Big ray

Welcome in, nice truck.

I operated tractors and associated machinery for many years in my business, I was constantly having to tell operators about the things that they were doing wrong. They allowed people to sit on the front of trailers (I presume so that they could converse with the driver more easily) I would tell them that if they fell off then the trailer would run over them, so sit on the back, if they should fall off they would only be left behind. Countless problems with attachments, but one that I could not make them understand was when towing a bogged truck. They would stick the hook of the chain into the top of the 3 point linkage, they seemed to think that the chain would be more effective pulling the tractor down. What I had great difficulty in making them understand was that should the tractor obtain good purchase on the tyres, then there was the distinct possibility that the wheels would stop turning, and the tractor would turn turtle.... this was the days before the legal requirement for roll bars. I suppose that its all about understanding the implications of what you are doing......Please do keep us informed of your sons continued progress, we all wish him well and a speedy return to normality.

Jealous? Yes, of course I am..... I am wiping the drool as I type, beautiful little truck. We had one in the 1950s, we fitted a boom onto the front bumper and used the winch for lifting boxes etc (all military stuff) In the end it went the same way that everything else went............. scrap. We also used a Dodge Command car in the same manner, filled the back with house bricks for ballast...... same ending. We eventually acquired cranes for the job, Bay City and Thornycroft Amazons. I have very fond memories of what was a very exciting time in my early working life.

No apologies needed, I was away all day yesterday, I am very sorry to hear of your sons injury. I sincerely hope that he suffers no long term effects, this just illustrates the ease with which these injuries can occur. I know that my family and friends get sick of me telling them to be careful. Please convey my wishes for a complete and speedy recovery.

Hi, have fun when you do go out................. dont rev it hard, and dont labour it...... just keep your foot a little light on the throttle. After 500 miles change the oil, you might as well leave the sign in the back, they will still just have to pass you.

Welcome in, you have not said what area you reside in ?

Perhaps it was an early form of dyslexia................. a dyslexic stencil operator, just think of the damage that he/ she could have done stencilling front line signs.

Thank you Degsy for your very kind words. I have been over to Nottingham today, I took another one of our army buddies with me. We picked up Jacks wife and she directed us to the hospital. We allowed her to go in first and asked specifically that she should not tell him that we had arrived. We spoke with the duty nurse who O.K.d our little surprise, she felt that it would do more good than any possible harm. I should have taken my camera, the look on his face was all the reward that I could have wanted. He is making very good progress but does have a few associated medical problems that his tests have thrown up. I think that his biggest problem is one of depression, he is very depressed at the prospect of missing the reunion....... I told him to stop worrying, and then proceeded to tell him how bad that my medical condition was............ that seemed to cheer him up no end. I then rang most of our buddies and got him to talk with them. He certainly looked much improved by the time that we had to leave, I gave him one hell of a big hug, that induced a little dampness around the eyes, but hey, we are men, we dont show our emotions......... do we.?

To think that in the 1950s we felt indistructable, but I am afraid that the passage of time is beginning to take its toll. A few years ago one of my army buddies of the 1950s underwent major heart surgery. He made a good recovery and all has been well for the last few years. However he went shopping with his wife a week ago, she is confined to a wheelchair and he was doing the pushing. After a short while he told his wife that he felt extremely tired, and they should return home. They made their way to the bus station and met a female friend, they were making conversation when Jack just collapsed to the ground. A member of the public called for an ambulance and Jack was conveyed to the local hospital. All of this information was supplied to me by another one of our army buddies, he was in regular contact with Jacks wife ( Jack really) I have since rang Jacks wife and made arrangements to go over to pick her up and visit Jack in hospital, geographically I am the nearest to his home town. I will inform the rest of the gang how he is doing, and if the hospital will allow the use of mobile phones he can talk with some of them. Our reunion will be held in October, my wife and myself have just made the hotel reservations, I know that Jack will be very dissapointed if he cannot make it............... so perhaps we will have to go to him, such is the friendship that we cemented in the 1950s.

