Desert Rat

It's not an engine cowling Tony. It almost looks like some kind of pressure vessel but to be honest, really not sure but not a Dornier engine cowling.

Not sure as my friends brother was only young and I don't think he is an aviation buff (although I will ask). One thing I can tell you is that just up the road from Aldermaston is Greenham Common and they had some gliders there for a while as I used to store some machinery in a shed only a few years ago that had the back wall made from a packing crate of a American Waco glider.

Interesting all the same. The two incidents I mentioned from a first-hand source were both American gliders. Do you have anymore info on the Horsa incident ?

Which one ? Where did the Horsa come down ?

Spoke to a friend who's brother actually saw two incidents in this area. First was about 4 months before D-Day when a glider got into difficulties as it was being towed from Aldermaston. It released and came down not far from where the Hampshire hospital now stands near Basingstoke. There were only two crew on board and it was guarded overnight and the next day, two poles were errected and a long line of tow rope zig-zagged on the ground and the tug (I assume a C-47) came low (kicking up lots of debris apparently) and hooked onto the line and dragged the glider up. The second was on the night of D-Day (5th/6th) and came down loaded with troops. It landed near the Basingstoke/Reading A33 road and the troops were taken back to Aldermaston. The glider was damaged and set fire to in the field. My mates brother and family took bits of plexiglass away and used in their garden. Hope this might shed a bit more light on these glider events.

Lancs quite often carried a 'second pilot' or 'second dickey'. The normal reason was a new pilot, little or no combat experience and would have to stand behind the pilot the entire trip to watch what went on during an actual mission. As a rule, raids on Happy Valley were not usually chosen to do these flights as the risks was extremely high. Once the second dickey had done a couple of trips like this, he would go back to his own new crew and they would embark on actual missions themselves as part of the squadron. Enigma, if you want any info from the Metheringham end, just drop me a line and I'll go and see the guys at the museum.

The early ones were GMC axles, shortened as you say and the gearing was equalled out in the sandwich plate/transfer box. Later Selene then had their own ratio diffs made up so the gearing in the box was bigger and stronger. The early E1A Majors were vastly underpowered for the 4WD conversions as they used to rely on a certain amount of wheelslip to keep the engine revs up but the extra weight and traction of the Selene axles transfered all the power into grip and put them on their knees ! 6cyl conversions etc started to appear from Roadless and County as well as double engined machines such as the Doe Triple D. I'll try and dig out a pic I have of an early Selene/GMC axle.

Before my time we used to cart Ransomes stuff about now and again. One of the old guys at Ipswich spoke of the British Army having a few MG2's to pull a small mole plough at about 4 inches deep and a cable drum put a comms line in the slot. He reckoned the idea was for keeping cables out of the way on camps etc. The reason I know about it was that I wanted to make a similar system for laying irrigation lines in large gardens on a site some years ago and was reminded of this system that Ransomes apparently tried by one of our old drivers. Personally, I reckon they only ever reached evaluation level and no further. As for the RAF coloured one, I think it is a bit of artistic licence along the lines of the larger US Cletracs and Roadless Fordsons.

Ransomes supplied a few to the army apparently for use with a small cable/comms layer but I have never seen an ex-military one in the flesh. They were basically a small holders crawler for pulling a small cultivator or plough. As for an RAF one, I doubt it but you never know...

Not sure about the DUKW's used in London and Liverpool but I have just returned from the States and while in Boston, MA, I went on a Duck Tour. The Ducks there are all new, built to the same size and appearance as the original WW2 DUKW's but have diesel engines, auto boxes, better seals, axles etc. Apparently dependant on spec they range from $300,000 to 400,000 USD each new. :wow: However, when put in context that each Duck can earn up to $5,000 a DAY......

Wasn't it near Spencers Wood ? I was once told of a glider coming down near there but not sure of the exact location.

