FridgeFreezer

It's not so much about EU Approval, it's about whose tread pattern they're copying to make the tyres and if they'll end up in court. It's often missed but tyres don't have to be E-marked for road use if they are approved to an equivalent standard in another country, the most popular one being american DOT markings. This has been the source of some debate in the 4x4 world, but of course no-one ever bothers to actually read the rule book :-D

Simex don't seem to have any problem selling in the UK for the 4x4 market, their UK distro being Devon4x4: http://simextyres.co.uk/ Perhaps it's an issue over the EU rights of making tyres from other people's moulds.

Paul, you mean one like this at Hirst's? I believe it's for sale complete:

Fake: http://www.snopes.com/photos/airplane/onewing.asp

If one wished to cause trouble, one could register an official complaint regarding those who had previously, and apparrently incorrectly, told you to get stuffed. Of course the problem is that it can have the effect of either sorting the problem out, or them deciding never to help anyone ever again.

I've not got anything off a Q plate but I have re-registered several scrap vehicles (albeit modern non-military ones), my understanding was, subject to a VIC to confirm it is what you say it is & was made when you say it was, you get issued an age-related plate. Nothing to stop you doing the "new" registration before you "scrap" the Q plate, in fact it is almost desirable to keep the Q plate as SORN so that if there is ever a problem over identity etc. you can put the Q back on the road and avoid SVA type hassle. Of course, all of that would be against the rules so I'm just being hypotheitcal here.

Is it possible "surge discharge lamp" could also be a fuse of some sort? Not sure why you'd paint a lamp black. They have the look of old style fuses in holders. The boss suggested they may be mercury fuses, but if you're sure they're radioactive then maybe not.

Interesting stuff - their 101 (01 SP 17) looks like a prototype to me, so quite rare. The front end is different and I'm sure I remember reading that the prototypes suffered from dented panels under the windscreen when airlifted, due to the lifting strops from under the front bumper, so the shape of the production ones was changed. Jeez I know some useless trivia :nut:

I doubt Merlins care overly much about having to blow bubbles either, it's unlikely to knock many hundreds of HP off

Thankfully the one that donated its axles to my Landy was well beyond saving :-X although we do know people looking for bits from the top half, if anyone knows of a surplus one going for scrap I'm sure a home could be found. They are awesomely capable trucks, if I was doing it again I'd just buy a C303/4/6 rather than modify a Land Rover.

Apologies if this is not considered suitable, but a friend of ours in the Ukraine is organising an off-road trophy which includes routes through some historic countryside. The "tourism" class should be doable in anything 4x4 and under 3.5t with low risk of damage (dependent on your driving of course!) In the Tourism track, we have Skythian monuments, Stalin command bunkers and various defense installations; amazing beautiful forests & swamps, old villages (and I mean OLD OLD), and the city of Kiev nearby for all your sightseeing. We can meet you at the border and assist with all formalities if need be. Website (English button is top right of the screen) http://www.ukraine-trophy.com

Anyone know if there's a way to watch the parade online (other than waiting for it to appear on YouTube from someone's camera phone)?

No problem - I agree it's not going to make things any less rusty but it will soak in nicely to a rough rusty surface and hopefully help preserve them for when you next lift the tarp in another 15 years. It's also quite good for lighting the wood burner, mind your eyebrows though!

Just dug this up as this thing was parked at Gunwharf Quays (the ex-dockyards-now-shopping-village) last weekend, certainly looked very good, I'd have it over one of those Sunseeker thingys any day. If I had half a million quid spare. And had bought all the other toys on my list. :-D

I can't help but feel the spares pile may benefit from a spray of coccoon metal protectant, a friend introduced me to it, it's used to stop steel stock & parts from rusting in the yard at factories. It's a sort of spray-on wax.