paul connor

Hi all, I seem to have a rather substantial radiator leak from the CCKW, which is right in the centre of the radiator core. Does anyone have any recommendations for a local (Sussex) company who could rebuild this unit. I see a few local firms, but I like to work on recommendations and reputation, especially with an older unit. Thanks in advance Paul

Hi everyone, Michelham Priory is a beautiful location with a 13th century priory house, moat, ornamental gardens and a fortified gatehouse. This site was used extensively in WW2 by the British, Canadian and Home Guard units and is the perfect location for this intimate and friendly Vehicle and Living History show. This is an Allied Home Front show, with dancing and music in the timber framed barn. Small stalls with related displays and interactive elements. A home front bedroom in the Priory. Home Front cooking, and more. We welcome bookings from Military, Civilian and Commercial vehicles built before 1946. Reenactors and living history displays and individuals. Period camping is available on site for the duration. Contact myself on 07914 190 788 or email Sussexpillbox@gmail.com June 16-17th 2018. https://sussexpast.co.uk/event/world-war-ii-day I hope to see you all there Regards Paul

Jemima, that was my school of thought too. It is just to keep the public out, and add a little bit of security. I am worried to leave the vehicle if I stop in a town, as currently you can just get in, turn a switch, and start and drive. I have now fitted a new immobiliser and key. So the next step is a basic door lock. Thankfully it lives in a locked workshop, so this is only really for when I am out and about. I notice you are in West Sussex. Do you fancy coming to Michelham Priory WW2 weekend on the 16-17th June weekend? Great little show I run near Polegate.

My understanding is that most c.1930's &1940's GMC and Chevrolet had similar handles on civilian stock trucks of the time. Let's hope someone one here comes to rescue with a stillage load for £1 a pair!

That looks pretty good. This is what I was thinking, but cannot find them at a logical price!

Hi all, Just wondered if any advice could be offered as to how to add locks to a GMC CCKW hard-cab door? I have seen that c.1930-40's trucks had a similar handle with an integrated lock and barrel, but can these be added to a CCKW? I also would like to know if they are available anywhere and ideally not at the price I have seen in the USA, which is quite shocking at $250 for a single handle. Pictures of any hard-cab locks or ideas would be appreciated Many thanks Paul

Hi Paul. I would certainly visit. It was nice to meet you a few weeks back, and I am glad I made the connection between HMVF and yourself while conducting the building survey on your site. I'm sure people here can help for sure. And if you fancy placing a few stamps on the Saracen hull you have and posting it, I would make sure I am in to sign for it! haha Regards Paul

Hi all. I am looking desperately for a book for some research into family history. My Grandfather served with the 82nd Light Anti-aircraft/Ant-tank regiment in Burma (The Black Cats). There was a publication by Ray Goodacre, privately published in 2002, Surrey. With the Fighting Cock and the Black Cat in India and Burma - A History of 82nd Anti-Tank Regiment (and 82nd Light Anti-Aircraft / Anti-Tank Regiment) Royal Artillery, 1941-1945 I would love to locate this, or at least get to copy it for my private use. Does anyone have this in their library, or better still know the author? Any leads would be gratefully received. Thanks Paul

Thank you Goran. Having just looked at the Worthing Canvas website I see they offer new seat canvas for a closed cab for £70. Considering it would cost around £35 for the canvas paint I would say replacement is the better avenue indeed! Thanks Paul

Hi everyone, I was wondering if someone could offer advice about the application and use of canvas paint. I would like to paint the GMC CCKW seat covers, as they are very faded and look quite tired, so was wondering if this has been done before? Obviously, I do not want something to rub off on my clothes or to turn the seats very solid in texture, so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Paul

Hi Nic, You actually have my old Pig. It's nice to see that it is still being cared for. I bought it around 2002 from John Newton in West Sussex. He had it in storage since it was cast from service. I owned it until around 2010. You will find it was indeed used in the UK and never saw use in NI. It was at Lydd as a training vehicle. You will also find if you look at the wheel arches on the inside that there area weld/cut marks. I was told by a very good source (Clive Elliott) that this was a first attempt at a new seating confederation in the rear that was not adapted. It was originally in Olive Drag and not Deep Bronze Green, that was my doing as it was more user friendly. I have quite a few pictures of it when I purchased it if you are interested. Also an interesting thing - the offside light guard was actually from a chip fryer! Shows some in service modifications. I may still have it, although I replaced it with the current correct one. Where about's is the Pig in the UK now? It lived in Sussex for most of its retirement. Great to see it at shows still!

My CCKW 353 is generally £110. With a named driver. NCD is not really used much in classic commercial. I would try Footman James or Adrian Flux- they're usually the best of the bunch.

AS far as I am aware they were always salisbury, with disc front and drum rear on the 110

Hi Ruxy I did try that route, but I cannot find much about the contact number or a reference point, as the Civilian models don't cover salisbur axles. I am guessing as it is an early model it should be RTC5572 & RTC5573 But, knowing my luck I will end up ordering loads of the wrong parts, which I like to avoid if I can

Hi Can I ask for some help? I have a Land Rover 110 1989 GS which has salisbury axles all round. I need to get the part number for the front disc calipers, but I cannot make much sense of the civilian codes. Is there a 110 GS military parts catalogue, or could anybody advise the right part number.. Oh, it's solid discs and drums on the rear Thanks Paul

Thanks Maurice. Much help!

