Sean N

It's not bad though. Might be worth getting in touch with the SdKfZ foundation, I think they did one, but I don't have contact details.

Traditional blasting never seems to work against rubbery materials because the blast medium either bounces off or sinks in. This can be handy sometimes - at work we get aluminium mats with rubber infill strips blasted to clean and finish them and it doesn't mar the rubber. I've never come across any better method than warm and scrape, perhaps with petroleum based solvent (or just petrol) to soften and to remove the last traces. I do find warming helps but be really careful not to set it alight and be careful about how you're doing the job - if you get it too hot you get gobbets of semi-molten underseal dripping on you - not nice. I think acid dipping would probably take it off, pricey though.

Hanno, a digression, but I don't understand this bit - you appear to be saying the Ram wasn't used in WW2 and then that it was?

Ebay. Lots of it on there at sensible money. We just bought some for work from Acorn Storage in Kent via ebay; under a grand for 10 or more bays, second-hand but looks like new, loading signs, SWLs, the whole works.

And both are variations on George Washington's axe... and I bet even that wasn't the first use of the phrase. Harald Hardrada's axe, perhaps...?

That'll be Mrs Mallowan's house then... Also known by her maiden name of...

Robin, where were the sparks from, the adaptor? Was the adaptor the final connection i.e. Bedford already connected to slave lead?

I've done a fair few engine conversions in the past, for customers and privately (Perkins 6.247 into Austin K9, Bedford 330 turbo into Austin K9, BMC 6/98 into Morris MRA1, Leyland O.400 into Bedford RL, Bedford 330 into Bedford RL, various engines into Landrovers, etc.). To my mind there are a number of points to consider: 1. How bothered about originality are you? 2. What are you trying to achieve with the conversion (power, speed, reliability, economy, spares availability, replace an unobtainable original engine, etc.)? 3. What's your budget? 4. What engine can you fit on your budget that'll achieve what you want? 5. If your object is economy, how long will it take to recoup the conversion cost particularly if you're using an expensive engine or paying someone to do the job? 6. Will your chosen engine fit in the hole (length, width, height, ancillary positions, crank centreline, etc.)? 7. Will your chosen engine have any compatibility issues (maximum revs / gearing, suitable torque curve, 12V vs 24V, air vs vacuum, etc.)? 8. Are there any foreseeable issues with ancillaries (compatibility, different parts needed, availability, fit, routing of plumbing and electrics, etc.)? 9. Will you have to change anything else to suit the conversion (springs, brakes, transmission etc.)? 9. Do you have the time and resources to do it (if you're doing it yourself) or the money (if you're paying someone). I'm sure there are a few things I've forgotten, but if you're happy with your answers to these questions, go for it! Doing the work is straightforward enough if you're sensible, and there are plenty of people to ask questions of thanks to HMVF and other forums. Don't forget that mounting the engine is a relatively small part of the job; what'll take the time is doing the plumbing and ancillaries. I always try to simplify the job as much as possible; for example, make sure you get all the bits you'll need with the engine (particularly on modern engines with management systems and so on) and use the gearbox that came with the engine (it's usually easier to sort out gearshifts, propshafts and so on rather than making an engine fit a box, though that's not always the case). Hope this helps.

That's the fellows I was thinking of, thanks Ted

I think there's an RAF fire service historical collection, and I believe these vehicles are theirs, though I don't know if it's an official thing or just a bunch of ex-RAF Fire Service guys keeping the flame alive (!)

:shocked: Best I get on and win the lottery then. Anyone got any cheap Hellcats lying around?

Is it a J-type? Wings more rounded, bonnet deeper, no rear quarter lights, sidelights on top of the wings - I'd say it's an A-type (or maybe D-type), in which case it'd be running older style, narrower rear wheels maybe with 7.00 or 7.50 x 20s or similar on. Wheel combination looks odd though, almost as if it's got 16" wheels on the front and 20" on the back.

One of the vehicles at the Lake District amphibious do for several years was our M2 bridging rig. We swum it on Ullswater a number of times and Windermere at least once each year; it's done the full length of both lakes. It's also swum on the Thames and elsewhere. There weren't any issues with Ullswater - just turned up and put it in at Glenridding pier. It had to be registered at Windermere, but again it wasn't a big deal - turn up, pay the necessary fees, and put it in at the public slip at Bowness. Unless things have changed in the last two or three years I'd have thought it'd be the same now. I remember going into the licencing and whether it needed to be inspected or not, and concluded that it didn't, but I can't remembe whether that was because of the use we put it to, where we swam it or the type of craft it was.

Some years ago I applied for the workshop manager post - it came down to me and another guy and I think neither of us accepted it (well I know I didn't!). Did they ever employ anyone? What's the workshop structure these days?

Pretty much nothing flew at Bournemouth on Saturday and Sunday due to bad weather - the ceiling was around 300 ft. They got a few aircraft up late Sunday. It's a four day display though, and there was flying Thursday and Friday. I thought the Vulcan made it down but either didn't fly or only flew on Friday.

I thought the RE museum rig was at the RE museum, or am I behind the times?

Anyone know why the M2 rig is there or what they're doing with it?

Jack, This RAF museum leaflet may help further research: http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/research/documents/e-Info%20Sheet%201%20WW1%20personnel.doc

Jack, I have no idea whether I'll have something that can legitimately take part or whether there'll be room if I have, but if I can help out in any way just ask. Only just up the road as well.

I think we have to be very careful about saying things like this. You're absolutely right, older vehicles only have to compy with the construction and use regulations in force at the time they were built. However, it's a long stretch to say that because something was used at the time, it must be legal now. As legality depends on taxation class / vehicle type, it may be legal to use it for a particular purpose but not for another use; vehicles may have been on the road illegally in the first place, due to errors or non-declaration; finally, MoD vehicles are not necessarily required to comply with construction and use in the first place, so use by the MoD doesn't necessarily imply legal civilian use.

Mark, is that Pathfinder you're talking about or CMV?

'Scuse me if I'm being thick, is this issue out yet? If not, when? Cheers

You insure and MoT an unregistered vehicle on the chassis number.

Forward control 4x4? Commer cab Ford?

Given that Tev's is a civvy MJ it's probably got a thermostart as well - I think it was only the multi-fuel engine that had the ether system.