LoggyDriver

But would the original agreement to store the vehicles then "die" with the death of the owner?

Lets hope the vehicle owner doesn't die in the meantime. I can see that causing a real headache for the land owner.

When 1 Squadron went from a DROPS Squadron to a Royal Engineer and Ambulance support Squadron we got a load of 8 ton TM Tippers. We never used them much granted, but I cannot remember many problems with the engines. What do you think of the AEC diesel engines?

I've just put that guy straight!!

Got mine yesterday. Very nice calendar ( I love the addition of very pretty girl for July!!) The magazine looks good too.

Jack, I wrote an in depth email to John Blackman on Tuesday about the quality of the paper, the fact the centre pages seem to fall out (well they do in mine) and various other issues I thought I would bring to his attention. As of today I still haven't received a reply on the subject. Maybe if the other forum members also send in an email on their views we might be able to achieve something. We all want to see the magazine a success so I'm hoping Mr Blackman takes on board our concerns...

I have to agree with the above couple of readers. I mentioned that it must be hard for the magazine to produce fresh articals on a monthly basis, but thinking about it, the Editor hasn't really got to look that hard. I'm sure at any one time there are lots of projects on the go of people restoring various types of military vehicles and who themselves, keep a record of how the project has gone with photographs etc. All they need to do is put a request in the magazine for people to submit their photo's and articals on their own projects, how they source parts, how long the jobs take, any problems along the way etc. I would find this much more interesting. I certainly would love to have my truck in there, but the owner must be prepaired to put in the leg work and do all the research he/she can on the facts of the vehicle. I remember when I used to buy Land Rover Owner magazine. Also I think more technical information would be welcome. I would like to see articals on engine rebuilds, a "How To" section such as replacing wheel bearings on an M35A2 for instance. It doesn't have to be like a technical manual, but it would give prospective owners an idea if their mechanical skills are up to the job of looking after a military vehicle. Has anyone noticed on the "The Military-Vehicle Price Guide" that according to this, the Bedford MJ/MK has a PETROL engine???? This mistake has been in the magazine for years, and still not rectified. Little things like this do my head in. Attention to detail is everything.

That's correct Richard, those instructions are for the MJ. There is a sticky label on the inside of the drivers side windscreen telling you what you need to do. Glad you backed up what the Dutch guy told me. My truck only needs half a turn of the starter to fire up, and she runs smooth instantly (so it should with 2,500 miles on it). I've not tried the cold start yet for obvious reasons, but I will try it when it's very cold just to see how she starts.

They will issue the appropriate date related number plate for the GPW as long as you have a MVT or similar report. You can get hold of the guy who does this on the MVT website. He will come out and inspect the vehicle to confirm the chassis and engine numbers tally with the age. The reason the numbers are non-transferable is because they (DVLA) have got wind of the fact these numbers are worth money.

1, Get the MVT to verify it (or IMPS etc) 2, MOT it 3, Insure it 4, fill in form V55/5 5, Take it all to DVLA with your £55 i think it is now That would be INSURE the Jeep FIRST before you do anything, on the chassis Number. Then MOT - Register.

These DUKW's are obviously owned by somebody. That person must have the bill of sale surely, to prove they are his property? If they have been left on this farm for years, then how long do they remain their before the farmer can claim ownership?

I had a close one when I was at Girdwood, North Belfast. I was carring out a Commanders Functional Test of one of our Saxon Patrol APC's. I was in the Commanders Turret and another Lance Jack was driving. He pulled out of the sheds at the top by the main gate (anyone who has been there will know where I mean) and we turned her to the right so that we had a bit of a run. There was also a girl in the troop compartment, but I can't remember who she was. So there I am in the Commanders Turret with the comms set over my ears, but NOT wearing a helmet. I ordered the driver to pull away at a rate of knots and to slam the brakes on so that we can test the functionality of the brakes. He slams the brakes on and the next thing I know I'm in the back of the troop compartment with hazy vision and lots of pain and blood and ringing ears. To see where you are going in a Saxon you have to stand on the Commanders seat and this is what I was doing. Luckily for me I was stood on the seat. As the Saxon screached to a halt, the Commanders hatch came away from the hatch retainer and smacked me square in the back of my head. The force of the hit knocked me off the seat and into the back of the Saxon. I was lying there with my uniform soaked in blood thinking that this might be the end. An armoured hatch hitting you in the back of the head at the speed that it did was not very good for my health. I was helped out of the Saxon by the girl and the driver. Then with an arm over each person they more or less carried me with my legs dangling down to the med centre (which was a normal semi house). I was thinking at the time that I needed to remain calm so that my heart rate stayed low so the bleeding wouldn't be so bad. We get to the med centre and the medics see the state of me and the house lights up with activity. I get put into an Land Rover MPV and QRF were scrammbled for the trip down to MPH. I gets to the hospital and then had my head stitched (with anaesthetic) with 20 odd stitches. I never had an ex ray which has always puzzled me. Since then I've had a lump in my head and no feeling where the scar is. I was very lucky I never smashed my skull like a grape. If I wasn't on the seat, but standing on the floor and therefor being lower and not having anywhere to go it would have. Top tip for all you armoured drivers and commanders. Wear a helmet and ALWAYS check the hatch is secure.

