Markheliops

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I tend to think this is becoming a trend with a small minority of shows. I honestly believe some shows and their organisers are beginning to think the shows are bigger than the people and MV's who attend. This way of thinking will eventually bite those who harbour these thoughts in the butt. I have never been to Military Odyssey and to be honest I have no real desire to attend. I know the show is a re-enactors thing etc but no reenactment will be complete without the vehicles and machines with which the re-enactors work. If certain shows want to stick their noses in the air at MV's - then so be it. It does not take long for word to spread amongst our hobby and the end result will be NO vehicles attending what so ever. No vehicles equals a very poor and inaccurate portrail of those past times. I'm not bothered as I'm not Jo public paying at the gate with the promise of seeing hundreds of privately owned military vehicles. I'm not bitter but don't appreciate the way MO treats MV owners. SO MO - You know what you can do................................... :mail4you: Markheliops :whistle:

Is that why I was all sweaty at Redhill. :dunno: cos I had clothes on.

Hi James Welcome to green-land, where the members are all nuts - except me. Who said that - I did - thats ok then. :shake: Markheliops

As promised- Mike was busy snapping away at the vehicles so I didn't bother but I did catch a few unusual shots. No show of Mikes would be complete without a picture of: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000002-2.jpg[/img] Yes - it is THE knee of the tall one. Together with his sidekick: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000001-3.jpg[/img] The (man) ? known as Vince. I was a bit concerned when I stumbled upon Mikes living quarters. Now I always though Mike roughed it with the rest of us but I found disturbing evidence in his tent. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000004a.jpg[/img] Mike made continual reference to his DOUBLE sized air bed - which did make me feel a bit uncomfortable. He took every opportunity to assure me how comfortable it was - yes Mike I'm sure it is but I'm OK in the 432 thanks. :whistle: The clothes horse was a worrying site. Not sure what he hangs off it as I only ever see him in those damn shorts.!! The tank pillows was a nice touch, to the hardened vets amongst us though. Pictures a bit fuzzy but you can just make out a US armoured vehicle. Look Mike - if you want one just go and buy one! :dunno: http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000003.jpg[/img] Last pic is of everyone having a good munch. http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u233/Markheliops/00000005-1.jpg[/img] Cheers Mike and Vince. For those who are not aware - Mikes man (Vince) does the cooking and Mike does the washing up. He's a fair man that tootallmike. Ops, sorry, bigballsmike. :-D Markheliops

Just realised how much fuel I had used. :cry: Thanks to Mike and Vince for a wicked weekend. Sun was shinning and it was bl---y hot - too hot. Special mention to Mikes team of eager helpers - always willing to get stuck in when I wanted tea. Very special mention to the looooovely Sarah - or sara - Vince's nookie - who made evening meal on Saturday - with Vince's help I must add. :-D I have a couple of pics to add - soon, very soon. All in all, although small, the show was good fun and it just goes to show size isn't everything. Where have I heard that one before.!! The 432 behaved impeccably, on the way there, during the show and on the way back. Even managed to source a supply of fuel for the armour so mega happy with that. We managed a night out in Redhill - where Mike managed to pull a biker bird - she scared the hell out of me and Vince so hats off to Mike for that one. I ran out of the pub and battened down the hatch of the 432 - quaking in my boots. :-o From now on - Mike will have a codename of bigballsmike. :-D I'm surprised by the amount of attention the 432 received, especially from women. Perhaps you were right Vince - it was me and not the tank they were after. :-D Anyway, will add the pics - you know to what I am referring Mike - a bit later. Markheliops

Hi all. Leaving for Redhill today at 1000ish with the 432. First road run for the armour and lets hope it goes more smoothly than the trip to Bolero. Hope to see some of you there. Come and say hi to Mikes knees, Vince's head, Marks new Jimmy and my new toy. Markheliops

Cure for oil stains on driveway. :? Well, I sent the girlfriend out complete with scrubbing brush and it came up a treat. :-D Failing that - Depends if the stains are fresh and wet or old and dry. If wet, anything works, saw dust, spillsorb, fullers earth, etc. If dry you can purchase specialist cleaners from most D.I.Y or motor factors. You have to put in down and leave it for a few hours, then wash it off. Can't remember the name of it but I used it many moons ago, when I was young and stupid. When I didn't know any better, I attempted an oil change on my Mk 1 Ford Escort on my Dads driveway. Acquired all the tools, etc to complete the job. Got under the car. Loosened the oil sump plug and caught the oil in a .................................... pint milk bottle. :schocked: Should have seen the panic in my face when the oil over flowed and didn't seem to be easing up. My Dad went bonkers and made me go up to the local shop where I purchased this cleaner. Worked a treat though. Markheliops

Looks really nice Steve. You can see how many hours you have put in to it. Hope you get her down and dirty. :shake: Markheliops

In that case, I'll roll straight over your knees. :pfrt:

I second the above - Mark can make the tea - whilst Mike changes the wheels. :-D Vince can supervise and I can supervise Vince - (management being my area of expertise). Mark, if you park the Jimmy in the sun, chances are Mikes knees will get some colour. :goodidea: See ya there. Markheliops

I am up for a convoy Mike - If I'm still running petrol power in the Ward - I'll throw a tow rope on to your trailer and you can pull me there. Saves on my fuel bills ya see. :-D

Austin Champ - With what I can only describe as a hideous customised roll cage - never seen anything like that before. It deserves to be cut off and buried. Oh, why do people do things like that. :cry: If it's complete, give it a sand blast, coat of paint and bob's your uncle. :-D Oh, and don't forget to lose the horrible roll bar. Markheliops

I'll be there next year - deffo. Either with the Ward or 432. Prefer the give the Ward a good test. Hopefully the beast will have been sorted by then. :banana: Markheliops

Are you taking the new vehicle to Redhill Mark?

