Jessie The Jeep

November 19th 1942 'Operation Freshman' The British/Norwegian assault attempt on the 'Heavy Water' plant at Vermork, failed after after the assault team's gliders crashed. They were transported in two Horsa gliders towed by Halifax MK IIIs. This was the longest glider tow operation to date, but bad weather in the region of the release point caused icing of the tow planes, ropes and gliders. Both gliders and one tow plane crashed. Survivors were executed.

I'm now working as a self employed estate agent, working from home for 'Keith Pattinsons', the largest NE agent. Fortunately if I need to use the office phones or printer, it is only 5 mins drive from my house! Steve

Let me dig out some info for you and I'll get back to you. There are certain features to look out for to make it an accurate reproduction. If you want the best, you want to go to http://www.eastmanleather.com/ or http://www.aeroleatherclothing.com Cheap imitations can be found from £100 upwards Steve ps just started training for a new job so I might not be around during the day as much for a little while

and I just thought is was a bad case of steelworm!

During 2005, the NE MVT were invited to several VE Day celebration events. In most cases, Ken had his Champ there. I think there was one event at an art gallery where ONLY WW2 vehicles were requested, at the insistance of the organisers. In the main, it seems that the events we attend up here, only want 'something green'. At the DLI museum show, there are two display areas, one for WW2 and one for post war. I don't have a problem with the displays being themed in different areas. I prefer it as a photographer as it makes for better pictures. Why are there a lack of 'post war' events? Do organisers feel there isn't the interest amongst the paying public in later 20th century history? Is it the WW2 era that pulls the crowds? I don't know, I've only been in the MV movement for 18 months, but so far, I haven't found any 'them and us' attitude. Perhaps we're all just a little more laid back up North! Steve

I run the NE MVT website, and if you look through the members pages, you will see why there are virtually no post war vehicles in the gallery - almost everyone in the group has WW2 era vehicles. The only post war vehicles are the Champ, a DAF 66 and my M201 ( if you want to think of that as much different to a Willys in looks ). I can't post pictures of non-existant vehicles! Most of the events we attend are small local village fetes etc, involving only our group, hence the vehicles on display in the gallery. Occasionally we attend a larger local event, where there is a larger selection of vehicles to see, but not often. We haven't been able to have a large area show because of venue troubles, 'though we hope to have something for the end of summer 07. Perhaps some post war owners will be prepared to travel North to attend and show us some of these more modern vehicles. If they do, I'll see they go on the website. Until then, you're stuck with what we have. Steve ps I asked Ken for an article about his Champ for the website, when he has time, but I'm still waiting at present. I can only post information I am presented with.

Here's what the BBc had to say........ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3298443.stm

Here's some bullet holes for you!!! actually slightly more than bullets, but they make interesting entry holes. Steve [attachment deleted by admin]

Fixed the pics. They were on another host and worked for me. They are now hosted on HMVF so you should see them ok. Steve

The Spitfire was being flown by the Late Ray Hanna. How about these stills from the 1968 film "1000 Plane Raid". A B-17 is a big plane to throw around the sky. http://www.hmvf.co.uk/gallery?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2936&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=d6fb16d25918f3f25cfa223c15568427[/img] http://www.hmvf.co.uk/gallery?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2938&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=d6fb16d25918f3f25cfa223c15568427[/img] http://www.hmvf.co.uk/gallery?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2940&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=d6fb16d25918f3f25cfa223c15568427[/img] http://www.hmvf.co.uk/gallery?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2945&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=d6fb16d25918f3f25cfa223c15568427[/img] Notice the shadow of the B-17 on the tree http://www.hmvf.co.uk/gallery?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2947&g2_serialNumber=1&g2_GALLERYSID=d6fb16d25918f3f25cfa223c15568427[/img] Steve

But it is actually a P-47D! 8 x .50 cals in tight formation following 2000 Pratt & Whitney horses. There's a great wartime colour documentary following P-47's flying ground attacks in Italy in support of the ground forces. I'll try and dig out the title, but it's definately worth watching. Steve

driving my jeep in France, approaching a busy roundabout, pressed the brake pedal which prompty went straight to the floor :shake: Fortunately I missed everything on the roundabout and pulled off the road. Master brake cylinder died! I was still 5 miles from the camp site on the last day of my holiday and had two choices to get home..... 1) slow through the town with lots of breaking or 2) fast (ish) on the motorway where I'd only need to break once at the end! I chose the second option and made it back to the camp site using the gearbox and handbrake to slow down. Steve

I'm trying to work out if you are giving him 3 to 4 inches or 8 to 9!!!! :shake:

After the war, many airfields had their hangars, runways and dispersals used for the storage of vehicles or ammunition. Those with ammunition had their runways marked to warn aircraft not to try to land. Steve

because we aren't so tight????? :-o

I flew in a C-47/DC-3 ( G-AMPY in 'Northwest' colours ) back in 1985, from RAF Cranfield. I was in the third row back, on the right. If I remember it cost £10! I've had a few memorable test flights too, from my days as a light aircraft engineer at Newcastle, and an Air Cadet flight in a glider from Catterick in mid-winter was memorable for the cold! Those Air Cadet uniforms didn't keep out the cold too well, and the flying was delayed because the tow cable was frozen onto the winch! Steve

Stitched up!!! very funny considering the subject of costume design!

I thought the uniforms and kit was designed during or before the war!!! Are you sure he didn't just copy them!! :-D Steve

Pogo stick? :banana:

Jack Did they teach you about when to use left handed screwdrivers? and was it easy to find a store that keeps Imperial rivet holes these days? Steve

Any fine dust can be explosive, wood, metal, flour, custard powder!! I seem to remember a news article in the 70's or early 80's about an explosion at a custard powder factory. So remember to extract, ventilate, and think about possible ignition sources. ie don't go welding as soon as you've finished sanding or grinding etc. Steve

Until you have been in a B-17 or similar and seen how small it is, and worn all the kit, and realised how heavy it all is, It's hard to imagine how they did it. Add to that breathing oxygen for 8 hours, at minus whatever temperature, in a space where you can't stand up straight, then have people shoot at you..... Then you go home, have a drink with your friends in a local, go to bed in a cold damp hut, and have to do it all again the following day, knowing the rest of your friends never came home yesterday....... One of the youngest 100th BG airmen, slightly exagerated his age when joining up. He completed his tour of duty by the time of his 17th Birthday!!!!!!!! Hard to see that happening these days. Steve

These are in VERY good condition. I could have got some poor condition ones for about £30 to £40, but spent just a 'little' more for these! US bomber crew boots. Some crew wore their service shoes inside them! most used electrically heated shoe inserts. Often the crews would tie their service shoes to their parachute harness in case of bail out, as the flyers boots weren't comfortable to walk in for long distances. Steve

A6A boots arrived today. They're quite big! ( Think Astronaut boots! ) Steve

I've got a small scale model of a Sherman in those colours and it was described as "Cobra Pattern" camo. Steve