Markheliops

Hi Jack - I am intending to bring the love trailer with my own power shower, loo, etc. I still have no problem in paying £15 a head for me and the naughty nurse - Seems a fair price to pay. Adrian old bean - If a couple of your tank owning buddies would like a breakdown of my expenditure incurred to attend this event - I'd quite happily forward it to you. They are right about one thing though - It is the principle and not the money. I know there are some armoured owners (some, not all) who tend to think they are "the special ones" but to be honest mate - whether you are attending with a jeep, GMC, Ward La France or hot-footing it to A&E, I think it only fair the costs for a bit of luxury should be shared amongst us all. It's not what you are bringing to A&E that matters - it's the sense of doing something special with a group of like minded people. Tank owners like the rest of us need to use toilets, take showers and eat - or maybe they don't. £15 per head is not a huge amount to cough up. What say you mate? Markheliops

Hi peeps. Ref the recovery question - I would suggest the WLF option is best suited to removing a vehicle to a point of safety - In other words - get it out of the way, especially if it is blocking a main route. I doubt the Police will object to me or Mike assisting with our trucks to remove an obstruction. Markheliops

Big Al - Don't get your hopes up mate. I've been to the last three tenders and to be honest - there isn't much to make your mouth water. Seems to be a lot of, er er er - how shall I descibe it - scrap metal would be a nice way of putting it. If you have something specific in mind - it may rock your boat. As mentioned, the chaps who work there are pretty helpful. Markheliops.

Agreed - Glad to see you back Joris - Jack can't be left too long on his own - he tends to start playing with things!!! Glad you are on the mend. Markheliops

Ok - I'm confused on this. NOS - need you to explain in plain English please. I can not see the issue as Both Mike and I have not had a front axle propshaft fitted since having the trucks. Am I missing something I should be aware off. I have left the main gearing in the front axle (as shown in the pictures) - what I have removed is the gearing to transmit the drive to the front axle propshaft and I can't see an issue with this. The axle gearing is splash fed and this will still be the case. The transfer box end will not rotate but then it doesn't with the front axle disengaged anyway. Do you really think this may caused me problems. Waiting for your reply - with sweaty palms. Ta Markheliops

Happy birthday mate - have a cracking time. Markheliops

Hi all. Quick update on the spanner work. The sockets were moving so fast yesterday you could have lit your fags with them. First job yesterday was to sort out the steering box mounts. On the Ward La France, as in most USA WWII heavy vehicles, the steering box is mounted to the chassis by use of rivets. Over time these have become loose. I only noticed this when I unbolted the steering column support when removing the cab. I used a grinder to remove two rivets and replaced them with M14 nuts, spring washers and bolts. Job done. Next on the job list was to deal with the issue of the front axle propshaft - or lack of it to be more precise. I hate looking under the Ward and seeing - nothing - where the front prop used to connect to the front axle. I have discussed this in length with Mike. To be honest, we can see no reason why we would be required to engage front axle drive. For this reason, I decided to remove the gearing in the front axle so we can re-install the front propshaft. The propshaft will not turn as it is no longer being driven by the front wheels and this will stop any vibration being felt. The truck will also look as it should with all propshafts present. It was a very easy thing to do, especially with the engine removed. Other tasks completed included slacking off the front shock mounts as this is where Mike intends to place the front engine mount support for the Cummins, removing some air pipes and some other bits. Last job of the day was to dismantle the transfer box to enable removal of the low gear to be installed in my overhauled transfer box (See Mike’s previous thread). I completed this without any major issues, apart from rolling the transfer box over onto my foot! Looking forward to Saturday now as Mike is coming down and we are hoping to install the engine for the first and last time. Watch this space. Markheliops

