Jessie The Jeep

For those of you who haven't met "Whistlin Wolf" ( Tim ), I found a recent picture by the jeep....... Sorry Tim, I couldn't help myself. Steve PS You made a really good job of that prang!!!!

Here's a few of the pics from todays event. Further pictures can be found at the NE MVT Site http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear2.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear3.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear1.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear6.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear8.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/events_pics/05/bearpark/bear10.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/articles/bustle/bustle6.JPG[/img] http://www.sacarr.co.uk/mvtne/articles/bustle/bustle5.jpg[/img] Steve

In the aviation world, I've often heard the figure of 15% original parts being the cut off point before it is considered a replica. But what really is a replica?? If you build a Sherman out of plywood, horsesh*t and bus tickets, but it looks 100% spot on, then I'd call it a replica. If however you use the original drawings, and copy each part in the original material, then in my mind, it is not a replica, but a "New Build" Sherman, possibly with some original parts. Stand it next to a WW2 vintage Sherman and they are identical, they are both Shermans, just one is an older version. It's age doesn't change the fact whether it is a Sherman or not. Taking it to extremes, the famous Boeing B-17 Fortress bomber was also built in the USA by Douglas and Vega. It may be the same age as a Boeing example, but does that mean it isn't really a B-17 because Boeing didn't build it? The other companies also made changes to the original design ( making spares identification a nightmare ). It's the same age, built using the same materials and drawings, although slightly changed here and there, just the manufacturer is different. If you answer yes, of course it's a B-17, then by the same breath are you also saying that the Hotchkiss M201 Jeep is just the same as a Willys MB, just a later mark and a little more refined???? I don't think the age of the parts makes a difference personally. How many military vehicles at the end of the war had all the same parts as when they left the factory?? With replacement and repaired parts being fitted, it's not the same vehicle???is it? the parts were younger and from a different company??? Who's to say that the steel you are using to repair your body tub isn't steel that was recycled from scrapped vehicles after the war? Steel is steel, rubber is rubber; replacing parts for new doesn't make the vehicle any less a vehicle, just as it didn't during the war, it just means the parts are younger, and the vehicle will continue for longer. All vehicles are in a constant state of "Restoration", even during wartime to keep them running, so no vehicle is original, only the age of the parts is different. There will be purists who want every nut and bolt to be wartime origin, but sooner or later, age will take it's toll, and they will be the ones with static unusable vehicles. Guess I've prattled on long enough now!! Steve

The 493rd Bomb Group Museum at Debach airfield, Suffolk, have one, but it is in poor condition currently. That's the only one I know of. Steve

Some members of the NE area MVT will be displaying their vehicles at the School in Bear Park, Durham on Saturday 10th September, I think from 11am onwards. If you live in the area, or are passing through, drop in and say hello. I'll post a few pics after the event. Steve

Tim, You got any pics of your Jeep?? Steve

Hello and welcome Check out this thread for a tutorial on pictures. http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=98 You can't upload pictures to this site, but if you have them posted on your own webspace, you can link to them. Steve ( another M201 owner )

Just had to share a few pictures from the NEMVT day out at the English Heritage VE Day Celebration event at Tynemouth Castle. The event was fortunate to have hot sun and clear skies, despite the weather forecast. Around half a dozen NEMVT vehicles were in attendance, along with other vehicles and re-enactors. It was a very relaxed event, even though there was something happening on the various displays all day. Even some of the public were given replica rifles and were put through rifle and marching drill ( how long will that be allowed?? ). At the end of the day, as I was removing the flag pole from my jeep, a flash of inspiration led to the first picture in the selection below, simply entitled - "The Sands of Tynemouth Castle". For a larger selection of the days pictures or to see some of our other events, go to the NEMVT Site and look under Events Gallery http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/nemvt/nemvt.htm Steve

Most vintage vehicles have a range of specialist tools to maintain and repair various parts of the vehicles. I imagine that many of these tools are now difficult or impossible to get hold of, so many people out there must make tools for themselves to do these jobs. Please share your designs here, as you may just give someone the inspiration to have a go for themselves. Here's my contribution to start things off. It's a front drive flange puller for a jeep. It's not pretty, but it does the job! I tried to buy one, but nobody I called had any in stock, so I made one. First the puller on its own. Next half way through pulling the drive flange. Last, the flange removed. Steve

My garage looks like this.......... .......so I don't have space for a flatbed trailer and my aircraft trailer. I'm now planning a flat bed trailer with a lift off box along the lines of shipping containers, which will contain the aircraft. This will have extendable legs that will support it so that the flatbed can roll out from underneath to be used for transporting the jeep. Steve

It would be worth putting the whole lot on a CD when you are done, and making it available ( for a small fee!!! ) to other Jeep restorers. This kind of information is too valuable to just hide on your hard drive, and there's far too much to post here!! Steve

Please record as much of the rebuild work as possible on camera, as it is great reference material for anyone else working on their jeep. Steve

I was chatting to a guy from the USA over the weekend who said that Wagner-Lockheed was a subsiduary company of the Lockheed Aircraft Company??? Any other opinions? Steve

I'm in the middle of replacing the master brake cylinder on my jeep, and noticed the name "Wagner-Lockheed" moulded into the casting. Does this have a connection to the Lockheed that made the P-38 Lightning fighter?? Steve

