Chappers

I've read this thread with interest and my belief is the Police acted wrongly, I've walked down the street with a chain saw before and most have seen or heard of the film " Texas Chainsaw massacre". Should I have been stopped and arrested !!!!.If you open up the back doors of my van you will see an whole arsenal of deadly weapons Screwdrivers Chisels,Knives etc which I often walk around with as well as driving a deadly weapon the Van it's self everyday. I keep seeing this sort of public scaring propaganda all the time and it makes me sick. I think we are if not at the moment turning this country into a Nanny State. An incident like this Rambo guy just make the police look foolish in my and many others eyes. God help all those re-enactors my self included that attend shows with loads of weapons and in full kit including the leg knife and colt 1911 strapped to my side!!. As for the Police themselves I've had dealings with a few Gestapo type police officer in the past as well as some really decent honest Police officers, who are willing to use Common sence when an incident arises and not the I'm God tactics. Just my opinion and not aimed at any Individual :shake::shake: regards Steve

This is the thing that got me Does this mean every engineer in the country is in trouble because of there knowledge.!!!!!

Hahahahaha:)

Sorry to hear this , if they get caught they should Hang the Bas***ds, The lowest form of life, Just pure Scumbags.

I mentioned Tanks in the town to the local Council officer who organises all the events for Solihull in the West Midlands whilst we were sorting the permission to set up a display to sell Poppies last Saturday. She said It wouldn't be a problem for road closures /vehicle parking etc etc and She's very much trying to get an event in Solihull for next year. Just a thought as it's pretty Central to the country.

Here are some more photo's I've just uploded,Some on here will know Peter Eakers from the Dakota trip

Well for our 1day efforts I've been just told we raised a Grand Total of................................................ ........................................ £2366.16 Well done to all

I took my family and friends and a few vehicles into our local town shopping centre on Saturday, We arrived at 9.00am to set up our display and left at 5.30. It was extremely cold standing around but the generosity that was shown was unbelievable. We parked outside Woolworths and Marks & Spencers, at around 11.00am I was approached by the manager of Marks & Spencers who said "would we like some hot food brought out and at what time would we like it". At 12.45 we had what I can only say was an outstanding gesture from M&S of a tray full of hot soup ,toasted sandwiches ,Drinks, Doughnuts and bread rolls,followed by another tray of Soup and Bacon rolls. The Solihull branch of M&S went beyond the call of duty generosity of this kind is very rarely seen today,they were willing to help a bunch of frozen reenactors sell poppies for a worthy cause. I will be sending the head office a letter of thanks. We also met a few veterans an American GI and a Dunkirk/Normandy 1939-1946 veteran who stayed with us for about an hour .We had loads of "mops" telling their tales of Yanks driving through villages on there way to the coast and other memories of the war years. All in all a fantastic day raising money for the RBL poppy appeal. Many thanks to all who took part Here are some of our photos. Regards Steve I'll post how much we raised once the RBL have counted our collection box's

!4th October 1943,was the US 8th Air Forces heaviest loss's on the Schweinfurt Raid (Ball bearing factory), I think it was 60 B17's lost on the raid .

I've just taken 60 school kids for a ride around the school playing field in a wartime Jeep and a GMC. I've done it 3 years on the trot without a problem. Every time I see someone doing a fantastic job there's a mention of H&S. What every happened to "Common sence" when interacting with the public,The kids need a hands on approach it helps them remember easier. All I see is our freedom being eroded by bureaucratic H&S Bull***t. Keep up the good work Papav66

Your right Jack that was one of the hardest things I've ever done,but felt it was right to express Pete's life in a way people could see what kind of an outstanding human being he was. His love for WWII Re-enacting his 1944 Ford Jeep and Dodge WC52 were a massive part of his life. He also had a passion for Music and would often entertain us with a guitar or on the Piano if he found one at a venue. Whilst working in our MV yard yesterday where Pete spent most of his spare time of a weekend ,there was a feeling of him being around ,and It was felt by everyone who came around .He'd certainly had a chat with the boss upstairs and sorted the weather out for us. Sue as asked me to help give Pete a final tribute by helping arrange a WWII type themed funeral. There was mention of possibly a last ride to the Church in the GMC. There will also be a large procession of WWII Vehicles and friends in 1940's dress. The funeral is provisionally booked for a week today if anyone who knew Pete would like to attend. Finally can I thank everyone on the forum for the kind words and messages of condolence,which I'll pass onto his wife Sue and family. RIP Buddy Regards Steve

