M5Clive

I think those front bumper hooks may be on the wrong way around. Its difficult to tell from this angle, but I think the hooks should be pointing outwards and not inwards. I may be mistaken. Doesn't it look fantastic though in that paint and once the marking are on, that will be one smart wagon! Any idea's what markings its going to be in - USAAF, Armoured, Red Ball Express markings??

I have the definitive answer - Why don't you put one of each tread type on........... ...............and what a dog's dinner that would look !

Was that Windscreen glass I had a successful solution to your problem?

Anyone would think I have a reputation for being thrifty............................? Sorry, I've got to go now as my favourite TV programme is about to come on and it has taught me more about successful business practice's over the years than any series of The Apprentice............. ........................."Grandville, f f f f fetch your cloth."

That CCKW 352 Hard Cab that used to be mine is really starting to look good Howard. I really like the finish of the Olive Drab and the front bumper is a definite improvement! Their is a good picture of this particular Truck in Pat Ware's 'Red Ball Express' book on page 182, when it was photographed at Belting some years ago with the name BOSSDOG painted across the bonnet. The truck had plenty of grunt and ran extremely smoothly, so I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.

As of May 4th 2011 Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 Half Track Dave Wright - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - Dodge WC-51 Dan Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall (Possibly the Autocar - Follow the restoration thread on HMVF!) Tony Butt - Dodge WC-63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Kevin Goodwin - Bedford QL (GS) Andy Dickinson & crew - Harley Davidson WLA x 2 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) - Anyone want to help me fill the fuel tanks? Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Tony Goff - GMC 353 / Clarket Malcolm Holland - WC-51 Kevin Taylor - Willys MB Jack (our hero) Beckett - 1997 3 Man pup tent with mahogany poles & winter lashing straps Joris (Mod) - 1974 Millets 4 man bivouac tent with extended porch awning, and stainless steel pegs Hugh Saunders - GMC 353 Eric Hemmings - Ford GPW Eric Elmer - Willys MB & Trailer Richard Taylor - GMC 353 / Dodge Ambulance Wyn Davies - GMC 353 Wyn Davies Mate - Dodge WC-52 Mick & Gaynor Bavin - GMC 353 Nick Pennistan - Cushman Package Kar and Cushman 53 Mike Davies - White M3 Half Track Richard (Cubed) Rixon - GMC 352 and 105 Howitzer Bill Bourne - GMC 353 DUKW Rick Salmon - GMC 353 Derek Estlea - Willys MB (Beans Means) Hines - Willys MB Roger Watts - GMC 353 Paul Hopwood - Willys MB Bodge Deep - Ford GPW Sarah Bond - Willys MB

Kennet Valley Area MVT meet in Ramsbury between Marlborough and Hungerford every month and welcome enthuastic people to their shin-digs! First Tuesday of the month from memory at the Royal British Legion, but check first as I might be wrong!

Must have posted both at the same time as Paul's comments weren't there when I started to type!

I know Paul Marriott is planning on going to Beltring on the Sunday in his WC-51, but not sure what time.

I am seriously jealous! I knew when we looked at those White Half Tracks at Rudi's place that they would make splendid projects for restoration and I am really pleased that yours in progressing so well. The work undertaken thus-far is a credit to your effort and enthuasium (and of course the width of your wallet!!!)

As we all know, the ever escalating cost of fuel is making our hobby no mean undertaking and to be honest, I have been a little overwhelmed by the level of interest in this Mini-Bolero weekend, as I imagined that the price of petrol would deter many from attending........ ..........that said, their are several operators attending this event with trucks from far and wide (including two GMC trucks driving from North Wales to Suffolk for the event and the real possibility of one HMVF'er even driving his GMC all the way from Scotland..........the mind boggles! I have also had a number of enquiries from people who want to come to the event but either do not have a military vehicle or not an applicable vehicle or a vehicle under restoration that wont be finished in time. As the entire event does have an educational theme running through it along with my personal passion to publicise the wartime heroics of the USAAF in England at every opportunity, I do not want to deny enthusiastic people from attending simply because they do not have a WWII Allied Military Vehicle to bring. Therefore taking these points on board and thinking of the costs involved of running a truck around all weekend, I have come up with the idea of truck sharing - Which will help YOU the owner/operator and THEM. I am simply looking to make a list of owners who would be willing to offer non-vehicle participants a seat on the Saturday Convoy (approx. 70 miles in total) prior to the event, so that it is one less thing for me to organise come the day. Maybe we could kick-off with HMVF'ers who follow these 'Operation Bolero' threads on here and who can tell me their name, their vehicle and how many seats they have available. I will simply tell the non-vehicle participants who are willing to take passengers (maybe even have a list distributed within the welcome pack) and then for simplicity, the arrangements you make between yourselves are entirely your own affair. That said, I would suggest that for a full-day 70 mile trip in arguably the most authentic WWII vehicle convoy since Bolero 2007, you should be looking at £10 per person minimum fuel contributions. Sadly in this politically correct and suing society that we find ourselves living in, it is vital that you make your passengers fully aware that they are not paying you to travel (as this is almost certainly in contravention of your individual insurance policy) but making an entirely voluntarily contribution towards (some) of your fuel expenses. I would also suggest that you take no money from them until after you return back to base at the end of the day's traveling and they have safely alighted from the back of your truck without breaking a leg on your wobbly ladder! I know it sounds petty and you are actually doing THEM a service, but if things turn grizzly for whatever reason, you don't want anyone turning around to you and saying "I paid you to ride aboard your truck," so only request their voluntary donation after everyone is off the vehicle and still in one piece! I really hope that last paragraph hasn't put anyone off, but as a responsible event co-ordinator asking you guys to offer your available seats to strangers, it is only fair that I point these things out to you. Lets face it, the whole event is basically attended entirely at your own risk because as an entirely volunteer organiser who makes absolutely nothing out of the event and with no financial backing or support, I refuse to go down the strict H & S route, as the event would simply never take place if I did. That said, I personally think it is all about good old fashioned 'common sense' and implementing it wherever possible. I trust this meets with your approval.

