No Signals

I did not say that 'any one has just been sitting round and talking about this'. I made a point that rather than 'sit around' (get involved) in talking(typing) about it I put forward 'a polite and considered response' on behalf of any/all historic vehicles of any origin or description. Rather than get involved in the useful and well focussed discussion in this thread, or indeed in any others. I chose not to involve in the discussion as there are so many better qualified and experienced souls on here who can put the technical facts so much more accurately than myself - and I dont have a HGV anyway, so I'd be talking about something i know very little about. That didn't stop me from putting in a word of support, that I think seems to have brought a positive response of sorts from those conducting the process. Typical of how this site has moved though, that this should be seen by some as reason to twist my words to take a swipe at me because of my effort!

Rather than sit round talking about it I put together a polite and considered response to the proposals. I received this response today- Thank you for your response to the HGV MOT testing consultation. We have had a number of responses from historic vehicle owners. It was not the intention of these proposals to catch such people and we will be working with relevant organisations and experts to ensure that we only catch those types of vehicle that were intended. Which is not to promise that everybody who currently claims to have an exempt historic vehicle will avoid the categories we are seeking to change. But broadly we are looking at vehicles that look and behave like HGVs, not the wide variety of private collector’s vehicles that you refer to. Your comments on the cost and benefits will be looked at, in conjunction with others, when the consultation period finishes on 19 March.

Being as you have 'resurrected the thread' I hope you dont mind my adding some taken from my late uncles album. These are all pictures from his album but i do wonder if they were some kind of 'pool' photos available for forces personnel to buy or request at the time. I know that others he has in the album taken on board HMS Attacker, that I always believed were his, turned out to be something of that order. The pictures show the march past at Singapore on VJ day, the three commanders of SEAC at the signing of the surrender terms and the fly past at Singapore on VJ day. No doubt if these are well known pics then someone will let it be known. As they do.

That is as good an explanation as any Ted, it is fascinating how all these little bits of information can just drop together sometimes. I did wonder about the number of greatcoats but put it down to maybe being an early morning and associated with the bad pre- D Day weather they had been having; but it could well be a later operation - possibly even Varsity? Or are there specific reasons for discounting that from the pic?

Ted. Dont know if you have seen this site but, if not, maybe some of the info on here might help you. Quite a few other pages besides this one. http://www.raf38group.org/history

Cheers Ted! As always, some top class info.

Further to the above, I now reckon the marking is a badly painted D/38, 38 Group glider towing, parachutist duties etc., this makes more sense and fits in with everything else in the picture. Everything except of course what appears to be a chap wearing a Royal Navy type big collar at the left of the group of three men behind the tractor wheel. Any ideas what it actually is he is wearing?

Just found this pic on the web http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/?pp_album=main&pp_cat=default&pp_image=dday04.jpg that shows what appears to be an MW from the back, along with a load of Stirlings(?). This is the first contemporary photo I've found that shows one from the rear. It has what appears to be the marking D/3(4?). D is the letter given to designate 'Allied Expeditionary Air Force' and this fits in with the pic. Anyone any ideas as to the '3(4?)? The 'max speed 35mph' is self explanatory:-D, if a bit bit big eh?

A re-run on some of the original locations wouldn't be a problem, and it would be a nice scenic trip too! Unfortunately one town centre is now a one way in the wrong direction and I'm not certain if the other is now pedestrianised though :-). I think the golf club wouldnt view it too good if you decided to ride across what is now part of their links either. :-D You'd also have to walk across the front of the 'big house' as that is the only public access these days. Other than that (!) you could have a good run - but none of it would be at A&E in Dorset!

Yes, absolutely marvellous to watch, being a local I recognised most of the locations too. Just one or two of the later 'rough riding' areas I will have to think about.

I had this emailed to me, it is 'doing the rounds' and some of you may have seen it already. For the others -.....!!!!!! During a private "fly-in" fishing excursion in the Alaskan wilderness, the chartered pilot and fishermen left a cooler and bait in the plane. And a bear smelled it. This is what he did to the plane. The pilot used his radio and had another pilot bring him 2 new tires, 3 cases of duct tape, and a supply of sheet plastic. He patched the plane together, and FLEW IT HOME ! Moral - never leave home without duct tape !