I just came across this thread yesterday and think it's a super Idea. Having just lost a dear friend Peter Base on Tuesday this week,which I posted here http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?t=9672 Sue his wife came around to see me last night and requested a fitting military send off as it MV's and reenacting were a huge part of his life She also asked if I knew any worthy causes for People to donate money to instead of flowers at his funeral,I instantly remembered reading about this yesterday and explained to Sue what I had read. Sue was very much in favour of supporting this, will there be some way people can pay online or an address to which people could send there money?? . I'll make a donation myself to this worthy cause regards Steve

The military vehicle /reenactment community has lost another class member,although not on the forum Pete was a big player in every thing our group was about. He had just got the all clear from Cancer and was looking forward to enjoying this hobby which he'd been involved in since the mid 90's when he had a heart attack,over the next couple of weeks he grew weaker in the QE hospital and passed away on Tuesday evening after suffering another heart attack. Pete came on the Dakota flight with us organised by Peter Eakers and Jim Clarke,for him it was one of the highlights of his life, being involved in 101st Airborne reenactment along with myself and the rest of the group. We spent many a weekend repairing rebuilding his and my military vehicles,he was always there in the thick of it. My heart felt condolences go out to his family and friends He will be Sadly missed. R.I.P Buddy A tribute to Pete can be seen here

Well Jack read you craking report of the day and to be honest you have explained it just as it was, Super day out, Great weather and great company,you can't ask for more!! Can I please post the special photo or would you like to vet it first as it's probably one of the best shots of the day.:-D

You being nice Jack because I've got that very special photo :-D:-D:cool2: Permission to post SIR !!!!!

I just had a chat with the MOT tester who tested the Dodge and he said that the Dodge WC51 class of MOT should be a class 7 (light Commercial) MOT and not a class 4 (Car). Does anyone know if this is correct?? .Should it be classed as a light commercial?? Regards Steve

Here's a few Coventry Airport On board Me (Rear) ,Graham and Pete The Aircraft details Utah Beach Omaha through the Cockpit At Biggin Hill Biggin Hill

I've just got home from what I can only say was a fantastic days flying. The weather was superb and flying low ment some great photo's were taken. Glad to finally have met Jack and his son, it's nice to put a face to a name at last. The flight had an extra addition of a landing at biggen Hill to refuel and a really low flight over the London Eye and up the Thames, I don't know what altitude we were at maybe 1500 ft but I could see people waving in the pods on the London eye. I'll post some photo's once I've uploaded them. regards Steve

They have got a very large beaver tail with winch,I belivev they have some other large transport plant trailers aswell. Here's a photo of the Polsten being delivered

Well at last I'll get chance to meet the Great Jack Beckett,as I too am going on this flight, I can't wait ,its going to be a great day out. It's a 3 hour flight I believe. regards Steve

Try "Brain Plant hire",They Just delivered the Polsten for £250 from Solihull to St Neotts and Back on a Sunday Bank holiday weekend.I thought it was very reasonable. Edward Brain > Pathlow Plant Hire And Sales Tel: 01789 266908 - Lordswood Birmingham Rd, Pathlow, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 0EP

WOW that's some collection you've got,The good Lord certainly smiled on you. regards Steve

Hi Ken, When I get around to it I'll let you know,If I come across one I'll also let you know. Nice to know there's another one around to chat about Regards Steve P.S Your one lucky guy to have a half track,may be in acouple of year I'll be joining you

I notice from the photos Ken you have not got the sights on the Polsten ,Do you have a set ??. I'm in need of the sights and brackets,if I can't find one I'll be making one shortly. Rick Definately not given up on the Morris, It's on hold until the autum as show season is upon us. I'll be starting the welding in August and will post a blog of the restoration as we go, it's certainly a challange. regards Steve

Paraffin will help it seems to work better than diesel for some reason. leave it for a couple of days and then a large socket set on the crank nut will usually help move the pistons.