You can't "Attach" photos in this forum, only add links to pictures on your own or other webspace. For example, this picture is posted using the address where it is posted, ie - http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forum/templates/subSilver/images/logo_phpBB.gif If you have your own webspace, you can right click on the image, go to properties, and it will tell you the address. Paste the address into the text window when you post replies, and simply add after the link. Steve

Many thanks!!! Steve

I know a little. 4 - Bonnet/hood numbers are usually the vehicle registration number. The first one or two digits refer to the type of vehicle ( ie. 2 = light duty 1/2 to 1 ton, 40 = full and half track vehicles except tanks ) An 'S' after the number indicated the vehicle electrics were suppressed to allow the use of radios. Source - Allied Liberation Vehicles, by Francois Bertin 5 - Bumber markings are generally the Group/Unit that the vehicle belongs to. My jeep, belongs to 8th Air Force, 100th Bomb Group, 351st Bomb Squadron, vehicle 17 6 - Some vehicles and aircraft were named during the war. It depended upon the unit commander, and nature of the art/name. Later in the war, there was more censorship of naming following a B-17 Fortress named "Murder Inc", which force landed and the crew captured. Some of the crew had this name painted on their jackets and the Germans made propaganda out of it claiming it to be official US Air Force policy to murder. Hope this helps a bit. Steve

I bought my Jeep in April, and since then, the numbers 1,2,3 & 4 around the spare tyre have puzzled me. See Below. It is a five bolt hub, so it hasn't anything to do with the wheel nuts. They aren't evenly spaced around the tyre, and don't seem to correspond to anything else on the wheel. Has anyone seen this before, or something similar??? Any thoughts as to what they are for?? Steve

My favourite weapon has to be the eight .50 cal brownings in a P-47 Thunderbolt. The reason, the sheer destructive fire power of 2,400 rounds per minute all in tight formation when they meet their target. You can't help but be impressed by watching gun camera footage of enemy aircraft being sawn in half by a two second burst. Steve

Now all you need to do is hook up a live video feed so you can see what you are working on from the comfort of your PC!!!!!! Perhaps get one of those 3D design packages for the computer and then you can make virtual tools to work in those difficult areas!!!! :lol: Sorry, I couldn't help myself!! Steve

This year, my most enjoyable event was the 493rd Bomb Group Museum open day June 12th. For a small, recently started museum, they put on a very professional days entertainment. http://www.493bgdebach.co.uk/dahome.htm The control tower has been restored, and other airfield buildings are being restored or built new on the museum site. There were also several memorabilia stalls and 1940's displays around the site. On the Saturday evening before the event, there was a large 1940's hangar dance held in one of the large technical site buildings. I was attending, supporting on two fronts. The main reason for being there was as part of the USAAF Model Team, flying our 1/6 scale radio controlled warbirds from the grass runway beyond the control tower. I also took my jeep, which turned out to be very useful ferrying aircraft and support equipment to the flight line. One guy, called Clive if memory serves me correctly, had a truck with an operating battery of four .50 cal machine guns. He took great pleasure in trying to "shoot down" my P-47 Thunderbolt while I straffed him. I reckon I won as my P-47 had eight x .50's to his four!!!! There were about 60 vehicles there, I think many were from the Essex Area MVT, some of which you may recognise from the few small pictures of the event below. A great day out and well worth a visit next year. What has been your best event this year?? Steve

How many variations were there of the Sherman Tank chassis?? I know of the basic Sherman which had various armament in the turret, but there were also several other variants like the.... Bulldozer Shermans Flail Mine Clearer DD Floating Sherman Sherman BARV ( Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle ) Forgive my ignorance if I'm showing my novice status here, but the M10 and Sexton also look Sherman based. Just how many variants were there??? Steve

Unfortunately I can't be there, so be sure to take plenty of pictures for the rest of us!! Steve

North East MVT Meetings We meet on the Second Tuesday of each month at the Seaton Social Club, at Seaton Carew, just south of Hartlepool. Meetings are informal events, and commence at about 8 p.m. North East MVT Website http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/nemvt/nemvt.htm Area Secretary - Jon Kerr ( email - kerdodge@aol.com ) Remaining Local Events Supported by NE MVT for 2005 21st Aug - Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, National Trust Property 21st Aug - Tynemouth Castle, English Heritage Event 28th / 29th Aug - Durham Light Infantry Show, DLI Museum, Durham 3rd Sept - Greatham Village, Hartlepool, VE Day celebrations 10th Sept - Bear Park, Durham, VE Day celebrations 1st Oct - Langley Park, Durham, VE Day celebrations 8th Oct - Pittington School, Co Durham, VE Day celebrations 18th Nov ( Friday ) - Bowburn School, Co Durham, VE Day Celebrations

You can't "Attach" photos in this forum, only add links to pictures on your own or other webspace. For example, this picture is posted using the address where it is posted, ie -http://www.hmvf.co.uk/forum/templates/subSilver/images/logo_phpBB.gif If you have your own webspace, you can right click on the image, go to properties, and it will tell you the address. Paste the address into the text window when you post replies, and simply add after the link. Steve PS Very nice pictures Jeroen