Markheliops

Hi all. Anyone going to this event. I presume you are going Cripp as you entered it on the diary. I shall be going with the Ward La France - well - I've put my entry in anyway. To enter, visit the IMPS events page and contact Bill Fowler. Vehicles have to be from the 40's - so apologies to the post war chaps / chapettes. Should be a good fun weekend. Markheliops

I second that - hope you had a good one. Markheliops

Here is a picture of my old Munga 8. I sold it to a chap in Maidstone who has had it for about 3 years. Now he has brought a Bedford so the Munga 8 is up for sale again. When I brought it - some wally had put an Astra engine in it - the steering was to say at best interesting. I converted back to it's original 3 cylinder, 2 stroke engine. When I was into the Munga scene, they were a rare vehicle but at this years W+P show, there were lots of them running around. An excellent little vehicle. Markheliops

Oy winkle - now you're just sounding bitter - I can't help it if the Ward La France keeps winning prizes - just ask Jack about his plank! I love your non-original diesel engined, dual braking system Ward La France - I do honestly. Markheliops

I dont care - where's my biography Jack????????

Hi Tony Your one is the exactly the same as the one I have, except for the lens. Any ideas what its off? Markheliops

OK - I may give you that one Mike. Anyone know what vehicle this is from? I'm sure it is WWII period. Made by Federal Enterprises, Chicargo. Model number WL 2L28F3. Was there only one company who made these siren lights? It's different to the one in the manual but it is the correct size, bullet shaped and the correct voltage. I'm wondering if it may have been made by another company. Anyone want to add to my thoughts. Markheliops

Hi all. As the Ward La France has been so good lately - (not broken down) I have brought it a new piece of equipment. Origional Ward La France M1A1 siren light. As a matter of interest, Ward La France and Kenworth wreckers were one of the few American vehicles to be officially fitted with siren lights although every other American vehicle seems to have aquired one. Difficult to come by and it just so happened a friend of mine had this one in his collection. As you can see, the red paint is coming off the glass lens but no matter, I have some red glass in the shed which my father used when making lead lights. As an extra, my friend threw in a rather nice M1A1 canvas tool roll. The siren light pleased me the most as it is a very hard piece of equipment to come by. My friend could have probably sold it for more if he advertised it but he said he would rather sell it to me as he knows it will end up on the vehicle rather than being sold on for profit. Rather nice of him I thought. Markheliops

Is Phil Benham up that way - If so - he is a good bet. Find him on Milweb.

Granted it is cheaper than other garages - But when you think 8 months ago unleaded cost 89p a litre - is it such a good deal!!! markheliops

Hi Phil. I do like the look of this Daf - Did you manage to sell it on E-bay.

Thankie Mark

Lets see a pici then pickle.

Im sure I am on your camera somewhere Mark - if not - no more tea for you. lol

£8000 is not a bad price providing the thing has no serious faults. Even if the power pack was shot - a replacement would set you back about £1500. As for the crane - if it works great. If it doesn't, I will probably be the hydraulics. Difficult to repair but not for someone who is swtched on to hydraulic systems. Besides, how often are you going to use the crane. What say you Chris? Markheliops

Ref the 434 - depends on the price and how much work you want to do. By the look of the pictures, I would imagine the hatches have been left open as per usual - don't know why people do that - drives me nuts. It doesn't look too bad and as previously said - doesn't look mucked about with. From what I can see the track pads will need changing - not a hard job and £600-£700 for a complete set. Road wheels look okay. Looks like a lot of the equipment is still there - A-frame on the side is a bonus as these tend to go missing. I would imagine ex-Gulf war and this could explain the state of the interior. Vehicles don't like sand - horrible stuff. I would certainly want to see it start and then monitor the gauges for temp, etc. Also would want to see it drive and stop. If that is okay, not a lot more to go wrong. Is it the one from Wayne Meadows? - If so, he's a pretty straight bloke so ask him what the pros and cons are. Failing that - take someone with you who has a 432 / 434. The end result will be determined by the price - A decent FV432 can be brought for around £6500 - £8000. An FV434 is worth more but it would depend on the condition and how much the chap is asking. All in all, if it starts, stops and steers - can't be too bad. Markheliops

That I was younggun.

My Ward has earnt many names during the last couple of years - none printable though. I'll stick with the Rugged Boys. Markheliops

Hi all. Can I suggest sort sort of name tag / badge for next year. I would be quite happy to wear an HMVF badge with my screen name on it. Lots of HMVF members came and said hello - but I am useless at names. Can also use them for other shows and events. Markheliops

To be honest - I'd be quite happy to have a go at the off road trials but the Ward La France was never meant to be on off road wrecker. It can handle off road as it has decent ground clearance and selectable 6 wheel drive. Certainly not as good as a Scammell but then again - I just LOVE my powered crane. LOL Markheliops

Much as I love your OT90 gadjets Neil - I could probably buy 3 FV432's for 1 OT90. I would have to say the OT90 is a far better machine - but much more complicated than the 432. If your beast developes a fault - which I hope it doesn't by ther way - I wouldn't like to have to repair it - especially if it's an electrical fault.

Ref the e-bay advert - The more I read the advert the more it sounds a bit off. The guy hasn't actually answered any questions, apart from does it start. You can view it Monday - er when the auction has ended. The stuff written in the advert is straight from a book description of the FV432 - but he doesn't know what engine is in it!!! And the english isn't very good. I would say - bidders beware. Markheliops

If he can get inside it!!! Surley if you are trying to sell armour - you would have already taken pictures of the inside - or am I being too cynical. Markheliops

Well done Vince - nice too see SOMEONE working away. AND where is the tall one whilst all this mechanical carnage was going on - Don't tell me - I can guess. Markheliops