timbo

As I say he wants a lot for them but I got the distinct impression that he was more interested in selling than perhaps he has been in the past. Not for me but would make a nice project for someone. nice guy actually, he was a bit standoffish to start with but then spent a lot of time telling me the history of the vehicles and what he's done with them. I was running late so had to disappear but i think he would have talked for ages longer if not..

Hmmm From the story it doesn't sound like good news for heavy vehicles. Would be a real shame - the sound of the heavy convoy reverberating around the valley from miles away was one of the highlights for me last year..

Went to look at these yesterday. No pics to hand but will post one or two over next couple of days. For those who don't know they are operated by Heybeck Garage. One is pretty original, still with the ballast body in place. The second is less original - stretched with one axle removed and a recovery body added - not sure this second has moved for a long time, but the owner said the ballast bodied one was fine just needed batteries connecting. I would say it has deteriorated a bit in last couple of years but still essentially solid and all there. Has new wings fitted, and he still has the original 4 speed box (9 speed now fitted) as well as couple of spare axles and other bits. It was used until fairly recently for bigger more awkward jobs but I got the impression is now getting to the end of its useful life. Incidentally he needs a fuel pump for the Martian out back if anybody knows of one... Cheers

Great show Turned up with the lightweight on Sun lunchtime and spent a very enjoyable (if cold !) day.. My only complaint - more catering please ! But that is nitpicking really so thanks for organising - will deffo be there again next year prob for weekend.. Cheers

Don't know why but yes would agree it is a shame - went for the first time last year and it was good fun (although my Lightweight not strictly wartime I suppose !). Also agree we need more shows in the North. Went to Wheels & Wings yesterday which was also very good. Not got time or commitment to organise myself though - max respect to those who do..

Welcome mate Nice looking lightweight very tidy from pics - lovely bits of kit you can;t beat 'em...!

vintagemvmanuals.co.uk have always worked ok for me - he also trades as green machine surplus...

Robin No, the Supacat isn't mine but I'll mention your offer to Andrew next time I see him - it might be of interest.. The way I figure it a mechanically good and tidy vehicle will always be worth more (and probably more fun, to me at least) than a half finished show standard restoration. Having said that I am full of admiration for those who have the time, patience and dedication to do a nut and bolt restoration - it just isn't me !

Mate I would imagine all the in service vehicles are now diesel... As for the GM's - all the samsons I've seen appear to have GM numbers - not sure about others though..

Excellent thanks will look fwd to that.. Just to clarify - the pic that shows what looks like a pile of scrap is actually what was left of the mudguards - new ones going on. One thing which you can't really see from the pic is that on the front mudguards there is a small cutout just where the shackles attach to the hull. On most CVRTs this doesn't seem to be there meaning that towing or recovery using the shackles leads to bent mudguards so could be a unit mod ? Also the sprockets have all been replaced - pic is just to show how bad they were. The tracks are quite rusty but when I looked at the pads they actually look pretty much brand new. Should be up and running by end of this week. Painting will probably take a bit longer though !

Ahh, the GPZ900 - Tom Cruises finest moment ! Know what you mean old chap - I have a ZXR750 hanging around in the garage and I'm starting to get a hankering to do something with it again, just for a change... C'mon Grumpy don't be modest give us a rundown of the collection please...

Just a few more.... Idea was never to do a full monty restoration but just get her tidy and running well with everything working. J60 is a recon unit so should be good for a while !

Pics attached - few more to follow shortly. They seem to have got mixed up and I'm not used to posting photos but hopefully you get the idea !

Apologies for not posting pics yet. Hope to get some on this weekend. Recon engine is now fitted, though not fully plumbed yet - few more pipes on the sammy. New sprockets fitted (old ones well hooked), and tracks now on. One question though which people might be able to help with - colour wise it is plain, faded green (possibly never issued) - as such I feel a bit more open to a different camo scheme and was maybe thinking green and sand a la BATUS - is this feasible for a Samson ? Anybody got any in service pics to give me ideas ? Have to say whilst not a rivet counter I would normally try to keep to the original scheme but feel a bit more open to something different for this one.... Cheers

As an aside, after many years full of water and with no engine the sammy should soon live again. Will post some pics when done. Nice to see a thread on recovery kit - these vehicles don't get enough attention...

Dont know what happened to it but I think Bazz worked with it in service - might be worth a pm ?

pics please !

Glad to hear it ! Just checked out your website and will deffo have to have a good look at it when I have more time. Any good Samson pics on there ?

Fab pics and much more useful than a bl**dy great gun..(unless you're being shot at of course !). I have a Samson which I love dearly but talking to REME guy the other day and he told me they never actually used them that much due to the relatively low pull. More often than not they'd just use the Foden 6x6 off a straight pull to avoid messing about with all the pulleys etc. , and there weren't that many places the Foden couldn't reach..

Subterranea Brittanica also good.. Not strictly MV related but there was a great programme on Beeb 2 at the weekend called Requiem for Detroit, all about how the decline of the US auto industry has hit the city. Population down by 2/3rds, mile after mile of abandoned houses and factories. Looked truly post apocalyptic and fascinating stuff... Guess there must have been lots of MVs built there over the years so a connection of sorts !

Sorry just saw you'd already done that ! Think your idea of canvassing local farmers might be your best bet.

Corps... Meant to say Afrika Corps of course !

And I caught 'Sea of Sand' today when the Afrika were all driving round in US half tracks.. Still had some nice LRDG chevys in it though...

Try the local council - as you dont have a Scammell (!) they might be able to help at a reasonable cost... Good luck

Cool cheers - can't wait to run the whole thing out and make a death slide...