marvinthemartian

Following on I have a couple of shots of the Scammell Explorer, and then an example of the FV3221 recovery trailer, and at the end an ex RAF snowplough, at present the manufacturer escapes me.

More shots coming up, this time we have a DUKW, Humber Pig and Humber 1 Ton, with a trio of Hippos in the background.

I have had a rummage through old photos, and got quite a few scanned in. A great deal of the pics were yaken in the early 90's when I first found out about the place. And it is also where I got my inspiration for getting a Martian, as this is where I first clapped eyes on one. First up is an Antar lurking in the undergrowth, then I think it's a Leyland Hippo? aircraft refueller. Next a Commer Q4 and finally a Bedford QL ex RAF bowser. This still survives as of last visit.

Sure got a cracking sense of humour.

Had a jaunt over to the old airfield at Folkingham today, with permission of course, which as many will know is owned by Stephen Green, and is home to a collection of all sorts of old machinery and vehicles. My intention was to have a walk round and get some photos of the military bits and bobs he has, and mainly reference pics of the Martians that he has, but since my last visit about 2 years ago, he has had the gas axe out and is currently cutting everything up for scrap. He has one Martian left, an FV1110, which I have got a few bits off. I did ask him why, and he replied that it was down to good price of scrap and society's low life. The vehicles that I remember there were 5 Martians, a couple of Antars, can't remember how many Hippos, Humber Pig and 1 ton, though have a feeling someone may have bought this. a Scammell Explorer, odd Bedfords, Commer Q4, a DUKW, possibly a Nubian crash tender, Smiths 10 ton rough terrain crane, this is still there at present. Sure there are others that I can't remember. Shame really, but I can see Stephens point of view. I will have a dig out and see what photos I can find from years back when I first started visiting. Simon

Good morning and welcome to the forum. Good luck in your Champ search, there are still quite a number out there in various states of disrepair. They're not a bad vehicle apart from the rust. When you can you must regale us with any humurous stories and other tales from your time in the service. Cheers Simon

Hi, I would recommend you send a PM to Oily, as he owns a Saracen, and is located in the Southampton area. Though if you find that your accumulators are knackered, I am in the process of having seals made up for them. Simon

Saw this yesterday afternoon while stopping off for a quick break on return from Devon. Services on M4 at Leigh? I think it was. Huffing great Oshkosh tank transporter and load. Think there was more than one in the convoy, as happened to join M4 about 500 yards in front of another one. Unfortunately I parked my motorhome in the car park, and saw this as I was walking into the services.

Came back from hols in North Devon via M5, the old wrecker is still sat out at J24. Not a very good picture as taken on mobile phone, whlie sat in never ending traffic jam!

After looking at the website, The Big Sheep does appear to b a good days worth of activity. Pretty sure my daughter will love it.

New bits glued in. Good and strong again.

Windscreen centre pillar, well rusty!

A bit more cutting and welding this week, cab rail and windscreen centre pillar, both rather rusted. Drivers side view of the cab rail above, passenger side below.

Cost of seals works out roughly £60 per accumulator. Simon

Morning all, am off to North Devon for the week as an end of year holiday :drive:, hoping to visit the Cobbaton Collection one day too. What I would like to know is what other places of interest are around that area? Anything for a family day out, cider farms :beer:, places of interest. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Simon

It was on Ebay a while back, and attracted no interest. Me thinks probably a bit too much wanted for the old girl. Believe it is located in/near Bedale. Simon

There are actually 7 separate seals per piston accumulator, 3 of one type, and 4 of another. They are arranged 1 of each on the 2 end caps, and on the piston there are 3 seals, 1 seal with the other type either side. Simon

I am in the process of getting some new seals made up for these, waiting to find out about the cost per seal. Is there anyone else who requires some either for rebuild or stocks? Simon

A camper will tow, as there are many that have small cars dragged behind them, i would say with the weight of your vehicle plus trailer would exceed the maximum authorised mass of the camper, as roughly guessing most normal campers are about 3 tons ish, unladen, and MAM is probably 5 tons. ( Though this depends on the base vehicle, engine, axles body etc..) Adding people, baggage, fuel, supplies etc all adds weight and I would say it would be a bit too much. This is just off the top of my head, so it may not be quite accurate. Simon

Hi Rob, I did notice the other lock ring, but not till after I had done the soldering! Ah well, at least being screwed into the gen panel stopped it from moving around. PM sent regards wiring. Simon

Not quite all Jerry cans, looking at the foreground are what I think are called Ameri cans, same style, but screw top lid. But otherwise there is an awful lot there, think of the cost of filling them all up !!!!!OUCH Simon

Saw Goodyear blimp G-HLEL this morning as I was sat outside tinkering. Roughly heading west.

One of the next jobs is to measure up the old starter and battery cables and make some new ones with some spanking new plgs and cable I have aquired. These are made from Unipren 135, I managed to get various lengths some from a stall at the Bedfordshire steam rally the other week ( I have no idea what they were originally manufactured for, maybe some type of radio setup). First up is the old cables, again this size Unipren is originally blue, but has turned black over the course of 50+ years. New starter lead sockets were purchased from The x mod.

Unipren wiring sure does attract a lot of muck over time, these wires should be coloured, the thinner one 12A, was originally yellow, and the larger 50A should be blue. The yellow one I can do something about as I have a small amount on a reel, but the 50A blue, so far have not found any. To fit some new wiring is a simple matter of undoing the plug, the gen panel helps to hold the plug while the locking ring is loosened off. The wires are merely soldered to the back of the plug socket. Quite easy really.

Sprucing up manky wiring conduit is a rewarding job, certainly worth doing. Ignition junction box is next on the list.