Markheliops

Does this mean a BV206 can't swim or attend? I know tracked vehicles can make a mess but a BV206 makes less mess than most wheeled vehicles.

Hi there. I wouldn't class myself as an expert (more experienced)......but the method of recovery would depend on a number of factors: If not familiar with the 101 Ambulance body but if I thought it were strong enough, I'd pass a roll over strop over the side of the body facing uppermost, across the roof towards the ground, under the side of the body on the road and attach it to the chassis. A simple winch pull would enable the vehicle to roll back on to it's wheels. A retraining system would be needed to stop it bouncing over again once on it's wheels. By achieving a rolling action, the body would not be subjected to too much strain. Another method would be to attach a cable to the middle of the chassis as high as I could get it. Use a snatch block to start the winch rope low to enable a "pulling down" effect. It would be advisable to chock the wheels nearest the ground so they don't skip and then winch in. The effect of the cable winching from low to high should pull the vehicle into the ground at the wheels and enable a tipping over effect. It would be wise to have a form of restraint to stop the vehicle rolling back on to it's wheels and bouncing over in the opposite direction. Oh and always make sure the handbrake is applied before rolling the vehicle over on to it's wheels. Equally you could just attach a winch rope to the chassis, high up and pull it over but I wouldn't guarantee the Landie not to slide along the road causing further damage. It really depends on what recovery equipment is fitted to the recovery vehicle (ie winch, crane, etc), the conditions of the recovery site (type, surface, level, etc), the build quality of the vehicle being recovered, its size and weight, if it's carrying a load and what damage has been done to it. For instance, there is little point rolling a vehicle back on to it's wheels if one of the axles has come off! The important thing as you already pointed out is to try and spread the strain or ensure equal strain is applied when winching. Pulling too hard in one place can cause the chassis to twist resulting in far more damage caused than when the vehicle toppled over. I'd be very surprised if the chassis on a 101 Landie twisted whilst being recovered from off its side - unless it was fully loaded in the back. Recovery of vehicles is not governed by hard and fast rules or standard procedures. You weigh up the situation, plan the recovery phase and then carry out the recovery. I'm sure there are a number of people who would do it another way - anyone have any ideas on the above.

I'm not going to turn this into an argument as it is a thread about a recovery demonstration for War and Peace. As my Ward Lafrance is MY Ward Lafrance, I do not wish to risk damaging it by having it turned on to it's side - END OF STORY!!! My all means Cosrec - If you wish to purchase your own Ward Lafrance, then spend 7 years restoring it and thousands of pounds of your own money - feel free to do as you suggest. Meanwhile, I will listen to the years of practical experience I have had righting 40 ton articulated lorries back on to their wheels. Failing that, I shall refer to the various books I had to study to pass my written and practical exams in heavy commercial vehicle recovery. I will then come to the same conclusion that it's not worth the risk of damaging my pride and joy just to entertain the crowd! Markheliops

Let me explain for those who think rolling a truck over is as simple as attaching a winch rope to it and pulling. I spent 5 years as a heavy recovery operator, covering the M20 for the Police. My job was to deal with artic and rigid trucks when they fell over, jack-knifed or where involved in RTA's. I am a qualified member of the IVR (Institute of Vehicle Recovery) and a Reci-mech Class II so I think I'm well within my rights to speak with some experience of this matter. The biggest problem with rolling a vehicle off it's side and on to it's wheels is doing it without bending the chassis. Any monkey can attach a winch rope to a vehicle and pull it over. That is why recovery operators use such things as air bags to relieve the stresses on the chassis. Another issue is the wheels skipping when the truck is raise off the ground. The result of this is the wheels skip away and the truck falls back on to it's side with a rather loud bang, more often than not, causing considerable damage to the vehicle. Another issue is where are you going to attach the winch rope to enable a roll-over to be completed. On a Ward for instance, there is nowhere on the body strong enough to take the strain of 14 tonnes being raised off the ground. Let me explain. The strop has to pass over the vehicle and attach to the chassis to enable the correct "roll-over" action to happen. If you attach directly to the chassis, all you will do is pull the truck along on it's side until something breaks. I have no issues with my experience or my trucks capabilities but I would not want my Ward put on it's side for the reasons above. Rolling a vehicle off it's side is fine if you're using a scrap vehicle for the exercise. That way it doesn't matter if you damage the vehicle in question. I wouldn't try rolling anyone's pride and joy for an exercise, never mind using my own truck. So, if anyone has a scrap vehicle then let it be known and happy days but I for one would not attempt to use someones pride and joy for the task - it has nothing to do with the size of my balls either!!! Markheliops

Umm - who wants to volunteer their Ward to be put on it's side................................................ Thought not! Nice idea though.

