Scammell4199

Yes, will do. Thanks for reiterating the 100% relief thing, problem for us is that the rateable value is near to the £12k upper limit which by my calculation means we still pay 90% of the rates. Hey ho, we'll see what happens. Richard

Thanks everyone. Some good info to work with there. We are proceeding with buying the building and with what you have all written here and some other leads we have a number of avenues of investigation to use to minimise the rates. Richard

After some time we (me, my dad and my brother) are now in a position to purchase an industrial unit to pursue our MV restoration hobby in as we have wanted to for some time. We have found and had an offer accepted on a great building on a trading estate but on contacting the ratings office to confirm, as we had been led to believe, that we would not have to pay business rates on the property that now appears to not be the case. Making the whole proposition entirely unfeasible. Does anyone know of any way round the law that would allow us to pursue our hobby in an industrial building? Cheers, Richard

I don't want to go to any of the ceremonies just have free passage over the area. Shall I just fill in the form and tick no to all the ceremonies? Cheers, Richard

Just had this through after submitting our forms, arrggghhhhh what do I do?? Doesn't seem to be much info on the website diverted to, and looking at other websites the emphasis seems to be more on the 6th as opposed to the 4th to 8th as suggested before. Dear Sir/Madam, Thank you for contacting the Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding accreditation to be in Normandy and/ or attend DDay 70 commemorations and events on 6 June. The MoD is currently only assisting Normandy Veterans (+ their families and travel companions) to obtain accreditation from the French authorities. All other persons wishing to travel around Normandy on 6 June should obtain accreditation directly from the French Authorities at the National Office for Veterans and Victims of War of Calvados. Information regarding the process can be found at http://www.le70e-normandie.fr/practical-information/f-a-q/?lang=en If you have already submitted an accreditation form to us prior to 10 April we will pass your application to the French Authorities on your behalf. However, if you are receiving this email then your details are not being transferred. Therefore you will need to resubmit your application (the details are the same as on our accreditation form) via their online channel on the website above. I apologise for the inconvenience this may cause you. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued travel advice for British Citizens wishing to make the journey to Normandy here. Also, do keep up to date by checking for latest news on http://www.gov.uk/mod/dday70 or http://www.the70th-normandy.com.

presumably we have to do the OGEL thing again? or is that a register once, good life type affair? Richard

Hi Folks, Couldn't believe no one has posted about this yet. It seems that EVERYONE travelling to Normandy between 4th and 8th of June will need to fill out and send off a form (link below) in order to gain access to the restriction area covering Calvados, Manche and Orne. http://dday70.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/d-day70-accreditation-and-event-ticket-application-form.doc All the best, Richard

Any pics / vids of the panthers engine jack? Richard

Bugger, that's a bit of a stumbling block! Is it the same as Bren carrier and T16 track? Richard

That one used to be on a chicken farm near us just outside Crewkerne in Somerset. The owner used it once a year to move big chicken sheds after finding it was the only thing that could do it. It also featured on telly once I think Top Gear when it was with Weston Recovery, recovering a 4x4 off the beach after the tide had come in and caught it.

Very jealous of your shed, we're trying to find one to buy at the moment. In rode in KFF 985 with its previous owner years ago when i was a lad pulling his Hellcat - loved it. I'll see if I can dig out some photos. Richard

Very jealous Harper. Didn't you buy a Diamond from the UK registration I believe KFF 985?? Richard

True soda does not remove rust. Sandblasting is I believe the only way to truly remove rust. Be careful however in your choice of grit. Don't use chilled iron as it will inevitably find its way into every nook and crevice and despite best endeavours to remove it, it will get shaken out during the first few miles of driving rusting on your nice new paintwork. Aluminium oxide is a better choice. Plus it goes without saying you need to paint ASAP after blasting. Good luck, Richard

Haha. Ah, that's a bit unfortunate. I just ordered a few bits from them today.

Have you ever used Gardner Enthusiast? Richard

Hi, how have you found soda blasting? I looked into starting a business doing that. It doesn't cut out rust, but makes a good job of paint stripping with no risk of panel warpage. Richard

Work on the white metal bearings is finally under way

Many thanks, will call tomorrow either lunch time or early eve. Thanks, Richard

Richard, sorry to trouble you but could I give you a call sometime to pick our brains please? Many thanks, Richard

Thank you Richard, a helpful reply as ever. The problem is, the width of bearings 1 to 5 is not adjustable only having white metal on their bores, the phosphor bronze backing is the width of the bearing. I have told "my man" to maintain the bearing width on no.6 as it is now and will check that It and all the others don't interfere with the end float, that is only no.7 controls the end float - correct? Richard

Has anyone ever come across an engine whereby more than one main bearing carries the longitudinal thrust? I'm having the white metal bearings from our Scammells Gardner engine refurbished and the chap doing it says he's never seen such an arrangement. No. 7 bearing just in front of the flywheel is the main thrust bearing, but no. 6 also has white metal thrust faces on it, while the others only have white metal on their bores. To my way of thinking you can only have one bearing locating the crank longitudinally, otherwise as the crank expands when the engine gets hot it will bind on the next closest thrust face. Any experiences appreciated, Richard

Brilliant find. Good luck with the resto, and keep the photos coming. Richard

Good work mate. There's a few places doing Gardner bits, where did you get all your spares from? I'm very glad that I haven't got to go to the expense of pistons and liners, but will certainly have to do a number of other things, and these crank bearings aren't gonna be cheap. Richard

Looking great john. What have you done to the engine? I'm STILL waiting for ours come back from the white metallers. Richard

Love it