DINGODOUG

Thanks for the links which I will pursue. I didn't realise that Bill Millin was Lovat Scouts.

I have just heard from my sister who thinks we may still have Dad's dress jacket and hat so if we can get it all together we can donate it to the appropriate museum. You are ahead of me now !!cheers.Doug

Thanks Wally, glad to hear that you are still to the fore !!best wishes.Doug

Funnily enough after I replied to your last post I went back on to the internet to see what I could find and stumbled across the IWM which I hadn't thought of so I was only just ahead of you !! Thanks for your interest and suggestions and hope that someone out there can help. There doesn't seem to be much archive material on the Lovat Scouts which had such a brief existence though I found reference to a memorial in a wood near Lynne in Norfolk where they used to train. I kick myself when I think how we got rid of my fathers uniform which was splendid with chain mail on the shoulders however I still have his brass buttons with the crest on them.

Yes, they are still on the case but sent me a copy of the wrong crest so I thought I would widen the net a bit just in case.

I have an ex-Lovat Scouts Austin Champ which has known provenance and is possibly the only surviving vehicle of that Regiment. I foolishly painted over the original, though badly worn, regimental crests which were on both sides of the bonnet. I recently uncovered these again having decided to restore the original markings and can just make out some of the details. Much of it is illegible though it appears to be a white circular surround with a white stags head in the middle and a buckle at the bottom. Underneath is a silver scroll edged in black with 'THE LOVAT SCOUTS' written in black . The dimensions are width and height about 6 inches. Does anyone know of a source of the correct format of this crest as there are several variants. Also a source of transfers of military markings.

My father served with the Tain detachment of the Lovat Scouts as OC REME Workshop and one of my earliest memories is getting a lift in a Champ sitting on his knee in the passenger seat. My Champ was used by the Elgin detachment and I have a photo of it given to me by the late Bill Topp showing his father standing beside it. He worked in the MT and the photo was taken around 1953/54 apparently.

There has been little written about the Lovats so I wondered if anyone had any old photos relating to that period.

Doug Matheson

Thanks John, that's useful to know. I have also previously contacted Undercover Covers about my old Commer and they were very helpful.I didn't know there was a link there.

Apparently you can have a new one made by the original suppliers to the MOD, which I think was Comptons of Birmingham. I also need one and have contacted them on several occasions but they have never got back to me though an estimated price of £500 was mentioned.

Sorry Justin but the Fox is an 8 inch rim whereas the Stolly has a 10 inch rim. Someone must have some spares out there!

I have a spare wheel off a Fox, alloy split rim. Is it the same? I don't have the measurements to hand but could easily check for you. Doug

Hi all, I have just seen this and can fully empathise with those who have suffered problems with Silicone. I too have had vehicles converted over to silicone after thorough cleaning and flushing ( though silicone is advertised as being mixable) only to have terrible problems with master cylinder sticking. This was also the case, only worse, after stainless steel re-sleeving and I had to revert to the conventional brake fluid. I am relieved that it is not only me who has suffered such problems and I will not be tempted to use it again.

The Alford Transport Museum are holding a military Tattoo on the weekend 9/10 Jun 2018. The weekend is open to all military vehicles, enactors, exhibits or anything else of a military flavour. Camping will be available from Friday night and there are showers and toilet facilities on site. Fuel vouchers will be given and a free BBQ is provided on Saturday evening. The event will be open to the public on Sunday and it is hoped that vehicles will be displayed in the arena. As many exhibitors as possible are encouraged to attend and if there is a good turnout then it could become an annual event.  The Museum is just over 20 miles from Aberdeen along the A944 in a very picturesque area of Scotland and has some unique exhibits. Of current interest is a collection of Guy Martins vehicles including his record breaking bike and his trailer mounted Merlin engine .Exhibitors will be given free access to the Museum which is a key vsitor attraction. More details are at info@gtm.org.uk. Hope to see you there. 

I might have an original spare if anyone is still interested. I think the Fox had the same plug.

Hi Mick, I have recently acquired a DAF which seems a quantum leap in terms of driveability, certainly compared with the Morris MRA1 and Commer Q4 and Bedford MK. I would be interested to know why you rate the MJ above the DAF as I have heard that comment from others. My big problem is the height of the beast as I cant get it in my shed. I hadn't appreciated that the cargo body is mounted on large spacers/mounts on top of the chassis frame which adds about 4 inches to the overall height.

Doug

Has anyone got a wartime Butler blackout headlamp for sale ?

HiBob,IthinkImighthaveanosonebutnotsureifitisthebutlersoneasIthinktherewereothermakes?sendmeanemailorphone.

cheers

Doug

Belated thanks for all your help.I will strip the hubs and have a look at the seals. There may be scope for lapping the seals with fine grinding paste rather than scrap them immediately.

Doug

I am having a problem with the inertia starter on a ROTAX generator. The official designation is THORN EMI 1.5 kw 28volt NATO code 6115 99 112 2252. The pull starter won't retract and I can't find anything wrong despite having stripped it and reassembled it several times. I don't have a parts list so can't see if there is anything missing or broken. Does anyone have a spare or any idea what might be wrong.? The generator has been made to a very high spec and is a beautiful piece of engineering so I am keen to get it running again. Any help would be most appreciated.

We have a Sultan which has a few leaky hub oil seals, These are probably the original face type seals which have to be broken out and replaced. Is there any way in which these can be replaced with conventional rubber seals? If so what is the correct size and where can they be obtained? I have no experience of face seals but they seem a rather odd choice for a hub on a tank.