The confusion will get more complex from here on I guess... It would be ultimately taking a DVLA registered British vehicle to Germany, so would have to be re-registered there after 6 months. Do they operate the same Historic categories and exemptions for a GMC CCKW 1944? Or would I need a C class licence? Thanks again Paul

Hi everyone. I have a question that I hope can be cleared up here somehow - In Germany can you still drive a historic vehicle; such as a GMC CCKW, on a standard car licence, or would you have to take a C category driving test? Thanks in advance Paul

Does anyone have information about M7 & M14 trailers, Or one is Sussex I could look around and measure? Also, does anybody have one for sale or an idea of how much these go for nowadays? I would love one for my GMC CCKW and to build an M14 trailer from as a show camping unit. Do they have just standard overrun brakes, or do these require GMC CCKW modification somehow? Any pictures you have would be gratefully received many thanks Paul

It was great to be back at the Hop Farm, but there are drastic improvements needed; as stated above. The atmosphere was good, and some great stuff was happening, I can't fault that at all! Even the Russians driving around singing from there small truck constantly was a reminded or the Beltring of the past! Toilets - Well, bloody awful. The nearest toilet to where I was in Monktons field was around a 10 minute walk. The block had shocking toilet units which were just a portal to hell - I do not wish to witness the last 50 people who have been in there! And toilet paper and hand sanitiser aren't hard to keep topped up. Come on War and Peace Revival! sort your drills out. Driving - While War and Peace has always had a few issues, this time our site was plagued by teenagers in their parents vehicles trying their best to slide a Jeep all evening on the roadway! I did tell them what I thought of that as they passed me and nearly hit the toilet block; to no avail. Added to this there were children as young as 3-7 years old in a mini Jeep driving around the roads being passed by full scale vehicles including armour. I don't need to say much more on that subject really - shocking. Camping - It really did look like the camping and caravan club in most areas. It was so nice to see so many Fiats, Fords, a Mustang, and mobile homes of all makes and sizes, tents of all colours and shapes... It makes it feel worthwhile we brought a Military vehicle, military tents, camouflage nets and a display! Maybe next time I will bring my Ford Focus and a large tent from Halfords, as that seems to be the most popular display this year by many. I have no idea why this year this was allowed to happen. Marshals - The girl who saw my GMC off site was very friendly and helpful. Other than that I saw one person on a quad and someone shopping on the stalls. Where have the staff gone? Is WP show now a free for all until an accident or fatality happen and the show is banned? Stalls - Seemed to be less there this year. All very expensive, but maybe I am getting older now and remember the costs of things from yesteryear? Good points - Nice atmosphere, generally. Great to see old friends and some new. Great venue. War and Peace Revival - Listen to us! We need better amenities, more staff and security, rules that are abided to, and a MILITARY vehicle show.. not a camping and caravan club meeting! If you demand that, keep it in one area. We are paying for the show, so sprinkle our cash about a bit more! Maybe look at the WP books from 2000-2005 and see what was spent on loos and showers, staff and security. Oh! and closing Saturday night is a daft idea! As most will leave midday Saturday and the show will look bare for the general public when they arrive on the most popular day.

Hi everyone I currently need to find a new place to store my GMC CCKW, a Sankey trailer and Land Rover defender. Ideally in a secure area where I can leave tools with the vehicles, and with limited use of water and power. Must be in the Uckfield area. Does anyone know a farmer who might have a unit free, or a barn? Long term is ideal. My current unit is too short in height and struggle to get the GMC in/out. I hope someone can help! Many thanks Paul

Hi everyone, Thanks to the success of this years event with plenty of vehicles and excellent living history, we are now organising and taking bookings for next years event which we hope will be much bigger. The priory is a beautiful setting with historic grounds providing an perfect backdrop for WW2 scenes. It was also used by forces during WW2 and has a fascinating history to be explored, with Home Guard and British and Canadian Forces alike. We welcome the booking of living history allied forces. British, Canadian, Polish, USA, Home Front and anything that will add a feel and addition to the small, yet lively show. We also would love more period vehicles - If it is under 10 tonnes and can fit through a 3x3m gatehouse it is very welcome! Even if it is larger we can try and accommodate it. It is a camping show (period only please) and has great facilities and scenery. [ATTACH=CONFIG]

Hi Mike, I'm guessing this was my truck that was causing issues? Did you ever get to the source of the problem, as I have not yet experienced this issue? Makes me a little nervous that gremlins I don't know about may be lurking!

Hi all. Just to make you aware of a local WW2 event in East Sussex, that I have now been placed in charge of (well, vehicles and WW2). Last year the show was a great success, with a beautiful backdrop of Mitchelham Priory, and I hope that this year it can grow; it is taking place June 17th and 18th, which is a Saturday and Sunday, although Vehicles may arrive Friday evening. https://sussexpast.co.uk/event/world-war-ii-day Please see link. I am looking forward to vehicle bookings from you all. I have a list of last years exhibitors who I shall be contacting, but all new faces are welcome. It is free to exhibit and camping is available with your vehicle overnight (Friday-Sunday), although this has to be respectful due to the nature of the property, etc. Unfortunately it is strictly WW2 and Allied themed ( Please email reference Axis bookings) even my own Land Rover will have to live in the car park, but we are welcoming- Living History groups. Displays. Home front displays 1940's displays and of course as many vehicles as we can take. The only current stipulation for vehicles is they must be less than 3x3M in width and height, that's 9.8ft in old money. As there are restrictions on the gatehouse entrance. I have been also informed that 10T is the maximum weight limit of the bridge to the entrance. A GMC CCKW 353 will fit through, that was proved last year. If you are interested, please contact me via my email sussexpillbox@gmail.com And I shall do my best to book you all in. Many thanks Paul

Thanks Mike, So the two small lug-holes on the top/bottom have no function on the bezel? Simple grip and rotate on a retaining thread? OK. Will give that a bash - Didn't want to ruin it!