Diana and Jackie

The DVLA use British people or people entitled to work in the UK and is UK based - where's the foreign come from? Diana

A week!! ...give them a chance, The website quotes six weeks, in reality its taking about 2 weeks for most people. Diana

Not a chance I will pass you his details, and yes all paperwork must be included with any application including a dating letter, registration fee, insurance etc... Diana

The short answer to your query is yes, he is now dealing with all ex military vehicles wherever they are in the UK, additionally any obscure types he will be able to research to ensure they can get road registered if at all possible. Diana

The good news is the DVLA have appointed someone who actually knows about military vehicles to manage the licensing of newly registered ex military vehicles, just after lunch I met him today and it was clear he knows what he is talking about. He has served in the army and has contact with Bovington when he needs to regarding information on more obscure types. Last week 3 Spartans were registered and recently a Ferret, so things should start to run more smoothly as time progress's especially with CVRTs. Diana

Hi James, Most of the manuals are on Andy's website for you to download: http://www.ferret-fv701.co.uk/ Those that aren't - can be found at : http://www.greenmachinesurplus.com/daimler-ferret-all-marks-138-c.asp Diana

CVRT Drivers Instrument Panel with 42 way connector blocks corrected in orientation to panel. Monitor socket shown as A-B-C-D-E, Drivers periscope and washer sockets shown as A-B, A-B * For Spartan Cupola is not blank as shown but wired to Cupola power feed. Diana

I am interested to know how it's arrived at that OMD 90 is a semi - synthetic oil. All my research on the subject indicates OMD90 a multigrade detergent oil, which pre-dated semi-synthetic. I have contacted a number of oil companies all of whom refuse to give me an equivalent to OMD90, one actually give me a monograde equivalent! - they simply do not know! There's no way I would put a semi-synthetic in a Wilson type gearbox, or for that matter in CVRT running gear. There is however a good argument for using a semi-synthetic or indeed a synthetic is a petrol engine, depending on its working conditions. Diana

The bungee cord and hooks for CVRT drivers seats can be ordered from LAS Aerospace to make up your own elasticated cord. Part No's are : Bungee cord >> 3F70-12.5MM Hooks >> SP168-F Diana

I live within 10 minutes of the DVLA Swansea, two weeks ago I applied online for a V55/5 to register a vehicle. It still has not arrived! on Monday I went to the offices, where jobsworths's abound (and is also a total shambles), though they do have a very nice automatic circular front door paid for with our money, and got the form. I filled it in with the relevant paperwork and then took it back on Wednesday. I thought it would be easy - take it in and get a tax disc - not a cats chance in hell! - I was told walk back along the entrance way and pop it in the letterbox!!!! This is not progress, this is bumbling bureaucracy at work. When I had trouble getting a date for an H licence test a few weeks ago I resorted to threatening them with a complaint to my MP. If there is excessive delay with the tax disc I shall be doing the same. Diana

Thanks Chris Diana

Hi! I have loads of documentation but it doesn't say where the radiator drain is. It goes into all sorts about bleed points but no info on the drain point. There's an access point under the hull with 3 UNC bolts which looks a promising candidate! Can someone please enlighten me? Diana

Today I received an apology from RH, in fact two. The first was for incorrectly ascertaining where the Spartan was to be parked and the second was for a misleading advert. It does come down to the brokers and underwriters not knowing the vehicles they insure and the risks they pose or not as the case maybe. If that is what is happening then how can they possibly provide a reasonable and sensible costing for an MV or for that matter classic car? Diana

Hi Robin, It was Brtish and a Cummins diesel and yes Ferret and Spartan Diana

I Will send you a separate message. Diana

After spending most of the day with Mr Terry Brooks yesterday undertaking driving instruction and passing the tracked vehicle test 1st time I am pleased to say that I can highly recommend Terry for anyone who wishes to learn to drive a CVRT or other armoured vehicle. I also learnt that in his opinion diesel Spartans, which I learnt on, are noisy, unresponsive and use more fuel than a petrol version besides which diesel costs more. Terry said that in future he will be reverting to petrol. He also said of course they are heavier. Diana

An update: I have received several apologies from the broker in question. They have confirmed in writing to me that their refusal to insure the said vehicle does not mean I have to state that I was refused insurance elsewhere. Now to the nitty gritty and a warning to others who maybe insured with said insurer or others. They have stated that they would not insure the Spartan because it was on residential property and not kept in a garage or building. I have questioned the broker as to the logic in this given I have a Ferret parked on the same hard-standing, and the broker states that the insurer does not have to give a reason, which is illogical cop-out given that the likely hood of the Spartan being "acquired" is negligible. In fact there is more likely-hood from what I read on here of illegal acquisitions at War and Peace or in a barn. On top of which I have cameras overlooking the hard-standing. My pronunciation to insurers who do not understand what they are insuring and the risks or lack therof is wake up and smell the coffee! For a quote : 01543 675143 Glynwood Insurance Services

Your interpretation of my posting is incorrect and misleading. Nowhere have I stated I am questioning the MVT's advertising policy. If any Organisation takes an advert in good faith then it cannot be held responsible. If subsequently it is found that an advert is misleading then the advertiser is responsible and any reputable organisation carrying that advert would be expected to look at such an advert. The advert clearly carries the words "WE CAN TAILOR THE COVER REQUIRED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS" notwithstanding that there are factors that would blatantly deny me insurance - and there are not as I have had my Ferret with Adrian Flux for a number of years, as well as Churchill with my car, then they clearly cannot tailor their cover to meet my needs. Hence the advert is in my opinion, and based on my experience, misleading. And yes they did know it was an Alvis Spartan and they appeared to know of a Spartan too. Diana

Sorry Andy, yes it does look at the top in the yellow band. Diana

And that's my point - define an insurance companies meaning of "refusal". Of course I'm quite happy if anyone will cover my losses free of charge based on the fact that an insurance company "refused to quote" - just send me the contract in writing please. Diana

Nothing is worlds apart when your an insurer trying to wriggle out of a claim.

Absolutely correct Lindsay.

Done and the ASA.. this is the quickest medium to make individuals aware of my experience today.

Hunting around for insurance for an Alvis Spartan I've had quite a few quotes, some very reasonable. Today for the first time ever I was refused a quote by a company that has a back full page spread in the most recent MVT magazine telling everyone how good they are and "we can tailor the cover to meet your needs" This is the first refusal of insurance I've ever had - clearly in my opinion, they are not up to the mark when it comes to Military Vehicles and the MVT needs review whether this company should be on advertising in their magazine. Now of course I have to declare I've been refused insurance on an Alvis Spartan, which most insurance brokers will not have a clue about. I may as well declare I've been refused cover on a spaceship :-) The best quote I've had comes in at £125 from a little known company called Glynwood Insurance Services. Diana

Added link!