Snapper took a nice pic at the prize giving. As I was having my pic taken with prize, the Spitfire flew over head and he caught it in the shot. So pic of me, Ward La France, prize and Spitfire in the same shot. What more could a man want. (apart from a tow out of the arena). :whistle: Rather nice of the RAF to give me a fly-past. Well deserved I thought. :-D Markheliops

Can I come in the 432 as well? :-D

The rear body is off an MK or MJ Bedford for sure. Markheliops

Thanks Lee. I had visited this site but didn't spot the POL information. Got it now. Ta Markheliops

It was tootallmike. Your mate should have seen a knee sticking out from the side of the cab. I was in the blue Audi in front of the Ward. Markheliops

Hi all fellow FV432 owners. Can one of you chaps / chapetts kindly scribble a quick list of the POL's involved when servicing the 432. I have not received my servicing schedule yet and don't know what lubricants I should be using. I want to make sure all levels are ok for Redhill show. Many thanks Markheliops

p.s. have got price enquiry with a supplier for Torque rods - still waiting for reply, but can I take it you are now o.k. in this department? I am still interested in details of the above. Tootallmike may need details as well. Many thanks N.O.S

Thanks Neil - The Ward should look the same but hopefully will drive a lot better and not have the grinding noise I have become accustomed to. The surprise I may have at W+P will be what I am going to do with the donor Ward - lots of ideas but will see what I am left with after repairing mine. A few ideas are: Throw a box body on the back - cosy sleeping quarters - and tow it about as a casualty vehicle. Make a Ward La France trailer - out of the rolling chassis. Make a ridiculous, outrageous off-roading machine - kind of scrapheap challenge. If I do one of the above, I can keep all the spare parts, gear box, transfer box, etc in situ, available if I need them. Kind of like towing my own stores about. OR Sell whats left for scrap. Will see what happens. Anyone have any bright ideas and I'd like to hear them. Markheliops

Hi all. I have been getting more depressed as shows come and go and my Ward la France M1A1 sits in the shed, not being able to attend. :-( As most of you will be aware I had a disaster whilst trying to attend Bolero and it was a struggle even to attend War and Peace. Luckily my WLF is stored 2 minutes from the Hop Farm so I made temp repairs to attend the 25th anniversary show. I have decided to crack on now and sort the problem out. I have been trying to source parts for repairs but found I can't get the bits I need. SO Today I have agreed to purchase the Ward that Nick Hobbs purchased as a restoration vehicle. :-D In all honesty, the WLF is a bit beyond restoring without spending silly money on it. I will now have another WLF for a donor vehicle with enough spares to hopefully keep me on the road for a fair old time. I intend to do a proper job over the winter and roll out the Ward next season. I have started a new blog and will keep this updated as things progress. I haven't decided what to do with the skeleton donor vehicle but I may decide to do something a bit wacky with it, once my Ward la France is repaired. Here's hoping - nothing else goes wrong. :angel: Markheliops

Wanted to put my thoughts in on the matter of uniforms, etc. As an ex-soldier I do not have a problem with people who wish to wear uniform of some description to shows, etc. I am in agreement that uniforms add to the atmosphere of shows and the majority of people who wear uniforms to complement vehicles and reenactments go to extraordinary lengths to ensure the items they wear are correct in every detail. I do however get the hump when I see people wearing a military uniform who look like they have just rolled out of a hedge backwards. Sorry, but army uniform and Mohican's hair styles just don't go. If someone wishes to impersonate a member of the armed forces - and lets be honest - that is what wearing a military uniform with a vehicle is doing - they should at least attempt to impersonate a soldier in every detail. I don't mean "impersonate a soldier" in a bad way. I for instance sometimes wear a WWII uniform with my Ward La France. Even though I am a ex-soldier of the Queens Forces, I am still impersonating a member of the US Army from the WWII era. The only thing I think is a real no, no is when people wear medals to which they are not entitled to wear. Last year I was in the bar at W+P when this guy who wasn't more than 18 years old walked into the bar wearing a full American Marine dress uniform. His chest was covered in military decorations - and I mean covered. I had to leave before I vented at him. I have medals to which I am entitled and I have ex-colleagues who were killed whilst on operational duties. I find someone who wears military decorations to which they have no right very disrespectful to the memory of those killed whilst serving their countires. So to sum up- No problem with wearing uniforms - but do it properly. If you wear medals which you are not entitled - please remove them. The only time I am okay with people wearing medals who have not earned them is on remembrance days when relatives display medals their grandparents, fathers, mothers, etc were awarded during the various conflicts. Markheliops