Adrian Barrell

The Loyd (note spelling!) would be my carrier of choice. I drove Bob Grundy's soon after he finished it and was very impressed.

James, my co-driver, as we were about to take the sharp turn down Chilfrome Lane, ''Have you got a pound ready?'' Not a quote but the look on an elderly drivers face as the Ward-Ward-Sherman train was approaching camp on saturday night. If his jaw had dropped any lower, we could have driven in it! Vince saw him the same time I did.......

You're welcome Richard, good to meet you. I wouldn't worry about what Jack said, we all know it's too good an event not to happen again in some form or other......:-D

Hear hear! So, where next?

Yes and it was useful when stopping on a slope!

It was indeed an excellent weekend and full credit to Jack and all concerned for such a wonderful atmosphere, not only at camp A&E but at all locations we drove to. Special thanks have to go to Mike and Mark who's professionalism and eagerness to help got me back to camp when the fuel pump packed up on the Sherman. It was six miles of steep hills, being from Suffolk they all looked very steep to me, and at times it required both Wards to do the job. We appeared back at camp to cheers and applause and they certainly earned it.:thumbsup: We fixed the pump within an hour and she was back in action. Ironic that the part to cause trouble in a 68 year old tank was the 3 year old electric pump fitted to combat vapour lock problems of new petrol. It's safe to say they really don't make them like they used to!

He certainly did and I suspect he got in quicker than I did......:blush: I was very glad to meet him and give him a ride, it was an honour and was nothing compared to what he did for us. Well done Paul for organising it and encouraging him to tell of his experiences. As we stopped after our little drive, Frank just looked into the distance for a few moments, I hope his thoughts were happy ones. :bow:

Glad to hear she got there, the lorry driver got a bit concerned when he was sent into the village...! Thanks Mark and Richard for rescuing him. :thanx:

Sherman should arrive on site around 11.00 Thursday, I will get there about 19.00 (hopefully). See you then. Thinking about it..... the low loader will stay over the weekend or at least the trailer will, where is he to park? I will unload when I get there. Jack?

An interesting question. This is the first time I've 'filled' it but I fill four jerrycans at a time making sure I use a suitable garage. Some are less concerned than others about the regs on this point..... I've been filling cans for the last few weeks, always carrying four in my car and getting fuel when convenient.

Yes, one sump for all five engines. One pressure pump, two scavenge pumps. The fuel pump is mounted on no. 4 engine, the lower right hand block. The pump can be seen at the lower rh rear of this picture, just below the distributor.

I wish! On both counts. It's a 245 mile trip each way for me....

(frantically trying to think of another famous vet)

Sounds good to me.

Just the reaction I was hoping for! Sorry Jack, needed a laugh! Just got to fill up with oil (8 gallons) and petrol (83 gallons) :-( and I'm ready.

I was doing all those last minute jobs getting ready for A&E and upon checking the oil I found the level a little high...... Now the Sherman does use a bit of oil but I've never known it to gain any! I suspected fuel was getting past the fuel pump shaft seal into the sump and I was correct. I had a memory of the pump having a drain hole beyond the seal to stop this happening and when I checked it still had the transit plug in it! Mind you, the photos of the pump on the engine in the manual show it fitted too, so there you go! This is all a result of fitting the electric pump to get over the problem of fuel evaporation it had suffered from under certain conditions. The electric pump is on the inlet side of the rotor pump so is obviously putting pressure on the seal it was not intended to bear. Anyway, I removed the pump, fitted a new seal and refitted it with the drain hole open. It did not leak under test but I expect to have a problem sooner or later. I will take a blanking plate with me to replace the pump together with a selection of fittings to connect the fuel pipes together. Long term is probably to fit a pressure regulator inline but that will have to wait. Oil is currently draining ready for a refill tomorrow, all 8 gallons of it. The scary thing is, I've drained 11 gallons of runny oil out........:embarrassed:

They are repro boxes for grenades and are divided internally for four grenades. I don't have the dimensions to hand. They are only made of 16g sheet though and are standard for the time.

You're not that little.....

Don't worry Jack, it will be your turn soon!

I'm finding that more often now..... The same thing happens with my clothes.

That may well have had something to do with it.... mind you, the hatches have definately shrunk since last year.:blush:

Getting him out was easy, getting in was a trifle harder.....

Sherman V x 4

Last of the high rollers eh? I'll take that bet! (Secretly hoping I lose) :-)

No weather forecast is reliable more than about three days ahead. Having said that, we must be due for a better June soon!