mike65

No more than Hollywood is doing. Images have been faked for years just take the Cottingly Fairies and the Loch Ness Monster (Doctors picture). I believe there is at least one faked picture on this forum. However it is fine when taken in context but not when removed from the intended post. So that is history changed. Back in the days of film you had a habit of writing on the back, but this is a bit harder to do on a digital file. Digital files do include metadata which will give you some serious clues. Its like electronic hand writing. Camara's do not just record the image they also record the date time and various other settings including the camera. Editing a picture will record that as well. You can even record your own info on there like location, keywords for searches and even copyright data. I suspect many people do not actually do this though and even less know you can. Without this I suspect it will be down to detective work in the future looking for tiny clues. Is that a genuine WW2 mobile phone. In some eyes we might be changing history but in another way we are creating history as well as preventing it being forgotten. Mike

I am really enjoying reading this and peoples opinions, some I agree others not. If an MOT is the sole way of saying a car is roadworthy - something is wrong. If somebody thinks a car is roadworthy because it passed an MOT 11 months ago (or yesterday) something is wrong. You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle is roadworthy and safe. A vehicle is the most deadly thing most people come into contact with, yet they seem to think it is safe. Cars are safe but motorbikes are mobile coffins and are villified. Road deaths went up last year but the actual number of motorcycle deaths actually fell. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18623072 I suspect most of these (and accidents) are down to un-roadworthy drivers rather than the actual vehicle. I have a Land Rover and an Astra, if I detect a fault I fix the Land Rover, the Astra goes to the garage for most things as it has too much electronics in it. Oh it has done 49K in 12 years, yet I know of vehicles that have doubled taht and still do not need an MOT and have not had a service as the little light that says service me has not come on. The only real answer is to educate the driver. The driving test should include things like cheking oil, topping up washer fluid and even opening the bonnet. Know people who cannot even do that. Even how to use a fuel pump and check tyre pressures. Other thing I have had to help people with. Mike

Statistics on MOT's are readily available. All you need to do is Google "MOT Failure statistics" http://good-garage-guide.honestjohn.co.uk/mot-results/ Have not found the pass rate for 1960 but some of the newer ones are quite interesting. An average 20% failure for 3 year old vehicles, Some models with a 30% + rate. wonder how many would have failed at 1 year old? Mike

Or not Probably well deserved. Mike

Class 7 is only up to 3500 Kg. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/motoring/owningavehicle/mot/dg_4022514 3501 Kg and over would make it HGV. Which opens another can of worms. May be worth getting it down plated. Mike

IIRC Neil had some welding done to get it through, which would explain wheel removal. They did not want them to catch fire. Mike

Totally agree with you there. Although I did see an Audi use its indicators yesterday. OK it was at the exact same time he cut me up, slammed on the brakes to get off the A31 dual carriageway at the last minute and he had to get behind the 2 cars and a bike on my left. Obviously an A3 is an extremely long vehicle and would not fit in the 300m gap behind me. Mike

And just a few more. Including a the laid back DR's Mike

Ans some more.

And a few more Just love the French Resistance Mike

That's the spirit. Does Jack know about this? Well I made it into Dorchester yesterday. £ hours there and 3 back (average 45mph) Not only did Jack do a great job, he even got the sun to come out at times. SO I suppose I better put a a few pics. Mike SO WELL DONE JACK:yay::bow::bow::bow:

I believe the indicator stalk on BMWs actually operator the headlights. Indicate left or right the headlights flash. Yjere is a sensor which detects a mechanic and the computer automatically adjusts to MOT mode. Mike

Yup that's the one. Mike

I can just see it now. Road tests by the STUG and not to forget the Star in a Reasonably priced Tank Mike PS: Should be in Dorchester tomorrow.

That's not a problem as most would appear to be missing the stalk by the steering wheel that makes them light up anyway.:-D Mike

As a regular up there I am sort of used to it. However whilst out walking I do not normally have the longer lens on the camera or it is not out, so miss lots of good photo opps. Cannot see the point of wasting pixels on a dot though. You also have to remember to look down at times rather than up. Mike

Please remember the dress code. Wear the appropriate gear and make sure the plane has the correct invasion stripes on it. Mike

Cannot see the need for this petition or some of the reasoning. An MOT only says your vehicle is roadworthy at a specific time. You are and will always be responsible for the vehicle you are driving being in a safe and roadworthy condition, regardless of ownership. I have seen a car pass an MOT and be un roadworthy within 200 yards. Beat that if you can. It was my brothers 1974 Trans-Am. Passed the test then blew every brake light bulb the minute he hit the brakes (I was behind). Oh yes it was 8 or 10 bulbs on that version. As for home mechanics not doing the job properly, the same can be said of garages. Brother -in-law had a Maestro, went to the garage for a new clutch, a gearbox out job. 6 weeks later I was showing how to visually look for disc pad wear, when I noticed the bolts holding the gearbox to the sub frame had 2-3 inches of bolt showing. Appears they could not be bothered to do them up properly. Bearing in mind I needed to jack the transmission to get them through I suspect they were lazy. Everybody who sticks a satnav to the windscreen in the sweep of the wiper blades is theoretically making there car un-roadworthy and an MOT failure. Halfords will happily do this for you. You cannot have a crack or chip bigger than 10mm in front of the driver and 40mm in the remainder of the sweep. So you cannot tell me a satnav is not an issue. Personally I think there should be a petition for all drivers to be subjected to a common sense test, which will free up road space, reduce road accidents, minimise congestion and aid fuel economy, as most will fail. On top of which car manufacturers should make it possible to change a bulb within 5 minutes without the use of specialist tools etc Mike

Jack Was hoping to find a spot along the route with good views (Google street view has some uses). Just working on her who must be obeyed to let me have another day off. Mike

Some good pics there. Thanks for posting. Anything in the sand pit? Mike

Jack Hope all goes well. Have you a route map for the drives? Would love to come and watch a few tanks rumble down a few lanes. As you would not let me come and join in, despite painting a giant white star on the bonnet of my Land Rover. They had them in 633 Squadron and Ice Cold in Alex so they must have been at Normandy. (only joking) I might just have to partake of my other expensive hobby - photography. Mike

Come on guys. I have been at silverstone since 7am. I have got back via the pub, had a coffee. Looked at the starters and now need my main course. PLEASE:) Mike

Are you sure you got that right? I thought all Jeeps were at the Normandy landings:D Sounds like you have a tricky one there. Mind you if you finish it before November it needs an MOT regardless. After it will probably be a nightmare. As far as I can tell the MOT on first registration for pre-1960 vehicles has not been clarified. All depends on the definition of "first used" However MOTs will still be voluntary so it may be worth it for your own peace of mind. Although looking at your resto thread it will probably be better than original. Mike

AS the others have pointed out it is a Hawker Sea Fury T20S This on being VX281/C-RNHF I believe it is now operated by the Royal Navy Historic Flight Mike

Well not quite spotted today. Sort of Tuesday last week and you could call them holiday snaps. Hercules C130J C4 heading up Windemere. Did not have camera ready for the one later in the week when I had a nice top view. as it passed below Loughrigg Fell Oh and I also failed to get pictures of the $ Hamks, 6 Tucanos, 2 Typhoons and 5 Tornados and 1 very low flying Puma (it had to climb to clear the trees and houses at the North of Grasmere) Mike