A few new additions as of 12th April Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 Half Track Dave Wright - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - Dodge WC-51 Dan Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall (Possibly the Autocar - Follow the restoration thread on HMVF!) Tony Butt - Dodge WC-63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Kevin Goodwin - Bedford QL (GS) Andy Dickinson & crew - Harley Davidson WLA x 2 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) - Anyone want to help me fill the fuel tanks? Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Tony Goff - GMC 353 / Clarket Malcolm Holland - WC-51 Kevin Taylor - Willys MB Jack (our hero) Beckett - 1997 3 Man pup tent with mahogany poles & winter lashing straps Joris (Mod) - 1974 Millets 4 man bivouac tent with extended porch awning, and stainless steel pegs Hugh Saunders - GMC 353 Eric Hemmings - Ford GPW Eric Elmer - Willys MB & Trailer Richard Taylor - GMC 353 / Dodge Ambulance Wyn Davies - GMC 353 Wyn Davies Mate - GMC 353 Tipper Mick & Gaynor Bavin - GMC 353 Nick Pennistan - Cushman Package Kar and Cushman 53 Mike Davies - White M3 Half Track Richard (Cubed) Rixon - GMC 352 and 105 Howitzer Bill Bourne - GMC 353 DUKW Rick Salmon - GMC 353 Derek Estlea - Willys MB (Beans Means) Hines - Willys MB Roger Watts - GMC 353 Paul Hopwood - Willys MB 15 GMC's including the Dukw Make a nice convoy leaving the event on the Sunday evening for a trip down to Beltring!

Hi Richard I have been with various companies over the years but got fed up with one of them changing their name all the time! By chance I stumbled across Adrian Flux Insurance at the Essex MVT Show at Damyns Hall a few years back and got 'sucked-in' by one of their sales guys - Its so true what they about people who work in sales being the easiest people to sell to ! Anyway, long story short, two years later, I have both GMC's, the Chrysler, the wife's BMW, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the household buildings and contents and I think the caravan all with Ardrian Flux. The reason? Simply that they always beat other companies on a like for like quote, their after sales service is first class and the customer care is outstanding. No, and you know me well enough Richard to know that I have no slant or connection with the Insurance Industry whatsoever and am not being bribed to say these things - Moreso, when you get good service (a sad failing in the UK these days) you feel inclined to shout about it! Give em a call and see what they quote.

Hi Simon What a fantastic collection and the fact that you know who's gear it was along with the family connection is wonderful. The RAF Irvin Sheepskin flying jacket in a gem. That looks to be a two-piece jacket. If you look at the back, it is made from two different panels on sheepskin and is stitched together with a narrow leather banding. As the war progressed and good quality sheep skins became harder to source, the number of panel increased from a single panel, to two (like yours) and so on, until I think I am right is saying at the end of the war some jackets were 6 panels! An expert could probably date yours based on this theory, but sadly my knowledge does not extend that far. A person however who will be able to give you 'chapter and verse' on all of the flying clothing you seem to have is a good friend of mine in Essex, who has been in the Flying Clothing business man and boy. Although I won't give out his contact details here, if you would care to PM me, I will forward his details to you. I am not suggesting for one minute that you are looking to sell or move any of the items on, moreso, just get some good accurate information as to exactly what you have and some of the history behind them. Thanks for posting !

Give me a call on 07799 476169 and i'll talk you through the options.