I hope the truck driver wasn't holding on to that at the time? Did he throw the chain with the rest on the floor/truck or was he holding one end and throwing the other?

My Bedford MJ certainly doesn't require Ether for the cold start. I am pretty sure that the early MK multifuel engines used this system of cold start device. When I am at War and Peace, there are a few Dutch guys who always park in the same place (who have a MUTT and always park on the corner near the exit)every year. One of them came over and it turns out he is a truck mechanic who works on Scania V8's. He was looking around my Bedford and I was amazed what the guy knew. I've worked and driven on these trucks when I was in the Army, but this guy knew everything about the Bedford. He told me how the cold start works (even knew how many pumps of the primer pump were required to fill it). Apparently what happens is when you use the cold start there are some electrodes on the device that heat up. When you turn the truck over the fuel oil hits the electrodes and catches fire. This is then sucked into the cylinders to heat them up. It holds 3 minutes of fuel for this purpose. If it hasn't started by then you need to prime it 200 times to fill the container with fuel again. Looking at mine there are several fuel pipes around this device, one I think from the fuel filter housing and another from the primer pump? I will take some pictures of this. The Ether method mentioned is probably the earlier type, but the system fitted on mine and which part of the AESP I posted is definitely a diesel based cold start system. I will take some pictures of the device and post on here.

The Photography question. Photography carried out without permission on private land is not unlawful. The landowner may insist that photography cease, and may use reasonable force to eject the photographer if they do not leave when requested. The landowner may also have a case for civil trespass, but has no power to demand handover of images or equipment. In general no claim over copyright of the images arises, although economic copyright (the right to earnings derived) can be forfeit if the photographs undermine the landowners' revenues from photography. Full version here; http://tonysleep.co.uk/node/605

Seems to me it's the farmer that needs checking out. On the one hand he is telling the owner that no moves are being made to dispose of these DUKW's and then at the same time he is telling someone else he is getting a scrappy in to cut them up. Reading between the lines I reckon this farmer is SICK of these DUKW's on his land and wants shot of them quick, and who can blame him, it sounds like they have been there for years. If I was the owner of these vehicles I'd be looking at getting the rest of these vehicles recovered pronto.

Jesus, has this guy lost his hand? Looks VERY painful. Your legs look pretty sore too. Should heal up OK with some steroid cream.

I take it the engine wasn't that reliable then? I'd love a Bedford 500 in my MJ. The 330 I think is just too small especially with the Electronic Repair Radar body on mine. I wonder if it's a straight swap? Anyone know?

78 KH 15 - Is that a 27 Regt DROPS? The number rings a bell.

Very cool. Are you on a world trip in the lightweight? I take it you have sold up and moved abroard?

The fuel tank is on the opposite side to the primer pump and cold start device. It says it holds 3 minutes of fuel, so I guess it takes 200 strokes to fill the receptical of fuel oil purely because of the size of it.

I would have thought Cat B would have been OK as you could strip all parts that were OK to reuse. Wonder why they don't let you buy back a Cat B vehicle?

Unbelievable. Totally gutted for the guys who own these vehicles. It's bad enough loosing ANY vehicle like this, but to loose very rare German vehicles is even worse. These types of vehicles just can't be replaced. You just can't put a price on these vehicles as they are so historically important. That is one aspect of keeping your vehicle under cover in a third partys premis that worries me. You are totally at the mercy of the owner and whoever else he/she lets storage to. Very sad indeed.:cry:

What is Cat C and D damage?

Perkins V8 you say Mike. Bet that was pretty good in the performance stakes? Do you know what CC it was?