Markheliops

Thanks Mr D - Another great video. Ta

Loads of fun with it John but I must admit, it's a hell of a lot of work when you're on your own. If Bernard hadn't been about to assist me on Monday after the show I would have had some real issues trying to get loaded. With no hard standing at the racecourse, having the ARRV there was a real pain. If it doesn't sell I'll keep the lot and I wouldn't be upset about it. I'd just be a little more selective in regard to what shows I take the ARRV too.

Correct John - I have put the ARRV package up for sale. Whether it sells or not is another matter!!!

Thanks Olaf - Unfortunately the low loader was never going to make it out of the racecourse under it's own power!

Thanks for the Video Andy - top stuff.

This post deserves some sort of reply but to be honest, I can't be bothered. Perhaps next year you will grace the arena with your presence and show us all how to do it!

It was fun for me Robin - I just sat and watched. lol

The blade on the Chieftain was in it's low position - HOWEVER - it wasn't touching the ground. I lowered the blade to give the crowd something to look at whilst the Scammell boys were hooking up. I also raised the crane for the same reason. The brakes were not applied and it must be remembered, the Chieftain ARRV does weight more than the Cent ARV. Even if the blade was on the ground it wouldn't have made the slightest difference as the ARRV was being pulled backwards and in that case, the blade has no effect on any rearward movement. Bernard is right that the Scammells couldn't pull the ARRV simply due to not having enough traction in the mud. He did manage to move it slightly on his own but was defeated by A) the dead weight and B) the mud that had gathered behind the tracks when I turned. If time had permitted I'm sure a 4th Scammell would have got the ARRV moving and then I would have selected a gear and pulled all four Scammells backwards. The idea was to entertain the crowd as we had asked for a better slot in the arena to demonstrate the recovery vehicles. Unfortunately, the number of recovery vehicles actually willing to go into the arena and the weather conditions left us with a last minute display. Markheliops

Apparently Ladybirds are drawn to white objects! Explains why my white house and white car are always covered in Ladybirds!

Thank you gentlemen - my WWII armour knowledge isn't quite up to scratch.

Hi all. Can one of you knowledgeable chaps or chapettes ID the Garfield Weston tank please? http://www.britishpathe.com/video/tanks-and-more-tanks/query/Garfield Many thanks Markheliops

Thanks Adrian

Hi all. I am having to paint some vehicles in German colours as shown below: Does anyone know how to achieve the correct colour for the above. I have read up on this matter and it would seem the vehicles received a base coat of yellow and then a red / green camo scheme. I'm not looking for a perfect historical match but would like to achieve similar as per the picture. Any thoughts chaps? Regards Markheliops

Ward - Hand painted with brush and rollers. I have never sprayed anything - more to do with the fact - I can't spray.......... I'm doing the 50ft 4 axle trailer at the moment. Same again, needle gun, bonda primer, undercoat and then top coat with brushes and rollers. I like to put a good thick coat on to protect the finish. I'll put pictures (before and after) when I've finished but I'm quite impressed with it at this stage. Markheliops

Hi Chaps. The event is on. Event day - Saturday 7th June 2014 Location - Lymington, Hampshire. I am looking to get names and vehicles for this event. In short, we are intending to "dress" the airfield as it was during 1944. There will be battle re-enactment of the D-Day landings including a beach landing and the storming of a bunker complex (being built by yours truly) !!! The public will be invited onto the airfield for a small donation to the charity buckets. They will be there to see the Red Arrows carryout a display and a BBMF flypast. At this time, there is the possibility of 2 x Spitfires, 1 x Hurricane, 1 x Piper Cub and some Tiger Moths flying in and being parked up for a static display but this is waiting to be confirmed. If you have a WWII British, German or American vehicle you'd like to bring along for the above, or are a foot-soldier of either side, drop me a PM so I can gather names and details. If you have nothing but would like to take part in the day and mock battle, drop me a PM as we are hiring in uniforms / weapons / blanks etc for the event. Attendees can arrive on the Friday if they so wish and camp up on the airfield. For non-green camping, we can site you in another part of the estate. We do intend to have a shin-dig Friday evening......................... There will be food and drink for attendees. Once the Saturday event is finished, you can either make your way home or stick around (Saturday night will probably be another shin-dig) and then slope off on Sunday morning. The event is for British Forces Charities so it would be great to see as many people as I can get to "feel the forties" vibe! Thanks guys and gals. Markheliops

Cherished Vehicles - not a problem as I park my vehicles in secure storage away from home.