If I had put money on who would be the first to make a snotty remark to this issue - Rick - you would have won me a small fortune. As I read this thread it would appear the issue is not subs being taken from the Pathfinder Magazine subscription to assist in the financing of HMVF but rather Jack saying he is going to use revenue generated from Pathfinder to help ease the financial burden of HMVF. For anyone on here to think running and paying for the forum is a cheap undertaking - I suggest they go and try it for themselves. HMVF must be one of the few remaining forums on the internet to be free to use. It is obvious to anyone with half a brain if the forum keeps growing, there must be some way of raising revenue to keep it going. I for one would suggest Pathfinder subscription is an initial action to assist with costs and like it or not, in the future the only way to keep HMVF running at its present rate will be to charge a subscription for membership - obviously with some benefits for the paid up members. Of course the forum should remain free to browse. To suggest this is a marketing ploy by Jack is rather quite insulting but to be honest Rick - I rather expected it of you. If you don’t agree with it by all means state your case but do not insult my friends by suggesting an ulterior motive. The reason Jack has offered subscription to Pathfinder Magazine is because he doesn’t want people to pay any monies without getting something in return - a rather generous offer I feel. I would be happy to pay a membership fee to HMVF without the magazine offer so if a get a magazine in the process - I’m more than happy. Rick, who and how do you think Pathfinder Magazine is funded? Do you really think subscription charges cover the cost of materials, printing, etc? This is not a cheap marketing ploy to increase sales of Pathfinder Magazine - its helping to ensure the survival of HMVF. Oh and as said already - no one is holding a gun to your head. If you do not wish to subscribe to Pathfinder, don’t. Your post was acceptable up until the point you suggested the whole issue was a cheap marketing ploy. Can I be so bold as to ask you to re-think your last comment? Markheliops

Agreed with the above - HMVF is an asset I have come to rely on. I have met many friends on here, in fact more than I have met through attending shows. I can fully understand how much this vehicle costs to keep running and I have past wondered how our fearless leader manages to cover the costs - after all - have you seen the rags he wears!!! Seriously, no concerns from this department. One thing to think about Jack - and it’s not a criticism but something to ponder for the future. If HMVF keeps growing at the rate it has, surely the amount of annual subscriptions to Pathfinder magazine will not come anywhere near in assisting with the costs of HMVF. Maybe the time has come to think along the lines of the Landrover 101 club. They charge to be a member with an annual subscription and although I know you have resisted this in the past, I foresee a time in the future when you have two choices - Charge a subscription to be a member of HMVF or close the forum down - I know which I would prefer. So for Christ’s sake take my subscription and go and buy some decent rags. Markheliops

Come on winkle - going to bed soon.

Hi Nick. I suggest you contact Tootallmike on this one as his M1A1 is marked up as belonging to REME. I would imagine he can give you further info. The REME museum has a Ward La France in it's collection. http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/vehicles/wrv/vehlafra.htm The Ward is a M1 model but there is further information on REME use of Ward La France. Regards Markheliops

Hi Lee. I'm off this weekend and will try to make it but I'm sure you can appreciate I am up against time to finish the truck for the Bunker Bash - it's in lots of pieces at the moment. Markheliops

Hi all. Many thanks for the Birthday wishes. Spent the day with my twin sister (her Birthday as well), my Mum and the lovely Debbie (Naughty Nurse). Had a lovely day including a rather nice meal out. The big 40 has been reached so I suppose I should start acting my age. Apparently - life starts at 40 - we shall see. If it does, I best hold on for the ride cos the last 40 have been a blast!!! Many thanks everyone. Markheliops

Hi all. A quick update on the spanner work. My next task was to remove the transfer box. I wasn’t looking forward to this as I remember what a pig of a job it was on Mike’s truck when it was done last year. I did however have an advantage in that the cab had been removed giving virtually un-restricted access. As it happens, the task was completed without any issues on my own. Both Mike and I agreed cab removal is the only way to do this task and as such this has been proved. Next job was to pull the Ward outside and jet wash the engine bay - if nothing else to make working conditions a bit more friendly. After this had been accomplished I pushed the Ward back into the workshop. Mike was due down about 1900hrs with the new power plant so I started some basic maintenance on the things you can’t normally get to with everything in place. I pretty much pulled everything apart and cleaned the components with petrol and then greased them up and put them back together again. I must say you really do learn a lot more about your vehicle when you pull it to bits. Some what concerned about the amount of loose fixings I found tucked away, such as transmission brake mounts, transfer box bolts. I also found the steering box mounts which are riveted and come loose so I shall replace them with nuts and bolts. Mike arrived about 1930hrs with the power plant / gearbox loaded in his Series 1 Landrover. (Many thanks mate). Carl accompanied him and together we hoisted the power plant into position. We were somewhat surprised by how low the Cummins sat in the engine bay. Mike was a little disappointed in that the engine mounts need relocating another 5mm. To be honest, I am amazed at how these things can be worked out without having the engine in place to take measurements. Hats off to Mike. I am very pleased with the result and progress to date. It’s looking good and I can’t wait to complete the project and see how the vehicle drives. Many thanks to Mike and Carl - and everyone else who are playing a part. Markheliops