Yes mate - Green will be the standard colour of the day, unless you want to paint the Ward a lovely German Blue / Grey!! I may need some drivers for the armour though -

Good idea Mike. I have always thought the wreckers are some of the most interesting vehicles at the show but were always relegated to a small arena slot on Wednesdays or Thursdays. I'm struggling with ideas though - as Bernard pointed out - the public do like to see instant action unless there is a wow factor at the end. Wreckers by there nature can either lift, winch or pull so that narrows it down a little. I used to go to recovery shows when I was on the big rigs and we used to sit a double decker bus on it's rear end but we had commercial wreckers and a "prepared" double decker bus to do it. I don't think it could be done with military equipment. I'll have Shrek at the show but I'm not sure about the Ward. Mark

Thanks for the offers so far Gents: I may need to downscale proposed itineraries due to lack of time and available resources but I am still on the lookout for WWII re-enactors and WWII vehicles and their owners who would be willing to get involved with maybe a battle or two and helping to set the tone and feel for a WWII D-Day event. Messages via in box please. Thank you in anticipation. Markheliops

Thanks for the offer Andy - I'll get back to you once I know whats happening. It is Lymington, Hampshire.

Hi all. My employer wishes to hold a Commemorative D-Day event in June this year over the D-Day weekend. Please forgive me but details are a little sketchy at this time other than the weekend in question and the event will go ahead. My employer owns an estate in Lymington, together with a private airfield that in WWII. Opened in 1944, Lymington was a prototype for the type of temporary Advanced Landing Ground type airfield which would be built in France after D-Day, when the need advanced landing fields would become urgent as the Allied forces moved east across France and Germany. It was used by the Royal Air Force, Canadian and the United States Army Air Forces. It was closed in 1946 after two years of being utilized as a storage area for the Royal Navy. Created P-47 Thunderbolts were moved by road to the airfield, assembled and then flown operationally across the channel. My employer has already made plans to bring a Vet from the above to the airfield for this event. I have been tasked with organising various elements of this 1940's themed event. Some of my plans are as follows: To set up the airfield as it was in 1944. (Tents, vehicles, re-enactors, stores, etc). To hold mock WWII battles with vehicles and re-enactors. 1940's style concert Flying WWII fighter planes into the airfield. At this time, the public are being invited to visit the estate and the event is being held on behalf of Help the Heroes and other Forces Charities. Now I know it is very late to be organising such an event as many people will already be booked for other events both in the UK and overseas. What I am trying to do now is gauge what sort of response I get so I can advise my employer of what I can get arranged for him. I am interested in any individuals, groups, vehicle owners, etc that can make this event. Please e-mail me with a contact number or message me on here if you would like to be part of this event. Regards Mark

Howdy - do We have a Goddess at the collection I work on. Info for these things are great so always good to know other owners. Markheliops

Confused! If the manufacture date is pre-73, wouldn't the Historic tax class be more appropriate? Ignore me - it's been a long day. Obviously L reg wouldn't be pre-73! Doh!

Taken from Rob Griffin's Chieftain book. Andy - Army code 62259, Part 2, Chap 7-2, Page 3 (Sect 2 under tracks). Regards Markheliops

PM sent Andy. Thank you gentlemen - Regards Markheliops

I can't speak for Chally but Chieftain has 96 links per side.

Hi Gents / Ladies. Can someone please point me in the direction of what EMER or manual details pack removal from the FV433? Many thanks Markheliops

I've just checked the manual and over sized sprockets are fitted when 4 links have been removed per side so they will be fitted at 92 links. Regards Markheliops

Hi Dick. Going from memory I think over sized sprockets were fitted after 4 links had been removed per side and no further adjustment available. Markhelioops

Hi Rob. How did this information come to light? Regards Markheliops

Hi all. Happy Christmas to you all. Re - flooding. The Hop Farm and East Peckham (my neck of the woods). Most of you will recognised the places now under water. http://youtu.be/nFTMMjLj068 We are dry at the moment but the levels are still rising and heavy storms forecast for Friday. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the festive period. Markheliops

A few months ago I was fortunate to have dinner with Rob Collings. The purchase of the Littlefield Collection came up in general discussion and I must say, I found Rob to be very passionate in regard to the preservation of such historical pieces and I can't think of a better person or trust to look after it. All in all, he was very excited about the collection and his future plans in regard to the items in it. Markheliops

Vandal ....

Neil - What company are you going through?

No. Contact him through the The War and Peace Revival Show web site.

You could e-mail Rex Cadman (show organiser). His low loader travels all over the country collecting exhibits for the show and at a reduced rate. I do some of the driving for him so I know the low loader goes out that way. Regards Markheliops