Zero-Five-Two

A stick welder is OK in a good pair of hands, and you seem to be doing alright so far. Good start, nice pictures

Could you post a couple of pictures if you get the chance

OK, OK! I'll put my hand up to being a boring old fart, then. I did watch it, if only for the MV bit, and yes I did snigger a bit, as well. It's a pity they didn't have the CETs anchor to fire, that could have been interesting with the right aim :-D

Top Gear was going down hill when Quinten Wilson left many years ago, now it's just a waste of licence payers money. but then so is a lot of TV programmes these days. Or am I just old and miserable? As for the CET, lovely bit of kit. Did the course on them at Bovington in 1982, and haven't sat in one since. As for owning one, wife said NO!! didn,t get as far as asking the bank

I will be posting more on my own restoration blog when I've done some more . Took them ones last sunday as I was sanding it down. That's as far as I have got

Hiya, and welcome aboard

Lot of effort gone into that mate, bet your pleased with it. Sounds very sweet. Take all is OK, oil pressure, coolant and hydraulics circulating etc? P.S. Did you borrow the dog from Rob Crowther?

Never managed to tax my Militant on line, website just wont recognise it. Always end up local PO, and then that depends on which clown is on the desk. Always manage in the end, but it's free and it's a good feeling getting something for nowt

Try this, dont just sand the orange peel green back to the primer. Spray a very light coat of a contracting colour straight over the green. White or light grey would be ok. This is called a ghost coat. Then, working in small sections at a time, using a fine grit (320 is good) sand it down gently. You will be able to see all the little nicks, scratches or orange peel dimples much easier as they will stand out in the different colour. When all the ghost coat has gone you will have a nice smooth surface to try again with a fresh top coat. Here's my Militant, first coat of light green primer "ghosted" in black aerosol These lines are the brush painted red oxide underneath showing through Close up of drivers side, still a bit to sand down by the indicator, top corner bit needs some more work, black paint highlights the poor quality filler. Bottom of the door needs to be better too. Rest is perfect ready for the next coat. All takes time and effort though, kills your arms, all that sanding, but worth it in the end. Better prep = better finish

Thanks guys, for some reason I had the idea it came from inside the cab but I couldn't see where

Hiya welcome aboard. Invicta? do you have connections with Kent?

You mean this one?

Got sent these over the weekend, thought they might raise a smile or two

Been fitting some of the brass plates to the inside of the cab. Got these 2 in the right place But can't remember where this one goes, and for some reason I didn't take a photo of it before I took it off. Any one able to help? [ATTACH=CONFIG]48374[/ATTACH] Can't find the photo of the chassis plate now (July 2014)but that's not the problem. The biggest laugh is, now I know where to mount the plate I can't find it!! Put it safe somewhere, and well?? It'll turn up some day

I've got various diagrams from the drivers handbook etc, and if you look at my restoration blog you'll see I've just had my entire rear system in bits, what do you need to know? and where would you like me to send it?

you'll get lots of ideas from here, welcome aboard

Yep, been there, done that, still have the scars

Dont know about a "bodge" that pump and drive looks pretty professional. Strange how it wont self prime, or stay primed after a run. If you are not going to try and rebuild it, might as well run it until it dies altogether. Enjoy the grin factor for as long as possible. Bearing in mind you dont do that many miles with it, it might soldier on for months/years before letting go. And, as you say there is always the option of front wheel drive to get you home

No, he hasn't actually done anything, he only posted that picture because he has been reading everybody elses posts and didn't want to be left out. Been too busy with the non serious stuff like working, getting married spending time with the kids etc :D

Used to know a geezer called Johnston lived in Thurso, if that helps :-D

Had thought about something like that, but I have a dislike for any form of camper or caravan, if I am staying out I much prefer a tent or under the stars. Not only that funds aren't exactly plentiful and timber rig was well within budget

Can't come soon enough, I keep watching Rob Crowthers videos and thinking "my turn soon" hopefully end of August or early September. The dream target is the end of season do at the Bunker as its first showing.

Would like to see the pictures when you get them. Mine is definitely an Arty tractor but has not got a PTO. That said I'm not 100% sure (senior moment here), I'll have to have a good look next time I'm working on it, it certainly hasn't any control lever in the cab. Very interesting :undecided: :undecided: :undecided:

In between all the brakes and painting, I put an ad in one of the vintage truck mags for Militant spares. 2 came out of the woodwork. The first one has now been cut up with major parts going to different places. I got a huge haul of small bits for mine all of which are helping to make it better. Sad end for the old girl really, but she did donate a lot of parts to keep various other Militants going. I had been giving a fair bit of thought as to what to fit on the back in place of the hideous ballast box that was on there when I bought the thing, but I hadn't come up with an answer until I got a phonecall from a gent in Hampshire who had bought a Militant timber tractor many years ago to restore, but never got round to it and now he just wants rid. So it looks like I'm having a timber crane conversion, if we can get it out of the trees Needs a bit of work, floor boards and side planks have long since rotted away, but steel work seems ok. Looks like the top pulley has been cut off leaving the derrick a couple of feet short. Any suggestions?? Next question will be, once it's fitted can I get someone to teach me how to use it

Back to plan A now, painting the cab. Fortunately the weather has been good recently and much has been done. Much tarting and final filling. I kept looking at bits and thinking it's sixty years old, bound to have a few dents, but then I want a good finish. How far do you go? Son Phil did help a bit with masking up Says on the tin primer is light green!! This is about as green as it is going to get