Snapper

I think it's revenge for something I did or didn't do in a past life, or even in this one. There is a blond in Bromley who may be sticking pins in an effigy of me. I didn't mean to drag dogpoo on her mum's carpet. It was 1984. I did have a buyer lined up but he got cold feet on the appointed weekend. Not impressed. C'est la vie. MB

Keep them coming young Mr Langham.....really interesting snaps of the Lewis. I think when you refer to more than one Lewis you would say Lewis guns to get the plural. I have a whole O level in English like what it should be talked. M

In the broadcast media there is the soundshyte -

Be that as it may, I can't seem to sell the thing though.... MB

These are all interesting points. I'd personally feel a fraud trying to write a book about something I knew nothing about. But then there are definitely loads like it. You can see the formulae in most of them and they are often nice enough, but they are bit like doughnuts without the jam. Lyn MacDonald books are not universally popular amongst some of the more serious WW1 buffs because she is considered to have an agenda. This may be so, but they are wonderful introductions to the Great War much the way Cornelius Ryan is to WW2. I was on the Somme this weekend and Lyn's prose filled my head as we cruised down the Albert to Bapaume road. I've been there several times and the magic she introduced never fades. One thing that should be considered. Most people answering this thread are not "general" readers. You have deep knowledge and experience of MVs of mechanics and often of military life. Some experienced the conflicts these books are about. Who are these books actually written for? It's a starting point for the thread to continue...

I don't read military vehicle books per se, because I find them a bit boring. I prefer histories and accounts of peoples' lives; though as Tony illustrates in the review section, this doesn't automatically mean all are good books. Jack has got a wad of book reviews to upload and the thing that worries me is the lack of "bad" books I've seen lately, because they are out there and I suppose I have chosen "wisely" as the old knight advised Indy. I am as much concerned with the boring as the innacurate and haven't found anything that helps me nod off lately. I'm just chunking through a big history of the Australian war in Vietnam which gives so much interesting and vivid information as well as making interesting judgements on all the associated ingredients of that terrible conflict (was there a good one?). I suppose the issue is whether any of you lads would get a book on the basis of a review on HMVF, I hope so. Our reviews are genuine consumer reports not advertorials (print trade term) for publishers like you sometimes see elsewhere. Of course Tony is asking how the publishers can afford to print so many bad books. The market is discerning and very knowledgeable. The bargain bin fighter planes of the world type books you used to see in railway station book stalls are something of a rarity these days. Good. But I remember during Gulf War 1 when we sent someone up to Smiths to buy a pile of this very sort of book for us to get illustrations for The Sun. We used these books for a while until the pix agencies cottoned on and started copying handouts or doing their own snaps. Nowadays we have specialist picture agencies doing this sort of thing and The Sun even has a defence editor. The days when I would be asked to thumb through a Salamander guide to "tanks" to find a colour picture of an MT-LB are long over. Books have moved on a pace since then, but it is still pretty much hit and miss. I only hope the thing I'm working on doesn't turn out a pile of shyte. MB

Andy, or you on a percentage??? I think we sold the Iltis very well. Shame about all those Land Rovers.... Good man. MB

Nice to have you here Mike cheers, Mark B

What you need is an Iltis:whistle: It does need some work, true. But it's half the cost or more than a Land Rover, has four proper seats and runs forever. I just happen to know of one that needs a new home in Southend of Sea...... worth a try! Mb

Don't forget the terrashytes - what I usually have the morning after a curry. MB

Definitely gunners, so must be something big by the look of the kit.

:coffee:

Here in the Palace of Numptiness I often have trouble with facets of the new forum. Any chance of an idiots guide so things become clearer. It is different in the new place - even the smilies have morphed. MB

Potty. Unleash the hounds.

He was busy because Ken was also in my office. Same old suit, same old hang dog face. No newts is good newts. MB

Don't forget ze polecats (iltis).

I won't be changing my name to IltisMark. Wonderful stuff, Mike. I think I recognise the Bailey's pair in their somewhere - one went to Australia last year. I've got a disk of snaps of a day with them from 2001. Glorious. MB

don't start me off.......................

My English teacher, Mr Prosser (with a fearsome right hook) used to tell me that what I lacked in sense I made up in stupidity. He was an ex- Spitfire pilot, kept his wings in his wallet. The Sutton Arms in Southend has no step, but is awash with scary lesbians, dwarves and people with an urge to streak; While The Ship in Leigh on Sea has too many steps, some bloody awful bands and a gorgeous bar maid. The Horse and Groom in Rochford used to have a gorgeous bar maid and on my last visit had a tree on a Mondeo in the car park. The beer there is glorious. The Smack Inn at Leigh has leprachauns and the staff do not like people referring to the Irish tricolour as the Italian flag. I blamed it on a trick of the light. MB

:coffee:

I'm not known for climbing up anything higher than a pub door step.....

Don't forget to pack your crampons and thermos.

Can't call them pretty like a Scammell or Diamond T. I'd be impressed if you get yourself one! I remember climbing the south face of one a few years ago to get in the cab. Needed mountain rescue to get out. MB

Congratulations, Paul Enjoy your new powers MB

Quick urgent question When a pilot's name is painted on a modern plane - Riffraff Tornado - etc - are they stencilled or some sort of transfer??? I've argued here (at work) that the cockpits are set up to suit the assigned aircrew - not for any old sod. This is to do with a certain HRH having fast jet experience. comments please MB