Hi all. Update on the spanner work - In between my night shifts, I met up with Mike and another Mike (Mikes soon to be father-in-law) with the intention to remove the cab. This as previously mentioned was to aid in the removal and replacement of the transfer box. I had been foiled in my previous attempts due to a stubborn steering drop arm. Mike came up with the idea of loosening the steering box mounts to enable us to tilt the complete box so we would not have to remove it. This would be a bonus as I would still be able to steer the truck to jet wash, etc. Well, it worked like a good-un. As the engine and gearbox had been previously removed, removal of the cab involves very little work. A few air pipes, fuel lines, three cab mounts, pedals, operating rods and the electrics. Here is the cab being removed. I'm not in it as someone had to operate the lifting equipment. This is definitely a job for three people. You can see from the pictures just how much room we now have to remove the transfer box and fit the new engine / gearbox. The opportunity has also presented itself in that I can fully service the crane which is a very difficult thing to do with everything fitted. Now the vehicle is in this state of strip down I can attend to all the things I have wanted to do such as a decent electrical wiring job, crane service, etc. Only worrying thing is when I look at all the components of my once Award winning La France - hopefully, we can figure how it all goes back together. Er Mike, Mike!!! Markheliops

Hi all. Just thought this would make some of you giggle - WORDS OF WISDOM FROM MILITARY MANUALS 'If the enemy is in range, so are you.' Infantry Journal 'It is generally inadvisable to eject directly over the area you just bombed.' US.Air Force Manual 'Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword, obviously never encountered automatic weapons.' General MacArthur You, you, and you ... Panic. The rest of you, come with me.' U.S. Marine Corp Gunnery Sgt. 'Tracers work both ways.' U.S. Army Ordnance Manual 'Five second fuses only last three seconds.' Infantry Journal "The three most useless things in aviation are: -Fuel in the bowser; Runway behind you; and Air above you. Basic Flight Training Manual Any ship can be a minesweeper. Once.' Maritime Ops Manual 'Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have nothing to do.' Unknown Marine Recruit 'If you see a bomb technician running, try to keep up with him.' USAF Ammo Troop 'Yea, Though I Fly Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I Shall Fear No Evil. For I am at 50,000 Feet and Climbing.' Sign over SR71 Wing Ops 'You've never been lost until you've been lost at Mach 3.' Paul F. Crickmore (SR71 test pilot) The only time you have too much fuel is when you're on fire.' Unknown Author 'If the wings are traveling faster than the fuselage it has to be a helicopter -- and therefore, unsafe.' Fixed Wing Pilot 'When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane, you always have enough power left to get you to the scene of the crash.' Multi-Engine Training Manual 'Without ammunition, the USAF is just an expensive flying club.' Unknown Author 'If you hear me yell;"Eject, Eject, Eject!", the last two will be echos.' If you stop to ask "Why?", you'll be talking to yourself, because you're the pilot.' Pre-flight Briefing from a 104 Pilot 'What is the similarity between air traffic controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws up, the pilot dies; but If ATC screws up, .... the pilot dies.' Sign over Control Tower Door 'Never trade luck for skill.' Author Unknown The three most common expressions (or famous last words) in military aviation are: 'Did you feel that?' 'What's that noise?' and 'Oh S...!' or (appended from the Arkansas Air National Guard):"Hold my beer and watch this!" Authors Unknown 'Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two are always needed to successfully complete the flight.' Basic Flight Training Manual 'Mankind has a perfect record in aviation - we have never left one up there!' Unknown Author 'Flying the airplane is more important than radioing your plight to a person on the ground incapable of understanding or doing anything about it.' Emergency Checklist 'The Piper Cub is the safest airplane in the world; it can just barely kill you.' Attributed to Max Stanley (Northrop test pilot) 'If something hasn't broken on your helicopter, it's about to.' Sign over Carrier Group Operations Desk 'You know that your landing gear is up and locked when it takes full power to taxi to the terminal.' Lead-in Fighter Training Manual As the test pilot climbs out of the experimental aircraft, having torn off the wings and tail in the crash landing, the crash truck arrives. The rescuer sees a bloodied pilot and asks,'What happened?' The pilot's reply: 'I don't know, I just got here myself!' Have a nice day. Markheliops

Got to be honest Loggy - It's not top of my priority list - It would be nice but I have never been one of the "it's clean and lovely Brigade." I shall attempt to get near the engine bay with a jet wash and I want to re-wire the engine bay as it was all over the place when I done it last time. My main priority is to get the thing completed - the eye pleasing bits can wait!!!