Top man - I bet that takes some patience!

I had this problem with Footman James when they wouldn't insure the Ward La France so I went to Cherished Vehicles. Nor would they insure the Chieftain ARRV as it doesn't have a number plate (obviously)! As I understand it - the underwriters have changed. I would imagine they are losing bucket loads of business. Unfortunately for them, I also pulled my employers classic and military insurance from them too - and that little lot ran into thousands! Cherished Vehicles got that business too and I must say they couldn't have been more helpful. I'm afraid at this rate Footman James may well end up going down the pan as there are an awful lot of American classis cars and MV's out there. I suspect they may well back pedal at some point but by then they will have given so many owners the hump - it will be too late. Markheluiops

Quite possibly - but we'll keep that to ourselves for the mo!!! In all seriousness - the Scammell isn't for sale by the owner. As I know him and live a couple of miles away from him and have the matching trailer - he is willing to let me buy it for restoration as it's his baby and he'll know I'll look after it and get it restored.

Hi John. I'm using the S26 to drag the ARRV around on long-ish journeys but I like the look of the Scammell. I think it would make a great exhibit hooked up to the trailer. It's a 1955 Tractor GS for 20 ton trailer (Army reg 82 BL 10). The truck is fitted with a Leyland 680 power plus, which in it's day was the most powerful engine you could fit. Originally as you rightly pointed out the vehicle was fitted with a Meadows petrol engine. It now sports a fifth wheel coupling with a 3.5 inch pin, fitted by a heavy haulage company. Mark

Hi chaps - Thanks you for the info. Legally, a unit operating under STGO (and taxed as STGO) does not require an MOT or plating certificate. It would only need plating and testing if being used under Construction and Use Regs. I'm not considering dragging the ARRV all around the country but a run from The Hop Farm to Folkestone should be okay. Yes, very slow so lots of beacons and warning lights and possibly an escort. I was mistaken in thinking the motorways operated a minimum 30 miles an hour limit but from my research there is no minimum speed limit for the motorways. The law states you should not cause unnecessary hinderance to other road users! So I am happy with the legal aspect but it's the 30 tonnes through the King Pin and rear axle weights I am trying to work out.

Hi guys and gals. A question for the Scammell boffins! An ex military 6 x 6 JUNIOR Constructor or The Scammell Tractor, 20 tonne, GS 6 x 6 (It's proper name as I'm led to believe)? Does anyone know what the GTW of these beast are? I'm am led to believe the civilian GTW of these impressive vehicles was around 100 tonnes, while the SUPER Constructor could achieve 150 tonnes plus! I stand to be corrected of course as this isn't really my field! As the manufacture date of this vehicle is 1955, no plates are available or obtainable for Special Types General Order (STGO). Would one of these vehicles by able to pull (legally) my 4 axle King trailer loaded with the Chieftain ARRV - 71 tonnes? Around 30 tonnes through the king pin. I know it would be slow-ish around 20-25 mph max on the straight and ear defenders would be essential but I have been offered one of these vehicles for a restoration project and I'm kind of liking them - butt ugly of course - but that's part of its charm. lol Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks Markheliops

Oh dear. Thanks for asking. Regards Markheliops

Hi Peeps - What's the score with heavy armour attending the show? Are they: A) Not allowed. B) Static display only. C) Arena bound for display. Markheliops

I'm confused!!!!! Is the new chap starting as general manager and the museum opening - or is the museum closed for good!!! Markheliops