mark m uk

An amphibious jeep is restored in just a few moments Something went wrong...

Here you go, all done in a few moments. Something went wrong...

Thank you smiler - that is a very generous comment to make. I could harly believe the posative reaction that the little replica had - numerous offers to buy had to be turned away. I think I may have to make some more . . . . . watch this space, Thanks again, regards Mark.

Thanks G i E, - Hey Adrian, it was a great time - do you have any idea when they may do it again ?......I asked "Mr Grumpy", but didn't get a reply. I had intended to do the B/waters thing, but my control box tossed out on the Hummvee. Regards, Mark.

Sorry it took so long Adrian, The video is a little half track heavy, but my son made it. Something went wrong...

Thanks guys, glad you like it - these posative responses is what generates interesting threads. We 'plopped in' at Margarats bay in Kent - the shingle beach made for some difficulties - the French beach was much better. You can certainly understand why such great research was done during WW2 to select suitable beaches.

Found this old video film I shot years ago, and thought some of you guys on here may like to see it. Something went wrong...

Thanks guys, Yep, G.i.E. - that'll do me !

Thank you, It was a real pleasure to meet you too - I enjoyed our chats. look forward to seeing that film you shot posted up. Very best wishes, Mark.

Your right - I am ashamed to say I hadn't even looked at that.:blush: I guess all of this is a good 'triggers broom' type of dilema ( I bet none of our foreign members have the first idea what that means )

Thank you all very much indeed for the wonderful comments. From start to finish, the seemingly limitless amount of enthusiasm has helped this project along. You guys know the value of sharing practical advice and information, and it seems you also fully appreciate the power of encouragement. Thank you. Yes, I am looking forward to Beltring and meeting some of you chaps.

First a test drive - it is really very good cross country, runs nice and very comfortable ride. Something went wrong... Then up to Norfolk broads for a water test - still not brave enough to do it without a rope attached. I did have a guy on the shore that was instructed to keep the rope tight so as not to get dragged into the prop. Also, if things went wrong, we would have a line ready to take a chain out. Anyway, forgive the excitement.......and that broad Suffolk bumkin accent Something went wrong... It all went very well, so I look forward to having a good untethered trip along the river next time

Yes I agree,...........but I wouldn't waste a great original part like this on my replica - this is going on the genuine 166 I recently acquired. The propeller will not be restored, I will paint the rest to match this

You are very astute - That is exactly my intension, I will model the rest of the swimmer on this ...............true thing,:-)

I recently bought this 166 propeller, to add to my collection of parts in preperation for a forthcoming restoration project. A very original piece still retaining its 3 colour 'Normandy' camouflage scheme - and a bullet strike. I thought it maybe the actual propeller off this shot up 166, but close examination reveals that the strike is not quite in the same position - but it had me going for a while Anyway, I think it is a nice bit of kit in its own right.

Nope, next job is a VW camper van for the Kids to enjoy, followed by my real VW166 Schwimmer. The next replica project is formulating in my head, I may have to put together a small dedicated team of enthusiastic amatuers. I have been researching, making enquires, drawing plans, etc. nothing is certain yet - but I do rather fancy a Tiger

I wisch you would schtop taking the pisch .................maybe it is a schinkwagen Whatever you call it, it is not a schuccess at the preschent time. I schertainly hope to get it schwimming schomtime schoon. ....................Schorry TD, thisch reply wasch a bit child...............isch

Thanks Bodge, .............No, no Schnapps - not yet, I'll wait until a more successful trip :-)

Thank you guys once again for the wonderful comments. I really appreciate the enthusiasm. Yesterday I gave the beetle/schwimm a trial. Took it to deepest essex, drove cross country for a while, and have to report that the off road capability was fantastic. Then tried to reverse into the river (ready for a quick tow out if it all went wrong) The reeds and bottomless mud in the first location made it difficult to even get to the water. However, I eventually found a better spot in the river, but first went home and made a ridgid tow bar for my 4x4 Dodge truck. This enabled me to push the VW backwards into the water to see if it would float, and check for leaks. The rear end just started to float and no leaks, but the tow bar was too short to go further. This emboldened me to try and get it further into the water. My son was real keen to make the maiden voyage so I let him gently reverse into the water. As the front wheels were about half submerged, The water gushed in! - so Joe drove out quickly ........I took it home and found that I had forgotten to weld up some bolt holes in the front chassis cross member that were used to mount the old beetle body ........... So, They were welded during the afternoon, ready for another try another day - I hope in the next few days

Truck like that could pull a house down ! Just found this photo with some old family snaps, I thought you guys may enjoy it. Taken in about 1963, Stratford st Mary, in Essex. My ol' man, clearing houses with a Diamond T, making way for the new A-12 between Colchester and Ipswich.

Thanks for the great comments guys, Be great to meet you - Not sure what days I can make it this year, but I have lent the replica swimmmer to a mate of mine, so that will be there all the time.

Not mine, nothing to do with me, Yorkshire, PM me if your interested, and I will point you in the right direction.

Thanks again guys. I really expect to be at Beltring, and I would really like to be able to report by then that it is seaworthy So, fingers crossed, god willing, and with a tail wind - I may just have it ready to float in a couple of weeks time.

Thanks guys, they really are very fine comments indeed. And especially from Adrian - if ever there were an expert when it comes to metal, - Thank you. Oh, and BTW, less of the 'brickie' remarks - our Mr Churchill was a brickie and look what happened to that dreadful little painter that underestimated him Now for a little update on the replica. After due consideration regarding the final painting, I deceided on a camoflauge scheme. Yep, the famous - or infamous (depends on what team you were batting for in the mid 40's) 3 colour 'Normandy'. Used by the bad guys in western Europe in the summer and fall of '44. This is the scheme, as shown here on a fantastically restored genuine typ166 from the UK. - I just love this little truck. And 'modelled' here And my effort to copy that scheme.

Thank you, you guys really are extremly kind. I do appreciate the enthusistic and ecourageing (not to mention complimentary) comments. Your a great bunch to share a hobby with. The real 166 will be 'stabilised' to stop any further deterioration. Spare parts search wilkl begin now - and restoration will begin when enough parts have been captured to giove me a fighting chance of completion. In the mean time - on with the replica thanks again chaps, Regards Mark.