Adrian Barrell

I would guess so too. They are liable to have stuck valves after a lot less than 10 years. As to would it be knackered....It may well have been knackered 15 years ago! There are so many variables, the only answer is to look. When I did my multibank, some pistons took a few tons to move and some were still free and slipped out by hand. All the crank and camshaft journals were fine. That engine was sat on SPTA for over 40 years.

You must really attract them Tim...... I can't remember many over the last 25 years though I'm sure there have been some. There is an ex-Sherman crewman I know that insists I have mounted the gun on it's side and always asks me ''when are you going to put the gun in right?'' I havn't the heart to tell him he's wrong!

I disagree. The exemption is clearly listed in 2.1 (l)

They only inspect to verify chassis and engine number. Even then, they don't always inspect even if they say they need to.

Are not the Autocar and Federal mechanically identical?

Jack, the exemption from plating and testing, i.e. pre 1960, used unladen, also exempts from needing a class 1 or C+E as it is now. I have buried in my head somewhere a snippet that an artic unit, if towing a trailer, is not unladen as the trailer is part of the load of the unit but I think this may just be wrong! Adrian

Neil, if you had bought my M75 instead, you would have had none of these problems! Rubber pads already fitted, road registered too....... and all for a lot less money! Sorry, not trying to make you feel bad..... Adrian

Neil, the Sherman is 2.67 wide. I can't remember if the V55/5 has a box for width or not. If so, I will have filled it in correctly. As an aside, I don't want to be the example of '' you registered this last month'' in case they de-register me! Probably cannot now but I'm not sure I want to risk it.... I think your problems have come from a lack of understanding by the DVLA staff. I would try another office. Out of interest, what year is the OT-90? Adrian

Neil, I registered my Sherman at the Ipswich office last month, no problems at all. It is registered as 'special purpose' body and a 'non standard' wheelplan. Adrian

Actually, no! It's a very late one and it does have the boxes, neither of which are for radios, it's just they are almost out of shot. How do I know these things? I restored it back in 1988 for the Royal Armouries. That is it's original number and ISTR it was built/ delivered just post war. The very last ones were fitted with the three piece front end, a throwback to earlier production. The boxes on the back are batteries (lh side) and auxiliary generator (rh side). It is built on Ram though, not a lot of people know that!

RAF roundels were used earlier, i.e. North Africa and Italy. The Star in a circle was an allied air recognition symbol and was used by all in NW Europe. The plain stars were a US marking but were also sometimes used by British vehicles. Canadians tended to mis-apply the plain stars so as not to be confused as Americans!

It wont be leaving just yet, if you really want to see it, get yourself down to Mikes and have a look.

Ahh.... could be. Though I think the B-36 was cleared to a higher gross weight but not usually operated at it. Engine wise, you could be right. It seems odd that the most powerful military jet engines are left way behind by the airliners! You're certainly right about the US programs, they are usually biased. They often seem particularly keen to play down the role of British technology. It's an unfortunate trait that much of British TV sadly seems happy to emulate.

C'mon Bodge, pull your finger out....!

Yeah......! I had muddy boot prints on my shoulder and beret.... don't know what I did to Bodge.... It was very slippery actually, as anyone who watched me trying to turn in the arena would testify!

Have to agree, a fantastic event. Monday morning looked like a complete washout but everyone rallied and pulled it off. From my point of view, the parade, organised by Clive at the last minute, was great fun and better than the original intended run!

In New Zealand, everything, including trailers, caravans, fire engines and NZ Army vehicles all have to be tested (warrant of fitness) every 6 months. There are no considerations for age or use. All goods vehicles must have hub odometers for taxation purposes. We are lucky here in the UK in some ways! (though not many....)

I just registered my Sherman and despite them saying it needed an inspection and that this could take 3 to 4 weeks, I received my tax disc on the 8th of April and the V5 on the 11th. All this from my visit to Ipswich LRO on the 4th..... 2 working days! Excellent service I have to admit.

M47. (You had previously discounted Sherman before 'the crash')

Umm, I said Pioneer earlier.....

90mm anti aircraft? 105mm howitzer?

British.... lots of levers....Pioneer? Albion?

I believe the reason Christie fell out of use was because of increasing weights. Mind you, the complexity of having to remove side armour to get at them may have had a bearing! The advantage Christie gave was its speed potential. Cromwell was governed to 38mph, Mk 7 and 8 having different final drives which dropped it to 32mph. This was done, I understand, because the vehicles were driving too fast over rough ground. This could be a suspension issue or a crew comfort problem. When the meteor was first developed, it was fitted in a Crusader which easily managed 50 mph and post war, a Cromwell was test run with disabled governers and that managed 56mph....till one track broke!

Yes, they are now!