He was very 'matter of fact' but so approachable. He loved to talk to people. His father was one of the pioneer's in the early days of 'self-propelled cycles' which became known as motorbikes !!

http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/wing_commander_ken_wallis_dies_at_the_age_of_97_post_your_tributes_1_2365526 A sad loss to the world of aviation. I had the privilege to spend some time with him on several occassions and always left a bit wiser.

Looks like the Defence medal but they were also entitled to the 39-45 War medal. Maybe the Defence medal was all that was issued to them until they returned home ?

It could well be the Defence Medal. It just seems strange that the only medal they would be wearing abroad would be the Defence medal.

They both served overseas - Italy then Austria.

Can anyone identify the medal ribbon worn in these two pictures ? The men are both 46th div, Royal Engineers. The time and location is approx mid/late 1945 in Austria.

This thread should be about as interesting as watching...er... paint dry....:-D However, I am finding it of great interest, especially how Ted and co. were mixing short supply paint in dustbins !! Ted, the pic of the S26's in sand/pink look great. I remember reading that in Gulf War 1 desert paint was again in very short supply and units were mixing their own and one lot ended up with the nick-name 'Banana Custards' because their trucks were more yellow than sand coloured !

Thanks for making me smile :-D Sounds like you had a great time.

Neil, give either Warwick Ward a ring or Nelson Green.

It's an early David Brown 990 with the sandwich front axle. You can tell from the main casting, the timing cover and the head. Someone has obviously painted it blue.

I think one or two are assuming the dusty stuff will turn to a bog if it rains... Well, in truth, I think if one year it does rain and people are sensible about vehicle movements, you will find that due to the very light soil (which blows when dry !!) the ground will drain very quickly. Also, the whole site is on a slope so again this will help. I have already heard that grass will be drilled for next year and if this is done with minimal disturbance (Direct or min-till) then I reckon the site will become a very good area which can stand a variety of weather. Toilets - well having been involved with running various rallies and shows over the years I can assure you that the general public (and exhibitors) can be worse than pigs. We always used to find that the womens toilets were the worst ! The trouble is that as the toilets get more use, people tend to 'hover' rather than sit. This then leads to the same problem Bomber Command suffered when bombing Berlin - 'creep back'....:-D Eventually they even stand on the seat, lean against the cistern, etc, etc. Grim reading but its the truth. I'm sure you all are sensible, well mannered people but not everyone is like that. Spare a thought for the poor bugger's who have to go and clean it up... Anyway, I am sure the organisers will read a lot of this and act accordingly. You have to remember that if it was a total flop then there would be no point in investing for next year but I think now they will be able to look at ground conditions and also maybe even a big viewing bank for the arena.

I went purely as a member of the public this year due to work commitments and agree with much that has been said above and elsewhere. However, again I think to some degree we all fear change and must look at the new site as an egg that can hatch into something spectacular. If on the whole the site is suitable and can be used for the future, I would imagine that much can be done with it. Yes, it was dusty but direct drilling grass both ways at a fairly decent seed rate would provide good, stable camping, good dust suppression and also help if things turn wet (the light soil will also be a godsend in this case as it should be free draining) As far as the layout goes, I must say I stood in awe looking across the site as it looked like some massive resupply and maintenance camp getting ready for a big offensive push ! People are looking back at Beltring with rose-tinted specs as I seem to remember more and more people moaning year after year right until the end about the site, layout and facilities. Rather than moan about something put on for your enjoyment, look at what could be done to improve any issues and make sure next year really is the start of something good. As many keep saying, the show is only a show when we all turn up and make it so. Therefore make sure all points are addressed and sorted - although this depends on the willingness of the organisers to listen and act but I am sure they will as they now have more control. BTW, seeing Ricks Cromwell finally completed was the highlight of my day. Well done mate.

Coming back from W&P yesterday, I was on the M40 heading North and saw a step-frame with a Jeep and M8 and then a bit further ahead there was another step-frame with a GMC and a half-track both heading Northbound.

Saw the exact same convoy heading North on the M1 last week near Watford Gap.