paul connor

Having also driven many tracked AFVs I would not have the courage to hard tiller at 30mph! Maybe this was an early "Drift Churchill"?

Andy, if you take away oral testimonies from your story, what do you actually have that is quantifiable primary source evidence? As so far within the entire context of this thread it appears to revolve around tales that are subjectively interpreted and bias. 

A few points I would like to ask:

1. You once were in possession of ID plates from some vehicle, yet somehow, these have been interpreted as buried vehicles and have a direct link to you late father. Yet you found these in a scrap yard, and they were so important in the tale that you sold them. Slightly whimsical links, don't you think? Very subjectively bias to attach to your story, yet are you go-to evidence?

2. Being removed from the TNA - well, may I ask about your conduct there - as if it is similar to your content within this thread, they likely asked you to leave as you were being disruptive to people conducting genuine research?

3. Hammond asking you to desist from communications - Well, again, that is likely your personal conduct, and after being asked to stop persisting a fantasy story, he also was likely genuinely asking you to stop bothering him, after he answered already to the best of his knowledge. 

4. GPR use: You suggest you searched the whole site with a GPR, yet, you gained no data on the concrete aprons, yet Oxford Archaeology(OA) did. OA have shared the data set with me and their QGIS and layer, which clearly, quantifiably, and accurately, debunks your entire theory. Why do you not accept that?

5. You suggest at one stage you found files from the WD at TNA (The National Archives), please supply me the TNA reference, I will have the files sent to my work in the morning to see what revelation you located.

For an example of oral testimonies, I would like to use Isfield Command Stores (Isfield, Uckfield, Sussex), or, as locals always suggest - Isfield Army Camp. The local stories are of 2000 Canadians camped there in tents. Dunkirk and D-Day both utilising the railway siding for tanks, troops and more. The locals even call it a Canadian camp. It is a local legend, and everyone knows best as their father/grandfather/friend or cat suggests so. A colleague and I were on site prior to demolition as archaeological specialists, and provided plans, costing and pictures of the surveying and later construction of the railway siding from primary source documents. We also presented WD files for the surveying, costings and building of the site, including lists of stores and staff. We also had aerial photos from the RAF from 1940, 42, 44, 45. Where is this going you might ask? Well, it was a field until July 1944. So it did not exist, only in the memories and tales that have become truth in the community, but, they are just tales, hearsay, ridiculous oral testimonies based on no evidence.  As for Canadians, well, no units were camped of that scale in the area, nor were they in that village - ORBAT and unit diaries support that from primary evidence. 

Do you see how tales become fact, yet are based on fantasy? We didn't find any tanks under the concrete pads there either.

"Who are you to even question me?", well, who are you to suggest Oxford Archaeology as a professional commercial unit are lying with their GPR results? Who are you to question my fellow archaeologists interpretation of data, furthermore my own?

Who are you to post a single thread on a forum and disregard everyone who questions or provides answers and data? Even arguing with them and continually avoiding direct questions. Your posts are inconsistent and contradictory at best, bordering on the realms of fantasy with subjective interpretation of selective and dubious evidence.

I'm done. I wish you all the best, and hope that someday you find peace from this obsession, and stop bothering authorities and MPs with fantasy theories.

Right, let's unpack this.

Firstly who allowed you access with an excavator onto the properly when you seemingly spend most of the time looking through the fence? Much experience with excavators, I'm guessing you have your ticket for that?

Secondly,  there is not packed granite on the site under the pads, you're in the realms of fantasy now. I've been supplied images of a sectional profile of the pads depth, as requested that OA undertake. 2 pours of concrete pads, pretty much standard. I've monitored works at three airfield and that's pretty normal. 

Normal practice for substrates for airfield runways and pads isn't granite. Shall I supply you the WD regulations concrete pads

I'm afraid commercial GPR isn't the kind you would hire easily. And I've seen the data from the site and it is far from inconsistent. If you're still not convinced I can arrange for you to likely attend a GPR course so you can gain further understanding? Maybe then you may realise that the data suggests there isn't vehicles under this section?

I guess next you'll suggest I'm a sleeper cell working for TNA and your local MP?

I suspect they dug another hole to put the spoil in from the first hole.

Well, I must say I am impressed If he managed to bury tanks deeper than the GPR scan depth (>30m).

Furthermore, what did he do with the spoil; or were they shaking that out their trouser legs on the bypass each day so nobody found out?

No vehicle is struck off census without documentation.

Without going off topic, the initial survey was for the whole site, not just the barracks. So, yes, your concrete pads were included in the whole survey plan to gain a wider understanding of the site history and phasing for future development.

I am not sure what the "no flint axes there" comment suggests, other than a lack of understanding for archaeological practices - it isn't just blind excavation and searching for prehistorical artefacts by digging random holes.

I have just read through this somewhat drawn out thread, and thought I would interject.

Some of you are aware I have worked as a commercial archaeologist for many years, with a particular interest in the Wartime period. This has provided me with the opportunity to project manage and also attend as an archaeological specialist, many WW2 sites, including airfields, barracks and defence localities, both in the UK and EU.

My understanding of the thread is we are trying to locate 300+ buried armoured vehicles under a concrete pad section at a decommissioned airfield, at Waterbeach Barracks. The evidence for which is oral testimony and the mystery of the original poster being denied access to TNA (The National Archives) at Kew. Firstly, any burial of decommissioned armour would be well documented, especially at an airfield. There would be primary source evidence, although it is not as easy as heading to TNA and asking for ‘buried tanks at Waterbeach’; although I am very confident that if this was a true event it will have archive files. I shall not even elaborate on the unlikely necessity to bury valuable assets, that is quite obvious.