Correct, fence it off from joe public (they do in museums) and then we can enjoy the show also, without having to worry about little Johnny. We did not create this problem, the claim culture did, and thats joe public............. its all such a shame, because we all love to show and talk about our pride and joy with anyone thats remotely interested

I agree with you, the word "accident" is a euphamism for neglect, all the problems started here when we went down the U.S. route and deregulated solicitors and allowed them to advertise. We now live in a something for nothing society. The sooner that we get back to personal responsibility for our own actions the better.

Hi, welcome to the friendly forum, that was a good and comprehensive introduction, good luck with your search and your forthcoming questions, plenty of knowledgeable people on here. I do feel that you might make a considerable contribution yourself, stay in touch.

I should oint out that I do mean the Halftrack.................. not my wife

Hi and welcome, we used them in Germany in the 1950s (Where are you currently living in Germany) I was stationed in Hamm. 5 Armd Wksps.................. This one is sitting in my garage right now. The second photograph is of one in use circa 1950s.......... I believe that REME continued with them until the 1970s ??

. My only struggle so far has been in trying to select first gear! I guess I will get the knack. I also forgot to post the second part of my query - it has new tilt and side screens, but no radiator muff. Can you buy these from the usual canvas people - and how are they fitted? Cheers! Ferg You should not have any trouble selecting first gear, try selecting second gear first and then push through into first. Actually when driving these trucks in the 40s and 50s we always pulled away in second gear (on the flat) when empty, the engine is way over the job. I suppose that it could be clutch drag, if thats the case, until thats rectified select first or second gear before starting the engine (with the clutch down of course.)

If you are a member of the MVT, then the service is free, I believe that none members have to pay a £40.00 charge?. Just check the MVT web page, all the information is displayed on there. (If you are not a member, membership I believe will be cheaper than the non-member verification charge.) Good luck.

I think that an intelligence test might prove to be more effective, idiots can behave themselves long enough to get through a driving test. You only have to watch the antics on the roads everyday to realise that....... I sometimes wonder why some people dont realise that 30mph is still much faster than walking.

Ron - I hear that you are after a Harley........ :coffee: I have a Harley, I also have a Royal Enfield W.D. C.O. 1942.................... buy a Enfield, lovely nippy machine, great fun to ride.

Very good advice..... they are bullet proof!!!

[ATTACH=CONFIG]65323[/ATTACH] Try it again, I think Ican see whats wrong!!!!!

A point that seems to be being overlooked here is the fact that we are a very nostalgic race, we like to reflect. There are more collectors / restorers in the UK than the rest of europe put together. We live in a relatively small island, so attending shows does not become cost prohibitive in terms of fuel (or at least did`nt before recent fuel increases) The second world war took place both here, the air war, and on our doorstep. So access to these sites is very easy and we like to take our military vehicles. (For the commemorations) Taking just these facts into account it should not be surprising that we should be prepared to pay more for our vehicles, and we do. Overall I get the general impression that you are expecting to obtain the very best available, for the very lowest price, now we both know that in anything less than very exceptional circustances, thats very unlikely to happen......... we would all like a Rolls Royce for the price of a Ford. I have owned my GMC 353 since the 1980s, and I can tell you that if I had not acquired it then, and desired to buy one today, provided that it was at least as good as my own I would be prepared to pay in the region of 6 to 7000 K. and that really is what matters to me. In the case of British ownership we have to take "The pleasure derived and enjoyed with other like minded owners" into the equation

Hi, welcome to the friendly forum.

I would like to take my Royal Enfield WD. C.O. 350cc 1942, its the last bike that I (with considerable help from my friend Steve) restored, and she runs like a dream, very reliable.............. the bikes not the issue, I am considerably older than the bike, and not in such good condition........ fingers crossed.

This is my GMC being driven by our son Tony, the engine is standard bore, good compression, no oil leaks, sounds very sweet. She stays in all gears, no wear in the boxes, or diffs. Bodywise very sound with good paintwork................ here in the U.K. that will be considered " Run of the mill".......... plain average. Maybe we just look after this stuff very well............... in fact I am in a worse condition that the truck. However, I am a little older than the truck though.