mcspool

Another Russian Matilda turned over . . . . Source: http://miliblog.co.uk/?cat=146&paged=3

See this thread http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?19018-Hotchkiss-M201. Failed to sell at £7,550, later sold for £6,600. Or did it? The seller explained where it came from and what it was, well done. Typical Hotchpotch - no offense - looks like a fun jeep.

Like this?

Study, study. Talk to people who own one, buy some books, go read the forums on http://www.g503.com. You will be a specialist in no time

Sure. Just look at the adverts and you will notice people make money from importing them. You do need someone at the other end to help you find one though. But maybe your father has some useful contacts, vintage tractors and jeeps are not far apart interest wise. Hanno

Let us be honest - how many of those are still around? Most if not all Jeeps passed through some kind of rebuild, either by the military or in civilian life, where Ford / Willys / Hotchkiss parts were mixed and matched or replaced by repro parts. I can see people willing to pay a premium for a 100% original WW2 jeep, but how is provenance proven? We all know today there are more jeeps painted in 82AB markings than there ever were during WW2! Neil, you might best settle for a jeep in good running condition, if you indend to drive it that is what counts most. If it has a repro body or Hotchkiss engine, it does not really matter. As long as you know, because that will help you not paying for what supposedly is a "100% original" jeep. HTH, Hanno

Dusan, Here are some pictures: Regards, Hanno

unbelieveable . . . . not in my wildest dreams those guys deserve the civilian equivalent of the VC!

That tracked thingie is today's reincarnation of the Welbike.

Here's a little background on the park: http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/park-550-oro-grande.html I can think of at least one park / playground here in Holland which had a tank as an attraction, also removed due to HSE regulations. Great to see you are moving ahead with the Sherman restoration!

Sean, I should have put the quotes differently, like so: The Ram was then swapped by the Bovington Tank Museum for a "proper Sherman as Ram tanks were not used during WW2". In other words, it was the reasoning used to trade the Ram for a "Sherman". Steve has provided a list of Ram types used during WW2. Hanno

Yeah, sorry about that Alistair! There is precious little information about this. CMHQ Report 141 notes the use of the T16 Carrier as a 4.2-in mortar carrier was peculiar to the Canadian Army in North-West Europe; in Italy the mortar was carried on a trailer towed by the Loyd Carrier. But I am sure the Bovington Tank Museum can come up with more information. HTH, Hanno

Every now and then - see http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?20683-Robin-Hood-WWII-tank H.

Ref. http://hmvf.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=401:robin-hood-wwii-tank-restored-in-time-for-anniversary-&catid=13:news-headlines&Itemid=2 I understand it is easy to copy verbatim news items from other sources, but next time please check your sources. This BBC news item is complete nonsense, as far as the historical facts go. Of course it is wonderful this Grizzly Cruiser Tank was restored by apprentices and the vets love it, but it is not "a tank which fought with Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Rangers". Also this is not true: "The Sherwood Rangers' tank survived, however, and 25 years ago it was donated to the Dutch National Liberation". It is not a Sherman but a Grizzly Cruiser Tank, although I can get by that omission. The fact however is that this Grizzly was exchanged for a Ram Cruiser Tank which was donated by the Royal Netherlands Army to the National Liberation Museum at Nijmegen. A British unit offered to repaint it in their barracks in Germany. The Ram was then swapped by the Bovington Tank Museum for a "proper Sherman" as Ram tanks were not used during WW2. (Note: this type of tank, the Grizzly, was not used operationally during WW2, whereas the Ram was, although not as a gun tank.). Anyway, the museum was happy with the swap and must be happy now with it being restored externally (note the interior was gutted). Any media could write it was restored to resemble "Robin Hood, a tank which fought with Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Rangers". But it is not the very same Sherman tank. Sorry for my rant (I am a blunt Dutchman), but too many WW2 relics are presented as the real thing! Hope this sets things straight, Hanno

That's what I was thinking. But it can't be as Mr. Universal Carrier would know that!

Keep Them Rolling, the HMV club I am a member of, has a “Jeep Construction Team” which does the same thing with a WW2 jeep. It has been specially modified with quick disconnect spring hanger pins etc. It is not roadworthy, but it is a great crowd puller for sure! http://www.bandofliberation.nl/images/Tropentenue/imagepages/image23.html H.

If your body is made up of two halves, it does not matter what type of bonnet you fit?

Another popular transplant is the other way round - fitting the portal axles to Land Rovers (and other 4x4's)! This is a shame as many Tgb 11's / C303's are thus relegated to serving out their days as a garden shed. . .

Can you post a link please? H.

Hi Andy, thanks, will be interesting to see. Any well carried out mods are worthwile to leave alone, at least during the first stage of the restoration. You can always replace the tub by the time the chassis needs replacing too I have always fancied the Lightweight but ever since trying to drive one during my military service I was puzzled why they built them with so little legroom - but then, maybe the tallest people in the world should shut up and build their own cars Hanno

Hi Andy, Sounds like a nice find. Could you please post some pictures of the bulkhead modification once you have it at home? Thanks in advance! Hanno

Is it CT20 'Oxford' Tracked Carrier and/or the FV401 Cambridge Carrier? I do know they have the latter - see picture of the reserve collection below - and I think the former can be seen standing behind it.

Great project. Does it have 9.00-16 tyres fitted?

Would you believe that Sherman still exists? Well, see http://www.shermanrestoration.com/page1/page1.html

This is the elusive MWV GS van, isn't it? Note the fixed body sides and permanently fitted canvas. Also note the body is slightly longer at the rear. H.