Basing my findings on Bolero 2007, if you promise.......... A) Not to run out of fuel B) Not to crunch the gears and more importantly C) Not to get it towed home and loose the front wheels off the axle.............I may warm to the idea of letting you (and the Dutch crew) use one of them for the weekend. Sadly I am unable to ensure that the fuel tank will be brimming prior to the convoy departure, so you may need to get a few of you together and split the running costs for the convoy. The offer is there anyway.

Hi Tony The 'closed cab' Jimmy need a new Windscreen rubber. Do you know if Rex keeps them on the shelf or would I be better approaching the contact you have given here? Cheers

The list has been revised again - April 8th

The night was a great success - Over 100 people through the doors and a couple of WWII MV's out-front for good measure, now the clocks have gone forward. The highlight of the night? When a local chap came up to me during the interval and said "I did a couple of missions with the 490th from Eye, well not proper missions, I was in the bomb-bay throwing out the food parcels to the starving Dutch people on the Chow missions flown in May 1945 from the airfield!" I hastily took his phone number and a visit for tea and biscuits in now imminent........! A great night and many thanks to all those who supported the event.

Hardly eligible as a proper Future Event as it is taking place literally this weekend, once again, I am fronting my interactive presentation on the iMac all about the USAAF in East Anglia. I did this presentation in November in Mendlesham (34th Bomb Group) Community Centre and bizarrely for one of the coldest nights of the year, it was a sell out with standing room only. I was subsequently approached by the people of Eye (490th Bomb Group), to see if I was willing to repeat the event with a slant towards the 490th, which I was very happy to do as I actually had much more 490th material anyway! So, this Saturday April 2nd - Eye Community Centre - Mid Suffolk. The Eighth Air Force Experience, telling the story of the USAAF Airfields of East Anglia's construction, occupation and ultimate demise. Using many contemporary photographs and original 8mm colour footage taken by the Captain in charge of the Photo Section of the 490th BG. Entry is £5 and all monies raised will go to the very worthy cause which is the East Anglian Air Ambulance - None of us know when we might need its services. If you have a keen interest in the wartime history of the USAAF in the region, its for you!

What's the event in August out of interest? I run a small company in Ipswich.

Hopefully not, but I think because it is all part of the display, we'll have to put you on the corner of the warbird square, so you might get your washing dried quicker than anticipated when the Merlin's start running-up! We are tight on space and I have just had another 3 vehicles confirm today including another Half Track, so I do need to cautious about camping space. That said, I'm certainly not trying to put you off, but you might have to bunch up a little bit closer than in the picture, but your camping certainly looks the part and ultimately that is what matters from a public perspective on the Sunday open-day. We'll work it out.

Surely your not collecting them from the hospital in that.........................Price of fuel and all that......................! Ratched straps I reckon - Seems to work well in the Chrysler. Many congratulations to you both on your new arrival. Joris is organising the crech at Bolero in July - Jack is supplying the toys (from inside his B&Q tool box) All good wishes

Don't worry too much about dates for access - I can have the site accessible for whenever your rig turns-up and assist with the offloading.............but I am a little concerned at the size of the tent - Is that just the R Cubed's living quarters or does it double up as a Command Headquarters for the entire event!

Dave Griffin - Diamond T 981 Grey Radley - White M3 Half Track Dave Wright - Dodge WC-62 Jimmy Snowling - Dodge WC-51 Dan Snowling - GMC 352 Peter Snowling - Dodge Carryall Roy Baker - Dodge Carryall Tony Butt - Dodge WC-63 Jerry Hill - Morris Commercial Kevin - Bedford QL (GS) Andy Dickinson - GMC 353 Brian Slingsby - GMC 352 Lindsey Smith - Willys MB Howard Wade - Dodge Carryall Me - GMC 353 / 41 Chrylser (static!) Kevin Gant - GMC 353 Tony Goff - GMC 353 / Clarket Malcolm Holland - WC-51 Kevin Taylor - Willys MB Jack (our hero) Beckett - 1997 3 Man pup tent with mahogany poles & winter lashing straps Joris (Mod) - 1974 Millets 4 man bivouac tent with extended porch awning, and stainless steel pegs Hugh Saunders - GMC 353 Eric Hemmings - Ford GPW Eric Elmer - Willys MB & Trailer Richard Taylor - GMC 353 / Dodge Ambulance Wyn Davies - GMC 353 Wyn Davies Mate - GMC 353 Tipper Mick & Gaynor Bavin - GMC 353 Nick Pennistan - Cushman Package Kar and Cushman 53 Mike Davies - White M3 Half Track R Cubed - GMC 352 and 105 Howitzer As of 28 March 2011 11 Jimmies already! In the words of C W Mc'Call - "Looks like we got ourselves a Convoy.............!"