Jeff Glasser

Well, just turn up anyway Paul, it's an interesting day(s) out there whatever. Jeff

There will be a fly in for vintage/homebuilt aircraft Saturday and sunday (13th-14th August) Anyone with a military vehicle would be most welcome to come along, and it's free. The airfield management are very keen to get the military vehicle owners to be part of this, and future events. Come on, how many places can you go to and have a W.W.II airfield to play on!!!! Jeff

Those have to be the best yet!!!! Jeff

Thanks Matt, I did'nt know what kind of reply, if any, re my comments would elicit, yours is most appreciated. Obviousely we all have different opinions, which is a good thing otherwise this excellent site would'nt exist. Although I own a jeep, I would find it soooo boring to walk down the line of vehicles at a show and have them all identical in the way they are marked and finished. Even Joe public would soon wander off to the hot dog stand, and that would be awful even though they can ask what to us sounds like incredibly stupid questions, I love to chat about my vehicle. My apologies for wandering off topic, though when I stripped the paint off of my jeep, the stars on the tub looked like they'd been done by a five year old. There were odd sized ones on the tub just behind the front wings. That was new to me. I don't think they were applied too late in its life as they were on top of what looked like the original olive drab.

I spent three years restoring my jeep, and to some it's well over restored, to others it's beautiful. I don't mind either way. I'm fully aware that a military vehicle never left the factory looking perfect, and even less so after time in the field. I love to see vehicles that are 'true' to how they would have looked in reality, even more so if they are completely original. Restoring a really original vehicle would be sacrilage, but I like my jeep the way it is, plus with modern paint with a slight sheen it's very easy to remove the remains of toffee apple and Candy floss that will always be deposited at shows. I did let a little overspray weep from the stencils just so they did'nt look like stickers! In the twelve years that it has been done I'm pleased to say it still looks good, and has developed a nice patina. I must add that although it took a long time to rebuild, in the first few weeks of it being finished, it did get up to its axles in mud much to the disbelief of those that saw me do it. Some U.S. Navy Veterns wanted to see some old buildings at Dunkeswell. It was a very wet day, and the route to them was via a very muddy track, but who was I to refuse them. Jeff

Not vehicle related, but I think it belongs here in this excellent thread.... In the early 1980's myself and a couple of other bold aviators bought the old W.W.II Dunkeswell Airfield near Honiton in Devon. We were used to the usual complaints of noise of the weekend fliers, and would do our best to inform the pilots not to fly over the village etc. but there was an old gentleman of German extraction who lived a short distance away who constantly complained. At the time the original owner of the airfield still visited us, and on answering the phone and finding it to be said Herman complaining again said.."Look, if you bunch of b**t**ds had'nt started the b***dy war this airfield would'nt be here, and you'd have f*** all to moan about!" I don't think he complained again! There was also an old chap who complaine to the local council about the noise of aircraft, especialy now they've (the airfield owners) got a jet based there! I think he gave up when it was pointed out to him that should he bother to look up the tail pipe of said 'noisey' jet, he would notice the lack of an engine!!, (the aircraft was our temporary gate guardian D.H. Vampire T.11) Jeff p.s. my j**p is constantly mistaken for a Champ by dear old chaps who state with great authority that they drove them in the army so they should know what they're talking about!

My sentiments entirely Andy... Jeff

I'm sure the pilots who fly these classic aircraft have many many hours in their log books flying all kinds of aircraft, and are extremely competent at display flying. To actually get a display ticket is'nt easy. Even the best make mistakes...i.e. Neil Williams. You'd hardly call him amateur.

Excellent Howard, so nice to see quality work. Jeff

That's looking superb Howard, how is sunny suffolk? Jeff

Excellent resto' Jack, the same bloke who rebuilt my jeep engine must have done yours aswell as mine!, i.e. pistons/conrods the wrong way round etc. It certainly pays to never assume anything!! Jeff

Nothing is impossible, but I do take my hat off too you. I'll bet it spoke to you from the brambles did'nt it "help me, please save me"!! I've heard the same words, but then I have a lot of voices in my head! Best of luck Jef

I do'nt know if this is the right place to put this but, I've been asked by the owner of Dunkeswell airport to mention that he and the management would dearly like to put on military vehicle displays to coincide with the vintage aircraft fly ins that are held there, or even events that are just for military vehicles. As you can guess, there is no shortage of space for such events on this historic W.W.II airfield. Can anyone help? If so,please contact me via this site. Thanks. p.s. Jack, you could'nt do something like A&E up there could you!!!!:-D

Here's a few more pics, of M.N. at war weekend. Other photos' in post 15

I took my jeep this weekend with others from the Wessex M.V.T. (sadly, not part of the convoy) Superb organisation and a great event. My compliments to the Chef. Here's a few pics' and with the help of 'Picasa' I've got rid of the white lines etc outside the school.

He must be driving it from in the boot!:-D

The Alvis 'Leonides' could also be found nailed to the front of the Percival piston 'Provost' an early fifties R.A.F. trainer, several are still airworthy today. £2,500! When I was part owner of Dunkeswell a few years ago, we had to sell an entire, though not airworthy, Provost to recover non payment of storage costs. I think the guys from Wellesbourne Mountford museum gave us a few hundred quid for it, and I think it is now displayed by them. I often wish I'd bought it from the company just for the engine which seemed in fair condition. Well, it was'nt siezed! Jeff

Not 'spotted today', and this might not be in the right thread, but I saw this on another website for Hot Rods called 'Rods and Sods' it was in a thread on the Chelsea cruise. I imagine from the 1980's. Someone might recognise their jeep in the right side of the photo' Jeff

Now that's just greedy:-D Hell of a toy box though! Great pics Colin. Jeff

Nice story Colin, I'd keep looking mate, you might find a reference to its whereabouts on a scrap of paper jammed down the side of the floor! well, we can all dream. Jeff

Great stuff mate, my hat is taken off to you! Is the D.H. Dove (Drover?) airworthy? Jeff

Thanks Jimmy, I'll remember to address any mail to him personally. Of course I shall have to blab about your remarks about his writing and spelling!! I heard that poor old 'Barty' died some time ago. He was barking mad as well, just like the rest of us, but he did have some nice bikes. I have been to W and P, and hope to get there next year. It would be great to meet up and tell lies to each other! Have a great Xmas and New Year. Jeff

Bodge and Jimmy, that do'nt sound like the one my pal has! Jeff

A pal of mine has a W.C. 51. I'm waiting until he gets fed up with it, then I'll make my move! Are they all so heavy to drive? Jeff p.s. Jimmy, your dad returned my e-mail. I suppose you had to do it for the lazy sod!!!

Mike, It's a touch under 5 1/2 " long. I also thought tracer. lol at the grenade joke! That must concentrate their thoughts for a second or two!! ___________________________________________________________________ Johnny, I remember reading about those finds at H.M.S. Daedalus. There is an excellent museum at Dunkeswell, it was started many years ago when some lads who started the museum found lots of stuff around the airfield and started a collection. Well worth a visit if your ever in Devon __________________________________________________________________ Bodge, thanks for the explanation of R A on the bottom of the casing. Jeff