Happy Birthday old bean - enjoy your day. Markheliops

Hi all. I haven’t been able to comment on this thread until now as I have been some what busy. Most of you will know I had the Ward up for sale but the Naughty Nurse (Debbie) was not too happy with me selling the truck for bricks and mortar - (I know I’m a lucky chap - but so is she as I do the washing up!) As I was “forced” into keeping the second love of my life - (take notice Debs) I have been thinking about what to do in relation to the truck. Now I was faced with a simple decision - buy another trophy cabinet for the award winning Ward La France or fit the thing with a diesel lump and let someone else win a prize - (stops him moaning you see). Seriously - I watch Mike taking his Ward to France and all over the country and wanted to be able to do the same. The straw that broke the camels back was when our glorious leader decided to hold an event down his way. There was no way in hell I could consider doing a 400 mile trip in a petrol Ward La France. Mike made me laugh when he realised the miles involved and he said “crikey - that will cost me £100 in fuel.” Well that little trip would cost me about £800 in fuel - and that would be if the 70 year old engine got me that far. I really wanted to go to A&E so it was either a low loader (about £1000 or an engine conversion). Mike has been on at me for ever about fitting a diesel lump so I have decided to do it now. Mike will do the technical - as he’s good at it and I will provide the spanners and tea. Seriously, many thanks to: Tony Goff for locating the engine. SBS spares for having the engine. Mike for assisting to collect the engine and everything else he is doing for me. Thanks must also go to everyone else who will at some point become involved in some way. I have started on the work already. Yesterday I started work. I was on my own as Mike was feeding chickens or something! I started by removing the gearbox, Brush guard and radiator assembly. I text Mike about 1400hrs and informed him the gearbox was out. He replied - what took you so long!!! I thought I was going great guns so decided to pull the engine out although I had to wait for Mike to pop over about 2000hrs. It is far safer to have someone assist when removing the engine as I couldn’t be in two places at one. The engine came out without any problems. Once the engine was removed, Mike made some measurements in relation to the fitting of the Cummins. All this done in a day and by myself. All in all, I was rather proud of my achiements for a days work. Thanks Mike for popping over and bringing me a steak and kidney pie. This was the situation today. Had a poor day today (by my standards anyway). I wanted to get the cab off but have been foiled by a stubborn steering drop arm. I need to get the arm off so I can remove the steering gear which will in turn allow me to remove the cab. I have decided to do this as anyone who has had to remove a Ward transfer box will know what a pig of a job it is. Oh well, dejected and tired I decided to call it a day. I’m back at work for another 2 days and nights now and then work shall resume with renewed spirit. Oh the target date for completion - If I am not at The Bunker Bash in May I shall be disappointed. Markheliops

Happy Birthday chappie - Hope something Landish appears in your pressie box. Markheliops

Only in America - Typical attitude to recovery - If I pull hard enough it will eventually come out!!!! The funny thing is if they had attached the tow rope to the other side of the rear (towing eye of course) the vehicle would have just slid out on to the hard standing. Markheliops

Happy Birthday Howard - Something that was green and is probably now rusty will ensure you have a good day. All the best. Markheliops

Hi mate. I'll give you a tinkle tomorrow Jack - I was going to go for steel poles but if I can get away with wood - it may be the way to go. Many thanks.

Hi all - thanks for the info given on fastners - supplies are being arranged. Another question in relation to this project - In the picture of the Brockhouse (start of the thread) - you can see the poles I need. I have measurements etc but can not seem to find a company willing to make these poles - Does anyone know of a company who can manufacture such poles. Many thanks Markheliops

I see what you are saying Mike but I would have thought a loaded recovery vehicle is counted as being laden and would then lose it's historic tax class unless the vehicle you happen to be recovering is your own vehicle. Crikey - it's all very confusing.