Now I shall add my quick personal investigation, which might add light to this subject. I telephoned an old colleague who is a senior archaeologist at Oxford Archaeology that was working on the Waterbeach Barracks project and asked a few questions. I asked for the results of MAG/RES/GPR survey of the area and unfortunately, they present no evidence for any buried, large, vehicle-like data at all. They do however have an abundance of Bronze Age and Roman archaeology, and other interesting periods, including WW2, just no tanks I am afraid.

So, not sure where you go from there? Archaeological evidence suggests otherwise.

Regards

Paul

Hello Clive,

I hope you are well. Thank you for the reply, and now I know I am seeking a vehicle variant that likely does not exist. I hope we do not get too cold a winter, but things have been much milder here for a few years, which has its pros/cons.

I am just pondering the Wolf HD XS options in LHD, for a future purchase.

Regards

Paul

Hello all, I hope everyone is well.

I am sure somebody here can answer my question with ease; I would not ask if I could not find the information online before hand.

Land Rover HS XD Wolf, 90, Winterised/wader - was the vehicle ever issued as a left hand drive (LHD) vehicle?

I would be interested to buy one, but cannot find evidence of LHD ever being made, but I could be wrong.

Thanks in advance and greetings from drizzly Germany

Regards

Paul

I would just head to the National Archives at Kew. Most places are unknown to the locality, subject to oral histories which become deep routed within a community based on subjective interpretations. This is the same with local level museums and local records offices, they contain limited data. If an area was used, at any stage, the war diaries, or in the case of WW2, cabinet minutes, or WD orders will exist. There are very few real mysteries of WW2 in regards to UK maneuvers, it is just the path of least resistance is localised research, not archival, which is laborious and takes time. 

I might just recall 30BK43 - I still regret selling it, but alas, her in Germany where I now live I cannot own it without cutting most of the fun parts off. Shame.

If you want more pics, Nic, drop me a message here. I have quite a lot over the 8 years I owned it. 

Regards,

Paul

Thanks, Gordon.

I have left it soak overnight, let's hope it does the trick! 

Hope you're well and keeping safe in these turbulent times.

Thanks

Paul

I have a rare wade proof distributor where the HT contacts deep in the bakolite are green and horrible.

What can i pour and leave in there that will not affect anything, yet clean the copper without aggitation? As there is no way to actually clean then mechanically.

any ideas?

Thanks for the replies. 

I have no resolved the issue. Vintage power wagons, USA have a Chrysler engine manual.

So will be ordering one. 

Thanks again

Does anyone happen to have the tolerance and assembly specifications for the T236 Dodge/Chrysler Canadian engine?

I can only find a simple assembly manual, and not the full 'power' manual with bore/crank tolerances. I have for T214 and T112, this seems illusive as was Canadian. 

It must exist as these units (¾ APT/WP) went to Norway after the war.

Thanks

Paul

I can only help with cleaning canvas part of your question. In the past I have placed it on the ground, used detergent and a pressure washer (not too close) and given it a good going over. Providing the canvas isn't rotten this works a treat. Then use Fabsil or, as many others and myself have in the past, brick sealant!  Sounds crazy but dries clean and waterproof.

Hope that's of some help.

Hi everyone, 

I was wondering if some people could offer some advice?

I am pondering the tentative steps into WW2 Armour and wanted some pointers on what to look out for in regards to purchasing a Daimler Dingo. I have often admired this little wheeled vehicle and think it would fit the bill for me. As it can be transported with a trailer and wouldn't take up too much space in the workshop.

What are they like to own, drive and service? 

Are the parts a major issue, or are there a few dealers with bits in abundance?

Any tips would be appreciated, also any pointers as to who may have one, ideally for restoration available early next year would be brilliant.

Thanks in advance

Paul

I have also read on several websites and associated news that the Pretender will also be made a facility in Slovakia as well. 

Just another unnecessary SUV.

Richard has seen my mistake there! And corrected me. Oopps

It is on it's way to a French museum so it would seem. As it was a target for training for Dunkirk (not D-Day) it is being incorporated into a display of that period.

I guess British.

Morris Quad and limber will be mine one day.

Or a Humber Pig again. But the standoff armour with a turret. 9 tonnes of unnecessary and poor handling, but if you have owned one you'll know why.

Found these buried in my garden in West Germany. I'm not sure what they are but thought I would put them on here before they go on ebay.

They look quite old, really not my style, but someone might like them. They're too flashy for me. Appears to be odd stone inlays with what I presume is gold-look plastic. Slots together okay after I pressure washed it. 

5 large panels all in all. Furniture is a separate sale on Ebay.

Offers.

Paul

The condition of any items left underground in a tunnel for 75+ years would make identification of most things difficult. I'd wager that such items as the amber room exist, but in a private collection somewhere. Having worked in archaeology a good while, the condition of items found in tunnels would be awful. 

But, it is exciting and I think we all like the 'unknown' aspect of hidden treasures and booby traps! I certainly do. It has fuelled my battlefield archaeology research and fieldwork for many a year. Alas I have only encountered unexploded ordnance and a few artefacts; but if I find the amber room I'll post an update ha