Early J type, is that just the J1 ? Cant readily find any info relating to the ratio of a J2. Any ideas John, anyone?

This site may be well known to others more in the know than me but I found this link to a small collection of photos of a US fighter pilot from WW2. Interestingly one of the the pictures taken at RAF Atcham shows a Lysander in US makings. I never knew they used the type. Not that I know a great deal about them other than the usual agent dropping stuff! Some nice/interesting pics amongst them. http://creativefatcat.com/lobdell/

Found this link to an MWC, unsure if its on here already. http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh26/NUBINA/Album%25202/bedford_mw_2_159.jpg&imgrefurl=http://militaria.forum-xl.com/viewtopic.php%3Ff%3D218%26t%3D1391&usg=__EjvcwsARO-om8OPfDPOa7I8ZJKM=&h=576&w=768&sz=59&hl=en&start=112&um=1&tbnid=5vsML3W06yt1SM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=142&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbedford%2Bmw%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D100%26um%3D1

This link shows the one 'oop North' probably referred to by Richard http://www.yorkshiremvt.co.uk/articles/25pounder/25pounder.htm

I know of interesting, worthwhile donated items at a museum being sold off as if coming from a private seller on Ebay. Other items that had been correctly dry stored for years were, at the whim of the museum director, put in a skip. I 'rescued' many to preserve them. These were pieces that would have helped make some of the museum exhibits nearer the state of being 'runners'. This is all despite the previously mentioned individuals supposed love of 'working/noisey' exhibits. Running items do bring in more visitors. They can be a very good source of revenue that otherwise would not have come through the gates. As has been proved time and again by those museums that have been fortunate enough to get on this bandwagon. It has been the saving of one that I know of.

From memory and from what I read on quite a detailed article somewhere on the web; a museum at Catterick was mooted quite some years ago,and to all intents and purposes it was going to go ahead. I believe some of the ex-Beverley exhibits and others were going to be there. However due to lack of funding the idea was, according to the article, not just shelved but dropped. I will try and locate the article again and add a link. Of course it could be that funding has now been found and the idea resurrected. Somehow with Iraq and Afghanistan drawing on the budget I doubt it, but I will be happy to be wrong!

Thanks for posting this kind of stuff guys, fascinating reading to find out this background info. Keep it coming!

In fairness I was pulling your leg a bit, as the 30/- Beeza was a steal even in those days! The full restoration cost me near as dammit the same price as the machine cost new in 1937 (it was a '37 civvy model).

£80? , you were being done! Got one for 30/- in 1970. Sold it ten years or so back for a little bit more. Regret not buying the two Vincents in 1972 for £80 and £120 :cry: and the Sunbeam for £45:cry::cry:

So is anyone who is dis-chuffed enough prepared to start the ball rolling and state they are not going next year? Merely an academic q? on my part. ( Or am I just stirring it :evil::evil: ?)

A few pics of the battery you can't normally have access to. Unfortunately I couldn't negotiate access to the inside of the underground structures so had to satisfy myself with photos taken through windows in to darkened places at times. Some surprising and interesting details showed up! The battery has been there since Napoleonic times but has been repeatedly upgraded at important times and so shows evidence from both world wars. Now in possession of EH and although obviously maintained there are no plans that I am aware of to open it to the general public. If anyone else knows different let us know.

If you go on to Google Earth and get the Defence of Britain 'add-on' you will find there seems to be a few more pillboxes etc in that area. To the North of Didcot, one at Sutton Courtenay and another at Appleford to name two of the nearer ones. Away to the east are plenty along a stop line running south from Shillingford along the line of the river. Could keep you busy for a while !

Got to agree, when it first ended up in there it seemed pretty much a full aircraft in original markings etc. It has been sad over the years to see it deteriorate.

My missus thinks she has one of these already - mine