I'm mostly after the internal storage boxes from the left side of the interior. As I have 2 Ferrets, which are amazingly missing the same things, I really need 2 of each, but I'll take what I can get

• Large ammo box that goes on the escape hatch (holds 4 .30 ammo boxes, with the cage on the front for the MG tools box).
  
• Small ammo box that goes next to the escape hatch (holds 1 .30 ammo box).
  
• 88 set radio box.
  
• Grenade bins
  

 

I also need 2 of the little props that go on the top front of the turret and hold the lid up a bit when it's open.

 

The second Ferret is an Australian Mk 2, but has been robbed of its turret. A turret and base plate would be nice, but another option is that I would be happy to convert it to Mk 1 specification. For that I would need the roof components and all of the internal fittings for either Bren or Browning. If I can get the roof set, I can live without the rest for now.

 

I could also use various bits of CES.

 

Postage is to Adelaide, South Australia. I know that it will be expensive, but it's part of the game of owning old British armour.

 

Let me know what you've got.

 

Cheers,

Terry

Hi Terry, I should be able to help you out with most parts however my wife is in hospital and it might take a day or so to dig everything out. I know there are some new old stock stowage bins around.

Funnily enough I imported an Australian Army Mk1 Ferret to here many years ago before our Ferrets were available. The dockers in London broke in to the bins which were full of parts and uniforms and nicked the lot bless them.

I have quite a lot of Ferret stuff so it may be easier to email a list of all your needs. My address is douglasmatheson@btinternet.com.

Regards

Doug

What is the best way to secure a vehicle that doesn't have an ignition key (or windows!)and has an easily accessible wiring loom?

ls some kind of mechanical lock the way to go? If so, what do folks suggest?

ManyyearsagowhenIranaChampIusedaCrooklock.Thishookedaroundthesteeringwheelandclutchpedalandhadareasonablysecurelockwithkey.Itwasquickandeasytousebutwasagreatvisualdeterrent.Idontknowiftheyarestillavailable.Theycouldbeforcedasmostsecuritydevicescanbebutwasstrongehoughtodeterthecasualthief.

Doug

If you need any of the plastic clips p.m. me with your address and I will post you a couple.

ThanksJohn,TheowneroftheSnatchhasboughtaloadofbitsfromCraddocksoweshouldbeokfornow.

regards

Doug

The flywheel on my Landrover Snatch has been seriously overheated and is blued and covered in cracks. Is it possible to skim it and if so how much metal can be removed (it is a Rover V8) ? Incidentally the bell housing was full of carbon clutch dust which had caused the release bearing plastic housing to seize on it's shaft. The actuating arm is held onto this by 2 pathetic plastic clips which had pinged off and disappeared. There was then nothing to restrain the piston in the clutch slave cylinder which also pinged out.Not the robust engineering which I would expect in a combat vehicle. It seems a re-run of the PIG saga when the clutch was hopelessly inadequate for the body weight.

Thanks for all your advice. I am sourcing a new flywheel and hope it will last a bit better than the old.

The flywheel on my Landrover Snatch has been seriously overheated and is blued and covered in cracks. Is it possible to skim it and if so how much metal can be removed (it is a Rover V8) ? Incidentally the bell housing was full of carbon clutch dust which had caused the release bearing plastic housing to seize on it's shaft. The actuating arm is held onto this by 2 pathetic plastic clips which had pinged off and disappeared. There was then nothing to restrain the piston in the clutch slave cylinder which also pinged out.Not the robust engineering which I would expect in a combat vehicle. It seems a re-run of the PIG saga when the clutch was hopelessly inadequate for the body weight.

Hi Doug,

It was always my thought that the reservoir was not large enough as I recall the oil level was barely covering the top of the filter element. When I bled the system, I always had someone keeping the level up in the reservoir, but on occasions if they were not concentrating, they put a bit too much in and I have seen the jet of oil from the cap breather hole when the engine was turned off. When you are bleeding do you have someone topping up? If not you maybe allowing air to enter from tank if level was slightly down. I have a feeling the element is a commercial item, memory tells me it is a Hobourn Eaton pump and also reservoir, also used on civilian vehicles.

 

regards, Richard

Thanks again Richard, You are correct about the name of the maker and I have a feeling it was also used on Rolls-Royces ! Bleeding is not a one-man job so will have another go with help.

regards

Doug

Doug,

I have worked on Fox during the whole of its service life and power steering was a common problem. Ensure your supply reservoir is kept to the correct level during bleeding, but not over full as I have known them overflow once the engine has stopped.

I am assuming you have the front wheels off the ground so you can go lock to lock in bleeding process. The pumps did suffer badly, the roller vanes breaking up when in Service. This might have been caused by cavitation as I am sure the self sealing couplings were not a good idea on the suction side. I see you have now dispensed with that, good move.

 

regards Richard

Thanks Richard, I have replaced the pump but same result and the roller vanes seem ok. The reservoir seems to be pressurising and I got a fountain of oil from the filler cap vent so wonder if the filter is blocked or if I am overfilling? Iam at my wits end !!

regards

Doug

Very complete Morris MRA1 1953 ex-REME welding truck. There is no welding gear with the vehicle but the old securing brackets for the gas bottles are still there. Ideal show truck with room in the back for beds etc. These trucks are very rare with the steel body as most were converted to recovery vehicles. Comes with a large quantity of spares. Fitted with road tyres which make for a slightly smoother ride. Cab was restored to a high standard and the truck has been garaged since. New old stock canvas believed to be for Austin K9 but it fits.

Vehicle is located in North Aberdeenshire. Contact 01261 842982 for further details.