Jerrykins

Try Walkers Rubber in Ipswich and/or Norwich. They repaired several rubber Layrub traction couplings for my Morris Commercial and were most helpful. Take the worn bits in and talk it thru' with them. Jerry

As likely as not it's an Enfield or a Coventry Victor, as they're not dissimilar. The RN used Enfield's extensively in little launches and ships' boats. Good luck with it. Jerry

As an apprentice I worked on the FB60 assy line at Crewe, having previously worked in the B / K range overhaul dept. The all ally FB60 is light & powerful by comparison to the B range, as it was conceived for automotive not commercial use. The FB60 has much more in common with the L (R-R V8) engine and was designed by the same team. The FB60 utilises hydraulic tappets and anodised aluminium c'case and head (it is important to use treated coolant/glycol). They are otherwise quite conventional, they are strong long lived engines as one would expect. I have one in the barn and it runs well on its oak bedplate, I will one day fit it to a vehicle, when a suitable vehicle comes my way! I was lead to believe what became the Silver Shadow was originally to be fitted with a smaller FB60 engine, but the policy decision was made to stick to the existing S3 (Silver Cloud III) V8 engine. Good luck with your project.

Plan view of two wooden trench beds. Jerry

Clive, it's a front panel to a military gs wagon. Jerry

He appears to have flash burns to his elbows and his shirt's suffered the same way. Jerry

My understanding of CET steering problems were as follows. The vehicle was conceived to steer on the road using diff steer as in fv432 from which that part of the steering originates. To dig it was arranged to use skid steer to which external pair of skid steer clutch packs were added to output sides of the original fv432 unit. I've driven a couple of CET's but for the life of me I can't remember the steering arrangements other than it had a steering wheel and not tillers. Now if you were a sapper trying to dig a hole to hide a Chieftain and were under fire in a very lightly armoured vehicle you'd be inclined to use diff steer to dig the hole in half the time. If you dug up hill at an angle that prove a perfect way to snap the intermediate shaft within like a carrot as the diff steer was being asked to do something it was never designed to do. So the MoD asked R-R at Crewe to redesign the CGS312 (that's it's proper name & CGS311 as in Fv432) to dig in diff steer mode. This was eventually done in in prototype form in '84 and thoroughly tested at Long Valley in '85. Try as they might they couldn't break it. Some of the materials and mods added to the box involved some pretty exotic stuff. Thereafter mod kits were made for the fleet and introduced to service. I gathered that the gearbox also underwent an upgrade in paralle; to this programme. The way to recognise the moded CGS 312 or mark 11 is the outer clutch cases have stiffening webs welded to them. There were some being sold by Withams a little while back at a next to nothing price. Don't go near one if it isn't modified, if I were you. Jerry

Clive. Sketch plan of a landing craft! Me thinks. Jerry

Tommy What a superb job, that Tilly is coming back from the brink, with intensive care/ treatment. Well done. Best. Jerry

Hi Shaun. Couldn't agree more, we need more British kit, I'll bring my modest collection of two toys next year (MCC C4 & C8 HUW) and weather permitting camp over. I've been talking with one or two chums and it sounds like they'll be bringing more vehicles (alas American stuff!). Keep up the good work. Best. Jerry

Visited today, simply splendid, good exhibits, not too crowded, friendly folk, the Cromwell was superb despite limited revs, great weather, a good day was had. The runway was very busy with light aircraft buzzing about all day. The Fv432 and Abbott knocked up some miles doing demo's and never missed a beat. Thoroughly enjoyable. Jerry

Baz. So sorry for Jack and condolences to you chaps on the team. Jerry

I had a similar problem with my Morris Commercial C4 front spring. I took it to: http://www.midlandroadsprings.co.uk/ They replaced the broken leafs and re tempered both n/s and o/s front springs and made a set replacement U bolts. Proper job, very helpful Brummy folk and they made a lovely job. I think it cost around £350.00 for the lot. All the best. Jerry

I disagree. We got there at 10:30 and got bacon butties from the grandstand restaurant and a cuppatea - They were superb, top quality, and not expensive. Got F&C at same place for lunch, not a crush, excellent smiley service from staff, Top marks. Great day morning doing the stalls and buying stuff, afternoon walking round the display area. Home late dusty and tired. Great day, lots of folk from the other side of the Channel, without exception everyone friendly. The place is different from Hop Farm and much improved and I'll know where everything is next year. Jerry

Wickers War was a master piece of historic reporting, it was frank and robust and I would commend anyone to read it, watch it or listen to the audio tapes.

You'll have no trouble Jack, after all that quality work it'll be a piece of cake - best. Jerry

Whoops............ speedo to check the accuracy......... Must try harder!!

It's a calibrated speedo to accuracy of that fitted to vehicle. Jerry

Debach, probably the best airfield in Suffolk (with apologies to Heineken). Jerry

Well done Jack, lovely proper job. How about turning your hand to a Stalwart restoration next, just to keep up your skills of dealing with levels of complexity! Jerry

This is the beastie I use http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cat51-air-needle-scaler. I've had it about 5 years and gone thro' a couple of sets of needles. Needs lots of air though, no complaints with it. Jerry

I used the larger Machine Mart needle gun to 'do' a Queen Mary trailer, it took months but did the business. I don't know about the Sealey gun but mine has a choice of three stroke lengths, the long one being best which uses more air, thankfully I've got a large compressor. Good luck. Jerry

Believe me they do. I volunteered at Orfordness for three years and some years back there were a few exciting days when a 500lb bomb washed up semi submerged on the beach. It was recovered by an MoD team who rushed up post quick from Portsmouth to defuse it. Only after it had been pulled out of the sand was it discovered to be a target practice bomb. It's on display at Orfordness along with an empty We 177 nuclear bomb. Back to subject fragments of bombs and small shell cases were regularly washed up after easterly storms. Don't underestimate the power of mother nature. Jerry

Corking photo of a wonderfully sinister looking aircraft - Tks. Jerry

James - PM sent re our Queen Mary. Jerry