water levels of the main site (it being belowground level today at least) 2.The only tracks passable for 2-wheel drive vehicles (military or otherwise) are (a) the track leading from the farm to Americas field and (b) the exit trackleading directly from Medway field, through Monktons and out. Both tracks seem to have a substantial granular base content remaining below the slop and should be traversable. Virtually all other interconnecting tracks are extremely challenging – even for 4WD (many have actually been blocked-off as impassable). In the case of Monktons, the track deteriorates quite a bit once passed the only tree along the track. Getting to individual locations within Americas requires 4WD. 3.Provided you can get your vehicle to them, most areas are ok for tents although, the ground will of course is very damp 4.Once at your camp spot, vehicle movements are being discouraged – which limits trips to Paddock Wood ! 5.The organizers – at least in Americas were assisting with location of vehicles today(to their final resting place…..). In Monktons however, if you get stuck, you may have a long wait. 6.The stalls are setting up, with several of the usual suspect up and running. Some good bargains to be had – as I found out today ! So in summary, the ground has chewed-up badly, limiting traffic to mostly the two main routes through the site noted above. Camping is possible but, once at your spot it may not be possible to get out until the show finishes (and with help from an appropriate vehicle – especially if you drive a 2WD). The arena is looking very promising and, many displays are under construction. Several stalls are already there but clearly, the ground conditions are rendering some locations un-usable. The weather is what it is, and we must live with it. A stirling job on the part of the organisers under the circumstances. Wellies and ponchos are the order of the day and, I will certainly be there over the weekend. Pics to follow. Cheers Steve 82

Hi, Great to see balanced views on the ground conditions. I have a 2WD military vehicle (VW181) and small trailer for the tent etc. I normally camp on Medway field. Are there any passable routes to that area / have any alternative routes been opened up ? Any views would be appreciated as I am hoping to come on Tuesday. Cheers Steve 82